April 10, 2017,
Inc.
Like musicians, entrepreneurs can embrace the power they have to connect with a wider world.
March 7, 2016,
Inc.
December 14, 2015,
Inc.
We hear a lot about coaching and mentoring — for good reason. As Zig Ziglar famously said, “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” The words “coaching” and “mentoring” are often treated as if they’re interchangeable, but they’re not.
No matter your stage, both mentors and coaches can be valuable resources. What’s the difference between the two? How do you know which is needed? …
What’s the Difference Between a Coach and a Mentor?Read More »
Every entrepreneur and business leader needs something — money, information, technology, relationships or whatever. Unless that something is the elixir of life itself, chances are someone else can provide it for you. And when you’re connected to a trusted and tight-knit network, the resources you need are typically only an email or phone call away.
Forming strategic partnerships not only creates a powerful reciprocal network, but also propels you toward your goals, exposes you to new insights and optimizes the time and energy you invest in relationships. And these advantages work both ways.
Showing up at networking events is a good start, but it isn’t enough to develop and strengthen strategic alliances that will connect you with the right resources. To build smarter partnerships, consider these time-tested tips: …
You’re always looking for ways to bolster your digital marketing strategy and stand out as an expert in your field, so why not consider hosting a podcast series?
Sure, it’s not exactly bleeding edge, but the practice is expanding. In fact, podcasting grew 105 percent between 2006 and 2012, and the number of customers listening jumped 163%.
According to a survey KnowledgeStorm and Universal McCann conducted, 65% of business and IT professionals listen to podcasts for personal and business purposes, and 60 percent interviewees said whitepapers and analyst reports would be more attractive in podcast form.
That is a huge potential for a strong revenue stream–plus a brand and credibility boost.
Think about it this way: You’ve spent years gathering knowledge, and now you have tools to share it with the world. How empowering is that?
Learn From the Best
Podcasting is a portable way to communicate a message, which fits seamlessly into an entrepreneur’s busy lifestyle. It doesn’t need to be live–it’s on-demand. And you can forgo the screen because it plugs into your smartphone or car. It’s a brand extension that demonstrates your expertise and credibility to your target audience and sets you apart from competitors.
Celebrities and entrepreneurs alike have begun to capitalize on these incredible benefits.
For example, Internet marketer Brendon Burchard led the charge in building audiences, teaching them techniques in certain verticals, and selling them products or events that dive deep into the topic. For Burchard, this has netted millions and launched several New York Times best sellers.
Television mogul Kathie Lee Gifford also runs a successful podcast. She promotes her brand affiliates, such as Walmart, and hosts a long line of celebrity guests each week. An especially entertaining moment was hearing Gifford try to explain podcasts to an incredulous Regis Philbin.
“You mean they can hear this anywhere in the country?” Philbin asked. “No Reg, they can hear this anywhere in the world,” Gifford retorted. “It’s a radio show that goes out in cyberspace.”
5 Keys to Podcasting Success
These entrepreneurs didn’t create successful podcasts overnight, though. They planned and prepared carefully. Here are five tricks to cut down time and achieve rapid success:
The benefits podcasting has produced for my brand has far outweighed the risks–and the solid brand recognition that accompanies interviewing intriguing people is a fantastic asset and differentiator for any entrepreneur. So next time you’re searching for a new digital marketing tactic, consider a podcast. The personal and professional impact it’ll have might surprise you.
This article was previously published in Inc.com magazine
To your best success,
Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)
“This article was first published in LinkedIn”
Entrepreneurs are an optimistic lot. Naysayers might say “naïve.” But they have to be. Odds are against their success, but those who do succeed will provide for their families, solve customers’ problems, and possibly change the world in a big way.The best entrepreneur, therefore, has a healthy confidence that “I’ll be the one person in a thousand who makes it big.”
Still, even the most optimistic of entrepreneurs can have a bad day. Maybe the customers aren’t coming fast enough, or investors remain uninterested. Or maybe you’ve just been working for 24 hours straight and need to sleep. Whatever the reason, it’s important for entrepreneurs to get back on the positive side quickly, especially if they have employees looking to them to set the tone.
With that in mind, it’s helpful to have an arsenal of optimistic thoughts handy for those pessimistic moments.
1. Go for it. Having something half done is worse than not having it all. Commit to doing everything you can to make it work.
2. There’s always a lag between doing something new and seeing results. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t look up right away.
3. If Plan A doesn’t work, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.
4. Ambition is good, but don’t always live for the ending. Enjoy the process of building something from nothing, meeting customers’ needs, and providing jobs for your employees.
5. Do you need to look at the situation from a new perspective to find the solution? A coach, a friend, or a walk in the park can sometimes help you see new options.
6. When you fail, you’re one step closer to success.
7. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough or pushing yourself enough. What would you do if you had no fear? Go do that.
8. Believe in yourself and your vision. Some days, that will be all you have.
9. Related to that, trust your gut. Your instinct can be more instructive than a million books on entrepreneurship. Don’t ignore the small, nagging voice when it wants your attention.
10. Don’t rely only on yourself, though. You can’t do everything. Find a great team and do whatever is necessary to keep them close. The road to success — or failure — is more fun with people who believe and trust one another.
11. Listen to the naysayers just long enough to hear what you need to refine your business. Then, tune them out. It can be helpful to hear criticism, but you should surround yourself with people who want to help fulfill your vision.
12. Be in love with the problem more than you are with the solution. In other words, care more about solving the problem than solving it the way you think it should work. Sometimes, your first hypothesis is simply wrong, and you need to be open to trying new things.
It’s a challenge to start and run your own business. You won’t even imagine most of the obstacles you’ll face until you see them. But, success is 50 percent attitude, and if you give yourself a little pep talk when you’re struggling, you can keep your attitude in check.
Truly creating change requires a lot of work — and just the right amount of optimism.
What reminders have helped you get through the tough times as an entrepreneur? Share them in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group.
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
The right mentor will also have the right CONNECTIONS to move any effort forward. Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisorship, possible collaboration and even funding.
“This article was originally published on LinkedIn.”
We’ve all longed for a classic mentor-mentee relationship at some point in our careers. We want someone who is savvy and seasoned. We want her to provide the perfect insights and career advice that will help us reach our goals. We want someone who will guide us to our destination.
I’ve been fortunate to have several fantastic mentors during my career at Apple and beyond — and equally as fortunate to have counted Steve Jobs as one of them. These mentors helped me get my MBA, navigate workplace politics, and chart a path to success by bolstering my self-confidence to strike out on my own to forge the unique path I’ve paved for myself.
I recommend anyone who’s just beginning her career to seek a mentor with relevant experiences who can act as a sounding board for ideas; offer feedback, guidance, insights, and wisdom; open doors within established networks; and help you avoid costly career mistakes.
But as with any relationship, you can’t just walk in the door and expect to make an instant deep connection with somebody. Relationships take time to grow. While trust takes time to build, you can use these five powerful conversation tools to make the connection more impactful each time you meet with your mentor.
1. Be reliable. Mutual respect is the foundation of any good relationship and applies to honoring the mentor-mentee relationship, as well. That means being on time and professional for scheduled conversations and meetings, giving your full attention to your mentor when you spend time together, and expressing your sincere thanks at every opportunity. Ideally, you can demonstrate that you’ve acted on your mentor’s counsel and can share your results.
2. Communicate frequently. As a mentee, it’s your responsibility to reach out to your mentor when you need her. You should express your appreciation both verbally and with your actions. Take suggestions to heart, act on them, and send regular notes to communicate your progress and how you’re applying advice. Make it clear that you’re following through so your mentor knows she’s investing her time wisely.
3. Get personal. While the meat of your mentor-mentee relationship will center on lessons you can learn from your mentor’s experience, all good relationships start with active and direct human conversations to build rapport.
Ask your mentor how she spends her free time and what interests her. What does she like to read about, and what topics catch her eye inside and outside of your shared industry? Also, what are her coaches or mentors sharing at the next level that could be instructive?
Insightful questions like these will help you reciprocate within your relationship to send along interesting links she might enjoy. It also allows you to get to know one another on a personal level, which is how you develop trusted relationships that stand the test of time.
4. Tap into hindsight. With her years of experience, it’s likely that your mentor has more insight into your career and industry than you do. Tap into these insights by asking what she would do differently if she were starting over.
Which professional organizations have been worth the investment? Which of her instincts paid off as she navigated the corporate ladder? Her experiences could help you avoid or overcome major pitfalls and challenges and optimize success in your own career.
5. Ask for honesty. Your mentor should always be straightforward with you and never hold anything back, but it’s important that you establish up front that you’re receptive to all types of feedback and that you welcome transparency. She may be the only person in your life who has this type of relationship with you and won’t sugarcoat things or placate you. That honesty will prove invaluable as you progress in your career.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Fortunately, it’s within your power to initiate and develop a relationship with someone who can open doors to the rest: a strategically chosen mentor with valuable experience to share who is willing to shepherd your success and growth.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards
CEO of The All Access Group, LLC
PS: The right mentor should also have the right CONNECTIONS to move you forward. Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisorship, possible collaboration and even funding. Visit: https://allaccessgroup.com
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
“My article was originally published on LinkedIn”
Picture this: You’ve launched your business, you’re turning a profit, and day-to-day operations are humming along. The company is solid, but you’ve hit a plateau. You know it’s time to take things to the next level, but you’re not sure how best to do it. You haven’t been here before.
If you’ve hit a wall, it might be time to hire a business coach. Sometimes no matter how passionate you are about your business, it takes an outsider’s perspective to see where the company is lacking and identify areas for growth. And that additional insight and shift in perspective can take moments but make a huge difference in your results and the outcome.
Business coaches can give you and your company a fresh perspective and the advantage of experience, but only if you know how to take advantage of what your coach can provide.
What Coaches Bring to the Table
If you’re unsure about working with a coach, consider that many top CEOs, politicians, and other public figures rely on coaches and mentors for feedback and guidance.
Google’s Eric Schmidt says his best advice to new CEOs is to get a coach, and former Intuit CEO Steve Bennett believes coaches are vital to ongoing professional development. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, and even Barack Obama have all reported using coaches on a regular basis to advance in their careers.
I myself worked with several mentors at Apple, including the late Steve Jobs. Each taught me important lessons about team-building, collaboration, workplace politics, managing time and priorities, and how to remain confident in the face of challenges.
In addition to all the great professional development advice a coach can provide, she can also give you:
How to Make the Most of the Relationship
A coach can do wonderful things for you and your business, but only if you put a lot of effort into the relationship yourself.
Here’s how to empower your coach to help you take your business to the next level:
A business coach can be a valuable asset to any executive and leader. A coach can act as a sounding board for new ideas, offer a fresh and honest perspective, and motivate you to take your business to the next level. But ultimately, the success of your business depends on you taking the initiative to work with your coach, being all-in, and making the most of the relationship.
This post was originally published on Inc.com.
A highly sought-after consultant, super-connector, trusted advisor, celebrity wrangler, and thought leader, Kelli Richards is the CEO of The All Access Group. She facilitates strategic business opportunities in digital distribution among innovative technology companies, talent and media companies, and brands to foster new revenue streams and deliver compelling consumer experiences. As a trusted advisor, she transforms the quality of people’s lives. Kelli is also the author of the bestselling e-book “The Magic and Moxie of Apple: An Insider’s View.”
Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Delegation doesn’t come naturally to everyone–especially workaholic entrepreneurs. Recognize your #strengths. Tackle the things you love or do very well yourself, and then #DELEGATE the duties that slow down your productivity or otherwise aren’t a good use of your talents and time. Acknowledge and reward others for their strengths. Delegating is not only a way to decrease your workload it’s a way to channel your productivity and expertise! To read https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-ultimate-guide-to-delegating-for-entrepreneurs-who-hate-delegating.html
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