Don’t Retool - Reinvent for a Better Future

I had the privilege of speaking to a large group of unemployed professionals last year and the talk was centered around reinvention. I decided that now is a good time to bring this to light again since the U.S. is still facing record high numbers of unemployment.

The word “retool” has been thrown around in panel discussions and interviews with corporate CEO’s (President Obama has even referenced it a time or two) who offer advice to out of work Americans. For most people, this isn’t about updating or improving – it’s about starting over.

The message I delivered to my audience resonated with them because I opened up and shared my personal story – a story that closely mirrored their current situation. I talked about being laid off twice within one year (to no fault of my own) and the uncertainty I felt when I didn’t have a job. But despite those things, I looked at that time in my life as an opportunity to renew myself and follow my dreams. Thus, DonnaSpeaks.com was born and here I am today as The Unemployed Entrepreneur™. Never again would I be faced with having all my eggs in one basket by having only one source of income.

reinvent (v): to make over completely; to recast something familiar or old into a different form

I’d always known my life’s purpose extended far beyond the titles others had given me. I have gifts and talents that are meant to be shared with all who desire to reach their greatness and live out their missions. It is my resilience that has kept me going. You see, it’s not the obstacles or challenges we face that keep us from succeeding. It’s our inability or unwillingness to learn from those things that allow us to be defeated.

resilience (adj): the ability to recover quickly from illness, change, or misfortune

You have to decide what it is that you want - clearly and vividly. Once you know what that looks like, you then have to get up and take action to get you there. Start your journey knowing that you may not have all the answers and you may have to change direction along the way, but commit to not giving up. Let each experience, both good and bad, serve as a lesson to prepare you for what’s to come.

Reinvention is a never ending process. It’s the daily, on-going pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment – a path that ultimately leads to more rewards and greater responsibilities.

Photo credit: CamilaGama

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: It Ain't Sexy but it Gets Results

How do you engage word-of-mouth marketing for your business? I’m not talking about gimmicks and give-aways (those are promotions), but how are you getting the word out about what you do and making it irresistible for others to jump on the bandwagon?

The average consumer mentions specific brands over 90 times per week in conversations with friends, family, and co-workers. (John Moore, WOMMA, 2010)

One of the best ways to get the buzz going is to have a story so compelling people can’t stop talking about it. If you haven’t pinpointed your story, stop reading and grab a pen and paper and get busy figuring it out.

Now that you have your story, why is it worthy of being shared around the water cooler? What’s going to make your customers want to talk about you?

1. Your story is entertaining – does Pants on the Ground ring a bell?

2. Your story is controversial – who can forget Jay Leno vs. Conan O’Brien?

3. Your story is one they can relate to – have you lost your job and reinvented yourself like Angela Logan?

4. Your story strikes an emotional chord – in one word, ‘Precious’

Word-of-mouth marketing goes beyond raving fans and people endorsing your product or service. It’s about the experience. Did you make the experience one that was relevant, personable, and did you exceed expectations? If the answer is no, tweak your service level objectives and try again.

2/3 of the U.S. economy is driven by word-of-mouth marketing

I know a local barber who spent approximately $500 on a radio commercial to advertise his services. His ROI? Zero. The ad didn’t even yield 10 new clients so this particular marketing campaign left him in the red. When I asked where the majority of his clients come from, his response was referrals. If it worked for Elmer N. Olson Co. (as seen in the prehistoric blog photo) it can certainly work for your business as well.

My marketing philosophy is centered around creating valuable relationships and memorable client experiences. By out-thinking and not out-spending, you can build a sustainable brand without breaking the bank.

 

Photo credit: Minneapolis

The Unemployed Entrepreneur™: A Regular Contributor to ForbesWoman

Forbes is one of the most trusted and well-known names in business journalism.

Back in January, I wrote a post about my experience with contributing expert commentary to ForbesWoman. A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to become a regular contributor to their newly launched site Work in Progress; a blog geared toward career-minded women in traditional and non-traditional jobs, as well as those interested in getting back into the workplace.

I don’t think I have to tell you how excited I was. This is a sign that my diligent writing and marketing are starting to pay off…in a big way, I might add.

In just a few short months of actively blogging, my work is being recognized by a company whose websites reach nearly 40 million business decision makers each month.

How did I do it? Well, if I was one of those slick internet marketing millionaires, I’d package this up and sell it to you as one of my secret must-have products with insider information that only I have access to. But since I’m not, here goes:

I focus on giving good content. That’s it. That’s my secret. Anyone who writes for respected publications will tell you it’s their secret too. In Jeffrey Gitomer’s book Little Red Book of Selling (Bard Press, 2004), he talks about giving value first – not adding it. Giving frequently without expectation. This is something I practice on a daily basis. Not just in my writing, but also in my personal interactions with people.

I write about things that are newsworthy, controversial, and take a position on things I’m passionate about. Every successful entrepreneur has to take a stand without being afraid of the backlash. This demonstrates strength to your prospects and audience. Results-driven leaders have backbones. You have a duty and responsibility to amplify your voice for the betterment of others.

Having your name appear in writing further establishes your credibility. It doesn’t matter that I haven’t authored a book or won any awards. What does matter is the competitive edge and positioning I have over my competition. The partnership I have with ForbesWoman is one that will help me to get known and increase my brand’s awareness while allowing me the opportunity to help the next person succeed.

In sales, it’s not who you know. In sales, it’s who knows you. – Jeffrey Gitomer

 

Photo credit: richardjingram

The Unemployed Entrepreneur™ Sends a Message to Congress

I wonder if any of the politicians and US citizens complaining about the unemployment insurance extension have ever been without a job and had to apply for benefits? Yeah, I seriously doubt it.

I don’t know if I’m more shocked at Sen. Jim Bunning’s reasons for blocking the extension or his behavior and antics that accompanied his objections.

Here’s what I do know: there are 1.1 million workers with the label “discouraged job seekers”. This number represents those who’ve given up looking for work all together. Not because they’re lazy or enjoy their livelihood being left in the hands of out-of-touch government officials, but because they’ve applied for hundreds of jobs without getting hired.

When you combine the frustration of submitting resumes for positions that barely pay more than what you’re receiving in unemployment insurance with the emotional toll it takes on you to juggle your bills while you rob Peter to pay Paul, that’s enough to make people throw in the towel. How do I know? Because I’ve been there America! This is no way to live.

As for the six-figure hot shots on Capitol Hill who sit comfortably in their glass houses and throw stones, I challenge you to come walk a mile in my shoes. You wouldn’t last.

I had a young lady visit my women’s entrepreneurial group last month who shared her story of how she never envisioned her life being turned upside down due to not having a job. She had to take a job paying $2 more than what she was getting in unemployment because her benefits expired. While you judge and say, “Well, at least she has a job”, don’t forget to take into consideration that with having that $12/hour job she has more expenses now. One gallon of gas costs more than her hourly “raise”.

The solution to the problem is not one that’ll be fixed by passing a jobs bill. It would take creating over 200,000 new jobs per month for the next seven years to get the unemployment rate down to 5%.

People need to be encouraged to create their own opportunities so they don’t have to endure the harsh criticism of Bunning and the like. I’m not saying everyone should become their own boss, but I am saying for the handful of folks who have a desire to start a business there should be resources and support available to them. Money that’s readily available and easy to access like the billions handed over to the banks and Wall Street.

If you’re on Main Street and it’s starting to look more like skid row, please contact me. You have no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed. You have what it takes to make a better life for yourself. It all starts when you decide to take action.

If you’re in Washington and I haven’t stepped on your toes, I’d be happy to sit down and talk to you about real, long-term solutions.

Photo credit: billaday

Pass Me the Mute Button Please

Do you ever wish you could just turn off all the noise and outside chatter you have to deal with? If this isn’t a problem you face, please let me know your secret and how you manage to escape it.

From talking to a number of entrepreneurs in many different fields, I’ve found the one thing that remains constant are the people we encounter who want to give us advice. No, that’s not it. They want to tell us what to do...and they’re telling us for our own good. Most of them aren’t even running a business, have never ran one and probably never will, but they think they know what’s best for us and our situations.

The noise doesn’t only come from people we know. It hits us from all directions – online, on tv, on the radio, from total strangers we meet at networking events. It never ends.

So how do you handle the unsolicited feedback you’re bombarded with?

In some instances you can simply ignore it. In other cases, it may not be that easy. The next time someone approaches you and feels the need to tell you how to do your job, do the following:

Ask the person to point to their credibility. Ask something along the lines of, “Are you advising me based on your own personal experiences?” What first-hand knowledge does the person have with handling the particular situation they’re trying to tell you how to manage? Are they reciting recycled information they’ve read somewhere and never put into practice? If so, excuse yourself immediately. You can’t learn from someone who hasn’t faced the challenges you’re facing. You have to relate to them in some shape, form, or fashion.

If someone is reluctant to point you in the direction of others who can offer sound advice and they only want to subject you to their “noise”, that’s a good sign you’re dealing with an ego driven know-it-all. They value themselves and their opinions over yours and it won’t be long before they become more aggressive with their tactics.

Having access to a diverse group of like-minded individuals is the best way to combat unwanted noise clutter. You have a place to go to when you need guidance, so you’re less likely to seek it from unreliable sources. Look to the members of your group when you have questions or just need help sorting through things.

One of the members in my group thought she had to start blogging and do a newsletter at the same time. Why? I’m sure she’d been told that was what she HAD to do. After our meeting, she was so relieved to know that it was ok to only implement one of the two. She was thrilled that we had given her permission to not do something! We each had our own opinions about what she should do and reasons to support our decisions, and those opinions were based on what we had experienced personally. It related to her situation and where she was in her business.

Stay tuned because I’ll be giving you more warning signs that you may not be under the guidance of a good leader and group. If you have your own experiences you’d like to share, leave a comment.

Photo credit: Chicago’s Finest