The Similarities and Differences between Corporate World and Small Business

Our guest , Cheryl Alderman from BeUltimate, works with both the Corporate companies and Small Business and understands the two different worlds very well.

Working in the Corporate Workforce can be all encompassing with an elite component, due to the size of the businesses. For Small Business, owners are passionate about what they do – the challenges can be huge because they don’t have the financial backup.

One of the biggest differences – in corporate there is a lack of control – they are employees . In small business, 90 – 100% of decisions are made by the owner, they are in control.

Corporate employees don’t have the same emotional input that Small Business Owners. In Small Business, the business is really a part of the business owner and have a really emotional connection – in the corporate world – the emotional connection is really not there as strongly.

Challenges are stress, speed of change, pressures, financial pressures. Cheryl works with the executives to reduce stress and have lifestyle changes to handle the pressures.

Time management, Delegation, effective outsource, time saving methods, using technology to reduce the pressure. Organisation is a big area. Both Corporate and Small Business are , of course, keen to gain exposure and promote their business ultimately increasing their reach.

This is a really valuable discussion – especially if you are wanting to understand your target market and the needs of both corporate world and small business.

Here’s the video of our interview – Thanks so much Cheryl for your overview with lots of constructive ideas we can use. Here’s the video:

Introducing BookYourselfSolid®

If you heard that there was a book based on a coaching program that helped small business owners and service professionals increase their revenues by over 42% you’d be skeptical.

But it’s true. There is such a book. It’s called Book Yourself Solid and it’s by Michael Port (a super nice guy). The stats are documented and show the amazing impact of this program.

You may have heard the name buzzing about town – Michael Port – a true professional and incredible marketing mind. He serves as a role model to entrepreneurs and business owners around the world. He’s a new friend of mine – someone I respect – and a guy I can honestly say that walks his talk.

Book Yourself Solid® is amazing. It’s a real system that you can use to book yourself solid–and it’s inspirational. Michael has a breezy, easy style of writing. In fact, you’ll feel like your having an intimate conversation with him throughout the book.

The BookYourselfSolid® approach is now being introduced here in Australia – The Speakers Practice is proud to be able to offer the BookYourselfSolid® approach here in Australia. Adrienne McLean has been trained by Michael Port and his Elite BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coaches and is now thrilled to be a BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coach. This photo Michael Port with Adrienne was taken at the Philadelphia BookYourselfSolid® Workshop March 2014.

The incredible advantage of being a BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coach is that Adrienne will have the support of Michael Port and the BookYourselfSolid® Certified Coaches – there is a monthly call – so clients have the benefits of Adrienne’s association with this International support structure.

Have a look at Amazon. Book Yourself Solid® is always one of the highest ranked marketing and sales books. See the link – on right.

The Speakers Practice – Succeed Program is for self-employed professionals – either looking to go into business or in business and wanting more clients. We offer a process based on a Continuous Improvement model that uses a four step process – the learning part of the process is based on this world famous program – BookYourselfSolid®.

Readers are leaders. If you’re anything like me, you’ll get a massive return on your investment in this book. The BookYourselfSolid® Illustrated version is a fabulous way to work your way though building a business – you will do this with honesty and integrity and have the roadway to success!

The Feeling of Success


Achieving your goal is a nice feeling!

The elation is fabulous and celebrate the success!

The Success raises you up to the next level- enjoy the moment – be proud of all the hard work you have done – it has resulted in you achieving your goal.

To achieve your goal – it has taken:

Huge amounts of effort
Uncertainty of whether you can achieve it or not
Persistence to keep at it and not give in to the demand
Focus – keeping on task and not getting side tracked
Handling of the roadblocks, the challenges and home situations that may all side track you

Finally, you have enjoyed the result of your hard work and successfully completed your goal. Any self doubt and problems have gone. Enjoy and Celebrate!

And, what’s the next goal on your horizon?

How the Continuous Improvement Cycle Helps Small Business


This Continuous Improvement Cycle of
Plan – Do – Check – Act –
is a well established Quality Assurance tool –
This approach can be used for any situation where making improvements is desired.

It does take commitment and focus to the process to achieve the best results. It requires discipline. It also requires that you delve deep into areas – really understand how they work to develop and improve the process.

The Continuous Improvement approach follows the following steps:

1. Plan – the activities you are undertaking – identify the problems you are facing or the improvements you are wanting to introduce. Really go into this in depth – find some measurements – otherwise know as KPI’s – Key Performance Indicators to show how the progress is going with the following improvements you have made.

2. Do – Make the Improvements or Changes you have decided will make the difference. Improving processes , establishing systems that work , eliminating complex systems for easier ones. etc. Make the changes and follow the impact with measuring the KPI’s.

3. Check – Do an Audit and see how the improvements are tracking – looking at the KPI’s will give a good indication – asking questions with the people involved to see how things are going. Do this questioning in depth – because here you will find out if further improvements are required.

4. Act – Here you make the improvements found necessary from the audit in Step 3 – Check – Adjustments to the initial approach are made in this step – then implement the changes and then keep checking the KPI’s .

This is a Continuous Improvement Cycle – you keep working on improving your systems and procedures in whatever industry or service or profession you are in. This process can keep Small Business’s up-to-date and facing issues that if left unaddressed could cause huge impact.

The Speakers Practice – Succeed Program integrates this four step process to enable Small Businesses to exceed their objectives along the pathway to Success. To find out more – contact Adrienne McLean on adrienne@thespeakerspractice.com.au
or ring on 0414 367 960.

Overcoming Roadblocks – How?


You start off with a vision, a Big Goal – you’re strong , capable and focussed – but something happens and it doesn’t go to plan. Things just don’t go to plan. You may seem:

Overwhelmed
Stuck
Feeling like you are under achieving
Frustrated as you’re not moving forward

So how do you get around the block to move forward?
1. Identify the Roadblock – Look at the roadblocks as an opportunity to learn. We don’t know everything and when in new situations we need to take a breathe and look at the situation – then find out a new way of handling the situation. Actually identifying that we have come up with a roadblock is the first step. Acknowledging that we’re struggling and need some assistance.

2. Look for a Coach or Mentor – If in a business context, a coach or a mentor who has been through the process would teach you , with their own approach and experience to get around the roadblock and move forward. Being with people who have been through the same struggles can support you to learn to handle the situation and move on.

3. Listening is a necessary skill – when people give you their advice – listen – learn and develop. You don’t have to take on all advice but you do need to absorb information that will help you move forward. Talk to people who have been through what you are experiencing , listen and use what works for you.

4. Look outside the Square – If what is being done at the moment isn’t working – Try other approaches – Brainstorm different ways of doing it – Be creative – Read- Learn – look for different ways of achieving what you are wanting to achieve.

5. Persist – Persist – Persist!! – Keep going , don’t give up – the only people who fail are the ones that give up!! Make the necessary adjustments , learn what is required, develop your skills – Go Out of Your Comfort Zone to Achieve!

For Business Owners, experiencing Roadblocks and needing to find ways around these Roadblocks – The Speakers Practice – Mentoring program – the Succeed Program is ideal. Adrienne uses a combination of the World Famous Marketing program – BookYourselfSolid®, Speaking Development using the SpeakersTrainingCamp® and Facilitation – see – http://thespeakerspractice.com.au/-mentoring-program

Here’s an interview with Travis Bell speaking about Overcoming Road Blocks on The Speakers Practice – Friday Forum – Travis Bell is the Bucket List Guy – President at the National Speakers Association of Australia in Victoria – a corporate motivational speaker of achieving your dreams. Travis has some marvellous approaches.