April 30th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Back in the caveman days, our ancestors survived by hunting and gathering food. Today, we have obviously evolved. Thanks Martha Stewart! However, when it comes to making sense of the online world- our business survival still depends on hunting and gathering. Here’s how:
1) It’s Impossible to Learn it All- …first hand that is. It is, however, completely possible for us to function as a community and learn from each other. Even when our ancestors started farming, they didn’t give up hunting. Their survival depended on the variety of strategies they used to get food. Today, our businesses are like that. We can very much plant our own gardens of information and service. But, more importantly, we also have to seek out information. We have to hunt for the best.
2) Eat What You Gather/Hunt- What would happen if back in the day people gathered the best crops and didn’t eat them…they would rot. Knowledge is like that today. You can read a million blogs, attend hundreds of seminars, and purchase thousands of books. But if you don’t put those concepts into action-it rots.
3) Tribes Rule- Species that gathered together survived. Loners usually died out. The same concept applies to today’s business. What does your personal support team look like? Do you belong to Mastermind groups? Have coaches? How often do you participate in joint ventures? How is your business supported? In the Hunting and Gathering age of information, you have to pull together your resources.
4) Timing Matters- Gather information before you need it. If you go looking for answers at the last moment, you are more likely to make impulsive decisions. People took risks when they were starving-like going out to find food in the middle of winter. We have evolved. Make sure your business isn’t starving for help before going after it.
Posted in Managing Your Business, Training, Coaching, Mentoring, Seminars | 1 Comment »
March 27th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Earlier this week I shared how I skyrocketed my past coaching business in three months. In that post, I promised I would also share my top lessons. These are my nuggets of wisdom.
1) Your brand matters. "Branding" is not just a fluffy feel good word. It matters. It is what your business is about, and it is what sets you apart from the million other service providers. I didn’t realize exactly HOW important a brand was until I got into the business. Once I caught on, I changed everything. Do this right from the start, and you won’t have to slave over it after the launch of your business.
2) Don’t do one shot coaching-it takes time! When I first started coaching, I worked with clients one month at a time. BAD idea. One month is not enough to create lasting change- unless you are in a specialized field. In personal coaching, it isn’t enough time. If I could do it over, I would ask clients for at least a 3 month commitment.
3) Get FEEDBACK. No matter how amazing you are at what you do- get feedback and get lots of it. I thought some ideas were just brilliant and they "felt right." Then I asked colleagues and clients. They didn’t agree. And that’s okay! Your business is not about you. It’s about serving your market. Listen to them and heed their advice.
4) Don’t get discouraged- No matter how seasoned you are, starting a business from scratch is tough. Don’t get discouraged. Keep at it and try different methods. Give the methods time, but don’t beat your head against a brick wall. Get help, get motivated, and don’t give up!
5) List, List, List- Offline, location is everything. Online, your LIST is everything. Build up a list of people who care about what you have to say. Respect them, treat them like friends, and offer them value in exchange for their time and attention. I constantly give away things to my list. I adore them. I share my life stories, case studies, and whatever else I can. This is your most valuable asset. I learned this in my coaching business.
What have you learned while building your business? Please share below! = )
Posted in Managing Your Business, Marketing Your Business, Training, Coaching, Mentoring, Seminars | No Comments »
March 15th, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
My friend and colleague Liz Strauss is doing it again! She is hosting the conference of the year for bloggers who want to get to the next level. Here is what they are saying:
Part seminar, part conference, part deep networking event, SOBCon08 is even more about YOU!
We’re bringing back what you valued last year, and we’re adding more depth, more coverage, more opportunities. Take a look inside. Here’s some of what’s at SOBCon08 for you this year.
- Enjoy Entertainment & Open Comment Night
before the information flow begins.
- Build an actionable plan of working models
presented by experts who use them.
- Share ideas and forge working relationships through the unique integrated team-based approach.
- Show your expertise in the speedspeaking event
that invites attendees to present their best practices.
- Be part of the most incredible group of participants any conference has ever known.
They are calling it, Biz School for Bloggers. It’s good to know the business of running a great blog whether you blog for money or entertainment. Check the schedule. No term papers are required.
Whether for love or money, if you blog for readers or community, you’re in the business of blogging. This conference can help you achieve your goals, faster with more confidence, and more predictably.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here.
P.S.
If I know Liz, she is going to make this an unforgettable event!
P.P.S.
I won’t be there personally due to previous client engagements, but I am hoping you guys will let me know how awesome it was.
Posted in The Best Video Blogs, Business Blogs, Info Blogs, Training, Coaching, Mentoring, Seminars, Web Entrepreneur Community | 2 Comments »
