Tag Archives: #thriveorsurvive

ADAPT

5 Aug

ADAPT.
We are going to keep it short and simple with a one word theme so I get it done and you get a great read.

In business, as in life change is inevitable. The only question is how will you combat this to effect a success and growth rate that will not only be rewarding but sets a precedent for those who come behind you.
Below I will outline 5 simple steps to get you there.

Adjust
Do more
Articulate
Pursue
Teach

-Adjust.
You won’t get what you want all of the time, fact.
And you won’t close everyone you talk to, also a fact. However when you know that you simply have to adjust and move on the rest is easy. How? Simple. Look at your stats.
If you search out the same people as clients or partners and your results are dismal, move on. Your model of an ideal partner is off.
If you use the same basic spiel every time you pursue a new client and you only close one in ten, you have to adjust your methods.
If you have always used only one sales funnel set up and scheme, and people aren’t converting- time to adjust.
When you look at the numbers you will find your strengths and weaknesses.
When you focus on adjusting your methods and motivations you Will find the team of your dreams. You will close eighty percent of the time. Adjusting isn’t a coping mechanism- it is THE mechanism.
Remember if you are stiff, and you can’t move your rudder then you are on a collision course with failure. Adjust your sales pitch, adjust your plans, adjust your methods; just keep your passion.

-Do more.
Trying to succeed? Hoping you make the team? Need core conversions and thousands more blog hits?
DO MORE. Simple, concise, and easy.
Do more. Increase your efforts. Apply more
hours. What your doing is working, and under that assumption you need only do more. Put in the man hours the sweat. If you blog, blog more. Do a blogging bonanza where you double or triple your educative output for x amount of days. Do you mentor? Then offer the double the time for the same price for the first five followers to sign up. And then repeat this process on twitter, tumblr, facebook, pinterest- it matters only that you do more. If you were a photographer you would do the same. If you played in the NBA and you were missing your shots from the free throw line- you would take more shots. You would do this my putting in more hours at practice. If you did and hour on the courts- now you do three.

-Articulate.
Say what you want say what is needed. When you want to close people word count. Your voice is required. People will opt in but if you want them to duplicate and grow and earn a healthy income- call them. Daily. Speak with them, know them, let them know they aren’t a number. Leaders articulate well. OBAMA makes speech after speech and regardless of the numbers people listen. His choice of words rallies people to him and his causes repeatedly. A great coach does this as well. He gets people excited, passionate, he created a controlled frenzy that motivates and creates momentum. This momentum in-turn facilitates action which begets victory. See the picture?

-Pursue.
So they came to your webinar. They emailed you after saying it was pretty sweet- but they want more info. PURSUE. This isn’t a moment for discouragement. Its a moment to show that you are a person as well and that you are there, 24/7 at their disposal. Call them the next day. Discuss life and times first. Email them motivational quotes so their mind sees success while it ponders joining you in pursuit of the American Dream. Call again. It takes five to seven interactions statistically to close most people. And that means you PURSUE. Victory is elusive at times but when you chase it you will make it.

-Teach.
Great you signed’em up. You got three people a day for three days straight. Now you can relax right? WRONG.
Time to TEACH. Everything you know, you help them to master. You teach your team everything about the business. And everything that can help them in all of lifes pursuits. Knowledge pooled in to a collective and shared through proper discourse will lead to greater success for you and every member of your team. And even when the numbers are running lower than expected, as log as the team is learning you are winning. A quick close or opt-in is always there in a pinch. But a team member who generates six figures and then duplicates that repeatedly- that is a find. And where do you find that guy or gal? They are already with you. Great leaders and closers are made not born. We are all called to greatness but some people do not heed the call. We are great from inception yet many people on your team will quit. Many won’t try too hard. Not a problem. You keep teaching. You grow, they grow.
And as they grow you refine as well. Whenever you give you get.

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way. – Napoleon Hill

#thriveorsurvive.

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Changeinadvance@gmail.com
@changeinadvance
Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

Exclusive Interview #3 Spotlighting Ace of www.Aceincworld.com

4 Aug

The third interview in a series highlighting up and coming entrepreneurs and leaders.
Today we interview Ace.

And without further ado:

-Where you from?
Bronx NY.

-Age?
26.

-How did you get in the game?
I always loved music so it was a no brainer for me.

-What made you embrace your position?
I’m a peoples person when you’re a promoter you have to be able to work with lots of people you can’t do that if your not.

-What keeps you in your position?
My never say die attitude.  

-What are your secrets to success?
Do things your way not the way people think you should.

-What don’t you like in the game?
I don’t like when people try to get over when i was a rookie i had to learn to watch out for snakes.

-What do you like in the game?
I like that their are lots of people that don’t mind helping rookies.

-What would you change in the game?
I would get rid of what i like to call superstar syndrome (people thinking they are bigger than what they really are).

-If I gave you a milli what or whom would you invest in?
I would give $250,000 to a cancer research foundation the rest I would start a company and only hire people from the poor areas that really need the jobs.

-What sets you apart from the game?
I’m not in the game to get rich, but because I like doing what i do.

-What are your thoughts on 360 deals?
I don’t think its unfair to the artist but at the end of the day you gotta do what you gotta to survive.

-What made you love hip hop?
It was raw and uncut.

-Who is your fav rapper/lyricist?
DMX.

-Best person to ever play your position?
A lot of people would disagree but I have to say Don King.

-Best rapper alive?
50 cent.

-Advice for my readers?
Follow your dreams no matter what.

-Your definition of success?
Never having to struggle or live paycheck to paycheck.

-Any projects you’d like to promo?
At the moment I’m working on starting my own anti-domestic charity, but I’m taking it to a different level because it doesn’t just affect mothers it affect children and a lot of people forget about that.

#thriveorsurvive

Everyones buying Gold and Silver, let them buy it from YOU

31 Jul

#thriveorsurvive

BILLION DOLLAR AFTERMARKET

31 Jul

Everyone seems to have an ipad, heck some of you only shop apple. I’m taking mac air, iphone 4s, and the ever handy ipad. Steve Jobs may have set the bar but he also created a whirlwind of value and a few smart people seized the day. You see ipad and ipod et al after market products is over a billion dollar industry. That’s right the people not directly licensed by apple and or the products not sold in licensed retailers account for a billion plus dollars in sales.
So my friends let’s see what conclusions and lessons we can draw from this fantastic economic activity.

-See the opportunity.
When the ipod took the music world by storm people went ape. The price was irrelevant because people had what they wanted in hand. A product that was cool, sheik, useful and convenient. However the mass marketers and wholesalers who had a brain used this massive media and fan frenzy to line their pockets. Both low quality and high quality goods were churned out daily in a few different countries to feed the consumer greed and fad chasers lust for newer and better. Cases, workout sleeves, special headphones and even watch bands for certain ipod nanos stormed the market in a manner as epic as the taking of the city of troy. People saw and bought. And then bought some more. And as Apple keeps churning out that nifty product the aftermarket does too. Opportunity is staring you in the face- are you looking for it or coasting on your day job?

-You don’t need to have invented the wheel to feast on it.
Now a lot of these aftermarket products are loosely based on or directly copied from apple products and their licensed partners. However this stopped no one from creating competing consumer goods at a tenth of the price or a little more. The smart business men didn’t even create a product. They seized the moment and simply imported the product and tacked on a great enough percentage to fill their coffers and not tick off potential customers. Even 7Eleven got in on the deal selling products they didn’t own, license, or include in their aggressive marketing campaigns. Yet the products are there to catch the windfall of dollars. Are you catching yours?

-Create value.
Simply put make what they don’t know they NEED. People will buy anything if it solves problems, captures their attention or caters to a whim. The ipad was revolutionary in use size, scope- you name. People use them to fly planes, write novels, see cartoons and even manage small fortune 500 companies. You can just check your email too. But what Apple did here was create something that not only appealed to the masses but had an inherent value in many market places and careers. When you blog, or make cars or take photos at the knicks game if you don’t create something of value you are wasting time.
People don’t buy what is worthless.
People buy vintage not used.
People love innovation.
People hate wasted space.
People hate clutter in purses and backpacks- ipad solves many of these issues.
If you solved but one issue or create even a tiny bit of value you will see success you will have a fan base and a loyal customer base to boot.

-Capitalize on a niche market.
We have more or less covered this folks however I want to be clear.
Apple didn’t stop at computers.
Richard Branson has multiple businesses under one umbrella corporation.
Michael Jackson bought the Beatles rights.
In all three of these examples the victor did one thing he capitalized on a certain avenue or avenues. Branson did it over and over. Heck he still does it! Apple is taking television over sooner than we can expect. And Michael knew the Beatles were almost timeless and used his wealth to double down and added to his paychecks a lifetime of lifetimes in supplemental income. Always
Look for the niche market. What people won’t pay for is a phrasing away from Christmas pandemonium.
See it. Do it.

#thriveorsurvive.

Action is the real measure of intelligence.
– Napoleon Hill #NapoleonHill #Success

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat.

Changeinadvance@gmail.com

@changeinadvance

Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

GENIUS

30 Jul

Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid

#thriveorsurvive

Fear is Useful

30 Jul

Fear is useful.
(When you know what to fear.)

Remember the Boogeyman? And how he came every night whether you saw him or not? Or Freddy Kruger and Jason? These guys scared the bejesus out of me when I was real young, and many of you too I bet.
See fear is a natural occurrence. We need it. Some people say they are fearless I say that’s foolish. Fear can ruin your life or build your drive to succeed and its simply a matter of whether you master it or not.

-What is fear?
Fear is a response to external and or internal factors and actions. Most of us are afraid of pain. And pain is simply your body warning you to certain permutations and facts. As a recipient of a few broken bones and surgeries I know first hand that at times fear can paralyze you. However if you seek the calm point in you it is an ally. Fear is basically your response to things. Nothing else. However fear can cripple and incapacitate or build and renew.

-Know what to fear.
So we touched on fear being useful. Fear is useful, it is the beginning of wisdom says the Bible in the book of Proverbs and there is truth to that. Being afraid to die can give you a certain center that will enable you to not make ignorant choices. However you have to know what to fear. Fearing red ants is pointless. Fearing success is as well but many people are too afraid to take the steps that lead to pure, unbridled success. If you are afraid of meeting new people, building connections, and or closing sales- don’t quit your day job. Being your own boss comes with a huge magnanimous serving of failure. However when you fear failure you don’t SUCCEED. The key here is to fear not reaching your potential.
You should fear not rising to your potential. You should fear not giving back because you didn’t meet your level. We all have the ability to rise. And while we won’t all be olympic medals we are all entitled to and I dare say required to be our best.
What do you fear?
Why do you fear it?
Conquer your basic fears and move forward.
Can you imagine still being afraid of the dark? You’d get nowhere.
Afraid of the dentist?- I bet you go though because the potential downside is horrendous. And if you avoid the dentist now he will see you more later- CONQUER!

-Harness the power of fear.
In life I’ve been scared of roller coasters, heights, girls, and success. And I had to harness that fear to beat these things that scared me. For rollercoasters I simply let my brother in law shame me until we got on every ride in the park! And after I yelled like a little girl I learned that I actually liked rollercoasters. For heights I beat that by accident. I had to climb a rope ladder repaeatedly when a wild animal almost attacked. While I dislike heights now I won’t lose due to fear. As for girls when we were younger one of my closest friends and I made a deal that we would take turns talking to every pretty girl we saw on our troop home. And it worked! We not only beat the fear but conquered it and realized how easy it was. And for the younger fans and readers- the girls are just as nervous.
When it comes to success I simply force myself to do it. I won’t be in a j-o-b forever. And I make a point to tell people my goals. Not to brag but to hold myself accountable. That way if I say two days it has to be less- otherwise I hear the junk and look inefficient. And I refuse to be less than I am. Do you feel the same?
Conquer People!

#thriveorsurvive.

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Changeinadvance@gmail.com
@changeinadvance
Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

Hemingway is Right.

30 Jul

#thriveorsurvive

Exclusive Interview #2. Spotlighting Ceddy J of www.Duskspot.com

28 Jul

Exclusive Interview #2. Spotlighting Ceddy J of http://www.Duskspot.com
——————–
The second interview in a series highlighting up and coming entrepreneurs and leaders.
Today we interview Ceddy J.

And without further ado:

-Where you from?
Originally From Trenton, NJ and Now Living In Dallas, TX.

-Age?
I’m currently 25 years of age.

-How did you get in the game?
This all sparked from playing many instruments at a young age along with being on the newspaper staff back in high school. After a college professor recommended I take her voice and diction class, she encouraged me to become a radio personality.

-What made you embrace your position?
As far as event promoting, I went to an event for homecoming at my college, which was real fun until some random lames decided they wanted to have a huge brawl. This lead to not only the event ending early, but also lead to the venue never letting Black people have nothing there again. I told myself that night I was going to become a promoter and have events that weed out fighters. After I threw a “Project X” type of party I was involved with some of the premier events in the Dallas area. After a while, I took the experience I have as a promoter, radio personality, and musician to fuse myself into the DJ that I am today.

-What keeps you in your position?
I’m not afraid to take risks along with not allowing rejection to get in the way of I’m passionate about.

-What are your secrets to success?
I always study trends of the industry, understanding every position so that I can convey exactly what I want done the way I want it.

-What don’t you like in the game?
There are always a lot of sharks who say “it takes money to make money”, but half of them are the exact people always looking for handouts. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH!

-What do you like in the game?
The Underground Aspects Of The Industry set the tone for the majors. Like for instance, internet radio shows like mine focused on the upcoming leaders in the entertainment industry. This lead to major radio stations playing more local music and having weekly shows with local artists.

-What would you change in the game?
Stop letting budgets dictate talent. If an artist is GREAT, let’s find them some investments so that we have quality.

-If I gave you a milli what or whom would
you invest in?
With a milli, I’m investing in starting foundation to help small businesses get their feet off the ground through strong planning and executing.

-What sets you apart from the game?
I understand the basics of the game and then play by my rules and feed off of suggestions to keep myself well-rounded.

-What are your thoughts on 360 deals?
360 are worth it depending on how much a label is willing to invest into its artist, especially when it comes to marketing.

-What made you love hip hop?
My appreciation for multiple genres helped me love hip hop. Its a genre of music that has sparked a huge culture that is always evolving over time.

-Who is your fav rapper/lyricist?
Phonte because this dude is the full package that the industry has been blessed with. He always delivers when he says he has another great project coming out.

-Best person to ever play your position?
Ricky Smiley, because a personality he is not afraid to be himself show after show.

-Best rapper alive?
If we want to talk revenue and talent, hands down Jay-Z.

-Advice for my readers?
I have a coinphrase I say at the end of every show, which is “Where There’s A J, Or A U(You) There’s A Way!” I live by this everyday and encourage my listeners to always go after what they want the best way they can with as many ways possible.

-Your definition of success?
Success is being able to realize that you set the tone through how confident and knowledgeable you are in your position.

-Any projects you’d like to promo?
My social network for upcoming stars in music and modeling called DuskSpot.com which is dedicated to playing an direct role in its members’ careers. I also would like to promote my partner in crime, DJ P Bucc, because without his continued support and direct involvement with all of my projects I would almost give up.

#thriveorsurvive

SUCCESS

28 Jul

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
-???

#thriveorsurvive

Lessons from the movie Paid In Full.

27 Jul

Lessons from the movie Paid In Full.

So I’m in a waiting room after a back injury and was discussing the movie Paid in Full with a colleague and while its a ‘hood movie’, or a ‘drug movie’- I found some great points for any business person.
The protagonist whose moniker is Ace has an unusual way of doing business and leading. At least in comparison to his peers.

-Keep pricing down.
In any business if your clientele and partners can purchase at a lower cost your average goes up.
I was part of a business that required me to buy product monthly for consumption or to give away. Now the product was great- is great. Top notch. But the problem I had was that the costs were high and then they went up! And I couldn’t convince people to buy my product. Oh I had some sales and didn’t walk away bankrupt. But the costs were extreme. And you can easily say- Tony you failed there not them. And you might be right. However if the product was a better value for the dollar I think I would have believed in it more and my customers would have bought more and been more numerous. The lesson here is simple- if your product can’t be moved in your market at the desired price- lower it. Now you may not be able too, but if you can do it. Ever notice that Old Navy and Gap inc always have sales? Or how about Honda and Toyota? Both product types are in demand. Both offer quality products. However sale pricing closes the deal. In a psych-sales/marketing class the teacher spoke on how the $19.99 pricing of a unit could lead to a 30% profit margin over the similarly priced $20.00 unit. You see, the sale price is akin to a fish hook covered in tasty bait. That one penny difference not only lures them in but seals the deal.
In the Movie ACE sold a higher quality. product and at a cheaper price. This enabled him to move product faster and satisfy his consumer base. He also benefited by having his money in hand faster and being able to buy more product faster. Also the faster you can profit the more you can minimize your risks and increase value to clients.

-More importantly keep cost down.
Now if your product is cheaper than your competitors your advantage is astronomical. And when marketed it right sales will grow exponentially. In the movie ACE purchased a higher quantity of “merchandise” at a time which enabled him to make a larger profit easier. What’s even more amazing was that since he was in essence buying wholesale he could lower his price and still make a killing. Remember profits are made wen you buy not when you sell. That applies to buying homes, flipping homes and cars and even signing contracts. Ill let you figure how the last one applies ;).
—-

-Share the wealth.
Profit sharing can have enormous implications when related to sales, profit, loyalty and growth. Now you can keep 80% of your profits and see what happens. After costs you might have 2% left to pay employees and partners. And I don’t know about you but I won’t bust my hump for peanuts- especially for your dream and not mine. See that’s a normal human reaction. Even if I give you a 110%, eventually someone else will see my caliber and snatch me up. This is avoided by either profit sharing and or paying an exceptional wage. People who are paid what they are worth or more will give more. In the movie ACE worked this out by not cutting out his competition. He made it possible for everyone to ‘eat.’. Every individual who wanted in was in. Everyone looking to cash in- DID. Your team will work. But pay them like family and you all win. Disagree? Email me.

-Share the power.
ACE shared power with friends and confidants. He didn’t rule Nazi wild style. People were given rolls and responsibilities. While ACE was top dog he had enough people whom he had given a stake too that these people kept the cogs in the machines rolling. Look at our government in the USA- there are three branches to create a balance where power is concerned. In your own business you need partners. And with these partners you may keep a majority share but when their voices don’t count they won’t care. Also in sharing power you relinquish some power but also remove a burden; a yolk is lifted from your neck. Share people. It will improve ALL results.

-Reward friends.
In business many people reach out to and or work with friends before anyone else. Now this is ideal- providing you do it right. Your friends don’t want to be slaves or butlers. They want a say, and some equality. Now here’s the tricky part- KNOW YOU. If you don’t you fail. You have to know if you can share. You have to know if you even want too. However friends deserve to be rewarded. The people who stick with you and help you build an empire must reap the rewards. Giving them this form of loyalty rewards you with theirs. And when the friends are rewarded they work harder.
In the movie ACE had a true friend in Mitch who was a hustler when ACE walked the straight and narrow. And when the tables turned and ACE was the boss he rewarded Mitch richly. Which gave him not just loyal workers but a friend for life. Now it wasn’t the materialism side that fed and freed people for ACE- it was the simple act of giving. When you reward those who are with you, everyone wins.

-Overall this movie was a ‘hood classic.’. However what people are missing is that the protagonist was able to use real business principles to succeed. He also quelled violence, saved lives and rewarded Rico the friend of Mitch. Now that dog bit the hand that fed him you might argue, but he was rewarding Rico’ loyalty to Mitch.

#thriveorsurvive.

“Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life.” -Napoleon Hill

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Changeinadvance@gmail.com
@changeinadvance
Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

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