Monthly Archives: January 2012

January 31, 2012

Cordia Harrington’s Playbook For Success

By Chris LoCurto
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Today’s post is The Producer’s Point of View from our EntreLeadership Podcast producer Chris Mefford of my interview with Cordia Harrington.

Have you ever found yourself going through the motions, wishing someone would just define how to win at life, business or relationships? So many times in our lives, we’re told to be winners, be successful, be better, be something awesome. But no one ever says, “Here’s the recipe for winning, here’s how you do it.” This is possibly why so many of us fail to actually make our move to greatness.

One of the cool things I get to do every week, besides work with Chris LoCurto, is produce the EntreLeadership Podcast. I get to sit in the room and listen as some of the most successful, smartest and innovative business leaders in America explain how to win at life, business and relationships. They share their playbooks. As they speak, not only do I listen but I also write down their answers. I thought some of you might appreciate hearing a few of the highlights from these interviews.

Cordia Harrington

Yesterday, we talked with Cordia Harrington, CEO of the Tennessee Bun Company. Her business made more than $60 million last year.  She is easily one of my favorite leaders who we’ve interviewed.

Cordia’s story about the McDonald’s franchise she bought and how she took it from one of the worst to one of the top 50 is worth a listen. It’s both entertaining and amazing.  President George W. Bush said of her, “Risk-takers like Cordia create jobs and opportunities for their fellow citizens and show the world the power of the American dream.”

Here are just a few of the highlights on being a leader from Cordia:

  • We asked her about her mantra of “no is not an option!”  She was clear that “you must have the courage to be persistent and resourceful.”  I love this attitude. Often, as leaders, we can be persistent but not resourceful.  Thinking outside the box is as necessary as never giving up. To Cordia, they go hand in hand.
  • We also discussed some of the challenges that come with being a woman leader. Specifically, how do you handle dealing with male counterparts who have trouble giving a level of equality or respect in the conference room? Cordia said she learned to “be prepared, be the best and be prepared to be the best.” It can take time, but soon everyone will respect you and what you bring to the table.
  • When we asked her what types of things do you do to continually develop your leadership skills, she said exactly what many other leaders we’ve talked to say. “Surround yourself with sharp people and those willing to keep you straight and speak up and into your life. Read a book once a month with your leadership team.”
  • Cordia said the No. 1 key to being a successful leader is “coaching your team on how to solve problems, not simply doing it for them.”  She encourages her team to develop goals that are bigger than they think they can achieve.
  • Finally, when asked what advice she would give to a young leader getting started today—guidance she wished someone would have given to her—she had three points:
  1. Understand that problems are a training ground. You learn more from the trials you live through than any book you could read or class you take.
  2. Get involved with your peers. Working with your equals can help you grow faster.
  3. It truly is better to give than to receive.

And I think that’s a good way to start the new year. It truly is better to give than to receive.

Questions: How does Cordia’s story inspire you? What do you feel you can go out and accomplish? 

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44 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , | posted in EntreLeadership, Leadership, Small Business

January 27, 2012

Everyone Can Be A Winner, Even When They Lose

By Chris LoCurto
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In the last few weeks, I’ve been on the road more than I’ve been at home. So I was really looking forward to coming back to Nashville on Sunday and spending time resting. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I was also excited about watching the NFL conference championships.

I love pro football, especially at this time of year when it’s all coming down to the wire. And while my favorite game was my Niners playing the Giants, I wanted to discuss something that happened with the other game that day. As I sat down to watch the Patriots/Ravens game, I started thinking about the teamwork it takes to get to this level.

The best example for the Patriots came in the second quarter. That’s when Patriots running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis ran it in for a touchdown. To celebrate the score, Benjarvus jumped up and down and began pointing at a patch on his chest. It wasn’t a personal victory dance or even a “look-how-great-I-am” shuffle. Instead, it was in honor of Patriot owner Robert Kraft’s wife, who died just before the season began.

Each player wore Myra Kraft’s initials on their jersey to celebrate the woman who had been married to the team’s owner for nearly 50 years. They dedicated the season to her and had even given Kraft a painting of his wife for Christmas. Benjarvus and the team were honoring her the best way they knew how—with touchdowns.

On the other side of the field, teamwork shown just as brightly. For the Ravens, it happened at the end of the game. Actually … maybe even later. Kicker Billy Cundiff was being interviewed by a reporter from USA Today about the field goal he whiffed to lose the game. He didn’t give any excuses or blame his fellow players. Cundiff said he simply missed the kick. And the biggest disappointment for this seven-year veteran? “Letting my teammates down,” he said.

The late great football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.” That certainly was the case on Sunday—only both teams won, no matter the score. And the same holds true for you. When your people come together, working toward the greater good, magic will happen and everyone wins. It doesn’t get better than that.

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18 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , | posted in Leadership, Small Business

January 23, 2012

I Plan To Do That

By Chris LoCurto
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Here is a great post by Joel Fortner. Not only is he one of the top commenters on ChrisLoCurto.com, but he’s also a great blogger. You can guest post as well! Read how to here.

Do you know how I can tell that I will actually do the thing I’m talking about? By the words I use. In particular, by the verbs I choose. Why? Because the words we use are indicators of our true intentions at the time.

For example, you’re at a party talking with someone. They finish telling you about their new business and you say, “I plan to do that some time.” It’s not going to happen. If you are reading a book about the power of goal setting, and you think, I should do that,  you won’t.

In my experience, “planning to,” “I should” and “I may” are a far cry from “I will” or “I’m going to.” The latter expressions indicate action. They’re words of commitment. They’re words we use when we’ve emotionally decided to act. Yes, emotionally.

The Bible says, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart.” (NKJV) Do you get that? From the heart. Anytime we decide to tackle something important, it’s emotional. We put our heart on the line.

I often tell the story of when I decided to get out of debt. My wife and I were dating, and I was standing in her kitchen, stressed out. We were chatting about money, which was quite common considering she worked for Dave Ramsey at the time. During our talk, I remember thinking for probably the ninety-sixth time, Where is all of my money going? And I got mad!

After years of making dumb financial decisions, including financing a BMW I couldn’t afford followed by financing my dog, I finally got emotional enough to do something about it. I immediately canceled my credit cards, cut them up, roughed out a budget and wound up making 18 months’ worth of car payments in five months.

On that day in her kitchen, I sidelined thought and put my heart in the game. I traded in “should” for “will.”

The words we use are powerful. I never would have paid off the car early by “planning to” do it. This year, I encourage you to tackle your goals from the heart. If necessary, get mad. Use words that build the bond between you and whatever it is you want to achieve. Make this year the year of “will.”

Question: Has changing the way you talk about something changed the result?

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27 comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Leadership, Small Business

January 18, 2012

Commissions and Commercialism: How One Artist Views Custom Work

By Chris LoCurto
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Here is a guest post by Jana Botkin. Jana is one of the top commenters on ChrisLoCurto.com. You can guest post as well! Read how to here.

People always want to know how I’m able to do commissioned artwork, which is a work produced in response to an order.

“Aren’t you selling out to commercialism?” they ask. Actually … no. There is a misconception that artists are too sensitive to have others direct their work. I am happy to draw for people. It brings joy into their lives to create a personal piece of art, and it is a pleasure to be part of the process.

Sometimes, I wonder why someone wants a drawing or painting when the scene has been recorded in a photo. Occasionally, I even ask customers that very question. Often, the answer is that they simply prefer a graphite drawing to a photo.

But I believe there is a deeper reason. The nitty-gritty truth is that real life is messy. I get to clean it up with my pencil—a much more satisfying tool than a vacuum. I prune trees, move rocks, cause shrubs to grow, eliminate trashcans and power poles, soften age lines, move hair out of people’s eyes, smooth wrinkles out of clothing and even scoot siblings closer together.

These tricks present the best of what we remember about life, and sometimes just portray what we wish were the truth. I am serving the customer by illustrating their dream of reality or freezing one of their best memories in a frame.

Commercialism is defined as “derogatory practices and attitudes that are concerned with the making of profit at the expense of quality.” That’s not in any way what I do. Like Dave and his team, I offer hope. And that, whether free or for a fee, never goes out of style.

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32 comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Leadership, Small Business

January 13, 2012

Three Words That Can Make Your 2012

By Chris LoCurto
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Here is a guest post by Louise Thaxton. Louise is one of the top commenters on ChrisLoCurto.com. You can guest post as well! Read how to here.

Got Goals for 2012?  Let ‘Three Words’ Be Your GPS

Many people take the first few weeks of the year to review and revise their personal and business goals for the next 12 months.  This year, I plan to use an alternative method suggested by Chris Brogan.

Chris is the New York Times best-selling co-author of  Trust Agents and a monthly columnist for Entrepreneur magazine. On a recent blog post, he shared an idea that he calls “My Three Words.”   Each year, he chooses three words and then allows them to serve as a compass for his goals and plans. You can read his three words for 2012 HERE.

Why not give it a try?  Choose a trio of words, and then allow  them to guide you throughout this year, much like you use your GPS to direct your road trips.  They will be the starting point for any new venture or goal you set for 2012.  This method should bring much greater clarity and focus to your business or life plan.

I have accepted this challenge and here are my Three Words for 2012:

Margin – Imagine reading a book without margins!  It would be unsettling to say the least. This year, I want to widen the margins in my life. One of my biggest challenges is over commitment. I always think I can do it all.  But the truth is—I can’t!  I want to live 2012 with my default answer being NO instead of YES.

Does this mean that I will ultimately say NO to everything?   NO!  It just means that before I automatically say YES and over commit, which is my propensity, I will first evaluate the “opportunity” or the “obligation” to see if it aligns with my goals for the year.

When I say YES to someone else’s request, I could potentially be saying NO to an important goal that I have set.  Before obligating my time and resources, I vow to ask myself the following questions.

Will saying YES contribute to the achievement of my goals for this year?

If I say YES to this request, to what must I say NO?

If I say YES to BOTH requests, will I still have MARGIN?

Of course, we all have emergencies and life dramas that arise and trump the NO answer.  Should one of my family or friends be in the emergency room with a life-threatening situation, margin is not a consideration.

 Discipline – The famous business philosopher, Jim Rohn, said:  “We must all suffer from one of two pains. The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is that discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

One of the definitions of discipline is “an activity or regime that develops or improves a skill.” Another is “to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.”  Both work for me. There are numerous areas of my life that need to be developed and improved, but it will require discipline on my part.

There are also areas of my life that need order and control. One is exercise.  It is at this time of year that many are thinking about getting into shape.  We’ll join the gym, purchase the exercise DVD or the latest book on exercise. But it requires discipline to maintain an exercise program throughout the year—no matter how many goals we set.

Write – My first two words for the year are actually tied to this third one.  I must make sure there is margin in my life to have the time to write. And when the time is available, I must implement the discipline to do it. And even when I am uninspired and suffering from writer’s block, I must write.

This word or directive—WRITE—is at the core of several of my goals, dreams and projects for 2012. I want to:

  • WRITE a book.
  • WRITE a monthly column for a national publication.
  • WRITE an industry blog site.
  • WRITE in my personal journal.
  • WRITE words of encouragement to those I mentor and lead.

Remember that your three words are not your goals. They are the compass or GPS for your goals. These are the words that will lead, guide and inspire you for the entire year.

As an example, one of my personal goals is to attend at least two of my grandchildren’s sporting events each month. I have 16 grandkids and most are involved in sports, so it’s not an easy task. To keep this goal, I’ll reflect on the word MARGIN and make the necessary adjustments in other areas of my business or personal life. Otherwise, the pages of my life will be as chaotic as a margin-less book.

Questions: What will be the three words that take you deeper than merely setting goals or writing a business plan?  How will those three words inspire your goals, dreams and plans for this next year? 

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60 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Leadership, Small Business

January 12, 2012

What Anti-EntreLeadership Looks Like

By Chris LoCurto
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Here is a guest post by Steve Baynes. You can follow him on Facebook. You can guest post as well! Read how to here.

I really enjoy reading Chris’ blog, and it’s not just because I’ve known him for many years. I appreciate his wisdom. In fact, it would be nice to work for a boss who actually practices what Chris preaches.

I’ve been in the corporate world since 2001. In the last decade, I’ve seen both the good and the bad. Unfortunately, the bad outweighs the good 492-to-1. Since I was, at one point, in a work culture that promoted EntreLeadership, I know when it is not being practiced. So here are a few ideas of what not to do when it comes to being an EntreLeader. You can call it the “anti-entre” if you’d like:

  • Your team can spot “fake” a mile away. There’s a bigwig where I work who is a number cruncher, a true bottom line guy. About once a month, when he wants to “motivate” us, he’ll come out of his office and be our friend. He’ll joke about the weather. For good measure, he’ll throw in a question about a local sports team. You can almost feel the eyes rolling in the room. Be consistent. Since your team members are your most valuable resource, let them know they are appreciated. I promise. It will make them want to work harder for you all month long.
  • Practice what you preach. We’ve learned from Psalm 133 that leadership and work ethic often come from the top and dribble down. Your actions are mirrored. There are “leaders” at my company who have a “Thank God it’s Friday” attitude, which trickles down to the rest of us. On Friday at 3:58 p.m., our office is like the starting line at the Summer Olympics. Bags are packed, computers are off, and car keys are in hand. Everyone is just waiting for that whistle to blow. As a leader, your tone sets the mood for the rest of your team. Create a culture that you would want to work in. Trust me. It will pay off.
  • Catch your people doing something right! I can’t stress how important this concept is.  We get countless emails at my mega-corporate office about things we are prohibited from doing. These constant notices of the obvious only serve to remind us that we are paid drones—just employees going through the motions. I do understand rules. I’m just believe it’s more effective to point out the things that your team is doing right, rather than setting them up for failure.
  • Don’t make us guess your mood. There is nothing worse than needing to gauge the temperature of your office before going in to ask a simple question. I know everyone has good days and bad. But for the sake of your team, be consistent. Don’t bring personal grudges to the office. Don’t take your road rage out on us. The simple truth? We really want to be good team members. We want to do excellent work, and we eventually want to move to your desk when you get promoted to supreme ruler someday. Help us help you!

As a leader, it’s much more beneficial for you to create a work atmosphere that makes your team wake up in the morning and look forward to their day. It’s really possible. I promise!

Question: How would you help this type of leader?

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34 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in EntreLeadership, Leadership, Small Business

January 11, 2012

A Little Inspiration For You

By Chris LoCurto
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If you’re anything like me, from time to time, you focus on just how dire your life is at the moment. OK, maybe that’s a little extreme. But I can tell you, there have been plenty of times in my life when I felt down and struggled with the current dilemma at hand. Luckily, I’ve found a bit of a cure that I want to share with you. Your prescription is bookmarking the video below. When you are feeling low, watch it. If it doesn’t inspire you and lift your spirits up … something’s wrong.

If you don’t see the player, click here.

Instead of a question, I would like you to just say how you feel about this.

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23 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Leadership, Small Business

January 10, 2012

Jim Collins On Making Decisions Part 2

By Chris LoCurto
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Today’s post is The Producer’s Point of View from our EntreLeadership Podcast producer Chris Mefford on part two of my interview with Jim Collins.

His newest book is entitled Great by Choice, and that’s pretty much what we think of best-selling author Jim Collins. Jim has spent his career learning how and why good companies turn into great ones, and he’s shared that knowledge with the world. He’s a rock star, and we were thrilled when he agreed to be a guest on the EntreLeadership podcast.

In our interview with Jim, we focused on decision-making. After the interview was complete, Chris and I made a decision of our own. Chris’ discussion with Jim contained so much great information on business and leadership, we didn’t want you to miss a single bit of it. So we decided to break it in to two parts.

Last week, I shared my notes on part one. Today, I’ve included a synopsis on the rest of the interview. Here’s part two.

Jim said that the “great” executives don’t want to be surrounded by “yes men.” Instead, they encourage debate and disagreement when trying to make a major decision. Once the decision was made, it was followed by:

  • A unified commitment by the team behind the decision.
  • Brilliant execution of that decision leading to a big click on the flywheel.

Jim’s Advice: It’s your responsibility to disagree. But once that decision is made, it’s your responsibility to either back it up and make it   successful or leave.

Besides encouraging debate, the executives interviewed had a high questions-to-statement ratio. What’s that? Jim said it’s how many questions you ask to how many declarative statements you issue.

Jim’s Advice: If you never ask questions, you are probably not going to make as good of a decision. Count your questions-to-statement ratio and see if you can double it in a year.

Great leaders don’t always have all the answers. If you look at how they figure things out, most had to muddle along.

Jim’s Advice: Take someone like Bill Gates. It took him a while to grasp the importance of the internet. If it took him a while, what makes any of us think we are smarter than Bill Gates?

In today’s world, it seems there is never enough time and everyone constantly feeling rushed. How can you make decisions when everything is so crazy?

Jim’s advice: Schedule “pockets of quietude,” on your calendar just like you would any other activity or meeting. You need  time to think and reflect, so look at the big picture, then decide what to do.

 Question: What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever made and why?

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28 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in EntreLeadership, Leadership, Small Business

January 9, 2012

Acorns, Dreams, and New Year Resolutions

By Chris LoCurto
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Here is another incredible guest post by Chadrick Black, author of The Greatest Harvest. You can follow him on Facebook. You can guest post as well! Read how to here.

There is an exercise I’ve asked groups to complete in the past when “lack of motivation” begins to disrupt their goals. It goes something like this:

Step 1:Find a large oak tree and walk under its massive branches until you find an acorn.

Step 2: Place an acorn in the palm of your hand. Step

3: Look up. A majestic tree that can overshadow you in size is staring you in the face.

Step 4: Look down.  In the palm of your hand you hold the ingredients for the oak tree that consumes the sky above you.

Step 5: Place the acorn in your pocket or purse as a reminder of what can happen to your life when a dream, goal or resolution is made a priority and kept a priority!

I’m always reminded of the above exercise as each New Year arrives and so many of us make declarations to “change” habits, lifestyles or careers.

But you know how the routine goes for most. Beginning January 1st, you have a desire to commit time each day to your dream. You’re excited! You’re pumped! You can already see the finish line and taste success! All is going as planned for the first few weeks or months!

Until …

One morning, you wake up and your body is tired, the kids are sick, deadlines are flying by at work and, truthfully, your development isn’t where you thought it would be. Even your coworkers and friends may have stopped asking about your progress or offering encouragement.

While in the shower, you begin thinking about all you have to do that day, as well as making a mental list of all the things others expect of you. You’re overwhelmed and your stress level begins to elevate. And with a desire for balance, security and control, you begin entertaining a simple thought that finally becomes the first of many small defeats. I’ll skip working on __________ today and disregard the promise I’ve made to myself, so I can complete the priorities and promises I’m allowing others to make for me. (Maybe you have never actually said or thought these exact words, but I believe that is what our excuses sound like to our dreams.)

On the days we are motivated about our dreams, we feel good and life is positive. But the challenges of everyday life ensure that “how we feel” isn’t always a reliable source of fuel for long-term success. There are going to be hard times, discouraging moments, roadblocks and setbacks. Therefore, if you want real long-term results with your New Year’s resolution, remember these few tips:

  1. An attitude of “I’m committed as long as life and others allow me” lets priorities slip and slide straight out of our daily routine. Before committing to a New Year’s goal or dream, pledge to build a whatever-it-takes attitude to keep your goal or dream firmly in place all year long.
  1. When the world hears us say, “I forgot,” “I gave up” or “I didn’t have time,” many times our souls hear the words, I simply did not make it enough of a priority.
  1. A gentleman I remember as Father Murphy once made a profound statement I keep close to my heart, as well as a visual reminder on my desk. He simply declared, “If I give up on my dreams today, all of my tomorrows are up for grabs.” It has been more than 10 years, and I still think of that statement almost every day.
  1. When you need motivation this year, take time to visit an oak tree in your neighborhood or yard. Complete the exercise above and remember how the acorn became the oak. It started by taking life one day at a time, using the resources it has been given, holding its ground when storms developed, and being patient while waiting on the rain. But most importantly, remember the acorn became the oak tree first and foremost because … It didn’t give up.

Question: How does this effect your 2012?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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29 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Leadership, Small Business

January 6, 2012

Are You Ready To Be An Entrepreneur?

By Chris LoCurto
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An entrepreneur is one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise, according to Merriam-Webster. Sounds easy enough, right? Or … does it sound a little different than what you were thinking?

The funny thing is that I meet with a lot of entrepreneurs who discovered how to make a widget and sell it. They never realize, though, what comes with turning that widget into a full-fledged enterprise. It’s way more than just the widget. It’s all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes the business work.

So to be an entrepreneur, you have to focus on three areas. OK, it’s way more than three areas, but let’s stick with the 30,000-foot view.

  • Organization – One of the biggest areas where I see entrepreneurs fail is the admin. You have to get on top of it and stay there. During EntreLeadership, I ask people to raise their hand if they love accounting. Without fail, less than 5% do. Why? Because entrepreneurs hate being bogged down in the numbers. Therefore, many of them fail. Accounting is one of the most important admin pieces of your business. But it doesn’t stop there. You have to focus on hiring and doing it well. Most entrepreneurs interview a handful of people, with a short amount of interviews, and then hire someone who ultimately doesn’t work out. And then, they can’t figure out why the person failed. Organization is key to winning!
  • Management – While an entrepreneur can start out alone, they usually don’t stay there. That’s when management comes into play. Even though that word gets a bum rap, it’s something that has to happen. I hear people say all the time, “I don’t want to manage, I want to lead.” Well, that’s great but practically impossible. You have to get into the day-to-day stuff and make sure that your operation is running correctly, team members are being led well and you’re getting information from all, yes ALL, levels in the company. We have a saying around here, “You can’t expect what you don’t inspect.” Hiring a team doesn’t mean you can take your hand off the steering wheel.
  • Assume Risk – It has been said that entrepreneurs can go from sheer exhilaration to sheer terror and back in the same 24 hours. It’s what separates entrepreneurs from leaders. It’s easy to lead when someone else is taking all the risk. You have to be willing to step out there and do some gut-wrenching things. You have to be willing to put some, not all, on the line to make your deal happen. Taking chances has to be part of your life going forward—even when others around you probably won’t have the stomach. Let me reiterate, never put it all on the line!

If you’ve ever thought about stepping out on your own and being your own boss, then you’re already on your way. Just don’t be one of those who fails from a lack of planning.

Question: What skills do you need to make your business work?

 

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35 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in EntreLeadership, Leadership, Small Business

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