Michael Gerber was recently interviewed on Y-Talk Radio.   Great stuff!

The interivew is here.

http://www.millennialleaders.com/blog/?p=164

Check out the Biz Pulse 2008 Program

Listen in as Productivity Coach, Carol Dickson-Carr and Executive Coach, Bea Fields, lead a group of modern day biz leaders on the topic of how to grow a business through the power of Web 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0.

Here’s what one participant had to say:

“I am so glad I attended this free teleclass. You two clearly know where the Y Generation, comprising 18-30 year-olds, live, breathe, and gather. And, you so generously share your knowledge. I can hardly wait for the Biz Pulse 2008 class, because, as a Baby Boomer, I want to connect with those to whom we are passing the torch. There’s a new social order out there and this teleclass pulled back the curtain. I’m looking forward to the insight and practical knowledge that Biz Pulse 2008 is sure to offer.”

Marla Bollak, Credit Coach
Increasing Credit-Ability, Net Worth, & Self-Worth
CreditCoach4U.com

Download Call for January 22, 2008

Download Call for January 24, 2008

Check out the Biz Pulse 2008 Program

Some people don’t know where to start with creating their content, because of the “committee” in their heads that say, “I’m just not that creative.” or “I don’t have anything interesting to say.” So I thought I’d be a little vulnerable and show you my process on how I came up with the content below.

So… I go to my computer and just start typing…stream of conscious style…disconnected thoughts—mostly questions, some rhetorical, and some I actually wanted answers to:

“Are affirmations hokey?”

“Do MBTI and NLP have a link when it comes to sales conversion?”

“Dude, if you’re gonna rant about the MBTI, at least get your facts straight!” In response to a YouTube video I watched.

“Should I befriend my gremlin?”

“How can I explain Real GDP on Friday and make it sexy [for the college freshmen I teach]?”

“Why do I feel like a sell-out?” Because I just read about someone who recently went analogue in producing a demo when I’ve always taken short cuts with technology to get my music compositions in audible form.

“I’m not going to apologize for being efficient!” Justifying some of the shortcuts I take to get things done—not just with music—when others say, “No struggle, no progress!”

Etc. And what, you might ask, emerged from that (some might say “neurotic”) train of thought? Well, I decided to draw from one of my areas of expertise and created a much longer version of the following:

My meandering thought process indirectly reminded me that there are different types of creative intelligence. Now, this would be a good place for a history lesson on the MBTI® if time permitted (the podcast and video will have a tiny bit more detail on this along with my rhyme and reason), but for now, I will cut to the chase and very briefly describe the four temperaments that tie into the different intelligences:

• Idealist (diplomatic intelligence)
• Rational (strategic intelligence)
• Guardian (logistical intelligence); and
• Artisan (tactical intelligence).

We all have a bit of each of these in us because it helps us to function in this diverse world (nurture). But just by looking at those adjectives and without an instrument to “prove” anything, which one speaks to you the most? That could be your natural core temperament.

If you’re unconsciously trying to operate in a temperament that doesn’t resonate with you (this usually happens when you’re mismatched in a job), that is usually when the creative blocks hit and your energy is drained. However, consciously ‘trying on’ one that speaks to you the least could be fun, though. It’s like tapping into your inner thespian. I invite you to try it and watch your creative ideas flow!

–Carol Dickson-Carr

You can now show the world what you know with the  Wired How To Wiki, a collaborative site dedicated to bloggers, how to writers and a host of other cool stuff!  Check it out here.

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A few days ago, I talked about the virtues of using audio to promote your business and sharing your important message with the world. My original plan was to follow up on that task and discuss reasons why some people get stuck and don’t follow through despite the fact that they know in their hearts they have something great to offer. And I was going to talk about a few ways people could overcome some of those blocks.

But that is going to have to wait because a bit of serendipity preempted that show!

A few days ago, I read in the Wall Street Journal that Del Monte Foods performed a non-traditional focus group, which piqued my interest! You see, I minored in marketing but never really used much of what I learned beyond quantitative surveys (more on that in a bit) because what they taught me didn’t really apply to the entrepreneurial spirit. And the full time jobs I had out of college had more to do with economics and the social sciences anyway. But I do remember learning about focus groups. And I do remember that they can be expensive and time consuming—if done the traditional way. The typical sample size for focus groups are roughly 6-10 participants.

So I thought, “Cool!” Another way technology befriends us because, according to the article, Del Monte created a private online community that mirrors a (rather large!) focus group to conduct their market research. The community is called “I Love My Dog” from which Del Monte’s healthy Snausages Breakfast Bites were born. Focus groups, in and of themselves, are a fantastic way to gather qualitative data. Amp it up to that sample size (400 handpicked members) for less money, and you’ve got another win-win. And apparently, Coca-Cola and ABC Television Studios have also joined that particular party.

At the same time I found the article, I was wrapping up the development of my own survey, which is focused on a broader project of finding out the trends and challenges of businesses today (see http://tinyurl.com/2xrp85. There are some incentives to participating!). I’ve seen corporations all the way down to solopreneurs use the free online tool, Survey Monkey to get that job done.

In fact, I had a meeting today with a banker who wanted to talk about ways of getting prospects to convert because he got very close to the finish line on closing the deal with some heavy hitters only to have them go to someone else. He also tried cold-calling new prospects (not for the faint of heart), and a letter writing campaign. One of the suggestions I offered was to create two different surveys—one to prospects and the other to potential clients who didn’t convert and give them an incentive to participate. I’m hoping he’ll take my advice.

So what do your ideal clients or customers want? Inquire within, and find out, if you haven’t already.

–Carol Dickson-Carr

Check out the Biz Pulse 2008 Program

One of the elements of technology in business is the use of audio, which is not a new concept. But I was reminded of the impact of audio in business not only in podcasts or Teleclasses, but through other media such as amazon.com, which not only sells books but, like iTunes, sells digital audio. I just found out that even Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the last major music label holding out against selling music online without copy protection, will soon allow amazon.com to carry songs by its artists.

But in the U.S., there has been a lot of buzz lately about the falling dollar and the fear of recession looms for many families—some are already feeling it with layoffs. Are you worried? I’m not so much. Some of you know that I am an economist by trade and education. I know they call economics the dismal science because the courses we’ve taught centered on the allocation of scarce resources. But I am of the mind of Paul Zane Pilzer, also an economist, who said that Wealth = Physical Resources X Technology or W=PXT. How’s that for a paradigm shifter?

So in that spirit, you can still get your important message out because the information/digital age now makes it easier for you to get it out there at no cost—besides your time investment. It happens quickly, too. Three years ago, we didn’t have the free resources we have today (or the quality in some cases!). It gets cheaper and cheaper each year without sacrificing quality. That’s technology!

So my invitation to you today involves the following:

1. Think about the important message you want to share and then brainstorm around that topic (but remember to tame your gremlin!)
2. Record your message using the free resources out there (Audacity is the most popular)
3. Then tell everyone you think can benefit from your powerful message all about it!

Everyone has a story inside them. What’s yours?

–Carol Dickson-Carr

Check out the Biz Pulse 2008 Program

Loreal has done an incredible thing…they have me now buying their products and services.

I recall seeing a jar of Loreal night cream on my grandmother’s night stand. So…I have always thought of Loreal as a cosmetics company designed for the more mature woman.

Boy…was I wrong.

In 2007, Loreal made a very smart move. They launched the Loreal Brandstorm Competition. In order to apply to be a contestant, you have to be a college student, and you are required to apply in teams of 3. The campaign attracted over 17,000 college students from over 170 campuses. The program is designed to give emerging business leaders the opportunity to live as a Loreal Brand Manager, spending days designing marketing strategies and advertising campaigns for Loreal.

Loreal knows something that all savvy business owners know…that to stay alive, you HAVE to be willing to reach a younger market. So….they did it, and guess what? I have made the switch! I started using Loreal cosmetics in December of 2007, and I had been using a very expensive, top of the line brand. And guess what…I LOVE Loreal products. They are great on my skin, they smell great and they are affordable.

Of course, Loreal is also getting students involved all over the internet. They are visible on Facebook and MySpace, and they are using their flash website to draw folks in.

So…maybe it’s time to look at this competition approach to your marketing. It’s certainly working for Loreal and for FOX (American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance are 2 of the top ranked shows in the world right now).

Also…just check out Loreal’s website…this aint your grandmother’s company any longer!

–Bea Fields

The 3-Month Intensive Biz Pulse 2008 Coaching Program

Dates:  12 Consecutive Tuesdays from April 15-June 1, 2008

Time:  1:00-2:00 p.m.

All calls will be recorded

Coaching sessions will be scheduled according to the most convenient time for you.

During this program, we are going to take what you have learned in the 6-week program and bump up the intensity.  You will be choosing one main focus (blogging, podcasting, video, writing the first 3 chapters of a book or your internet radio show), creating a project plan for your focus area and implementing that over a 12 week period.  This will be a coaching intense program, but rest assured…any unanswered questions or resources you are missing will be made available to you during the course.  You can expect 15 minutes of teaching and 45 minutes of group coaching for each group call we hold. 

Cost: 

Month 1:  $200.00

Month 2:  $375.00

Month 3:  $375.00

(Total cost will be $950.00)

(With the above payment plan, you will pay $200.00 for month 1, and your credit card will be charged $375.00 for month 2 and $375.00 for month 3)

Pay the 3 months in full upfront:  $875.00 (a $100.00 discount)

Dates:  12 consecutive Tuesdays from April 15-July 1, 2008,  from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern

Cost Includes: 

- 12 (one hour) group calls

- 6 coaching sessions (3 with Carol Dickson-Carr and 3 with Bea Fields)

- Loads of resources (we are the resource queens, so you will be receiving all the information you need to start marketing yourself like gangbusters during this 3-month period)

Purchase the 3-month Biz Pulse 2008 Intensive (First Month Payment of $200.00)

Purchase the full 3-month program upfront for $850.00