February 22nd, 2009
Concentrate on creativity. It is critical for any entrepreneur to maximise creativity and to build an atmosphere that encourages people to have ideas. That means open structures, so that accepted thinking can be challenged.
Be passionate about ideas. Entrepreneurs want to create a livelihood from an idea that has obsessed them; not necessarily a business, but a livelihood. When accumulating money drives out the ideas and the anger behind them, you are no
Make the most of the female element. Companies as we know them were created by men for men, often influenced by the military model, on complicated and hierarchical lines and are both dominated by authoritarian principles and resistant to change. By setting up their own businesses, women can challenge these models and will be welcomed by customers for doing so.
Believe in yourself and your intuition. There is a fine line between entrepreneurship and insanity. Crazy people see and feel things that others do not. But you have to believe that everything is possible. If you believe it, those around you will believe it too.
Have self-knowledge. You do not need to know how to do everything, but you must be honest enough with yourself to know what you cannot provide yourself.
Anita Roddick (founder of Body Shop)
Tags: inspirational, Leadership, motivational, strategy
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June 22nd, 2009
“Help you people map out their personal goals. Ask them to apply those aspirations to what they do every day. By doing that, you build their sense of affiliation with the company and make them feel that they belong. They’ll believe that they don’t have to leave to accomplish their ambitions.”
Paul Russell
Director, Leadership and Development, Google.
Tags: engagement, Leadership, motivation, staff
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June 19th, 2009
Based on my non profit unemployment initiative experience around the country, I believe that three areas need addressing in the context of bringing the country to the next level.
1. Attitude shift amongst some of the unemployed. Unfortunately, I believe that there are too many people out there waiting for the apple to fall off the tree. The reality is that the paradigm has shifted from “instant gratification” to “ongoing graft;” if a person wants to find their dream job. Note “dream job/industry” – at this moment it is equally as difficult to find any job, as it is to find a post in your chosen discipline. The unemployed need to work smarter in addition to harder. Target your industry of choice and build a compelling case that this is your area of bliss embracing Web 2.0, to prove beyond all reason doubt that you really want that job.
2. The media needs to up it’s game in the context of providing it’s audience with balanced coverage of the days events. Currently the proliferation of doom and gloom is strangling creativity, enthusiasm and vision and making the dark hole even deeper. Many journalists told me off the record that “positivity and how to” weren’t exactly the most compelling news pieces. This was reflected in the absence of coverage with the exception of one show on the National Airwaves and papers. To reiterate, the media need to realise that people’s minds work similar to computers – Garbage in, Garbage out. How can you expect an enthusiastic, visionary, creative population if all they are being feed with is doom and gloom, which unfortunately is then being recycled within their daily conversations.
3. Greater cohesion amongst all the agencies and social entrepreneurs who are trying to make a difference.
The experience was very rewarding on a personal level. Considering that the average course rating was 9/10 from course attendees, it obviously gave real value to our target audience.
One piece of feedback will always stay with me: “It was the first time since I became unemployed that I didn’t feel invisible.”
That feedback on its own made the journey worthwhile.
Tags: media, motivation, Unemployed, unemployment strategy
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May 25th, 2009
Question of the week?
Based on the ratings I have received from Motivational Seminars in two Irish venues - average 9/10 in addition to what I believe are the very small numbers at each - over 100 delegates in total at the two venues the question is:
Have we an attitude about attitude?
Are we forgetting that most interviews last a maximum two minutes because of the intimate connection between the way we look, (our physiology) and the way we think (our psychology?) Thus the right attitude which feeds into our physiology, is the pre-requisite for success.
Another key attribute an employer is seeking is willingness to learn - can you prove this beyond all reasonable doubt?
Attitude precedes excellence - take Stanford Business School’s Advisory Committee’s advice without doubt self awareness is the most important quality a leader should develop.
Start taking the trip today and watch your employment opportunities increase!
Tags: unemployment;motivation;motivational speaker; inspiration
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April 15th, 2009
Fear is gripping our economy and altering our perception of reality. The poor are poorer and many rich feel poor such is the madness of these times.
Where fear reigns of course, hope dies.
Our minds work similar to computer. Same principle GARBAGE IN – GARBAGE OUT.
At the moment peoples psyche are being inundated with negativity that are compounding our fears and insecurities.
So how can we deal with the Fear Factor?
1.Let’s get personal.
The most important step is take personal responsibility for our own trip. We need to become the guardian to our minds, reject the ongoing garbage at source, and desist from adding to the doom and gloom cycle. Once upon a time the conversation was about the value of a house, now it has moved on to the recession. We now need to move on to more positive stories. Can we start to celebrate local success stories – people that are giving it a go. I sometimes wonder do we find more pleasure in pain than in success.
Watch the following for some inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
2. Compelling Vision
At a governmental level, communication is key. People need to know where we are going. Cutbacks are more acceptable when made in the context of moving towards a compelling vision.
Who are we? What is Ireland Inc? Are we moving towards a “Smart Economy?” If so what measures are been taken that gives us confidence that there is light at the end of the darkness.
Einstein once said you cannot solve problems with the thinking that created them, I highly recommend that the Government/political parties work with the great minds that exist in Ireland to agree on a vision.
Indeed another idea is to kick start creativity circles in each parish in Ireland and brainstorm this question “What is Ireland Inc” and feed it back up the line. We have an abundance of talent in this country – it is time we now used it.
At a personal level, be aware that never before in history has there been more of an opportunity to make an impact through the WWW. We are a small country that by leveraging the power of the web can create opportunities for our companies and individuals. Stick to your dreams, build website presence and you may be surprised with the results.
3. Unity Consciousness – we need at a governmental level to move beyond politics – quite simply politics at the moment is failing us. The majority of people don’t have confidence in politicians and this feeling is intensified when we turn the tv on and see more petty squabbling that is bringing us nowhere. Now is not the time for “I am right, you are wrong” strategy. Now is the time to get around the table and work together to sort this mess out. This would send a fantastic message to both the International Community and the public that you do actually mean business. It is important to realise that every petty squabble, every negative comment is picked up on all the decision makers pcs around Europe and the World. To be taken seriously, we must all pull together and move towards a more positive tomorrow.
At an individual level, a high profile civil servant saying no to a pay cut in the current environment again is sending out the wrong message.
Finally one of the positives of the current challenges is that people have got back to speaking to each other – they have more time on their hands, or so it appears. This renewed sense of community can be our building block.
Last week, I buried my great friend Martin at the tender age of forty. The recession will pass, but great friends like Martin are gone forever. It puts the whole thing in perspective. Time to get back to basics and value the valuables in our life.
Tags: economy, fear factor, inspiration, motivational strategy, recession
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April 2nd, 2009
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