Business building – deliberate non-conformity

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One of the most common and very damaging mistakes you can make in business building is to be the same as everyone else.  Imitating others is the quickest way to see your business become lost and invisible in the background noise.

It is easy to prepare a business plan on a me-too business.  All the information is available or can be deduced.  Why?  Because everyone is doing it!  It’s much harder to make informed estimates about something that has never been done before.

It is not easy to sit down with a blank piece of paper and think of a new business idea.  In any case, that is not the way most innovative businesses start.

When you study the birth and evolution of what is different and new in recent times, you will find that more often than not, the entrepreneur was simply following his or her passion or attempting to make life easier for themselves.

Regardless, there are many things you can do to transform yourself into a deliberate non-conformist.  Here are just three:

1.    Keep an open mind

One of the surprising things that often happen in business is that your customers are not the group you first planned on.  Consumers have a habit of adapting products and services to their own needs.  They create the market; you just have to be alert to it.  So your products and services end up satisfying needs; just not the needs you first thought.

2.    Do online research

Even though the basics of life remain the same, tastes are constantly changing.  Therefore, finding out what people want is really helpful.  This can be achieved by communicating with your blog readers or by conducting online surveys at a survey site such as Survey Monkey.

3.    Tell stories

Everyone loves a good story.  Even people who wouldn’t otherwise buy your products and services will still follow your story.  So long as you don’t deceive or mislead, your stories can be very creative and can serve to set you apart from your competitors.

Check out my Aikido Secrets blog at http://www.aikido-secrets-to-calm-success.com/

Until next time!

Gary

Business building – a different mindset

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In my last post I announced that I was making myself available for a limited number of Mind-body Balance private classes, both personally and online.

Over years of business building I have come to realise that the martial mind skills that underpin the phenomenal art of Aikido can also have wide application and a very profound effect on business.   They also form the basis of Business Mind.

Aikido is known the world over as the art of peace.  Its popularity is soaring because it is a defensive art that can be used by anyone and everyone because it doesn’t rely on size, or physical strength.

Aikido is as important as Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’ as an Eastern martial philosophy with instant appeal and widespread application in Western business.

Indeed, Sun Tzu’s Art of War strategies were designed to win without the need to fight.  However, his strategies were largely devoid of moral considerations as is often the case in war.  This is not surprising given that they were written in a feudal age where life was cheap.

Whilst Sun Tzu’s warfare strategies deserve their place in revolutionizing Western business, Aikido can go one giant step further.

Aikido, the art of peace, is built upon a foundation of moral considerations; such as valuing life and taking care of those who seek to do us harm.  Furthermore, Aikido provides more than just strategies.  It develops the mindset for peace, in the form of the non-fighting mind.

This is Business Mind’.  It is achieved through the application of the Japanese principles of Ai-ki.  It is a strange sounding concept that means harmony (ai) with the universal energy (ki); the life-giving energy that invisibly connects all people and all things.

I will reveal the secrets of a powerful business mind in my coming business building blogs.  Meanwhile, check out my Aikido Secrets blog at http://www.aikido-secrets–to-calm-success.com

Until next time!

Gary

The Great Aussie Business Coaching Challenge …. Call 0408 756 531

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Business success is about motivation, knowledge and experience but above all, it is about business mindset.  You must be savvy; and you must be courageous, creative and willing to put yourself out there.

Our role in The Great Business Coaching Challenge is to actively encourage you to achieve your business goals and to help you live the life you want.  We do that firstly by showing you how to plan, and then by asking you to roll your sleeves up ready for action.

 

If you take up the challenge!

You will learn the skills you need to run your business.  You will learn by doing, whether the task is easy or not.  Your classroom will be in the school of hard knocks.  We will be there for you to help you overcome your fears.

Don’t worry, we know what you’re going through; we have all been through it.  Very few people succeed in business without help.

Will everything I do be for real; and all for my benefit?

This is not passive coaching or a static business plan preparation service.  You will gain real live business knowledge and experience by doing …. and doing ….and doing some more!

Will I be overloaded and mentally challenged?

Yes!!  There is a lot to learn and at times, you will be out of your comfort zone doing things that you have never done before.

So what can I expect?

  • Direct access to myself and my team as needed
  • You will learn goal oriented action planning without the fluff
  • You will be set weekly homework and reading to do
  • You will be given a weekly business challenge to perform
  • You and your business will be tested by invisible shoppers.

After completing this challenge, business will suddenly appear easy!

How long is the challenge?

We help those who are willing to help themselves.  So, after a one-on-one qualifying period of 1 month, your challenge runs for 3 months.  Over that time, we will show you how to earn multiple times your cost of entry.

Does the challenge apply to both new & existing business?

It makes no difference whether you are starting up a new business or renovating an old one.  Business is business!  And we are on your side.

All we ask from you is that you are ready to back yourself and you are doing something that you are passionate about.

In Australia, call 0408 756 531 to accept the challenge or email to coach@garyweigh.com

Limited private lessons: MIND-BODY BALANCE (call 0408 756 531)

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TAKE an innovative approach to business planning ….. or a new direction in your life!!

Develop a strong positive mind! Learn what it takes to find your power furnace and blaze your own trail!

 

Think about being assertive with confidence and without your Ego getting in the way; without being argumentative or overly defensive, and without the constant need to be right.

Think about being successful by simply getting your obstructive mind out of the way and allowing success to happen.

Think about conquering in terms of controlling your self instead of trying to control others.

Think about building core strength that doesn’t involve involve endless hours of pumping iron!!

Think about being powerful by using nothing but the power of your breath!!

 

Mind-Body Balance is based on the ancient Japanese principles of Aiki.  ‘Ai‘ means harmony.  ‘Ki‘ means the universal energy that flows through us all and connects all things.

Mind-body Balance allows you to access power beyond all measures of physical strength.  Aiki is the same internal power that drives the phenomenal Japanese art of Aikido.

The foundation of Mind-Body Balance is relaxation and meditation.  It follows the Eastern philosophy that mind is everything.  Mind is body and body is mind!  Your true power comes from relaxation!!

The Mind-Body Balance program is designed to develop your inner strength.  You will learn by doing.  Once you learn how to calm your mind in an instant, you will acquire insight into some truly amazing aiki-based mind-body concepts by doing a series of internal power generating exercises.

We don’t do miracles but in your first lesson you will see the first outward expression of your unrealized mind power – in the form of your own unbendable arm.

Change your life! If you live in Southeast Queensland, call 0408 756 531 for personal training.   If you live elsewhere contact us by email at coach@garyweigh.com to enroll in Mind-Body Balance Online.

For more reading on business planning, being different and finding financial peace, visit my Aikido Secrets blog site http://www.aikido-secrets-to-calm-success.com

Starting up a business – BOOK REVIEW

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‘Small business for Dummies’ by Eric Tyson and Jim Schell

If you are thinking about starting up a business, you should read this book.  I have chosen this book to be in my personal library on this site because these guys have education, experience and most importantly, they start at the start.

In their usual ‘Dummies; style, Tyson & Schell assume nothing.  They do not credit the reader with any significant prior knowledge and they do not assume that the reader knows any of the common opportunities and pitfalls.

This book is a great guide for any novice to business.  It provides an introductory treatment across a wide range of business subject matter and would make a great reference book for the office..  Experienced business operators would probably prefer something a little more in depth.

The only drawback for Australians is that this is an American publication.  Therefore U.S. tax laws and other legal framework do not apply in Australia.  It is not an in-depth treatment and I would advise everyone to seek advice from an accountant and lawyer before starting up a business.

However, that does not detract much at all from the book.  Business basics and business principles remain constant the world over.  And what makes this book a ‘must have’ in your personal library is the easy writing style and easy to understand concepts.

For the budding entrepreneur with a great idea and no knowledge in starting up a business, this is a book to buy as one of your start up guides.  Find it in my personal library on the right hand side panel of this page → →

Until next time!

Gary

Also read the free download Aikido Secrets to Calm Success at http://www.aikido-secrets–to-calm-success.com

Business building – non-conformity wins the day

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Save the TALL poppies

Looking for business building tips Brisbane? Try non-conformity!

In the area of career and vocation, conformity is getting a job, commuting to work each day and putting in a solid 8 hours or a stressful 10 hours, and doing much the same thing next day and every day after that until retirement.  That’s what the vast majority of the working population does.

So many entrepreneurs choose to start a business specifically to get away from the herd mentality.  They have a good idea; come across an opportunity; and give it a go.  Money is usually a problem but as far as escaping the rut, the commute or the unreasonable boss goes, there is nothing to lose.

In Australia there is a social phenomenon where people of talent and achievement are resented and criticised if it is popularly perceived that they regard themselves as being a cut above the average Australian.  It is called ‘the tall poppy syndrome’.

That is why many successful Australian entrepreneurs carefully craft their image as that of an ‘Aussie battler made good’, insisting that they are still Aussie battlers at heart, and always championing the cause of the everyday Australian.

I will continue on the need for a powerful business mind in my next business building blog.  For more on breaking free of herd thinking, check out my Aikido Secrets blog at http://www.aikido-secrets-to-calm-success.com/

Remember that Ai-ki mind power is good for business.  If you are looking for your own Personal Ai-ki Mentor to guide you into a powerful business mind, and help you’re your business education, check out my previous blog below and drop us a line at coach@garyweigh.com

Until next time!

Gary

Business planning – the element of non-conformity

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Non-conformity; be different

As I said in my last business planning post, there are two distinctive traits that work strongly in the favour of the everyday entrepreneur.  These are:

  • Previous experience; and
  • Non-conformity

Non-conformity is the desire to break from the pack to be different – thinking different and acting different.  Now that takes courage, because most of us have spent our entire lives doing our very best to conform so that we didn’t attract the negative attention of bullies, the law, our teachers or dissenting family and friends.

Think about your many long and perhaps painful years in school.  It was all about conformity, in terms of learning, performance, presentation and behaviour.  It didn’t always pay to be different; and that still holds true!

Entrepreneurs emerge through the innovative application of the very same knowledge that everyone accumulates; sometimes less.  As far as business principles go, there is nothing new under the Sun.  But in terms of business application there is plenty new; so much so, it is hard to keep up.

Entrepreneurs may have learned the same way as you or I did, but they apply knowledge differently to satisfy the needs of a wider audience.   They also have the courage and determination to put their innovative thoughts into action, and to ignore their detractors.

Of course the flip-side of the same argument explains why there are so few entrepreneurs in relation to the wider population.  Simply put, we are trained not to be!

Society is structured around conformity.  It is much easier to conform than not.  Non-conformity means having to rebel and mentally break out of lifelong habits; to swim against the tide.  That is really hard to do!

Conformity generally attracts praise, mostly because it reinforces in others that the safe decisions they have made in their own lives are indeed the right ones.  Non-conformity makes others feel uncomfortable and ill at ease with their own choices.  Hence, it attracts jealousy, skepticism and criticism.  For those who become successful, there awaits the mother lode of negativity – the ‘tall poppy’ syndrome.

I will continue on the subject of non-conformity in my next business planning blog.  Check out my other blog at http://www.aikido-secrets-to-calm-success.com/

Until next time!

Gary

Starting up a business – the benefit of experience

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When starting a business, there are two distinctive traits that work strongly in the favour of the everyday entrepreneur.  These are:

  • Previous experience; and
  • Non-conformity

Previous experience builds useful context for making decisions, many of which have to be made under some pressure.  The great thing about previous experience is that it doesn’t have to be your own.  You just have to have access to it.  Hence, there arises the need for a coach, mentor or key employees.

Even though non-conformity is a key element of entrepreneurship, it is important to know what has gone before so that you can either ignore it or build on it.

I have been a practitioner of Aikido for many years.  (If you want to find out more visit my dojo’s website http://www.griffithaikido.com.au).  There is a huge syllabus to learn and there are many mistakes to make along the way.  Time on the mat with a good instructor and fellow practitioners builds experience and proficiency.

The same applies when it comes time to make business decisions.  Time in the decision maker’s chair, time in the industry, and regular practice with other people (i.e. customers, staff, suppliers, collaborators, professional advisers) helps build a mental inventory of solutions that have worked well in similar circumstances.

In the end, most people succeed because they are determined to, but access to knowledge and experience will certainly help you reach your goals sooner.  It also conserves money by not wasting so much of it by stumbling in the dark.

I will discuss the need for non-conformity in my next business planning blog.  Check out my other blog at http://www.aikido-secrets–to-calm-success.com

Until next time!

Gary

Business planning – it’s holistic approach whether you know it or not!

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In business planning as in all other life maneuvering, we are primarily concerned with ourselves – our own sense of worth, our own dreams and ambition.

So it is not surprising that the success of business planning is highly dependent on the owner.  The characteristics and qualities of the owner ultimately shape a business.  That is why Angel Investors look closely at the qualities and capabilities of the entrepreneur and his or her team.

In business planning, no two businesses are the same.  It may look that way at the start of the process but it is never that way at the end.

When Gary Weigh & Associates works with a client to plan a new business or to renovate an existing business, the same principles apply but no two outcomes are ever the same.

Every business is painted the colour of its owner; and that colour is derived from the owner’s personality, beliefs, values, strengths and weaknesses.  Importantly, the way each business is operated reflects its owner’s state of mind.

The state of an owner’s personal life and relationships will have a direct influence on the business, as does the owner’s financial position.

That is why we insist on planning your business venture around your desired lifestyle.  Most people don’t do lifestyle planning, just as they pay little more than lip service to genuine business planning.

At Gary Weigh & Associates, personal life balance and business life balance are planned together.  Even then it is not a fixed narrow path.  It is an open, flexible approach.

This method has evolved over time as it has become obvious that template-type business planning simply doesn’t work.  There is more to it than product, market, structure and organisation alone.

This holistic approach is the only one that works these days, because in a fast and furious business environment, it addresses the needs of the whole person and related stakeholders beyond the business realm.

Until next time!

Gary

To read more about work-life balance and the value of a calm mind, visit my Aikido Secrets site at:

http://www.aikido-secrets-to-calm-success.com/life-balance-%E2%80%93-achieving-the-right-family-balance-for-you.html

Business planning – it is all in the mind

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Even in business planning, the brain is the most amazing gift we have. It is unique in its abilities and nothing we manufacture on earth can match it.  Unlike any computer the brain is capable of conscious thought, reason, insight, self awareness, abstraction and self protection.

What is truly amazing is that the brain never puts out a sign to say “I’m full!”  We can always build upon our ability to get more out of it.  It is a ‘use it or lose it’ nerve centre, sensory processor, thought factory and body regulator.

The more we learn, the more we actively use the brain.  The more we train the brain, the more powerful it becomes.  The brain thrives on the benefit of experience.  Our previous experiences build that context.  Therefore, when we use our eyes to see, we actually see in context.  Our perceptions don’t necessarily equate to reality.

When we decide to act, it is the brain that is actually leading the charge.   We generally make decisions based on what has worked well in the past (i.e. context).  When starting a business, there is often little or no direct previous experience to call on, but decisions are still made, rightly or wrongly.

All too often, blind enthusiasm can sweep the business novice past the commitment stage onto the business path.  Sometimes it is the right path.  Sometimes it is not!  Either way, there is no turning back.

The first serious reality check can find the first time entrepreneur immobilised in the middle of a new reality, unsure how to proceed; seeking solutions to problems never faced before.

Suddenly, procrastination and inaction are not options.  They are pre-commitment luxuries.  Solutions must be found for problems like chequered cash flow, ineffective marketing and unreliable relationships; problems typically encountered in a business start up.

Only a calm mind and positive action can find effective solutions.  Panic only serves to make the situation worse because the panicked mind always gives way to fear and plays out all manner of imagined outcomes of doom.  It becomes worse if the new owner is alone with no help.

I will continue on the need for a powerful business mind in my next business planning blog.  Check out my other blog at http://www.aikido-secrets–to-calm-success.com

Learn Aikido – the art of peace and develop your own calm positive mind http://www.griffithaikido.com.au

Until next time!

Gary