Not sure if anyone ever reads my posts but need to say, if you do, thanks. About four months ago I became ill with an invasive pain in my side. After tons of tests, nothing seemed to be wrong. Not one to "milk" feeling less than healthy, I finally dismissed the pain.
By September 16, I was in emergency and surgery followed. I have stage 4 terminal cancer with 3 or so months left. Hmm, not sure how a lifetime of exercise, healthy living and eating morphed into this sentence. But it did.
If you have read some of my blogs, I wish you well toward your goals and prosperity.
Lynn Manning Ross
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, September 09, 2011
THE WORLD IS FLAT
Of course it is! Everyone knows that except for this one numskull who keeps insisting it isn’t. He’s so insistent that it took him over a decade to raise enough capital to buy the ships he needed to prove it.
Contrary to popular myth, some researchers claim it wasn’t the sale of Queen Isabella’s jewels that financed Christopher Columbus. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella actually acted as lead investors to raise sufficient funds from wealthy investors for Columbus’ voyage in 1492.
When 99 and 9/10th percent of a society believes something, launching a new idea isn’t easy. In fact, it’s daunting but where would we be without Christopher’s tenacity?
How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller is the first ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan SMART CODES, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Contrary to popular myth, some researchers claim it wasn’t the sale of Queen Isabella’s jewels that financed Christopher Columbus. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella actually acted as lead investors to raise sufficient funds from wealthy investors for Columbus’ voyage in 1492.
When 99 and 9/10th percent of a society believes something, launching a new idea isn’t easy. In fact, it’s daunting but where would we be without Christopher’s tenacity?
How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller is the first ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan SMART CODES, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
WHO’S BEHIND THE YELLOW PAGE ADS?
There’s a person behind every Yellow Pages ad we see. Think about that. The ads don’t mysteriously appear one day. And I’m not talking about the designers who made the ads possible.
I’m talking about the real people behind the ad from the solo-entrepreneur to the corporate conglomerate. Someone somewhere in time had to imagine the idea and take action to turn that idea into reality. Ultimately, that someone is the person behind every Yellow Pages ad.
Want inspiration? Pick up that telephone book and just hold it. You’ll be holding dreams just like yours that came to life through determination. If they can do it so can you!
Plan your dream. Learn more in How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan SMART CODES, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A SURE-FIRE WAY TO MISS AN OPPORTUNITY!
The first thing you need to do, if you really want to miss an opportunity, is install a computer telephone answering system. And to seal the death of any opportunity slipping through the cracks, make sure the system is state-of-the-art, like in: "Press 2 for our company directory."
Then it’s mandatory to program into the computer to ask the caller to spell the first 4 letters of the person’s last name that they want to reach and then ask for the first 4 letters of their first name. Now the caller will never know the tech programmed the computer telephone answering system to return the caller to the beginning.
After all, who does that caller think he is to spell the first 4 letters of a decision maker’s last and first names! Nothing personal, of course, an opportunity worth several hundred thousand dollars doesn’t mean too much to the big shot—right!
WRONG! It means a lot. The problem is in the details and giving up your decision making power to other employees who haven’t a clue what details are important is like shooting yourself in the foot!
Fielding incoming telephone calls can be exasperating of course. But life works on one simple idea, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince! And if you’re the executive short of time to manage your calls, hire a super-smart seasoned person who can.
Opportunity doesn't grow on trees. It grows with human contact.
Grow your business first-hand! No hand-me-downs and then buy a copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Then it’s mandatory to program into the computer to ask the caller to spell the first 4 letters of the person’s last name that they want to reach and then ask for the first 4 letters of their first name. Now the caller will never know the tech programmed the computer telephone answering system to return the caller to the beginning.
After all, who does that caller think he is to spell the first 4 letters of a decision maker’s last and first names! Nothing personal, of course, an opportunity worth several hundred thousand dollars doesn’t mean too much to the big shot—right!
WRONG! It means a lot. The problem is in the details and giving up your decision making power to other employees who haven’t a clue what details are important is like shooting yourself in the foot!
Fielding incoming telephone calls can be exasperating of course. But life works on one simple idea, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince! And if you’re the executive short of time to manage your calls, hire a super-smart seasoned person who can.
Opportunity doesn't grow on trees. It grows with human contact.
Grow your business first-hand! No hand-me-downs and then buy a copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Friday, June 10, 2011
e=mc2
e=mc2 is one of the most famous math formulas of all-time. But suppose it wasn’t famous. Suppose it was brand new and just starting to make its rounds in the math circles of this world. How would any outsider recognize its value? They wouldn’t.
Business is like that. If we don’t have a background to recognize a new idea someone is presenting, we miss its value and the “opportunity of choice.” It’s only an opportunity if we grasp its significance in the same way a mathematician recognizes the value of e=mc2. Once evaluated from experience, the opportunity becomes a choice to move on it—or not.
Experience is worth its weight in gold. Trust your business to those who have it! Then buy a copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Business is like that. If we don’t have a background to recognize a new idea someone is presenting, we miss its value and the “opportunity of choice.” It’s only an opportunity if we grasp its significance in the same way a mathematician recognizes the value of e=mc2. Once evaluated from experience, the opportunity becomes a choice to move on it—or not.
Experience is worth its weight in gold. Trust your business to those who have it! Then buy a copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
10 MINUTES WORTH OF EXPERIENCE
Where’s all the experienced hiding? Ever tried to get past the receptionist? What about the so-called gatekeepers who guard the decision makers along with their jobs? What happens if opportunity knocks and no one answers the door? And companies wonder why they grow at a nit’s pace or why their competitor got the contract.
Hiring someone with “10 minutes worth of experience” may be cheap but here’s the rub, they’ll cost your company a truckload of lost opportunities. Think not? Try fielding all incoming queries yourself for a month.
As they say, you might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find that hypothetical opportunity. But if that one opportunity is worth its weight in gold, isn’t it worth the effort?
There are lots of Google’s and Twitter’s in the wings but they won’t show up on your doorstep if you allow “10 minutes worth of experience” to man your helm!
Experience shows up on the side of success. Computer Business Plans are trite. Invest in your future with a copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Hiring someone with “10 minutes worth of experience” may be cheap but here’s the rub, they’ll cost your company a truckload of lost opportunities. Think not? Try fielding all incoming queries yourself for a month.
As they say, you might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find that hypothetical opportunity. But if that one opportunity is worth its weight in gold, isn’t it worth the effort?
There are lots of Google’s and Twitter’s in the wings but they won’t show up on your doorstep if you allow “10 minutes worth of experience” to man your helm!
Experience shows up on the side of success. Computer Business Plans are trite. Invest in your future with a copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
NEEDLES ARE BAD FOR BUSINESS
This morning I watched an interview between an internationally recognized CEO and a famous news anchor. Throughout the interview, and given her interview style on occasions, she needled the CEO in one way or another placing him on the defensive.
He handled it well despite his being annoyed—an undercurrent that was observed more so than displayed. It made me wonder: What’s the point of needling someone?
Why not use integrity versus camouflaging what you’re thinking. Needlers are ego-trippers and bullies. They’re bullies because they can be, either by a label that follows their names or because they’re bigger in some way.
Why didn't he just say in a very pleasant tone, "I admire your talent in so many ways but that crossed the line of mutual respect"? If you haven't noticed: Ego-trippers are insecure narcissists, invalidators and bad for business. Avoid them!
Then count success on your side by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
He handled it well despite his being annoyed—an undercurrent that was observed more so than displayed. It made me wonder: What’s the point of needling someone?
Why not use integrity versus camouflaging what you’re thinking. Needlers are ego-trippers and bullies. They’re bullies because they can be, either by a label that follows their names or because they’re bigger in some way.
Why didn't he just say in a very pleasant tone, "I admire your talent in so many ways but that crossed the line of mutual respect"? If you haven't noticed: Ego-trippers are insecure narcissists, invalidators and bad for business. Avoid them!
Then count success on your side by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Monday, March 21, 2011
COUNT YOUR “I’s”
How many “I’s” are there in your first paragraph? Does your company begin its media copy by telling us who you are? Why should we care?
Time upon time again, self-serving email newsletters cross a prospect’s desk and no one in that company’s marketing department has bothered to mention how a customer will benefit! Hmmm, maybe that’s too simple so here’s an analogy.
When you’re interviewing someone for a position, do you want to hear him yak on about how great he is or do you want to hear how his experience shines through when he’s describing what he can do for you?
Don’t buy your own press. Lead by thinking from your customer’s point of view. Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Time upon time again, self-serving email newsletters cross a prospect’s desk and no one in that company’s marketing department has bothered to mention how a customer will benefit! Hmmm, maybe that’s too simple so here’s an analogy.
When you’re interviewing someone for a position, do you want to hear him yak on about how great he is or do you want to hear how his experience shines through when he’s describing what he can do for you?
Don’t buy your own press. Lead by thinking from your customer’s point of view. Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
ASSUMPTIONS ARE FIREBRANDS!
I bought a picture frame yesterday that came to so-many dollars and 60 cents in change. Telling the cashier, “I think I have the 60 cents,” I reached into my coin purse and retrieved a handful of change.
The instant the coins were fully displayed on my palm, the young clerk leaned over and, with her elbows perched on the counter, began counting my change—for me! Stunned, I didn’t have time to respond as she quickly picked up the 60 cents and continued on with the checkout.
“What just happened,” I thought? It certainly was rude and the height of insult. Moreover, it was a blatant assumption I was incapable of counting my money myself! You might do this to a 3-year old but ask if she’s going on four!
As someone pointed out, “Don’t assume anything about anyone or anything. If you do, you risk making an ass out of u and me.
Build your company on solid knowhow and research. It’s far less expensive over the long term! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you're instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
LAZY PEOPLE
I have ZERO tolerance for pushy, freeloading, brain pickers who are just plain lazy. They USE others to GAIN knowhow instead of investing the time it takes to internalize knowledge and make it their own.
As someone pointed out recently, these are the same people who were brought up by parents who’s “NO” really meant “YES” if you nag long enough. This unbecoming trait becomes an ingrained, unconscious mindset which turns into flawed characteristics = lazy.
Build your company by finding, paying and hiring the best. It’s far less expensive over the long term! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
As someone pointed out recently, these are the same people who were brought up by parents who’s “NO” really meant “YES” if you nag long enough. This unbecoming trait becomes an ingrained, unconscious mindset which turns into flawed characteristics = lazy.
Build your company by finding, paying and hiring the best. It’s far less expensive over the long term! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you are instantly linked to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more without leaving the printed page.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
WHAT'S A CIROBE?
CIROBE: The Chicago International Remainder and Overstock Book Exposition or CIROBE is an annual tradeshow for the bargain book trade. Closed to the public, it is the industry’s preeminent tradeshow taking place every October in Chicago.
HOW IT AFFECTS PUBLISHERS AND AUTHORS: It is an industry plush with success and plenty of worldwide business, an entrepreneur’s dream and an author’s nightmare. To get your arms around this industry, visit CIROBE’s website. In the left hand column, click on Learn About The Bargain Book Industry and also click on the glossary. It contains terms worth knowing, terms such as “white sale, hurts, assortments, bid list, etc.”
POWER PLAYERS: There are almost 150 remainder booksellers listed in the LMP (Literary Market Place). Maybe these power players are not as glamorous as big-time publishers who court the famous among their authors, but no one can argue they don’t take the financial risks book publishers do either.
FOR INSTANCE: World Publications is a major player. They wholesale to libraries, museums, bookstores and other specialty retailers who must purchase—got that, must purchase—at least 2 copies of each title and submit a minimum order of $150.00 net. They ship “20 million books each year to over 10,000 retail outlets worldwide,” an impressive business model any entrepreneur would welcome.
WHERE DOES ALL THIS LEAVE US? Informed! From learning about what it costs to publish a book to remainders and CIROBE, an expanded knowledge-base not only helps us prepare and focus our book proposals from a publisher’s viewpoint but avoid many of the typical vulnerabilities that plague writers.
Publishing is a tough, unforgiving industry yet it does have a light at the end of its seemingly dark tunnel called print on demand or POD . This growing do-it-yourself phenomenon is gaining acceptance but here’s the rub. We still need to identify, stage and sell our books and services whether we are an author, writer or entrepreneur who writes books.
Build your company on a rock and write your book from knowhow! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, it instantly links you to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more.
HOW IT AFFECTS PUBLISHERS AND AUTHORS: It is an industry plush with success and plenty of worldwide business, an entrepreneur’s dream and an author’s nightmare. To get your arms around this industry, visit CIROBE’s website. In the left hand column, click on Learn About The Bargain Book Industry and also click on the glossary. It contains terms worth knowing, terms such as “white sale, hurts, assortments, bid list, etc.”
POWER PLAYERS: There are almost 150 remainder booksellers listed in the LMP (Literary Market Place). Maybe these power players are not as glamorous as big-time publishers who court the famous among their authors, but no one can argue they don’t take the financial risks book publishers do either.
FOR INSTANCE: World Publications is a major player. They wholesale to libraries, museums, bookstores and other specialty retailers who must purchase—got that, must purchase—at least 2 copies of each title and submit a minimum order of $150.00 net. They ship “20 million books each year to over 10,000 retail outlets worldwide,” an impressive business model any entrepreneur would welcome.
WHERE DOES ALL THIS LEAVE US? Informed! From learning about what it costs to publish a book to remainders and CIROBE, an expanded knowledge-base not only helps us prepare and focus our book proposals from a publisher’s viewpoint but avoid many of the typical vulnerabilities that plague writers.
Publishing is a tough, unforgiving industry yet it does have a light at the end of its seemingly dark tunnel called print on demand or POD . This growing do-it-yourself phenomenon is gaining acceptance but here’s the rub. We still need to identify, stage and sell our books and services whether we are an author, writer or entrepreneur who writes books.
Build your company on a rock and write your book from knowhow! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, it instantly links you to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more.
Monday, January 10, 2011
THE FALL OF ROME
When tragedy strikes like it did in Tucson, Arizona several days ago, we take notice, blame and morn. What we don’t seem to do is acknowledge we’ve been promoting violence for decades!
Society has slowly grown from love of country, moral respect and knowing when to draw the line to vulgarity, gluttony, thinking crime’s charismatic, and using our bodies for entertainment. One is noble and the other is fools’ gold.
Doesn’t history teach us anything? Not only did the Roman Empire fall because it allowed vulgarity, gluttony, brutality, and using the human body for entertainment so has every other great country in history.
Build your company on a high road not on fools’ gold! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, you can instantly link to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
GREED
Excluding natural disasters, accidents or war victims, beggars were everywhere this past year. All of them beg to support the “poor me” mindset. That is, I can do what I will and guilt-trip you to “save” poor me. Beggars, of course, include governments, corporations, nonprofits, professional beggars, beggars who don’t know any better, and the down trodden.
Empathy is justified at times – or not. What’s not right about begging is affixing a label to a beggar confirming to the beggar it’s alright to beg! It’s not OK!
I didn’t open the door to worldwide stock market greed or corporate and government mismanagement that led to greed. I wasn’t stupid enough to buy a house that I couldn’t afford. Nor did I unzip some drunk’s mouth and pour alcohol down his/her gullet or opted in on a drug-user’s holiday!
Exactly why should I give money to support the self-centered? You say—what! Wait up folks; I donate both money and time: money where it’s justified and time when a sincere individual asks for professional input.
But the “straw that broke [this] camel’s back” and topped off the beggars' year of greed was Oprah’s new network website. I wanted to find out the channel in my area – but COULDN’T without giving Oprah’s gatekeepers my email address! Well duh!
SHAME ON YOU Oprah! That’s GREEDY. Why do you ALSO need my email address? Don’t you already have enough going for you? Why do you need my email address before I even decide if I like your TV channel?
You want to dun me? You want to allow your advertisers’ to dun me? Isn’t it obvious I’m a willing viewer or I wouldn’t be on OWN’s website in the first place? Ever hear of “web analytics”? It was a real turn off. Oink! Oink!
Learn to respect your customers. It’s the most important thing you’ll ever do! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, it instantly links you to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more.
Empathy is justified at times – or not. What’s not right about begging is affixing a label to a beggar confirming to the beggar it’s alright to beg! It’s not OK!
I didn’t open the door to worldwide stock market greed or corporate and government mismanagement that led to greed. I wasn’t stupid enough to buy a house that I couldn’t afford. Nor did I unzip some drunk’s mouth and pour alcohol down his/her gullet or opted in on a drug-user’s holiday!
Exactly why should I give money to support the self-centered? You say—what! Wait up folks; I donate both money and time: money where it’s justified and time when a sincere individual asks for professional input.
But the “straw that broke [this] camel’s back” and topped off the beggars' year of greed was Oprah’s new network website. I wanted to find out the channel in my area – but COULDN’T without giving Oprah’s gatekeepers my email address! Well duh!
SHAME ON YOU Oprah! That’s GREEDY. Why do you ALSO need my email address? Don’t you already have enough going for you? Why do you need my email address before I even decide if I like your TV channel?
You want to dun me? You want to allow your advertisers’ to dun me? Isn’t it obvious I’m a willing viewer or I wouldn’t be on OWN’s website in the first place? Ever hear of “web analytics”? It was a real turn off. Oink! Oink!
Learn to respect your customers. It’s the most important thing you’ll ever do! Start by getting your copy of How to Develop a SMARTPLAN for Your Business from your favorite bookseller. It’s the first-ever interactive printed book. Using your smartphone to scan 2D codes, it instantly links you to videos, webinars, podcasts or whitepapers where you learn more.
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