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Build High-Performing Organizations
By Dr. Daryl D. Green
 I sit in the bleachers anticipating what will happen next.
I'm at the Tennessee State Championship, watching my son's high school team compete. It's the girl's day to challenge for a title.
I thought it was a highly unlikely event since the girl team had only seven girls competing (two freshmen, two sophomores, one junior, and two seniors); they were completing against larger schools with more athletes. It was the classic matchup of Goliath and David.
At the final event of the night (4 x 400 relay), Brentwood was leading by two points. The West Relay team (which included two freshmen, one sophomore, and one senior) finished fifth in the preliminaries. Things were different in the finals. The girls ran like they were on fire. West's Tamara Hundley noted, "Coach Crocket told us we needed to win this event to win State. We were not going to be denied."
In an electric finish, senior runner Maddie Treasure ran the anchor leg, came from behind and winning the event in 3:56.82. It was their best time of the season and provided the team with another successful year. Knoxville West had won its second consecutive Class AAA team title by edging out superpower Brentwood High (62.5 points to 54 points) with the guttiest performance of the night. Winning only one individual event, the team systematically scored in each event. The determination paid off.
The Magnificent Seven (Maddie Treasure, Riley Campbell, Maya Barreso, Kayla Newsby, Shantyra Delaney, Kaylah Whaley, and Tamara Hundley) had found another way to win its fourth state championship. Celebrating that night, I ran into a rival coach from another area; the coach had won a state track title before, edging out West High to win. He was disgusted that a girl's track team could score just 60 points and win a state championship.
Of course, it was easy for me to figure. I had watched the coaches over several years. Will Jay and Mike Crocket had developed a masterful strategy of maximizing their team's potential (this year they participated in 11 of 19 events) and creating a high-performing team.
Coach Crocket stated, "This is about the guttiest bunch I've ever had -- .
We lost 50 points from last year's team and had a lot of injuries. These girls laid it all on the line." With collegiate All-American hurdler Jackie Coward of University of Central Florida graduated from the program, many people figured the West track would fade into the wilderness like so many other programs. The effort of this track program demonstrates the importance of developing a high-performing organization to sustain success in the future.
High-Performing Organizations
High-performing organizations offer a distinct competitive advantage.
A high-performing organization is one that is "intentionally designed to bring out the best in people and thereby produces organization capacity that delivers sustainable leadership business results." Most organizations want to boast about their superior performance in relationships to their competitors. Yet, when a litmus test is used, many come far short of this declaration to their customers.
When individuals work together, organizations often perform better. Therefore, working toward a shared vision and belief system are critical steps. Gareth Jones and Jennifer George, authors of Contemporary Management, note the importance of good group dynamics: "People working in a group are able to produce more or higher-quality outputs than would have been produced if each person had worked separately and all their individual efforts were later combined." The authors further suggest a competitive advantage for organizations working in groups and teams; the organization should aim
to:(a) enhance its performance; (b) increase its responsiveness to customers; (c) increase innovation; and
(d) increase employees' motivation and satisfaction.
Yet, building a high-performing organization is no easy task. Many organizations have faltered in thinking that simply optimizing their resources with "good management" and utilizing good technology are enough to stimulate high performance. In today's hyper-competitive environment, it's not only about good processes; it's about putting a good team together. Gary Lewis, President of Resource Development Systems, LLC, argues that creating high-performing organizations is about managing people: "What differentiates the high-performing organization is not how well they have dealt with their process issues, but how well they have dealt with their people issues." Lewis notes some key elements for high-performing organization, such as people, vision, leadership, core competencies, innovation, trust, and personal responsibility.
Conclusion
As organizations retool for the future, organizational performance will be a key topic for senior executives. The article demonstrated the importance of high-performing organizations for future sustainability. Every organization wants to attain high performance; sadly, many organizations are simply clueless about how to do so. Like the Knoxville West girls' track team, organizations must find ways to overcome challenges so that they can become successful. People are a critical element to this organizational performance puzzle. Therefore, leveraging people is as important as managing resources in order to sustain high performance in organizations over the long term.
© 2011 by Daryl D. Green
Reference
Contemporary Management by Gareth Jones and Jennifer George
"The dynamics of high performing organizations," by Gary Lewis
About the Columnist:
Dr. Daryl D. Green writes on contemporary issues impacting emerging leaders in a variety of sectors.
Dr. Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to:
http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org.
Pressing
Onward
Building Resiliency into Your Personal DNA for Employability
Dr. Daryl D. Green
Coming from a
rural area in Tennessee, Samuel Tate had a hard life before him. He was poor and
his parents never got past an elementary education. Samuel wasn't the brightest
student. Nevertheless, his Grandma Teddy kept filling his head with the notion
that he would be somebody. As with most things, Samuel struggled to get out of
high school. His parents begged and borrowed to send him away to college. During
his senior year, Samuel lost both parents. His financial situation grew worse.
With only a semester to go, Samuel came to Grandma Teddy and stated he was going
to sit out the semester and work. He stated he was tired of school and felt like
giving up. He had lost everything he loved. Looking up at him, Grandma Teddy
stated, "Baby, our peoples don't give up. Things are hard. Yes, you've come
too far to quit. I know it hurts you losing your parents. But, you got to press
on!" Samuel went back to school and graduated. Grandma Teddy later passed.
Samuel was convinced he would forever press on. With 15 million people out of
work, most people want to just give up. This article examines how resiliency can
separate you from the competition to gain greater employability.
Economic Plight
In this financial crisis, most people are easily discouraged. According to the
Census Bureau, only 55.3% of people between 16 and 29 were employed in 2010, on
average (that's a significant drop from 67.3% in 2000). For a historical
perspective, unemployment for this age group was the highest since World War II.
Additionally, investors across the world are panicking and believe a new
recession is coming. The U.S. economy has grown at an annual rate of .7% in the
first half of the year, which is the slowest growth since June 2009. For
millions, the economy presents a hopeless picture that compels many to simply
give up.
Resiliency Trait
Individuals must have resiliency to overcome today's mental hurdles. Under the
current economic crisis, most people have given up common sense in lieu of
gimmicks and scams. If the promises appear too hard to imagine, it's a good case
that it's not true. Yet, fools shun wise counsel. In my book, Don't Be An Old
Fool: Common Sense & Gratitude, I mock popular culture that provides
solutions that don't make common sense. When an individual who knows what is
right chooses to select the wrong path, he is operating like a fool. Instead of
selecting wise counsel, this person seeks advice from individuals who lack
wisdom. In this vein, people opt for absurd promises.
Sadly, many people don't want listen to the fact that it takes resiliency to
obtain a good job.
For example, parents tell their unemployed college children to "beat the
streets" until they find a job. Instead they opt to fill out a few job
applications online and send out online resumes to employers. Their hardworking
parents find them playing video games every day, asking for their weekly
allowance as if they were still in high school. Instead of asking them to do
volunteer work or some other rigorous strategy, most parents accept the
situation, thereby destroying their child's mental toughness in the long run.
Resiliency speaks to the mental toughness needed during this downturn.
Resiliency can be defined as "an occurrence of rebounding or springing
back." This characteristic is a close cousin to mental toughness, which can
be defined as "the character attribute that allows an individual to stay in
control while confronting adversity and navigating obstacles in life."
Anchored in these two character builders, individuals have the mental strength
to press on through adversity. This mentality can be seen scripturally in
Corinthian 4:8, 9: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but
not destroyed."
Yet, an economic downturn can tank anyone's confidence, especially the laid-off
and unemployed. Regardless of the situation, things could get much worse. The
ultimate defeat is simply giving up. Therefore, it's important to do something
constructive each day. It's critical to surround yourself with a positive
network that encourages an environment of resiliency. In the absence of any
outside positive support system, that individual must feed upon his or her own
internal compass and positive self-talk to propel himself into a positive
future.
Conclusion
As the economy continues to spiral downward, many individuals must rely on their
own internal compass. However, any strategy that does not incorporate resiliency
is a big mistake. Today's parents and other supportive adults must allow their
children to build resiliency into their character building. It is bad to be
"a young fool" but it is much worse to be "an old fool."
Therefore, individuals who can take on today's financial challenges with
resiliency have a decisive advantage over others.
© 2011 by Daryl D. Green
About Dr. Daryl Green
Dr. Daryl Green provides
motivation, guidance, and training for leaders at critical ages and stages of
their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has been
noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and the Associated Press. For
more information, you can go to nuleadership.wordpress.com or www.darylgreen.org.
Sustainable Work Future
Are We Outsourcing the Great American Dream?
By Dr. Daryl D. Green
In more than 900 cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America,
protesters take civil disobedience to the streets. This movement, Occupy Wall
Street, can be traced back to a few dozen protesters camped out in front of
the New York Stock Exchange on September 17, 2011. At the root of this issue is
a feeling that large institutions such as the financial sectors are taking
economic advantages while depraving the majority of citizens with this same good
welfare. In this scenario, governments take a laissez-faire attitude toward
economic opportunities for all citizens.
Across the world, many companies are outsourcing their major work functions
rather than perform them in-house. Today's businesses have built elaborate
systems for better efficiency and effectiveness. Yet, they are driven by the
quest for increasing profitability. Robert Jacobs, Richard Chase, and Nicholas
Aquilano, authors of Operations & Supply Management, suggest that operations
management has been a key element in the improvement in productivity in
businesses across the world. Many times executive focus on the major expense to
operate - labor.
It's a simple equation: productivity equals outputs divided by inputs. If
organizations can reduce their inputs for their operations, they can increase
output (more profit). Therefore, companies seek to reduce their inputs to obtain
'more get. Two of the chief strategies are to outsource non-core functions
abroad or add new technologies to generate new efficiencies. These strategies
are aimed at reducing labor costs, primarily people.
Since 2000, over 3 million U.S. jobs in the manufacturing sector have been moved
abroad to countries like China and India. Yet, few executives worry about the
aftermath of outsourcing initiatives. The remaining workforce is shell shocked
and stressed since they are required to do the work of the laid off workforce.
Sadly, many supervisors feel that these workers should be happy to have a job.
Movements like Occupy Wall Street may get political leaders and media
pundits to consider unintended consequences of corporate greed. Gareth Jones and
Jennifer George, authors of Contemporary Management, maintain that one of the
most important resources in all organizations is the human capital component.
Therefore, organizations must stimulate their workers while outsourcing key
components of their organizations abroad for greater efficiencies. Many people
wonder if American's businesses cannot compete in manufacturing and other high
tech industries, will they forever forgo the Great American Dream for next
generation of workers.
© 2011 by Daryl D. Green
About Dr. Daryl Green
Dr. Daryl Green provides
motivation, guidance, and training for leaders at critical ages and stages of
their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has
been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For
more information, you can go to www.darylgreen.org
Sustainable Work Future
Are We Outsourcing the Great American Dream?
By Dr. Daryl D. Green
In more than 900 cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America,
protesters take civil disobedience to the streets. This movement, Occupy Wall
Street, can be traced back to a few dozen protesters camped out in front of
the New York Stock Exchange on September 17, 2011. At the root of this issue is
a feeling that large institutions such as the financial sectors are taking
economic advantages while depraving the majority of citizens with this same good
welfare. In this scenario, governments take a laissez-faire attitude toward
economic opportunities for all citizens.
Across the world, many companies are outsourcing their major work functions
rather than perform them in-house. Today's businesses have built elaborate
systems for better efficiency and effectiveness. Yet, they are driven by the
quest for increasing profitability. Robert Jacobs, Richard Chase, and Nicholas
Aquilano, authors of Operations & Supply Management, suggest that operations
management has been a key element in the improvement in productivity in
businesses across the world. Many times executive focus on the major expense to
operate - labor.
It's a simple equation: productivity equals outputs divided by inputs. If
organizations can reduce their inputs for their operations, they can increase
output (more profit). Therefore, companies seek to reduce their inputs to obtain
'more get. Two of the chief strategies are to outsource non-core functions
abroad or add new technologies to generate new efficiencies. These strategies
are aimed at reducing labor costs, primarily people.
Since 2000, over 3 million U.S. jobs in the manufacturing sector have been moved
abroad to countries like China and India. Yet, few executives worry about the
aftermath of outsourcing initiatives. The remaining workforce is shell shocked
and stressed since they are required to do the work of the laid off workforce.
Sadly, many supervisors feel that these workers should be happy to have a job.
Movements like Occupy Wall Street may get political leaders and media
pundits to consider unintended consequences of corporate greed. Gareth Jones and
Jennifer George, authors of Contemporary Management, maintain that one of the
most important resources in all organizations is the human capital component.
Therefore, organizations must stimulate their workers while outsourcing key
components of their organizations abroad for greater efficiencies. Many people
wonder if American's businesses cannot compete in manufacturing and other high
tech industries, will they forever forgo the Great American Dream for next
generation of workers.
© 2011 by Daryl D. Green
About Dr. Daryl Green
Dr. Daryl Green provides
motivation, guidance, and training for leaders at critical ages and stages of
their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has
been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For
more information, you can go to www.darylgreen.org
Confident Confidant: Working Moms, Career Decisions and Intimate Relationships
By Dr. Daryl D. Green
Author Responds to the Concerns of Professional Women Who Return to College and the Resulting Impact on Their Personal Relationships
Many working moms seek to make a better life for their families by returning to college yet some men resent this action and view it as a selfish step that hurts the family.
Noriko Iwanaga Chapman challenges this mentality and offers advice to career women who want to return to college in order to pursue personal development and a better life for their families.
Women often find it tougher to return to school. An education can reposition a person in the workforce. According to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce study, a college degree adds 84% earning power over a lifetime versus just a high school diploma. However, women still show a disadvantage. In fact, women tend to need much higher degrees to earn the same as their male counterparts - even while working the same hours, doing the same job.
In 2006, Forbes.com editor Michael Noer published a controversial article about careers and marriages that sparked much debate on two-career relationships. Noer indicated that today's men would be happier not marrying career women. He supported his statements with studies claiming that professional women are more likely to get divorced, more likely to be unfaithful, and less likely to have children. The article suggested that some men consider it offensive for women to seek more education that would take them away from the family.
Fortunately, the article was taken down after only one day, due to the overwhelming response sparked among readers. Also, Forbes' editor-in-chief, Steve Forbes, issued a public apology for the sexist remarks and the op-ed piece was replaced with a side-by-side article including the opposing view entitled "Don't Marry a Lazy Man," by Elizabeth Concoran.
Chapman is a symbol for successful working mothers. She is a single parent, working as a supervisor in a male dominated industry. After overcoming cancer, she regained her strength and returned to work on a MBA degree at Lincoln Memorial University. Chapman understands the sacrifices of working mothers. Her experience with some men has revealed resentment toward women who want to return to school to better themselves.
Chapman argues, "Guys who don't want to marry career women appear to be afraid that those women may become more successful than they are. However, I think this attitude reflects their insecurities. I wish they would rise to the challenge instead of being intimidated. I know many successful career women who are caring and tender-hearted even though they must show a tough demeanor to demonstrate their strength among men in the workplace."
Her drive also led her write her first book,
Second
Chance: An In-depth Case Study on Nonprofit Organization's Resource Allocation and Operational Maximization. Chapman explains, "It was a Second Chance for me to go back to school and resume my career after surviving cancer." She feels that some men are reluctant to deal with professional women. Yet, she understands that working mother is often asked to carry more than their load. Chapman states, "While I value traditional male and female roles in relationships, we can each contribute strengths to maintain a healthy relationship! That's my advice."
Today's reality is that most employed married men (68%) have employed wives. And half of children in the Unites States under the age of 18 are living with both biological parents. At these rates, the resentful male attitude is not only archaic, it is inaccurate.
For more information about the book or the author, please contact Noriko Chapman at
Chance2.Noriko@gmail.com. Ms. Chapman is available for media interviews.
Noriko Chapman is an international traveler and a role model to millions of women looking to overcome extreme obstacles in life. Noriko is also a Lincoln Memorial University student.
Second Chance provides nonprofit organizations with operation management tools to make them more efficient and better equipped to assist their clients and constituents in meeting their needs. Through the eyes of Ms. Chapman as a new MBA student, readers take a magical journey of overcoming a difficult situation in operations management and life. The book is available online at
Amazon.com and other book retailers.
Women
in the Workplace: Baby, Have We Come A Long Way?
By Lutishia Lovely
 “Why
can’t a woman be on top?” This is the first line in my novel Mind
Your Own Business, spoken by the daughter of a successful soul food
chain. The company is expanding out west and she is competing with her older
brother to head up the new location.
In 2011, one might consider that a moot question. After all,
we have females in all manners of high government, female presidents of major
corporations, female fire fighters and police officers, doctors and EMT
personnel. We’re no longer wearing aprons, pearls and heels while waiting for
daddy to come home…but we’re not yet a gender-blind society either.
For instance in the workplace and regarding same-held positions, women still
generally make less than men. In 1979, when the National Committee On Pay Equity
was founded, women made 59.7 cents to every man’s dollar. In 1994, this total
had risen to 72 cents to the dollar men received. This organization estimates
that the figure is still hovering around 76-77 cents to the dollar. Now, in
2011. Can you believe that there’s still a need for the slogan “equal pay
for equal work?” If you’re doing the same thing, isn’t getting the same
pay a no-brainer? The reality causes me to shake my head and brings to mind one
of my father’s favorite quotes, “common sense ain’t too common.”
While conducting research for the Business
Trilogy (okay, translated staying glued to the Food Network, one of my
favorite channels), I learned that women make up roughly ten percent of the
chefs/cooks in America. For me, that was an astonishing figure. How is it that
when it comes to home cooking women rule the proverbial roost but when it comes
to cooking as a career, as a money maker, it’s a man’s world? Do you find
this as interesting, and somewhat disturbing, as I do? If you are a chef or a
cook in the industry, do you have an explanation?
One of the joys in writing the above-quoted character, named Bianca Livingston,
was the ability to portray a smart, strong, successful woman who knew what she
wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it. Who could hold her own in the
boardroom, and roll with the big boys. When I recently read this line during an
internet radio show, it was met with knowing chuckles. Some readers assumed
Bianca wanted to be on top in the bedroom. Knowing Bianca, these readers are
probably right but taking this question from the boardroom to the bedroom would
be a whole other discussion! Maybe next time… ::smile::
About
the Author
Lutishia Lovely is
the award-winning, best-selling author of sixteen novels. The
Business Trilogy, her latest work, combines two of her passions: writing and
food. This series (All Up In My Business, Mind Your Own Business and Taking Care
Of Business) centers around the Livingstons, owners of a soul food dynasty
called Taste Of Soul—where sizzling scandal and delicious drama are always on
the menu. Find out more about this series and Lutishia at her website: www.LutishiaLovely.com.
And please sign up for her newsletter, where readers are treated to contests,
updates, excerpts from upcoming novels, contests and more!.
Shop for all of Lutishia Lovely's books, here.
http://www.amazon.com/Lutishia-Lovely/e/B001IOH5F0
Second Chance: Working Women Return to School
By Dr. Daryl D. Green
With the economic downturn, many individuals are turning to universities to retool their skills and abilities to become more attractive to employers. With roughly 15 million people unemployed, people are looking for new job strategies.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, approximately 90 million individuals participate in some form of adult education each year, including training and basic education offered outside of traditional higher education. Yet, non-traditional students make up the fastest population of those returning to school.
In fact, 40% of American college students (almost 6 million people) are 25 years of age or older. This article examines practical and proven strategies to better assist working women in their transition to higher education.
Economic Plight
Economic troubles make career planning more difficult. Since November 2009, America has lost 7.2 million jobs, with the unemployment rate topping 10%. Companies have shed 11,000 workers from their payroll. State agencies have had to lay off or furlough workers. Millions of Americans are now waiting longer for food stamps, unemployment checks, and disability payments. Margaret Simms of the Urban Institute notes, "The length of the recession clearly has put a strain on the resources that states bring to bear."
Therefore, our lives continue to unravel as things we depend on disintegrate before our eyes.
Today's women comprise more than half of the labor force. According to the U.S. Labor Bureau, mothers with older children (6 to 17 years of age) are more likely to participate in the labor force than mothers with younger children (under 6 years of age).
Furthermore, unmarried mothers have higher participation rates than married mothers.
The Right Strategy
Working mothers need practical, proven methods if they are to make a successful transition to college life. Yet, many working women find various obstacles that prevent them from reaching their dreams.
Noriko Iwanaga
Chapman, a Japan native, is a working professional with over 16 years' experience in the automobile industry. As a young, single-parent Baby Boomer, Chapman understands the demands of caring for elderly parents and raising a young family.
Chapman was preparing to enter graduate school when he encountered a severe obstacle. Chapman notes,
"In 2009, when being diagnosed with cancer, I was devastated by the life-threatening disease and unknown future.
A year later, I have survived and gained my health back for a second chance of my
life." Overcoming the health challenge, she was able to start graduate school at Lincoln Memorial University while balancing work and family life.
Her first book, Second
Chance, fully utilizes Chapman's "can do" attitude to assist others in her community. Likewise, the right strategies can help encourage a working mother who is straddling the fence when considering returning to school. Below are some proven strategies for working mothers:
» Join a group that shares your values and beliefs in order to build your network.
» Seek to find a mentor who has returned to school from the workforce.
» Write positive affirmations regularly to create a positive environment.
» Allow your children to share in the excitement of you returning to school.
» Build a positive support group that can assist you with the demanding lifestyle of returning to school with children.
» Check out the latest college scholarship books at your library, such as Peterson's Scholarship.
» Remove or limit negative people from influencing your personal decisions related to your goals.
» Research non-traditional programs, such as weekend formats and online degree programs that provide maximum flexibility. Check out John Bear's books, such as Bears Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning.
» Get a good grasp on how you will finance your education by talking with financial aid officers, applying for grants and scholarships, or borrowing the money from non-traditional sources, such as local community groups in your area.
» Be persistent and patient.
Conclusion
Many women recognize the need to retool their skills during this economic crisis, which threatens to dash the hopes of millions searching for the American Dream. With such a weak job growth outlook, many working adults are looking to sharpen their skills in order to be more competitive. Women comprise a large share of the labor force and an increasing proportion of those who are returning universities and colleges. Yet, the hectic lifestyles of most working mothers stop them from pursuing this career strategy. Going back to school can provide the mechanism to assist them in improving the quality of their lives. Therefore, taking the right steps in this transition is critical for working mothers so they can be successful.
© 2011 by Daryl D. Green
About Dr. Daryl Green:
Dr. Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders
at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to nuleadership.wordpress.com or www.darylgreen.org.
iZania Special: The 2011 State of Black America
Economic Empowerment:
What does it mean?
Written by Roger Madison Jr., iZania Founder
Shared News from iZania Weekly Newsletter
 The National Urban League unveiled its annual 2011 State of Black America Report -- The National Urban League
"Jobs Rebuild America 12 Point
Plan" - Putting Urban America Back to Work. This report highlighted a 12 point proposal of actions to put Urban America back to work.
The highest priority in Black America is creating more urban jobs. This report focuses on Government programs and initiatives. While we should continue to be advocates for directing more of our tax dollars to urban communities, we must also take all the steps we can to help our communities recover from this recession.
What is Black economic empowerment about?
Black Economic Empowerment is all about is creating Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. We are often reminded of the economic buying power of African Americans -- projected to soon reach $1 trillion. We are also reminded of the economic challenges facing Black Americans.
Black economic empowerment involves three key factors that are gaining in support. These factors can work together to help improve conditions for Black-owned businesses, Black individuals, and Black communities and complement the
12 point plan of the National Urban League.
1. First, Black Entrepreneurs who are successful tend to hire more employees within our own community.
In the book, African Americans in the US Economy, a study of the Atlanta Metropolitan area revealed that 76% of the employees of Black-owned businesses were Black.
According to the most recent report of the U.S. Census Bureau, Black-owned businesses have grown 60% over the the period 2002-2007.
This growth creates more employment opportunities in the Black community.
2. Secondly, support of Black-owned businesses provide positive role models and stable economic foundations for Black communities. The rapid increase in Black entrepreneurs is a positive trend that has had a positive impact on job creation in Black communities.
3. Finally, Black Economic Empowerment is a choice that Black consumers can influence by taking the initiative to support Black-owned businesses. Self-help economic development must be initiated and sustained by us.
We encourage the members of the iZania Community to continue your support of Black-owned businesses as a critical element in the economic progress of all Black Americans.
iZania, a Black business community created to support the economic development of Black-owned businesses and to be an advocate for social issues in the Black community.
[ We are sharing this newsletter
article as a reference tool. Read the original iZania article and share your opinions here
today. ]
Bride and Groom Money Talk FAQ
 Bride and Groom Money Talk FAQ
answers over 70 questions about money before marriage for brides and grooms.
This book addresses how to talk about money, who should manage marital finances, how to handle a future spouse
bringing debt into the marriage and much more. This book can be purchased by brides and grooms as well as family, friends or anyone in the wedding party to be given as a gift. This book can be used by engaged couples, newlyweds or even couples that are married for some time.
It is a much needed resource in the wedding industry.
About Dr. Taffy Wagner
Dr. Taffy Wagner is a Certified Educator in Personal Finances, Money and Marriage Advocate and an Ordained Minister. She is also the author of
Bride and Groom Money Talk FAQ, Debt Dilemma and Homebuyer’s Helper
(How to Have and Hold on to your House). Dr. Wagner has been interviewed by AOL
Black Voices, The Associated Press, US News and World Report, Called Magazine and Woman’s Day regarding handling money before and after saying
“I Do.” She provides premarital and post-marital financial counseling. She conducts seminars for individuals, couples, single parents and small
groups regarding personal finances, home ownership and women’s issues.
Bride and Groom Money Talk FAQ
Genre: Relationships/Marriage; ISBN:978-0976742197
Target: Brides and Grooms and even Newlyweds
Primary Subject Matter: Money in relationships
Money Talk Matters, LLC Website: http://www.brideandgroommoneytalk.com
Becoming Resourceful During Outsourcing Initiatives
by Dr. Daryl D. Green
In the 1957 classic movie
"Desk Set," the technology revolution begins. The story's setting is at the "Federal Broadcasting Network."
Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) is responsible for researching and answering questions at the organization's library. With a merger pending, the company looks to automation. In fact, the organization has ordered two computers called "Electronic Brains."
Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy), the computer inventor, is brought into the network in order to phase out the library functions in lieu of human staff.
Bunny Watson fights to demonstrate the value of her human existence.
In a hypercompetitive environment, many businesses are outsourcing major functions rather than performing them in-house. Since 2000, over 3 million U.S. jobs in the manufacturing sector have been moved abroad to countries like China, India, and Korea.
Yet, few executives worry about the aftermath of outsourcing initiatives. The remaining workers are shell shocked and stressed since they are required to do the work of the laid-off workforce.
Sadly, many supervisors feel that these workers should be happy to have a job.
Today's businesses have built elaborate systems for better efficiency and effectiveness. Of course, they are driven by the quest for increasing profitability.
Robert Jacobs, Richard Chase, and Nicholas Aquilano, authors of Operations & Supply
Management, suggest that operations management has been a key element in productivity improvement in businesses across the world.
Most often, the executive focus is on the major expense to operate '" labor.
It's a simple equation: productivity equals outputs divided by inputs. If organizations can reduce their inputs for their operations, they can increase output (more profit).
Therefore, companies seek to reduce their inputs to obtain more profitability.
Two chief strategies are to outsource non-core functions abroad or add new technologies to generate new efficiencies. These strategies are aimed at reducing labor costs '" primarily, people
Value Solution
Today's professionals always need to provide value for their employers and customers. In tough times, organizations want to keep their best people. Gareth Jones and Jennifer George, authors of Contemporary Management, maintain that one of the most important resources in all organizations is the human capital component. Value is defined as the net bundle of benefits the customer derives from a product or service. Professionals need to keep in mind the value proposition that they are offering to others. In fact, this concept speaks to an individual's worth, thereby showing the importance of value creation.
Making one's self indispensible in the organization may include (a) acquiring unique skill sets (i.e., learning a foreign language needed for work abroad), (b) taking on responsibilities that no one else wants, (c) holding special certifications and professional licenses, (d) taking care of special details and assignments, (e) networking with key industry decision-makers at work and off duty (i.e., chamber of commerce), and (f) taking additional courses and training. Given the value concept, professionals operate strategically, looking beyond the horizon instead of operating in crisis mode. Therefore, creating value for internal and external customers presents the professional with a competitive advantage, even in a global market.
Conclusion
With the onslaught of more global competitors, many businesses look to outsourcing as a viable option for survival. This reality leaves many professionals worried about whether or not they will have a job tomorrow. In fact, some people wonder if American businesses cannot compete in manufacturing and other high-tech industries, will they forever forgo the Great American Dream for the next generation of workers.
Yet, resourceful professionals understand that where there is chaos, there is opportunity. The key is always focusing on the future and finding ways to be invaluable to both internal and external customers. By making their value proposition clear to all constituencies, professionals are more in control of sustainable results, thereby hedging their bets.
All Rights Reserved. 2011 by Daryl D. Green
About the Columnist:
Dr. Daryl Green
provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to
http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desk_Set
Contemporary Management by Gareth Jones and Jennifer George
Operations & Supply Management by Robert Jacobs, Richard Chase, and Nicholas Aquilano
Intimate Conversation with Andrea Foy
 Andrea Foy is an author, speaker and coach. She conducts workshops and seminars on topics such as: Women in Management, Leadership Skills for Women, Professional Presentation Skills, Self Esteem, Assertiveness, Diversity, Leadership Skills and Business Etiquette. Ms. Foy has been certified by the Professional Woman Network as a Professional Coach and Diversity Consultant.
Ms. Foy’s knowledge of business and professionalism comes from over 20 years of customer service experience working for companies such as McDonald’s, Sears, Delta and USAir Airlines, American Express Financial Advisors, Sharkey’s Modeling and Talent Agency the Federal Government. She is a member of Professional Women’s Network and the National Black MBA Association.
Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Foy has authored her first book, has a Bachelor’s in Communications from Wright State University and is working on her Master’s Degree in Business and Technology specializing in Management and Leadership from Capella University. She is also an Advanced Communicator with Toastmasters International.
BPM: What are you most thankful for today?
My family, my health, my success, friends, talent and the Obama family! I am thankful for being a published author. It is one of the most challenging but rewarding things you can do in life. Being a self-published author puts you in complete control and it is nice.
BPM: How do you celebrate the holidays? What are the "traditions" for your family?
This will be the third year without my father, so it will be spent remembering him.
One of our biggest traditions is that our whole family tries their best to make at least one holiday at “home” with my now 93 yr. old grandmother who lives in North Carolina. She lives in a Nursing home and each holiday they have to move her to a lounge to accommodate all of the relatives who come to see her. Even if it means less presents at Christmas or eating out on Thanksgiving near her home, somebody in our family ‘sacrifices’ their plans to make her feel special.
BPM: Do you have holiday rituals that absolutely, positively must be followed?
It is all about the food. I love eating my way through the holiday! I used to be a flight attendant and on what I thought would be my first Christmas away from home, I pulled an all nighter and got home by noon on Christmas day. That was considered the best present by my family.
BPM: Do you have a favorite holiday menu, story or song? Share with us.
Menu – Turkey, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, and cranberry sauce. Story and song – The Little Drummer Boy story and song.
BPM: What was your most memorable holiday from the past?
Christmas! When I was about 12 yrs old, I remember coming home from school and my little brother, who was about 5 was waiting for me at the door. I wondered why he was so excited to see me. As soon as I got through the door he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards our Christmas tree which had a bunch of newly wrapped presents under it.
Before my mom or I could stop him, he excitedly told me everything that I had gotten for Christmas. I was so disappointed. I moped around for days. Christmas finally came and I was delighted to learn that the best presents had not been wrapped and I still had some holiday magic to enjoy.
BPM: Tell us about your latest book, HIRE POWER: How to Find, Get, and Keep a Job.
What are the main subjects discussed?
My book is a non-fiction book for the mature YA reader, with tips on job hunting, customer service and working in general.
BPM: How important is reading to you?
Communicating in some way, talking, reading, writing, it is like breathing to me. It calms me down and soothes me, no matter what the content.
BPM: Have you ever considered what kind of legacy you want to leave future generations? What do you want to be remembered for?
I hope my book is used for future generations because they all need to learn.
BPM: How may our readers contact you online and pick up your latest work?
Readers can purchase HIRE POWER: How to Find, Get, and Keep a Job at my website:
www.andreafoy.com and Amazon.com. It is available as an e-book too.
Purchase HIRE POWER by Andrea Foy
Author Website: www.andreafoy.com
ISBN-10: 0981743692
ISBN-13: 978-0981743691
Intimate Conversation with
Tameka Williamson
 Tameka
Williamson, an Independent Certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker for The
John Maxwell Team, received a BSME degree from Southern University and a MBA
from Webster University. She has served in several operational and managerial
roles with major Fortune 100 Companies. Couple her professional leadership
experience with her civic duties; she’s led many endeavors focused on
Professional Development, Business/Career Coaching, Youth Programs, Non-Profit
Management, etc. Tameka is focused on living out the purpose God has ordained
for her life.
BPM: How did you initially break into the publishing industry? What road
did you travel? How do you feel about self-publishing?
I was fortunate to already know a publisher and other published authors who
gave me suggested paths. Because the publisher and I had an established
working relationship from my time working with a gospel artist’s, I decided
to self-publish through her company. Her setup worked better for me than the
pre-fabricated plans other companies offered. It didn’t hurt that I trusted
her and knew she had my best interest in mind. As I alluded to earlier, more
and more people are going the independent route so they can have better
control and ownership of their product and creativity. If you couple that with
technology and social media, the learning curve for marketing and getting the
word out has drastically decreased. Making self-publishing easier to manage
than before.
My journey to becoming a published author was truly God inspired and led. It
was definitely not a path I ever thought I would pursue. My initial plan after
college was get my PhD in Engineering, open my own engineering consulting firm
and become a part-time college professor. Oh how that has changed. The book
idea was first dropped into my spirit in 2007 based on a passion I had about
educating our youth and their level of preparedness. Some college friends and
I had many conversations regarding the caliber of kids we were encountering
during recruiting fairs on college campuses. How they not only lacked
professionalism, drive and leadership, but also the fundamentals necessary to
hold a basic conversation in pursuit of a job.
So, I had an unction to do something about it. You are
either part of the problem or part of the solution. I started the process, but
because of bad timing in my professional life, I had to put it on the back
burner. Low and behold, 2009 came, I was blessed to be laid off of my job and
God reminded me about the task I started and never finished. It was time to
get back to my purpose and focus on what I was passionate about. From there, I
restarted the process and totally immersed myself in researching and writing
the book day and night until it was finished. God did the rest, opened doors
and provided so that it could be published in excellence and paid for.
BPM: What is your definition of success?
Many people define success in terms of material possessions – big house,
expensive car, designer clothing. This is not success if you had to borrow to
get it, and if your liabilities far outweigh your assets. I tell people
Success is different for every person. It is contingent upon many variables
such as a person’s background, vision, desires, etc. They will then use
these characteristics to establish life goals. Once those goals are
established and accomplished, it can be a piece of the puzzle that leads to
one’s overall success. For example, a graphic designer can deem their life a
success if they landed the Senior Designer position at an Advertising Agency.
Where on the other end of the spectrum, you can have a thriving MBA graduate
with aspirations to become a VP/SVP with Coke before owning their own
franchise to a person who simply want to have zero debt (house, car and
student loans paid off) and 1 year of savings as their measurement of success.
The bottom line is, don’t let the world or other people define your success,
but you be the one to dictate what success means to you. Better yet, be a
person of value and significance in your family, church, job, community etc.
BPM: What have you realized about yourself since becoming a published
author?
I don’t know if it was a new revelation more than a confirmation. Writing
this book and successfully getting it published reaffirmed the mindset that I
can do anything I want to do and/or set me mind to do. It also helped me
realize how important it is to be flexible. Again, becoming an author was
never an aspiration, a professional singer – Yes, but not an author. I
didn’t like writing that much. But here I am, a published author with a
desire to write plenty more. In closing, I would tell people never to limit
themselves nor their capabilities because they just may surprise themselves.
BPM: Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?
I would tell people to network with other published authors and understand
their plight. In the age of advanced technology, self-publishing and self-help
publishing continues to rise and open many doors for independent writers. A
potential author must do their due diligence by understanding the publishing
process, market, challenges, potential earnings and various opportunities in
order to determine the best path to take. With any endeavor, prior to talking
to others, have your plan mapped out with details on what you want to do, how
you want to do it, goals, potential partners, etc. This will help facilitate
the conversations along with validate your commitment to the project and level
of seriousness.
BPM: Finish this sentence- “My writing offers the following legacy to
future readers... ”
By instilling the importance and power in preparing and planning early for
whatever you want in life. The Bible tells us that a good man leaves an
inheritance for his children’s children. It’s time for us to change the
mindset of our kids from instant gratification to one of patience, preparing,
and planning. If our youth understand this and pass it down to the next
generation, our world would be a better place. Delay does not mean denial, it
just mean not right now. If you take a cake out of the oven before its fully
cooked it will fall. Why do we want to approach life half-baked and not see it
completely through the process and ensure all of the key ingredients are
properly blended and working well together? One must remember that people who
fail to plan, basically plan to fail.
 BPM:
What inspired you to write this book? Ever experience writers block?
A Road to Success: The College Preparatory & Planning Guide was
birthed as a result of consistent jaw dropping statistics. These statistics
are: 7000 youth drop out of school daily – that’s 1.2 million kids a year,
50% of them are African Americans; 24% of ACT tested students are deemed
“College Ready,” 60% of Incoming College Freshmen need to take at least
one remedial course at colleges and universities when the number is 75% at
community colleges – out of this population, 4 out of 5 students graduated
from High School with a GPA greater than 3.0 (B Avg).
Furthermore, we as a nation spend 6 times more money on
prisons than we do on education. The USA makes up 5% of the world, but 25% of
the world’s prisoners. That tells me that it is time for the community to
take back the responsibility of educating our children and hold the schools,
local and state officials accountable. The practical teachings and tools in
the book are aimed at educating, empowering and enriching families so we can
counter these negative vices. As education continue to decline, it is
paramount for us to get away from the norm, think outside the box, unite and
do something differently to ensure our children are no longer cheated out of a
quality education.
BPM: Are any chapters in the book borrowed from your world?
In some shape, form or fashion, information in the book has been borrowed
directly and indirectly from my life experiences. Although I graduated from a
“college prep” high school, there were many gaps in the process we were
never taught and didn’t know how to get it. Many in my group were
first-generation college attendees, so the research we conducted to get into
school was a shared effort. Because we had to find the information on our own
with little guidance, it was like the blind leading the blind. But Thank God,
we persevered and made it.
BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message enclosed?
I want to reach parents of middle and high school students, more specifically
those with kids grades 6 thru 9. My message would be invest in your child now,
so you and your child can reap the benefits when they graduate from high
school fully prepared to attend college and its fully funded. The benefits
will become endless – less stress, more disciplined, no money worries and
more focus on studying, graduate from college with no debt, positioned better
for a career, so on and so on.
BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book?
At my church, it’s the year of action…so I would say procrastinate no
longer, Take Action TODAY.
Or in short, as Nike would say, Just Do It!
BPM: What insight does the book give readers on preparing for life after
High School?
A Road to Success provides a road map for both parents and students and aid
them on their journey to demystify the college process. Upon completing the
guide, students will walk away with:
•A Life Plan
•A plan for tackling and achieving ACT, SAT, and PSAT
•An understanding of how to successfully navigate College Admissions
•A plan for securing Scholarship dollars•An understanding of the Financial
Aid Process
BPM: Share with us a quote or brief excerpt from one of the most powerful
chapters.
It's so hard to choose. I will give you an excerpt from the introduction:
It is paramount that we start early in planning for academic achievement,
college, and real-world readiness. If there is a lack in planning and
preparation, there is a high probability students entering college will find
it difficult and get discouraged about their future; therefore, dropping out.
Others will not view college as a viable option, and as a result, they will
find difficulty securing decent employment. Individuals who do not pursue a
college degree have a greater chance of encountering obstacles such as
unemployment and dependence on social assistance.
"Today's preparation determines tomorrow's achievement. - Unknown
Source"
BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
Education is an opportunity for all students. We as adults must expose them to
these opportunities, let them know they exist and inspire them to dream big
and know that there is hope for their future. Success is an option for
EVERYONE regardless of their level, neighborhood, inadequacies or background.
Position you and your child for GREATNESS.
BPM: Will the digital age or social media usage change the face of
publishing?
Most definitely. If you look at past trends in the technological world, you
would see that there is a life-cycle and expiration period for everything. For
example, we went from albums/records and 45’s to cassette tapes to CD’s to
mp3’s and other digital formats. Because of this evolution, you are finding
more artist in the music industry coming out as independent artist with more
ownership rights, distribution control, higher financial returns, etc. The
same thing is happening in the publishing world.
Earlier this year, E-Book YTD sales have grew about 169.4%
compared to 2010, while print sales declined by 24.8%. This tells both
existing and new authors, you must be ready to shift with the move of
technology in order to remain competitive. That is why I am releasing my book
in an electronic format later this year.
BPM: What has been your most difficult hurdle to leap? Marketing,
promotions or gaining media exposure, etc. How can EDC Creations and our
readers help you?
The most challenging hurdle is getting the word out and gaining more national
exposure. EDC Creations and the readers can help by purchasing the book,
bringing the college prep tour to their area, spreading the word and sharing
the vision and participate in the upcoming Best Selling Campaign Day on
September 15th. On this day, everyone who purchase the book, will receive a
series of bonus gifts that will further enrich their lives. My goal is to sell
at least 500 books within the 24 Hr. time period.
BPM: How much does “word of mouth” has play into the success of your
book? What grassroots strategies have you used to spread the word about your
book?
“Word of Mouth” is critical to the success of the book. Once people get
the book and start applying the tools, things will shift and change in their
lives. Information will be learned and new behaviors will be established.
Because we are having more crisis in our school districts across the nation,
my first grassroots campaign is my Best Selling Day on September 15th. What
I’ve done is partnered with various people and organizations who have a
large following via their Opt-In email list, Twitter and/or FB account and
they are going to distribute the campaign details to their constituents
encouraging them to either purchase the book on September 15th ( www.aroadtosuccessthebook.com
) or purchase the book any day before the 15th during the Pre-Sale
period (
www.aroadtosuccessthebook.com/presale ).
BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. How
may our readers follow you online?
The first thing that is next for me is the Best Selling Campaign Day on
September 15, 2011 from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm. People who support the campaign
and purchase on that day, again will receive bonus gifts as a “Thank
You” and those who participate in the Pre-Sale period (www.aroadtosuccessthebook.com/presale
) will get an extra set of bonus gifts.
From there, my team and I are preparing to take the training on the road and
start holding educational workshops on college campuses. It’s an opportunity
to bridge the gap between colleges and universities and the surrounding
communities, primarily those with socioeconomic challenges. We are working to
secure sponsorships for the tour. The workshops will focus on College
Admissions, Test Prep and Finding the Money. I am happy to partner with 2
great individuals, Jessica Johnson of The Scholarship Academy and Dr. Kevin
Harris with Appelrouth Tutoring, LLC, who are also passionate about education.
We are ready to create a new era of a Prepared Generation.
Last, but not least is book number two. It will be part B to A Road to
Success. The book will focus on that college student and how they can
position themselves for a successful college matriculation on into Corporate
America or the real world.
Readers can follow me online by visiting one or all of the following sites:
Website: www.celestialsent.com/thebook.html
Book Twitter: twitter.com/ARoadtoSuccess
BPM: Thank you, Tameka, for sharing a little bit about yourself, your
journey and your book with our readers!
Tameka L. Williamson-Author, Consultant and Coach
Website: www.celestialsent.com/thebook.html
Facebook: facebook.com/ARoadtoSuccess
A Road to Success: The
College Preparatory & Planning Guide
Purchase books at: www.celestialsent.com/thebook.html
Genre and Target Audience:
Nonfiction & Parents and Students Grades 6 thru 9 (primary) and 6-12 th
grade is secondary
Topics Discussed:
Setting Goals, Developing a Life Plan, Researching a Career, Researching and
Selecting a College, College Admissions, Understanding Financial Aid and
Scholarships
Intimate Conversation
with Carolyn Thompson
 Carolyn Thompson resides in the Washington, DC area and has been an executive recruiter since 1988. Carolyn is a creative entrepreneur and a certified career coach. She is frequently called upon by national news organizations such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, and MSNBC among others to contribute content on a variety of topics.
Her articles on career development, executive coaching, recruiting and the employment industry have been published in various national magazines, trade journals, and on the Internet. She frequently donates her time as a volunteer speaker for resume workshops and job fairs across the nation.
Carolyn is also the author of TEN EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT RESUME and TEN STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT JOB, now available in select bookstores and on Amazon.com. Look for her upcoming title, TEN SECRETS TO GETTING PROMOTED.
Her blog can be found at www.JobSearchJungle.com.
For more information on her appearances, workshops, and news articles visit her media center
www.CarolynThompson.net
BPM: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer?
My mother died when I was 10 and I've always been an independent, direct person. I have over 20 years experience in executive recruiting and coaching which gives me a unique platform to share best practices advice to a large audience. My career development books are written for anyone, in any field needing some personal guidance and assistance in creating their own success.
BPM: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
I meet thousands of people a year needing help with job search and career advice. I try to take inspiration from them and write for others who may need the same assistance but not have access direct to someone like myself.
 BPM: Introduce us to your book, Ten Steps To Finding The Perfect Job.
It's not just about finding ANY job; it's about finding the RIGHT job. TEN STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT JOB offers unique, practical insights into recruiting and hiring processes for job seekers at any level.
This book covers a wide variety of topics and discusses new, creative strategies to reach the ultimate decision maker as well as how to negotiate an offer and resign professionally. In a competitive job market, you need to be two steps ahead of your competition. Put your resume in the right place at the right time...right in front of your new boss.
BPM: Introduce us to the primary message in your book.
Know what you like to do and want to do and what sets you apart from others in
order to find the job that you really want.
BPM: Share with us a enhancing section from the book.
It's financially impossible for companies to advertise every single opening they
have at any given time. 80% of jobs are obtained through networking, not ads, so
get out there and meet people!
BPM: What motivated you to create Ten Steps To Finding The Perfect Job now?
I wrote it a few years ago to help people looking for work to better understand
the hiring process.
BPM: Who should read Ten Steps To Finding The Perfect Job and why?
Anyone looking for a job change. It gives hands on, executable strategies for
anyone in any field to find hidden job opportunities.
BPM: Who did you write Ten Steps To Finding The Perfect Job for? Why?
People needing job search assistance. In order to find the right job, you need
to understand the process and this book explains it in detail. I wanted to be
able to help more people than I was able to personally reach in my position.
Anyone looking for a job will benefit from this book.
BPM: Before we end the interview, define SUCCESS. What part does GRATITUDE play in achieving success, in your opinion?
Success, to me, is being recognized as a thought leader in my industry combined
with the financial reward that comes with that. I am grateful to everyone I have
had the chance to work with because I learn something from each person I meet
which I strive to share with others.
BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
Mine is a practical guide, devoid of personal stories and filler. It's a quick
read and gives people a direct call to action at each chapter.
BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.
My third book, TEN SECRETS TO GETTING PROMOTED will be released June, 2010
BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
Links to my books as well as on demand webinars on a variety of job search,
interviewing and career coaching topics are available on my website
www.carolynthompson.net
TEN STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT JOB
and
TEN EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT
RESUME...both available on Amazon.com
Pinnacle Society Member ( www.pinnaclesociety.org
) The Pinnacle Society is the nation's premier consortium of Top Recruiters
within the permanent placement and search industry. Since 1989, membership in
the Pinnacle Society is limited to 75 of the nation’s top recruiters.
It's a JUNGLE out there, whether you are looking for a job or
hiring....visit our blog and share your positive ideas about job search, career
change and employment trends!
www.JobSearchJungle.com
Intimate Conversation with Dawn McCoy
 Dawn
McCoy, the leadership guru, and is president of Flourish Leadership Group. She a
nationally-recognized speaker and author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider's Guide to Success. She was among the youngest African-Americans elected to the Sacramento City Unified School Board of
Trustees, one the nation’s top fifty largest school systems. She has been legislative aide and nonprofit executive. She holds a bachelor’s degree
from Howard University and master’s degree from Georgetown University.
BPM: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
My grandmother and my aunts are my mentors. They are the ones who have inspired me to write because of their legacy sewing quilts. For years,
I’ve watched them weave together from scrap materials and clothing creative home-spun blankets, quilts, and wall-hangings. From fabric and
decorative embellishments, they have created stories that come alive. When I received a quilted square handed down from a great-great aunt, I knew I
had obligation to tell a story a story using my creativity.
Leadership Building Blocks came to me as a way to both tell my story about life in public office and the local political landscape. In the process, I
shared lessons learned with the intent to help others get in, survive, and manage leadership roles.
BPM: Introduce us to the primary message in your book.
Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success outlines seven strategies to help ordinary people become extraordinary leaders and
achieve success. These seven strategies include vision, balance, courage, dynamic creativity (relationship building), fortitude, and infinite
possibilities (legacy). It is an inspirational account based on leadership lessons Dawn McCoy learned as an elected Sacramento City Unified School
board trustee. Readers get step-by-step procedures about leadership including pictorial images, leadership self-assessments, and goal-setting
worksheets. Purchase at Amazon today!
Leadership Building Blocks includes seven strategies essential to bring about success.
These include Vision, Balance, Courage, Dynamic Creativity, Everything Global, Fortitude, and Legacy.
Also included:
• vision is forecasting,
• balance is maintaining focus between personal and professional worlds,
• courage refers to persevering during difficulties,
• dynamic creativity describes flexibility,
• everything global is about really connecting with people,
• fortitude describes crisis management and communication skills, and finally
• legacy is about gracefully rounding any leadership journey.
 BPM: What led you to create
Leadership Building Blocks now?
It was so interesting while writing Leadership Building Blocks to discover how pivotal my service as an elected school board member REALLY was.
After serving 52,000 Sacramento students in a school district ranked as one of the top 50 largest in the nation, I felt compelled to help other
current and aspiring leaders in a meaningful way.
Even with the high-profile and public school district challenges that I talk about in the book, I wanted to share lessons learned, the inside
track per se, about how to manage any leadership journey. Writing Leadership Building Blocks after I did not seek re-election was a
cathartic experience. It brought forth this process to help others to courageously face adversity, to build solid relationships, and to maintain
their integrity.
BPM: Who did you write Leadership Building Blocks for? Why?
What’s so unique about Leadership Building Blocks is that it’s a practical resource for everyday people. First, this book is useful for beginners and
seasoned veterans alike. This book was written to guide high school and college students who are at the beginning or turning points along their
leadership paths. On a practical level, this book is written specifically for nonprofit directors and neighborhood team captains, political leaders
and entrepreneurs, and PTA moms and even t-ball dads.
BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
Leadership Building Blocks is an essential guide for how good people in leadership positions become extraordinary leaders. Too often we hear about
leaders making bad decisions. This book is the perfect solution to bring integrity back to leadership. It’s based upon my experiences in political
office. It is filled with kernels of wisdom, chapter-by-chapter icons, and self-assessments. What makes Leadership Building Blocks so distinct is that it will inspire you to jump in, take on, or tackle any leadership role.
BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.
Last fall, I rolled out a new audio CD, Effective Community Engagement: Seven Steps to Make a Real Difference. Included are excerpts from chapter
13 of Leadership Building Blocks and also concrete ways about how to become a better champion for a cause, community group, or faith-based
organization. These step-by-step techniques are timeless insights to help people really take action rather than just talk about it.
Right now, I’m excited to be on a national tour for Leadership Building Blocks speaking at conferences and visiting local bookstores and colleges.
This includes lectures and book signings in New York, Baltimore, Richmond, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago, Kansas
City, and Los Angeles. It’s really an exciting time!
BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
Readers can reach me on at:
Website: http://www.flourishleadership.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dawnmccoy02
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dawnmccoy01
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/therealdawnmccoy
Dawn McCoy, President and CEO Flourish Leadership Group, LLC
Motivational Speaker, Leadership Consultant, and Author of Leadership
Building Blocks: An Insider's Guide to Success
"Empower Effective Leaders for Today and Tomorrow"
Purchase at Amazon.com
Purchase at Barnesandnoble.com
How to Publish Yourself
by Marian L. Thomas
For the last couple of months, perhaps years —you have stared at a monitor, pecked away at a keyboard and searched the depths of your imagination for something real, fresh and captivating that will show the world who you are from a written page.
Finally, you have put your last period at the end of a sentence and sat back with a smile of disbelief.
Did you just finish writing your first book? Will it be a bestseller? Yes, and Maybe.
Okay, why did I say maybe? When you decided to begin your journey to authorship, you also decided to publish yourself.
To put 'you' out there to all who have never heard of 'you' before. It's a scary thought, but such a reality that stares you in the face and asks "are you ready?"
A valid question. So just how do you go about getting not just your book published but you for that matter?
Before I answer that, remember this fact: that one can have an amazing book, an amazing cover, and the best story out there, but if you fail to publish yourself who will know it?
So when should you begin the process of
'publishing you' ? It is highly recommended that you begin this process before your book hits the online venues and brick and mortars. Actually, studies
have shown that you should begin to market yourself at least three months prior.
How?
Here are three steps to help get you started on the task of publishing yourself.
Step 1- Do research on developing a marketing plan—a game plan on how you are going to get your name out there. It's amazing what the www. can do for you. Use it.
Step 2- Get on social media sites and begin making connections. Who knows better how to market yourself than other authors that have done it. Ask questions, take notes and continue to step 3.
Step 3- Get a blog going and use the research information you found in step 1 as your posts. Select different topics each week. If they came from another blog-make sure you link back to them.
Not only do you help other fellow bloggers who might return the favor for the link back to them as the publishing source, but it helps to get your name out there in the writing community as a great resource.
People like freebies, advice and places they can go to get questions answered.
Become an expert on some topic that is worth them coming to your blog about.
 About the
Author
Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest-supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia. Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon Best-Seller and was ranked as one of
the " Top 100 Books" -1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.
Marian welcomes the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues
on March 1, 2011 to online retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com,
Kindle and Nook. Be sure to get your copy today! It is sure to be another Best-Seller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.
Ready to Purchase Your Copy of My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà
Continues? Click Here.
Visit the author's website: http://www.marianlthomas.com
The Future of Publishing
by Penny Sansevieri, President of AME
A lot of people claim that traditional publishing is broken and will eventually die. I disagree. Much like the changes that have occurred in the past in publishing, the big six will survive and so will agents.
I do not have any insider knowledge or hidden agenda, nor do I profess to know everything about publishing.
Not by a long shot. But I do know how to read the signs of this evolution or revolution, depending on which side of the fence you are on.
I believe there have been many signs. Here is how I foresee they will do it.
Self-publishing:
In the very near future, all of the houses will spend some of their equity on self-publishing.
In order to survive, they are going to have to reinvent the way they do business. This means digging into the self-publishing arena.
It's rumored that two major houses are already doing this, and there are likely more to come.
Hay House, for example, has already lent their name to Balboa Press which is their self-publishing arm.
I have no experience with Balboa so I can't speak to their process, but I do know that part of their sales pitch to authors is that a successful book published with Balboa will be considered by Hay House for republication.
Does this actually happen? I don't know, Balboa hasn't been around long enough to show a track record.
If publishers get into self-publishing, does that mean they won't be publishing traditionally? Not at all.
The traditional model won't go away, but with publishers becoming more and more risk-averse, the model has to change if they're going to survive.
And, let's face it, while the number of bookstores is declining, opportunities to sell books and flood the market with books continue to increase.
Direct to consumer:
While some publishers are dabbling in this, I'm not clear how successful they will be. Consumer engagement on e-commerce sites such as Amazon, etc. will significantly change the way we buy.
What does this mean? I think you're going to see a lot more social buying in the future.
Social engagement, consumer recommendations, etc.
We're already seeing a lot of this, but I believe we'll see much more of it. Can publishers offer this? Yes, they certainly can, but first they have to overcome the hurdle of consumer awareness. Consumers don't know publishers, they know authors and they know the big e-commerce sites like Amazon, et al. Direct to consumer is great, but when you've been a behind-the-scenes entity for so long, the awareness process can take a while.
The future of the literary agent:
I have heard this directly from a few agents - that in five years literary agents as we now know them will be gone, or at the very least strongly diminished.
Will agents go away? Doubtful. I believe the savvy agents will stick around and, like publishing, completely reinvent themselves.
Consider this:
for years agents have acted as gatekeepers. Ferreting through manuscripts, often editing work and/or suggesting rewrites to the material. They've done more lunches with publishers than you could ever hope to do in your lifetime, and they've schmoozed at more parties than anyone should ever be forced to attend.
What does all this mean? It means they are more dialed into the industry than almost anyone and this puts them in a fantastic position. It's already brewing out there; several savvy agents are taking it upon themselves to become book consultants.
Let's face it, while publishing opportunities may diminish vis-à-vis the traditional houses, the number of authors who want to get published will continue to grow.
There will never be a lack of material, and agents are perfectly positioned to make sure that the majority of it is quality material.
Consider this: you have a manuscript and you're not sure if it's a marketable topic. You don't even know if what you've written is any good.
Yes, you could hire an editor, but their job is to edit your existing work.
Some editors won't give you the kind of feedback that could save you thousands of dollars marketing something that has no audience.
An agent can. I foresee that agents will rediscover who they are and what they bring to the table, which is considerable in my view.
Book access:
The problem that we've always seen in media relations is this:
if the book is self-published with limited distribution, it often won't be considered for a major show because show producers know that consumers may have a hard time finding the book.
With eBooks and the accessibility of these titles, all of that has changed.
Shows are becoming less concerned with how a book is published, they just want topic-related quality titles to discuss on the show.
This is great news for authors who previously haven't been able to secure any media for their books because there was no bookstore placement.
What does all of this mean for you, the author? By this time next year the landscape of publishing will look vastly different. There are more opportunities than ever to see your work in print; and moreover, the odd-man-out which used to be self-publishing is finally getting its due. We are going to see a lot more attention paid to the self-publishing market, and the stigma that's always followed it will diminish greatly. Yes, there will always be less-than-quality self-published books, but let's face it, I've seen traditionally published books fall into that same category.
People often lament the end of publishing as we know it. I actually think that's a great thing. Publishing the old way hasn't worked for a long time.
It's always been about exclusivity and often seemed like a high school popularity contest. Breaking down these barriers and leveling the playing field will bring many good things with it, including - and most importantly - some extraordinary authors.
Here's to the future!
Note: Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques.
http://www.amarketingexpert.com
7 Tips for Identifying Your Passion
and Turning it into a Profession
by Trice Hickman
1. Write down the things you would do for free (things you would enjoy doing every day even if you didn’t get paid a dime for it). Most likely, there’s a profession disguised as one of your hobbies!
2. Find a way to make your passion work for you. Ask yourself; Can I provide a service to others through my passion? Are people willing to pay for the service my passion offers? How can my passion add value to a potential customer’s life?
3. Develop a plan. Successful ventures start with a good plan because good plans shape good decisions. Chart your course—If you know and understand the direction in which you’re headed, the journey getting there is much smoother.
4. Surround yourself with others who are doing what you aspire to do. Learn from them, network with them, and build your platform, i.e., who you are, what you stand for, and what you have to offer?
5. Promote what you’re doing. Word of mouth is still the best advertisement, and in the Internet age, social media has taken word of mouth from a local to a global level. Promote your service/business on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Pitch your service/business to local media by writing an article or offering advice for consumers that is directly tied to the product or service you provide.
6. Perception is reality, so always present yourself in a professional, competent manner.
Create professional looking promotional materials to advertise your service/business.
7. Reach out to established professionals in your field so you can partner with them on projects or combine your services to offer customers a special deal.
Remember to have fun along the way. Never give up and keep pushing forward until you reach your goal?
 About the Author
Trice Hickman is an award winning, bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her love of reading and words led her to become a writer. Determined to have her voice heard, Trice self-published three novels before signing a book deal with Kensington (Dafina Books), who will re-release her original works.
Trice is currently writing her next novel, and in her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, home improvement projects, and traveling. Visit her website for more details on her books and upcoming tour schedule at:
www.tricehickman.com
Purchase the Love with No Limits Trilogy Today!
http://www.tricehickman.com/books.html
Love with No Limits Trilogy
Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman
Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies by Trice Hickman
Playing the Hand You're Dealt by Trice Hickman
Available wherever books are sold!
The Beauty of Small Publishers
by Susan Mary Malone
Should you go with a small press or a big publishing house?
A deceiving question, on the outside. Writers have dreams of being published by Random House, or Simon & Schuster, or any of the big conglomerates in NY, under whose umbrella myriad imprints abound. But going with a smaller house has many perks, and can often--even for seasoned authors--be a better way to go.
Yes, the prestige comes with the big boys. We all know that. A galley review coming from any of the five major publishers does get noticed more quickly, whether from Publishers Weekly or the local paper and every review outlet in between. And usually (although even this has changed drastically in recent years), you're also looking at more advance money. But after that, unless your last name is King or Clancy or Rice or any of the list of bestselling authors, the benefits pretty much fizzle from there.
With the death of the mid-list author came the reality that everyone else is pretty much left to promote his book himself. Advertising dollars go to that list of well knowns.
So either way you're left to do the promotion.
That small publishers have much fewer promotional dollars is a fact. But, they're quite willing to help you to promote your book, and guide you through the process. Sometimes you'll work with a good book editor, sometimes not, but often at a big house your manuscript has to be camera-ready before submission as well. The main thing is, rather than a minnow being bashed around publishing's treacherous seas within a big house, you'll be a fish on equal footing at smaller presses. And the small press is much more vested in seeing your book become a success--its success depends upon it, rather than a couple of huge-selling authors who are keeping the entire boat afloat.
Small publishers are usually operating out of a labor of love, and want to see what they consider to be "good" books being published. Especially in fiction, where small presses may come out with 10 or 12 titles a year, they publish what they truly believe has merit. Novel development still matters to them. Characterization makes a huge difference. The craft of book writing remains paramount.
One of the biggest plusses of a small house is that it will keep your book in print. The shelf life at the big publishers is about six weeks (although a lot of editors are telling me now that we're looking at four weeks).
Six weeks, you say? My Lord, how on earth do you build an audience in six weeks! Well, that's a problem, even if you start way ahead of pub date. But if the book doesn't sell in that amount of time, it's pulled from the shelves, remaindered, and dead.
A smaller publisher, on the other hand, will keep the book in print, sometimes for a decade or more, backlisted but still available. This gives authors (new and old) the time to promote and build an audience, and often books sell well for many years, even if they're not bestsellers. I've received royalty statements on books that have been out for a decade.
And in a recent case, Five Keys for Understanding Men was re-released in trade paper by the publisher in 2010, and has just been released in e-book form via Kindle and Nook this month. Had it been published by a big house, the book might have been dead years ago, and not based on sales, but print runs.
So don't sell the small presses short. Often, they're a much better option for any author, even those with many books to their resume. The point is to find your audience, and often that isn't in the mega-sea!
About Susan Mary Malone
Award-winning author and editor Susan Mary Malone’s works focus on women’s issues, touching the inner emotions of the feminine psyche. She is the author of four traditionally published books (fiction and nonfiction) and many published short stories. A free-lance editor, forty-plus Malone-edited books have now sold to Traditional publishers. Article reprinted with the written permission of the author.
Susan Mary Malone author of:
By the Book (novel)
BodySculpting: The Weisbeck Way
Fourth and Long
Five Keys to Understanding Men
Website: www.maloneeditorial.com
7 Ways to Promote Your eBook on Facebook
and Build a Author Platform
by David A. Horne Facebook is a powerful marketing tool for authors. Once you know how to use Facebook's features to your advantage, you will be able to build your own presence on Facebook.
Like Twitter, Facebook has developed into more than just a social media site for posting useless content. Professional marketers and corporations have teams that are solely devoted to developing their online presence via social media.
7 Ways Facebook Can Help Authors Promote Their eBook
Create an Author Profile Page
Your author name will also become your brand. Create a profile page on Facebook and share your achievements and successes with your friends.
Leverage the Power of "Word of Mouth"
Ask you friends to join your page and then again ask them to recommend you to their friends. This form of viral marketing will help to build your list of followers.
Search and Join Related Groups
When you join a group, you are allowing others to take notice of you and your own profile. If you join the right groups that contain your target market then they will also be likely to check you out if you have something to offer. Become active on the site with informative posts and build your reputation as an expert.
Create a Fan Page for Your eBook
This page is specifically devoted to your eBook so stay focused on your goals with this page. You can provide samples chapters, give tips and information, provide links to other valuable resources, tell them about you the author and build the profile and following for your eBook.
Advertise for Direct Engagement
It will cost you to advertise on Facebook but the return may just be worth it. Consider you options and create your advertisement so it reaches your ideal customer.
Post Excerpts of Your eBook
This is a great way for potential readers to sample your eBook. If they like what they read then they will buy your eBook as they will want to know more.
Post Events
Use the events' tab to list all upcoming events that you are participating in from public speaking engagements, library visits, signings, to the release of new videos, audio interviews or eBook announcements.
These tips will get you started on Facebook in promoting your eBook and building a fanatical following.
There are many more great tools you can use so be sure to do your research and learn from those authors who already use Facebook for marketing.
About the Author
"eBooks International" is a global media company that is focused on empowering writers and authors to write, promote, publish, sell and profit from their eBooks. eBooks International owns and operates
http://www.eBookAuthorAcademy.com
which has been helping writers become successfully published authors since 2004.
Original Article Source, here.
Virtual Book Tours: The 21st Century Alternative
By Jennifer L. WalkerWhile virtual book tours are fairly new, they have some resemblance to their traditional ancestors.
Before the Internet, a popular way to get the word out about a book and make some sales was to tour the city, state, or country with a pile of books and do signings at every book store that would have you. The
upside to this was you would get the chance to meet your readers, and they would get to meet you and get the book signed. The
down side was that it could cost a lot of money in travel expenses, shy authors would be overwhelmed, and sales weren't guaranteed for the time, money, and effort involved. Virtual tours eliminate some of those problems.
What is a Virtual Book Tour?
So, what is a virtual book tour? It simply means that the tour takes place "virtually," or on the Internet, instead of in real life. It usually involves "appearances" on different book blogs and websites via reviews of the book, interviews with the author, and sometimes guest blog posts. This takes the place of sitting at a table in a lonely corner of a bookstore, smiling at people who avoid eye contact, or doing a reading of your book in front of an audience of three. It is an alternative to more old-fashioned ways of promoting a book.
Of course, results are not guaranteed with a virtual tour any more than they are for the more traditional version, but the cost is much less, and there is way less time involved. The author might put in an hour or two answering interview questions and other prep work for the tour, but then their part is done and the tour provider takes over, coordinating the tour stops and promoting them.
Advantages of Virtual Book Tours
A big advantage to virtual tours versus traditional ones is longevity. Once the author leaves a bookstore after their signing, there is little trace they were ever there. When a book review or author interview is posted on a website, it stays there for as long as the site is active. In many cases, that will be forever, or at least long after the author is gone. Potential readers crawling the web can stumble upon the book's tour stops for years to come and decide to buy the book.
Virtual Tours Create Buzz
Virtual book tours create a buzz for the book and author, because there are suddenly a large number of references to them around the Internet. With the author, their friends, the tour company, and the participating bloggers all posting links to promote each tour stop, the book and author get a lot of promotion for their book. It often takes multiple exposures for one person to decide to buy, and this is a great way to expose people over and over to the book on tour.
While traditional book tours have their purpose, especially for well-established authors, virtual book tours have a lot of the same benefits and more, with fewer of the
obvious disadvantages. Particularly for fledgling authors who are just getting their name out and trying to make a few sales, a virtual book tour can be a good start.
About the Author
Walker Author Tours
provides virtual book tours to authors at a reasonable cost. Tours include several tour stops around the web, a press release, tour graphic, and promotion.
For more information on setting up a tour for your book, visit the website at
http://www.walkerauthortours.com.
Original Article Source,
here.
Navigating a Virtual Book Tour
by Shelly FromeLike any venture, there are certain factors at play before considering a virtual book tour.
Assuming, of course, the goal is to improve your "platform" beyond your friends and acquaintances on Facebook, etc and your fans at the local bookstore. The first step then is to determine your niche.
Otherwise the success rate via this particular promotional tool becomes more problematic.
In other words, given the feedback you've received from editors, reviewers, others who've encouraged you, book groups or what-have-you, what are the chances your latest work will instantly appeal to a wide range of readers and increase sales? Moreover, how does this effort of yours potentially measure up?
If we're talking about fiction, among the standard categories are mysteries and thrillers, horror, romance (contemporary, historical, time travel), science fiction, fantasy and the like.
If your work is literary and/or falls outside any typical genre, the marketing prospects dwindle. The manager of any given tour may have some difficulty setting up a number of stops because each and every site is geared for readers of a certain kind of book and even a certain kind of author.
By the same token, this yardstick applies to nonfiction as well. Even if your work fills a significant gap, it still has to center on topics like social, political and religious issues, parenting, struggles with addiction and relationships, how to reinvent yourself during the downturn in the economy, pitfalls and strategies in starting your own business and so on and so forth. Because, no matter how you look at it, the realities are that online marketing is set up for special interests.
And that, as they say, is just for openers. A tour runner may tell you that readers from all over the globe log on to just about anything, you'll get access to top search engines, coverage in prestigious online publications and exposure to millions of book buyers. However, on the basis of personal experience, all of this promotional hype should be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.
It's true you'll be asked to write a summary that will draw in readers that's as provocative as an ad for a best seller plus a short promising bio. Hopefully your photo on a personalized tour page will enhance your chances. But everything rests on how attractive any of this will be to potential hosts. Simply put, the hosts who operate these sites are looking for guest posts that are especially apt and compatible.
Next, assuming you've cleared this initial hurdle, there are other things you should keep in mind. More often than not, once you've signed on you'll be sent a set of interview questions to accompany each scheduled stop. (Again, the number of stops all depends, along with the timeframe of your promotional package.) These questions, in turn, tell you a great deal about the personality of the host, the exact nature of his or her site and the types of books and authors favored.
As you can see, these are all leading questions. Are you whimsical, expert, spiritual, old school, prolific or trendy enough to meet their criteria?
By the same token, if you happen to be the right kind of author you may find you've gathered a number of good reviews; if not, you may be in store for the exact opposite. As a case in point, a certain novel recently received high praise from a host in the U.K. while, at the next stop, the tour was cancelled because the writing was judged to be sub-par-e.g., "sentence fragments were incorporated and in one descriptive passage the unfortunate phrase 'in this neck of the woods' was utilized."
On balance, there is no telling what any of this will mean in terms of a spike in sales. Or how, say, an assortment of twelve interviews, fifteen interviews coupled with a majority of good reviews, one cancellation and two mixed reviews, plus two or more stops that never materialized because the site wasn't updated will eventually play out. It's also possible that a number of people who log onto these sites may be aspiring writers simply looking for tips.
On the other hand, there's the opportunity to scan the interviews and the critiques other guests have received who are trying to succeed along more or less the same path. The kinds of work they've done to date and the direction they're heading in. In this ever changing pursuit, getting some clear idea how comparatively well you're doing might just be worth the candle. If you're willing to take the risk, that is, and have a keen sense of integrity.
About the Author
Shelly Frome
is a professor emeritus of dramatic arts and an author of fiction and nonfiction. His latest is the trans-Atlantic mystery
The Twinning Murders.
Original Article Source,
here.
12 Ways to Keep your Non-fiction Book in the News
By Sandra Beckwith
Publishers
are willing to publicize nonfiction books when they’re released, but they
rarely do much after the launch to keep books in the news, even though most
deserve ongoing media exposure. Here are some easy things you can do to generate
continuing publicity for your title. Use a mix of these ideas to develop a
12-month publicity plan that will provide the support your book needs.
Turn the advice in your chapters into a series of monthly tip sheets. A
tip sheet is a press release that offers tips or advice in a bulleted or
numbered format. Start your tip sheet with an introductory paragraph that
explains why the tips you’re offering are important, list your bulleted
advice, then tie it all together at the end with a concluding paragraph. Send it
to appropriate media outlets; the distribution list will depend on your topic.
Contact the press immediately when your topic is making headlines to offer your expert perspective.
This is a sure thing with most local media outlets when it’s a national
news story because you’re giving them a local angle. Fax or e-mail (no
attachments) your bio and a cover letter explaining your position on the
breaking news to the appropriate media contact. If you’ve done enough
interviews to prepare for the big time, pitch the national news outlets, too.
Add the media to your newsletter distribution list. The same useful
advice or information you offer subscribers in your print or electronic
newsletter could be of interest to reporters covering that topic, too. I got a
book contract several years ago from the publicity that resulted from adding the
media to the distribution list of a newsletter I publish.
Repackage your book content into by-lined trade magazine articles.
Depending on the terms of your publishing contract, you might need to do some
rewriting so it’s “new” material. Make sure the author credit at the end
of the article includes your book title.
Capitalize on holidays and special months, weeks and days by distributing a press release with useful, newsworthy information related to the topic, or by contacting the press to offer yourself as an expert information source.
For example, many daily newspapers run articles in December about how the
holidays are especially difficult for people who are grieving the recent loss of
a loved one or facing the anniversary of a loss. This presents many
coast-to-coast interview opportunities for the author of a book on grief and
loss – but only if the author reaches out to the press.
Contact the public relations department of your industry’s trade
association to offer yourself for media interviews. Association public
relations people are often contacted by writers like us looking for members with
a particular expertise to interview. Make sure your association knows about your
qualifications and the topics you can comment on, and you’ll get referral
calls.
Conduct a newsworthy and relevant survey on your topic and announce the interesting results in a press release.
The author of a cookbook designed to make cooking simple and easy can survey
people about why they don’t cook more, and release the findings in a press
release sent to newspaper food editors and cooking magazines. The release should
include information about your book’s connection to the survey topic.
Sponsor an attention-getting contest and announce the results in a press release.
To promote my humor book about men, I conducted a “Worst Gift from a Man
Contest.” The resulting press release led to nationwide media attention,
including a holiday appearance on a national cable TV talk show.
Push your publisher’s publicist to monitor ProfNet for reporter queries
related to your topic all year.
Alternatively, subscribe to ProfNet via its PR Leads reseller and respond
to appropriate queries. A $99 per month subscription via
www.prleads.com is more affordable
than a ProfNet subscription.
Monitor writer forums for source requests. Members frequently post
requests on the magazines and newspapers forum for interview sources.
Tell the media when you’re visiting their market. Reporters love to
interview experts who aren’t local, so if you’re in another city for any
reason, contact the appropriate media people two weeks before your trip to offer
ideas for articles they can write based on an in-person interview with you. If
you’re in town to speak, send an announcement press release several weeks in
advance and offer to do a pre-event telephone interview.
Repurpose your best tips into a free booklet. Write and distribute a
press release that describes the booklet and how people can get a free copy;
make sure both the booklet and the release include information about your book,
too.
Generating ongoing publicity is work, but it’s not rocket science.
Invest the time so you boost sales while contributing to your author platform.
You’ll see the rewards at the end of the year.
About the Author Expert:
Sandra Beckwith offers a free book publicity and promotion e-zine at www.buildbookbuzz.com
and teaches the “Book Publicity 101: How to Build Book Buzz”
e-course.
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Ten Ways to Know if Your (Internet) Marketing is Paying Off
So
you're out there marketing. You're doing all the right things (or so you
think). You're following the book marketing advice of some leaders in the
industry. You've got a checklist and you're methodically checking off your
goals. But how do you know you're doing everything right? The fact is,
most of us don't. Yet we forge ahead, keeping pace with our marketing
plan, without ever knowing if it's paying off. We don't see it in sales.
Does that mean it's not working? Not at all. You could be seeing the
effects in other places but just aren't keeping track of it.
I
find that especially in social media you need to keep a close eye on
what's working and what's not. If you've spent *any* kind of time online
you know that you can be in front of your computer for what seems like 20
minutes and yet three hours have gone by. If the three hours of marketing
is paying off, then it's fine to spend the time. But you need to know the
difference. Here are a few things you can review to measure the
effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of your marketing.
1.
Jumping in without a plan: Set clear, measureable goals because most
marketing is invisible. Let's face it, you send an email and wonder half
the time if the intended recipient got it or if it ended up in a spam
filter, never to be seen again. That's the power behind goals. You need
them and you need to run your campaign by them. So what are your goals?
And no, you may not say sell books. Yes, that factors in - but there are a
million small steps along the way before you even get to sales. Consider
these goals and see if any of them fit your book, topic, and future:
a.
Establish yourself as an expert or get known in your particular field.
Hey, maybe you just want to be known as the go-to person for everything
related to paranormal romance. That's great and it's a realistic,
attainable goal.
b. Increase the visibility of your brand. OK, sort of the same as
the bullet before this one but more geared to the non-fiction author.
c. Increase traffic and incoming links to your website. This is a
great goal. Whether you are fiction or non-fiction, it's a great focus.
d. Do what makes sense for your book: If your followers aren't on
Twitter then why have you spent the last month or so promoting yourself on
there? Mind you, Twitter works for most of the books we manage, but there
are a few that don't make sense. Twitter skews older than most people
think so don't be surprised if your YA reader isn't on there. Before you
launch head first into a campaign, make sure it fits your demographic.
2.
Neglecting other marketing: I know it's easy to get all a-twitter
about Twitter, but what else are you doing to promote yourself and your
book? If you're good at events and speaking, are you still focused on
that? Don't get too myopic on doing just one thing for your marketing. The
truth is, you need to do a lot of different things, balanced out over a
week or a month for your marketing to really make sense.
3.
Set goals - be clear on what you hope to achieve in social media: What
are your goals for Twitter? If it's just about gathering followers then
you are missing a big piece of this social networking tool. For many
marketing people it's all about the number, but numbers don't make as much
sense unless they are driving interest to you and your book. If the
numbers keep growing, along with traffic to your website, then you're on
the right track. But if you're just growing numbers for the sake of being
able to say that you have 10,000 followers then it makes no sense. That's
like buying a fancy car you can't really afford. Eventually the debt of it
will drag you down. It's the same with Twitter and Facebook and any other
social media site. It's not about the numbers. It's about the activity.
4.
Be clear on who you are trying to reach: Many of you say you're trying
to reach readers, but is that really true? We all want to sell books, but
who are you really going after? In all likelihood you will have a variety
of different targets you are going after. Consider these: booksellers,
speaking opportunities, interviews, bulk sale targets, reviewers, and
readers to name a few.
5.
Measure effectively: In order to know if stuff is working you'll need
to measure effectively. As I pointed out earlier on in this article you
may not want to do that by fans or followers - instead consider these
ideas as ways to measure your success:
a.
Retweets on Twitter: The best sign of success on Twitter is the amount
of retweets. Are you getting them and if so, how often? If your tweets are
good and your followers are active, you should see a few a week at least
(depending on the amount of followers you have). If you're curious about
the amount of Tweets that get RT'd - check out retweetrank.com.
Twitter Analyzer (twitteranalyzer.com)
is another great tool for determining how far tweets have traveled.
b. Site hits: Are the hits to your site increasing? Are you
watching your analytics to be sure? If you're not, you should be. Watch
your site stats closely and monitor the increase in traffic and where it's
coming from.
c. Inbound links: How many new ones are you getting? Did you do a
vanity search before you started this campaign? If not, do that now. Make
sure you know how many new incoming links you're getting as a result of
your efforts.
d. Sign-ups to your mailing list: Are they increasing? If you're
doing the right stuff in your social media they should be increasing
weekly.
6. Increasing the contacts in your industry: Remember that social
media marketing is just like going to a networking meeting. You want to
expand your reach and get to know others in your industry. If you're not
increasing your reach and contact base, then you need to be. This is
another great way to gauge how effective your marketing is.
We
always want to make progress in our marketing but we're not always sure
how to do it or if what we're doing is making a difference. Follow these
steps and see if it doesn't help your marketing momentum. If it's paying
off, you'll know sooner rather than later and you can keep doing the good
stuff, and punt the bad.
Bonus:
additional tools for tracking marketing
Bit.ly:
This site serves as both a URL shortener and also as a measurement tool.
Bit.ly can help get you real-time results on clicks to links you are
posting to Facebook and Twitter.
Google
Analytics:
If you don't have any back end web analytics (and even if you do),
Google gives you a lot of valuable data.
Trackur:
This is a great monitoring site to see what's being featured on you
online and off. It's not free like Google Alerts, but much more
comprehensive. Their basic package is $18 a month.
Reprinted
from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine
offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com
|
10 Giveaway Ideas to Grow Your
List
Submitted by Ali Brown
As a small business owner, you don't want a website where people land, look, and leave. It used to be enough to just offer a monthly newsletter with tips and tricks to get people to sign up in seconds. But, with everyone online now, that's not enough to cut it. These days, you have to get creative to draw people to your list, and one effective tool that works well these days is giving away something of uncommon value.
Read on for TEN types of giveaways you can host on your website to help your business stand out from the crowd:
1. Discounts or coupons. One "characteristic" of humans that crosses all socio-economic levels is: we LOVE a good deal. (Even Oprah likes "Clinique Bonus" time.) You can offer regular discounts and coupons in your ezine, particularly if your service or product is something that people use regularly such as makeup, hairstyling, massages, ink for your printer, etc.
2. Ebooks. Ebooks are still revered as an incentive to opt-in, as long as they are on a topic that your target audience really values. You need in-demand information (generally 20 pages or more), as well as a gorgeous book cover image (check out KillerCovers if you're looking for a professional service that can help).
3. Audios. Audio with informative content is attractive to clients because they can listen to it in the car, download it to their iPod, or play it at home -- wherever they learn best. Plus, they can keep listening to it as many times as they need. You can offer an audio file as an mp3 link, but for greater impact, send them a CD with an attractive cover and case.
4. Teleclasses. Create a free teleclass on a hot topic, record it, and then offer it as a giveaway in audio and transcript form. This sets you up as an expert with whom your web visitors will want to stay in touch.
5. Gifts or Samples. Sometimes the best way to sell a product is to offer a sample (think along the lines of ice cream samples at Ben & Jerry's or a bonbon tasting at See's Candies). Consider giving away a "taste" of your product. This works great if your product is part of a series, because it can let them see your style, your depth of content, etc., and if they like what they see, they'll likely want more.
6. Contests. If your product, or any part of it, is too valuable to give away, you might want to host a giveaway. An author who just self-published a hardback book, could give away a free, autographed copy on a weekly basis. Or, host a contest for a winning cover design and offer to cross promote the winning designer's services. It's always fun for people to see the contest winner's names listed on the website, so make sure to add that little feature in for added incentive and legitimacy.
7. DVDs. It's easy to create a video these days with handheld camcorders like the Flip SD, and video gives you the advantage of being able to talk directly to your audience. You could tape a live workshop or presentation you've already set up, where you're speaking to a live audience, or, if you're a little camera shy, even a PowerPoint presentation can be a great visual tool. As long as you keep the content relevant and engaging, you'll have a great free DVD that you can mail out as a giveaway.
8. Free Reports. A report can be shorter than an ebook (less than 20 pages, usually) and you have a little more flexibility as far as formatting and voice is concerned. You could choose to follow a narrative form, which is a great way to let people in on who you are, what your story is, how you became an expert, etc. Or, you can write it as a white paper, which is a longer, more formal marketing report that uses a problem, solution, state of the industry type of format, infused with hard-researched statistics.
9. Trial Memberships. Giving a 30-day free or low-cost trial is a terrific way to give customers a sample of your unique expertise and win them over as paying clients. Just make sure that their access doesn't give them carte blanche to months and years of material that they can download and then run.
10. Informational Series. Another freebie you can offer is a series of mini-lessons or mini-courses, which is actually a series of emails you've pre-written (a.k.a. "autoresponders") that is released to the prospect on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Let's say, for example, you are an SEO expert. You could offer 10 mini-lessons leaking the "Top 10 Plugins for Your WordPress Blog" or 7 mini-courses summarizing the "Top 7 SEO Strategies for Driving Traffic to Your Website".
So get the full details on my List Building System here now.
http://www.alibrown.com/lbs
© 2011 Ali International, LLC
About the Author
Ali Brown is fast becoming regarded as the voice for women's entrepreneurial success. After launching her first business from her tiny NYC studio apartment in 1999, she has grown it into what is today a multimillion-dollar enterprise that ranked in 2009's Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies in the nation.
Ali has been featured as an expert in the New York Post, Investor's Business Daily, and on TV including Fox Business Network, ABC News Now, E!, and morning shows around the country. She was named one of 2010's Enterprising Women of the Year and was ranked on Forbes.com as the #1 Woman for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter. She was also honored as one of Ernst & Young's Winning Women of 2010.
If you liked today's issue, you'll love Ali's dynamic courses and programs to help you start, market, and grow your business. Learn more at
www.AliBrown.com.
Millionaire entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD and articles at
www.AliBrown.com
5 Easy Steps to Sell Up to 100 Copies of Your Book!
Marian L. Thomas
Talk with most authors and they all have one thing in common—to sell their books. For some authors, writing their book was the easy part, putting down their pen and picking up their marketing hat—is not as easier.
Hopefully, following these 5 easy steps will help get the marketing juices flowing and your books out the
door!
Step #1- Get a website created with your own custom domain name. It has been common in the industry to see author domain names that are geared toward the title of their first book, however, it might be more effectively in the long run to get a domain name that features your first and last author name.
For example: http://www.marianlthomas.com.
Why Important? Readers need somewhere to go to read more about you, your book (s) and to see purchasing options. It also helps to establish creditability as a serious author.
Include on your website the following:
-Home Page: a photo of yourself is often displayed on the home page.
-Biography: Keep it simple but give it some substance.
-Book Page: Book Synopsis, Purchase Links for Your Book, Reviews, and
links to Book Trailer
-Media: To set up this page, first make sure you set-up a press room at http://www.prlog.org.
Once your press room has been
created, ensure that any press releases that are written about your book, book events or other news that is media worthy is linked to your press room. You can then add a link to your press room under your Media tab. Be sure to include any links to articles that you have written or radio shows on this page.
-Contact:
Use this page for comments, a way for readers to reach you or as a guest book.
-Calendar: Must have! Google Calendar is great, free and can be embedded on your website.
Step #2 - Plan a major book signing/launch event around a theme.
Everyone loves to go to a themed party, so have one. Invite everyone you know and ask them to invite 5 to 10 people that they know.
If you get 50 to 100 people to attend, that's 50 to 100 books sold! Make sure to include the cost of your book in the ticket price if possible and feed your guest!
Live entertainment is always good to have. Look for someone local. Local author, local entertainer. Win-Win.
Step #3 - Use the Internet to invite book lovers, book clubs or social groups to your event. Try websites like:
http://www.meetup.com to find book clubs or social groups in your area and reach out to the coordinator. Offer to send him/her a free signed copy of your book if they would be willing to share the news about your event with their members.
Step #4- Send out press releases in a Word document to your local newspaper. Don't forget to include any newspapers or media that might be close to your event venue. Some of your local papers have a free event listing or calendar. Use them! Great way to get your event out to the public and did I mention that most are free?
Step #5- Presentation. You've gone through quite a bit of trouble to get things going in the first three steps so don't blow it by not having a professional presentation set-up for your book. Invest in a good large and tall banner of your book. Make sure you display lots of copies of your book at your event and be sure to have a means for your guest to purchase additional copies.
About the Author:
Marian L. Thomas welcomes the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues
on March 1, 2011 to online retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Kindle and Nook. Be sure to get your copy today! It is sure to be another Best-Seller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.
Ready to Purchase Your Copy of My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà
Continues? Click Here.
Visit the author's website: http://www.marianlthomas.com
How Today's Workers Gain More Influence
By Dr. Daryl D. GreenToday, many managers tend to operate like gorillas in power. People in organizations tend to follow the person in power, not necessarily the best thinkers. This is called the Alpha Principle. In fact, many bosses ignore very good ideas by workers because they are in control. Bad managers often treat people poorly.
Many workers become disenfranchised or demoralized because their organization will not listen. This article examines how rank-and-file employees can lead in their organizations when they lack title and authority.
Levels of Power
There are a variety of ways to influence decision making in contemporary organizations. Leadership is a combination of power and influence. Leadership can be defined as the ability to influence, guide, and direct others. Leaders get people to do things they wouldn't normally do alone. Power is a key component of leadership. Power is the ability of a person in an organization to influence others to accomplish a desired outcome. In most organizations power often evolves into the domination of others.
There are five interpersonal bases of power: legitimate power, reward, coercive, referent, and expert power. In legitimate power, a person's ability to influence others comes simply by being in a certain position. Coercive and reward power are based on the same premise; it is a person's ability to reward or punish the behavior of others. These sources of power are often used to support the use of legitimate power. Therefore, if you are not in a position to apply coercive or reward power, gaining influence in a contemporary organization may prove to be too difficult. The above items are considered organizational power.
When individuals do not have title in an organization, they should be strategic in gaining more influence in the organization. The two major factors here are referent and expert power. Expert power is the power to influence others based on special expertise. Referent power is based on a person's charisma due to the personality or style of behavior. James Gibson, John Ivancevich, James Donelly, Jr., and Robert Konopaske, author of Organizations, maintain that the strength of a person's charisma is an indication of a person's referent power. People will at least listen to you because they instinctively trust you as a leader. Yet, this power is personality driven. Unfortunately, not everyone has that type of a magnetic personality.
The Solution
Workers should build their expert power since they control its development.
Even when an individual may have low rank in an organization, expert power makes the individual invaluable. Expert power can relate to administrative, technical, or other personal attributes. It goes to the Law of Scarcity. Therefore, the most difficult a person is to replace, the greater the individual's power in the organization.
Individuals can gain this power in several ways. First, a person can learn about the organization's needs or deficiencies and seek to fill this knowledge gap. For example, a small consulting firm may lack the skills to promote itself. An employee with this ability could provide this additional service to this organization. Thus, the employee gains power.
Second, employees can take additional training and obtain special certifications which can assist the organization in achieving its mission. Third, individuals can become an authority in an area and become a hot commodity. In fact, a person who can train, teach, lecture, and write on a particular subject can gain influence in his or her organization as well as outside of the organization.
Finally, gaining expert power may not propel you into the next manager level. However, it will give a worker great influence in his or her organization as well as the community. Therefore, a person's influence becomes mobile and makes him or her more competitive in the marketplace.
Conclusion
As businesses fight to stay alive in the changing marketplace, there is an increasing need for effective leaders. Gaining influence becomes a premium for emerging leaders. Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends Influence and Influence People, argued the importance of influencing others: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
The article demonstrated that there are a variety of power types in most organizations. Unfortunately, some manager's do not want to share decision making with their staff. Learning how to influence others is critical in a global environment. Individuals do not have to be the boss in order to possess power in the organization. However, not everyone has a leadership persona. Some can gain referent power, derived from personal characteristics that employees admire. Others can wield expert power if they occupy a vital niche in the organization. In general, empowerment increases employee morale and will prove the merits of satisfied employees on the bottom line. Workers can take control of their lives. Let us pray it won't be too late.
© 2011 by Daryl D. Green
About the Author
Dr. Daryl D. Green writes on contemporary issues impacting individuals,
businesses, and society across the globe. With over 18 years of management
experience, Dr. Green’s expertise has been noted and quoted by USA Today,
Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org
This is YOUR Year: Straight From
Your Gay Best Friend
No more games, drama, or stress. Life is too damn short.
It’s 2011 and you’ve determined that this is your year. No more games, drama, or stress. Life is too damn short. And, you’re definitely not going to put up with men who are not bringing anything to the table. No ma’am. It’s all about you, and darling, Terrance Dean is here to tell you, yes, DIVA, it is all about you.
In today’s society every woman needs a gay best friend—someone who gives it to her straight about life, clothes, sex, and relationships. From the inner city to suburbia, a gay best friend has become the new must-have for women.
Terrance Dean can be your new gay best friend. In his new book, Straight From Your Gay Best Friend – The Straight Up Truth About Relationships, Work, and Having A Fabulous Life
(Agate Bolden - $15; October 2010), Dean gives women terrific insights and advice on some of life’s most challenging issues—family, friends, career, love, sex, and intimate relationships. Dean offers direct and to-the-point perspectives, mixed with a little sass, wit, humor, forwardness, and spirituality, as only a gay man can do.
Dean also dedicates a chapter to the most controversial topic in the black community—down-low gay men.
He writes, “I am often asked by women, ‘How can I tell if my man is on the down low?’
Or, ‘What are some signs I need to look out for so I do not end up in a relationship with a down-low man?’
This chapter will help women identify if the man they are in a relationship with or considering dating may be on the down low.”
This book will help women discover the power they need for a life of abundant success, prosperity, and happiness with loving relationships.
It dispenses practical advice and tips on creating healthy relationships with themselves and any man they desire. And it’s all done from a place of love.
Is the gay best friend here to stay or is it a passing societal whim?
The gay best friend is here to stay. We’ve always been around. It’s just that now we are getting more recognition and visibility thanks in part to television programs, movies, and the internet. People will be amazed at the number of women who rely on their gay best friends for advice about everything, from relationships and fashion to dealing with their family members.
What does the gay best friend have to offer a woman that her girlfriends don’t?
First and foremost, we are men. We know men. We know how we act, and what we will do in various situations. We’re the best ally for a woman who needs advice on her relationships and love life. Trust me, we are not going to steer women wrong.
We can also be that go-to person for a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and the straight truth about everything. We’re not in competition with our good girlfriends, nor do we have an ulterior motive. We are not trying to sleep with our girlfriends, and we certainly won’t borrow your best fashions and not return them.
What do you hope your readers will walk away with from this book?
I hope readers will walk away with a sense of empowerment and inspiration. Women are naturally powerful, fabulous, and intelligent. In my book, I only reinforce what they already know, and remind them of who they are. Sometimes we forget who we are and what we are here to do, especially when it comes to dealing with other people. My book is intended to provide women with some assistance on their journeys, remind them of their inheritance of what is good and true. I also want every woman to know that no matter what, no one can take away your true divine place in this world. You have a purpose, and your whole life and whatever you desire all depend on you recognizing your purpose.
In your opinion, what are the biggest mistakes women make when entering a relationship?
One of the biggest is giving their power over to men, in the process forgetting who they are and allowing their emotions to take them over. Men think with their brains. Women think with their hearts. Also, women have forgotten how to date. We live in a day and age where people are too eager to hook up instead of taking the time to get to know one another. Another mistake is that women forget that men like to pursue; they like to hunt. A woman has to make the man pursue her and not give in so easily to her (or his) desires. Women have to own their power and virtues.
Another mistake is the failure to listen. Women must listen to men and observe their behavior. Pay attention to what he is saying and doing. If he is not living up to your standards and he is not doing what he says he will, then that woman must reevaluate that man and make him accountable, responsible, and integral. Finally, women tend to date the potential in men. They see who he will become, or what they want him to become, and they fall in love with that man instead of the man they meet. When he doesn’t become who they want him to be, women become disappointed, frustrated, and angry.
If you had to sum up in three or four sentences your career advice for women, what would you tell them?
Do what you love. Whatever you feel deepest in your heart, whatever brings you the most joy, that is what you are supposed to be doing. Whatever you think about before you go to bed, and think about first thing when you wake up, that is what you should be doing. Your career should bring you joy, peace, and happiness. Don’t do something just for money. If you love what you do, and it provides fulfillment beyond anything you’ve ever experienced, the money will come.
Your book talks about the down-low phenomenon—in your view, how prevalent is the issue of down-low gay men in the black community?
Well, the down-low phenomenon is not just prevalent in the black community, but in all communities, including whites, Latinos, and Asians. Unfortunately, when people hear the term down-low, they associate it with the black community. I feel there should be more open discussions in all communities around sex and sexuality. We’re so afraid to have those discussions, though, that it’s crippling us—as a result, we have an alarming rate of HIV infection among women. People are scared to talk about gay sex, bisexuality, and down-low. If we talk about it then we have to admit it exists. As long as we avoid talking about it, we are keeping it in the closet, and we are keeping ourselves in the dark.
What is the most important ingredient to living a fabulous life?
Loving yourself. If you love who you are, then others will love you. If you don’t appreciate you, then others will not. If you don’t show yourself respect, then others will not. It’s all about love. And that means loving everything about yourself from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head.
So, what are you waiting for? Order your copy of Dean’s new book and start living your
FAN-TAB-U-LOUS life today. The book is available in bookstores everywhere. If you’re in a hurry, it only takes a second to order on Amazon.com. And, you can order it
here.
 Terrance Dean is the author of Hiding In Hip Hop – On The Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books – June 2008); Reclaim Your Power! A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing, and Inspiration For Men of Color (Villard/Random House – June 2002); Visible Lives – Three Stories In Tribute To E. Lynn Harris (Dafina – June 2010).
Follow Terrance Dean on Facebook, here.
Blog: www.terrancedean.blogspot.com
Website: www.mrterrancedean.com
Twitter: @terrancedean
Visioning Your Future!
by Talayah Stovall
 Are you living your life by design or by accident?
Thomas Edison said, "If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves." Most of us know there is more that we want to achieve in our lives, but most of us do not know where to begin.
As another year begins, we have another opportunity to review our goals and to make a fresh start for 2011.
With that in mind, think about your goals and dreams. What are the various areas of your life in which you’d like to see major change? Is it your relationships? Your finances? Your career or business? Your lifestyle? Envision a perfect day in your life 5 years from now. What does it look like and feel like? Who are you sharing that day with? Where are you living and vacationing? How is your health?
Now that you have a clear picture of your desired life, how do you transform your desires into definite goals that you can attain?
I’ve found that one of the best ways to create the necessary focus in your life to achieve your goals is to create a vision board. A vision board, also called a dream board or a treasure map, is a collage of pictures, images and words from various sources (magazines, calendars, online, etc.) that represent your innermost desires. In other words, it is a physical representation of your desired reality.
A vision board allows you to create a picture of the future that you envision for yourself.
My focus for 2011 is about lifestyle and business. Therefore, I created two vision boards – one for each. My business vision board includes my business goals and the positive impact that I’d like to have on the lives of other women, empowering them to reach their highest potential. My lifestyle vision board includes my goals related to health, relationships, finances and so on.
It is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Why? Images evoke strong feelings that influence our thoughts and behavior, even on a subconscious level. So, harness that power to create the future you desire. A vision board helps you to clarify your vision and inspires you to take the necessary actions to fulfill that vision.
How Do You Make a Vision Board?
Gather pictures and words from magazines, books or the Internet that have a strong impact on you and represent what you desire to see in your life (a new business or career, love, a new home, travel, your ideal weight, etc.) You will also need scissors, glue, colored paper, a poster board or a mirror with a border (if you want to see yourself in the picture). I like to put my name and/or picture on bestseller lists, conference speaker lists and other places I’d like to see myself in the future.
What Are the Benefits of a Vision Board?
• t creates focus – having a visual representation of the life you want will keep you focused on achieving it.
• It’s fun – who doesn’t love dreaming? Who doesn’t love going through our favorite magazines and ripping things out?
• It’s flexible – as your life changes, so can your vision board. As you reach new goals, you can take images off. And, as you create new dreams for yourself, you can add pictures.
How Can You Use Your Vision Board?
• Put your board where you will see it. Have it in your field of vision so you will be inspired to act on it. Only through repeated visualization of your goals can you begin to make your dreams a reality. Review your board often and see what manifests itself.
• Use your board to help determine your next steps in life – does what you’re planning to do fit with your overall life vision?
• Use your board to change your mood – when you feel down, look at your board and get inspired.
• Use your board to give thanks for what is to come.
Life is largely a matter of action and expectation. You must expect success and take action. The dreams you believe in CAN become a reality. Set your goals high. Set high expectations and take action now, and you'll succeed beyond your wildest expectations.
2011 CAN be your year!
About the Author
Talayah G. Stovall, Pres., TGrace, is an author, keynote speaker, radio host, life purpose coach and Managing Director of Vision Catalyst Consulting. For information on speaking or coaching, as well as her motivational audio CDs, “P.U.M.P. It UP! and 7 Secrets to Ignite Your Dreams, her book, Crossing the Threshold: Opening Your Door to Successful Relationships, eBook, 150 Important Questions You Should Ask Before You Say “I Do”, or newsletter “EmPOWERed to…”, please visit
http://www.talayahstovall.com,
http://www.visioncatalystconsulting.com,
or email talayah@talayahstovall.com.
Truths About Being a Published Author
by Electa Rome Parks
“It has been a pleasure, an honor and a privilege to be a published author; it is one
of the true joys and accomplishments of my life. Not everyone has the opportunity to realize a dream and I feel totally blessed to be in that number. During my tenure as a published author, I’ve discovered certain truths.”
– Electa Rome Parks
1. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. Everyone is not going to love or even like your novels. And that’s OKAY.
2. Everyone, their mother and cousins will want to point out any editorial errors they may find within the pages of your books. Everyone’s a critic.
3. You don’t necessarily have to go to college to become a successful writer. I believe there are elements of writing that comes naturally, just like breathing.
4. Everyone thinks they can write a book. However, every book in the marketplace isn’t necessarily a good book.
5. Everyone thinks their life story should be a book.
6. Talent will only get you so far. Sometimes it’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
7. The right “handlers”, i.e. agents, editors, PR person, make all the difference in the world.
8. Every fiction novel has some element(s) of truth. Don’t believe the hype.
9. Writing is a business. Sales are the bottom line. No matter how talented you are, if you don’t have the sales, you won’t get the next deal.
10. There is such a synergy when creative minds come together; it’s magic.
11. There is such a sense of freedom and joy in having the ability, from the very core of your soul to express yourself to the world; it’s almost like giving birth.
12. The new “renaissance” authors are making history and some are creating powerful legacies.
13. Writing is a lonely and hard business to be successful in. Most of us can’t quit our day jobs.
14. Every author should pen at least one book that gives back to the universe in a positive, appealing manner to the masses.
15. You have to have a real love affair with the beauty and power of words in order to stick with it because the industry, like a lover, will take you through ups and down and sometimes screw you over.
Check out my latest fiction release:
True Confessions by Electa Rome Parks
Purchase from Amazon.com
ISBN-13: 978-1601622396
About the Author
Electa Rome Parks lives outside Atlanta, Georgia and is the best-selling author of seven acclaimed novels, The Ties That Bind, Loose Ends, Almost Doesn't Count, Ladies' Night Out, These Are My Confessions (anthology), Diary of a Stalker and her latest release True Confessions.
Dubbed a "book club favorite," avid readers have embraced Electa's true to life characters that tackle prevalent and heavy hitting issues that take them on an emotional roller coaster. Electa is currently following her passion and working on her next novel and first screenplay.
To find out when and where Electa will be in your area, check out her website at
www.electaromeparks.com, www.myspace.com/author_chick
or www.facebook.com/electaromeparks.
To share your thoughts with Electa regarding her work or to schedule an event, please e-mail her at
novelideal@aol.com.
 The Little Black Book of Success
Laws of Leadership for Black Women
Written by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood
and Rhonda Joy McLean
In this engaging and invaluable “mentor in your pocket,” three dynamic and successful black female executives share their strategies to help all black women, at any level of their careers, play the power game—and win.
Rich with wisdom, this practical gem focuses on the building blocks of true leadership—self-confidence, effective communication, collaboration, and courage—while dealing specifically with stereotypes (avoid the Mammy Trap, and don’t become the Angry Black Woman) and the perils of self-victimization (don’t assume that every challenge occurs because you are black or female).
Some leaders are born, but most leaders are made—and The Little Black Book of Success will show you how to make it to the top, one step at a time.
Read Excerpt from Chapter Two- The Little Black Book of Success
To Attain Victory, Stay Positive
Master the art of positive thinking. To become a leader you must have a positive mental attitude, which you can achieve with positive self- talk and looking at what is right with people instead of what is wrong with them. Positive self-talk means saying positive things about yourself to yourself and to others. You are what you think, and you can accomplish what you think you can. For example, if you tell yourself that you can’t perform a particular task or difficult assignment, then you are setting yourself up for failure. You must tell yourself that you can meet professional challenges that come your way. Instead of thinking, “Oh, I can’t do this. I’ve never done this before,” say, “This is new to me. I’ll give it my best shot.” Then go do your homework, consult with others, go online, request the reports, do whatever you need to do to get the information to complete the assignment to the best of your ability. Positive thoughts create constructive energy around you.
You must establish this habit of positive self-talk in your mind, because it requires regular reinforcement. Make it a habit. Invest five minutes a day before you head out to work. Tell yourself you can meet any professional challenges that life has to offer. Write down your positive affirmations in your Personal Leadership Notebook and read them out loud, or write a positive prayer. The spoken word is extremely powerful.
For example:
• I release the past and now allow myself to be filled with positive thoughts.
• I deserve the best and welcome it into my life.
• I see the good in everyone.
• I accept for myself all the good things that life and work have to offer.
• I am worthy and deserving of new challenges that come my way.
• I am in the process of making positive changes.
Be actively aware of what you’re thinking. What kind of voice do you hear in your head? Does a voice tell you that you can’t do something because a family member warned years ago that you were going to fail? Or that trying something new was too risky? Or that traveling abroad or to other parts of the country is dangerous? If you begin to see a pattern of negative thoughts, write them down and then create positive affirmations to cancel them. You must reprogram your thoughts. It’s the only way good things are going to come to you in life. You can make it a good day or a bad day by controlling your thought process. Even if something bad happens to you during the day, you can decide how to react to the situation. Your reaction is your choice and your choice determines how you will respond—positive or negative. Create positive images, statements, situations, outcomes, interactions, and exchanges. You can change your life if you change your thinking.
Having a sense of humor also comes in handy and can help you with your positive attitude. There will be times when you’ll just have to throw up your hands and laugh.
Negative self-talk can lower your expectations, and do damage to your self-confidence and leadership ability. People want to follow leaders who are positive. One of a leader’s most important jobs is to set a positive tone.
People who are positive tend to be:
• More productive at work.
• More likely to be noticed and recognized by their boss.
• More likely to attract co-workers to them.
• More likely to be open to new experiences.
• More likely to recognize opportunity when it comes their way.
Cultural Code
We haven’t always been exposed to positive images in life, whether due to the media or the racial divide. Not everyone was raised by supportive or well-educated or instructive parents. We haven’t always been around positive family and friends. While growing up, some of us didn’t receive the attention and encouragement we deserved in classrooms from teachers. While our parents were sometimes struggling to make ends meet, or being challenged by more obstacles than we experience today, we haven’t always had the most positive view of the world. Unfortunately, we can even be negative about ourselves.
Sometimes we assume that the challenges we are facing have been set before us because we are Black or women. While this may or may not be true, we may become paralyzed with anger or fear because of our own beliefs. We can get in our own way by deciding that “they’re out to get me,” or “they just don’t understand or value me,” and that nothing can be done about it. Look beyond skin color and don’t focus on it. We cannot let differences, or what others think or feel, get in the way of achieving our leadership goals.
Despite the negative forces around us or inside us, we must overcome them as we embark upon this journey. We have to be positive and view the world in a positive light. For not to be positive would be to give up all hope. We are a strong and spiritual people. We have survived through the ages with physical strength and the strength of our minds. Negative thinking that creates negative emotions can lead to stress, anger, and hostility, as well as disease. So keep your thinking positive.
Write a list of your good qualities and assets in your PLN. Place positive messages to yourself around your home, tape them to your dresser and medicine cabinet mirrors. Read them out loud and often. Carry them with you in your purse and keep them in your desk drawer at the office and refer to them as a reminder whenever necessary. Refresh or update these positive messages or affirmations to yourself on an as- needed basis. Even if you’ve been in your position for years, look at today as if it’s your first day on the job and immerse yourself in positive thinking.
###
Excerpted from The Little Black Book of Success by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, and Rhonda Joy McLean Copyright © 2010 by Elaine Meryl Brown. Excerpted by permission of One World/Ballantine, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Visit the Author's Website: http://www.littleblackbookofsuccess.com
Available at Barnes and Noble - Purchase Your Copy Today!
ISBN-10: 0345518489 | ISBN-13: 978-0345518484
Genre: Business & Economics - Motivational; Self-Help - Personal Growth
Women Power in Today’s Organizations
by Dr. Daryl Green
America has continued to learn how to deal with strong women during the great demographic shift in history. Corporate America celebrates media moguls like Oprah Winfrey. According to Fortune Magazine, 15 Fortune 500 companies are run by women. In fact, women of color are showing others how to break traditional barriers. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice transformed how powerful women can lead major government sectors. In fact, there is a long list of successful women in all types of institutions.
Yet, the road to success for most black women isn’t easy. Many women’s dreams of a successful career have come to reality. Strangely enough, some women have been trying to have it all. This marks the clash. There are women who focus on the primary care of their families while delaying their personal dreams. Others dedicate their lives to their careers while compromising the stability of their families. In the middle, there are millions of mothers who attempt to do it all out of necessity and attempt to chase the great American Dream. This article focuses on the issues facing professional women and provides solutions. Several professional women were interviewed. However, their real names are not disclosed, to protect them since they work in small industries.
The Problem
According to the 2005 Census Report, there are 82.5 million mothers in the United States , and there are 10 million single mothers living with children under 18 years old. Working moms make up 55 percent of mothers with infants. Feminists celebrate the liberation of working women while traditionalists postulate the merits of home-bound mothers for institutional stability. In fact, some people blame the moral decay of the country on mothers abandoning their families for professional careers. Many women try to maintain a healthy balance of work and family life, but this balancing act leaves some of them “burnt out.” Therefore, there is a growing problem for women in particular and society in general in understanding consequences of women’s power in the near future.
The Trend
Women stand at the fore front of disruptive change in the political, social, economic, and technological sectors of most counties. Dr. James Canton’s
The Extreme Future notes “Women will comprise a high percentage of new workers and leaders, forever changing the politics of boardrooms and markets.” According to a US Census report, nearly one-third of all married women in the US make more than their husbands. More than 25% of working wives earned more their husbands in 2007 (up from 20% in 1983). Furthermore, women are earning college degrees at a faster pace than men. Between 2000 and 2001, women earned 57% of all undergraduate degrees.
Woman power is also being flexed in the corporate world. In 1983, women held 34% of all US executive and managerial positions. However, women held more than 50% of these positions in 2003. Futurist John Cashmen predicts women will forever change the landscape of all institutions: “The number of women in the primary breadwinner role will likely grow in coming decades, driven by social change and the fact that women’s educational achievement is outpacing men’s in many parts of the world.” Therefore, executives must consider how the changing roles of women in organizations will impact their corporate strategies.
 The Career Strategy
Progressive women need to develop critical career strategies in a holistic fashion. Balancing work and family is difficult. In general, some men are already taking this transition personally. Some men are opting for the domestic life while their wives become the principal breadwinners. Therefore, society watches gender role reversals and wonder how it will end…relational success or failure?
For working women, any results are often problematic anyway. Yenissee Alonso and Vickie
Brint, authors of the article
Women in the Workplace, argue that women still deal with institutional barriers that keep them from being successful. For example, women in general are making less than their counterparts doing the same job with the same experience.
Alonso and Brint note, “Since nearly half of the workforce is comprised of women, it stands to reason that woman should be enjoying the same success as their male counterparts in terms of advancement opportunities and earning capacity.” Princeton researchers in a 2003 study concluded that college-educated women who hold higher expectations for their potential mate may lower their chances for getting married. In fact, some men may be uncomfortable with having a woman who has more education and makes more than them, postulate some theorists.
Sue Means is a professional engineer in a highly competitive consulting industry. She sees challenges for professional women. She notes that men are treated differently. Means explains, “Some of my colleagues talk about how pretty I am. They comment on my clothes and make suggestions regarding what I should wear. That would not happen to a man.”
Liza Fuller is a government program manager with a decade of experience in handling difficult environmental issues. She exists in a mostly male dominated industry. Fuller notes, “Women are still expected to work harder than men to prove themselves and avoid criticism. Attractive women still get grief about being promoted for reasons other than their own merit and it’s not fair.”
Furthermore, Canton suggests that the most educated, skilled, and experienced employees will be in high demand. Therefore, professional women need better strategies. Means recommends prioritizing what’s important: “I let go what’s not important. Most women get overwhelmed with trying to manage all of the household and family responsibilities while working at the same time. You need to be realistic about what you can do. It’s a balancing act.” Some women feel that they can have it all without any drop off. Fuller disagrees: “There is always a sacrifice because you spend more time away from your family.” Although there will be an ever increasing number of opportunities for women in the workplace, women must analyze every career move in a holistic fashion if they want to keep that delicate balance.
Conclusion
The future is bright for working women as never before. In fact, women will drive most institutions toward major changes in the near term. However, this article demonstrated that the road to success for most professional women isn’t easy. They must deal with sexism to a certain degree. However, the demands of their professional life have not kept up with the heavy demands of a family and personal life. Therefore, women must develop career strategies in a holistic manner that maximizes their efforts. Black women continue to excel against tremendous obstacles. In turn, society must learn how to embrace women’s power in the future if America hopes to continue to compete.
© 2010 by Daryl D. Green
Dr. Daryl D. Green writes on contemporary issues impacting individuals, businesses, and society across the globe. With over 18 years of management experience, Dr. Green’s expertise has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to
http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org
Black
Pearls
Sistah-preneur Spotlights
Meet Afya Ibomu
Sistah business and social entrepreneurs aim to
offer a better service improving the community as a whole, thus creating
social value in our communities. We would like to shine the spotlight on those
exceptionally gifted sisters who are creating a better world! This quote says
it all: "I got my start by giving myself a start. I had to make my own
living and my own opportunity! But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the
opportunities to come. Get up and make them!" ---
Madam
C.J. Walker, creator of a popular line of African-American hair care
products and America's first black female millionaire. Visit
www.madamcjwalker.com and
A'Lelia Bundles, author
 Meet
Business Owner Afya Ibomu
As an Author, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Entrepreneur, Freelance
Journalist, Crochet Artist and Nutritionist,
Afya Ibomu has built a dynamic reputation in the past 10 years by
consistently delivering on her promise to educate, guide and inspire people to
live a healthy, natural, and creative lifestyle.
Nattral Magazine is Available Now! Subscribe today at http://www.nattral.com
Growing up in a single-parent home in St. Paul, MN., Afya was born to overcome
obstacles and do things her way. She was born with a crooked hip and wore a
hip brace for the first 2 years of her life. Afya was very sickly, stricken
with allergies, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a host of other
ailments. She was shuttled from doctor to doctor and placed on various
medications.
At 15, her mother found an allergy specialist who told her the foods she was
eating might be contributing to her health problems. This information and the
hip hop song “beef” by KRS-ONE motivated her to stop taking her
medications, become a vegetarian, and begin her journey to self-healing.
With concern for her community and environment, Afya was involved with
progressive groups such as
The African Student Alliance, and The Uhuru Movement, as well
as eco-friendly activities. After high school, Afya was accepted to Florida
A&M University. She decided that with a civil engineering major she could
work hands on helping the environment. But her actual intern experiences,
coupled with funding her own tuition, changed her mind. While in Florida she
also met her boyfriend (now husband) and after 2 ½ years, she quit school and
moved to NYC to find her true passion.
 Crocheting
Afya was inspired by her family at a young age. Her grandmother was an
entrepreneur who had her own day care and seamstress business. Afya would
watch her grandmother make elaborate outfits and would frequent fabric stores
where she learned about choosing fabrics and patterns.
In NYC, Afya got her first retail job as a sales associate. Within the first
year and a half, she worked her way up to head merchandiser of one of the
busiest stores on 34th & Broadway in Manhattan NY. While working one day a
lady at her job showed her how to crochet. She caught on quick and soon
crocheting became her hobby. Her crocheting hobby grew into a custom making
hat business called,
Who the Cap Fits. Afya began selling her designs at international arts
fairs around NYC and boutiques up and down the east coast. Her designs soon
began to adorn artists, such as; Erykah Badu, Common, and Dead Prez. Her hats
have also appeared on album covers; Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu, music videos
The Light video by Common, and magazines: Complex and Jet. Afya has released
two crochet pattern books,
Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats and Cool Caps as well as Get Your Crochet On! Fly Tops and Funky
Flavas.
Her crochet pattern books have sold over 20,000 copies.
 Cooking
Afya’s love of food came from a rich heritage of Creole, Soulfood, and
Midwest cooking.
She would help her mother bake her annual holiday cookies, bars, and
desserts. Living in Brooklyn, NY allowed Afya to be around some of the most
progressive people in the natural health industry. She soon learned about
being a vegan, taking herbs, fasting, and live food. Becoming a vegan, led
Afya to start cooking again and she began to make her own recipes.
After working in retail for 3 years, Afya quit her head-merchandising job,
took a cooking intensive course at the Natural Gourmet Cookery School and
started her own catering business called
Healthy Soil. She started making gourmet vegan desserts for health food
stores around Brooklyn and at international fairs around NYC. Her apple pies
became so popular that she was known as the “pie lady.”
Health Counseling/Nutrition
Yet another twist in Afya’s life would bring her to holistic healing. Afya’s
mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Helping her mother to live a
better quality of life through holistic health inspired her to go to the
Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Certified Holistic Health
Counselor. After graduation, She began health counseling, teaching vegan
cooking classes, and writing for various magazines, such as; Know Your Health-
Minneapolis, MN; Free Magazine –Brooklyn, NY; San Francisco Bayview
Newspaper, San Francisco California.
In 2003, Afya was the personal nutritionist for Erykah Badu and her family on
the Worldwide Underground Tour. That same year, she also produced, directed,
and starred in a collaborative TV show for a local cable station in Brooklyn
called
Mind, Body and Soulfood. In 2004, Afya moved to Atlanta with husband,
stic man of dead prez, and their son Itwela.
In 2005, Afya, created a nutrition guide called Vegetarian Sources of
Protein. Which is currently sold in health food stores around the
country. In 2010, Afya received a bachelors degree in nutrition from
Georgia State University.
Afya is currently the CEO of her holistic lifestyle company, Nattral Unlimited, LLC
(www.NATTRAL.com) and
holds a bachelors degree in nutrition. She is also the managing editor of her
online magazine Nattral Magazine. Afya has recently released her new book
The Vegan Soulfood Guide to the Galaxy and has done freelance work for
magazines such as Free Your Soul: The Art of Living, Parlour, Veg News and
Ozone magazines. She continues to teach cooking classes and health workshops
around the country. Follow Afya on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nattral_vegan
Tahitian Pearl
by Esauren Phyer
From The Gritty
Dune To An Oasis In The Sun
Explore the pages of this wonderful, witty, sometimes
gritty novel. Follow Naiyah Harland and her family through life's many
challenges ( Infidelity, Deception and Much More... ) and see where they
end up. If you know God is always around and will show up on our behalf
- good, you won't be surprised. If you don't - good, you'll be
blessed. This story is one of redemption.
We find at times, Life to be a real messy mess. It is, has been or will be.
There’s no escaping it. We all experience on one level or another, the
untidiness, disorder and dirt of life - Life’s Messes! Some of us don’t
mind the drama, trauma and maladjustment of the mess, but many of us recognize
the need to be “set free” therefore, realizing that in doing so,
love wins.
Tahitian
Pearl (from the gritty dune to an oasis in the Sun) is a compelling story
of family drama, where the messes of life (infidelity, drugs and more)
demonstrate how we judge, misjudge and drift.
However, grace and mercy can set us free and let love win. This book, because
of its multi-dimensional and complex characters is ideal for book clubs as it
provides endless discussion possibilities.
Esauren Phyer is available for Book Club Discussions and Speaking
engagements.
Contact her at: Ephyer@envisionsofesauren.com
or visit her website at: http://www.esaurenphyer.com
 About
Esauren Phyer, author of Tahitian Pearl
Meet Long Island, New York native Esauren Phyer. She's a prolific writer
of fiction, short, stories, newsletter bylines and personal journaling. She
graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and holds a degree in
sociology and a certification in Christian counseling. By day she's an
information technology specialist and a creative writer by night.
Ms. Phyer, an avid reader for most of her life, dreamed of becoming a
published and well read author long before her Humanities Professor at Lincoln
University in Pennsylvania suggested she do something with her writing over
thirty years ago. Ms. Phyer is committed to living free, free from other
people’s opinions, free from drama, free from sickness, free from her own
prejudices and hang-ups and has written a novel that is replete with messages
of “setting oneself free,” particularly when we find
ourselves immersed in the grit and messes of life.
Her book, Tahitian Pearl, focuses on a young woman named Naiyah, whose life is
fraught with personal traumas designed to keep her from the joy and blessings
God has for her. The moment Naiyah is born, her grandmother knows that God is
going to work in her life in a special way, but the enemy of God has other
plans.
Tahitian
Pearl 5 Star Amazon Reader Review
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Naiyah. Your book gave me reason to
pause and evaluate my life experiences and my reactions to them. After reading
the book I had dinner with a friend who was having a personal crisis.
She expressed how she was trying to put her faith in the Lord and then the
words from your book just started to spew from my mouth. I told her to
quit trying to give up the issue and just do it. Let the Lord take
control of the situation and accept the direction that was presented to
her. After much discussion, she realized the error of her way of
processing her situation and decided then and there that she would follow the
Lord's lead.
Funny how there is this trickle effect in life, you affect readers who affect
those around them. You are the embodiment of following the direction the Lord has presented and
for that I thank you. -- Reviewed by Nancy - The Blonde One (Catonsville MD)
Purchase
Tahitian Pearl by Esauren Phyer
From The Gritty Dune To An Oasis In The Sun
ISBN-10: 0984218807
ISBN-13: 978-0984218806
Intimate Conversation with Stacey Ciceron
Becoming the Dream. Stacey attended Dudley’s Cosmetology University in Kernersville, North Carolina. While there, she was selected to represent Dudley’s as a Jr. Technician at The Bronner Brothers Show in Atlanta. Ms. Ciceron later received her certification in Make-up Artistry and frequently audited advanced cutting classes held at the University to develop and perfect her techniques. It was here she realized that there was more to this business than glitz and glamour.
Blessings in Disguise. Once her studies were completed at Dudley’s, Stacey was on a mission to find a place that would nurture her budding interest and talent. That search led to two places that would change her life forever. The first place was Vidal Sassoon where she learned the foundation of precision cutting and having discipline in the styling profession; and the second, was Bumble and Bumble where Stacey’s passion for learning, teaching, and styling was nurtured.
The Journey. Along the way, Ciceron learned to creatively express herself through hair cutting and styling. Her skills were recognized and quickly thrust her into the world of high fashion, commercial and print. Stacey’s work has afforded her the privilege to contribute to runway shows in New York, Paris and Milan, as well as numerous fashion spreads for fashion magazines and commercial and print for major cosmetic companies.
Living the Dream. Stacey says, “I have fulfilled my dream in almost every aspect. My desire is to teach what I’ve learned thus far. I have a wealth of knowledge to share and I am taking an active role in can giving back to my fellow cosmetologists. I do this by sharing these experiences that made me who I am: A Motivated and Ambitious Professional whose joy is found also in
giving back.”
 BPM: Introduce us to your company The Stacey Ciceron Studios.
My company is called The Stacey Ciceron Studios
and we cater to our clients by offering a full range of hair care and styling services. I have trained at Vidal Sassoon and had the privilege of working at Bumble and Bumble. I have also done Milan and Paris Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the Project Runway fashion show, TV work on America’s Next Top Model and Rocawear and Vogue editorial work.
BPM: Did your company change the way consumers were previously taught to think?
My company has definitely changed the perspective of hair care for my clients. At The
Stacey Ciceron Studios we teach our clients that healthy hair is the platform to achieve a fabulous hairstyle. This entails them to have higher expectations from a stylist and be more educated on what hair “care” truly is.
BPM: How did you get your start in this business/industry?
I received my start in this business from working at Bumble and Bumble. Doing an employee’s hair one day on my down time the owner seen my work and was immediately impressed. He referred me to work at the upcoming Fashion week and that catapulted me into different opportunities and set the platform for future success.
BPM: Did you have any formal business training?
Yes, I attended and graduated from Dudley’s Cosmetology University where I started out as a student and then was selected to be a Jr. Technician.
BPM: What separates you and your firm from the competition?
What separates me from the competition is my past and continuing education. The opportunities I have had being trained by the best being present at Vidal Sassoon and Bumble and Bumble. Also, my passion for doing hair and my customized approach to hair styling.
BPM: How would you describe your experience as an Entrepreneur?
I feel it is a blessing being an entrepreneur. With running my own business I have the ability to follow my own vision and see my creations come to life. I also have the freedom and flexibility to spend time with my family. Being a leader has always been a natural feeling to me sort of like breathing.
BPM: What do you like most about your profession?
I love being around people and having a connection with them. I love being a part of people’s lives by hearing their stories and being in a position to influence them in a positive way. And that’s what my job allows me to do.
BPM: What is your biggest challenge in business? How did you overcome it?
Controlling my perfectionism and wanting to have things my way and right away. I have overcome these challenges by having structure and being organizing. Putting thoughts down on paper helps me practice patience. And learning how to balance family life with my career helps me overcome many obstacles that arise.
BPM: What advice would you give someone just starting out in your industry?
Explore every area of your craft and become an expert at the area that you love the most. Set realistic short term and long-term goals and pace yourself to achieve one each day. And the most important one, continue to educate yourself.
BPM: What do you hope to offer your clients or customers to shape their lives?
I hope to provide an environment of nurture and warmth where clients can rejuvenate and rebuild themselves from the inside out. Because I have clients from different walks of life I hope to offer a continuous source of networking. I also throw workshops to help people build their passion and find their purpose. And of course the obvious beautification.
BPM: What are the major things all leaders possess, in your opinion?
Determination, focus, drive, passion, and purpose coupled with lots of ambition.
BPM: How does your mission or vision keep your business growing?
My vision helps me keep a competitive edge, which differentiates me from other businesses. Because I have a vision I’m able to set clear and concise goals on which I strive for. I obtain success and growth because I keep focused on the business and adapt to change.
BPM: Tell us about the people you help. How is your organization or company impacting the public? What social issues or causes do you want to address?
I help women by empowering them in the areas of finance and the pursuit of their passion. While partnering with Sankofa Salon we did suit drives and workshops on how to turn your passion into profit. On my own, I did a women’s seminar on health beauty and finance and also a spa day that introduced woman to the necessity of pampering yourself.
BPM: What's new in your company?
The Stacey Ciceron Studios is continuing its involvement in the freelance industry by working on editorial, TV, film, print and runway projects. We are tapping into the online market by offering products and services online and networking through avenues such as face book and twitter. I also have a blog called Hair Stories that’s documenting my journey to pursue my passion for the next 365 days.
Read more
about the services here.
Intimate Conversation with
Harrine Freeman
"Money Can Generate Wealth or Generate Debt, You Make the Choice"
 Harrine Freeman is the owner of
H.E. Freeman Enterprises which provides credit repair services to help clients restore their credit rating and develop good money management skills. She is the author of "How to Get out of
Debt: Get An “A” Credit Rating for Free" that provides steps on how to get out of debt and improve your credit. She has appeared in
Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, Essence, Forbes and on NBC and
ABC television networks.
BPM: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
My mentors were my grandparents, they faced insurmountable odds including racism, sexism and civil rights issues and overcame them. They instilled in me good moral and financial values that I still practice today. My inspiration comes from my support network of friends and family.
BPM: Harrine, what makes you powerful as a person?
I love helping people and that passion has helped me in my business helping my clients overcome their financial challenges which makes happy because everyone once in a while everyone needs a little help sometimes.
BPM: Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers, you have the power to change your future - "Money can generate wealth or generate debt, you make the choice. "
BPM: Introduce us to your book, How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating for
Free.
Can you imagine how your life would change if you had good credit? Imagine the relief ? Less stress, not worrying about bill collectors calling you at home or at work, and putting an end to your fights with your partner, spouse or children that are caused by not having any money.
This comprehensive self help book provides step by step details on how to repair your credit, get out of debt, create your own flexible spending plan and maintain your good credit without having to go to a credit counseling agency or file for bankruptcy.
BPM: Introduce us to the primary message in the book.
The primary message in the book is that no matter what financial setback you have experienced you can overcome it. It may seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel but there is because I have personally experienced it and overcame my financial struggles. It will be hard but with determination and patience you will overcome your crisis.
BPM: Share with us a few of the life enhancing sections from the book.
I bought a car for an ex-boyfriend in my name. Everything was fine for about 6 months then he stopped paying the car payment and I ended up owing $9,000 for a car I didn't drive.
I learned a valuable lesson from this experience, don't co-sign for anyone especially for someone who has bad credit. This may be hard to do especially if a relative, spouse or sibling asks for help. I learned that you cannot control what someone does, and saying sorry if not enough when your credit gets damaged.
 BPM: What prompted you to create this book, How to Get Out of Debt?
I wrote the book because I wanted to prevent people from making the same mistakes I did and prevent people from being victims of the financial industry.
BPM: Who did you originally write How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating for Free for? Why?
I wrote this book for men and women ages 21-50 that have experienced financial challenges due to job loss, health issues, divorce, those who owe money from a previous relationship, college students, or those who have made bad financial decisions.
BPM: Now that the book is out, who should read How to Get Out of Debt and why?
People should read my book because it is an easy read, there are no large financial terms that you have to get a dictionary to understand. There are tons of easy to follow tips on how to overcome different financial challenges as well as information on how to create a budget, pay down debt and negotiate with creditors.
BPM: What issues in today's society do you address in the book?
The book addresses issues such as foreclosure, bankruptcy, student loans, repossession, judgments, divorce, tax liens, collection accounts and laws that protect consumers.
BPM: What impact will this book have on the community of readers?
The book will help readers who are willing to repair their credit and get out of debt on their own. For those who hire a professional the book will confirm everything the professional advises them to do and in some instances will help detect the fraudulent companies who suggest advice that may be incorrect or illegal.
BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
The message I want readers to share with readers is that there is no gimmick to my book. I state the facts and provide information to help readers who are facing financial challenges.
BPM: What message in your book do you want readers to share with others?
The message I want to share with readers is don’t give up. No matter how bad it may seem right now you can overcome your financial situation.
BPM: Before we end the interview, define SUCCESS. What part does GRATITUDE play in achieving success, in your opinion?
SUCCESS – I define success as overcoming any obstacle and achieving an accomplishment that you did not expect to achieve and had to work hard for.
GRATITUDE – Gratitude is more than just saying please and thank you. I define gratitude as a way of life, being respectful and humble in your success and in all you do.
BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.
I recently appeared in the June 2010 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine and appeared in an interview on
Nasdaq.com.
BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
Readers can reach my online on at hfreeman@hefreemanenterprises.com,
by visiting my website at http://www.hefreemanenterprises.com.
Visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/harrinefreeman
and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/harrine.
Harrine Freeman, CEO/Owner, H.E. Freeman Enterprises
Personal Finance Expert, Speaker, Freelance Writer, TV Producer
Email: hfreeman@hefreemanenterprises.com
How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating for Free
Available for Purchase at http://www.borders.com
http://www.hefreemanenterprises.com
http://hefreemanenterprises.blogspot.com
Creativity as the Market
Advantage
How Creative People Will Reshape the Future
I sat in the office waiting for a debriefing on my job interview. I didn’t get a management position from this organization. The senior executive spoke to me cordially about me doing a good job. I pressed him for more specifics so that I could improve myself on the next job interview. He candidly mentioned that my outside interest (writing books,
talk show appearances, etc.) was a distraction to this position. It was apparent that this older gentleman wasn’t ‘feeling my creativity.’ In fact, I felt he didn’t like it. I politely thanked him. I was a marked man due to showcasing my creativity. During this period, creativity was not deemed a valuable asset to this organization.
Over the past eight months, 1.8 million people without jobs left the labor market. In fact, their pessimism was so great that they gave up looking for employment. Hidden beneath these numbers are the underemployed. Tennessee Congressman John Duncan Jr. notes, “Underemployment is probably even higher, with far too many having to work at low-paying jobs for which they are over-qualified.” With the unemployment rate continuing to rise, individuals are perplexed as to what is the best decision to make for their careers. If more jobs are to be produced, it will take organizations that possess the ability of innovation. Given this premise, this discussion examines how managers can infuse their organizations with creativity, thereby surviving and defeating disruptive change.
 Value Creation
Today’s organizations must develop their workforce to be a collection of innovators and creators. Gary Hamel, author of Leading the Revolution, notes “Industrial revolutionaries will exploit any protective urge, any hesitancy on the part of the oligarchy…In the nonlinear world, only nonlinear ideas will create new wealth.” Unfortunately, many of today’s managers are not equipped to think in nonlinear fashions. Their extensive experiences become a liability during disruptive change.
As American businesses battle their global competitors with the scientific management strategy, market shares continue to take a downward spiral. Everyday disruptive change breaks down traditional organization strategies. What worked yesterday will not work in this harsh environment. Therefore, organizations move cautiously into the future.
However, creativity may be one of the biggest weapons to fend off competitors. Creativity is the process of developing new, uncommon, or unique ideas. It engages a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations between existing ideas or concepts. Many organizations lack the experience to infuse creativity. Sadly, many managers do not understand how innovators provide a competitive advantage. Creative people generate value in the marketplace. Innovation is difficult to reproduce.
Creative genius Michael Michalko argues that innovation does not happen by chance: “It [creativity] is not a result of some easily learned magic trick or secret, but a consequence of your intention to be creative and your determination to learn and use creative-thinking strategies.” Companies need to determine how they will use innovation as a competitive advantage. In fact, creative people need to work in environments that stimulate, grow, and enhance their abilities.
In taking this step, they need to create a culture that supports these gifted individuals by rewarding them and giving them personal opportunities. When organizations get serious about maximizing their creativity, they will be laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.
Conclusion
The future is ripe for creators. In fact, these individuals will be in the best position for employment in the future. There will worldwide search for these types of people. Sadly, globalization has become a menacing threat to some businesses. Therefore, the major challenge for contemporary institutions is to produce workers who are intelligent, creative, and internationally savvy to handle the challenges of the 21st century. Trend expert Henrik Vejlgaard insists that creative people often set new trends. These creative people include poets, authors, actors, architects, singers, and other gifted individuals. High performance organizations across the globe will seek these creative groups out if they want to sustain market advantages and sustain profitability.
American humorist Erma Bombeck said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.” Truly, creative individuals want to fully use their talents and feel appreciate. In contemporary organizations, innovation and creativity often falter as a major priority. Management strategist Stanley Gryskiewicz argues that turbulence associated with change can be a positive force for innovation. In fact, finding innovative ways to jumpstart tomorrow’s engineers is a great concern for businesses that want to remain relevant in the 21st century. Let’s pray that it is not too late.
© 2010 by Daryl D. Green
About the Author
Dr. Daryl D. Green writes on contemporary issues impacting individuals, businesses, and society across the globe. With over 18 years of management experience, Dr. Green’s expertise has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to
http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org
Job
Strategies for Today’s College Grads
 Approximately,
15
million people are unemployed. Simply put, landing a job today is an
extreme uphill challenge, considering the large number of graduating students
combined with the rising number of the unemployed. Currently, college graduates
find themselves competing with other individuals who are more seasoned and
experienced for basic entry level positions in their career field. Therefore,
emerging leaders need a different type of strategy during economic turbulence.
With
the fierce competition for limited jobs, many students wonder if they will be
able to land a good job in the marketplace. I understand and see it when
talking to my own students. Hope is not lost. William Bailey and I spent
several months researching strategies for current and future college graduates.
The results were outlined in our new book, Job Strategies for the 21st
Century. We have found a huge disconnect between what organizations want
in potential employees and what today’s graduates are providing.
Economic
troubles in our nation and abroad continue to create an unstable and
unpredictable job market. Parents across this country tell their children
“get a good education and you will get a good job.” However, in this
economic rollercoaster, this is not always true. US manufacturing jobs continue
to evaporate as global outsourcing becomes the norm for businesses that seek to
increase their profits.
According
to some business estimates, employers are expected to cut 2.7 million jobs in
2009 (2 million were cut in 2008). These glooming trends make it difficult for
even college students to be optimistic. However, having a good plan can increase
the odds for most students in landing a good job. Opportunities will present
themselves in some form in the future. Therefore, college students need to be
proactive about landing a job.
Below are
strategies for college students entering the job market during economic
turbulence:
1. Branding
2.
Communications
3.
Critical Thinking
4.
Current & well-versed
5.
Flexibility
6.
Global Citizen
7.
Job Homework
8.
Leadership
9.
Love & Passion
10.
Networking
11.
Opportunity
12.
Seasoned Worker
13.
Uniqueness
Although
many people are feeling very pessimistic about future career opportunities, hope
is not lost if people are prepared for the future. Bestselling Sci-Fi author H.G.
Wells explained, “'We
were making the future,' he said, and hardly any of us troubled to think what
future we were making. And here it is'.” By taking control of the
career strategy, college graduates can make a positive step in navigating these
difficult economic times and landing their future jobs.
©
2010 by Daryl D. Green
Dr. Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders
at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of
management experience and has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony
Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org
Seven Mental Toughness
Strategies
How Parents Can Assist Their College Grads With Employability
Are you a frustrated parent, who worries if your child will ever land a good job? Many of today’s college students lack the mental toughness and fortitude that are necessary to deal with economic turbulence. Today’s youth must learn how to be mentally tough if they are to survive a turbulent economic future. In reality, many parents have crippled their children by solving their problems for them and shielding them from making difficult decisions.
This reality can be seen in viewing ‘helicopter parents’ who micromanage their children’s affairs from infancy to adulthood. This has resulted in an increasing ‘Boomerang Generation’ of young people who move back home and must depend on their parents for financial survival. In fact, it is a no-brainer for college students to stay in college as long as possible to that it can be paid by parents.
My co-author William Bailey and I wrote our latest book, Job Strategies for the 21st Century: How to Assist Today’s College Students during Economic Turbulence. It was especially designed for frustrated parents, anxious students, bewildered professors and educators, and those who deeply care for college graduates. Through our research, we have found that there is a huge disconnect between what organizations are looking for in potential employees, and what today’s graduates are providing. This article describes ways in which today’s parents can infuse their children with mental toughness.
In this financial crisis, college grads need to be mentally tough. It is easy to see how individuals can be discouraged with the current economic recession. According to the U.S. Labor department, only 47.6% of people age 16 to 24 had jobs in August. This is the lowest percentage since the government began tracking this statistic in 1948. Yet, college grads must have the determination to overcome any crisis in life. In fact, they need to be mentally tough.
Mental toughness can be defined as the character attribute that allows an individual to stay in control while confronting adversity and navigating obstacles in life. Athletics is one area where we can easy see how trials can make someone stronger. Mental toughness provides the individual with the determination to press on. This trait can be seen scripturally in Corinthian 4:8, 9: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Generally speaking, many young people look for the easy way out of situations. Eric Thomas, a Michigan State University administrator and motivator speaker, speaks to the revelation when talking with young people. “The problem is you have never felt pain before. You’re soft. This is a soft generation. You quit on everything.”
Fortunately, mental toughness can be developed. Today’s parents can infuse mental toughness in their college students before they graduate in the following ways: (a) build a positive relationship with your children, (b) allow them to work through their own problems, (c) learn how to listen without offering any advice, (d) ask probing questions, ones that stimulate them to find creative solutions, (e) be honest and critical of their situation without being negative, and (f) encourage them to be around positive people. In most cases, it is a lot easier for parents to solve their children’s problems. Yet, it is a critical mistake over the long-term.
Today’s college students find the employment outlook full of gloom. Many experts note that a different career strategy will be needed during this economic crisis. Sadly, many young people do not know how to deal with adversity. Furthermore, numerous parents shield their children from difficult situations. That is a fatal mistake. Today’s parents can plant the seed for success in their children’s minds by assisting in the development of mental toughness. Unfortunately, this economic crisis is not going away anytime soon. If college students can become more resilient in this crisis, they will ensure themselves of a better future. Let’s pray that it is not too late.
© 2010 by Daryl D. Green
About Dr. Daryl Green
Dr. Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders. He has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For media interviews or speaking engagements, please contact Mrs. Donna Gilliard at 865-216-9209 or
823donna@comcast.net or visit Dr. Green at
www.darylgreen.org.
Countering the Age of the
“Me” Generation
I try to pay
attention to the game as the assistant coach. However, I am bombarded by begging
from players on the bench: “Brother Green, can I get back into the game?” I
try to ignore by pointing: “Ask the coach.”
Every weekend was like déjà vu for me. A bunch of 8th graders were
trying to tell us they were just as good as high school athletes. These
8th graders were undersized and no match for more experienced ‘ballers.’ The
basketball league was designed for high school students. I felt they
should be graceful to be allowed to play with our high schoolers. Instead,
it was a steady stream of complaints and ingratitude from some 8th graders.
I wondered how I got stuck with Gen Next.
 Today’s
organizations face unprecedented competition from all fronts. Many
institutions desperately need to infuse their organizations with fresh
leadership and new ideas. Yet, there is a hesitation for this transformation.
Many baby boomers argue that the current generation is not ready. These young
workers are called many names such as Generation Y (Gen Y), Echo Boomers, or
Millennials (born 1977 to 2002). Most experts predict the generation will be a
major factor in society. There are more than 70 million of them.
However, they have been described in the workplace as lazy and self-absorbed
with their own worth. Laura Clark, columnist, argues, “Today's young workers,
it appears, believe they deserve jobs with big salaries, status and plenty of
leisure time - without having to put in the hours.” According to the
Association of Graduate Recruiters study, there is a new breed of graduate
'divas' who expect everything to fall into their laps. These people believe they
are a hot commodity in the job market. Yet, their managers describe them as
‘unrealistic,’ ‘self-centered,’ and ‘greedy.’
For the first time in American history, organizations have four different
generations in their workforce. Sadly, it’s not without problems. Companies don’t understand this young generation. They desire to share in
organizational decisions on day one of employment and be promoted
instantaneously. With managers who had to ‘pay their dues.’ The Gen Y
mentality is a hard pill to swallow.
Dr. Jean Twenge and Dr. Keith Campbell track this trend of self-absorption in
their book, The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement.
“Narcissism- a very positive and inflated view of the self is
everywhere….Understanding the narcissism is important because its long-term
consequences are destructive to society.” In the 1960s, individuals led causes
for the greater good. During the 1970s, there was a focus on self-admiration.
By the 1980s, society had totally gone to ‘looking out for oneself.”
Unfortunately, some managers distort the work value of this emerging generation
by stereotyping them as selfish. Baby boomer managers complain about the
difficulty of managing Gen Y employees. But, didn’t these baby boomers raise
them to be narcissistic anyway? Therefore, it isn’t fair to label them totally
as expecting entitlement.
Twenge and Campbell note, “Parenting became more indulgent, celebrity worship
grew, and reality TV became a showcase of narcissistic people.” One must
wonder what Gen Y will pass along to their own children.
As more baby boomers retire, a new generation of leaders will replace them.
These new leaders will cross age, gender, race, and geography. I certainly hope
that Gen Y can overcome the negativism surrounding them and be prepared to
accept future leadership roles. I pray it’s not too late.
© 2010 by Daryl D. Green
Dr. Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders
at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of
management experience and has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony
Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org
HEADLINES:
Job Wanted?
Personal Brand Strategies for Employability
 With
fierce competition for limited jobs, many people wonder if they will be able
to land a good job. Unfortunately, the economic
situation feels like a bad dream. With a weak job growth, many U.S. jobs
will continue to be outsourced globally or automated through technology. In
fact, the government estimates that an additional 1.2 manufacturing jobs
will disappear by 2018.
As
a result, today’s unemployed workers are unsure about their future. Hope
is not lost! Building a personal brand may be the cornerstone of sustaining
success in the future. Many athletes and celebrities
build successful brands over time. Some of them include Julia Roberts,
Michael Jordan, and Stephen King. Likewise, individuals
can also build their own personal brand.
Brand
Strategy
Personal
branding showcases your public image. Personal branding can be defined as
‘the process whereby people
and their careers are marked as personal impression or brand.’ Al Pies and
Jack Trout, authors of Positioning, maintain that making the best
impressions is critical for business success. With this strategy, an individual
should create a ‘position in the prospect’s mind.’ This impression
should reflect a person’s own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of
its competitors.
Branding
includes personal appearance, oral and written communications, associations,
or anything that identifies an individual. Derrick
Craver, Vice President - South Zone Strategic Accounts for UPS, notes that
even your work ethic serves as a brand: “It starts by coming to work on
time.” Furthermore, branding
defines, promotes, and protects an individual’s image online and off-line.
Conclusion
Finally,
individuals should protect their personal brands. Never dress
inappropriately in a business setting or showcase a less flattering image on
social media platforms like Facebook. Your future employer could be
watching. People should be careful how they are perceived during the
employment stage. When a person submits an application to an employer or
starts the interview process, potential employers are evaluating the
candidate based on his or her brand. Therefore, a personal branding strategy
can assist people with standing out from the competition.
©
2010 by Daryl D. Green
Dr.
Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders
at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of
management experience and has been noted and
quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For
more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org.
Intimate Conversation with authors Rhonda Joy McLean and Marsha Haygood
 Rhonda Joy McLean is Deputy General Counsel of Time Inc. and former Assistant Regional Director of the Northeast Region of the Federal Trade Commission. A graduate of Yale Law School, she served as chair of its alumni association, which has more than 10,000 members, and was recently elected to its fund board of directors. In 2007, McLean was chosen as one of The Network Journal's "25 Influential Black Women in Business." Born in Chicago, IL and reared in Smithfield, NC, McLean is a classically trained pianist and mezzo-soprano. She performs sacred music with chorales throughout the New York metropolitan area, where she resides.
Marsha Haygood is the president and founder of StepWise Associates, LLC, a career and personal development consultancy. She was formerly the executive vice president of human resources and administration at New Line Cinema and Orion Pictures. She lives in New York and Florida.
BPM: Rhonda, who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
RJM: My co-authors Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood and the other members of our “Girls Night Out” group are my peer mentors, and we have been helping each other move forward personally and professionally for many years. My parents and my maternal aunt are also mentors who have believed in me from the very beginning. I am grateful that they are still with me. They are extremely supportive.
My grandmothers, who have been gone a long time now but who still live in my spirit, inspire me. They were each extremely powerful women who rose above their limited circumstances to bring their families out of poverty into spiritual and actual abundance and intellectual achievement. They were awesome! I hope that the work I do every single day honors them and all of the sacrifices they made so that my family members and I could thrive.
BPM: Marsha, who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
MH: When I look back and review my career, I can think of several mentors that have guided me along the way. The first was my mother who instilled confidence in me and assured me that I could do anything that I put my mind to.
My co-authors, Elaine and Rhonda and the other members of the Girls Night Out group who have been good friends, good listeners and good advisors have really been an inspiration.
My husband of 25 years, who continues to inspire me and keep me centered and focused on my goals. Also there have been a few colleagues, some who were a different race, gender and religion who helped by giving me guidance and a different perspective along my career journey.
BPM: Introduce us to the primary message in The Little Black Book of
Success.
RJM: Our primary message is that leaders are not only born, leaders can be made and many African-American women are unaware of their leadership potential. We believe that our book provides practical principles of leadership that can guide women, indeed, anyone of any gender or race as they navigate their career pathways and attain leadership positions in any employment sector, including entrepreneurship.
MH: Besides the message that Rhonda mentioned, we also want to remind each black women that she is not alone in some of the challenges that she faces and that we all have choices in how we handle those challenges. Often times a change in attitude can change our outcome and we share our perspective on this with the readers.
BPM: What motivated the trio to write
The Little Black Book of Success?
RJM: Each of us mentors a large number of younger employees of all backgrounds and ethnicities and we have found that while they may be highly educated, they have often not been exposed to leadership development strategies. They also may not be aware that the leadership skills they display in their communities – in church or service organizations – even in social clubs and sports groups, can be transferred effectively to their workplaces. When our co-author and team leader Elaine Meryl Brown researched the issue of leadership, she found no books on leadership for and about Black women and we set about changing that fact. We have each been working for 30 years or more and felt that we should share the learning we had obtained over those years. We also wanted to write the book we wish we had had access to when we set out in our careers.
BPM: What issues in today’s society do you address in the book?
RJM: We are quite candid in the book about institutional racism and sexism and their pervasive influence in many workplaces in America. However, we also prescribe specific strategies for using the challenges we face as professional women of color to inspire us and invoke our creativity so that we can find new and innovative ways to become the leaders we know we can be. We also dispel the myth that Black women cannot work together and support each other -- that we “pull each other down.” We have been friends for more than a decade and have worked closely together for four years to write, publish and promote this book. We are still friends and continue to enjoy working together.
We also speak frankly about self-sabotage in our “cultural code” sections that can be found in every chapter and how we can “get out of our own way” to achieve leadership success.
BPM: There appears to be a limited amount of Black women in media. Industry wide, do you think women in media lack aggressiveness to promote themselves?
RJM: I don’t agree, we hear this all the time about the personality of women, their unwillingness or inability to promote themselves, and therefore getting stagnated in their positions or not being able to project what value they are bringing to the bottom line.
This is the reason I wrote my book [The Little Black Book of Success] so that women understand that you are your own best advocate, and you have to step outside your own comfort zone to do so.
What we say in the book is that you have to get used to and study
the culture of the community that you’re in. There is a certain way that people work and a certain way that they promote ideas, and if you don’t get that then it’s going to be very difficult for you to move forward.
BPM: What makes your book different from others on the same subject?
MH: The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of A Leadership for Black Women is a practical, no nonsense “mentor in your pocket” that is an easy read resource for leaders at all levels.
BPM: Who should read The Little Black Book of Success and why?
RJM: Our book has been embraced by young people who are about to enter the job market, as well as high school, college and graduate school students. Many mentoring organizations have found our work to be useful as they provide career guidance to their program participants. We also recommend our book for anyone who is already working, no matter where they are along their career timeline. Even very senior employees (male and female) and retirees have told us that they find our book to be helpful to them, as many of them are considering career transitions and/or launching businesses of their own. We believe that ANYONE can benefit from our work, since the basic leadership principles that we have identified apply across a wide variety of organizations.
BPM: Before we end the interview, define LEADERSHIP.
MH: Leadership is not only a skill but an attitude. Good leaders have a healthy dose of self confidence and the ability to self reflect and make adjustments as needed. Good leaders are not only born but are made by continuing to learn about themselves as well as those they want to follow them.
BPM: How can our readers reach you all online?
MH: You can learn more about The Little Black Book of Success and about Elaine, Rhonda and me by visiting our website at
www.littleblackbookofsuccess.com.
We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
Also information about my career and life coaching services can be found on my company website at
www.stepwiseassociates.com
For more information on Elaine visit www.elainemerylbrown.com
For more information on Marsha visit www.stepwiseassociates.com
For more information on Rhonda visit http://www.rjmcareertransitions.com
MEET THE AUTHORS
About Elaine Meryl Brown
Elaine Meryl Brown, former VP, Creative Services at HBO, is an Emmy® Award-winning writer and producer who has won numerous awards in the broadcast industry. In 2007, Brown was chosen as one of The Network Journal's "25 Influential Black Women in Business." A favorite of Black Enterprise, she was featured in the magazine and at their Women of Power Summit. A Wheaton College Alumni Trustee and member of the Coalition of 100 Black Women (Bergen/Passaic Chapter), Brown is also the author of two novels published by One World. She lives in New Jersey.
About Rhonda Joy McLean
Rhonda Joy McLean is deputy general counsel of Time Inc. and the former assistant regional director of the Northeast Region of the Federal Trade Commission. She has worked as a corporate litigator in a major New York law firm and taught administrative law at the City University of New York. She lives in New York City.
About Marsha Haygood
Marsha Haygood is the president and founder of StepWise Associates, LLC, a career and personal development consultancy. She was formerly the executive vice president of human resources and administration at New Line Cinema and Orion Pictures. She lives in New York and Florida.
Visit the Authors Website: http://www.littleblackbookofsuccess.com
The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women
by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, and Rhonda Joy McLean
Foreword by Essence® Magazine editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray
ISBN-10: 0345518489 | ISBN-13: 978-0345518484
Business & Economics - Motivational; Self-Help - Personal Growth
Available at Barnes and Noble - Purchase Your Copy
Today!
Creativity
as the Market Advantage
How Creative People Will Reshape the Future
I
sat in the office waiting for a debriefing on my job interview. I didn’t get a
management position from this organization. The senior executive spoke to me
cordially about me doing a good job. I pressed him for more specifics so that I
could improve myself on the next job interview. He candidly mentioned that my
outside interest (writing books, talk show appearances, etc.) was a distraction
to this position. It was apparent that this older gentleman wasn’t ‘feeling
my creativity.’ In fact, I felt he didn’t like it. I politely thanked him. I
was a marked man due to showcasing my creativity. During this period, creativity
was not deemed a valuable asset to this organization.
Over the past eight months, 1.8 million people without jobs left the labor
market. In fact, their pessimism was so great that they gave up looking for
employment. Hidden beneath these numbers are the underemployed. Tennessee
Congressman John Duncan Jr. notes, “Underemployment is probably even higher,
with far too many having to work at low-paying jobs for which they are
over-qualified.” With the unemployment rate continuing to rise, individuals
are perplexed as to what is the best decision to make for their careers. If more
jobs are to be produced, it will take organizations that possess the ability of
innovation. Given this premise, this discussion examines how managers can infuse
their organizations with creativity, thereby surviving and defeating disruptive
change.
 Value
Creation
Today’s organizations must develop their workforce to be a collection of
innovators and creators. Gary Hamel, author of Leading the Revolution, notes
“Industrial revolutionaries will exploit any protective urge, any hesitancy on
the part of the oligarchy…In the nonlinear world, only nonlinear ideas will
create new wealth.” Unfortunately, many of today’s managers are not equipped
to think in nonlinear fashions. Their extensive experiences become a liability
during disruptive change.
As American businesses battle their global competitors with the scientific
management strategy, market shares continue to take a downward spiral. Everyday
disruptive change breaks down traditional organization strategies. What worked
yesterday will not work in this harsh environment. Therefore, organizations move
cautiously into the future.
However, creativity may be one of the biggest weapons to fend off competitors.
Creativity is the process of developing new, uncommon, or unique ideas. It
engages a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or
new associations between existing ideas or concepts. Many organizations lack the
experience to infuse creativity. Sadly, many managers do not understand how
innovators provide a competitive advantage. Creative people generate value in
the marketplace. Innovation is difficult to reproduce.
Creative genius Michael Michalko argues that innovation does not happen by
chance: “It [creativity] is not a result of some easily learned magic trick or
secret, but a consequence of your intention to be creative and your
determination to learn and use creative-thinking strategies.” Companies need
to determine how they will use innovation as a competitive advantage. In fact,
creative people need to work in environments that stimulate, grow, and enhance
their abilities.
In taking this step, they need to create a culture that supports these gifted
individuals by rewarding them and giving them personal opportunities. When
organizations get serious about maximizing their creativity, they will be laying
the groundwork for a sustainable future.
Conclusion
The future is ripe for creators. In fact, these individuals will be in the best
position for employment in the future. There will worldwide search for these
types of people. Sadly, globalization has become a menacing threat to some
businesses. Therefore, the major challenge for contemporary institutions is to
produce workers who are intelligent, creative, and internationally savvy to
handle the challenges of the 21st century. Trend expert Henrik Vejlgaard insists
that creative people often set new trends. These creative people include poets,
authors, actors, architects, singers, and other gifted individuals. High
performance organizations across the globe will seek these creative groups out
if they want to sustain market advantages and sustain profitability.
American humorist Erma Bombeck said, “When I stand before God at the end of my
life, I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used
everything you gave me.” Truly, creative individuals want to fully use their
talents and feel appreciate. In contemporary organizations, innovation and
creativity often falter as a major priority. Management strategist Stanley
Gryskiewicz argues that turbulence associated with change can be a positive
force for innovation. In fact, finding innovative ways to jumpstart tomorrow’s
engineers is a great concern for businesses that want to remain relevant in the
21st century. Let’s pray that it is not too late.
© 2010 by Daryl D. Green
About the Author
Dr. Daryl D. Green writes on contemporary issues impacting individuals,
businesses, and society across the globe. With over 18 years of management
experience, Dr. Green’s expertise has been noted and quoted by USA Today,
Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org
Book Intro: The 8 Principles Of Goals And S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
by Mark D. Watt
The 8 Principles Of Goals And S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is Mark D. Watt first book. Mark is an author, technology enthusiast, and entrepreneur at heart. He was born in Evansville, IN. After graduating from high school, he attended Vincennes University, where he majored in computer programming. He has worked for various established companies and startups throughout his corporate career. In 2002,
he started GLO-HEL Property Investments, LLC and in 2009 MB Media Group, a company that is developing mobile media. He resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is currently working on his next book.
In a world full of self-help books and personal growth seminars, we are bombarded with images of what life should be and what success really is. From the moment of birth, we are surrounded by temptation and by pressure to conform, and we are conditioned to adhere to society’s standards. It is this problem, says author Mark D. Watt that distracts us from the true issue: What is success, and where does it really come from.
BPM: What motivated you to write this type of goals and success book?
A: The reason why I wrote a biblically goals and success book is that I realized that true success did not come from man; it came from the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth - Bible) manual. I noticed that there are a lot of life coaches, goals and success guru’s that are deceiving a lot of people regarding goals and success, and how it came about, and where it originated from. These
gurus are making a lot of money using what truly came from the (Bible) and taking credit for it as if they came up with it, and not acknowledging God or the Bible, the true originator success.
BPM: What sets this book apart from other goals and success books?
A: The 8 Principles Of Goals And S.U.C.C.E.S.S. dispels the myth and removes doubt of who, what, when, where, why and how success came about. This book spells out the truth about goals and success in a unique way. The word (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.) itself is unique in how the letters spell out the word success in a Biblical manner and understanding. As one reads this book, it provides divine directions, and a process one will go through. The (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth - Bible) manual provides anyone and everyone who desires to apply these principles supernatural success in every area of one’s life. So, I ask this question, what is your definition of success?
BPM: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
A: Other men and women of God, whose walk and talk line up with the written Word of God. I find inspiration from the Holy Spirit; it instructs me and provides me directions on what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.
BPM: What is the primary goal of (The 8 Principles Of Goals And S.U.C.C.E.S.S.)?
A: First of all this book is not about getting rich, it is not about worldly standards of goals and success, done that way is only temporary. However, the (material things) is not a primary focus here; it is the obedience to the written Word of God. It is the spiritual things first. Read, Matthew 6:33 and obtain revelation (understanding) from it. The primary goal of this book is 1: bring forth the truth regarding the true goals and success. 2: to provide basic instructions on how to achieve true success in every area of one’s life. 3: how to apply the principles, because they really do work.
BPM: What do you desire your readers to ultimately gain from The 8 Principles Of Goals And
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.?
A: To follow the right instructions and directions from the (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth - Bible) manual. In order to do this one must have a change of mind by the renewing his or her mind with the written Word of God. When done God’s way, your success will manifest supernaturally, and success is, permanent not temporary like it is in the world.
BPM: How can our readers stay in touch with you?
A: For additional updates regarding my book, articles and additional information, readers can visit my website, blog and mobile site or email me from my website contact form.
Connect with author Mark D. Watt
Author Website: the8principlesofgoalsandsuccess.com
Blog: the8principlesofgoalsandsuccess.wordpress.com
Book Available Now! Everywhere Books Are Sold…
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
by
Wealth Coach Deborah
Owens
You’ve seen her, know
her, and might even be her! The woman with the “counterfeit purse.”
That’s the term for the symbolic bag that some of us may carry.
Those who might dress fashionably and drive a nice car but have nothing
of real value. Many women are smart enough to know that they should put their
hard-earned money to work for them. However,
most are too overwhelmed, bored or intimidated by the particulars of stocks,
bonds and mutual funds to be proactive.
 In
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN: An Easy Guide to Financial Security (ISBN:
9781416570813; $15.00), Wealth Coach Deborah Owens shares how women can use what
they know about fashion, dieting and romance to take charge of their finances.
This book offers respite to women who are tired of “renting” a wealthy
lifestyle with credit cards and are ready to utilize their unique strengths to
build wealth-a la Oprah and J.K Rowling. In
this straight-forward and easy to understand financial guide, women learn how to
increase their PQ or Purse Quotient and learn the principles to
becoming financially fit in any economy.
The purse is a reflection
of a woman’s economic power and Owens insists that in order to fill up a
purse, women must adopt wealthy habits that put them on the path to fiscal
independence and a financial identity. These are the behaviors that Deborah
observed in financially successful women throughout her more than twenty years
in financial services. She is a
former financial advisor and was a vice president at Fidelity Investments.
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN shares examples of women practicing The 7
Wealthy Habits,” which include: 1. A Wealthy Outlook 2. A Wealthy Appetite
3. A Wealthy Vision 4. A Wealthy Mindset 5. A Wealthy Legacy 6. A Wealthy System
and 7. A Wealthy Focus. A PURSE OF YOUR OWN provides a distinctly
feminine financial perspective.
By adopting these habits,
Owens was able to fill her own purse. As an author, radio talk show host and TV
wealth coach she now shares her successful strategies with others.
Each chapter of A PURSE OF YOUR OWN focuses on one of these
principles and discusses how to acquire and then apply the wealthy habits.
In this easy to follow financial guide, Owens covers the basics and
intersperses stories from real women who have used the 7 Wealthy Habits and
achieved their own success. Owens empowers women to discover their own Purse-onality,
and use their female intuition to take control of their finances and create
financial security in their lives. In addition, A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
includes helpful quizzes and exercises and offers a free online supplement.
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
will show you:
ü How to clean out your
purse and create a Purse-onal Financial Statement
ü How to shift your
mindset from earning income to building wealth
ü Why “bonds are the new
sexy” and how they complement your portfolio
ü How to detox your
finances by adding liquidity
ü How to turn your
shopping sprees into investment research
ü How to increase your
(PQ) Purse-onality Quotient by acquiring a wealthy appetite
ü How to form a Purse
Group for accountability and support
ü How to pass on your
investment knowledge to your daughter
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
implements clear cut strategies to build and add wealth to your purse wealth to
maintain financial security. For more information on A
PURSE OF YOUR OWN please visit: www.deborahowens.com
and
www.simonandschuster.com.
Black
Professionals Leveraging Corporate Knowledge
for Today’s College Graduates
Are
you prepared for tomorrow’s future challenges? Do you know how to take
advantage of future job opportunities? As the financial crisis continues and the
US labor market continues to weaken, many college students are wondering how
they will survive these difficult times. With the fierce
competition for limited jobs, they wonder if they will be able to land a good
job in the marketplace.
I
understand and see it. Hope isn’t lost. As a professor, I frequently find
myself encouraging students to keep hope and plan for their career aspirations.
The mistake is that many in my generation believed that a company was looking
out for their career development. They were not! Black professionals can share
their experiences with young college students. In fact, today’s job market
requires that college students develop their own personal strategy for
employment. This article explores how black professionals can
assist college graduates with job strategies.
The
Economic Picture
Economic
troubles in our nation and abroad continue to create an unstable and
unpredictable job market. Parents across this country tell their children “get
a good education and you will get a good job.” However, in this economic
rollercoaster, this is not always true. US manufacturing jobs continue to
evaporate as global outsourcing becomes the norm for businesses that seek to
increase their profits.
According
to the Forrester Research, approximately 3.3 million U.S. jobs and $136 billion
in wages could be moved overseas to countries like India or China by 2015.
The industries potentially impacted include electronics, computer
programming, telecommunications, banking,
engineering, management consulting, and other highly skilled services.
Therefore, many students are concerned about their future employment.
The
University-Corporate Connections
Some
universities understand how to connect with corporations in order to make their
students more competitive. The economic picture has caused
many organizations to reduce their presences on universities across the nation.
To a shrewd executive, it probably doesn’t make sense to hire young
graduates when the economic picture for the company may be uncertainty.
According to some business estimates, employers are expected to cut 2.7 million
jobs in 2009 (2 million were cut in 2008).
Additionally,
every state is predicted to end the year with fewer jobs. Only 2 industry
sectors expect to add more jobs, education and health & government. However,
some companies feel their support to academic institutions make business sense
since it demonstrates the organizations’ social responsibility to their
communities. Furthermore, some universities have been too busy attempting to
shore up their economic woes to pay attention to other organizations. Yet, there
are some bright signs. Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), one of the 16
constituents of the University of North Carolina , continues to make a high
commitment to furthering alliances with the public and private institutions.
BEEP
has a historical record of over 40 years working in partnership with
corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and other institutions where
black executives serve as "Visiting Professors" at primarily black
colleges. The university is an active
member of the National Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP).
In March, WSSU invited several organizations to campus, including the
Central Intelligence Agency, UPS, Department of Energy, and Oak Ridge National
Laboratory.
LaMonica
Singleton, WSSU Director of Career Services, understands the importance of
students making a connection with corporate America : “Students can relate to
individuals who have been where they are. Students can listen and relate to the
professionals.” She further notes that students see positive role models and
can see themselves personally in a different setting. Kevin Bryant, a WSSU
junior from Goldsboro , North Carolina , sees the value in having professions
coming to campus: “I think it’s important for students to broaden their
horizons. Having this exposure is important.”
Bryant
further adds that these professionals gave him a dose of reality in the fact of
how the corporate world operates. However, the
trends make it difficult for even college students to be optimistic. However,
having a good plan can increase the odds for most students in landing a good
job. Students should bee aware of opportunities and be prepared to act quickly
on them. Derrick Craver, Vice President - South Zone
Strategic Accounts for UPS, explains, “An education is the foundation [for
opportunities].”
Bill
Washington, Vice President, Strategic Account Sales for UPS, argues that having
a plan is critical for taking advantage of opportunities: “In any area of
life, it’s important to have a roadmap.” He encourages developing a 1 to 3
year plan to reach goals. Therefore, college students need to be proactive about
landing a job.
The
Path Forward
Although
many students are feeling very pessimistic about future career opportunities,
hope is not lost if people are prepared for the future. Black professionals can
make a difference by sharing their knowledge. Wise students will listen.
Throughout their schooling, most young people are shielded from the unpleasant
realities of life. Today, students are bombarded with many obstacles. However,
they can make a positive step in navigating these difficult economic times and
landing their future jobs. Now is the perfect time to begin.
About the Columnist:
Dr.
Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders
at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of
management experience and has been noted and quoted
by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For
more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org.
HEADLINES:
Job Wanted? Personal Brand Strategies for Employability
With fierce competition for limited jobs, many people wonder if they will be able to land a good job.
Unfortunately, the economic situation feels like a bad dream. With a weak job growth, many U.S. jobs
will continue to be outsourced globally or automated through technology. In fact, the government
estimates that an additional 1.2 manufacturing jobs will disappear by 2018.
As
a result, today’s unemployed workers are unsure about their future. Hope is
not lost! Building a personal brand may be the cornerstone of sustaining
success in the future. Many athletes and celebrities build
successful brands over time. Some of them include Julia Roberts, Michael
Jordan, and Stephen King. Likewise, individuals can also
build their own personal brand.
Brand
Strategy
Personal
branding showcases your public image. Personal branding can be defined as ‘the
process whereby people and their careers are marked as personal impression or
brand.’ Al Pies and Jack Trout, authors of Positioning, maintain that
making the best impressions is critical for business success. With this
strategy, an individual
should create a ‘position in the prospect’s mind.’ This impression
should reflect a person’s own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of
its competitors.
Branding
includes personal appearance, oral and written communications, associations,
or anything that identifies an individual. Derrick
Craver, Vice President - South Zone Strategic Accounts for UPS, notes that
even your work ethic serves as a brand: “It starts by coming to work on
time.” Furthermore, branding
defines, promotes, and protects an individual’s image online and off-line.
Conclusion
Finally,
individuals should protect their personal brands. Never dress inappropriately
in a business setting or showcase a less flattering image on social media
platforms like Facebook. Your future employer could be watching. People should
be careful how they are perceived during the employment stage. When a person
submits an application to an employer or starts the interview process,
potential employers are evaluating the candidate based on his or her brand.
Therefore, a personal branding strategy can assist people with standing out
from the competition.
©
2010 by Daryl D. Green
Dr.
Daryl Green provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders
at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of
management experience and has been noted and quoted
by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For
more information, you can go to http://stores.lulu.com/darygre
or http://www.darylgreen.org.
What Agents Look for in a Writer’s Works
by Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
Like many small business owners, I have to multi-task, so as a literary agent, I recently had this insight while at the Pacific Ocean. When I wear my agent cap, the stories that I love the most, are the ones which hold my attention. Simple as that. Nothing esoteric. The same way these stories hold my attention, they tend to hold an editor at a large publishing house’s attention. Ergo, these are the manuscripts which get the book deals.
A writer’s work has to catch my attention in the first sentence, then the second, then the first page, or the next 5-10 pages. I don’t care how many projects I have in the hop, I should be able to sit down, block out the other things pressing, and read your book with interest. That’s a compelling read. Even if I can’t finish it, I should be drawn to want to come back to find out what happened.
I’m an agent who happens to be a writer, too. This is another epiphany I had while at the ocean. As writers, we have to write as if we are writing for people with short attention spans. A book has to be very compelling to keep this type of person’s attention, and I think a lot of people suffer from a little of this syndrome now. Why?
Because today, many people are on information overload. People tend to have short attention spans. We can get information on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook,
Squidoo, millions of websites, Blackplanet.com, emails, teleseminars, ipods, webinars,
ezines, internet radio interviews, Youtube. The list goes on.
People are busy, raising families, working jobs, or running businesses. They are caught up in the fast-pace of life that is the New Millennium. As a result, people tend to want instant gratification. So I take this into consideration when I read a client’s work.
What are some of the things agents look for?
Personally, I look for writers of fiction who have more than one book in them. Preferably, these writers have a number of stories to tell, and they can make a full-time career out of their writing. I’d like to see writers whose books can be translated to the silver screen one day.
•
Where should you begin? A good query letter is a place to begin. You can find out how to write them in the Literary Market Place, or The Writer’s Market.
•
A serious writer will take time to visit the guidelines when submitting to an agency. Do not send attachments unless the agency asks for it. Often the writers do not follow the guidelines, and this is a turn off to an agent.
•
If someone asks you for a synopsis, a logline for a screen play, or your novel’s first 3 chapters, then make sure this is what you provide—not your self-published book with the cover torn off. If you have already self-published, send in the manuscript version to the agent.
These are some tips for writers:
• Make sure there are no typos in your query letter, your synopsis or your manuscript. It not only discredits your work, it gives an impression that you don’t respect the craft of writing.
• Have your work edited and proofread before submitting to an agent. Sometimes, as writers, we only get one shot at an opportunity. Be prepared if you want to be successful.
• Follow the submission guidelines of a literary agency. For example, if the guidelines say they do not accept novellas, do not send novellas. Wait for your release letter, which says that you are the writer of said material.
• Send a query letter and a screenplay in the proper format. Use Final Draft or other screenwriting software.
• If you want to be a screenwriter, study the craft.
• As a novelist, you should develop a good writing style and have an interesting flair for words. This is one reason why urban fiction is so popular. It is written in hip hop/urban vernacular, which has a very authentic feel and it reflects the world as seen by the characters who have lived the street life.
• As a writer, you should develop a strong voice. Your particular world view should shine through your writing.
• Create a page turner by studying the craft of fiction writing, (which includes the elements of fiction, such as pacing, revising, creating memorable characters, among other techniques.) You can read books, take classes, or join critique groups.
• Write about exciting characters who take action. Do not use stereotypical characters. Write against character type. Don’t use your typical diva, typical tomboy, typical playboy.
• Use a compelling storyline. Stories are not about the character’s ordinary day or routine. The best stories are about disruption of the norm, and how the characters coped with the change. Good stories are about characters who go through a journey, which change their lives, for better or worse, by the end of the story. This is your character arc.
These are some things you can learn to do which will help improve your writing.
• Learn how to set up a scene, then pay it off. Raise a story question and make sure you answer it by the end of the story.
• Learn how to write dialogue which sings. This will really help with screenwriting.
• Learn how to use descriptive words, vigorous verbs, and evoke emotions through the five senses. Learn how to make a novel move like a movie, with visuals, settings, showing vs. telling, and providing a life lesson.
• Learn how to develop your characters so that they feel real and like someone a reader will spend 300 pages with. Give your characters
back-story, an agenda, and conflicted desires.
• Learn how to make a story flow, through different techniques, such as Joseph Campbell’s, “The Hero’s Journey.”
In conclusion, writing a fictional story is work. But who ever said anything worth having would be easy? Learn to be the best writer you can become, and an agent will be glad to represent and negotiate a decent book deal for your work.
© Copyright Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
About the Author
Dr. Maxine E. Thompson is a novelist, poet, columnist, short story writer, book reviewer, an editor, ghostwriter, Internet Radio Show Host, and a Literary Agent. She is the author of The Ebony Tree, No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home (A Short Story Collection), The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sell, a contributor to bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in The Family, and Never Knew Love Like This Before, (Also a Kindle Bestseller), Proverbs for the People.
Hostage of Lies is her latest fiction novel, was voted a Best Book of 2009 by EDC Creations:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-books-of-2009-our-relationships.html
You can sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.maxinethompson.com
FREE REPORT: How you can write your book faster than you ever thought possible: http://www.WriteABookNow.com/cmd.php?af=677480
SELF-PUBLISHED POETS, BE ENCOURAGED
by author/poet Marc Lacy
If you are a self-published poet, or an aspiring poet considering going that route for your first publication, I’m sure you’ve just about heard it all by now. “Poetry doesn’t sell.” “You’re better off writing a novel.” “You will not be accepted as a legitimate writer while writing poetry.”
Well, I know I have. People have been on my back since day one with regards to publishing something other than poetry. I mean I’ve had some knockdown drag outs about what “I” should do with “my” career. I’ve listened to just about everything people have to say. I take everything with a grain of salt. People are entitled to their opinion. It is what it is…and what it is, is “their opinion.” But, in processing all of the opinions, I realized how valuable their takes were and still are about writing and publishing.
Although I have produced works in other genres, I’m currently making a segue into the realm of fiction. Even though I have made my mark as a poet, I certainly want to be known as a quality “writer” first. So why now Marc, especially since you’ve been such an ambassador for poetry and spokenword? I’ll tell you why. Throughout all of those years of getting hounded (respectfully) by literary enthusiasts, book clubs, fellow authors, friends, and family…there was a perception that my only goal throughout my entire literary career was to only publish poetry and produce spoken word cds. No one ever asked me what my future plans were? All along, I knew I would someday take the fiction leap of faith; but I did not know exactly when. So why now? Well, if I’m going to make a transition, it is going to be at my own pace and on my own time. I humbly refuse to let another dictate how and where I should throw my passion’s weight around.
However, I’m no dummy. Remember…I “do” listen. I understand the reality of the situation. When people walk into a bookstore, the last thing they may say to themselves is, “Hmmmm, let me go to the poetry section.” Even if they convince themselves to do so, what makes me think my book is going to standout over a beautiful hard-covered Nikki Giovanni coffee table edition of a poetry collection? Yes, Nikki is the bomb. Or a nice volume of famous works by Edgar Allen Poe? Edgar was a poetical genius. Nothing wrong with having gumption, confidence or desire; but if you are a fish, compete with the best fish and do not try to fly with the fastest birds.
Be realistic in your goal-setting. In some areas, it’s okay to take the path of least resistance. If you are a pioneer and have visions of setting a trend, understand that you will be your own sacrificial lamb. In layman’s terms that means, you will go through more hardship before you realize any pleasure or relief. But, it is ultimately up to you. I do not want to be the one to deter someone from chasing dreams. We all have them.
As odd as it sounds, there needs to be some “reality” factored into our fantasies. Nothing wrong with learning to work smarter while pursuing goals. There is also nothing wrong with applying logic and truth to a creative vision and going forth.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ENCOURAGED?
There are several reasons to be encouraged. So many that I do not have the real-estate to cover them in this blog, but I need you to know this: although people tend to purchase fiction and other genres at a way higher rate than they do poetry, if they see you perform or somehow hear your material, they will at least be attentive for that time period. Once you have them, you have them. So continue honing your craft of writing poetry and performing spoken word. If poetry is your thing, then that is what it is, however, you can still retain these skills while going through a writing genre transition.
Just think about it…if you are invited to present your material with a group of authors who write in other genres, depending on how your performance goes, you have the potential to stand out like no other. Why? Because you are performing your material and not necessarily just talking about it. If you stand out, then people are more apt to purchase your material; especially if you are the only one on the program performing or doing some sort of skit. Take full advantage of this opportunity should it arise. However, make sure you think about getting double the exposure by developing your writing skills in another genre.
Once you become acclimated to and sharp in another writing category, you will then have extra power in your literary engine to flex when it comes to publishing and presentation. By respecting all facets of the craft of writing, your game can be potentially stepped up more than you know.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED ABOUT BECOMING A BETTER WRITER?
If you are published and have aspirations of continuing to publish, your main objective should not only be selling books; but becoming a better writer. Even if you a performing poet, you should still focus on becoming a better writer. People get into the game for a variety of reasons. Some people are not concerned for state of being of the craft of writing as they are about making a dollar from selling a book. If you are passionate about any genre, then you should be just as passionate about improving your writing.
Be encouraged to constantly digest and embody the change you are trying to make. If you are a poet or spoken word artist; continue being the best you can be; but also be encouraged to know that your talents are appreciated. Being that such is the case, why not take your writing to the next level by delving into another genre while still maintaining your skills in the realm of poetry/spoken word? I’d like to leave you with this thought: If you develop your writing in another genre, publish books to the effect, that fact alone may bring more attention to your poetry than that which was gained when you wrote only in that genre to begin with.
About the Author
Marc Lacy, a graduate of Alabama A&M University is a nationally renown, award winning poet/author and spoken word artist. He has performed all of over the country for many national literary events and spoken word venues. Marc is the author of Rock & Fire - Love Poetry from The Core, and The Looking Heart - Poetic Expressions from Within. He is also the producer of REFlux, RTIQLation, and LyriCode 256 spoken word CDs. Marc is the contributor to many anthologies such as: The Soul of a Man, Step up to The Mic, and Witness the Truth.
Marc is a member of ArtNSoul Society of Expression, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Church Street CPCA, Huntsville Literary Association, and National Society of Black Engineers. He credits his faith in God and love of family for providing energy to succeed.
Checkout his latest fiction book, Wretched Saints - When the Righteous Path Leads to Hell's Doorstep at:
www.marclacy.com , www.myspace.com/mlacy
, and www.facebook.com/marclacy
11 Ways to Take a Mental Vacation
by Tinisha Johnson
 During economic difficulties, you may not always have enough funds to take even one vacation, let alone more than one or two vacations per year. We live in a fast track world where time escapes us all, and the time that is available, is often not enough, leaving us tired and drained, while we try to squeeze in life’s little pleasures.
Whether you take a physical vacation in the near future or not, why not schedule some mental and relaxing activities now, so you can take the edge off.
Our mind is the way we connect with our inner emotions, and with the outer world. With everyday stress, our minds can become overloaded and overwhelmed. This is usually the time when you find yourself easily frustrated, not sleeping well, irritated by the slightest of things, or feel a loss of energy on a frequent basis. Stop, take a deep breath, and learn ways you can relax your mind, body and spirit, even if it’s in the comfort of your own home.
1. Meditation
What does meditation do for you? It connects you with your inner self. It calms and places you in a relaxed state. It also helps to release stress and increases self-awareness. Those who practice meditation on a regular basis have said it’s transformed their entire body. If you’ve never meditated before, you could be missing out. There are several techniques and levels. To start off, you may want to experiment with the type of meditation where you close your eyes, and concentrate on various breathing techniques. There is free information online that can help get you started. Also, talk with a certified health specialist on the various ways to meditate.
2. Read a Book
Reading can be a relaxing and entertaining activity. Browse the library or a book store and spend just a few moments reading about subjects or genre’s you love. While you are reading, don’t allow your mind to wonder off to anything except the words that lay on the page. Become deeply involved in the book. Make a commitment that you will schedule out a few minutes each day, or an hour per week and engage your mind in the book of your choice. Make sure you keep your reading schedule until you’ve finished the book.
3. Take up a hobby
Kids seem to have more hobbies than adults. There has to be something you love besides plopping in front the TV set. It doesn’t have to be hard or farfetched. Things like gardening, taking photos, journaling, or drawing are just a few out of a thousand. Figure out what you love to do, or at least would like to try. Even if you think you don’t have the time, spend just a few moments and write out some suggestions. Then write out what steps you’d have to take to get started.
4. Exercise
Exercise is one of those words some people cringe when they hear. You’ll also hear the most common excuse: “I don’t have time.” Exercise doesn’t have to be 2 hours at the gym body pumping and slaving away on a stair master or cardio machine. Start off with walking or any activity that will get your heart rate going. Exercise definitely makes you feel better after you’ve done it. You’re never hear anyone say after exercising, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” You will always feel better afterwards. Exercise gives you energy and clears your mind.
5. Revisit your photo albums
Many of us have photos we cherish. Some may be sitting right in front of us or along the wall in our homes. Revisiting photo’s of friends and family allows you to take a mental trip down memory lane, and embrace the people you love, including those who are still present in your life. Every now and again, we need to reflect on where we’ve been in life, because it helps us become more aware of where we’re going.
6. Take a walk
Depending on where you live, this could be just around your block, up a hill, at a nearby park, in the mountains, or along the sands of a beach. Life can go by in a flash if we let it. Why not take a walk and get to know nature a bit. We can take someone with us on the walk if we choose. If you’ve driven down a particular road hundreds of times, why not try walking along side that same road. You’ll notice the experience is quite different. Walking in general allows you to pay attention to your surroundings just a little bit more.
7. Visit the museum
I’m sure you can remember back when you were a kid, the museum trip you used to take with your school and classmates. You learned so many fascinating facts about history. Taking a visit to a museum is definitely something different. Just changing up our daily routine just a bit, could be all we need. It’s a positive experience if nothing else. Go by yourself, or take a friend, a child, or a family member. Take in the knowledge. What type of an effect has history had on you personally? Visit the museum with the insight that you will come out learning something new.
8. Listen to soothing music
Music refreshes us in so many ways. Music can change our moods in an instant. What type of mood would you like to be in now? You can purchase CD’s with the sounds of nature on it. Take a risk and buy one, and lay back relax and listen to it. You’d be surprised how you’ll feel afterwards. You can be sure your mood will change. They say the sounds of nature changes the vibrations of the mind’s thought process, and provides a sense of peace, even if just for the moment.
9. Get a massage
Treat yourself and go to a spa or pay to get a professional massage. Let someone else help you smooth out your stresses of the day. It will definitely be worth it. Many massage locations give discounts for first-time customers.
10. Cleanse your body
A body cleanse can rejuvenate and improve your digestive system, and your overall health. There are various body cleanses. When some people think of body cleanses, they think you have to go without food. Although those types of cleanses exists, there are also cleanses where you don’t have to eliminate your food intake. In fact, there are many ways to detoxify the body from toxics present in your body. Ask your doctor or a pharmacist what types of body cleanses may be right for you and your lifestyle.
11. Write it out
Are you troubled by something or someone? Are you overworked and completely drained? If so, write it out. Put pen to paper, and write out your worries, concerns, and dislikes. Getting your feelings out on paper can be a major therapeutic release. In essence, writing out your emotions can release the negativity from inside. After you have written out your feelings and what you don’t want, you need to write what you want, to balance it all out. Writing out your problems and concerns helps you face and recognize them. Writing out what you want brings you closer to resolution.
In conclusion, right now plan to take your mental vacation within a few days or weeks, and enjoy yourself and have fun!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tinisha Nicole Johnson is an author, writer, and poet residing in Denver, Colorado. She’s written various books, and writes freelance articles for the Denver Examiner. Besides writing, she also hosts political and sports teleconferences.
Books
by Tinisha at Amazon. Learn more about the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com
Top 10 Ways to Make Money in
2011
By Craig Garber
The annual "Top 10 Ways Entrepreneurs
Will (And Won't) Be Making Money In 2011" list has just been released and it contains some compelling information this year:
1. Tighten up your marketing message - The way to be different and get noticed is by addressing the most specific and passionate needs of your customers. The more you match your marketing messages to your customers, the more money you will make, simple as that. Create good and services that cater to individuals, not to the generic 'everyman.' So for instance, if you're selling services, create programs that address the needs of busy executives, women, people who want to lose weight, and the elderly. When you cater to your customer's specific needs, you will sell much more, and you'll be able to charge top-dollar as well. This works for everything from healthcare to cupcakes.
2. Value and ethics pay off - Companies that offer quality goods and services, and who actually deliver on their promises, will continue growing, very rapidly. The world is getting smaller and smaller, and if you want to survive, you simply must provide first-class service. Deals and discounts alone will no longer make your cash register ring. People are very willing to pay top dollar for better quality, as long as you're giving them a valid reason why they should.
3. Curiosity is King - Because the number of marketing messages consumers are being hit with, is increasing by incremental proportions, understanding what makes your prospects "tick" is more important than ever. Entrepreneurs who can create compelling marketing messages that arouse curiosity and self-interest will be handsomely rewarded. Self-centered messages focusing on the company instead of the customer, however, will be ignored even more in
2011.
4. You must be a problem-solver, not a sales person - If you want to differentiate yourself, you're going to have to start being a teacher first, and a sales person second. Those entrepreneurs who can educate, entertain, and inform will easily attract and retain qualified business. If you focus on 'selling,' to the exclusion of everything else, you're going to find yourself in a terrible bind. Being a problem solver first and foremost, gives you the positioning you want and the credibility you need, to make big money. Remember, no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
5. Increased use of emotional direct-response marketing - With marketing costs spiraling out of control, using measurable direct-response marketing to evaluate the return on your marketing dollars, is more critical now than ever. On top of this, no matter how many bells and whistles you're using to get your prospect's attention, making an emotional connection is the most effective and reliable way of captivating prospects. People make buying decisions based on emotional factors. They may rationalize them later with logic, but all buying decisions are initially made to satisfy emotional needs. Doesn't matter whether it's vanity, greed, hope, or fear of loss -- pushing the right emotional buy-buttons is going to be a critical component of your success in
2011-2019.
6. Increased use of direct mail - Advertising online is becoming extremely competitive. Every day you read stories about businesses spending more and more money on Google AdWords, just to make sure their ads show up higher on the page than their competitor's ads. However, successful businesses will focus on outsmarting their competition, not outspending them. And one of the most effective ways of doing this is through direct mail. You're able to select targeted mailing lists and create marketing messages that address your prospects unique and specific needs. Plus, mailboxes today are less cluttered, which means less competition for your prospects attention.
7. Your USP had better be strong and specific - Your USP is your "Unique Selling Proposition." It basically answers the question, "Why should I do business with you, instead of your competition?" This is actually the most important thing businesses need to focus on. See, most entrepreneurs try and 'convince' people they need their goods and services. That's a very frustrating and unrewarding way of marketing. Instead, you should 'attract' those people who already want to buy these goods and services, and simply show these prospects why they should buy from you, as opposed to someone else.
8. Increased use of two-step lead generation marketing - Two-step lead generation, when used correctly, is like the eighth wonder of the world. It gets you out of the 'convincing' business and it lets you attract pre-qualified leads who are eager and enthusiastic about doing business with you. It also ties in directly with you being a problem-solver and not a sales person. This kind of lead generation marketing has been around since the 1800's. An example of this is the old Charles Atlas ads, where you had to send in one penny to receive a booklet of free information. This qualifies prospects and lets you weed out tire-kickers and looky-loos. It also lets you share your story, which gives your prospects a much better opportunity to get to know you.
9. Take your cues from Reality TV - The most popular shows on television today are reality-based, and if you're not using reality-based marketing, then you're missing out, big-time. I communicate with my list daily, by e-mail and through my blog. I give out 40% direct content, which in my case is money-making direct marketing and copywriting strategies... 30% related information, on topics like success and maximizing your productivity... 20% personal stories and opinions, about myself and my family, or situational stories of how I overcame specific business or personal obstacles, and only 5-10% promotional content. This formula sounds unconventional, but if you follow conventional wisdom, you're only going to get conventional results.
10. More truth and transparency online - In today's day and age, with skepticism at an all-time high, especially online. You're going to need a lot more than a sales pitch or a clever logo to sell something. Businesses who don't provide information like a contact name and address, and a way of getting a hold of their office besides a generic e-mail address, are in for a rude awakening. Today, more than ever, people need to know you're in business for the long haul and that you're real. This means having a personality and creating a long-term relationship with your prospects.
The recent recession has leveled the playing field. Those businesses who have survived can make a lot of money if they know how to attract the right customers, and if they're willing to play by these new rules.
Now go sell something, Craig Garber
About the Author
Lead generation marketing specialist, publisher, and copywriter Craig Garber is the author of "How To Make Maximum Money With Minimum Customers: 21 Proven Direct-Marketing Strategies ANYONE Can Use!" This book the strategies he used to make over $578,463 with a small handful of customers, without spending even one thin dime on advertising -- and all at 90% profit. For more information about Craig and his new book, download
his 23-page free Special
Report, "What Every Entrepreneur MUST Know About Making Money: The 3 Most Critical And Costly Marketing Mistakes Business-Owners Make!",
right now. Article
Source
How to Generate Income Online - 'Beginners Guide'
How Internet Marketing Really Works in Details
By Alfred Sant
Earning income online is a very attractive idea because for many reasons; first you do not have to do direct or person to person sales and you get the flexibility of being your own boss and set your own hours. It does not take any special internet or computers skills and you can work from your home or from wherever you want.
You do need to know the right approach to be able to earn a sustainable income online.
You must learn the right strategies, and some background information, in order to be successful on obtaining a full income online. The amount of money you earn depends on you and your ability to work hard and learn how the process works.
You always want to be careful of methods that are only scams: pyramid schemes, reading offers, CPA offers, and many other kinds of programs. These products only benefit the people you buy them from.
These are the five most popular strategies to earn an income online:
5. Creating E-books: E-books are one of the most ambitious ways to earn online income and they are one of the most profitable. It is possible to generate a large income online with e-books, but it requires a lot of effort and experience. So if you are new to internet income, I would not recommend e-books as a starting business endeavor.
4. E-commerce: You can earn a large income online from e-commerce. You sell actual products, so you need to be able to maintain a good relationship with your clientele and providers, and it requires a lot of knowledge. This can be difficult and time consuming, so again if you are inexperienced this is not a good way to start your business ventures.
3. CPA Networks: You can generate quick money with a CPA network. You earn money by referring people to companies, product owners or big Marketing Networks. The income for each referral is usually very small, typically just a couple pennies, so this is not very profitable unless you have a large flow of traffic.
2. AdSense by Google: This is a lot like a CPA network. You earn money for referrals or clicks for advertisements, but this is managed all by Google.
1. Affiliate Marketing: This is my favorite way to generate income online. You don't keep an inventory of products, create products, and it doesn't pay in pennies.
You promote products and get large commission for everything you promote, most of the time over half the price of the product. Internet marketers oftentimes use blogs and websites to promote their products, but that is optional. Many Affiliate marketers don't even have websites.
Affiliate marketing is the easiest ways to make income online. I can usually build a website in less than an hour to promote a product, and be generating cash the same day. This is a very fast way to earn money when you know what to do.
A lot of money can be made on the Internet; it's not hard once you know how things work. Obviously, you'll need a sound PROGRAM to follow. If you are serious about changing your life on the
Internet, go to my website Internet Income. Most Internet programs are garbage or scams, and unless you have the time and money to test them all out, you'll basically go round in circles, and 'LOSE MONEY'. Before you make a costly mistake, come and check it out.
CLICK HERE Internet Income.
About the Author
Alfred Sant is a Bestselling Book Writer and an expert in the area of Real Estate
Foreclosure. He has written several books in this genre. Article
Source
Online Marketing Promotion - Time to Get Your Hands Dirty!
By Bill Schmeggy
An online marketing promotion is no time to be timid, and stare at your screen. It is time to roll up your sleeves, get your fingers on your keyboard, and get busy. While you may not get your hands dirty, you need to have the attitude of a ditch digger. Keep working until you get the job done!
If you're just starting out in Internet marketing, you may be trying to figure out how to make your online marketing promotion effective, and not waste your efforts. You just need to stick to the basics, and you'll soon have traffic flowing to your site, and sales putting money in your pocket.
Today let's talk about one of the most basic fundamentals to online success. It's a very simple concept, and one you need to embrace for success.
The website with the most quality incoming links is going to win! Very simply, if you are using Google as your primary source of traffic, you will need to generate more quality backlinks (incoming links from other sites), than competing websites. The good news, it just takes effort on your part to make this happen. It's not rocket science.
You can start arguing about having better content, your product is better, and all those other things, but they are simply not as important as links. When we talk about quailty backlinks it means two things.
1. They come from relevant and ranked websites. You want to generate incoming links from on-topic websites, blogs, or Web 2.0 pages. If the site is in your market, or a complementary market, links from it are more relevant, and carry a higher weight.
2. Use proper anchor text in your links. Anchor text is the words which are visible in the link. You want those words to reflect the keywords you have targeted for your web page as often as possible. Targeted incoming links increases your relevancy, giving you higher rankings on Google.
There are many ways to get these incoming links. One of the first places is to start by Social Bookmarking your web pages using Digg, StumbleUpon, and other bookmarking sites. Secondly, you can build your own Web 2.0 sites on Blogger, WordPress.com, Squidoo, and a host of other free sites, to generate targeted, relevant incoming links. This is one reason you'll need to keep your sleeves rolled up, you're going to be doing some work.
Another great place to find incoming links is in blog comments. Find blogs which are in your niche. Take time to read the posts, and then make good quality, helpful comments. You can often leave a link back to your website in the comments.
Participate in forums within your niche, and include a link to your website in your niche. Don't spam the forums, actually contribute valuable information, and you'll get actual visitors to your site, along with more backlinks.
By rolling up your sleeve's and taking massive action, your efforts at online marketing promotion and increasing the rank of your site can be highly successful. If you just wait for magic to happen, your bank account will stay empty. Learn the basics, and take massive action. You'll be greatly rewarded for your efforts.
Article
Source
About the Author
Bill Schmeggy would like to offer you a free report and more helpful information
on Internet Marketing, please visit Simplified Internet Marketing.
If you are interested in Internet marketing visit http://www.SimplifiedInternetMarketing.com
How to Make Money During a Down Economy
by Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
Are you angry about the economy? I don’t know about you, but I get angry in this down economy. Why? Because it has a trickle-down effect on all small businesses. In my case, particularly as a literary service provider, some clients don’t pay when they should because someone hasn’t paid them. We, as literary entrepreneurs, must adjust our marketing strategies. But, instead of getting angry, how about if we get busy? How about if our anger could move us to another level? A level of action.
Let’s look back in history. During the depression, women found ways to make it for their families by cooking, sewing, quilting, washing and ironing clothes for other families, etc.
I grew up during a recession in the fifties, and I look back. How did my parents survive with six children? To supplement my construction worker father’s income, my mother did what we called “day work”-cleaning for white women. We often had filling meals of beans, soup, chili. We were seldom sick-later I found out we didn’t even have health care, which is happening a lot today because of layoffs. So I know, with God’s help, we can make it through this economy. It is something our ancestors always did. Make a way out of no way.
In times like this, we need to examine ourselves.
1) Find your strengths.
2) Get around others who are strong where you are weak.
3) Build your teams.
4) Get people to fill in your gaps.
5) Find multiple streams of income from your book, such as speeches, workshops, seminars, tele-seminars, webcasts, podcasts, blogs.
6) Use your social networking to build teams, find resources, and exchange information, as well as socialize.
Build Your Action Plan
Ask yourself, what can I do to give people hope? Believe it or not, it starts with giving away what you have that has value.
How can we be of value and how can we provide service to others? What do you have of value, which you can give away? Can you build business relationships, which are mutually beneficial to yourself as well as others? Can you teach what you learn as a literary entrepreneur?
*
Can you provide sales, marketing on line, coaching, or seminars first locally, then around the world? How can we get financial freedom?
*
We must take consistent action every day in our business. On one day a week, work on your business rather than in it. Have meetings to brainstorm with your team as to what your next steps will be.
*
The words we communicate to ourselves and to others will pay dividends to you. It will help you and others solve a problem.
Connect with Your Readers
Right now, people are hungry for freedom. People want to get into sales and people want to write at least one book.
*
What are sales ingredients? First of all, you have to believe that the book you are offering has value.
Ask your readers what do they like to read? Sell them on the benefits of your book. Find out what pains them.
*
Often you’ll find readers who want to write a book themselves. This is how I started my literary services, then later my literary agency. I also have done Internet radio since March 5, 2002 to provide writers with an international platform to market their book.
*
What was the painful motivation? People were tired of not seeing their words in print, and then tired of not being able to get their books out to the market. So, find what pains people enough to move them to action and you will be able to make the sale.
© Copyright Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
----
Meet the Author
Dr. Maxine E. Thompson is a novelist, poet, columnist, short story writer, book reviewer, an editor, ghostwriter, Internet Radio Show Host, and a Literary Agent. She is the author of The Ebony Tree, No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home (A Short Story Collection), The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sell, a contributor to bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in The Family, and Never Knew Love Like This Before, (Also a Kindle Bestseller), Proverbs for the People.
Hostage of Lies is her latest fiction novel, was voted a Best Book of 2009 by EDC Creations:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-books-of-2009-our-relationships.html
Contact Maxine Online
Email: maxtho@aol.com
http://www.maxinethompsonbooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/maxine-thompson
http://www.twitter.com/safari61751
You can sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.maxinethompson.com
FREE REPORT: How you can write your book faster than you ever thought possible: http://www.WriteABookNow.com/cmd.php?af=677480
Necessary Elements to Maintain Good Mental Health
When You Face Financial Problems
By Connor R Sullivan
 David
O'Malley owned a construction business that specialized in building new houses
in what had become a well liked area of Texas known for the unique way it was
designed to attract young families who wanted to be close to schools, shopping
and beautiful natural surroundings. When builders in the area began to
experience a sharp drop off in clients seeking their services it became
apparent that the poor economy was taking its toll on new construction. When
David found it difficult to pay his employees he discovered that he was unable
to pay health insurance premiums also. It was not very long before he had to
contact legal expertise to see how he could best salvage what was left of his
business. He first looked for a Houston bankruptcy attorney through the normal
sources; the phone book and online.
Seeking to find someone who was familiar with his community he soon decided to
contact someone who was a member of The Woodlands Bankruptcy Attorney law
firm. The Woodlands bankruptcy lawyer who was assigned to his case was quite
sympathetic to the situation but he also laid the ground rules for David to
follow in order to attend to closing up his current business and pave the way
for a completely new start when the time came.
Economic failures such as the one described in the above story are always hard
to deal with and are never a welcome interruption to life. In fact, there are
many repercussions when dealing with insolvency and a poor self image and low
confidence are chief among them. Depression is also a likely result when a
person is confronted with losing everything he or she has worked for by
failing to meet payment deadlines and contractual obligations. Some helpful
habits are sometimes undervalued but they can actually aid a person who is
undergoing such a stressful time.
1. Exercise - This is such a simple but effective tool that can keep a
person physically active, take up time that would otherwise be given to excess
worrying and be a health benefit as well. Incorporating exercise into a daily
routine is a wonderful means of building physical and mental well being.
2. Reading - This is a great aid in the fight to maintain focus and
concentration when fighting depression or low esteem. There are many uplifting
non-fiction books to encourage a brighter outlook on life from people who have
been through trying times themselves. On the other hand, there is nothing
wrong with losing oneself in a good mystery or a daring adventure novel to
take your mind off of your own troubles.
3. Time with friends - Staying connected socially is vital to good
mental health and will go a long way in helping a person feel he or she is not
alone as they fight to regain a positive perspective. It also never hurts to
keep your friends informed regarding your job search, etc. as they may be of
help when it comes to networking with others they may know who could use your
services.
About the Author
Connor Sullivan recently spent time researching law firms with The
Woodlands bankruptcy attorney on staff. He hired The
Woodlands bankruptcy lawyer to join his legal staff. Article
Source
Disclaimer
The
articles on this site are for entertainment purposes and should not be taken as
financial or medical advice. Please contact a financial or medical professional
for specific advice regarding your situation. Any references to contests,
giveaways, deals, products, and websites are subject to change without notice.
We try our best to keep the information current, but things are always changing
so it may be different now than when it was first published. Please take a
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is a complete listing of regulations and terms for using this site.
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