Let me be crystal clear… You need clarity to create achievable goals and strategies for your business, and I want every artist-based business to succeed using the clarity of Specialism strategies.WHY is clarity such an important word in business? CLARITY CREATES SAFETY A bottom line is that it’s really about feeding your family, your business demands and your artistic desires. … Read moreMy 2015 Goal: Delivering Clarity
Strap in, I’ve got some BIG news… first, some history: I began “coaching” (a term I use to metaphorically describe everything from standing on the sidelines and sending in plays to leading the team actively right from the game floor) almost 30 years ago, when I stumbled onto the concept of Specialism. I was compelled … Read moreHoly Crap ! It Finally Happened.
Often, when I ask a business owner what makes them “special” or why do their customers love them, I get responses like, “I make them feel comfortable and they trust me” and “I care about them” and “I exceed their expectations.” While these things are definitely recommended, they aren’t extraordinary or exceptional. How can you tell? Think about the opposite … Read moreBeing anti-bad ain’t good.
Over the last few years, I’ve noticed that many (though not all) of the professional photographers act as if the images they capture are their “babies” and therefore want to “protect and keep them safe” from harm/change, like Instagram filters or Costco printing. This ownership mentality probably made sense in the days of film photography … Read moreAre You Worth More Than Your Images?
First, remember that Cult communities are progressive, not regressive. This means that they must stand for change, not the status quo, to be powerful and sustainable. Second, note that true commitment is exclusionary. The more exclusive the club, the more value people place on its membership (and members). And, to this end, TOUCH matters. Communities that … Read moreWant to Create a Cult Community around Your Brand in 5 steps?
Survival can’t really be called a “goal” since its not about achieving, as much as avoiding, things… like failure and bankruptcy. In my world, surviving is a game that cannot be won, regardless of how much time, energy & money you put into it. I call this the HULA-HOOP Syndrome. If Hula-hooping had goals, they’d be sound something like … Read moreIf You Expect to Survive, You Need to Know This. (#3 may piss you off)
My main principle in biz building is to be YOUnique, which is a unique selling proposition (USP) based on the parts of you that make you authentically special… NOT just your best behavior. YOUnique positioning is about defining your true behavior in its best light. Imagine being on your “best behavior” for the entire length of … Read moreHow long can you be on best behavior?
In the ever competitive world of personal services, you need to be able to define WHY BUY YOU within 15 seconds. 15 seconds of clarity. (the time it takes to get out of your car and hand the keys to the valet) 15 seconds is the maximum time people will give you (whether on the web or … Read moreYou will always book the best clients if you can do this in 15 seconds
A while back, in a conversation with a friend whose opinion I hold in high regard, something was said that really threw me for a loop. Essentially, the statement was this: “I believe work is a curse, and my job is to make it as painless as possible for myself and my team.” For those of you … Read moreAre you cursed?
“Making Money” is the EASIEST GOAL TO ACHIEVE… guaranteed! Here’s how to turn a $50 investment into a lifetime of work, money, and retirement: 1. Buy a $50 handgun (unloaded, of course). 2. Start robbing small, convenience stores (I suggest no more than 3 per day – pace yourself) until you get arrested. This assumes … Read moreI Realized I Could Make a Career Out of $50 As Long As I Was Okay With This.