Are shareholders your purpose?

June 1, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

ASPEN INSTITUTE just came out with a new report entitled Unpacking Corporate Purpose: A Report on the Beliefs of Executives, Investors and Scholars. It’s an interesting read, especially for those who are thinking about how investors change the landscape of their company’s purpose.

Aspen InstituteFor me, the most thought-provoking idea was that there are distinctly different philosophies about the concept of a corporation – and they’re all valid.

You’d think that traditional wisdom holds that the purpose of a corporation is to serve its shareholders.  But is it?  Read the rest of this entry »

Is it generational?

May 25, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK was an exciting time in the city: FCSWFort Collins Startup Week.  There were a tremendous number of activities, presentations, competitions – and face-to-face connections.  I was honored to be a startup mentor, meeting with people who are launching their creative ventures.

It’s awe-inspiring what some of these folks are coming up with.

But there’s a general perception that this is a young person’s game.  Older folks don’t have the energy and inspiration to go out there and so something that’s risky and edgy.  Right?

Read the rest of this entry »

They’re not values until you take action

May 18, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

MICHAEL HYATT Michael Hyattis a powerful speaker and leader in the area of values-based companies.  I was listening to a recent podcast on this topic this week where he reinforced one of my key messages:

Stated values are fine, but they don’t make a difference until you take action.

It’s a simple concept, really, and should be blindingly obvious.  After all, when your favorite cable company states that they’re “customer oriented,” do you believe it when they’re also not showing up for appointments?  When they don’t answer your questions over the phone?

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Authenticity: Your most powerful marketing tool

May 11, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

MOST COACHES I’ve met entered this field because they have a deep and abiding passion for helping others to succeed. Often this is based on a deep appreciation for the support that they’ve received from others during their lifetime.

Then you start a coaching business.

This can be a startling experience for new coaches, because you quickly find that your job is now marketing and sales. If people don’t know about you and the value coaching can provide, they won’t hire you. And you got into this profession because you wanted to help people.

Coaching and marketing are different skills, and you need to master both.

Read the rest of this entry »

The power of positive messaging

May 4, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

WHEN A CHILD Handprintsneeds to go wash her hands, it’s best not to say, “don’t touch the walls!”  That’s the surest way to ensure that you’ll get handprints all over the place.

Instead, you give them the positive instruction, “keep your hands together until you get to the bathroom!”

The idea is that the word “not” tends to be filtered out, and you’re firmly planting the unconscious message, “touch the walls!”  This has been verified through experimentation, and I’ve seen it work in practice.

The same works for adults.

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Rant: “Our employees are our most valuable resource”

April 27, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

YOU HEAR THIS all the time: “Our employees are our most valuable resource!”

It’s supposed to make you feel better as an employee.  You know what?  I don’t see that it works.  But to figure out why, we need to tear apart that word “resource.”

re·source
noun \ˈrē-ˌsȯrs, -ˌzȯrs, ri-ˈ\
: something that a country has and can use to increase its wealth
: a supply of something (such as money) that someone has and can use when it is needed
: a place or thing that provides something useful
— Merriam-Webster online

What’s missing from this definition?  Read the rest of this entry »

Thank you!

April 20, 2014 in Christianity, Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

CeasterHRISTUS RESURREXIT!  Christ is risen!

This last year has been just amazing, and I’m blessed to be working with such talented and generous people.  This blog has been going for less than 16 months, yet it’s generated a level of interest and enthusiasm that I never expected.

I want to offer my sincere thanks for all your support and engagement.  I continue to get personal emails, connections, and encouragement every week.

Please take this opportunity to thank all those who are YOUR support – especially in your times of greatest need.

We’re all in this together, after all.

Changing the future of innovation

April 13, 2014 in Business profiles, Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

LEE Lee PorterPORTER is one of three founders of InnovatioNews, a news organization that targets entrepreneurship and innovation in Colorado USA.

It’s an all-electronic publication, not printed on paper.  The focus is on high quality news and other digital content which is on the IN website, distributed via email, pushed through social media and placed strategically on other websites. InnovatioNews is jumping on the age of new media with full enthusiasm – which is a pretty great fit, given their subject.

This company is jumping on the age of new media with full enthusiasm – which is a pretty great fit, given their subject.

Read the rest of this entry »

Firms of Endearment

April 6, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

FFirms of EndearmentIRMS OF ENDEARMENT: How World-Class Companies Profit from Passion and Purpose is an excellent book, supporting the idea that companies are more successful when they form positive emotional bonds with employees, customers, and investors.  I’ve been reading it recently in preparation for leading the Entreprenerds discussion on April 18th, “Business for the 21st Century”.

I’ve learned a lot from this, and it’s been useful for my own coaching business.

By definition, the owner of a values-based business is focused on “doing something important.”  But there’s always the question of whether he or she will be rewarded by also having a profitable and sustainable business.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why innovation is different

March 30, 2014 in Success in business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

THIS WEEK Quid Novi Spring JamI had a chance to hang out with a bunch of inventors, writers and artists at the Quid Novi Spring of Innovation.  What a cool idea!  We had a chance to talk about what’s currently happening with innovation in northern Colorado and the rest of the world.

It’s clear to me that innovation has a slightly different twist in values-based businesses than it might in others.

Read the rest of this entry »

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