The other day at one of my chamber meetings, a fellow member remarked on my hat and noted that even if people didn’t remember my name, they’d always remember my hat. I think he’s right, because it’s a fairly distinctive hat. In fact, that’s one reason (though not the only) that I wear it. I know people will remember me by my hat and that if they ask someone else about me, chances are that person will also remember if the hat is alluded to. Of course, I also dress up and I make it a point to have a memorable tag line, because I realize that sometimes it will be some of that information that helps someone find me.

Still appearance alone isn’t enough and neither is a clever tag line. What will really make you stand out is showing people you can walk that talk you give out. So be able to back up what you do and you’ll be pleased with the credibility that also gets associated with the image.

What do you do to stand out to the people you know? Each day, I meet lots of different people. Some of them are new, most of them I’ve already met a couple times. What makes someone stand out to me is going to half involve appearance, and half involve what they actually say. Afterwords I’ll research them and find out more, and see if my initial impression is confirmed or disproved. Depending on what I find a conversation may follow or it might not. That’s what I do to check up on people who stand out to me.

There’s also a social media component to this and I’ll cover that in the next post.

Book Review Social Media 101 by Chris Brogan

Social Media 101 is chalk full of useful tips and suggestions for how to leverage social media for your business. Best of all the writing is not only approachable, but its to read a couple of chapters, put it down, and then come back to it later. I’ve found numerous useful tips that I’ve tried out, from the book, and I’d recommend it to anyone who is wanting to learn more about how to use social media for business. Then check out Chris’s blog, which will have more useful information for you.

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Beyond Culture by Edward T. Hall

I’ve always found Hall’s books to be interesting and relevant to my life from business to spirituality and this book has lived up to that same expectation. In this book Hall, discusses inter-cultural communication patterns and raises up concerns about the tendency to focus toward using external resources as opposed to examining and utilizing internal, behavior skills. I find this relevant in an age where more than ever the focus is on using technology to communicate, with all the inherent problems that brings, especially when relying on text only to interact. This is a useful book for exploring cross cultural communication and examining the increasing role of technology in communication.

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5 out of 5

Never be the Same (Link to author’s website) by Mark LeBlanc

If you’ve had the privilege of working with Mark LeBlanc, you know that he is a dynamic person who is always on the go with business. Never be the Same, an autobiography and business book presents a different side of Mark, but one no less compelling than him as a professional speaker. In this book he is candid about his ups and downs as a business owner and as a human being. I found his description of his pilgrimage on the Camino in Spain to be particularly moving and engrossing. But most of all as I read this book, I came away with a better understanding of how I can learn from Mark on yet another level and also never be the same. I highly recommend this book as one that will give you insights into your business process, while also reminding you of the value of also being more than just your business.

Note: You can only currently order this book from the author’s website

10 out of 5, because 5 stars wouldn’t be enough

Listen to my interview with Pippa Arend of Pear and learn more about Pear and how you can help.

Listen to my latest social media coach show, where I try to define authenticity and examine how genuine relationships are formed via social media

Book Review: Go for No: Yes is the Destination, No is how you get there by Richard Fenton & Andrea Waltz

Using a narrative story, the authors tell a story of how a salesman learns the value of going for no. I was very impressed by this book and it helped me rethink how I think about the word no, in relationship to my business. I’ve already started to appreciate no more and plan for it, realizing as I do that no can actually inspire me to become better at my business Go for no offers a simple well-written message, which speaks to the heart of sales and shows you how to take your sales to the next level and use NO to get to Success!

Upcoming classes

Social Media Webinar: Successful Social Media Behavior

Social Media isn’t just technology. Social Media is a medium of communication and conversation. But many people who us it don’t understand how to excel at social media. In this webinar I’ll discuss social media behavior and how to be successful, as well as what not to do.

• The value of following-up in social media
• How not to be a spammer, and how to recognize someone who is.
• What successful social media behavior is and how to start doing it consistently
• When: Feb 24, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

Social Media Webinar: Blogs and Social Bookmarking?

Have you started a blog, but not known what to do with it, or how often you should write a blog? Have you heard of social bookmarking and wanted to know what it is and how it relates to blogs and websites? Blogs don’t have to be complicated. You can learn how to use them to create a credible resource and also drive traffic to your website.

• Learn what blogging is, what good blogging platforms are, and how often to blog.
• Discover how social bookmarking can help you improve your search engine optimization for your website and blog
• Come away with an understanding of good blogging behaviors that will get you subscribers and visitors to your site.
• When: March 3rd, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

In the latest episode of Social Media Coach radio, I discuss what an online community is and how to support it. Next week’s show is about spammers and how they affect online communities.

Book Review: Who’s got your back by Keith Ferrazzi

Once again Keith Ferrazzi reveals the value and importance of cultivating genuine relationships in order to realize success at your business and life. I read this book during a difficult period of my life and the insights and wisdom that the author provided, especially on being vulnerable helped me reach out to my network during my time of need with a clarity and honesty that showed me just how much I am valued by that community, and made me want to give back even more. That’s the real gift of Mr. Ferrazzi’s work: He shows you the value of helping others and being generous. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to cultivate better relationships.

5 out of 5

Upcoming social media webinars are coming up on Twitter, Biznik, Internet radio and much more. To learn more, click on the link.

Book Review: Understanding, Leveraging, & Maximizing Linkedin by Neal Schaffer

In this book, the author spends a lot of time focused on the strategy for using Linkedin for job hunting and networking. To some degree the book is focused on technology, but the author manages to also get the reader to examine how s/he will use linkedin as well as best practices for doing so. This is an informative book, and it’s only slightly dated in the sense that Linkedin has updated a few features. However the author also keeps his blog updated with the latest information about Linkedin. This is a useful reference guide for Linkedin.

5 out of 5

Upcoming Social Media Webinars

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Linkedin for my Business?

Think Linkedin is just for job hunting? Think again! Linkedin is a dynamic site for professionals that can help you reach out and connect with them. In this class I’ll discuss how to use Linkedin for your business, as well as what strategy you need to use to make it work for you.

• Learn how to optimize your Linkedin Profile with applications and other useful features
• Discover how to use the forums, groups, and other Linkedin features as a resource for your business
• Come away with an understanding of how to use Linkedin and what the do’s and don’ts are for it.
• When: Feb 3rd, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Twitter for my Business?

Are Tweets driving you crazy as you try to figure out how to use Twitter? Twitter is is an excellent site for keeping up to date on what other people are doing and what the latest news is in your industry. In this class I’ll discuss how to use Twitter for your business, as well as what strategy you need to use to make it work for you.

• Learn how to set up an effective Twitter profile, and use Lists and Search for your social media strategy
• Discover if your business should really be on Twitter or on other sites
• Learn about applications you can use to manage your Twitter presence.
• Come away with an understanding of how to use Twitter and what the do’s and don’ts are for it.
• When: Feb 10, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Biznik for my Business?

Did you know that Biznik is a dynamic small business social networking site that can energize business? Biznik is the best social networking site for a small-to-mid sized busienss owner, but a lot of people aren’t sure how to use it. In this class I’ll discuss how to use Biznik for your business, as well as what strategy you need to use to make it work for you.

• Learn what Biznik is and how to create an effective profile.
• Discover how to make Biznik a resource for your business through its forums, articles, other features
• Come away with an understanding of how to use Biznik and what the do’s and don’ts are for it.
• When: Feb 17, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

Social Media Webinar: Successful Social Media Behavior

Social Media isn’t just technology. Social Media is a medium of communication and conversation. But many people who us it don’t understand how to excel at social media. In this webinar I’ll discuss social media behavior and how to be successful, as well as what not to do.

• The value of following-up in social media
• How not to be a spammer, and how to recognize someone who is.
• What successful social media behavior is and how to start doing it consistently
• When: Feb 24, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

Social Media Webinar: Blogs and Social Bookmarking?

Have you started a blog, but not known what to do with it, or how often you should write a blog? Have you heard of social bookmarking and wanted to know what it is and how it relates to blogs and websites? Blogs don’t have to be complicated. You can learn how to use them to create a credible resource and also drive traffic to your website.

• Learn what blogging is, what good blogging platforms are, and how often to blog.
• Discover how social bookmarking can help you improve your search engine optimization for your website and blog
• Come away with an understanding of good blogging behaviors that will get you subscribers and visitors to your site.
• When: March 3rd, 2pm to 3pm PST, 5pm to 6pm EST, From the comfort of your office or home

Cost: $45. To register, click the paypal button

Social media policy for business radio episode

Interview with Linda Cahan about visual merchandising

Book Reviews

Write the Perfect Book Proposal by Jeff Harman and Deborah Levine Herman

If you are writing a book and want to publish it you will need to write a book proposal at some point. This book explains how to write a book proposal that catches the interest of the agent or editor that you send the book proposal to. The authors methodically break down and explain each segment of the book proposal as well as what you need to do to write each section up successfully. They also provide 10 examples of successful book proposals and what made those proposals work. The authors provide commentary on each proposal. You will definitely find the book useful for understanding  how a book proposal should be written and what makes one successful.

5 out of 5

Growing your Business by Mark LeBlanc

This short book provides concise and clear advice on how to grow your business, with useful exercises that will help you find clarity on the business process. The Early morning and evening question especially is useful for helping a business owner get oriented on what needs to be done to make a day successful. I will note that the book, due to the shortness of its length, doesn’t touch on all aspects of a business or what a business owner might need to do with those aspects, but what makes this book so useful is it provides the necessary clarity combined with exercises that are easy to implement, making it a must read book for growing your business.

4.5 out of 5

The latest Social Media Coach radio show is up. Go here to listen to it! In it, I discuss how to use facebook successfully.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

This is a must-read book for anyone who wants to be a small business owner or is one and is frustrated by the lack of success they might be experiencing. Gerber lays out what the issues are for why business fail and also what business owners need to do to address those issues. Gerber’s suggestions are practical and very useful. The concept of systematization for a business is ultimately a very useful idea and one more businesses need to implement. This book gets you started on learning how to do that.

5 out 0f 5

Upcoming classes

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Twitter for my Business?
When: Dec 18th, Noon to 1pm PST,  From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Biznik for my Business?

When: Dec 18th, 2pm to 3pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home

Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Imagine Your Reality Radio interview with David Tuck of Anvil Tax about taxes and how your business can be compliant.

Review of Tribes by Seth Godin

Like the rest of Seth’s books there’s a lot of ideas here, but not a lot in the way of really useful practical ideas. The concept of tribes, of creating a following isn’t really new, but what Seth tries to do is present a new perspective to it, and to some degree he succeeds in that he does show how one or a few people can motivate many people to follow  in the mission of those one or few people. What he doesn’t really do is provide more than some examples and rants on what not to do and even the rants aren’t articulated very well. What Seth’s really managed to do is notice a trend that’s already occurring and tried to present it as something new and novel, without really exploring how groups dynamics work.

3 out of 5

How to Turn your networking from me to WE
When: 3 hours 6-9pm PST, December 6th
Where: Whole Foods Market NE Fremont
Register: Mindglo Website

Automate Your Business Teleclass
When: DEC 10 2-3pm PST  and DEC 14 Noon to 1pm PST
Register at Taylor’s Schedule page or by email

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Facebook for my Business?
When: Dec 11th, noon to 1pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Linkedin for my Business?
When: Dec 11th, 2pm to 3pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Twitter for my Business?
When: Dec 18th, Noon to 1pm PST,  From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Biznik for my Business?
When: Dec 18th, 2pm to 3pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home

Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Latest Radio Shows

Latest Imagine Your Reality show

Latest Social Media Coach show

Book Review: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

This is probably one of the best books out there on Genghis Khan and his descendants. Instead of portraying him as a bloodthirsty conqueror, it goes into the history of his policies and choices for governing his people, as well as the innovations he brought to warfare and government. The author also focuses on the stereotypes and debunks them to reveal a fascinating person with a unique vision for the word that is much more egalitarian than previously was known. An excellent read not merely for the history, but also for understanding how innovation can be applied.

How to Turn your networking from me to WE
When: 3 hours 6-9pm PST, December 6th
Where: Whole Foods Market NE Fremont
Register: Mindglo Website

Automate Your Business Teleclass
When: DEC 10 2-3pm PST  and DEC 14 Noon to 1pm PST
Register at Taylor’s Schedule page or by email

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Facebook for my Business?
When: Dec 11th, noon to 1pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Linkedin for my Business?
When: Dec 11th, 2pm to 3pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Twitter for my Business?
When: Dec 18th, Noon to 1pm PST,  From the comfort of your office or home
Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

Social Media Webinar: How do I use Biznik for my Business?
When: Dec 18th, 2pm to 3pm PST, From the comfort of your office or home

Register, go to http://www.imagineyourreality.com/Events.html

I finally did it: I did another Imagine Your Reality Radio show, where I interviewed Donna Maria of Indie Business. You can meet Donna this Saturday in Portland, where she’ll be putting on an event for indie businesses.

The Latest episode of Social Media Coach Radio discusses the new and upcoming upgrades that Twitter is putting out.

Upcoming class Networking: How to Turn Me into We

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to be really connected, always giving and getting referrals, effortlessly attracting more clients, while also building stronger relationships with everyone they network with? Learn the power of we first thinking and how applying it to your networking efforts dramatically increases the positive results you desire. If you want to improve your networking results do not miss this class! Click here to register for the class.

Wed, Dec 9, 6-9 pm
Fee: $49
Location: Whole Foods Market – Fremont

Review of Purple Cow by Seth Godin

This is a very good book, but it’s not remarkable. However it is about trying to be remarkable, and while what Godin says is very useful, it’s also nothing new. I’ve seen this book get a lot of hype, and I can see why it has gotten such hype, especially with the current economy, and businesses wanting to stand out and be more relevant, and certainly Godin exemplifies what he talks about, as is evidenced by Squidoo and his books. At the same time, what would have made Purple Cow remarkable would be more than just telling stories of what other people have done. Providing some exercises, or some in-depth case studies, as opposed to brief anecdotes provided, may have made it remarkable. Unfortunately, and ironically, with this book Godin has fallen into the very trap he discusses in it: His ideas have become so commonplace, they are no longer remarkable.

3 out of 5