Monday, August 31, 2009

What is working?

#Realtors: What is the last thing you did/bought for your business that brought you an increase in income? And a positive ROI?

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A thoughtful discussion of Public Option vs private health care.

Ed Quillen, a Denver Post writer, compares public vs private benefits to society and who wins.

 You might be surprised.

 http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13218203

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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Another powerful conversation between Tony Robbins and John Reese

Part two of the ground breaking interview between Tony Robbins and John Reese.

 http://tonyrobbinstraining.com/328/john-tony/

 Here is Part one. http://tonyrobbinstraining.com/320/interview-with-frank-kern-and-john-reese/

 I have saved both of these to my computer and plan on watching over and over and over.

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Make most any food and surprise your friends

I just tried this site. It is great.

 http://digg.com/d312Ekr

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The Housing Market: Has It Turned the Corner?

Time magazine says that not everyone is gaining in the housing market at the same rate.

 http://digg.com/d3128nj

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Denver Real Estate: Size matters

Great news for some in the Denver real estate market. Only some.

 I hope you don't own a large house.

 http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_13211601

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Reg Gupton's top 10 habits of successful people

Top 10 characteristics of successful people

The skills necessary for success can be learned, just like any other skills. You can struggle mightily or you can learn from those that have gone before. You can re-invent the wheel or spend your time more productively.

The following list is taken from years of study, observation and reading. Learn from what others have accomplished.

1. Successful people have a dream

People who achieve much in life have a purpose, understand what it is, and work toward it. They are clear about why they are here. They know what they will accomplish while they are on this earth.

2. Successful people have a plan

Having a plan, preferably in writing, will guide the you towards your main mission in life with daily, weekly, monthly, and annual markers.

3. Successful people are disciplined

Daydreaming is a good thing. As is having a set of tasks to accomplish today, regardless of how you feel, how the weather is or small impediments that might come up. Discipline keeps you moving forward.

4. Successful people take complete and total responsibility for their lives

Quit blaming the boss, your spouse, or your parents. Just accept that you are in charge of your life. No one else.

5. Successful people are solution oriented

We all have problems with accomplishing what we set out to do today. Focus on the solution not the problem. Accept that the problem is there and then move on to finding and implementing a solution that moves you closer to your goal.

6. Successful people are action oriented

Some days any action is good. Think about the roadblocks, get advice if you like, then move ahead. Learn how to overcome in action. Another skill to learn.

7. Successful people are constantly upgrading their skills

Read, listen, talk. Gain new skills everyday. The world is changing with new technologies in many areas. Our understanding of human performance is expanding as is our understanding of human health. Faster computers, more powerful software that allows us to accomplish things that took days just a few years ago, now can be completed in minutes. Think about letters by the post office vs. e-mail. And only if you understand how to use the hardware and software.

8. Successful people are realistic

Realism is a balance between dreams and fatalism. Understanding what is real is a powerful connection to your dreams and goals. Awareness of what is possible provides grounding with the task before you. And much is possible. Set you mind to it. You will be surprised what you can achieve.

9. Successful people are focused

The achievement of dreams through action requires focus. Some days you just have to put your head down and get it done. No more mind games. Just stay focused on the task at hand until it is done.

10. Successful people are fun and enthusiastic.

Most boring, lifeless people have a ways to go in the success department. Success is drawn to those that are fully engaged in their dream and a joy to be with.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's Top 10 Career Freedom Resources

Hi,

Reg Gupton here with another Top 10 list.

The Top 10 measurable objectives anyone can achieve with a coach

Whether you are a manager in a large corporation or a small business person or self employed as a sales person your life is demanding. There is no question that many of us work in situations where we feel isolated.

In addition, you are probably tougher on yourself than any boss you ever had. And some days you are also the laziest employee you have ever seen.

The following are 10 areas where hiring a results oriented business coach can help you succeed.

1. Do more than you would do on your own.

2. Take yourself more seriously.

Being accountable encourages you to always work smart and make the best decisions. Your worth immediately increases

3. Create momentum and consistency.

4. Take more effective and focused actions.

5. Become more balanced and fulfilled.

6. Find smart ways to save time.

7. Find smart ways to reduce costs/expenses.

8. Increase sales or profitability.

9. Change the dynamics of employee and client relationships.

10. Eliminate the stress which you currently feel is inherent to project success or to the whole operation.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton,

Reg Gupton's 9 Rules for being human

Hi there,

Reg Gupton here again with another Top 10 list.

An old friend sent these to me recently. I, like you, have seen these before. See number 9.

The Rules for Being Human

1. You will receive a body
You may like it or hate it, the choice is yours, but it will be yours for the entire period this time around.

2. You will learn lessons
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called Life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and hence choose to ignore them. No matter; keep reading.

3. A lesson is repeated until learned
A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go to the next lesson.

4. There are no sins, only mistakes calling for corrections
Growth is a process of trial and error, experimentation. The "failed" experiment is as much a part of the process as the experiment that actually "works."

5. Learning lessons does not end
There is no part of life that does not contain lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. There is not better than here
When your "there" has become a "here" you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here".

7. Others are merely mirrors of you
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you
love or hate about yourself.

8. Your answers only lie inside of you
The answers to life's questions lie only inside of you. All you need do is look, listen, and trust.

9. You will forget all this

Are you enjoying these top 10 lists? Share them with your friends, family and associates by simply clicking on "Forward" in your e-mail program.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton,

A critical message for Entrepreneurs

There are two types of Sense of Urgency. Kotter explains why you should care.

 John Kotter's Urgent Message for Entrepreneurs: http://digg.com/d312F4y?t

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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Reg Gupton's Top 10 misconceptions about success

Hi,

Reg Gupton here.

There are many misconceptions about both success and failure. Here are the Top 10 about success. How many have you let hold you back from the success and prosperity that you deserve?

1. Some people are less successful due to circumstances beyond their control like background, education, etc.

Anybody can be successful. Just look around you and read. The newspapers and business and sports publication are full of folks that should not be successful. And they are. It's a matter of desire, then taking action. Whatever action is necessary.

2. Successful people don't make mistakes.

Successful people make plenty of mistakes. They just don't make the same mistake twice.

3. You've got to work very long hours and sacrifice your family and personal life to be successful.

It's not about working long hours or working very hard. It is about working smart. It's more about doing the right thing rather than doing many things. An important distinction.

4. You'll only be a success if you play by the rules.

Rules change from time to time. In some situations, rules are only guidelines.

5. If you have help along the way, it's not success.

Success rarely occurs without help. Mentors and other that are interested in helping you are out there. You just have to be open to them when they offer.

6. It takes a lot of luck to be successful.

Luck certainly comes in handy. It really takes a smart work, persistence, knowledge, and application of what you know.

7. It's only success if you make a lot of money.

Money is one of the measures of success. It is not guaranteed nor is it required.

8. It's only success if everybody knows it.

You may get more money and more accolades the more people know about what you've done. But, even if you were the only one who knew it, you'd still be a success.

9. Success is a goal.

Success is more what you get when you achieve the goals you've set for yourself. Saying that you "want to be a success" begs the question: "At what?"

10. Once I'm successful, my troubles are over.

You may be successful, but you'll still have the ups and downs
that you did before. Enjoy what success you achieve and live each day
as it comes.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's Top 10 Life Skills

Hi,

Another Top 10 list for you.

It takes many, many skills to get through life successfully. Many of them we pick up as children from our parents, others as adults from teachers and mentors and some we chose to acquire. All could probably use some polishing. Following are a few that you might work on.

1. Listening, really listening

2. Giving heartfelt compliments

3. Receiving compliments

4. Saying "Yes"

5. Saying "No"

6. Laughing like a child

7. Planning for your future

8. Asking thoughtful and respectful questions

9. Reading both business and non-business books and magazines

10. Exercising by finding something you love.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

You got to see these great pictures of lightning

RT @

AlessandraCo

Lightning and cars - amazing time lapse animation http://bit.ly/93hQz

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We Learn More From Success, Than Failure

There is a biological reason why we learn more from our triumphs than from our failures, according to new research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

http://digg.com/d3124E3

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Cycling folks take note.

RT @DJLindJr : Another amazing installment posted by @JoeParkin - a must read if you are a cycling enthusiast! http://www.6yearsinaraincape.com

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A great description of a new Mountainsmith backpack

Read about this 4,600 cubic inch pack.

 Looks good for your extended adventures.

 http://gearjunkie.com/mountainsmith-lariat-65

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A great discussion of new cycling bags

Cyclists: Stephen Renegold reviews a new selection of adventure cycling gear bags.

 Read it here. http://gearjunkie.com/biking-bags-pacific-outdoor-equipment

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Look at the coupon I found

The best chips ever.

 RT @bouldercanyon: will immediately send #coupon for ANY bag of Boulder Canyon chips Sign Up Here: http://bit.ly/dfAYP

 Enjoy,

 Reg Gupton

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Reg Gupton's Top 10 Referral Business Builder Tips

Hi there.

Another Top 10 list.

It is an old saw that it is more expensive to acquire new customers than to work with established ones. This has certainly been my personal experience and the experience of others that I have consulted to and coached over the years.

Ignore these habits at your peril.

1. Be honest at all costs. No matter what.

2. Never pressure someone just to make a sale

3. See every customer as a friend not just as a sale or money.

4. Don't work with everyone that crosses your threshold. Be selective and work with those that you genuinely like.

5. Stay in touch after the transaction is over. If nothing else, be in touch with cards, letters and newsletters. In person or on the phone are the best.

6. Perform a written post-transaction quality survey. Then listen to what your clients say.

7. Follow the "Platinum Rule." Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.

8. Give small referral gifts to everyone that sends you a lead whether it becomes a sale or not.

9. Learn the biggest problem in your industry. Solve it for your customers.

10. If your industry offers advanced designations, earn them and display your credentials.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's Top 10 questions to ask yourself

Hi,

Reg Gupton here.

You might think about using this set of questions annually at the time you prepare your personal plan for the coming year. Keep and compare the answers year to year.

1. Am I happy with where my life is today?

2. What do I want to change about me next? And do I have a written plan for making the change?

3. Am I a taker or a giver on this planet?

4. Am I on track with my career? Do I need to make a change?

5. Do I have at least 2x the recommended financial reserve in case of a job loss or income reduction?

6. Do I have adequate medical and life insurance protection?

7. What's really, really important to me? No 1, No 2, No 3,....

8. Am I being honest with myself and with others?

9. Do I share my passion with the world?

10. What do I most want to be remembered for? What do I want people to say at my funeral and truly mean it?

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Do you roll, fold or stuff your tent?

This will help you with the constant struggle when packing up your tent after your next camping trip.

 I promise.

 http://www.backpacker.com/roll_or_fold_tent/blogs/daily_dirt/1249

 Enjoy,

 Reg Gupton

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Watch Tony Robbins interview Frank Kern and John Reese - no sales pitch

Folks,

As you may recall I recorded with my friend, Scott Birkhead, two YouTube videos on implementation, change and follow thru.  They are available by following these links.

Here is Part 1. This segment is about 10 minutes long.

And Part 2 is here. The conclusion segment is about 7 minutes long.

Today I rec'd a message from Tony Robbins about a video interview with Frank Kern and John Reese on the same topic. 

These are three very, very successful people who all basically started with only one thing.  Watch the video to find out what it is.  They talk about how they changed in their ability to follow thru.  One of the most important aspects of success. IMHO.

I just finished it,  It is the best.  Watch it here. http://tonyrobbinstraining.com/320/interview-with-frank-kern-and-john-reese/

I have bookmarked the page and plan on watching it over and over and over again. You should too.

BTW...there is no sales pitch. Just valuable, ground breaking information.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton, MBA
Coach, consultant, trainer
Creative Growth Seminars
1919 14th Suite 805
Boulder, CO 80302

P.S. Follow me at www.twitter.com/reggupton

P.P.S join me at www.facebook.com/reggupton

Take a look at my Blog everyday for proven success tips. It is located at http://regs-successtips.blogspot.com/

www.growthseminars.com
800.418.0401 toll free
303.544.0340 office
303.544.0358 fax

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Fog over the Flatirons in Boulder in August

Woke up this morning to this great view of the Flatirons from my deck as I prepared for another great day of fun and work.
 
Enjoy.
 
All my best,
 
Reg Gupton

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Reg Gupton:Top 10 Tips to Make Your Staff Meetings More Effective and Fun

Hi there,

During a coaching call the other day, I suggested that the client (a newer REALTOR) attend the weekly Sales Meetings. He told me that in his opinion all meetings were a waste of time. I mentioned that the value of a meeting was dependent on at least two things: first, your attitude, and second some of the tips below. Use some of the thoughts below and you can hold more effective meetings that will meet your business objectives as well as energize and strengthen your team. If you are not in charge of the meetings in your organization, forward this list to the person who is. Ask them to consider their implementation.

Use the top ten below to make your meetings more effective for everyone, while still having fun.

1. Define the purpose of your meeting in advance.
Think about why you are holding the meeting. A clear, specific definition of purpose will lead you to a more productive meeting. Make sure that all participants understand and buy-in to the purpose of the meeting.

2. Publish a clear agenda.
Once you have defined your purpose, you can create an agenda to achieve it. List the subjects that need to be covered each with an estimated time allocation. If possible let people know the desired outcome. Indicate whether the agenda item is for information only or a decision will be reached. Let people know before the meeting.

Distribute the meeting agenda at least the day prior to the meeting, together with any background information that people need to read. When serving on the Board of Directors for my local Board of REALTORS, the sitting President and the Executive Officer both let us know that we were expected to review the material prior to the meeting. Opening the Director's packet on the way in the door was unacceptable.

3. Set the tone.
It is your meeting so set the tone and model behaviors you want. Are you relaxed or formal, light hearted or serious? As the leader you need to show each participant that they are being listened to and respected.

4. Start and end your meetings on time.
Want to have your meetings fall apart before they begin? Be tardy. Keep good time keeping habits by starting on time, and most importantly ending on time.

It is ok to begin your meetings before all the participants are present. Be sure that you don't acknowledge verbally those that enter late. This just rewards them for their bad behavior. Just continue with the topic being discussed. It is critical that you begin and end on time as it is a sign of respect to all participants of the meeting.

5. Have fun.
Encourage appropriate and fun communication. Laughter and lighthearted communication will energize the group no matter the seriousness of the topic.

6. Balance control and flexibility.
Stick to the agenda and time lines while being willing to explore new ideas and creative approaches to solving the problems on the agenda. You might suggest that an off-topic conversation be delayed until the new business section of the agenda.

Remember, your role is to keep the meeting on track, moving towards achieving its purpose and agenda.

7. Plan for creative, unconstrained solutions.
In planning the meeting agenda allow time for creativity and spontaneity. Use brainstorming to develop non-traditional solutions to the problem before choosing the one to pursue.

Recall that during brainstorming, creation comes before choosing.

8. Review and list actions to be completed.
After the meeting have someone write up the actions to be completed
(and decisions made) including the responsible individual(s), resources needed, and due dates.

9. Schedule follow-up meetings.
Very often issues will come up that would be better addressed at another meeting. You can count on this happening in most meetings.

Use your facilitation skills when you see this happening. As topics are brought up that are outside the scope of the current meeting, close the topic. Set up a later meeting, securing agreement on who will chair, when it will be held and what topic(s) will be covered.

10. Check on your progress.
At the close of each meeting check with participants to determine if the meeting achieved its purpose. If not, ask what could have been done differently. Then next time try the new approach. If progress is less than desired, consider a professional coach/facilitator to assist.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton says: Discover easy steps to implementing changes

Hi Folks,

Quite a number of folks have watched the videos that my good friend, Scott Birkhead,
and I recorded about implementing change in business.  Any business. 

If you have great ideas and can not seem to get them put into practice,
you should watch these videos of this ground-breaking conversation.
 
We videoed my side of the conversation. There are two short videos on YouTube for you.

Here is Part 1. This segment is about 10 minutes long.

And Part 2 is here. The conclusion segment is about 7 minutes long.

 A lot of you asked to hear the full audio so you could here what Scott had to say.  Well here it is.
 
So, pour yourself a cup-o-Joe, crank up your computer speakers,
click the play button, and then sit back and enjoy!

Reg Gupton, MBA
Coach, consultant, trainer
Creative Growth Seminars
1919 14th Suite 805
Boulder, CO 80302

P.S. Follow me at
www.twitter.com/reggupton

P.P.S join me at
www.facebook.com/reggupton

Take a look at my Blog everyday for proven success tips. It is located at
http://regs-successtips.blogspot.com/

www.growthseminars.com
800.418.0401 toll free
303.544.0340 office
303.544.0358 fax

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Reg Gupton's top 10 tips for having a hiring system

Here are the:

Top 10 reasons to have a hiring system

Any conversation about the cost of hiring or mis-hiring is misleading. The true cost of each employee that is added or replaced is buried in many different departments' budgets. The full cost is on many obscure lines of the P and L.

For example, advertising costs may be in the HR budget, …management at the department level is a part of the manager's salary, …new employee orientation, in the HR or training department… training on internal systems/procedures in the local department or training department… remedial training-who knows?

Get the picture? Many times HR or training departments do not back-bill the user departments. And therefore the cost of hiring is hidden.

Having a hiring system will absolutely reduce these hidden costs. I guarantee it.

1. You will make better hires.

Following a system (read: recipe-as in how to make a favorite BBQ sauce) almost any system will allow you to be more consistent across an organization or just when you do it repeatedly. Having steps to follow allow you to be systematic first. Then after the system has become comfortable, you can be creative. Creativity should follow on the heals of a refined, honed, productive system.

2. You will spend less time hiring.

Depending on how rigorous your current hiring system is you (collectively) may be spending 20-40 man-hours vetting a new hire. And if the hire does not work out, you get to do it all over again. Too large of an expenditure to make a mistake. You can better use these resources elsewhere.

3. You will spend less time training.

Training new hires on your internal systems and policies is less profitable than skill development to create more value whether it is for the shareholders or customers. Every new hire consumes training resources that are better utilized elsewhere.

4. You will spend less money hiring.

Depending on the research that you do, a new hire can cost anywhere from $5,000 to 20 times annual salary. Think what you can do with that money on other initiatives that will grow sales and profits.

5. You will be more consistent during the interview process.

A good hiring system should include standardized processes including asking all candidates a similar set of questions. Certainly you can delve into areas that show up on assessments, background checks and credit reports.

The questions asked each candidate in each job title can and should be standardized. Treating two candidates for the same position differently can land you in trouble with the federal government for alleged discrimination.

6. You will reduce your liability.

If you are inconsistent across the company with the hiring process including but not limited to assessments and/or tests given, depth of background checks run and interview questions asked, you liability can be substantial.

7. You will duplicate hiring successes.

Quite often you make good hires. When you do, wouldn't it be great if you could replicate that success? You can with a standardized system or process.

8. You will have a better job fit.

Research has shown over and over that each job (if it could speak) would be better performed by candidates that possess certain behavioral traits, hard and soft skills and motivations.

Not all jobs are created equally nor are all people. Match the person to total requirements of the job. Not just anyone who can fog a mirror.

9. You will have better teamwork.

On cross-functional teams, multiple personalities are a good thing. Within a job class there are numerous reasons to have most of the job incumbents hold the traits of the most successful performers.

Several projects that we have completed show that top performers in a job share more traits that you might expect and have dramatically higher performance and less need for management. Always a good thing from the managers point of view.

10. You will spend more time helping your better performers rather than trying to get slackers to perform.

The 80/20 rule in alive and well with management. Most managers will tell you that they spend 80% of their time on 20% of the employees who are not making it. Why hire them in the first place? If hiring is better done, managers can spend time boosting the performance of top performers, not on people that should never have been hired for the job they currently hold.

It does not follow that the person should not have been hired for some job in the company, just not for the one they hold today.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Reg Gupton's Top 10 tips: Stop defending

The Top 10 Steps to Stop Defending Against Your Problem

Most of us are generally comfortable with the way we are, even if we want to change small (or large) things about ourselves. We tend to stay stuck until some event triggers the need for a change. Inertia is all too powerful and prevalent.

Some of my coaching clients must have a spear in their chest that hurts like #$%^&* and is bleeding like &*!@# before they will change, even though they are paying me and have hired me to help them move forward. When they are in pain, they are motivated to make a change.

So pay attention to the following.

1. Be aware of the problem.

Awareness (and sometimes real pain) brings us to a place where we can (and will) move forward. Are you avoiding your problems? Are you in denial? Be brutally frank and honest.

2. Pause

Take three deep breaths. Is the current situation really a big deal? If it is, take action now. If not, try laughing at yourself a little. It will help.

3. Accept that you have a problem.

We all have problems. All of us. A beginning step in the change process is to acknowledge that you have a problem. Acknowledgement does not mean that you are necessarily agreeing to change the situation. With help and proper motivation, you can make any change you need to make.

4. Understand the truth about the problem.

What's really going on? Think (or talk) about the problem. My personal way to solve problems is to talk (to trusted friends and advisors) about them. Some folks need to sit and think, others need to write out the problem. What is your style?

5. Understand how severe the problem is really.

Perspective is marvelous. Often when we are in the middle of a problem we can not see the forest for the trees. We get lost in the details and fail to distinguish urgent from important. For more information on this life changing distinction, see First Things First by Stephen Covey. He has a great matrix discussing how we operate.

6. Double-check to be sure you are not over-reacting.

Most of us, if we need drama in our lives, over-react to problems. Others of us, who do not need drama, still over-react if that is what we have been doing all our lives.

7. If possible, acquire the necessary tools or skills to deal with it.

Read, listen to tapes/CDs, and attend classes to get the tools that you are lacking to solve the problem.

8. Honestly decide if you have the skills, tools, perspective and help to make it better.

If not, get the exact help that you need.

9. Move ahead to solve the problem, no matter what, with or without help.

Take action, today, to solve a small part of the problem. A small step is better than being frozen.

10. Use what you've learned to set up a mechanism to prevent repetition of the problem.

Successful people make more mistakes than the rest of us. They just don't make the same mistake more than once. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's Top 10 tips: Focus on your strengths

Hi there,

Working on what you are good at is a good idea. Learn why.

These are taken from "Now, Discover Your Strengths," by Buckingham and Clifton, published recently and based on years of research by The Gallup Organization. You'll love it!

1. Your talents, your core competencies will be with you for a lifetime.

Your strengths, your unique talents are created by the way you and your brain are hard-wired. Current research says that changing these natural talents is a real struggle and beyond a certain age, you own them pretty much for life. The bad news is if you don't like them they are difficult to change. There is good news. And it is great news. You have them for a lifetime because they'll always be with you.

2. It's the only way you'll reach consistent near perfect performance, which is the goal.

Smart people can learn to do just about anything and perform adequately. But as the pressure increases performance will falter. When you're working with your strengths, you're in the zone. You are in the flow. You aren't working; you just are.

3. It's the only way you'll derive deep satisfaction from what you're doing.

If you're working in your area of strength, it's almost what you can't help doing. One way to find out if there are doubts is to look at what you do when you aren't being paid. What kind of tasks are you naturally drawn to? I made a list and I continue to be pleased.

4. It will energize you, not drain you.

Trying to get good at something that is not natural for you will exhaust. Period. Compare this to working on something that is a strength. It will energize you.

I love speaking to groups. The larger the better. I may be tired because of the energy but I am still jazzed about the time in front of an audience.

5. It will make you sharp, not well rounded.

The goal is to be a sharp person -- someone who has focused on their skills and honed them until they function consistently nearly perfectly. This runs counter to the current trend to make employees well rounded, working on their weaknesses.

Work to roll the boulder down the hill, not up like Sisyphus.

6. You'll be transformed!

When you give up and accept the way you are and work in the areas of your strengths, it will appear to others that you've been transformed; that you've changed. What you've really done is QUIT changing.

7. Knowledge and skills can be acquired, but strengths are innate.

With practice as a pharmaceutical rep, you may learn to describe your products well (knowledge) and how to ask the right questions to find the doctor's needs (skill), but you'll never learn how to push at exactly the right moment and in exactly the right way to close the deal.

8. You'll get even better under pressure.

General Colin Powell is the consummate public speaker and once he's on stage , he just keeps getting better and better. He seems to look out over the sea of faces and better words come quicker and faster. Skills will help you perform, but they won't help you excel. General Powell has a talent that allows him to become MORE articulate on stage.

9. If you aren't working from a strength, learning a skill is a survival technique.

If you want to reach excellence in what you do, concentrate on the areas where you have natural talent.

10. You'll live to work, not work to live.

I love marketing and have used it in my career and studied it for many years. I was recently elected to a local non-profit Board. The first committee I volunteered for was the Marketing Committee so I could ... market. I love speaking with anyone at anytime about marketing. I give away my knowledge and experience for free. I don't view these conversations as work. They are pure fun for me.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Reg Gupton's The Top 10 things to have each mgr's employee answer

Buckingham and Clifton advocate out of the box ways of working. These are explained in their book, "Now, Discover Your Strengths." Managing is more and more complex today than it has ever been. They endorse holding each manager accountable for creating the following outcomes, in the way they work best. This list, (shortened from 12 to 10) is to be asked of each manager's employees.

When worded exactly this way, they say, "they predict employee turnover, productivity, profitability, and customer loyalty. Asked twice a year, they provide the most robust and most relevant measure of a manager's impact on his or her employees" yet they do not dictate the manager's means to this end.

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?

2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work properly?

3. At work do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?

4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?

5. Does my supervisor or someone at work seem to care about me as a person?

6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development? In the last six months have I talked with someone about my progress? This last year have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

7. At work do my opinions seem to count?

8. Are my coworkers committed to doing quality work?

9. Do I have a best friend at work?

10. Does the mission of my company make me feel like my work is important?

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's top 10 web site mistakes

Hi,

The web has become a standard tool in today's market place. Most businesses, small or large can benefit from a properly constructed web site. Make the mistakes listed below at your peril. I have been a student and lecturer on the web since the mid-90s. Much has changed and yet much has stayed the same.

1. Oversized Graphic Files that increase download time.

Visitors will click-away, rather than wait for large graphics to load even with the increase in the use of broadband. Often a smaller graphic is more effective than a large one.

2. Distracting wallpaper makes text difficult to read.

Regular black text on a white background is easiest to read. Use wallpaper sparingly -- and make sure the text contrasts well against the background. This also applies to your e-mails.

3. Unclear labels for links that confuse the user.

A list of store locations should be called "Store Locations," not "Explore Our World." Users want clarity, not cleverness. Visitors must be able to find the information they want instantly, without guessing.

4. Hidden information; important facts and resources hidden deep within the web site.

If a user can't find what they are looking for within 90 seconds, they will usually give up. Links for all major categories of information should be right on the home (first) page. An ability to search your site if appropriate and contact us information should be available on every page.

5. Unprofessional Appearance.

Your attire, letterhead, and facility decor all promote a professional appearance -- why not your web site? Your web site may be the first (and last) impression a visitor ever gets of your company -- make that impression count! Useless graphic elements, especially animations, aren't impressing anybody. Keep it clean and simple!

6. Unfriendly Appearance.

Don't be so grim in your business-like attitude that the user feels unwelcome! Remember to include friendly, welcoming text on the home page to greet the user. Create a human presence on your web site! Include color photos of your team, along with personalized statements.

7. The "Brochure" Web Site describes your business -- and not much else.

Don't just publish some ad copy and pictures from your sales brochure! Take advantage of World Wide Web technology! Offer on-line searches, and links to articles relevant to your business. Want people to visit your location, how about a link to Mapquest so the visitor can get easy driving directions?

8. The "Spaghetti" Web Site loses the user in a morass of unclear, confusing links.

The most frustrating experience for any web user is to get "lost" in a web site. The user should never have to guess how to get anywhere. Links should be clearly labeled, and arranged intuitively. Link each page to related topics, and back to the home page. Every page should have the full set of navigation links. Or at least, a clear and obvious way back to the home page. I continue to be amazed by people who do not know about the "back" button on their web browser.

Make use of navigation bars. Users expect navigation bars either on the left side or the top of the screen-- those on the right or bottom will be missed. This is the standard on web sites. Take advantage of it.

9. No way for the visitor to give you their contact information

One of the three top uses of a web site for any business is to gather names, addresses and e-mails for visitors. If you offer a free report or white paper in exchange for contact information, you can grow your database. Allow them to opt-in before receiving the valuable information.

10. Expecting that because you have built a site they will visit.

It is a myth that if you build it they will come. Works in the movies for farm fields in Iowa but not for web sites. Include your web address on all media. Include it with your print ads, on your direct mail pieces, in your e-mail signature. Every where. Don't make your web site a secret.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Friday, August 21, 2009

Reg Gupton's Top 10 reasons to keep a journal

Hi,

I have heard recommendations for years about keeping a personal journal and struggled mightily to keep one myself. Recently I found the benefits listed below and thought they were interesting. These 10 benefits have helped me move closer to doing one. I am not quite there yet. Soon though.

1. You document your intentions.

2. You can read your intentions daily.

3. You gain focus and clarity for your life.

4. It gives you the basis for an action plan.

5. You can monitor your progress.

6. You can create a memoir of your life.

7. You gain serenity and confidence.

8. You will inspire and motivate others.

9. It reinforces a positive mind-set.

10. Journals are unique reflections of our souls.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's Top 10 beliefs of the top 10%

Hi there,

If you wish to be more successful, you might consider doing what those most successful individuals already do. Research says:

Many of you have heard the saying that 10% do 90% of the business. Here are a few of beliefs that the top 10% share.

1. Clients
They need me and it is my reason for being in business.

2. Money
I earn money in direct proportion to the value that I add to the lives of my customers.

3. Objections
When the prospect is ready, willing and able there are no objections.

4. Prospecting
Prospecting can be done systematically and in ways that match my personality.

5. Products
I supply the best products to meet my prospects needs.

6. Company
I work with the greatest company that is available to me at this time.

7. Effort vs. Reward
I always get paid what I am worth.

8. Rejection
Is unnecessary in my world if my business development systems are correct.

9. Goals
Are the track that I run on.

10. Closing
I never need to ask manipulative closing questions.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Manage My Account - Posterous - The place to post everything. Just email us. Dead simple blog by email.

Make your posterous posts show up automatically on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or your other blogs.

facebook twitter flickr tumblr blogger wordpress typepad --> xanga

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Posted via web from reggupton's posterous

Reg Gupton's Top 10 things telling you you are in the wrong job

The top 10 signs that you are in the wrong career

1. You avoid talking about your work with your friends and acquaintances.

You are not excited enough about your job to talk with your friends during social hours like you did at the beginning . Remember what it was like telling all your friends what you were doing and how much fun it was?

2. You are often ill.

You have an ache or a pain somewhere or miss days of work. These are signals from your body that you are under continued stress.

3. You get a knot in your stomach when you think about going to work.

4. There is not much else you want to do with this career.

You've lost your passion for your job. Unlike your parents who may have had one or two jobs in their entire work lifes, you and others today will have multiple careers in a lifetime. Some now have 5-7 careers. Not just jobs in the same career or career path but different careers.

5. You have sold your soul to the devil.

You often feel that you are not paid enough for the work you do.

6. Frustrating patterns are appearing within your relationship with work.

7. You have internal feelings that tell you something is not going according to plan.

Some call it fate, coincidence, misfortune, good or bad luck or anything else, but the Universe will move you whether you wish it or not.

8. You come home from work at the end of the day, just exhausted rather than excited and energized by the day.

9. The longer you are at the job the less fulfilled you feel. Your sense of satisfaction, excitement, curiosity and drive are gone, permanently.

10. You spend a lot of money on other things. You are attempting to get your needs met through other means.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Reg Gupton's Top 10 ways to guarantee your success this year

Top 10 Ways to Guarantee Your Business Success this year and every year in the future.

1. Haul out your dusty Business Plan
It is not too late to get out your business plan from last year and see how you did. You will be surprised on your successes and wins.

2. Determine your best Sources of Business
Remember the 80/20 rule which states that 20% of your effort brings 80% of your results or income.

3. Review and update it
With your top Sources of Business in mind update your plan based on concrete results from last year.

4. Clean your desktop
Focus is a wonderful thing. With only one task in the middle of your desk, your mind is less likely to wander. Laser focus is a necessary attribute at many times.

5. Automate your reminder system
The human brain is a great problem solver and a poor calendar. Use your Palm Pilot, Outlook Express or other automated calendar system.

6. The 3 Ds
Do it, delegate it, or dump it.

7. Plan your time off
Take a yearly calendar; sit down with your family and friends. Then mark out the days and weeks that you are going to take off. No matter what!

8. Eliminate 10% of your customers
Understand that the bottom 10% by size or profitability are consuming the majority of your time. Fire them.

9. Determine your most profitable 10%
On the other side, you have about 10% of your customers (or referral sources) that constitute the easiest, most profitable avenues for business. List them, then cultivate them like a good garden.

10. Set up a savings plan
Start a savings plan. When I was in college, a financial planner told me to save 10% of my earnings. I felt that that could not be done. So guess how much I saved. Nothing. If I had saved even 2% of my earning for the last 30 years, I would be retired.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Reg Gupton's 10 best ways to use your coach

Hi Reg Gupton here.

The following was originally written by Thomas Leonard. A great thinker about business, life and coaching. I think that it is great food for thought at any time of the year.

There are over 100 things that you can work on with a Personal/Professional Coach, but here are the Top 10.

1. You will set far better goals that motivate you in a healthy and stress free way. Did you have Goal Setting 101 in high school? Probably not. Enter the coach, an expert in helping you to identify and set the goals that you really want, not the ones that are shoulds or pipedreams, that you've been recycling or that mirror the goals of your parents, society, or Madison Avenue. Choosing the right goals for you is an art and the coach takes the necessary time to help you clarify your personal values, so that you have something really solid on which to develop your goals. Value-based goals are naturally motivating, but it takes good coaching to get to these.

2. You'll accomplish goals and tasks and projects much more quickly. One of the reasons that people hire a coach is to save themselves time. Working with a coach, they learn how to be far more effective, efficient and productive in everything that they do, including their job/business
or personal projects. We humans just aren't that naturally effective, even if we think that we are. The coach has tools and techniques to share with their clients so that things get done in half the time. (Even the coaching process is efficient -- on the phone, 1 hour a week, reasonable fee.)

3. You'll make fewer mistakes in your business life or in your personal life.
The old model of learning from your mistakes has deteriorated to be more like: How else will you learn if you don't make mistakes? Too expensive, in our view. With a coach, you have a third eye, someone who's been there and who has coached others in your situation, and an expert in getting the job done with the minimum of fuss (called learning curve, mistakes, errors in judgment, wrong tunnels, etc.). The costs (emotional, financial, time) of making mistakes has gotten very expensive in the past decade. A single mistake can ruin you in today's hyper-paced business environment. Some clients use their coach as an inexpensive insurance policy.

4. You'll move up to the next level of your professional and personal life.
Almost everybody is moving up the ladder of business success, personal development, awareness and emotional balance. The coach can help you see where you are right now and point out ways to grow and get where you want to get to. Or, if you're not even on the ladder, the coach can guide you to it and help you get started on your path.

5. You'll reduce the number of problems you have and better resolve the problems that are left.
The first step in solving a problem is to ask yourself why you have this problem. The second step is to ask yourself why you have problems at all. The third step is to get on track to having no problems -- aka, becoming a Problem-Free Zone (PFZ). This is not a joke. Being a PFZ is becoming even more important along the path of sustainable success. You cannot afford to have problems, period. Life's too short and problems are too expensive. A well-trained coach can help you become a PFZ. A well-trained coach is a PFZ herself.

6. You'll likely make more money in your career, profession or business.
Clients don't keep paying their coaches just for the fun of it. Coaching, like every other professional service, needs to improve the financial bottom line and it does. Coaches are trained to help clients to leverage their ability to make money, i.e., getting a raise, choosing a better career, starting a business, improving profitability, adding more value to their customers, proper pricing, productivity and others. Sure, coaching is personal, but it almost always includes a strong financial aspect.

7. You'll be a lot happier and this happiness will last.

Coaches know how to help you to reduce stress, integrate all aspects of your life, simplify or downshift, and reorient around what makes you the happiest. What good is increased productivity and profitability if you're not happy?

8. You'll be much more effective and influential with others: family, business and personal relationships.
Communication makes life life. A coach is an expert communicator and trains clients on how to come across better, relate well with others, listen aggressively, influence, coach, motivate and support others. There are over 100 communication and listening skills that clients can learn from a coach.

9. You'll become much more attractive to others -- on the inside and on the outside.
Selling, as a profession and as a proven technique/process, is on its way out. Why? Because humans are getting better at choosing for themselves and buying better. Humans will respond less to advertising and selling techniques and instead be drawn to a product or service and they will be more likely drawn because of who is offering the product or service. This process is called attraction and Coach University wrote the book on it (called Irresistible Attraction). It's real. It works. And it will replace much of the promotion, marketing, selling, seducing and other very expensive budget items. Remember, the world (aka consumers) is rapidly eliminating virtually all waste and inefficiencies in how business is conducted, products are sold and how services are delivered. Selling and mass marketing, while certainly still very effective right now, is on the hit list. Attraction is the next generation of selling and the well-trained coach can help you and your business gets on this track immediately.

10. You'll have a better life, not just a better lifestyle.
The term Quality of Life has become overused in the past few years, but the trend of Americans seeking to create a much better life for themselves is accelerating. In fact, people are re-examining what they had assumed that a good life was (married, 2.3 kids, nice car, secure job, church on Sundays, 3 weeks of vacation a year) and are now creating their own life, often breaking the rules and flying in the face of conventional wisdom in the process. A coach has been trained in the Life
Design process and has already made the kind of design changes in their life, that their clients are just now beginning to make.

Are you enjoying these top 10 lists? Share them with your friends, family and associates by simply sending this link to them.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton, MBA
Coach, consultant, trainer

Reg Gupton's Top 10 character builders

In these troubled times, character and integrity are being talked about all over the world. I came across this Top 10 list and found it to be a wake up call.

The Top 10 Character Builders

1. Do it even if it's difficult.

2. Take responsibility for your choices, your actions, and your consequences.

3. Know why you do what you do.

4. Be honest, and be true to your word, both with yourself and with others.

5. Know your strengths, and work from them. Know your weaknesses even better, and avoid feeding into them.

6. Recognize your choices and use them wisely.

7. Develop self-discipline and know how to not overdo it.

8. Develop the ability to luxuriate, know when it's time to stop, and be able to stop.

9. Know the difference between what you want and what you need.

10. Recognize and respect boundaries. Be clear about your own, and give equal value and weight to those of others.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Reg Gupton offers a way to build Top of Mind Awareness.

Reg,

I just wanted to share with you my thoughts on the 8x8 system you encouraged me to set up. Prior to the 8 x 8 when I'd meet a new person or potential client I had no consistent way of reinforcing who I am and what I do with them. It was hit or miss. If we were looking at property then we'd speak often and they'd get lots of email but if it was someone I met say, at an event, I might remember to send them a letter or two and then they'd get lost in my database.

My experience shows the 8x8 lends continuity. Each week I send out an informative brochure on some home ownership issue like carbon monoxide, asbestos, or how to reduce humidity in your home. I've received phone calls from recipients saying they like what I'm sending and find it helpful and informative. People who have gone through my 8x8 and are now on the 33 Touch program have come up to me in the grocery store or the mall to thank me for being different than the other agents out there.

I can't buy that kind of favorable opinion with anything else I've tried. Thanks for pushing me to "just do it".

Best regards,

Debra Berman
Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
Sales Representative
Royal LePage Partners Realty, Brokerage
169 Willowdale Avenue
Toronto, ON M2N 4Y7
T: 416-229-4454
C: 416-803-8712
deb@debworksforyou.com
www.debworksforyou.com

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Reg Gupton wants to know: "Ever wonder if it's the tactics or your own fears that keep you from marketing?"

Hi Reg Gupton here.

Recently my good friend and I had a conversation about implementing change in your business. We videoed my side. There are two videos on YouTube for you.

Here is Part 1. This segment is about 10 minutes long.

And Part 2 is here. The conclusion segment is about 7 minutes long.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below or emailing me directly at gupton@growthseminars.com.

To your continued success,

Reg Gupton