I consult with many business owners every week, doing their websites and guiding them in the right direction.  And by far the number one excuse for the people that fail is not doing anything. They don’t blog.  They don’t market.  I take all of that back, many actually do something, they tweak their sidebars, their colors, their graphics.  They do everything but actual business.  Marketing is the number one item that should be on your to do list.

Then you have the group that is told they just need _____ to start a business.  Fill in the blank with lawyer, assistant, business plan or lawyer (again) any other obstruction between you and your business.  Why do you think someone else can run your business better than you can?  Look for support not layers that stop you from getting your product or service out there.

These obstructions are excuses from starting.  Start, tweak as you go.  A vast majority of your decisions are going to be made from actually running your business anyways.  You learn by doing.

Get rid of the excuses about starting and just start.  Get a website from us and start blogging.  Start networking, start learning about your niche.  Ask for advice and learn from other people’s experiences.  But start today.  Right now.

Anyways the people that try to scare you into putting these layers in are the people that sell the layers.  Publishers and authors of books and magazines, lawyers and the million other people that make money selling you the “correct” way to success.  They have have their place but you don’t need them to start.  You can add as you go.

The only things you really need (not required) is a business card and a website.  You really don’t even need those to start but you’ll want them pretty quickly.  Everything else you can add as you go.  If you can get by without it right now then you don’t need it right now.  Only add items when you really need it.

An interesting point of view on the Christian Bale rant.

Bale didn’t wait to see the dailies before getting upset. He knew that the scene was ruined and he wanted to fix it right then and there.

He follows what I now call the “Christian Bale model;” the product itself is the goal, not the profit from the product. Making money is not a job; it’s a result of one.

If bank executives followed the Bale model, home loans would have been given out to the people who could actually afford homes. Foreclosure rates would be lower, and they would still be making enough money to buy expensive furnishings.

Are you passionate enough to tell people what you want?

via Christian Bale is a corporate hero

One of the best quotes I’ve seen in a while.

People think entrepreneurs are risk-loving. Really what you find is successful entrepreneurs hate risk, because the founding of the enterprise is already so risky that what they do is take their early resources, the small amounts of capital that they have, whatever assets they have, and they deploy those resources systematically, eliminating the largest risk first, the second-largest risk, and so on, and so on.

Entrepreneurship is really more about a state of mind than it is about working for yourself. It’s about being resourceful, it’s about problem solving. If you meet people who seem like really good problem solvers, step back, and you’ll see that they are self-reliant.

Jeff Bezos

The biggest issue I see with people starting in a new business is they spend way too much money starting before they make a single penny. I know most people think the problem is not spending any money to get started which is why they are unsuccessful. But, I disagree. I’ve seen many people start with no or little money and be successful. I’ve seen a ton of people with a ton of money that spend it all before making a dime.

People with a lot of money to get started in business scare me.  I’ve just seen it too many times.  They buy every single course they see and never actually read them all.  They get coaching from everyone offering it.  They buy it all.  But they don’t focus on learning a little and then applying.  They learn for months (years) before every applying.  I like to learn something and apply it the same day.

If you are having to quit your job then you really don’t want to do anything with a large capital outlay. Find money streams that will start making you money right away. Like starting a service where you trade money for time and then move into products as you make money.

Find some that can give you money immediately for what you are selling.  Don’t waste any time planning endlessly.  Find a problem and solve it.  Rinse and repeat.

Big business isn’t going to save America or the world from a depression.  Small business will.  Entrepreneurs and not big execs will show the way to innovation.

Having a good job is not what it used to be.  In fact, it’s pretty risky.  After working your ass off for many years companies just let you go.  It’s happened to many of my family members.

Many people used to love to work for the government or the post office.  Now that dream isn’t worth so much.    When people think of their dream job it isn’t working for the government.  The dream job is about gaining insight and sharing it with the world.  A job where you have control over your own destiny.

If the recession has changed your life look at it as not a negative but a positive.  A positive move to what you really want.

Big companies that are not creative will hurt and many go out of business.  Nimble small companies that are creative will florish.  Be creative.  Now is the time for using your brain first and then money second.  Brains always wins.

The best product never goes bankrupt.  Be the best.

“It’s not the creative entrepreneurs but it’s the large companies that are being challenged. Creative companies can survive any condition,” Larréché said at the recent World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, South Korea.

Virgin Atlantic, which was founded by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, survived and came out stronger after the airline crisis of the early 1990s when many established airlines went bankrupt, notes Larréché.

Speaking via satellite, Branson said a lot of opportunities will emerge as a result of the current global economic slowdown but companies

need to be nimble to move quickly and decisively to realise these opportunities.

“There are enormous opportunities when there is a crisis. In a situation like this, it’s absolutely essential to conserve cash. I think companies that do have cash owe it to their country and the people in the company to actually invest that cash in order to grow out of the crisis,” Branson says.

Watch the video at this link.  Very good advice from several people.

Creative entrepreneurs can survive the crisis.

When I saw this comic I had to laugh.

It is not only photographers but every business that has some people doing this.  You’re doomed if a vast majority of cases if you quit your old job and buy a bunch of gear/gadgets/equipment and then start your business.

It’s not the gear, it’s you.  There are highly paid fashion photographers that use a very inexpensive cameras.  One even uses throwaway cameras.  It’s how you use it that counts.  Start with the basics for your industry and move forward with that.  Then get your business to buy only the necessary upgrades or stuff that you need to do a project.  As you learn you may find out that some items are simply not needed or you clients don’t care about it.  Follow the money.

Check out all the comics at What The Duck.

I read Richard Branson’s new book Business Stripped Bare over the weekend. My family (all women) went to a women’s retreat so I was all alone this weekend. Except for a friend Ed who came over to watch the last James Bond movie, can’t wait for the new one to come out. So I had a lot of time to read Business Stripped Bare.

First off, excellent book, really excellent.  What I love about the book is that the stories are positive and negative and from someone that actually goes business.  It’s amazing how many business books are written by authors, professional authors who do not run a business.  It’s hard to take any advice from someone that has never run a business.  Richard Branson talks about that in the beginning of his book.  He sees the business books in the airport newstands and find most of them are rubbish.  I’ve noticed that too.  So a book from an actually entrepreneur is refreshing. And Richard Branson I believe is the ultimate entrepreneur.

I learned a lot from his stories of his failures.  How many times do people write about their failures?  Not much if at all.  So Richard’s stories about “Northern Rock” bank in the UK and his unsuccessful bid to buy it was enlightening.  You can learn so much from failure but people don’t want to admit their have ever failed.  I have in the past and it has been so helpful.  Strange but so true.

One of the big points that is sticking with me from the book is what Richard thinks should be written into every business plan.  It’s so important that it should be required by all businesses.  I know when I started reading that I was thinking “Wow, I wonder what is so important?”  And then he says celebrating your wins.  And proceeds to tell a story about the launch of Virgin Direct a UK insurance company.  Richard shows up at the office and see everyone working making sure the launch goes smoothly.  He gets up on the nearest desk with champagne and pops it open yelling and celebrating and getting everyone in the party mood.  Of course he proceeds to short out four of the computers in the process but he gets the celebration started.  The launch parties are so important as it gives the team a chance to stop and see what they have accomplished.  They get recognitionfor their good work.  They also get to see The Richard Branson.  When the big guy is partying with you, you are bound to feel good about the company you work for.  Nobody wants a grumpy boss.  And Richard Branson is definitely not grumpy.

I got a big kick out of that idea that I will implement on my next launch.

His definition of success I think is wonderful and I’m going to end on that.

I think that the more you’re actively and practically engaged, the more successful you will feel.  Actually, that might even be my definition of success.  Right now, I find myself doing more and more to safeguard our future on this planet.  Does that make me successful?  It certainly makes me happy

…

Success for me is whether you have created something that you can be really proud of.  Profits are necessary to invest in the next project – and pay the bills, repay investors and reward all the hard work – but that’s all.  Nobody should be remembered for how much money they have made in life.  Whether you die with a billion dollars in your bank account or $20 under your pillow is actually not that interesting.  That’s not what you’re achieved in life.  What matters is whether you’re created something special – and whether you’ve made a real difference to other people’s lives.

I love this quote.

There are many ways to run a successful company. What works once may never work again. What everyone tells you never to do may just work, once. There are no rules. You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over, and it’s because you fall over that you learn to save yourself from falling over. It’s the greatest thrill in the world and it runs away screaming at the first sight of bullet points….So all I can do for you now is map the territory I’ve seen. The good news is, I’ve covered a lot of territory.

Leading Blog: A Leadership Blog @ LeadershipNow: Richard Branson: There Is No Reverse Gear On This Thing

Here is an article that was adapted from Richard Branson’s new book Business Stripped Bare.  I pre-ordered the book yesterday.  Here is an excerpt and the link to the full article is at the bottom.  Enjoy, he makes some very good points and it is very timely.

I learned never do anything that means you can’t sleep at night.

That incident was, as I’ve said, the biggest mistake in my life. But it’s through mistakes that we learn. One thing is certain in business. You and everyone around you will make mistakes. When you are pushing the boundaries, this is inevitable.

Even when things are running well, there is always the prospect of a new reality around the corner – as bankers around the world have been discovering to their horror. Suddenly, all the good decisions you made last week are doing you untold damage. Where on earth did you go wrong?

My philosophy has always been to face the facts, however unpalatable they might be. Failure usually occurs when leaders avoid the reality of business.

In business, as in life, there will always be external risk factors that are beyond your control. Oil prices triple. Hurricanes level entire cities. Currency fluctuations leave behind trails of bankruptcies. But you can take measures to mitigate and manage business risks.

Then, if disaster strikes, at least your attention won’t be split every which way by other worries.

In defence of capitalism: Richard Branson argues that free markets enrich us all and gives his tips on how YOU can be a success | Mail Online.

Richard Branson now has an official website and blog. Just in time to promote his new book "Business Stripped Bare".

Whether you are starting out in business or running the biggest multinational in the universe, there are some common themes that can be applied. There is a plethora of business books out there on the shelves. I see them in the airports and some look rather tedious and dreary. To be perfectly honest, I seldom read any of them. Life is too short to read tomes written by passive observers. Business is about taking action.

I’ve stripped Virgin’s businesses bare. Rather than banging on about how successful they are, I’ve written about what my companies are actually about. What were our intentions? How well, or how badly, did we realise our early hopes? I’ve gone through my notebooks and diaries, hunting for common themes and ideas, and I’ve divided what I’ve found into seven sections. I’ll be looking at:

• People

• The brand

• Why delivery is vital

• What we learn from our mistakes and setbacks

• Innovation as a driver for business

• The value of entrepreneurship and leadership

• The wider responsibility of business

I just ordered the book.  Looking forward to it.

Richard Branson ~ Business Stripped Bare | Richard Branson’s Official Website & Blog.

Do you know the difference between successful and unsuccessful business people?

Successful business people think they are successful.  That’s it.  Pretty simple.  You can quit reading and go forth and be successful.  So why are there so many how to be successful books/seminars/conferences/ebooks/audio program…etc?  Because a great many people don’t believe they are successful or can be.  They think they have to learn a new technique or some hidden secret.

The secret is you.  The secret is that you think you are successful.

I believe in you.  I believe you are successful.

Now go out there and do it.

Last week I had a mastermind member call me the Internet Marketing guru of the group.  Quite flattering and it made me uncomfortable because I look up to many others as gurus of Internet Marketing.  Then he called me the guru of websites which I would agree with as I’ve been creating them for 13 or so years more than anyone I know.

My conversation with one of my mastermind members got me thinking why he and other think I’m a guru of Internet Marketing.  I simply think it is because I actually create products.  So many people simply don’t do anything at all.  Period.  I think I can be successful so I do something and make corrections as I go.  Ready, Fire, Aim.  Some people are scared of failing.  Do it a few times and you get over it.  I did.

Then I thought of a recent email my girlfriend Nan forwarded to me from Marlon, a successful Internet Marketer.  I think it clearly reflects why some people are failing.

But dominantly, I’m a producer and a promoter of products.
My job in life is to come up with new products that create
value for my customers and to promote them to the best of
my ability within the time and money constraints I decide
on.

“Marlon, I have SPENT a small fortune.  I have BEEN in
coaching programs. I have BOUGHT the course.  How come I’m
NOT making any dough?”

Answer:  You’re consuming.  But are you PRODUCING and PROMOTING?
And are you doing it more than ONCE?  Are you out there playing
the Game every day?

Let me explain…

The problem I see a lot of people have is they consume,
consume, consume. But NEVER cross the bridge to creating,
producing and promoting.

Go out and fail a lot.  It’s the best thing you can do.  Start creating now.  If you need some ideas check out my book Prosperity Games where you can create new business ideas based on what you love.

British carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways is looking to dispose of its equity stake in loss making Virgin Nigeria.

The Sir Richard Branson- founded carrier owns 49 per cent of Virgin Nigeria together with Nigerian institutional investors who hold 51 per cent.

The domestic carrier has recently been in dispute with the government over whether its operations should be based at the domestic or international terminal.

Another reason to try often and cut the losers quickly.  When government changes it minds then the whole country is off.  Move on and wait until they country settles down again.

Business Daily Africa – the international window into East African business opportunities – Nigeria tiff sends Branson packing

Virgin Comics, the joint venture between Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and the Indian comics publisher Gotham Entertainment Group, has been shut down

Try often and cut the ideas that don’t work.  That is what Richard Branson is good at.  Virgin Comics was shut down because it wasn’t making enough or any money.

I learned this myself again a few months ago. I came out with a product that didn’t do well.  My next product was a big hit.  Sometimes you never know so it’s just best to plan your best and go for it.  Ready, Fire and Aim mentality.  It works.

Arts, Briefly – Virgin Comics Venture Is Shut Down – Brief – NYTimes.com

According to the Consumer Awareness Institute, gambling is statistically more likely to be profitable than participating in multi-level-marketing companies.

A lot of the MLMers I’ve meet do have that gambler attitude.  Money lust and will do anything to get more.

A business is a money making machine but more importantly it is to be successful a contributor to client.  It provides a good service and/or product that the client wants.  It must make money in order to help clients.  MLM can do this however their success rates are extremely low.

Read the full article and learn about MLM before you get into one.

Simpleology Blog: Is Gambling More Profitable Than MLM?

If you don’t have critics then you aren’t trying hard enough.  You think I’m kidding.  I’m not.  You’re not pushing the envelope, you’re not sharing yourself enough, you’re not out there.

I get criticized and laughed at when I say you can be successful and not be a workaholic.  Many people like that is a big big lie.  Their mentors are major workaholics.  So they think I’m nuts.

These suggestions from Alexandria are helpful when you get critics.  Hopefully soon if not already because it is a sign of success.

What I HAVE learned is that if any of these critics get nasty with you, don’t sink to their level. Remember that as a publisher you’re also in the business of customer service. I typically handle it via one of these three methods:

a) respond calmly and acknowledge their point (some people just want to be heard)
b) disregard or delete their message (if their comments are so inappropriate or hurtful that I can’t answer back calmly)
c) remove them from my list (if they are obviously just trying to make me feel bad)

Even better: Have someone else screen your email, like I do now. My assistants protect me in a wonderful way, and only pass on to me what I need to see. This does wonders for my mood and keeps me in a positive place and in good energy!

Through these petty annoyances, remember the big picture of why you started your e-zine or your current venture. It was likely to gain credibility and “expert” status while increasing your marketing reach and revenues. Your professional reputation is always on the line.

You may want to lash back, but in the long run, it ALWAYS pays to take the high road.

Got Critics? Yeah, Me Too…

Guy Kawasaki has a funny and so true post about young entrepreneurs.

If you want additional proof that we’re in a bubble, here it is: young people are trying to get into the venture capital business again.

His advice for young people just out of college to create a product or service instead of immediately going into a venture fund is good because a venture fund is the last place you should work in your career, not the first.

It reminds me of Real Estate Investors.  I’ve known some that do a couple of deals and then immediatly go into coaching and teaching.  When you ask them how to handle a down turn market they have no idea because they have never seen one.  Then when a down market comes they continue to tell students that is is still easy even though the only money they are making is in teaching.  I also see this big time in Internet Marketers.  Great copywriting can sell snow to Eskimos in a snow storm.

Anyways, I degress.  Check out Guy’s VC Aptitude Test.  Great stuff.  His questions are dead on.

How to Change the World: The Venture Capital Aptitude Test (VCAT)

Yanik Silver recently spent some time with Richard Branson on Necker Island.  Yanik came up with 34 rules for Maverick Entrepreneurs.  Here are the first three, check the link at the bottom for all of them.  The last rule is highly recommended.

Getting back to it, I was flying on the way home from Necker and I was so inspired with our time there that I started creating my rules for successful entrepreneurial endeavors. I thought it would be top 10 list but I kept writing and writing in my journal and it came to 34 tenets that I’m calling…

34 Rules for Maverick Entrepreneurs

1. It’s got to be a BIG idea that you, your team and your customers can “get” in seconds.
2. Strive to create 10x – 100x in value for any price you charge. Your rewards are always proportionate to the value you provide.
3. You must charge a premium price so you have a large margin to provide an extraordinary value & experience.

Yanik Silver’s Internet Lifestyle Blog » Blog Archive » 34 Rules for Maverick Entrepreneurs