Retired - Next Phase

Discussions Provide Clarity of One's Own Goals and Plans

Yesterday a friend came over to talk about her business and how she could increase her number of clients. After a long discussion, I felt that her services and products supported one another beautifully, and our discussion progressed to "how" to get her message out.

Because I was not emotionally involved with my friend's business, I noticed it was easier for me to see the big picture. But that's not my point. What I discovered was the her visit and our discussion had lingering effects in relationship to my own business.

By 11 o'clock last night I couldn't wait to get to my "idea book" and jot down exactly how I plan to progress in one particular area of my own business. (It's amazing how the mind works.)

Years ago I had the distinguished title "Manager of Park Avenue Academy." Sounds impressive, yes? Well, this Park Avenue runs through the little town next to mine, and our one little classroom was legally required to have a "manager," even though I only taught one class a day. 

I taught the early Wang and IBM word processors in the 70's when people were still terrified that if they hit the wrong hit, something inside their machines would explore. I had gone through Wang training but was not at all confident that I was capable of teaching it.

Fortunately, a friend took the class, so I stood behind her as I instructed. "Now press . . ." and I would quickly press the designated key to see if indeed it would do what I said it would. The point is that by teaching, I really learned the products.

Even earlier, when I taught English, I obviously was expected to know the parts of speech, including gerunds, participles, and infinitives. I didn't! Every weekend I would studiously complete the assignments in my little Warner's Grammar Book, go to a senior English teacher's house and have my work corrected. Once I taught it, I got it!

Again, the point is: when you teach someone else something, you really understand the subject!

By  talking with my friend yesterday, I got clarity on my own plan of action. By teaching word processors I mastered them, and my teaching gerunds, participles and infinitives, I mastered them.

As a solo entrepreneur, I find it very easy to keep to myself and do my own thing, especially since my husband just pats me on the head and tolerates my little dabblings, but I am always astounded how talking about a project brings the project more clearly into focus. 

This relates to more than business; it relates to our opinions about world affairs, our feelings about someone, our concerns, our fears, our hopes and our dreams. Talk about them and and see the blanks fill in, the colors emerge, the clarity become brighter and more focused.

The point for me and hopefully for you readers is: talk to people about your plans, your dreams, your desires, because the more vivid the picture is in your mind, the greater the opportunity will be to achieve what you see.

Change Your Thoughts and You Change Your World

Did you ever notice how much your mood is affected by the weather? Sunshine lifts me up and makes me feel I can do anything, yet I love rainy days. It's the cloudy, gloomy days that somehow have the ability to weigh me down, to darken my perspective of the world. That's why I so enjoy the following clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACidcPZNwdo. The creator of the video, Marci Shimoff, just authored a new book, Happy For No Reason, which I look forward to reading.

Although I know that darkness and gloom can be readily dispelled by consciously opting for thoughts of gratitude and joy, the transition is not always easy. The oft-repeated Norman Vincent Peale quotation "Change your thoughts and you change your world" does have validity! 'Tis a great quote to keep in mind.

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Clarify Your Goals By Talking About Them

Yesterday a friend came over to talk about her business and how she could increase her number of clients. After a long discussion, I felt that her services and products supported one another beautifully, and our discussion progressed to "how" to get her message out.

Because I was not emotionally involved with my friend's business, I noticed it was easier for me to see the big picture. But that's not my point. What I discovered was the her visit and our discussion had lingering effects in relationship to my own business.

By 11 o'clock last night I couldn't wait to get to my "idea book" and jot down exactly how I plan to progress in one particular area of my own business. (It's amazing how the mind works.)

Years ago I had the distinguished title "Manager of Park Avenue Academy." Sounds impressive, yes? Well, this Park Avenue runs through the little town next to mine, and our one little classroom was legally required to have a "manager," even though I only taught one class a day.

I taught the early Wang and IBM word processors in the 70's when people were still terrified that if they hit the wrong hit, something inside their machines would explore. I had gone through Wang training but was not at all confident that I was capable of teaching it.

Fortunately, a friend took the class, so I stood behind her as I instructed. "Now press . . ." and I would quickly press the designated key to see if indeed it would do what I said it would. The point is that by teaching, I really learned the products.

Even earlier, when I taught English, I obviously was expected to know the parts of speech, including gerunds, participles, and infinitives. I didn't! Every weekend I would studiously complete the assignments in my little Warner's Grammar Book, go to a senior English teacher's house and have my work corrected. Once I taught it, I got it!

Again, the point is: when you teach someone else something, you really understand the subject!

By  talking with my friend yesterday, I got clarity on my own plan of action. By teaching word processors I mastered them, and my teaching gerunds, participles and infinitives, I mastered them.

As a solo entrepreneur, I find it very easy to keep to myself and do my own thing, especially since my husband just pats me on the head and tolerates my little dabblings, but I am always astounded how talking about a project brings the project more clearly into focus.

This relates to more than business; it relates to our opinions about world affairs, our feelings about someone, our concerns, our fears, our hopes and our dreams. Talk about them and and see the blanks fill in, the colors emerge, the clarity become brighter and more focused.

The point for me and hopefully for you readers is: talk to people about your plans, your dreams, your desires, because the more vivid the picture is in your mind, the greater the opportunity will be to achieve what you see.

Happy Upcoming Week,

Gail

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Capitalizing on Perspective

It's still cold in the northeast. My friend in New Hampshire said they had six inches of snow last night and added "Spring is still a long ways away - we got another 6" of snow last night. A big improvement, we haven't had any in a couple weeks and the old snow wasn't pretty at all." Perspective! He could have chosen to complain. Instead, he found the positive.

Another friend of mine fell in the downtown shopping area, smashed her shoulder, hit her head and was unable to get up. It took a half an hour for the ambulance to arrive and take her to the hospital. She called me the next day and after telling me the rudimentary facts, stated with great enthusiasm, "I met five of the nicest people yesterday!" She was referring to the ambulance crew, the hospital nurse and doctor--this from a lady who will need multiple operations and a year before her shoulder will be as it was.  Perspective!!

Where the economy is concerned, most people are feeling the pinch in some way, even if they are still employed. The ultra expensive dinner in the city can easily be replaced with the opportunity to dine in a less expensive restaurant, and other minor strategic changes could easily be made without the feeling of sacrifice. You can change your Perspective!

On a personal level, I think back to the days when we were starting out as a family in our new house which needed lots of work, as did our neighbors' homes. Every Saturday, after a day of hard work, we'd combine ingredients we had in each other's homes and have an outrageously good time partying together, kids included, with very little additional expenditure. Maybe we can look for these opportunities again. Perspective!

For entrepreneurs, this is a time to "see" a need and fulfill it. For example, rude salespeople are one of my pet peeves, either on-line or in person. My husband recently traded in his cell phone for a new one at an AT&T store and came home raving about the service he got from the man who waited on him. The next day he got a call from AT&T asking him to evaluate this person. That's good business.

100% of my dealings with Apple have been extraordinarily good! I'm a devotee of Apple products and their employees. Their products are fantastic, and their employees always make me feel special.

Yet, there are too many exceptions to AT&T and Apple, and these companies do lose money because of the service they deliver. I won't go back to a place where I was treated poorly. I went to Circuit City twice ever and was treated poorly both times. Could their service have factored into their going bankrupt?

My point is poor service by retailers is a perfect opportunity for an entrepreneur to develop a product, training, a service--something to remedy the loss of business an owner faces because of his less-than-civil employees. The challenge is to change the business owner's Perspective.

I will be addressing this problem in my area by introducing Chambers of Commerce and franchises to my "Secret Shopper" booklet, my training course for Secret Shoppers, and my book One Talk Fits All, which can be used as a basis of training for employees and customers.

Look around. Where do you see a need? Drop me a line and I'll share your ideas in this column. How can you earn money by sharing your Perspective for success with store owners?
 
Happy, happy,
Gail

P.S. As I reread this letter, I see another word that could replace "perspective," and that's "attitude." As William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes.”

Sources of Income for Professional Speakers

by Gail Cassidy Once you've become relatively comfortable giving talks, the time has come to create sources of income from this skill you've acquired.  To gain confidence and continue to improve, you can practice at places such as your local and nearby Rotary Clubs. They are everywhere, and each club needs 52 speakers a year. I know because I had to find them during my year as program chairperson. I became so aware of potential speakers whenever I spoke to anyone during that year that I easily filled the 52 slots. The speaking time allotted is less than half an hour, and that time is a great practice arena. After a few "freebies," you will want to start bringing in some money--$100, $500, maybe even a $1,000 initially.  I just googled professional speakers' bureaus and found over 390,000 sources. I recommend you look into them to find what their requirements are. You will not be in the Bill Clinton or Joe Torres category, commanding $500,000 or more a speech, but at least you will learn what you have to do to eventually play in that ballpark. Each of the opportunities below are potential sources of income. Look over the list and see which arenas appeal to you. My favorite for years was Training - in-house seminars and workshops. I have done all but three of the following and although in-house seminars and workshops were my favorite, I now prefer virtual seminars and speaking to promote my products. You, too, may change your mind after you have been involved with a variety of programs. SOURCES OF INCOME FOR PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS: · Speeches · Public Seminars · Consulting · Coaching · Virtual Seminars (teleclasses) · Speaker products (books, tapes, videos) · Seminars to promote a client · Panels · Master of Ceremonies · Infomercial Host · Expert Witness · Moderator/Facilitator · Training - in-house seminars and workshops · Spokesperson · Radio shows · College presentations · Plus opportunities limited only by your imagination. If any readers have additional venues that you have tried, please let me know and I'll pass them on. For more about discovering your passion, look at Discover Your Passion, or the updated version, Profit From Your Passion

BUSY WEEK

This has been one busy week--teleseminars, classes, newsletter, visitors--all fun and time-consuming. The challenge--how to find balance? I have learned to start with what I enjoy most and eliminate time-consuming activities that I don't NEED, e.g., teleclasses that I sign up for but don't really need to know about, reading all of my junk-mail magazines, taking on new projects, etc. All of those went by the wayside this week.

One of the most fun things I do every week is hold a Legacy Workshop at a senior citizen center. I throw out topics and each person tells me a story about what she remembers. Each session is recorded on my iPod from which I make individual CD's. I wondered if they would ever listen to them, but each week they tell me how much their kids or grandchildren enjoy hearing their stories. What a great way to pass along memories!

I also enjoy my teleseminars and find I learn as much from the participants as they learn from me.

IS THE SEMINAR BUSINESS FOR YOU?

by Gail Cassidy

BUTTERFLIES Experiencing butterflies before speaking is unrelated to whether or not you should hold seminars or give talks. Some outstanding speakers I know experience varying degrees of angst before  speaking, even though they appear very comfortable and confident.  Take a moment and picture yourself sitting in the front row of the conference room in a magnificent hotel. You are about to be introduced. As you sit in your chair awaiting to be announced as the next speaker, your stomach is filled with the flutter of butterflies and your knees feel a little weak, and you may even wonder why you ever agreed to do this presentation, but, from previous experiences, you know you will feel fantastic when it is over and when you hear the applause and accolades from the audience.   THE LOVE OF THE SPORT Criterion number one, "the love of the "sport," wanting to share your knowledge, hobby, or special product that will benefit the listeners. This desire to share information keeps speakers coming back time and again, in spite of the initial fluttering discomfort.  Consider nervousness an asset.  As long as it occurs, you know you will never not be totally prepared.   YUL BRENNER Yul Brenner who starred in 10,000 performances of "The King of Siam" got nervous all 10,000 times.  To alleviate the discomfort, he pushed up against the back stage wall--an isometric exercise.  With all of the muscles tensed, the relaxation released the tension from his muscles as well as his nervous tension.  YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE The second criterion relates to information or knowledge that you have that can be of benefit to someone else.  For what type of information do people come to you for advice?  For example, my friends or kids never ask me for advice about finances, fixing or buying a car, insurance or anything to do with money.  What do you know more about than most people?  Do you have a hobby or interest that you've read about and/or practiced?  Are you trained in an area that could benefit others?  Find your niche and work on developing it.

The Obama CONNECTION

The roar of the crowd is quieted, the excitement quelled, the streets of DC swept and cleaned, but enveloping so many of us are the exciting feelings of hope, optimism, and a sense of renewal. 

Our new president is obviously very bright, young, and fit--three positives, but there is more, a lot more than appeals to so many people all over the world.

As I observed President Obama watch the marching bands from the viewing stands on Inauguration Day, I got it--HE CONNECTS WITH PEOPLE.  What does that mean? 

Many years ago my husband and I received free tickets to a very expensive dinner for a candidate for the senate. We were delighted. The dinner was excellent, and the humorous comedian, Henny Youngman, was the master of ceremonies. 

When dinner was over, the guests lined up to shake hands with the candidate. I felt so honored--until I got within two people of him. As he shook each person’s hand, he looked over their shoulder to the next person in line. I never once made eye contact with him; he was too busy looking over my shoulder and mouthing the correct words as he shook my hand. He never saw me! I wasn’t important enough to warrant his attention. What’s Maya Angelou say: "People may not remember what you did or what you said but they will always remember how you made them feel."  

Barack Obama innately follows Maya Angelou’s sentiment. From the viewing stand, he applauded the marching bands, but even more, he CONNECTED with them, making eye contact, pointing, making the band members feel as if they had been seen. That was my “aha” moment, seeing him look with such kindness and appreciation at each group and they walked by.

His oratorical elegance, his grace, his confidence, and his quick-witted sense of humor add to his specialness, but what brings that specialness home is his ability to CONNECT.

CONNECTION implies acceptance, even if not in agreement. It implies respect.

The difference between eye contact and CONNECTION lies in one word--sincerity. People feel it, sense it, know it when they see it. That’s what I perceive as President Obama’s great attribute, his ability to CONNECT.

As teachers, speakers, presenters, we know how important it is to CONNECT with our audience. CONNECTION makes the difference between success and failure.

I feel certain that we have in store for us a fantastic opportunity to fine-tune our skills just by carefully observing our new president over the next eight years.

VP Debate: Biden vs. Palin - Body Language Analysis

It is with some trepidation that I continue along the path of assessing the speaking styles of the candidates up for election in a few weeks. One reader was incensed with last week's letter, thinking I was overtly supporting McCain. The discrepancy came from my asking readers to notice how Senator McCain started most of his rebuttals with "He just doesn't get it." or "He just doesn't understand" even if those comments didn't fit what he was rebutting. My point was to encourage viewer awareness of subtle innuendo.

I would guess that most of you were among the record-breaking number of viewers who watched the vice presidential debate Thursday night. For me, watching this debate took me back to a time when I was in charge of training the trainers for IBM Corp. many, many years ago. First, all of the trainers were female at that time, and second, most had worked in the corporate world for a few years before coming to IBM, and third, all were very professional.

One day I was introduced to a new hiree, a cute little gal who had just graduated from college. She was as smart as a whip and as natural as can be--no make-up, hair parted in the middle, hanging down to her waist, no pretensions, and lots of energy. 

This was about the time when freedom of dress came about and I was unable to comment on her appearance, even to the point of asking her to pull her hair back. Why would I want to comment on such a cutie? One huge reason is she was not taken seriously by the executives she interacted with. Whenever she presented to an account, I got rave reviews about how cute she was but got no sales. She was not taken seriously.

I'm not implying the same with Governor Palin. She is professional looking; my comments relate strictly to her body language and mannerisms.

There is one minor aspect of body language that my trainee used as does Sarah Palin. She tilts her head to the side, wrinkles her brow, smiles coquettishly and then responds--just as little girls, myself included, were taught to do as young girls to get our way with our parents, "Please, please, please, Daddy, can I have . . .?" At every body-language seminar I teach, I emphasize to the females in the group--don't tilt your head and look cutsey; it takes away from your believability, and you will never see a male do this.

As I watched Governor Palin, I remembered my trainee whom I worked with until she could be taken seriously and could garner sales.

First, in a professional debate for the second highest position in the United States, it is expected that each debater show respect by addressing one another by his or her title and  name, even though Palin, on live microphone, asked if she could call Senator Biden by his first name before they took to the podium.

Question: Is it okay that we overlook this aspect of professional presenting? Only you can answer.

Are colloquialisms okay with you, e.g., "you bettca" and "gonna" among others? Shouldn't our leaders be role models? You can see the ridicule Leno and Letterman heap on our current president every night of the week because of grammar and style--again, ignoring substance.

Is "winking" at the camera a mark of professionalism? Is referencing the viewers as "Joe SixPack" and "hockey moms" okay with you? Do you fit into one of those categories? What about those of us who don't?

Is it okay for one of the two debaters to announce to the hostess, the other debater, and to the vast viewing audience that she may not answer questions in the way that is expected? In other words, if she doesn't like the question, she will provide the verbiage she prefers. Isn't this what Wall Street has done to get us in the mess we're in as a nation?

Being a "heartbeat" away from the presidency does scare me. Will Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, and Vladimir Putin take Sarah Palin seriously if she is ever in the position of negotiating nuclear activity in their regions?

Watching Senator Biden's debating style, I found no areas where professionalism was lacking. He walked a narrow path in responding to his opponent's attacks. If he responded in a negative manner to her, he would have lost--picking on the poor newcomer. Instead, he constantly brought the discussion back to the person at the top of the ticket, Senator McCain. He was, indeed, a role model for debaters.

Business Formula to Produce Income

FORMULAS I once read that if you have a product or business that you can reduce to a formula that can be replicated by others, you've got a gold mine. McDonalds, Burger King, Subway have each been reduced to a formula and are replicable by anyone who has the money to buy a franchise. SEGMENTS Thinking on a smaller scale, I'm sure many of you have segments of your business which you can reduce to a formula and increase your earnings. EXAMPLE After spending weeks preparing for a keynote talk for AT&T, I realized I had a talk that I could replicate so it could be used by anyone who wanted to increase their client base through speaking. You change the type of cheese used, the size of the burgers, the toppings--same product but a different variation. POTENTIAL CLIENTS As I had written in a previous newsletter, I learned I could use this talk for almost any audience with a few minor adaptations. In the past 15 years I've given one-hour to three-day workshops to the following groups: · Police Officers · Board members of nonprofit agencies and school boards · Parents · Guidance Counselors · Sales people · Customer Relations people · Corporations · Companies · Schools (as part of the curriculum) · Teachers · Small business owners · Chamber of Commerce members · Network groups · Secretaries/administrative assistants · Professionals: doctors, lawyers, dentists · Prison populations · "At Risk" teens and young adults · Stockbrokers · Negotiators · Auto salespeople · Anyone who wants improved relationships. Take a look at some of sample themes that can be used using this one talk. SAMPLE THEMES: · Create the Image You Desire · Attract More Customers · Learn How to Feel Good Everyday - All Day · Increase Your Income By Training Your Employees · Select the Impression You Want to Make · Attitude Determines Your Altitude · Polish Your Image · Become an Effective Communicator · Improve Your Personnel/Client Relationship · Match Perception With Reality · Learn How to Feel Good All Day--Everyday · Master Non-Verbal Communication Skills · Master Human Relation Skills · Be the Best That You Can Be · The Secrets of Teamwork · What You See May Not Be Who I Am · Plus unlimited other themes--Be Creative! ONE TALK FITS ALL In One Talk Fits All, I give you a variety of openings, stories, and closings to use according to the group you are addressing.  SELF ANALYSIS What part of your business can you replicate in order to save yourself time and increase your business? Are there bookkeeping procedures you use or sales training procedures that have been effective for your business and could possibly be used by another business? What aspect of your business can you share with others for profit or as a marketing tool? HABITS Once a process or procedure becomes replicable in your business, it falls into the category of  "habit" which requires no thought, like brushing your teeth,  thereby saving you time and gaining the potential of being another source of income. What part of your business can you replicate for profit?