The Blog - Where Business Collides with Human Nature

Any parent with young kids knows Daniel Tiger is the ultimate authority on every lesson you need in life. The PBS successor to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood features a young tiger (unsurprisingly named Daniel) and his family. He confronts life’s difficult challenges with emotional maturity, self-awareness, and singing.

So
Much
Singing!

But, unlike most children’s TV, you won’t end up hating it. In fact, you’ll end up loving it because the songs are so catchy and soothing that you can draw on Daniel Tiger’s extensive catalog of compositions to guide your child through basically any daily struggle.

“Anyone can do it” – is probably true. “Anyone” can be a great success selling MLM products, while singing on American Idol, be a bestselling author, or be successful after being rejected on Shark Tank.

Is it possible to get 1,000,000 purchases of a product?  Possibly, but the list of considerations below have to line up perfectly and good karma will be needed.

The get rich quick plan to sell 1,000,000 may require:

20,000,000 views at 5% conversion = 1,000,000 purchases
  or
10,000,000 views at 10% conversion = 1,000,000 purchases

If you believe in something enough, you will risk your very reputation to hit the mark, accomplish a goal and achieve success.  You may believe your idea is worth a million dollars or possibly believe that "everyone" is out to get you.  Your may believe that you can sell 10 million widgets... though you have not yet sold even one.

The truth is out there and you want to believe... 

But first, human beings typically learn what to do next by following the crowd.

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieve that objective.

The technique is credited to Albert Humphrey, who led a convention at Stanford University in the 1960s and 1970s using data from Fortune 500 companies.

A SWOT analysis must first start with defining a desired end state or objective. A SWOT analysis may be incorporated into the strategic planning model. Strategic Planning, has been the subject of much research.

With The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Managers  top of mind, make a commitment yourself and to others:

What is your business model online?  How successful will you be if each of the tasks you see on the business models below were on your personal to-do list?  Can you be an expert in each of them?  How long will it take to become proficient? The Internet is not simply a phone book and is much more complex than you may realize.

Below you will see a variety of business models which you may be using.  As you look at each type of business models, understand how these might match your needs. 

You’ve heard about the 10,000 hour rule (introduced by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers - the Story of Success). K. Anders Ericsson discovered that elite music performers—more specifically classical violinists—all had one thing in common and it was at least 10,000 hours of practice before becoming a professional.

When its a theory, does it matter? The theory of gravity exists and we take the existence of gravity as a fact. If we have enough science and proof behind the theory, it soon becomes a fact. At this point, with a plethora of corroborating evidence, the TEDx talk below by Jesse Henry should in reality be a "Fact". Which might change the title to "The Facts and Reality of Success".

Fair warning, Jesse Henry will begin with a "rope-a-dope". Instead of feeling resentment, you will have an appreciation of his perspective and it will draw you in.

Perspective, Strategy and Execution. 

Small business owners begin the journey with hope and determination as they overcome fears and persist regardless of barriers. Fortunately, there are support programs to ensure success. 

Fifteen small business owners across the state of Washington graduated from the SBA Emerging Leaders program, a seven-month executive education program for local business on the brink of growth.  

“Small business owners often know where they want to take their business, but struggle with how to get there. The Emerging Leaders initiative provides the tools and expert guidance to spark sustainable growth,” said SBA Seattle District Director Nancy Porzio.

According to Seattle Emerging Leaders Instructor Mary Marshall, “every $200 the SBA invests in the Emerging Leaders program creates a new job in the local economy.”

As you read the names and businesses of the graduates, remember how recognition, celebration, and congratulations are as easy as:

1. Picking up the phone.
2. Sharing a blog.
3. Pointing others to their business via social media or email.
4. Making a comment on their social media accounts.
   
5. Sending a personal "Way to go!" card in the mail. (Yes. The mail) 

Or if you are local, you may decide to visit in person on the way to your next destination.

The SBA has done the work and made the announcement. I have added website links for you to click below. It takes less than five minutes to make an introduction and make their day. 

I love to sing. In 8th grade, I signed up for the choir class.
Soon I learned my skills were not as amazing as I had hoped.

To execute your business success plan more effectively, here are (5) five essentials to ensure a long term healthy and prosperous business and answer the question:  "How Can You Improve Business in the Next 12 Months?"

If you believe we live in a world of transparency, you might be correct.  Unfortunately, understanding the difference between facts and fiction is very difficult.  You don't truly know what to believe about almost anything on the Internet.