The advance warning is about something you should DEFINITELY do, if you possibly can.

In this economy intelligent people are crying out for proven ideas on how to build their business and make a lot of profits.

So many people are asking for my help that I am opening up 3 hour blocks of time inviting the right people to my home in the Philadelphia PA area to help them in their business.

If you, too, like the idea learning my business and marketing on and off line ideas, you’ll be interested in this invitation.

You are invited to come to my home and work with me while we have some sandwiches and beverages for a full 3 hours, hands on, where I help you with your business success.  I won’t offer you additional services, won’t follow up with you, won’t coach you and will teach you hands on how to make your business more profitable.

I have several days coming up quickly to help you directly.

Yes: it is short notice – but I hope you are in a hurry to succeed. I am certainly in a hurry to help you do so!

Let’s face it, in times like these it doesn’t pay to sit around thinking about doing something. The sooner you act, the sooner you’ll see results, and I’m here to help you do so.

So, please RSVP straight away.

Respond to t@coachinstitute.com if you want to reserve a date.

The investment for 3 hours of my time to build your business is only $3,000 – but I only have a couple of dates open.

So, let’s see if we can find a date and if so, and only if so, will I request your credit card.

No payment plans.

This is only for serious folks who know my phone time for 3 hours is more than what I am asking for live lunches with me!

I really hope to see you at my home shortly,

T

“Are You Taking Advantage of Our Marketing Advice Clinic that Offers FREE Information and Consultations on these Topics…”

1. Low cost referral management systems
2. Advertising and copy critiques
3. Website strategy reviews
4. Publicity ideas and press release critiques
5. Direct mail and marketing collateral reviews

As a public service to my readers and followers in the business community Levine Business Coaching offers a “Marketing Advice Clinic” that qualified business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing directors may take advantage of on a limited basis. The following are responses to questions we’ve received lately concerning this free business service.

1. Why do you offer this advice clinic for FREE if you’re in the consulting business?

The Marketing Advice Clinic is offered free of charge simply because we understand that you, as a business owner, want to know what your strategy and options are before you invest in any marketing services.

Because there is no cost or obligation, you will receive unbiased, objective advice and reviews in a non-threatening environment. It allows you to understand the costs and expenses associated in advance of moving forward with your marketing strategy.

Also, giving free advice and reviews helps us demonstrate our expertise and experience to business owners who are not familiar with us, which often gives them trust and confidence to utilize our services in the future.

2. Can I use the Marketing Advice Clinic multiple times?

You may use the Marketing Advice Clinic as many times as necessary to receive advice and consultations on most marketing, advertising, and promotional issues.

3. Do I need to make an appointment?

Yes, our Marketing Advice Sessions are 15 minutes long and require an appointment. To schedule your Marketing Advice Session simply email Debbie@TerriLevine.com and she will schedule you on a first come-first served basis. If you miss an appointment two times you will not be eligible for additional Marketing Advice Sessions.

4. Can anyone participate in your Marketing Advice Clinic?

The Marketing Advice Clinic is available ONLY to my readers and followers who are businesses or people who are referred by my readers and followers.

5. Do I need to come to your office to use the Marketing Advice Clinic?

No, we do the Marketing Advice Session over the telephone. If you have any marketing materials such as brochures, ads, sales letters and direct mail pieces that you want reviewed, email those prior to your session to Debbie@TerriLevine.com.

Hopefully this has answered any questions you may have about the Marketing Advice Clinic. Hundreds of business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing directors have received expert help over the years using the clinic. In fact, the following are remarks from a business owner who used the Marketing Advice Clinic recently:

“I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all your help. You provided me with several excellent ideas. After implementing just one of your ideas by business increased by 20% and I made $15,000 two hours after I spoke to you, thanks to your valuable advice. Thank you for providing this outstanding service for business owners.”

Jemila Williams, JemStone International

If you need advice please don’t hesitate to call our FREE clinic. And please pass around the email to other business associates that might need a helping hand.

Terri Levine

P.S. If for some reason you can’t call the FREE Marketing Advice Clinic during normal hours simply call us and we can arrange a free meeting that will meet your time restrictions.

Then there are those who tackle life’s challenges head on, who don’t run and hide, who refuse to sit down and quit… one way or another they are determined to taste success.

It’s not about opportunity – they can both have the same opportunities and challenges – that’s not what creates success… it’s attitude.

The right attitude is behind all successful people. When the going gets tough, the right attitude is what keeps them up on their feet, looking for new open doors, new opportunities, new paths around their obstacles, new ways to reach success.

Successful people look at a grey cloud and know there is a silver lining and are determined to find it and don’t stop until they do. Unsuccessful people see the grey cloud and figure it’s probably going to rain so may as well stay home and do nothing.

So if you aren’t tasting success yet, how’s your attitude?

1.       Move your body.

Take a ten-minute walk in or outside the building.  Get your body moving to create greater energy flow.

2.       Talk to a colleague.

Seek out a colleague in your department or another one and let them know you are stuck or feeling stress.  Spend five-minutes or so just talking about how you feel.  Sometimes just verbalizing the feelings out loud makes us feel better.

3.       Take a five-minute catnap.

 
That’s right … put your head down and give your mind a break to work through the block.  It worked in school and it can be useful at work.
 

4.       Turn up the music.

If you have a radio then pick a station to listen to, really concentrate on for five-minutes.  Take your mind off the situation and let the music in.

5.       Eat or drink.

Take a snack break. Enjoy a favorite food or beverage and just relax for a few minutes.

6.       De-clutter your workspace.

Organize your work area. Put things in piles, do some filing, clear off your desktop.  Take your mind off of everything and design a better work area. A cluttered, messy work area can create feelings of stress.

7.       Give yourself a reward.

Have a special meal, call someone you haven’t spoken to in while, schedule a massage or new haircut or pick up vacation brochures.  Lift your spirits and give yourself something to look forward to.

8.       Switch tasks.

Stop working on the current project.  Switch to something you are more in the mood to do. Get yourself into a project or task that has more appeal at the moment and then come back to what you were doing at a later time.

9.       Create momentum.

Get into a routine.  Having a clear routine develops momentum and that will keep you from feeling the stress and getting blocked.

10.    Plan a quick get away.

Plan an escape for the weekend.  Take a trip on a train, plane, bus or take a car ride.  You may even want to bring a bit of work – the change in environment may give way to that block.

 If you don’t have the full support and understanding of key management positions, any organizational changes being made are going to be thwart with difficulties. It is up to CEOs and Presidents to champion the cause and ensure their managerial teams are also in full support, so that it can filter down through the ranks more smoothly.

 It is not enough to merely hand a list of problems and preferred outcomes or objectives to a managerial team and expect them to go ahead and get to work on it. They, too, need guidelines and guidance, reassurance, and training. Many Managers get to where they are through natural progression up the corporate ladder, climbing their way on their years of experience. But this doesn’t mean they know how to manage. The Manager of the Sales Department may be an excellent Sales Person himself and know how to train his staff in successful sales techniques and strategies, but as a manager of people and an organizational change expert, he may well be out of his depth. The same can be said for many managers in many different departments.

 All the brilliant change plans in the world will fail if those who are responsible for the action have no idea what they are doing and possibly, don’t believe in what they are doing. So the first step is ensuring the managerial teams understand what changes are being made and why, and what outcomes are being sought and why. They then need training in the best methodologies for introducing the new systems to their own departments. This requires a whole set of skills many managers lack, simply because it has not been something they have been taught before. This includes people skills, communication skills, and negotiating skills.

 But even if changes are not being introduced, Managers who want to improve the bottom line results of their departments need these same skills. By now it is a well known fact that a happy workforce is a productive workforce. Happy workers who enjoy a high morale and feel good about their employer, take more pride in their work and wish to see “their” company succeed. They look after the customers better. They take less sick leave. They’re find more efficient ways of doing things. They participate more. They work harder. This is good news for any company’s bottom line.

 The Manager in charge of this type of workforce is one who knows how to listen to his staff. He respects his staff and their abilities. He asks his staff for their input and promotes a team spirit. He cares about the individuals in his department and realizes that their individual success in a team environment results in success for the company. He knows how to handle trouble-makers and grizzlers and convert them into happy, productive employees. He understands the process of coaching and mentoring those in his care to produce the best results. He is clear with his instructions, and does not play the Dictator role. He does not waste his time looking over shoulders. Instead, he is available for his staff to bring challenges to for discussion and resolution.

 Learning to listen, observe, trust, guide and coach employees is not something that miraculously occurs when somebody is promoted to a Managerial position. It is up to the Company to assist their Managers by providing training for them, enabling them to be effective Coach-Mentor-Managers.

 Too often, when a department is seen to be in trouble, blame is laid at the departmental Manager or Supervisor’s door. Really, there is no excuse for a company putting somebody in a position of authority when they are ill equipped to handle it. This is a problem that will recur until organizations realize that managing people is not a natural ability inherited with a managerial title. Resources are available to train Organizational management teams, and often, all it takes is a phone call to put it into action.

You may have heard of the expression “be the change you want to see occur in the world”. Yes, it can be a challenge in a world where a percentage of people do not understand the concepts of being considerate, honest or helpful, being in it only for themselves. One of the problems is that some people simply do not see themselves as others see them. They are not aware of their own shortcomings because in their minds, they don’t have any shortcomings.

How do you know if you fall into this category? No offence, but none of us can progress if we are not aware of our shortcomings, because without this knowledge, there is nothing to work with. So let’s quiz Joe Bloggs and if you find yourself identifying with the responses, you may have a little work to do on your self-development… :

1. Being judgmental. I’m always on the look-out for the bad in people so I don’t get taken for a ride. You’ve got to know your enemy! And face it, the world is full of rotten people doing rotten things and I want to spot them before they spot me! You can’t trust anyone. I didn’t get to my position without being a good judge of character. I’m an authority on people. And I know when I’m right. If you don’t agree with me, that’s simply because you’re wrong!

2. Disrespectful. From where I stand, this is MY life and so, only MY rights count in MY life and people need to respect that and respect me. I don’t have to respect them, because they’re all rotten. They’re either richer than me and think they’re better than me and so many of those rich people are conniving ripoff artists, or they’re poorer and they can’t be trusted either because they’re always trying to rip you off, too.

3. Not Being a Good Listener. Who’s not listening now? Didn’t I just say that I don’t have to listen to you? Who are you, anyway? Do you live in my street? I don’t care what unimportant, little thing you have to say. You’re not at my level so how can you have anything to say that’s worth listening to? Go away and stop bothering me!

4. Be interested – not interesting. Who said I’m not interested? I’m interested in the stockmarket, my new car, my next overseas holiday, and my kids’ impressive achievements. Ha, you should hear what we did last holidays, and this suit I’m wearing cost me a fortune, and what about my facelift, now there’s something interesting, and let me tell you about the new contract I won all by myself… oh and did I tell you about little Jimmy getting on the swim team… let me tell you about me, me, me because I’m sure I’m much more interesting than you!

5. Respond from Your Heart. Listen, we didn’t get our trendy suits and our highrise offices by listening with our hearts! I respond with my head… if that makes me a cold unemotional fish, tough. I don’t care what effect that has on you – you’re not my problem. There’s no place in business for ‘hearts’. Home is where the heart is and should stay… did I tell you about my new holiday home, oh, and my new car… now that car has heart!

6. Be truthful. Are you for real? I’m sorry, there’s a time and a place for the truth and you won’t find a time or a place for it in the real world. You can’t go around telling the truth! Nobody tells the truth! Where do you live? Never-Never Land? You certainly don’t live in my street! You want the truth? You’re wasting my time with this drivel.

7. Be helpful. I am helpful. I paid for my secretary’s plastic surgery – this is a win-win – now she looks ten years younger and I have someone to impress the clients with when we go out for dinner… of course, this leaves my wife with more time to spend at home with the kids, which is also important – see? I’m not only helpful, I’m considerate.

8. Maintain Your Integrity and Your Dignity. You won’t find a more dignified person than me. I’m rich. I’m successful. I have the proud bearing of a very dignified person and all that gossip about my bad temper and rudeness in board meetings is just jealous talk. And of course our staff can trust me… I didn’t actually lie to those people who lost their jobs during the company merger… I just thought it better not to tell the whole story!

9. Go the Extra Mile. I jog every morning – we have big houses in our street, and I jog one extra house length each week… What? That’s not what you meant? Well, the extra mile costs time and money… you want I should dip into my profits for someone I don’t even know?

10. Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say. You better believe it! I mean it if I tell you I’m having you removed from the building and if you’re not gone within 60 seconds I’m calling security! And don’t run! It’s undignified! Even for you!

Managers are a species apart, expected to please all the people, all the time – which we know is impossible, right?

They must protect the interests of those they work for and those they manage. They must represent the view of those they work for and those they manage. When something goes wrong, guess who is in the firing line?

This is all in a day’s work for today’s Manager, who gets little thanks and acknowledgement, but plenty of criticism and blame.

But it doesn’t end there, in-house… These same managers are often walking the same thin line between customer and company loyalty, having to look out for the customer’s best interests and their company simultaneously.

Managers have to have perfect timing, knowing when to speak, when to act, when to try something new and when to say enough is enough. They have to be suitably compliant and know how to follow obediently and yet possess strong leadership skills and know how to lead. They have to know when to speak up and when to keep quiet.

Managers are expected to toe the line, and yet be innovative and step outside the square when needed. They are expected to take calculated risks, but if the outcome is not successful, heads will role and there are no prizes for guessing whose head does the rolling. And every time there is the need to speak up and rock the boat, there is the potential for damaged working relationships that sometimes cannot be easily mended.

Managers must always find a perfect balance, just one of the skills they need to master to be effective in their roles, and the key is in learning the art of communication. A true diplomat, the clever manager knows how to speak some of the harshest truths without ruffling feathers.

Smart managers have mastered the art of being able to truly listen to other’s points of view without giving up their own. Simple phrases such as “I understand…” and “I can see your point of view and why you’d think that…” assist to diffuse arguments and opposition. By honoring other’s points of view, they give themselves the space to share their own.

People want their opinions respected and acknowledged, and when they have gotten what they need to say off their chest, and you have listened respectfully, you will find they are better able to listen to you when it is your turn.

The essence of today’s top managers, and the ingredient all managers need to include in their “mix” is to learn effective communication skills, because then and only then will they be able to walk the thin line with confidence and success.

So let’s remember the basics and incorporate some happiness into our daily lives. And if Happiness was a soup, here are the ingredients…

We are all connected, yet we are each unique and have special gifts and talents. We are ALL ‘okay’! We also tend to label everything as right or wrong, good or bad, etc. Shift to the belief that no one is right or wrong, good or bad … they just are and accept that. Doing so will ‘free’ you!

Release concern about others judging you! What is right for you does not have to be right for another. It is easier to be yourself when you stop coming from a place of wondering who or what is judging you!

Don’t try to change or improve others to meet your standards or to believe what you believe. You are not responsible for others in this way – again, free yourself!

Are you unhappy at work, in a relationship, with your appearance, etc? What’s stopping you from changing this? People become stuck because of fear… fear of failing, fear of ridicule, fear of the unknown … Identify your fears and work to overcome them.

What ‘steps’ can you start taking today that will result in how you want things to be? Small steps will still get you to that ‘destination’, but you’ll never get there if you don’t make a start!

Get rid of negative self-beliefs… I’m not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough. If your life depended on finding good things within yourself, you’d find them… start looking!

We fret over everything as if we’re supposed to be perfect in everything we do. We put ourselves down at the slightest imperfection. Well, get over yourself! Everybody makes mistakes – learn from them, let them go, and move on!

Know your values! We have our own sense of integrity and we are happiest when our goals and achievements match our principles. As we move towards the habits that align with our integrity, we feel good about ourselves.

Know, specifically, what makes you feel happiness, otherwise, how do you expect to bring this into your life if you don’t know what it is?

Self-improvement! When we develop ourselves, we eliminate many disbeliefs about ourselves; we stop putting ourselves down; we see possibilities; we feel peaceful, optimistic and joyous; and we have more fun.

When was the last time you laughed at yourself, or at anything? Can’t find your sense of humor? Seek out funny movies, funny books, or read the jokes pages on the web. Start with a chuckle and work your way up!

“Lighten up” is a popular phrase for good reason. We have a tendency to take ourselves, our work, and our relationships too seriously. Some things are serious, but for the rest, keep it in perspective!

Think back to being a child, running around the playground, laughing, catching fireflies, and rolling in the snow. Remember how you felt, how you were silly and didn’t care if anybody looked at you? What would it take to recreate those feelings today?

As we become adults we forget what it’s like to play games – we’re too concerned about how other people will perceive us. What are you afraid of? Has it occurred to you that others may think, “Gosh, I wish I wasn’t so hung-up so I could do that too!”? And if they think you’re “immature” or you’ve “flipped your lid”, does that really matter in the grander scheme of things?

Do something completely out of character and childish this week. Go buy a silly toy. One of my clients plays with Mr. Potato Head! Another has their daughter’s Furbie on their desk. Find a way of making a heavy situation become light by asking yourself, “How would I respond to this if I were a child?”

Give other people permission to laugh. Put a clown’s nose on in the car and wave to other people as you drive around. Think of all the ways that you can play games and have fun, and do that with other people you come in contact with everyday. I know one person who delights in giving “royal waves” when she’s in the passenger seat – embarrasses her husband but gives her a giggle every time and a smile on everyone else’s face who sees her.

Identify your Stress triggers! Our fast-paced lives, job pressures, the environment, etc. all lead to an excess of stressors for us. Manage your stress with Meditation, hobbies, exercise, yoga, nature walks, friends, etc. It is too easy to keep on working all the time – because the work is always there. So if you are determined to keep working to “catch up” so that “one day” you will have time to relax a bit or enjoy a hobby, well guess what… that is probably never going to happen. You need to slot time in for yourself right now, because that is the only way you are going to get it!

Don’t say “I’ll be happy if…” or “I’ll be happy when…”. You only have “now” – you cannot live in the future until it becomes your present – your ‘now’. You have no choice – it’s be happy “now” or never!

Don’t put conditions on your happiness. Happiness is a state of mind, regardless of our situation. Happiness is a choice we make. Choose to be happy today!

You have permission to smile… NOW!

Terri

When change is introduced into the workplace there is often a degree of resistance, anxiety and sometimes even ridicule of the new methodologies. People equate change with difficulty and something to be feared. This is where open communication is so important and it starts right at the very top.

If you don’t have the full support and understanding from those in key management positions, any organizational changes being made are going to be thwart with difficulties. It is up to CEO’s and Presidents to champion the cause and ensure their managerial teams are also in full support, so that it can filter down through the ranks more smoothly.

Here are 5 areas where guidance and training can help:

• Don’t just hand a list of problems and preferred outcomes or objectives to a managerial team and expect them to go ahead and get to work on it. They, too, need guidelines and guidance, reassurance, and training. Many Managers get to where they are through natural progression up the corporate ladder, climbing their way on their years of experience. But this doesn’t mean they know everything they should know about being an effective Manager.

• All the brilliant change plans in the world will fail if those who are responsible for the action have no idea what they are doing and possibly, don’t believe in what they are doing. So the first step is ensuring the managerial teams understand what changes are being made and why, and what outcomes are being sought and why. They then need training in the best methodologies for introducing the new systems to their own departments. This requires a whole set of skills many managers lack, simply because it has not been something they have been taught before. This includes people skills, communication skills, and negotiating skills.

• Even if changes are not being introduced, Managers who want to improve the bottom line results of their departments need these same skills. It is a well known fact that a happy workforce is a productive workforce. Happy workers who enjoy a high morale and feel good about their employer take more pride in their work and wish to see “their” company succeed. They look after the customers better. They take less sick leave. They find more efficient ways of doing things. They participate more. They work harder. This is good news for any company’s bottom line.

• The Manager in charge of this type of workforce is one who knows how to listen to his staff. He respects his staff and their abilities. He asks his staff for their input and promotes a team spirit. He cares about the individuals in his department and realizes that their individual success in a team environment results in success for the company. He knows how to handle trouble-makers and grizzlers and convert them into happy, productive employees. He understands the process of coaching and mentoring those in his care to produce the best results. He is clear with his instructions, and does not play the Dictator role. He does not waste his time looking over shoulders. Instead, he is available for his staff to bring challenges to for discussion and resolution.
• Learning to listen, observe, trust, guide and coach employees is not something that miraculously occurs when somebody is promoted to a Managerial position. It is up to the Company to assist their Managers by providing training for them enabling them to be effective Coach-Mentor-Managers. Too often, when a department is in trouble, blame is laid at the departmental Manager or Supervisor’s door. There is no excuse for a company putting somebody in a position of authority when they are ill equipped to handle it. This will be a recurring problem until organizations realize that managing people is not a natural ability inherited with a managerial title. Resources are available to train Organizational management teams, and often, all it takes is a phone call to put it into action.

When all is said and done, a company’s bottom line relies heavily on the employees who make up the “company”. Miserable, unhappy and poorly trained workers and managers produce miserable results. Happy, well trained workers and managers are more productive and fruitful in their endeavors, creating successful and prosperous companies.

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, anxiety is

1 a : painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill b : fearful concern or interest c : a cause of anxiety
2 : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it

Approximately 13.3% of the adult population in the U.S. is affected by an Anxiety Disorder.  We agree, Coaches are not therapists or psychiatrists, and it is not our role to treat these disorders.

The anxiety I am talking about is that suffered by everyday workers, going about their business in a state of stress and discomfort.  This work related anxiety is persistent and causes you to worry excessively about events or activities or circumstances at work which may, or may not, even happen… but the fear is very real.

Stress feeds anxiety.  For example, in a day when job security is no longer guaranteed, quite often it doesn’t take much to turn a “worry” into an anxiety, bringing with it a string of very real physical (and mental) health symptoms.

Before I suggest some tips to help prevent anxiety, it might be helpful to know some kinds of situations that are known for producing anxious moments:

Potential causes include:

• being overworked
• working longer hours
• lack of clear instructions from employers
• new management techniques
• performance related benefits/pay increases
• fear of losing your job/redundancies
• Harassment or bullying in the workplace

Clearly, if a stressful situation is prolonged, the more likely you are to become anxious about it, especially if you feel powerless to do anything about either the situation causing the stress, or the outcome that you fear will befall you.  You’ll know the difference between ordinary stress and an anxious state by the accompanying physical symptoms, which may include sweaty palms, irregular and shallow breathing patterns, heart palpitations, to name a few.

So how can you possibly avoid the type of situations described above?  Well, it may not be possible to avoid them as such, but with a bit of practice, you may be able to live with them without the accompanying unpleasant symptoms!  So here are some tips to get you started…

• At work, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, go somewhere quiet and take six deep breaths – breathe in deeply, filling your lungs with air, and breathe out slowly.
• Consider the consequences of whatever you do, and don’t do anything that might lead you to tell a lie about it afterwards or indulge in any other kind of cover-up.
• Don’t rely on memory – write it down.  An Old Chinese proverb says, “The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory.”
• Don’t stress or rush – take the time to ask directions or get clear instructions.
• Know the difference between “needs” and “preferences” and don’t get too hung up with “preferences”.
• Take up meditation or Yoga or some other form of relaxation program – make it a part of your life and find time to practice at least one relaxation technique every day.
• Learn to say no!
• Don’t fool yourself into thinking you are “weak” – watch your “self-talk” – keep it upbeat and positive.
• Make a list of the things that worry you or cause you stress.  Look at each item realistically – list the real or imagined outcomes you associate with each item.  Study them carefully – what, if anything, can you do about any of the things you’ve noted.  Check back to your list each week and note any changes you feel regarding each item.  Many times, writing it down helps and produces clarity.  You will soon be able to discern which fears are foundless, and for the other fears, you will be able to brainstorm ideas that will allow you to tame them, if not conquer them.
• Don’t be scared to speak up if there are situations at work that are causing you sleepless nights. You could keep going, trying to tolerate it, but this will merely add to the pressures on you and increase the stress you are already enduring, and before you know it, you are in anxiety mode.  Choose somebody in a position to help you and with whom you feel confident to share your concerns, and express yourself clearly and calmly.

Remember, what we focus on is what we attract into our reality.  So concentrate your focus on the things you do want in your life, rather than the things you don’t want.  “Positive thinking” is not merely a catchphrase.  You deserve an extraordinary life, but it is up to you to achieve it.