Discovering Your Inner Samurai Blog

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Mi Viaje es Tu Viaje

Do you know what mi viaje es tu viaje means? It means that we are on this journey together.

As Accidental Pren-hers, there are times when it seems as if we walk the journey from Accidental Pren-her to entrepreneurial woman alone. Although it may feel as if we do. We really don't.

This beautiful 5 minute power point presentation shows us that we don't, and reminds us of how much we impact other people's lives. Often, without even knowing.

On the eve of Thanksgiving in the U.S., I give thanks for those who have intersected my life and made a powerful impact on me. How about you?

Enjoy and happy viewing!

Download lifeonatrain21.pps

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

What do You Know About Lateral Thinking?

Today . . . I am thinking about a daily tips post I received from IMC (Institute of Management Consultants). Like most people, I subscribe to a couple of daily email sites that pop professionally relevant and/or personally inspiring thoughts into my inbox each morning.

This one came in on the topic of lateral thinking.

Do you know what lateral thinking is?

Ever heard of it before?

Lateral thinking helps you think outside the box - laterally - for solutions and answers. Why would you want to do this? So you can engage your powerful, Inner Samurai - to creatively assist in finding a solution to your problem. Here's what IMC's daily tips post had to say about lateral thinking:

The phrase lateral thinking is often attributed to psychologist Edward de Bono in the late 1960s. Defined simply, lateral thinking is the act of attempting to solve problems by employing alternative methods rather than the more conventional approaches of linear and logical thinking. De Bono points out that, in day to day life, we often assume, accept without question and readily employ preconceptions about a particular problem even though they are not explicitly stated. Lateral thinking demonstrates that we often need to look past or challenge these preconceived and accepted notions in order to derive the correct solution.

Here is an example of a well known lateral thinking puzzle:

You're riding a white horse. To your immediate right is an imposing cliff. In front of you is a large grey elephant traveling at the very same pace that you are. No matter how hard you try, you can't seem to pass that elephant. To make matters worse, to your immediate left is a hippopotamus running at the very same speed as you. Directly behind you, there appears to be a fierce-looking lion giving you chase. Now you are frightened! How can you escape to safety?

Answer: Wait until the ride is over and get off the merry-go-round!

So, what do you think about lateral thinking? Do you see it as something you can use? Something you have used?

Let us know your thoughts and experiences with lateral thinking.

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Samantha Hartley on Accidental Pren-her Podcast

Business podcast with Samantha Hartley – subscribe now via iTunes.

I had a great visit with Samantha Hartley, owner and principle consultant of Enlightened Marketing. Samantha tells us why she left the disenchanting corporate world and how she fulfilled her long-time dream of owning her own business. In this interview she also shares how technology has allowed her business to expand globally, and her interesting motto: “Only do what only you can do.” Click below to listen or read this exciting interview.

• Listen to the interview. (If needed, click here to access easy download instructions page.)
• Read the transcript.

This episode of Accidental Pren-her: Stories of the Unexpected podcast is brought to you by Windsor Media Enterprises: books, blogs, & beyond. A publishing 3.0 company focused on new media and technology.

Wonder What Makes a Woman Entrepreneur Successful?

As a business coach and author of a business book for women, Discovering Your Inner Samurai, I am frequently asked this question in interviews, "What are women doing wrong in business?"

The emphasis is usually on what isn't working for women. For example, women can have difficulty making the big bucks, getting funding, and competing in the business world. Interviewers often overlook what women are doing right.

What I've discovered about women entrepreneurs who excel is that they do so in some ways that are similar to their male counterparts and in other ways that are distinctly different.

Here's how I've answered that question:

 Both women and men entrepreneurs who excel:

• Are self-disciplined.
• Hold strong, clear visions about the direction of their companies.
• Follow detailed plans of action to support their visions.
• Know how to make tough-call.
• Use mentors and coaches to keep them strategically aligned for success.
• Exude confidence and determination.
• See problems, failures, and setbacks as opportunities, openings, and clarifiers.

Women entrepreneurs do all that and then some. More often then men, women also:

• Create lifestyle businesses that encompass the full spectrum of their lives.
• Have a natural affinity for customer care and service.
• Are three parts “strong woman” and one part “good girl.”
• Have strong, values-led businesses.
• Trust and follow their intuition.
• Are "whole"-istic in their decision-making.
• Measure success by their quality of interaction with people and how much they help others.

Do you see yourself in this list? Are their things you do that are specific to being a woman entrepreneur that our male counterparts don't do as often? If so, let us know!

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Zuckerman's Latest Book - Wisdom

 

A former client of mine sent this to me with these words, "An inspiring collection of people who have made a difference to this world...enjoy and be inspired." I watched and was inspired. I share it with you in hopes that you will be, too.

Here is what Andrew Zuckerman writes about the concept behind his latest book - Wisdom:

Inspired by the idea that one of the greatest gifts one generation can pass to another is the wisdom it has gained from experience, the Wisdom project, produced with cooperation from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, seeks to create a record of a multicultural group of people who have all made their mark on the world. Presented against the same white space, all of the subjects are removed from their context, which not only democratizes the, but also allows for a clear dialogue to exist between them. In an attempt to create a more profound, honest, and truly revealing portrait of these luminaries, the project encompasses their voices, their physical presence, and the written word. This comprehensive portrayal of such a profound and global group is an index of extraordinary perspectives.

Top 5 Mistakes Women Make in Business

Today . . . I am thinking about women in business and what women do to shoot themselves in the foot.

As a woman entrepreneur, I've made my share of mistakes in business. And, as a business coach and author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai, a book about women's business success, I've thought a lot about the common mistakes that women make in business.

Here are my top five. What are yours?

1. Letting them see you sweat.

Too many times I've seen women, when they aren't feeling confident about themselves or their abilities, disclose their lack of confidence. They do this by peppering their clients and colleagues with lots of questions before they delve into a project, hedging when it comes to making a commitment, as well as breaking eye contact and fidgeting.

Showing lack of confidence, either by word or action, is a self-defeating behavior. Never let them see you sweat! Say yes. Then figure out how to deliver.

2. Displaying negative emotions.

Displaying anger, bitterness, or spite is never attractive. Turning into the victim or martyr when things don't go your way by whining, complaining, or blaming is counterproductive. Don't defend yourself, argue, or yell at your clients or colleagues. And, for heaven's sake, don't cry!

You can deal with every challenge in business without being negative. Instead, take action. Offer a solution.

3. Making excuses.

Women seem to think that, if they explain why they didn't return a call, answer an email, show up on time, or meet a deadline, everyone will understand and it will be okay. Not so.

Excuses say that what you were doing was more important than what someone else wanted you to do. An explanation means you are asking permission to be excused for what you did not do.

Instead, be impeccable with your word. Do as you say.

4. Being bitchy.

Take your cue from Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer: Stay calm and assertive. You do not have to be tough or come across aggressively in business. Instead, stay calm, be assertive, and develop a cooperative model when dealing with others.

5. Making decisions from a “lack mentality.”

Too many women have a mindset of scarcity when it comes to their businesses. They believe they lack time, money is scarce, and there aren’t enough customers. They don’t understand that near-term lack infects long-term prosperity. Therefore, make decisions for your business based on the far-term vision of expansion and growth.

Agree? Disagree? What's the biggest mistake that you see women entrepreneurs make?

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Do you know what this week is? It's Global Entrepreneurship Week!
Never heard of it? I didn't either until they interviewed me this past summer for a blog post they were writing on Entrepreneur by Accident?

Since then, I've been following their blog and getting excited by the number of countries and participants that are coming together to unleash ideas.

Perhaps you will, too.

Watch this video to find out about the global entrepreneurship initiative.

Shannon Davis on Accidental Pren-her Podcast

Business podcast with Shannon Davis – subscribe now via iTunes.

I had a great visit with Shannon Davis, founder of Beyond Motherhood; a national job board designed for moms seeking part-time employment. Shannon is a stay-at-home mom and had the feeling she could do more. She shares with us her aha moment, how she decided to startup her business, and the creative ways she financed the startup. Click below to listen or read, and discover if this creative capital can help you.

• Listen to the interview. (click to listen, right click and Save As to download.)
• Read the transcript.

This episode of Accidental Pren-her: Stories of the Unexpected podcast is brought to you by Windsor Media Enterprises: books, blogs, & beyond. A publishing 3.0 company focused on new media and technology.

The Wisdom Book

A former client of mine sent this to me with these words, "An inspiring collection of people who have made a difference to this world...enjoy and be inspired." I watched and was inspired. I share it with you in hopes that you will be, too.

Here is what Andrew Zuckerman writes about the concept behind his latest book - Wisdom:

Inspired by the idea that one of the greatest gifts one generation can pass to another is the wisdom it has gained from experience, the Wisdom project, produced with cooperation from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, seeks to create a record of a multicultural group of people who have all made their mark on the world. Presented against the same white space, all of the subjects are removed from their context, which not only democratizes the, but also allows for a clear dialogue to exist between them. In an attempt to create a more profound, honest, and truly revealing portrait of these luminaries, the project encompasses their voices, their physical presence, and the written word. This comprehensive portrayal of such a profound and global group is an index of extraordinary perspectives.

Tired of Saying Affirmations? Try Thinking for a Change!

The first chapter of John C. Maxwell's seminal work on how highly successful people approach life and work begins with, "Nurture great thoughts, for you will never go higher than your thoughts." This quotation by Benjamin Disraeli sums up the premise of Maxwell's book, Thinking for a Change. 

In his book, Maxwell guides readers on the journey of mastering "good thinking" to achieve their personal and professional best.

No matter what the situation, challenge, or problem, Maxwell's answer is always the same: practice good thinking. No, not positive thoughts. Good thinking. What's good thinking? Maxwell tells you.

According to Publisher's Weekley:

Maxwell details the impact and practical value of 11 kinds of thinking, including reflective, shared, creative, unselfish and big-picture. Useful tips, like how to discover your gifts through focused thinking, ways to break down complex issues with strategic thinking, and how to understand the value of examining the worst-case scenario through realistic thinking, characterize the author's surprisingly concrete lessons.

One of the things I liked best about this book is the emphasis on good thinking. With so much weight now-a-days, on saying affirmations (full disclosure: Here's an article I wrote on Why Saying Affirmations Can be a Business Liability so you can see my bias), it was refreshing to read about the process of thinking for a change. Those who embrace good thinking as a lifestyle understand the relationship between what they are thinking and how successful they are. They also realize that to change their lives, they must change their thinking.

If you are tired of saying affirmations and not getting the results you want, try Thinking for a Change. For some, this book will be further confirmation of what you already know. For others, you'll breath a sigh of relief to have laid out before you an approach to life and work that you can live with.

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

The Purchasing Power of Women

Today . . . I am reading the Bulldog Reporter's Daily Dog where my friend and publisher, Women's Marketing Expert Yvonne DiVita has been dishing about Politics, Palin & the Power of the Purse.

She sited some very interesting statistics from Ask Patty! (a website and blog that talks to women about cars) about the purchasing power of women.

If you are an Accidental Pren-her, woman business owner, or marketing to women, you need to know who wears the purchasing pants in the family.

 Here is part of what Yvonne had to say:

Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases, including everything from autos to health care. Specifically, they account for the following percentage of purchases:

• 91% of New Homes
• 66% PCs
• 92% Vacations
• 80% Healthcare
• 65% New Cars
• 89% Bank Accounts
• 93% Food
• 93 % OTC Pharmaceuticals

American women spend about $5 trillion annually—over half the U.S. GDP. Among these women are the vast group we call Mom! In a recent conversation, I mentioned seeing an ad for Fisher-Price toys. "Did you know," my friend said, "that when Fisher-Price began, Herman Fisher was asked how he came up with all those great toys for kids, and he answered, 'I don't make toys for kids. I make toys for Moms.'" Even today, when it comes to toddlers and babies, Fisher-Price knows it has to appeal to Moms, first. We want toys that are safe, educational, and fun.

How does will current economic climate impact marketing to women?

It's interesting how the current economic climate is affecting women—women are worried about finances, about the coming holidays and about being able to take good care of their families. The companies that offer solutions to help women deal with smaller budgets—that offer tips on how to manage this sudden shock, will be the ones women share (we call that viral marketing). Women are eager to connect to big brands on blogs—where they can actually talk to the PEOPLE behind the products. Brands that are willing to open up will cement loyalty in their women customers. Plus, everyone knows that when a woman finds a good buy, she can't resist sharing. It's not "show me the money" with women. It's "show me the people." A blog is a perfect customer service option, and many companies are recognizing that power.

Want to know more? Read it in full here: Politics, Palin & the Power of the Purse.

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Harold Thurman Whitman Knew His Inner Samurai

I came across this quotation while perusing Dori Luthy-Harrison's blog, I Eat Clay. Dori is a very talented ceramic artist living in Vancouver. What I liked about her blog was her emphasis on coming alive and being alive.

I thought that epitomized today's Inner Samurai Quotation by Harold Thurman Whitman:

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

Here's to all the accidental pren-hers and women entrepreneurs of the world who are passionate about their business and feel alive and vibrant doing it!

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Yvonne DiVita on Accidental Pren-her Podcast

Business podcast with Yvonne DiVita – subscribe now via iTunes.

Today I spoke with Yvonne DiVita, President of Windsor Media Enterprises: books, blogs and beyond. This 3.0 publishing company focuses on new media and technology to help women get published. In this interview, Yvonne shares how her love for words naturally led her to start up her own company, and how she made it a success. Her experiences and advice can benefit any woman starting up her own business. Listen or read the interview now:

• Listen to the interview. (click to listen, right click and Save As to download.)
• Read the transcript.

This episode of Accidental Pren-her: Stories of the Unexpected podcast is brought to you by Windsor Media Enterprises: books, blogs, & beyond. A publishing 3.0 company focused on new media and technology.

How to Use Twitter to Attract More Clients

Here's today's hot business strategy.

10 Secrets to Using Twitter to Attract More Followers and Get More Clients
By Donna Gunter, The Online Biz Resource Queen (TM)

I do wonder at times if some Twitter users have any time to get any work done.  Several of the more prolific ones that I follow swear they spend no more than 30 minutes a day on Twitter, but I really find that hard to believe.  Many times it seems they are twittering just to say something, like "Good morning Twitterverse" when they begin their day, give more details than I want to know about what they had for lunch, what their children said to them, or when they take a nap. 

I realize that this is part of the "like, know, and trust" process that enables people to get to know each other, but sometimes it's simply too much information..LOL.  I'm Twittering primarily to market my business.  Consequently, I try and limit my personal twitters to no more than 2 per day.  My clients, who create Twitter accounts for marketing, as well, tell me, "I'm signed up.  Now what in the world do I Twitter about?  How do I market my business with this tool?"

Here are 10 strategies that I use regularly to marketing my business and my expertise via Twitter. Remember, you have only 140 characters for your tweet (Twitter post).

1.  How you're helping clients.  Talk about specific ways that your business helps clients and use their Twitter ID if you have their permission, i.e. "Just finished @clientname brainstorm great Internet marketing plan for 2009"  or "Finally finished setting up Quickbooks for local hardware store -- now they can invoice their clients"

2.  What you're doing in your own business.  This is a perfect time to tell others when you're blogging, writing an article, creating your weekly ezine, recording your podcast, i.e.  "Had great interview with Jane Smith today on speaking to grow your biz.  Great ideas! Subscribe to podcast & listen here <URL here>"

3.  Useful tool or resource you've found.  I run across these all the time in my daily activities, and Twitter is a perfect place to share,. i.e. "Found great new Firefox plug-in to monitor & check multiple Gmail accounts at same time at <URL here>"  or "Read great blog post on work life balance with kids under 5 at <URL here>"

4.  Ask a question.  Need some ideas or some quick brainstorming?  Twitter is an ideal place to gather opinions, i.e. "Help! Desperately seeking new laser printer.  Recommendations?" or "How do I find training organizations online?"

5.  Conduct a survey.  What do your Tweeps think about a particular issue?  Ask them via Twitter, i.e. "Quick poll:  Do you get more clients from Facebook or Twitter?  Respond at <URL here>"

6.  Report on live events.  The latest Twitter trend seems to be tweeting what's happening at conferences or workshops. In order for Twitter users to follow a particular event, it's usually referred to by a name preceded by a # sign, as in #JVAlert, for example, to make it simpler for people who want to follow those posts.  So, if you were at an event, you might tweet "#JVAlert John Smith speaking on affiliate programs.  Just got great idea on training affiliate managers!" Just don't get so wrapped up in tweeting that you ignore the content delivered in the conference!

7.  Product or service launch.  If you're about to launch a new product or introduce a new product, let your Twitter followers know, i.e. "Pre-launch pricing for new DVD set about how baby boomers can start an online biz.  Get $100 early bird discount at <URL here>"

8.  Responding to others with advice or answers.  The way to build professional relationships on Twitter is to help your tweeps.  So, if someone asks a question, comments about something to which you have a response or an idea, or you want to ask a followup question, this is the perfect place to do so.

9.  Acknowledging new followers. I've noticed a recent trend of acknowledging people who've decided to follow a Twitter user in the past day or so.  I initially thought that others were doing this as a measure of popularity, but what I've come to realize that it's actually helping out the new followers because it exposes their Twitter profiles to others who may have never heard of them and who might like to follow them.  So, to thank your followers, you'd tweet, "Welcome new followers @twittername, @twittername, etc."

10.  Automate your tweets.  Many of my tweets have been automated and connected to other things I do.  TwitterFeed turns all of my blog posts into tweets.  aWeber turns each ezine issue into a tweet.  EzineArticles.com tweets my followers every time I publish an article through their service.  Typically all that's involved here is connecting the particular service to my Twitter account.  Once all the services are connected, I get free and automated Twitter posts with no additional effort on my part.

Twitter can be a great time-waster or a wonderful way to market your business and leverage your expertise online.  Follow these 10 strategies and you'll begin to attract more followers and get more clients through social networking.

Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FR*EE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at OnlineBizU.com. Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at AskDonnaGunter.com.

Dr. Susan L Reid's Book Named a Finalist of USA Book News 2008 National Best Books Awards

Dr. Susan Reid’s New Book,Discovering Your Inner Samurai – The Entrepreneurial Woman’s Guide to Business Success, Is Recognized In the Business Award Category

Rochester, NY - (October 28, 2008) WME Books, a division of Windsor Media Enterprises, LLC, is pleased to announce that author Dr. Susan Reid’s book, Discovering Your Inner Samurai – The Entrepreneurial Woman’s Guide to Business Success, is a finalist in the business category of the USA Book News 2008 National Best Books Awards. This follows her recent recognition as a finalist in National 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced over 500 winners and finalists in over 140 categories covering print and audio books. Awards were presented for titles published in 2008 and late 2007. A complete list of the winners and finalists of the USABookNews.com National 2008 “Best Books” Awards are available online at http://www.USABookNews.com.

“We are so proud of Dr. Reid for this recognition of her outstanding book,” said Yvonne DiVita, CEO of the publishing company, Windsor Media Enterprises. “Her outstanding work in the area of women’s entrepreneurship deserves many accolades. We are honored to have been chosen as her publisher.”

Discovering Your Inner Samurai is for women entrepreneurs, but it's also for anyone who wants to understand — or market to — women entrepreneurs. The book provides deep insights into who these women are and why they start businesses, while uncovering their deepest fears, challenges, passions and joys. Dr. Reid helps teach you how to think like an entrepreneur, how to separate the talents and skills that will lead you to success, from the talents and skills you only think will lead you to success

Dr. Reid’s blog and her recent book trailer can be found at www.discoveringyourinnersamurai.com. To purchase Discovering Your Inner Samurai – The Entrepreneurial Woman’s Guide to Business Success, please visit the publisher’s website at www.wmebooks.com

About Susan L. Reid:

Susan L. Reid, DMA, is the founder and owner of Alkamae. The place where entrepreneurial women come to transform their lives and make a difference in the world by starting up successful small businesses. Specializing in intuitive small business solutions, Alkamae offers strategic consulting including One Page Business Plans, niche clarity programs, and attraction-based marketing tools. Susan has helped hundreds of women create a vision for themselves that connects their passion to sustainable profit and combines their inner wisdom with savvy business skills. The business is based in Massanutten, VA For ore information, visit www.alkamae.com

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Contact: D-D Flannery, 585-703-6243

What's Your Business Culture Strategy for Success?

 Today . . . I am thinking about the world economy and what will happen as a result of the U.S.A Presidential election. Will the world economy stabilize quickly or will it continue to be volatile?

I think it will continue to be volatile deep into 2009. Why? Because from an energetic point of view, we are going through a shake-up in our global belief system about money. As long as we think that someone or something outside ourselves should make it possible for us to be, do, and have all that we want, we will continue to have that reflected around us with personal, business, and global worries about money.

Then I was reading my Success Magazine - do you read Success? - and read Tony Hsieh's (CEO of online shoe seller Zappos), strategies for small-business success, and was inspired.

What he suggests during this time, is to focus on building a culture. Not making sales. Not cutting back. Not being worried. In short, not pulling in or shutting down. Instead, focus on the unique, build relationships, and continue expanding outwardly. Here is his strategy for success: 

How to Create a Zapponian Culture

1. Deliver wow through service.
2. Embrace and drive change.
3. Create fun and a little weirdness.
4. Be adventurous, creative and open-minded.
5. Pursue growth and learning.
6. Build open and honest relationships with communication.
7. Build a positive team and family spirit.
8. Do more with less.
9. Be passionate and determined
10. Be humble

So, what's your business culture strategy for success? I really like Tony's suggestion to create fun and a little weirdness. That's a great way for me to lighten up and get things done. How about you?

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Vote

I have one thing to say today . . .

Janene Jaroscak on Accidental Pren-her Podcast

Business podcast with Janene Jaroscak – subscribe now via iTunes.

Today I spoke with Janene Jaroscak, owner and founder of Trending Solutions, which provides customer support and services for women-owned businesses. In this podcast she describes her decision to leave traditional employment and her choice to support women in her new business. She also shares information about her exciting event next year at Walt Disney World®: Dynamic Women Entrepreneur Conference. Click on the links below to listen or read this exciting interview.

• Listen to the interview. (click to listen, right click and Save As to download.)
• Read the transcript.

This episode of Accidental Pren-her: Stories of the Unexpected podcast is brought to you by Windsor Media Enterprises: Books, Blogs, and Beyond. A publishing 3.0 company focused on new media and technology.

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