Self Development

About 20 years ago…. I would spend my evenings reading business magazines or books before going to bed.  The problem with that is all night I would dream about new businesses….  I had a serious problem turning it off.

I now read business related magazines and books in the early morning, and only those that keep me motivated.

A lot of times, I take it that everyone else in my industry knows the same things I know.  I think by now, most of businesses understand what I like to think of as, the natural progression of online business.  But, I am constantly reminded that is not true. 

I make a huge assumption that others see what I see, the natural progression to the path.

Copy Cats

But, instead because we live in such a “me too” society with competitors on the opposite corner of the street doing the exact same thing, thinking if the competition is doing it, then it must be the right thing to do…..

Does anyone think out of the box these days?  It scares me to death to see that American businesses (or businesses doing business in America) have lost their entrepreneurial sense. 

Individual Development

Have we taught our young staff to think for themselves? Have we given them the tools to help them to make decisions?  Do we have Values or Share our Values?  Do we live by example?  Who are the next Leaders?  Do we communicate our path to all? 

When my children were young I realized I treated my sales staff better than (I had more patience during the day….) I treated my children.  Fortunately, that realization came only months after I was divorced.  When I realized my mistakes, I quickly decided that I would use everything I learned about fostering individual growth, with my children. 

So, my children were my little tests….everything including sales communication was tried out on the kids.    

Commandments of Business

Years ago I worked for a company that MANY people loved.  I still dream that I am still employed by This End Up and it is a dream come true.  This End Up had Shared Values that I have lived by for years. 

Recently, a friend of mine gave me a copy of the “Shared Values” these are what should be the Commandments of Business. 

These Values should grow business and individuals for betterment.  Individual development, even if they move on to another department or company.  It is the right thing to do. 

I imagine that if we, as a country, cared more about our staff and their Personal development, we might once again be a successful country. 

Instead of doing what our competitors are doing, why are we not Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking with our young minds?  If they were good enough to hire, were they not good enough to develop in Future Leaders and or Creators of New Business Models? 

This End Up Shared Values

1. Maximize Sales
2. Happy Customers
3. Individual Growth
4. Honest Communication
5. Participative Management
6. Teamwork
7. Results Oriented
8. Flexibility
9. Minimal Red Tape
10. Commitment to Excellence 

Who is Guido? 

No, this is not about the mafia or a thug down the street.  In this scenario, Guido is the big guy, the larger American company that thinks they know their Gumbas’ and trusts them.   Done business with them for years…..

Who are the Gumbas’? 

The “friends” supplying products and services.  As technology changes Guido asks his Gumbas’ if they are knowledgeable in a new Internet Marketing (or any new area) area, the answer is yes and Guido believes, why not?  This is a long term relationship.

Problem is the Gumbas’ sometimes turn on Guido.  Money gets to be soooo good from Guido, that they get a little too big for their britches.  They begin ripping off Guido and they get away with this for years.  The Gumbas’ do much of what we see in old Mafia movies, they hug and kiss Guido knowing all along they are ripping off Guido.

At some point Guido decides to see what the real costs of the Gumbas’ services really should be. 

The Gumba is asked to quantify…his response “Are you kidding me?”  “Are you really going to ask me for details?”  “ What, you don’t trust me no more?”  “Ahhhh Guido, you know me, I would never rip you off” 

Then the truth comes out, Guido begins to analyze his costs and services rendered and finds out the reason life is so good for the Gumbas’ is Guido wasn’t staying up on current costs of services.

At some point Guido catches on and realizes he is being ripped off, those people who made him feel so good, are really not friends.  The money has turned into creed.

So, what’s a Guido to do? 

WAKE UP!  You know the next line, what would be the next logical step? 

This reminds me of the CPA who says “It’s ok to be a Pig, but it’s not ok to be a Hog”

In 1995 while searching how to use the internet to connect Physicians’ with Medical Software, I kept saying to my husband….there is a business here and my husband kept telling me, it is about information. 

And so began my journey in the world of the Internet.  I knew early on it was really about internet marketing management.  And to this day it is still about connecting, communicating and managing. 

Beginning in the 1990’s my daily enjoyment was Website development and Search Engine Optimization.  But, as I watched clients make a lot of money with the connections they were making online, due to strategy and SEO…I realized I needed to sell something. 

I had online stores selling many different kinds of products and services, but the phone rang most often for one product in particular, tankless water heaters.  A Niche product line.

Thus, began my tankless water heating business selling gas and electric tankless water heaters and boilers all of the country.  It was truly exciting educating people about tankless water heaters and the different ways that they can be used in the home and in business. 

In 2004, I sold that little business for far less than I should have and went to work for a major manufacturer in the tankless world.  I then began managing the tankless products sold through wholesalers in the Midwest and the retail product sold online.  Which means I managed the business I sold in 2004.  A great group of guys bought that little company and it still exists today and continues to evolve as I type.

There are so many different types of businesses that you can create, but what if you created your dream business?  What would it be? 

Indulge a little, open a blank doc file or take pen and a blank piece of paper and start writing about who you are and the journey you dream of…….and share.