I have come to some very simple conclusions about people. Firstly, that everyone has a dream. Secondly, most people will never take the step from thinking about their dream to owning it. Thirdly, that of the people who go after their dreams, 100% of them are likely quite talented, however, only 2% are consistent...
The irony? Generally the 2% who end up succeeding because they are consistent in their pursuit of their dream are usually the least talented of the lot. Just goes to show what really matters when you're trying to beat the odds. My take on this for business, ditch the talented with a track record for under-achieving and pursue the average Joe's with a strong track record for consistency, persistency, and thus success... Just a thought...
P.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Almost Famous...
I went to Listen to George W Bush... I thought we spoke well and from the heart about his life after politics. The protesters did themselves no favours by coming across as irrational morons. I love the fact that people get to protest, but at least try and say something coherent and plausible!
Here is my quote in the paper. They caught up with me, and this is what I came up with...
“I was really impressed,” Peter Fuerbringer said after hearing the speech. “I didn’t know exactly what to expect — he is tremendously charismatic. He’s able to laugh at himself, and he didn’t pull any punches either. He spoke from the heart, and you really got a sense for the person he is — love him, hate him, don’t really care — it didn’t matter.”
http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/198653
Wow, I'm big time now...
Cheers,
P
Here is my quote in the paper. They caught up with me, and this is what I came up with...
“I was really impressed,” Peter Fuerbringer said after hearing the speech. “I didn’t know exactly what to expect — he is tremendously charismatic. He’s able to laugh at himself, and he didn’t pull any punches either. He spoke from the heart, and you really got a sense for the person he is — love him, hate him, don’t really care — it didn’t matter.”
http://www.metronews.ca/ca
Wow, I'm big time now...
Cheers,
P
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Highest value vs goals... It's no competition...
I've been thinking a lot lately about the challenges people face controlling their emotions in business. Especially when trying to take themselves out of their comfort zone in order to make a big change in their life.
I work with a lot of people who are new to entrepreneurship through our company VoneCommerce. I love VE because of the massive opportunity it offers pretty much anyone to get into business for themselves (cheap to start, lots of leverage). And I truly believe that getting into business for yourself is the best chance at achieving financial freedom (so long as the vehicle supports the potential of a true residual income - which eCommerce does).
The best thing about working with people who want to move from a fairly predictable future slaving to the 40/40 plan (40 hrs a week for 40 years) to the challenge of the freedom 35 plan is that I get to see people share their hopes and dreams. It is so exciting listening to what people would do if money were not a consideration. John Maxwell once asked me the question 'what would change in your life if you had 200m dollars in the bank?' I was starting to think about other options for myself at the time, so I was open to ideas, and I responded honestly by saying that aside from my wife and kids, everything would change. His response to me really shook me up and forced me to make a decision. He said 'what does that tell you about the road you're on?'
Wow, if that wasn't motivation to go for it. So that's how I started, my wife and I got into the wild and wonderful world of viral marketing (we were broke and in debt, so didn't have a lot of start-up capital), took Robert Kiyosaki's advice in 'Why We Want You to be Rich' and got associated with a entrepreneur development group with a fantastic entrepreneurial training system (WWG, great group of people, integrity central!). What we learned there, and from other entrepreneurship greats like Richard Branson, has helped us build a brand that is now worth millions and still growing like crazy.
So, why doesn't everyone who dares to dream just get something viable rolling and go from there? I think the answer lies in a disconnect between goals and highest value.
One of my clients the the incredible author Dr John Demartini. He is an phenomenal teacher who thinks deeply about human motivation. The thing about John is that he actually offers tangible ways for people to move toward accomplishing their goals. His premise is simple, people will always serve their highest value. And if you want to know what someone's highest value is, plug your ears and look at where they are successful in their lives.
People are often ruled by their emotions which means they will generally always gravitate back to serving something that makes them feel 'good'. That might be a happy wife and kids, perhaps it is watching sports, or maybe even working out. The point is that if it ever comes to choosing between serving this 'highest value' or doing something else, the highest value will win.
Case study: I once worked with a young man who sought me out to help him build an online company. In our initial interview, he told me about the things he wanted to achieve in life. Told me how he would do anything to get there, whatever it takes... Told me about the books he had read and how all he really needed was someone who would give him a chance. So I did. I set him up in a great vehicle, worked with him to get things rolling, went through the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship, and talked alot about how entrepreneurship is often quite counter intuitive because in the early stage you will work really hard for little reward.
After a month, we had worked hard in his business to build the beginnings of a subscriber base. We were working to fill his opportunity pipeline. He made a whole $36 profit after his first 30 days in business. I remember looking at him and saying 'great start, now we need to work this hard again because only consistency will help him build a successful company and get him to his dreams. Although he said all the right things in that converstion, I noted that over the next few weeks his resolve began to waiver. If he had a choice to make between following up with a lead going out with friends, he would choose to go out with friends. Then I saw it. He was starting to serve his highest value. I knew it was the beginning of the end for his venture. When I first met him, I knew he was a popular guy. Really easy company and always being invited to things. Loads of friends. When he started choosing his old lifestyle over the short term lifestyle he knew would get him to his dreams, I thought about John's teachings. He was doomed to serve his highest value and it was not a highest value that was going to help him build a successful company no matter how much mentoring, support, or investment I put in to him.
So, what do we do about it? How do we get past being a slave to our highest value in order to change our future personal or financial outlook? Well, according to John, we don't, unless we change our highest value/goal association. I presented this previously describes scenario to John on his trip to Calgary last March, and asked his advice. This is what he told me: In order to change your future, you need to either bring your goals into alignment with your highest value, or you need to bring your highest value into alignment with your goals... Okay, easier said than done! But... As with all things, where there is a will there is a way. Here are some steps that can get you started...
1) Identify your highest value: Look at where you are the most successful in your life. Relationships? Making money? Being creative? Great family and marriage? Really think about this one.
2) Come up with a very long list: List 1000 ways your highest value will benefit from you achieving your goal. This is exhausting, but by the time you finish, there will be no question in your mind as to how important achieving your goal will be to your highest value.
Example: Let's say you come to the conclusion that your highest value is your family, but that you would really like to make more money and retire early... Hmmm... Problem is that the latter is going to require a great deal of time away from your family, and what happens the first time your child calls and asks you to come home early to read to her, but you know you also have to get something done for work or your company... I am guessing the story will win every time. So, the obvious start to your list would be 'I will have more time for my kids because I won't have to worry about making money'. Promoting the idea of future benefit to your family will be a key to making the tough choices in the short term.
3) Revisit the list: When you start to fade, look back to your list. If you just aren't getting there, write another 300 connections and see where that takes you.
4) In case of emergency, break glass: Go see a Demartini seminar, that will really square you away.
Go and grow!
Cheers,
P
I work with a lot of people who are new to entrepreneurship through our company VoneCommerce. I love VE because of the massive opportunity it offers pretty much anyone to get into business for themselves (cheap to start, lots of leverage). And I truly believe that getting into business for yourself is the best chance at achieving financial freedom (so long as the vehicle supports the potential of a true residual income - which eCommerce does).
The best thing about working with people who want to move from a fairly predictable future slaving to the 40/40 plan (40 hrs a week for 40 years) to the challenge of the freedom 35 plan is that I get to see people share their hopes and dreams. It is so exciting listening to what people would do if money were not a consideration. John Maxwell once asked me the question 'what would change in your life if you had 200m dollars in the bank?' I was starting to think about other options for myself at the time, so I was open to ideas, and I responded honestly by saying that aside from my wife and kids, everything would change. His response to me really shook me up and forced me to make a decision. He said 'what does that tell you about the road you're on?'
Wow, if that wasn't motivation to go for it. So that's how I started, my wife and I got into the wild and wonderful world of viral marketing (we were broke and in debt, so didn't have a lot of start-up capital), took Robert Kiyosaki's advice in 'Why We Want You to be Rich' and got associated with a entrepreneur development group with a fantastic entrepreneurial training system (WWG, great group of people, integrity central!). What we learned there, and from other entrepreneurship greats like Richard Branson, has helped us build a brand that is now worth millions and still growing like crazy.
So, why doesn't everyone who dares to dream just get something viable rolling and go from there? I think the answer lies in a disconnect between goals and highest value.
One of my clients the the incredible author Dr John Demartini. He is an phenomenal teacher who thinks deeply about human motivation. The thing about John is that he actually offers tangible ways for people to move toward accomplishing their goals. His premise is simple, people will always serve their highest value. And if you want to know what someone's highest value is, plug your ears and look at where they are successful in their lives.
People are often ruled by their emotions which means they will generally always gravitate back to serving something that makes them feel 'good'. That might be a happy wife and kids, perhaps it is watching sports, or maybe even working out. The point is that if it ever comes to choosing between serving this 'highest value' or doing something else, the highest value will win.
Case study: I once worked with a young man who sought me out to help him build an online company. In our initial interview, he told me about the things he wanted to achieve in life. Told me how he would do anything to get there, whatever it takes... Told me about the books he had read and how all he really needed was someone who would give him a chance. So I did. I set him up in a great vehicle, worked with him to get things rolling, went through the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship, and talked alot about how entrepreneurship is often quite counter intuitive because in the early stage you will work really hard for little reward.
After a month, we had worked hard in his business to build the beginnings of a subscriber base. We were working to fill his opportunity pipeline. He made a whole $36 profit after his first 30 days in business. I remember looking at him and saying 'great start, now we need to work this hard again because only consistency will help him build a successful company and get him to his dreams. Although he said all the right things in that converstion, I noted that over the next few weeks his resolve began to waiver. If he had a choice to make between following up with a lead going out with friends, he would choose to go out with friends. Then I saw it. He was starting to serve his highest value. I knew it was the beginning of the end for his venture. When I first met him, I knew he was a popular guy. Really easy company and always being invited to things. Loads of friends. When he started choosing his old lifestyle over the short term lifestyle he knew would get him to his dreams, I thought about John's teachings. He was doomed to serve his highest value and it was not a highest value that was going to help him build a successful company no matter how much mentoring, support, or investment I put in to him.
So, what do we do about it? How do we get past being a slave to our highest value in order to change our future personal or financial outlook? Well, according to John, we don't, unless we change our highest value/goal association. I presented this previously describes scenario to John on his trip to Calgary last March, and asked his advice. This is what he told me: In order to change your future, you need to either bring your goals into alignment with your highest value, or you need to bring your highest value into alignment with your goals... Okay, easier said than done! But... As with all things, where there is a will there is a way. Here are some steps that can get you started...
1) Identify your highest value: Look at where you are the most successful in your life. Relationships? Making money? Being creative? Great family and marriage? Really think about this one.
2) Come up with a very long list: List 1000 ways your highest value will benefit from you achieving your goal. This is exhausting, but by the time you finish, there will be no question in your mind as to how important achieving your goal will be to your highest value.
Example: Let's say you come to the conclusion that your highest value is your family, but that you would really like to make more money and retire early... Hmmm... Problem is that the latter is going to require a great deal of time away from your family, and what happens the first time your child calls and asks you to come home early to read to her, but you know you also have to get something done for work or your company... I am guessing the story will win every time. So, the obvious start to your list would be 'I will have more time for my kids because I won't have to worry about making money'. Promoting the idea of future benefit to your family will be a key to making the tough choices in the short term.
3) Revisit the list: When you start to fade, look back to your list. If you just aren't getting there, write another 300 connections and see where that takes you.
4) In case of emergency, break glass: Go see a Demartini seminar, that will really square you away.
Go and grow!
Cheers,
P
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Evolving your Communications Approach to Include the Web 2.0 World....
Traditionally my boutique PR firm, VonCreative Inc., has focused on pure communications and public relations support. In other words, we have never been ones to spend client's money on advertorials and pass it off as ink... something I have seen all too often in the PR world.
Given the changing economy and the way media outlets are becoming desperate to attract advertising dollars, I have found that pure story telling is really starting to fall by the wayside in terms of traditional media... Sooooo, I think the writing's on the wall for communicators, innovate and adapt or die.
At VC, we are always trying to be an adaptive company unafraid of changing times. A firm that sees around corners. For this reason we started working specifically on understanding new communications, new media, and of course web 2.0. By empowering our people to learn and try new things we have come up with some very unique tactics to create effective communications for our clients by applying the rule of reciprocity. Here are a few key points we have learned:
1) Offer value to the community: Generally, marketers and communicators go into interactions with a hard hitting approach to achieving brand recognition. In terms of social media, this equates to a bull in a china shop approach... inneffective. Marketers and spamsters are quickly rooted out in any interactive community. Respect the collective intelligence of the crowd and go into every action with the intent to offer value to the conversation.
2) Take time to get to know the communities and players: Gather intel. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur, I am also a captain in the military (former regular air force pilot, now army Captain reserves). The military are great at learning the lay of the land before acting, especially in todays assymetrical conflict environment. I think that this is a key skill communicators need to take on board. Social media is not a place to 'inject' your message or your brand. Find, interact, profile, and then decide on an effective value offering you can firstly add, and then you can start to infuse your message... so long as your message actually adds value. At VC we only take innovative, interesting and market valueable clients on. For this reason I know that whenever I inject information about any of my clients in to social forums (at an appropriate time) that it will be an injection that had a value offering to the community. And, I only do it once I understand who I am talking to, and what might be valueable to them...
3) Use technology as a force multiplier: I spend a lot of time learning from the communities I take part in. I actually open all the links, read the posts and take the time to think about the information that is put forward. By taking this approach I have learned a great deal about tools and areas where I can gain a great deal of technical force multiplication. Rule of thumb - if there is something you just wish you had to make your life easier in terms of web 2.0... It probably exists somewhere (as in the case of twitulator.com and ping.fm). Take the time to learn from the 'experts' (especially if you are new to social media).
4) The full circle effect: Don't think that web 2.0 is on its way to replacing good old fashioned face to face interaction. What I have noticed is that often social media creates a circular effect. People get involved, they network and take part in key communities, and eventually get invited to interact in related live networking opportunities. Look at change camp, or demo camps. These are all examples of how web 2.0 community building comes full circle into face to face interaction... I guess in some ways people build and express social capital will never change... Thank goodness!
5) Become a hub: Create connections that lead eventually back to you or your client... I call this a hub strategy. One source of reliable information webbed into from many sources of micro information teasers. Look at Chelseamoser.com for a great example of a hub strategy. Comes across as an anti-hub, but peel back the tactical layers. The simplicity and brilliance of it is remarkable... Way to go Chelsea.
Overall, we believe that web 2.0 is the logical evolution of media. Publishing is no longer the sole holding of the mainstream media, hence the reason they are going under in record numbers... Like the media, we as consultants and communications 'experts' need to accept this and understand it... It takes time, but is worth the effort.
Cheers,
P
Given the changing economy and the way media outlets are becoming desperate to attract advertising dollars, I have found that pure story telling is really starting to fall by the wayside in terms of traditional media... Sooooo, I think the writing's on the wall for communicators, innovate and adapt or die.
At VC, we are always trying to be an adaptive company unafraid of changing times. A firm that sees around corners. For this reason we started working specifically on understanding new communications, new media, and of course web 2.0. By empowering our people to learn and try new things we have come up with some very unique tactics to create effective communications for our clients by applying the rule of reciprocity. Here are a few key points we have learned:
1) Offer value to the community: Generally, marketers and communicators go into interactions with a hard hitting approach to achieving brand recognition. In terms of social media, this equates to a bull in a china shop approach... inneffective. Marketers and spamsters are quickly rooted out in any interactive community. Respect the collective intelligence of the crowd and go into every action with the intent to offer value to the conversation.
2) Take time to get to know the communities and players: Gather intel. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur, I am also a captain in the military (former regular air force pilot, now army Captain reserves). The military are great at learning the lay of the land before acting, especially in todays assymetrical conflict environment. I think that this is a key skill communicators need to take on board. Social media is not a place to 'inject' your message or your brand. Find, interact, profile, and then decide on an effective value offering you can firstly add, and then you can start to infuse your message... so long as your message actually adds value. At VC we only take innovative, interesting and market valueable clients on. For this reason I know that whenever I inject information about any of my clients in to social forums (at an appropriate time) that it will be an injection that had a value offering to the community. And, I only do it once I understand who I am talking to, and what might be valueable to them...
3) Use technology as a force multiplier: I spend a lot of time learning from the communities I take part in. I actually open all the links, read the posts and take the time to think about the information that is put forward. By taking this approach I have learned a great deal about tools and areas where I can gain a great deal of technical force multiplication. Rule of thumb - if there is something you just wish you had to make your life easier in terms of web 2.0... It probably exists somewhere (as in the case of twitulator.com and ping.fm). Take the time to learn from the 'experts' (especially if you are new to social media).
4) The full circle effect: Don't think that web 2.0 is on its way to replacing good old fashioned face to face interaction. What I have noticed is that often social media creates a circular effect. People get involved, they network and take part in key communities, and eventually get invited to interact in related live networking opportunities. Look at change camp, or demo camps. These are all examples of how web 2.0 community building comes full circle into face to face interaction... I guess in some ways people build and express social capital will never change... Thank goodness!
5) Become a hub: Create connections that lead eventually back to you or your client... I call this a hub strategy. One source of reliable information webbed into from many sources of micro information teasers. Look at Chelseamoser.com for a great example of a hub strategy. Comes across as an anti-hub, but peel back the tactical layers. The simplicity and brilliance of it is remarkable... Way to go Chelsea.
Overall, we believe that web 2.0 is the logical evolution of media. Publishing is no longer the sole holding of the mainstream media, hence the reason they are going under in record numbers... Like the media, we as consultants and communications 'experts' need to accept this and understand it... It takes time, but is worth the effort.
Cheers,
P
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Solve a problem, build a legacy...
One of my great joys in life is sitting down with budding entrepreneurs and helping them get the ball rolling on their own business... One of our companies, Von eCommerce, focuses on helping the average Joe/Jill start a small business online using an eCommerce platform that we know is tried and tested. Basically leveraging large company's desire to increase web business by harvesting social networks. What I love about this is that I know the platform works and that all it really takes is consistency and determination on the part of the entrepreneur.
Having said that, when it comes to more inventive entrepreneurship, I see a lot of great ideas and an equal number of zany ideas (and half thought out business plans). Many months ago I sat down with a number of recent MBA grads bent on turning their final project into a reality. What perplexed me was that firstly they thought they could build a tech company on 400K of investors dollars, and secondly that they were taking their lead from one member of the foursome with no previous entrepreneurial experience (and who was clearly finding it hard to accept the reality that she's no longer working with her multi-million dollar corporate budget). Last I heard, they had run out of money... Surprise, surprise...
Now, I love entrepreneurship and the idea that one person can start something that may one day create a legacy is what makes our system of free enterprise particularly appealing. So, after having started not one, but three successful ventures with my business partner and wife, here are my tips to the budding dreamer / entrepreneur that I have learned through a great deal of trial and error / listening and learning:
1) Don't create a problem to solve, but rather, identify an actual problem that requires a solution.
2) Add value to the marketplace.
3) No matter what the economic climate, never, ever take your clients for granted.
4) Guard your reputation with your life... when push comes to shove, it's all you have.
5) Work on your business, not in it... Its your job to get paying customers. For the technical expertise hire the mathletes that used to make you feel dumb in high school. On this note, there was a great article written in Time Magazine called 'why the world is ruled by C+ students'. Basic premise, people skills beat technical skills when shooting for the CEO's seat.
6) Don't outsource your brain by taking what the 'experts' say as gospel... Remember the current economic climate was created by 'experts'.
7) When in the trenches of a startup, forget everything you used to know as a corporate 'exec' with a big budget... Lean, lean, lean... focus money on key elements that generate revenue.
8) You will always need more money than you think, and be making less than you forcasted... Keep this in mind and you will live in the world of the real...
9) When it comes to your 'one of a kind' idea... Remember the golden rule of inventive entrepreneurship, 12 people have thought of it, 4 people are working on it. What will make all the difference is your ability to bring it to market. Right now Von is working on a billion dollar idea that will basically solve one of the biggest problems confounding clothing retailers online. We know we aren't the first to think of it, but we do think we might be the best equipped to take it successfully to market by knowing what market this existing technology will add the most value to...
10) When in doubt... Follow your gut.
Cheers,
P
Having said that, when it comes to more inventive entrepreneurship, I see a lot of great ideas and an equal number of zany ideas (and half thought out business plans). Many months ago I sat down with a number of recent MBA grads bent on turning their final project into a reality. What perplexed me was that firstly they thought they could build a tech company on 400K of investors dollars, and secondly that they were taking their lead from one member of the foursome with no previous entrepreneurial experience (and who was clearly finding it hard to accept the reality that she's no longer working with her multi-million dollar corporate budget). Last I heard, they had run out of money... Surprise, surprise...
Now, I love entrepreneurship and the idea that one person can start something that may one day create a legacy is what makes our system of free enterprise particularly appealing. So, after having started not one, but three successful ventures with my business partner and wife, here are my tips to the budding dreamer / entrepreneur that I have learned through a great deal of trial and error / listening and learning:
1) Don't create a problem to solve, but rather, identify an actual problem that requires a solution.
2) Add value to the marketplace.
3) No matter what the economic climate, never, ever take your clients for granted.
4) Guard your reputation with your life... when push comes to shove, it's all you have.
5) Work on your business, not in it... Its your job to get paying customers. For the technical expertise hire the mathletes that used to make you feel dumb in high school. On this note, there was a great article written in Time Magazine called 'why the world is ruled by C+ students'. Basic premise, people skills beat technical skills when shooting for the CEO's seat.
6) Don't outsource your brain by taking what the 'experts' say as gospel... Remember the current economic climate was created by 'experts'.
7) When in the trenches of a startup, forget everything you used to know as a corporate 'exec' with a big budget... Lean, lean, lean... focus money on key elements that generate revenue.
8) You will always need more money than you think, and be making less than you forcasted... Keep this in mind and you will live in the world of the real...
9) When it comes to your 'one of a kind' idea... Remember the golden rule of inventive entrepreneurship, 12 people have thought of it, 4 people are working on it. What will make all the difference is your ability to bring it to market. Right now Von is working on a billion dollar idea that will basically solve one of the biggest problems confounding clothing retailers online. We know we aren't the first to think of it, but we do think we might be the best equipped to take it successfully to market by knowing what market this existing technology will add the most value to...
10) When in doubt... Follow your gut.
Cheers,
P
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Twitter... How I love thee
Okay, anyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with efficiency. If I have one beef with Web 2.0, its simply that no one has yet created a catch all dashboard from avid web 2.0-ers who are annoyed at keeping 15 tabs open at a time (hmmm... the entrepreneurship bone just buzzed).
The thing I love about Twitter, however, is that it seems to be the most efficient social networking site I use. Quick content, plucky, to the point! love it. As Shakespeare once wrote "since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief."
I am amazed that I am so interested in the actual short content of what my 'followers' are doing. The best part is, however, that people give off all these great tidbits of information, and because they don't really have enough space to be elaborate, it promotes exploration... I love to explore, and am naturally curious, so this is perfect!
So, on the Peter scale, I give Twitter a big two thumbs waaaaay up!
Cheers,
P
The thing I love about Twitter, however, is that it seems to be the most efficient social networking site I use. Quick content, plucky, to the point! love it. As Shakespeare once wrote "since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief."
I am amazed that I am so interested in the actual short content of what my 'followers' are doing. The best part is, however, that people give off all these great tidbits of information, and because they don't really have enough space to be elaborate, it promotes exploration... I love to explore, and am naturally curious, so this is perfect!
So, on the Peter scale, I give Twitter a big two thumbs waaaaay up!
Cheers,
P
Friday, February 20, 2009
What makes people succeed where others fail in business?
So, ever wonder why some people get things done and others never seem to be able to get 'caught up'? Well, I have been thinking a lot about this recently and as such, inquiring with some of my more successful friends for tips, always searching for consistencies. I also looked closely at the things that we have done so far at Von to make this company so successful (last year we grow revenue by over 3500% making us one of the fastest growing companies in Alberta). Here is what I have come up with...
1) Break big things down into smaller parts: Successful people bite things off in little chunks. They don't focus on anything as a whole, but rather they have the ability to see it in its smaller parts. Chunking things down like this makes it much easier to build up a volume of 'successes' which ultimately leads to accomplishing the whole.
Personal Note: Wow, there are days when I look at the things we are trying to do and I am completely paralyzed by the immensity of the task ahead. The process of breaking things down in to smaller, manageable parts is critical in accomplishing the larger goal. Little successes keeps motivation up and puts me on a success cycle. This is encouraging! At Von, when we were growing Von eCommerce, we just kept looking at the next meeting, the next item, rather than looking at the immensity of the whole task. This allowed us to build a great organization. With VonKids, we focused on one new facility at a time. Before we knew it, the company was generating over 1m in revenue in just over a year with no outside investors involved. Now if I was to focus on the immensity of our business goals all the time, I would likely freak out and start running for the hills. But with its smaller parts getting accomplished day after day, the successful end result is inevitable.
2) Stubborn Consistency: High performers are fanatical about consistency. They understand that Rome was not built in a day, and therefore are happy to keep plugging away at whatever it is they are working on until inevitably they end up accomplishing their goals.
Personal Note: In the building of Von's various business units, I can say that talent is worthless. Our success, and the success of our ventures, is completely the result of consistent tracking toward our goals. Just continuing to march toward our goals, and being willing to forgo some of the short terms pleasures for a long term vision.
3) Practice, Practice, Practice: I recently read a book by Malcolm Gladwell called 'Outliers'. He is very empirical in how he investigates what successful people have in common. The one thing that stood out to me was the number 10,000. He found that top notch successful people all had put in at least 10,000hrs of practice before 'making it'... So much for the notion of the overnight success! This breaks down to approximately 3.5 years working 8 hr days.
Personal Note: Yes, if there is one thing I see again and again with budding entrepreneurs, its that they aren't ready to accept little initial reward for what seems like a lot of work. Whenever you start-up, there is a period where you will be working harder than ever before without actually seeing much reward. Most people will go back to what they know at this point, hence why only 2% of people really ever manage to do anything remarkable in their lives. One company I love is Amway... To be specific, World Wide Group (wwdb.com). Before you make any assumptions, I suggest you check them out. They have probably one of the best training systems for new entrepreneurs I have ever come across. They keep it pure and simple with 10 steps to success. I personally think that no matter what industry, these are very simple truths:
a) Be accountable to people
b) Move a product or service
c) Accept mentorship and coaching
d) Read books and learn about your business
e) Listen to biographies of people who have done what you are trying to do
f) Go to business functions and seminars
g) Use your own products over a competitors (duh!, I still get wigged out over how many new entrepreneurs can't seem to take this concept on board...)
h) Bring new DNA in to your organization regularly
i) Market your product or service with a professional looking web presence
j) Get connected with people in your industry via some kind of networking platform
Of these 10, 6 have to do with practice and learning... Considering World Wide Group is full of highly ethical and extremely successful business people, I am willing accept that practice makes perfect when in the pursuit of a lofty goal.
4) Forgive Yourself: Entrepreneurs are the worst for self guilt-trips... they are so busy that they often lament over the time they take away from family and friends. The best entrepreneurs are the ones to are willing to accept that they are working toward something much bigger and that in the pursuit of this dream, there may be casualties along the way. Guilt is an action stopper. Shedding it quickly is very important because in business, all that matters is action.
Personal Note: Oh my gosh... as the parents of two incredible girls, my wife and I are always feeling the guilt of all the 15 hr days we put in building the Von-pire. Having said that, we are really good at patting each other on the back and saying thanks for the sacrifice. The key to why we can keep doing it is because we are building our dreams, not someone else's (as we used to do in our jobs). We also get the children involved in the 'dream'. My hope is that they see our effort, and understand that anything is possible when you are willing to work hard and work smart... My dream is to pass on a life where decisions are made because they are right, not because they are affordable... The kicker to all this is that we both know that the difference between children who will resent our busy schedules and children who will thank us for making the effort day in and day out is only one little thing... SUCCESS.
5) Say No: Trimming the fat out of a schedule is something that my highly successful friends all do. They are not fanatical sports fans, they do not watch loads of movies or TV, they stay up late and get up early doing things that build their dreams... They are NOT ruled by their emotions which therefore allows them to cut out a large portion of the 'feel good' things and extraneous activities that are not directly resulting in an activity that gets them closer to their goals. The reason they can do this is because they know it is only temporary. When they get to where they are heading, they will have a lot of time on their hands to do all the things they once neglected themselves.
Personal Note: When we first got started, I never really found it hard to give up most of my leisure time activities save one, TV. This is one thing I have to consistently fight myself on. I like movies and I like vegging (damn lazy bone!). What helps me a lot is simply staying busy with things that need to get done! I also set deadlines a lot to keep me on track, which in turn forces me to leave TV alone. Another strategy that has worked is simply taking one day a week where I allow myself to chill! I wish I could throw my TV in the garbage, but I think the kiddies would have a fit!
There are a lot of things that go in to building the good habits that will ultimately lead an entrepreneur to the promised land. But really, I think it breaks down to two things... Vision and a dream. If these things are really big in your life, then you will do whatever it takes to get you where you want to go!
Cheers,
P
1) Break big things down into smaller parts: Successful people bite things off in little chunks. They don't focus on anything as a whole, but rather they have the ability to see it in its smaller parts. Chunking things down like this makes it much easier to build up a volume of 'successes' which ultimately leads to accomplishing the whole.
Personal Note: Wow, there are days when I look at the things we are trying to do and I am completely paralyzed by the immensity of the task ahead. The process of breaking things down in to smaller, manageable parts is critical in accomplishing the larger goal. Little successes keeps motivation up and puts me on a success cycle. This is encouraging! At Von, when we were growing Von eCommerce, we just kept looking at the next meeting, the next item, rather than looking at the immensity of the whole task. This allowed us to build a great organization. With VonKids, we focused on one new facility at a time. Before we knew it, the company was generating over 1m in revenue in just over a year with no outside investors involved. Now if I was to focus on the immensity of our business goals all the time, I would likely freak out and start running for the hills. But with its smaller parts getting accomplished day after day, the successful end result is inevitable.
2) Stubborn Consistency: High performers are fanatical about consistency. They understand that Rome was not built in a day, and therefore are happy to keep plugging away at whatever it is they are working on until inevitably they end up accomplishing their goals.
Personal Note: In the building of Von's various business units, I can say that talent is worthless. Our success, and the success of our ventures, is completely the result of consistent tracking toward our goals. Just continuing to march toward our goals, and being willing to forgo some of the short terms pleasures for a long term vision.
3) Practice, Practice, Practice: I recently read a book by Malcolm Gladwell called 'Outliers'. He is very empirical in how he investigates what successful people have in common. The one thing that stood out to me was the number 10,000. He found that top notch successful people all had put in at least 10,000hrs of practice before 'making it'... So much for the notion of the overnight success! This breaks down to approximately 3.5 years working 8 hr days.
Personal Note: Yes, if there is one thing I see again and again with budding entrepreneurs, its that they aren't ready to accept little initial reward for what seems like a lot of work. Whenever you start-up, there is a period where you will be working harder than ever before without actually seeing much reward. Most people will go back to what they know at this point, hence why only 2% of people really ever manage to do anything remarkable in their lives. One company I love is Amway... To be specific, World Wide Group (wwdb.com). Before you make any assumptions, I suggest you check them out. They have probably one of the best training systems for new entrepreneurs I have ever come across. They keep it pure and simple with 10 steps to success. I personally think that no matter what industry, these are very simple truths:
a) Be accountable to people
b) Move a product or service
c) Accept mentorship and coaching
d) Read books and learn about your business
e) Listen to biographies of people who have done what you are trying to do
f) Go to business functions and seminars
g) Use your own products over a competitors (duh!, I still get wigged out over how many new entrepreneurs can't seem to take this concept on board...)
h) Bring new DNA in to your organization regularly
i) Market your product or service with a professional looking web presence
j) Get connected with people in your industry via some kind of networking platform
Of these 10, 6 have to do with practice and learning... Considering World Wide Group is full of highly ethical and extremely successful business people, I am willing accept that practice makes perfect when in the pursuit of a lofty goal.
4) Forgive Yourself: Entrepreneurs are the worst for self guilt-trips... they are so busy that they often lament over the time they take away from family and friends. The best entrepreneurs are the ones to are willing to accept that they are working toward something much bigger and that in the pursuit of this dream, there may be casualties along the way. Guilt is an action stopper. Shedding it quickly is very important because in business, all that matters is action.
Personal Note: Oh my gosh... as the parents of two incredible girls, my wife and I are always feeling the guilt of all the 15 hr days we put in building the Von-pire. Having said that, we are really good at patting each other on the back and saying thanks for the sacrifice. The key to why we can keep doing it is because we are building our dreams, not someone else's (as we used to do in our jobs). We also get the children involved in the 'dream'. My hope is that they see our effort, and understand that anything is possible when you are willing to work hard and work smart... My dream is to pass on a life where decisions are made because they are right, not because they are affordable... The kicker to all this is that we both know that the difference between children who will resent our busy schedules and children who will thank us for making the effort day in and day out is only one little thing... SUCCESS.
5) Say No: Trimming the fat out of a schedule is something that my highly successful friends all do. They are not fanatical sports fans, they do not watch loads of movies or TV, they stay up late and get up early doing things that build their dreams... They are NOT ruled by their emotions which therefore allows them to cut out a large portion of the 'feel good' things and extraneous activities that are not directly resulting in an activity that gets them closer to their goals. The reason they can do this is because they know it is only temporary. When they get to where they are heading, they will have a lot of time on their hands to do all the things they once neglected themselves.
Personal Note: When we first got started, I never really found it hard to give up most of my leisure time activities save one, TV. This is one thing I have to consistently fight myself on. I like movies and I like vegging (damn lazy bone!). What helps me a lot is simply staying busy with things that need to get done! I also set deadlines a lot to keep me on track, which in turn forces me to leave TV alone. Another strategy that has worked is simply taking one day a week where I allow myself to chill! I wish I could throw my TV in the garbage, but I think the kiddies would have a fit!
There are a lot of things that go in to building the good habits that will ultimately lead an entrepreneur to the promised land. But really, I think it breaks down to two things... Vision and a dream. If these things are really big in your life, then you will do whatever it takes to get you where you want to go!
Cheers,
P
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Emperors New Clothes...
Okay, so the other day my parents in-law went to Banff to watch 'Montreal Danse' for a special Valentines day treat... When they arrived home, their faces told the full story. I think their words were "what the h-e-double hockeysticks was that!".
They described a theatre piece where the performers were telling pointless anecdotes to bouts of some bizarre physical Tourrettes Syndrome. The conclusion of the piece saw all the performers standing on some kind of rotating device completely nude. My gosh, I would be shocked if this wasn't something heavily funded by the Canadian tax payer!
Firstly, before I start my tirade, I would like say that as someone who has been on a stage many, many times as the performer, I compliment anyone for stepping on a stage and performing... It takes guts... Having said that, one thing I always took very seriously was my responsibility to actually entertain and offer some kind of value to them, my audience.
I get really annoyed when 'artists' (and I use the word loosely) put together performances that are more about personal therapy than they are about entertaining or offering some kind of comprehensible value to an audience. Often, I find performing and visual arts goers and critics prone to edify public expressions of absolute nonsense! Whenever I have the mis-fortune of sitting through one of these 'presentations' and listening to the analysis of the audience engaged in mental-flail to understand the deeper meaning of the piece, I am reminded of the story of the emperor's new clothes... I think you get where I am going with this...
I grew up around the arts, performed in various locations around the world, and the one thing I learned is that the arts should be pleasing and entertaining if people are paying good money to come and watch. Shakespeare earned his keep by putting up entertaining, clever work rather than self-indulgent drivel... I think artists should remember this point.
Of course, I accept the statement 'who appointed Peter Fuerbringer taste king of the world?' Well, like Simon Cowell, I am quite sure I am stating what the majority of the people in that theatre in Banff were thinking... How do I get my money back!
They described a theatre piece where the performers were telling pointless anecdotes to bouts of some bizarre physical Tourrettes Syndrome. The conclusion of the piece saw all the performers standing on some kind of rotating device completely nude. My gosh, I would be shocked if this wasn't something heavily funded by the Canadian tax payer!
Firstly, before I start my tirade, I would like say that as someone who has been on a stage many, many times as the performer, I compliment anyone for stepping on a stage and performing... It takes guts... Having said that, one thing I always took very seriously was my responsibility to actually entertain and offer some kind of value to them, my audience.
I get really annoyed when 'artists' (and I use the word loosely) put together performances that are more about personal therapy than they are about entertaining or offering some kind of comprehensible value to an audience. Often, I find performing and visual arts goers and critics prone to edify public expressions of absolute nonsense! Whenever I have the mis-fortune of sitting through one of these 'presentations' and listening to the analysis of the audience engaged in mental-flail to understand the deeper meaning of the piece, I am reminded of the story of the emperor's new clothes... I think you get where I am going with this...
I grew up around the arts, performed in various locations around the world, and the one thing I learned is that the arts should be pleasing and entertaining if people are paying good money to come and watch. Shakespeare earned his keep by putting up entertaining, clever work rather than self-indulgent drivel... I think artists should remember this point.
Of course, I accept the statement 'who appointed Peter Fuerbringer taste king of the world?' Well, like Simon Cowell, I am quite sure I am stating what the majority of the people in that theatre in Banff were thinking... How do I get my money back!
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Virtue of Discomfort...
I went to church this morning, and the pastor was not our usual guy. He was the usual youth pastor and seemed pretty nervous to be doing the big job. After apologizing profusely if his sermon left us with more questions that answers, he got to the point. Family was his topic of choice this day, and what's more, alternative families... A big topic to tackle to be sure.
He started off with this little musical piece (http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2146) which although not completely tied in to his topic, definitely gave us a bit of a laugh.
I think that perhaps the nerves, etc... Helped our nervous androgogue to come up with a few really great thoughts. The main drive of his lesson focused on the idea of 'discomfort' and 'inconvenience'. Although his platform was related to welcoming the discomfort that we might feel when we are interacting with families that are different from our own, the key element was the notion of 'discomfort'.
As a seasoned entrepreneur and 'creative', the only time I have seen anything actually work is when I have made myself truly uncomfortable... Discomfort is a key change catalyst that we should not only welcome but seek out actively when pursuing personal, business, or relational growth. This notion has further complexity added to it by the sheer fact that generally discomfort goes hand in hand with inconvenience... Think about it...
So, if we are faced with personal disappointment, be it something as common place as missing our new years resolution or something as complex as a stagnant business or professional life, I think we should seriously investigate how much we welcome the 'uncomfortable'. Count it up, work it out, and see what the answer is you come up with.
Further, I would challenge anyone to simply take one week of putting themselves regularly in uncomfortable situations (not like farting at the dinner table uncomfortable) that are oriented toward a goal. In addition, accepting the innate inconvenience these times with bring with them. See how much you push toward growth in whatever direction. I think the results might surprise you.
P
He started off with this little musical piece (http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=2146) which although not completely tied in to his topic, definitely gave us a bit of a laugh.
I think that perhaps the nerves, etc... Helped our nervous androgogue to come up with a few really great thoughts. The main drive of his lesson focused on the idea of 'discomfort' and 'inconvenience'. Although his platform was related to welcoming the discomfort that we might feel when we are interacting with families that are different from our own, the key element was the notion of 'discomfort'.
As a seasoned entrepreneur and 'creative', the only time I have seen anything actually work is when I have made myself truly uncomfortable... Discomfort is a key change catalyst that we should not only welcome but seek out actively when pursuing personal, business, or relational growth. This notion has further complexity added to it by the sheer fact that generally discomfort goes hand in hand with inconvenience... Think about it...
So, if we are faced with personal disappointment, be it something as common place as missing our new years resolution or something as complex as a stagnant business or professional life, I think we should seriously investigate how much we welcome the 'uncomfortable'. Count it up, work it out, and see what the answer is you come up with.
Further, I would challenge anyone to simply take one week of putting themselves regularly in uncomfortable situations (not like farting at the dinner table uncomfortable) that are oriented toward a goal. In addition, accepting the innate inconvenience these times with bring with them. See how much you push toward growth in whatever direction. I think the results might surprise you.
P
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Welcome to the Von-iverse
The blog is dedicated to discussing organizational innovation, creative solution making, entrepreneurship, and basically anything else that has to do with our changing marketplace.
As we go, I will be posting key thoughts and analysis on topics related to these items. Posts will be relatively brief in order to keep things rolling and offer quick insight.
Connecting the dots will also be a mission of this blog. There are great resources out there and great people. Go forth and connect!
Cheers,
Peter
As we go, I will be posting key thoughts and analysis on topics related to these items. Posts will be relatively brief in order to keep things rolling and offer quick insight.
Connecting the dots will also be a mission of this blog. There are great resources out there and great people. Go forth and connect!
Cheers,
Peter
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