Technicolour Report

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Our Special Canada Edition

This is the special Canada Day Edition...like last year, I shared 10 events and places you can go this summer to enjoy the arts, music, culture and be entertained for free.

If you're like most small business owners these days, money has been a little tighter this year, sales may be flat...but that doesn't mean our spirits have to be that way? It doesn't mean there isn't fun things you can do and it doesn't mean that you have to spend a bundle to enjoy the pleasures of life...

So here goes...our annual list of the top 10 things you can do for little or no money...Have a Happy Canada Day and a beautiful, bountiful summer.

Cheers/David Cohen

1) Unionville in Markham has a number of events and music concerts throughout the summer that are absolutely free, now if you do want to spend some money, Unionville is a quaint area with shops and restaurants for you to enjoy as well. The highlight events in Unionville include; The Markham Jazz Fest in mid August and the Big Band Street Festival on Labour Day Monday...both are top notch! Here is the link... http://www.unionvilleinfo.com/

2) If you love the Lake, then you'd love hanging at Harbourfront...there are all kinds of concerts, cultural events, shops, restaurants and it's accessible by TTC...plus it's right on Lake Ontario...

Check out the goings on this summer at Harbourfront... there is music, art, free movie nights (outdoors) and much more...here is the link http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/

3) If you live East in the city or in Durham Region...there are free concerts everywhere...in the park, at a school, in a field, it's just the rule...I like my music in a park, I like my music anywhere...check out the Durham Tourism site Sam I am... Okay, in all seriousness and with respect to Dr.Suess, here is the Durham Tourism events site link http://www.durhamtourism.ca/events.aspx

4) If humour, or improv theatre is your thing and Lord knows we all need a laugh or two...then check out a little place on Danforth Avenue in Toronto, called the Bad Dog Theatre, they have improv comedy events starting at $5.00...plus if you want to study improv theatre, they hold workshops as well...lot's on the go at the Bad Dog theatre and kinda fun too! Here is the link for the Bad Dog... http://www.baddogtheatre.com/modules/news/

5) One of my favourite places is an outdoor theatre company in Millbrook...they do exquisite outdoor theatre on a farm. Rob Winslow is the theatre director and turns the "Winslow" family farm into a stage from July 1st through to the end of August with powerful, historical plays. It does cost money...but you get total value for your dollar... log onto http://www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/

6) Once the City of Toronto strike is over...be sure to check out Mel Lastman Square in North York on Sunday nights from July through to the end of August for the Sunday Night Seranades...dancing outdoors, nice music and set in a family atmosphere...if you want to impress a woman with how nimble you are on your feet...I promise you she will enjoy dancing to the music at Mel Lastman Square... http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm

7) Also...when the strike settles...at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto there are free concerts at lunch on Wednesday's and Thursday's ...lot's of fun and a bit of a get-away in the middle of the day. It can break up your nose to the grindstone business routine nicely...again log onto the City of Toronto website at http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm

8) If you're into sports...you can grab a Blue Jay ticket for $9.00...if you collect Air Miles ...70 air miles gets you a pair of free tickets to see pro baseball for free in the 500 level seats...log onto

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tor to get your $9.00 ticket...Go Blue Jays...

9) If you want to see free pro baseball...check out an intercounty league game and see the other Toronto Maple Leafs play...this team has some heart though...log onto http://www.leafsbaseball.com/ to watch semi-pro baseball...it's a fun day out...

10) Last but not least is Downsview Park...with events, movies under the stars, farmers markets and more...it's where the Pope was a few years ago and is accessible by the TTC as well. Log onto

http://www.pdp.ca/en/events/index.cfm to check out the events and goings on at Downsview Park...

Here is a bonus too...if you're familiar with business networking groups you can pay a lot of money...well if you run a business there are two networking events that you can go too for free...one is in Durham and one is in Toronto...

Log onto http://www.smallbizhomebizunited.com/ to attend free business networking events in Pickering...George Wellsbury and Lesley Roper host business networking events from their home...and in September they are organizing a business trade show too...it's well worth checking out...

Plus, you can email me at work to attend free networking events at the Learning Enrichment Foundation each month... I am at dcohen@lefca.org and our website is http://www.lefca.org/

We have guest speakers and networking all rolled into one!

I wish you all an abundant, healthy summer...have a great time and now you can have fun, network and do it for free all at once!

David

Sunday, June 14, 2009

June musings and thoughts

So we're now into the 8th month of this new economy and yes I am not using the "R" word...I won't use that word any longer. But this economy is one that's making us nervous, indecisive, afraid and unsure. So when you try these characteristic traits on for size how does it make you feel?

Not that good huh? I agree...how can being nervous, indecisive, afraid and unsure really ever feel good?

I think it's time to turn that corner as hard as it might be given the realities of the day and the things you hear about in the news.

It's time for us to become what I call and others have too...a "Spiritual Warrior". This can take on many meanings for us...but to me when I think of a "Spiritual Warrior" I think someone who is going to be sure in their own thoughts, someone who believes that good will happen, someone who is impervious to negativity and fights bad news like 10 "Supermen".

I think it's time to "Amp" up the positive just now. In our thoughts, in what we say and in what we do. I was just teaching a training session to youth entrepreneurs and in doing so I came to the realization that when you phone someone out of the blue you've got to be super positive in how your company is going to get that client results or how your business is going to solve your prospective clients pain.

You've got to totally know the benefits of what it is your business venture can do for someone else and you've got to communicate that. Benefits minus cost equals value. That's the value equation.

If you don't know what you do for others or why your clients like you and buy from you then you better get on knowing why and fast!

In sales you've got to "Amp" up the positive and show your value to each and every prospect and client you have.

This means a mindset change too.

First of all you've got to believe in yourself and what it is you do. You've got to believe so strongly that you're not going to quit until you get in your clients door...unless of course the client is rude, not fun to deal with and there is just no hope at all in penetrating that client. But if there is an opening, or a slight opportunity then you have to stick with it...like white on rice. In order to stick with a client until they buy it may mean numerous calls, contacts, discussions or meetings before they sign the bottom line and give you that P.O.

If you don't believe in yourself then why will your client or prospect?

The other aspect of mindset is you have to have drive...go for it until you get a lawyers letter to cease and desist or you get physically hauled out of the building. Studies show it takes 7-9 contacts to get a deal...I think in this kind of economy it's more than that...that sales cycles are longer in this economy.

Besides drive, "amping" up the positive and an internal belief in yourself, there are a few other aspects for being successful in running and selling your business.

In order to become a "Spiritual Warrior" in your business venture you've also got to have patience. There is a Hindu expression I just love that talks of patience. "Have patience eventually even grass becomes milk". Which means that in time even something so impossible becomes possible. Grass becomes milk? How on earth does that happen? Well think of it for a moment. Cows graze in the grass and eat the grass and eventually what they eat becomes milk. The impossible becomes possible.

Have patience...stay with it, have belief, be positive and totally sure in what you do.

What other traits do you need to be in business and have that "Spiritual Warrior" mentality? You've got to work well in teams. If you think you've got to do it all on your own...go for it...but that's the hard route. You've got to be able to lead others. To sell them in your dream and vision for your business...Getting help in your business in the areas you need it can be liberating...

Think of it by getting the help you need and leading others your venture has an opportunity to grow, you enable yourself to get more time, you hire others and actually keep the economy growing.

When you do things on your own though, you limit growth, you limit free time and you get mired in the muck as it were working on the aspects of the business you don't like.

So a good "Spiritual Warrior" leads others as well.

Now...if you think back to how we started this article...where we talked about the feelings and emotions we have going for us in this economy...the feelings of uncertainty, fear, indecisiveness...once you begin to don your "Spiritual Warrior" mentality...your feelings totally change...feelings of being positive, having drive, patience and looking to hire and lead others...do you feel a difference in yourself as you take those characteristic traits on and wear your "Spiritual Warrior" hat armor.

There are two other key traits to take on...and one of them is not to take "No" personally. Let negative results be like water on a ducks back. Let it go. Learn from it...but let it go. You're bound to hear no from clients...especially when you're cold calling or prospecting.

But you've got to be okay with the no...and know it's no right now and not forever. At least keep the line of communications open...and play for that day when a "no" becomes "maybe" and the maybe becomes a "YES"!!!

The last trait a good "Spiritual Warrior" needs is to have certainty. If you think back to when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt and years of being slaves in that land...they needed absolute certainty to part the "Red Sea" ...everyone had to have the same focus and thoughts in order to manifest the parting of the "Red Sea" ...I mean how else do you pull that off? It's the power of the mind, prayer, visualization...it's about having absolute certainty that no matter how bleak things look that everything is going to work out in the end...but all hands have to be on deck.

I remember just hearing the producer and writer...of the play "Da Kink in my hair" Trey Anthony speak about the early days of getting her play launched. The play had many obstacles to overcome to get it shown and get it to a stage. There was doubt among the cast members that the play would never take off. Doubt kills certainty. Trey Anthony had certainty! She inspired her team to believe, they took a long term approach and worked really hard to fill the seats. Of course they marketed like heck too!

The play went from the Fringe Festival...to Mirvish Productions to Global TV.

It took vision, patience, tenacity, belief, certainty, team work all of the characteristics of a "Spiritual Warrior".

As I conclude this posting in the blog or the newsletter, I really encourage you to become a "Spiritual Warrior" and put these feelings and emotions at play for you.

To recap...the key traits to succeed include:

Have a strong belief in what you do for others

Amp up the positive...focus on results you get for your clients or the good things you do for them

Have unwavering drive

Be patient

Lead others to help you run your venture

Be okay with hearing "No"

and have absolute certainty!

Once you take these traits on...it feels way better than feeling in fear, uncertain, indecisiveness and worry.

So step up to the plate, don your spiritual warrior gear and swing for the stars this month!

Here is to your success!

Cheers/David Cohen

Friday, April 3, 2009

Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. It's in a blog format so it allows you to comment, add ideas, tips and suggestions. We can dialogue together...Enjoy the read because it's all about helping you.

April 2009:

There is huge economic and business opportunity in diversity...The rewards for doing business in diverse markets abounds and we are in control of our own destiny...

I want to focus on opportunity this newsletter. I am just getting it up to here with the negative economic news.

There are key markets and sectors that are in fact growing. One of which is a major trend happening in Canada. That trend is that newcomers to Canada are becoming the new normal. Over 57% of all Toronto residents are new immigrants.

What does this mean from an opportunity perspective? It means we embrace new immigrants, welcome them to Canada and into our communities.

New immigrants come to Canada in search of a better world. A place away from the war, the politics and the oppression they've witnessed in their own countries.

From an economic perspective new immigrants present beautiful opportunities.

One thing that's evident is that they need stuff. Gone are the "brand" relationships they had back home. They are open to new brands. Brands like toothpaste, soaps, household goods.

They are open to training programs, settlement programs and becoming a viable part of the community.

New immigrants come to Canada for various reasons...one is as a refugee escaping a bad socio-political situation and the other key is to actually begin businesses here in Canada. The agreement they make to come to Canada is an "economic" agreement and they are to open up a business within the first year of arrival.

Did you know that the Ontario government often hosts training programs for newcomers to Ontario on how to do business here. The Ministry of International Trade and Investment hosts half day clinics that help newcomers get familiar with doing business in Ontario.

Can you imagine tapping into this niche?

Begin to market to various ethnic communities. But market smart, focus on one ethnic group and really begin to carve out a niche within this sector.

On May 17th on the Small Business Big Ideas Show, we will focus on doing business in Ontario from a new immigration point of view. I invite you to listen to a full discussion on why it makes sense to pay attention to those new to Canada. Let's open our hearts and minds and work effectively, forging partnerships and business relationships with this segment of the population...I guarantee that if you do, you maybe generously rewarded.

There is another sector that's getting attention and that it's in the area of Social Purpose Enterprises. Businesses like co-ops, or businesses that help those that are disadvantaged. Take A-Way courier for example.

It's a courier company that is giving those that suffer with mental illness a chance to contribute. They are employed and paid as couriers. They don't drive or ride bikes to do the work, they are only allowed to ride the TTC subway and buses. A-way is a viable and successful business that gives marginal individuals to have something to look forward too. It offers their employees hope so that they are relevant, and making a contribution.

Other co-ops that assist individuals in need includes the Somali Woman and Children's network. They help Somalian women new to Canada earn money buy providing cut and sewing services to clothing, furniture and manufacturing organizations.

Social Purpose Enterprise Networks is an organization that helps and assists businesses that are doing business with a heart. Businesses that help those that don't normally have a chance to succeed in "mainstream" companies.

The third industry profile is the business of going green. There is an organization of "Green" businesses in Toronto called Green Enterprise Toronto. There are an increasing number of businesses that are doing business from a more ecological and socially responsible vantage point. In a recent article in the Financial Post, it even indicates that "Green" is here to stay,"To call environmentalism a mere "movement" today is to underestimate the hold it has over us. Sustainability is no longer a sphere dominated by activists and special interests; it can be found in every aspect of our lives, whether in curbside recycling programs or corporate initiatives or political speeches. Today, green is mainstream, and nothing - not the recession or cheap oil or resurgent consumerism - is going to stop it".

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1419566

Businesses doing "Green" range from the Organic Coffee House to the Clothing supplier that sells Hemp or Organic cotton clothes that use a vegetable based dye.

Green Enterprise Toronto is a collective of companies that are making a difference and they are tapped into the City of Toronto and other socio-political initiatives that are slowly making a difference in how we're going to business in future.

The fourth and last business opportunity is with respect to doing business with the Government. Did you realize that the Province and the Federal Government are the biggest industries in Canada? They use and need business equipment, products and services like no other company in Canada.

It's a market and industry that puts out tenders regularly for companies like yours to do business. Log onto www.merx.com to access government tenders. If the amount is negligible than you don't even have to go the tender route you can just go direct to the end user at government level.

If you want to access the largest organization and do business with them, you can actually get on the supplier list and take workshops that help small businesses do business with the government.

Caring for people new to Canada, caring for those that are disadvantaged and caring for our environment. It's where the opportunity is and it's where money and investment needs to come from...

If you think that the government is going to constantly fund these initiatives, think again. These sort of community initiatives are being funded and supported by the small business community.

It amazes me that when we are overwhelmed by the economics of the day, that if we get together in the spirit of opening up to new possibilities, to healing our world, to love and joy, that the small business community can really thrive and be on the forefront of leadership, change and making the planet a great place to be.

For more information on Social Purpose Enterprise call:

Catherine Lang
C. Lang Consulting
513 Crawford Street
Toronto, ON M6G 3J9

(416) 588-7129 Phone
(416) 588-3275 Fax

For information on doing business in Ontario for Newcomers contact:

Ministry of International Trade and Investment-Business Immigration Dvision 416-212-8866 Phone 900 Bay St. Hearst Block 3rd Floor Toronto, Ontario

For information on Green Enterprise Toronto contact:

Leslie Domenico

Marketing & Membership

Green Enterprise Toronto

T: 416-644-1012

E: leslie@greenenterprise.net

w: www.greenenterprise.net

For information on doing business with the Government call on:

Public Works and Government Services Canada
4900, rue Yonge, 2ième étage, Toronto ON M2N 6A6 | 4900 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto ON M2N 6A6
ONT.bpme-osme@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca | ONT.osme-bpme@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
Téléphone | Telephone 1-800-668-5378
Télécopieur | Facsimile 416-512-5200

Sunday, February 1, 2009

The February Edition

You never know when you're forced to learn...so embrace being able to be educated

Back on December 4th I fell down some stairs while out with clients, I inadvertently missed a step and went right back on my leg...it killed...the kind of injury where you see stars and feel ill for a moment or two...What I didn't do was go to hospital to have it diagnosed, I knew it wasn't broken so why bother going right?

Well on Christmas Day, I slipped on some ice going back on the same leg again...doubling it back and falling back on it. This time it hurt more and it swelled up too...this time I knew I had to go to the hospital for X-rays and I am glad I did because it was determined it was not broken...but during the course of the Christmas holidays I could barely move, the leg hurt like heck, I could barely get in and out of my bed or my car without it hurting like heck and then it began to swell up...my calf, thigh and feet...so I got back to the hospital on New Years day and had an ultrasound, sure enough it wasn't broken, I didn't have blood clotting but I had a nasty partially torn quadriceps muscle, with bruising and bleeding inside the leg that caused the swelling.

So that was my Christmas holidays. I did not go out Sam I am. Not to dinner, not to a movie, not to the World Healing Meditation and not to New Years Eve celebrations...I did not enjoy the holidays much Sam I am...

Actually the thought of re-injuring my leg or slipping again was just too painful a thought. So I stayed in and iced the leg, and stayed put...but here is what I am really getting at with this newsletter. I do not want this to be a pity party for me...I just do not like those kind of parties. I love fun parties...the pity party you can put on hold for now. I am just reporting the facts...and the key fact was I spent a lot of time alone over the holidays.

Some of my friends said..."Good" that's what you need, you need some downtime, time to relax...and I agreed. But I discovered a new world I had never really discovered before. It's a world of wonder and learning and discovery!

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking how can you discover a world of wonder, discovery and learning being laid up with a bad leg?

Facebook

Well let me share with you, because truthfully it's very exciting. On Facebook they now have access to wonderful "Tele" classes you can take with a myriad of topics. Anything from networking with business women (which I can't join apparently), to creating your year with Life Coach Hunter Phoenix or learning with the Goal Guy from Florida and Alan Hunkin in Vancouver.

I took 3 powerful telephone classes in December. One on selling with Kevin Boyle...author of the Secrets to Sales Mastery, then I took a class with the Goal Guy and then I took create your 2009 with Hunter Phoenix...I made two new connections with both Hunter and Kevin and as a result have had Kevin on the radio show back on December 28th and Hunter will be on February 22nd.

To access great telephone classes using facebook and keep in mind you can use facebook as a tool to market your classes too by notifying your contacts and perhaps even posting an "Event" On facebook. Now, next time you're on facebook check out an application called "Calliflower" it's a complete service allowing you to host and promote your own tele-classes. If you have an idea or a business that will be enhanced through educating your client base or prospects I say go for it! To log onto Calliflower free tele-conferencing...check out my page and then access it on your own...
http://apps.facebook.com/calliflower/

Educate away. It's a powerful way to market and position yourself as an expert, leader and teacher. Gone is the hard sell, bring on the thoughtful, compelling consultative sell.

Blog Talk Radio

It didn't stop there...this world of online learning is deep, powerful, exciting. I discovered Blog Talk Radio. This is online radio that has a myriad of topics and shows, you can access them all for free and sign up for your favourites. What blog talk will do is notify you when your favourite shows are on. How cool is that huh?

I tapped into online meditations, topics about spirituality, human potential and positive thought...wow...I got to learn from people like Zen DeBrucke, and master coach Michelle Meiche...two incredible women and thinkers.

Log onto Blog talk radio and let you're world unfold. Also you can host you're on show. So if that craving has been to host a radio show, now you can... www.blogtalkradio.com

Once again hosting a radio show online positions your business as an expert, and with that there is a built in Trust Factor...

World Puja Network...

The third cool online site I discovered was a site called the World Puja Network. It provides thought provoking programming that talks about the deeper meaning behind what's really happening in the world today. This sense we're all feeling, the uncertainty, the economic upheaval, the changes is all happening for a reason. The World Puja network makes sense of it all in a spiritual, practical way. With hosts like Kerrie O'Connor and Barry Goldstein and Dr. Steven Greer and founder and creator Maureen Moss, the information and shows on this website, will engage ideas, inspire you and help you to have a deeper understanding to what's going on in your life and in the world we live in.

I recommend logging on and joining by tapping into www.worldpuja.org

Lastly, for those that know me personally and those that don't know me too well, I am of the Jewish religion. I like what I am and love some of the guiding principals contained within Judaism. I am not overly religious though, but I do like attending services at Synagogue. I like the singing and the music and I find it comforting to pray. I pray for peace, money, to meet a nice woman...but I also pray for people so that they'll be healthy, I pray for my friends and business colleagues so that they will be well too. If they're well then I am well!

But back in early December, I discovered that a Synagogue in Winnipeg broadcast their "Audio" only of the Saturday Sabbath service online. Based in Winnipeg, this congregation offers access to their members who perhaps don't like going out in the cold of winter and going to Sabbath services...and who can blame them? Winter in Winnipeg is wild and woolly...it can be minus 50 degrees no problem in Winnipeg.

So back on December 27th I listened to the service online and participated online...between you and me it was the first time I have gone to a religious service in my pajama's, but it felt right.

Commit to learning in 2009

If you are looking to power up. Learn, be inspired, grow and meditate, there is a world that awaits online. It's incredible and I encourage you to tap into it and be the best you you can be this year.

Online learning offers you the convenience of staying put. Learning from home and there are numerous choices too. From cool online radio stations, to tele-seminars, webinars, and tapping into e-books and blogs like this!

So be kid-like in the year ahead and embrace learning as a way to enrich yourself and embrace teaching others as a way to market your business more effectively.

Enthusiastic Learners in action!

Until March, have a healthy, happy winter and just know that in 2 more weeks baseball spring training begins and even though it's been a wicked winter...spring is coming. Have faith my friends.

Cheers/David Cohen

Monday, December 1, 2008

The December Edition...go ahead Create Your Year...

Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. I am really focused on helping small business owners succeed in these exciting times we're in. It's time for community, working together, and making a difference...kind of what this newsletter/blog is all about.

What do you want to create in 2009?

Welcome to this months posting and newsletter. The picture to your left is titled, "If these walls could talk". My question to you is...what would they say?

As we close out 2008 and head into 2009 there is a sense of optimism, closure, fear, excitement, the unknown all wrapped into the time of year and more so this given the times we are in now.

So if the walls could talk, what would they say about how you're going to live life in 2009? Are you going to play full out? Give it all you got? Leave it on the field?

What would you want the walls to say about you in one years time?

Personally, I am going for it. I don't care any more about the economy (well I do and don't...but that's another story for another day)...I don't care about other people judging me, I don't care if I have total support of my family...I am living my best life, my highest life for me in 2009.

Is anyone else on board?

Here is the game plan.

1) Get clear on your true value and be confident in your abilities. I am not saying become an ego maniac about your skill sets and abilities but be confident that you can do what you do and do it well. Walk with pride and an inner knowing that you can do it and if you can't you'll learn, you'll be open to coaching and you'll be a team player. What are you're true gifts? What are your strengths? What do you do better than anyone else? What do you love to do...and would even if you didn't get paid?

Know your value. Get clear and confident about your best abilities and begin to communicate and market them effectively.

2) Develop an action plan and re-work your business plan. Once you get clear on what you bring to the table in terms of talents and skills and value, you want to position yourself with companies, people and organizations that can benefit from them. Personally I intend to re-chart my course this year and be more "Niche" focused in who I target. I don't know about you, but spray marketing (telling everyone) is really tiring. Having a clear target segment, knowing them and talking their language is where it's at. Shotgun, Spaghetti marketing doesn't work. It's a long road to take. Figure out who you're ideal client is. What their issues, concerns and challenges are and get clear as to how you bring value to them and you have a good starting point for doing business. So...create your plan, re-visit your goals, your business plan...bottom line is chart your most safest, optimal route towards your living your best life.

3) Have a supporting cast around you. I have realized this past quarter that I can no longer do what I do alone. I need a mastermind team, a mentor, a coach and someone to help me sell. If you're a solo-entrepreneur, who can you hire, what help do you need, who can take on the tasks that don't serve you? In my mastermind team meeting this past weekend, I have established a very cool direction and it's now begun to take shape. It means some re-branding but it's totally cool. My supporting mastermind team, has me focused, excited and guess what?...they are there to support me in my business. Be sure to create some support in your business or life. Remember even Moses had his brother Aaron to bounce ideas off of...don't quote me, but if it wasn't for Aaron, the Jewish people would have been in the desert for another 10 years...but Aaron said, "No Moses...turn left, turn left man"!!!

4) Don't worry, pray. How many of you have been focusing on what you don't have? Or are in a state of fear about the economy, the future...all that. Reverend Michael Beckwith (from the Secret and the Moses Code documentaries and Agape Ministries in California) states we are in a time of "Prayervolution" a time when prayer leads to a new spiritual evolution. You can't control what you can't control, but you can control what you think and you can take actions towards solving the worry points in your life. Pray, focus, meditate, visualize...however you do it...just do it.

5) Trust. My good friend Jennifer Hough of the Vital You (www.thevitalyou.com) says in her work as a facilitator and awesome coach, "The Universe has your back". Meaning the universe, god, or whatever you want to call it...has your best interests at stake. You have to have faith and trust all will be taken care of. As Jennifer so aptly puts it and I love her for this line, "In a Universe that makes Milky ways and galaxy's and made all that there is (I am paraphrasing) and made you, then you can count on it to come through" It's brilliant stuff and a needed way to think. So trust, everything is as it should be "All is well", as personal development expert Louise Hay would say. Or finally, "Get over it" as Jennifer would suggest.

6) Think BIG! Set big goals this year. Do what you've dreamed, stop buying into the darkness, the fear, the naysayers. Cut them out. As Nelson Mandella once said, "Who are you to play small, you're hear to glorify G-d" (or the universe) and be all you can. Take on living your wildest dreams. Lately, I have been setting the intention for how my day will go in my day-timer...and low and behold if it's not coming true. Last week for example I wrote "Get two new clients" and it happened. Friday, I led a training session and I wrote in my day-timer, "It's going to be an awesome day of learning" and it was!!! Think Big, train your mind to have amazing ideas and juicy thoughts and for gosh sakes write it down. It becomes real then!

7) Have balance and self love. No matter what happens take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well, take your vitamins and accept failures as learning lessons. If you don't take care of you...who will? We have to take "Responsibility" and "Care for the self" now more than ever. Incorporate self-care in your life, every day.

8) Have an attitude of gratitude. Act like whatever you want in your life has already come through. Express gratitude everyday for all the good things in your life. As my good friend Shawn Shepheard says, "Yes the guy in front of you on the road, just cut you off, but instead of getting even or angry, have an attitude of gratitude in that moment". Be thankful you didn't crash, that you're well, that your family loves you, that all is good in your life, that you have a place to go too on your drive...

Gratitude gets you more of what you want...so be thankful for all of the good things and trust me there are lots of good things...

I am going to leave you with a magical prayer that I read almost every day. It's a prayer that if you read every day it will change your life. It's called the Prayer of Jabez. It will open doors and broaden your horizons. If you want grab the book at a bookstore. Call my good friend Shelly, she owns an independent bookstore called Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge and she would love the business plus you don't have to go there you can order the book by phone from her. It's called the Pray of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. Shelly can be reached at 905-852-4282 and she will order it in for you.

Here is the prayer, read it every day and watch how your life will unfold:

Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from harm that it may not pain me.

Read that every day and watch will unfold in your life.

I want to invite you to 3 events:

One is the Durham Small Business Meditation Project...happening on December 11th at Essential Communications at 101 Dundas St. W. (at Brock in Whitby) at 6:30-8 pm.

The other is the World Healing meditation on December 31st at 6:30 am until 8 am at the St. Lawrence Centre at King and Jarvis St. (Pay by donation) and this is not an event I am running, I am just letting you know...it's a beautiful to close a year and begin a new. Log onto http://www.peace-the-21st.org/dec31/ to learn more

Also on January 9th at the Business Advisory Centre Durham. I am co-facilitating "Create your year" from 9:30-12:30 and it costs $49.00 (plus GST) to get in. I would love you to come out and get ready to create your most amazing year yet.

I want to wish you a wonderful, peaceful, holiday season...with health, fun, and abundance in 2009.

David Cohen The BIG IDEAS GUY -"BIG"

P.S. I have embedded a video this month...an interview with Bruce Wilkinson on his other book (The Dream Giver) a follow up to his Prayer of Jabez. Plus a Gospel Version of the Prayer o Jabez...

In Joy!

David

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Take time out to connect

theme is about connecting. Let's face it we're all going through our stuff these days about the stock market crisis and the global financial crisis. It tends to bring up deep rooted fears, feelings of insecurity, fear about abandonment, loss, lack, not being good enough, you name it and our "stuff" is coming up. So if that's the case then, then be sure to take extra time for those you work with or do business with.

You're not alone now, others are going through change, fear, worry, doubt and are wondering about life and it's meaning.

So now more than ever is a good time to connect to those you do business with or work with. Plan a meeting, a coffee, a lunch if you're feeling extravagant, but the bottom line is to connect.

I find this time of year...near year end a great time to meet clients and talk about plans for 2009.

Find out what motivates your client, what drives them, what they think about, get to know them on a deeper more meaningful level so that when spending and the economy bounces back (and it will) you have vastly improved the relationships you have with your clients. In fact by taking the time now to get to know them, and help them I guarantee that when things do bounce back in the marketplace you'll be the first place they buy from.

I was attending prayer services this morning and saw a good friend and associate. Sure enough his business is going through challenges and life isn't all that great for him just now. So I put my arm around him and said, I could relate, business was a bit more challenging for me too. I let him know that if ever he wanted to chat, go for coffee and just connect, that I am all ears.

We left knowing that our bond is closer and can become more so. You see...in tough times, people need to connect more, have a sense of closeness, community, to be able to count on our fellow man and woman.

So if you are not connecting to those business colleagues that matter, you may be missing the boat. But connect out of sincerity, out of a sense of love and compassion to your clients. They say what you give comes back, so if you can give without expectation of receiving back immediate dividends then you're business has a built in "insurance" plan for the future.

You can insure that the good things you do for your clients and team you work with will come back tenfold later on.

I remember during the SARS crisis that hit Toronto my coaching business had pretty well gone out the door. No one was spending. To make matters worse, the 2nd Gulf War had just started and people in Toronto were just a little too panicky.

When discussing my business with my mentor back then, he suggested I offer my services for free. This way I could stay in front of my clients, keep in action and also be remembered as guy who went that extra mile.

You know, it worked. I did free coaching. It didn't pay off right away, but it did later on after the effects of SARS had disappeared.

My clients were happy, they stayed with me and even commented that it was nice to get the coaching at a time that they too were facing challenges.

You see, when it comes down to it...what matters isn't the money you make, but the lives you impact. That's the real currency that no one talks about on the news. It's the lives you touch, it's the positive feelings you generate. Studies show that us human beings buy goods and services base on feeling and emotion. Wouldn't it behoove you to sell that way? To generate good vibes and feelings for your team at work or the clients you serve?

I was just at a friends wedding too this past weekend...and was there with my High School buddies...and we felt a connection, a closeness and a sense of all was right in the world...Why? Well...because we were together, celebrating, honouring our friendships and honouring the newly married couple.

That is what life is all about. It's about experiencing the "Sacred" special moments. If you don't think that that is true for your clients, then I have news for you...take time out to ask them and check in on them. Generate new conversations, plan for 2009, link them up with someone else that can benefit from what they do. Plan to help a charity together at Christmas time...but just get "Connected" to your clients...and watch the magic happen in your business.

Take the slow time perhaps in your business to now connect more profoundly with your clients. Work to get close to your team at work or your clients and be darn sure, to give back now, because it will pay off down the road. It's when the economy does bounce back that your business will soar.

It's about positioning too. Ask yourself how you want to be viewed in the marketplace? What's the legacy you want to be known for in your life and in your business? How high do you want to go?

Then get in action and give back your time, your sense of compassion and understanding to your clients.

If you have any comments on this post or want coaching or to brainstorm on some ideas, I personally will offer you 30 minutes free coaching. It will be a phone session only, but it's my gift to you. Just email me for your free session at thecoach@smallbusinessbigideas.com

All the best.

David

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. I am really excited about adopting this new format for my newsletter and hope that you like what it's all about.

Managing in turbulent times:

You'd have to be living under a rock to not be affected by the recent week that was on the markets. Bay St. in Canada and Wall Street in the U.S. both were rocked in a steady stream of downturns this week and the money supply is beginning to get a bit tighter. The "Economy" is on the minds of every politician north and south of the 49th parallel.

We all know that there is uncertainty in the market place and in our own businesses. Personally, I have been questioning some of the business moves I have taken on and if it's worth it or not. Am I on the right track? Why aren't those tele-classes working, how can I just get 3 more advertisers on the show for our new season? Why is more money going out and than in? I don't think I am alone in these thoughts...Have I miscalculated the marketplace? Why aren't the ideas and services I have created in my business not yielding results?

Am I off? Do I give up? Go get a job?

Well here's the deal. First of all I think in this market place you've got to really be flexible. Be prepared to change or shift gears at any moment. If it's not working and it's not feeling right then give it up and move onto another aspect of the business. Life should not be about the struggle, it is not about doing things and not getting the results. It's not about banging your head against the wall and having a sore head and little else to show for your efforts.

So be prepared to change. Don't get too wrapped up in what you're doing from an emotional point of view and give up the struggle. Shift gears, step away or go for a walk in the park as a former boss of mine once advised.

In my weekend walk with my friend Bob, (we go for weekly walks and then talk about life or business after) we were discussing the notion of him working with former CEO's in his accounting practice and how they are reluctant to change and do something new because they expect the secretary, the expense account, the luxuries of how it was...so I told Bob...I got one piece of advice for these ex-CEO's and that was..."Get on with it"!!!

You have to let go, be flexible and move forward big time...no fear here!

The next key to managing in turbulent times is to really tune out the news. I mean it. Watching the 11 am news is akin to you watching a dreadful horror flick just before bed. I don't know about you but when I watch a horror film I can't sleep after, because my imagination runs wild and yes...what if a boogie man comes to attack me in the middle of the night?

You should have seen me after seeing the Shining with Jack Nicholson, I slept with the lights on that night...

Tune out the news and tune into positive messages. Meditation CD's, good news reports or read the bible or other religious teachings that lift your spirit up. Read positive books, look at others who live successful lives, have someone or something that inspires you.

In these times of uncertainty don't take things personally, it's funky for everyone in this day and age, so it's important to have an attitude of compassion and forgiveness. You don't know what's going on for people these days...one of my colleagues lost over $20,000 in net worth on the stock market decline...I got an unexpected bill for my business for $500.00. So who's having a worse day? One day like that can just put your day into a tailspin. Have compassion on people in your life and as Stephen Covey would say. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.

Another key step in managing in tougher unstable times is to hold the vision. Be the vision, continue to to do the actions and you will have the success you seek. Hold that vision, take time to meditate on it each day...but hold that vision.

So where are we at? We've talked about being flexible in your business, tuning out the news, putting positive messages into your mind, holding the vision, being compassionate and understanding of others, but there is something else that matters when managing in turbulent times and that's about doing what brings you joy.

Do the work that brings you joy. Do things with passion and love and I promise you your businesses and life will always work out. No one can take that away from you. Do what brings you joy. Let go of what brings you down. Because if you're not "In-Joy" than life will surely be a drag and it's already a bit of a challenge these days isn't it? You deserve to be in joy...so enjoy your life. You got one go around you might as well have fun!

Some other aspects to consider when managing in challenging times is to surround yourself with good people. Not that you want "Yes" men or women in your life, but you want people who see it as it is but can see possibility in what you're doing. An angle you haven't thought of or an opportunity that's around the bend or a contact for you to call on. But surround yourself with positive people.

Lastly, one other key to managing in challenging times is to trust. Trust that all will work out and whatever is going on around us is just what needs to have happen. Remember the Chinese expression, "out of chaos comes opportunity" so the change, the turbulence we're all going through is an opportunity to change, to shift, to manage more effectively, to let go of what's not working and focus on the things that matter most and bring you more joy.

So go get 'em this quarter. Keep at it, keep reaching and don't give up. Because if you give up...then the bad guys win...and we don't want that do we?

Here are some website links to help you stay positive and in the flow...plus I have embedded a really uplifting video...again there is a sponsored message at the end of it...and we don't know this company to recommend them...but the message is poignant and powerful.

WEBSITES:

www.postivenews.net

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

All the very best to you. Our next newsletter will be in December so stay well until then!

David Cohen
Learning, coaching, radio
The Place where Small Business Comes
To learn, grow and succeed
This is that place, this is your home.
www.smallbusinessbigideas.com