Like Nobody's Business

I know many of you join me in praying fervently for the people of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and elsewhere who were effected by Hurricane Katrina. Some of our own family and friends are still unaccounted for. Others are just now getting word out.

It's still both hurricane and tornado season and we need to bolster our key agencies, who are facing overwhelming circumstances. Here are two:

Habitat for Humanity is gearing up for its biggest effort yet -- building homes for those who are now homeless.

The American Red Cross is coordinating efforts to provide medical, food and other relief. They ask us to send money -- not goods (which are much harder and more expensive to ship). Be sure to give to your local Red Cross to support local relief efforts. Money sent to the national Red Cross is largely being sent South, in some cases, depleting resources the local Red Cross needs to help other communities.

Another thing you can do is succeed. Your business successes, both large and small, not only improve your personal finances -- they increase the flow of funds through the US economy and increase the tax base the government has with which to rebuild homes, lives and businesses.

They'll need our help for a long time. Plan to give gain in several months.

Lalita

Small Business Owner's "Secret" Handbook
Lalita Amos

Reading a recent Business 2.0 article, The CEO's Secret Handbook, and, in it, Warren Buffet's admonition to strongly reconsider doing business with a potential client or collaborator who is rude to the wait staff on a business lunch, I was struck by a thought: "Do we really need to be told not to be a clod or do business with someone who is?" My answer: "obviously so." So, here, in greatly abbreviated form, are my ideas for having a business you can feel good about.

Make lots of money, but be clear about what that money's for. Too many business owners I coach work painfully long weeks, whiling away their marriages and their children's lives trying to make a better life for, yes, those very same people they never see.

Tithe. At church, at school, at your favorite organization. Somewhere that spiritually or intellectually fed you. It will help keep you honest. If you can't give your money, give your time and if you can't give your time, give your money. I think it was Rosa Parks who said "Volunteering is the rent you pay for space on this earth." Pay up.

Take a vacation. Never mind. I even tried to give away vacations and many of you still wrote to say you just couldn't get away.

Read the rest of the article

What's the Buzz about The 90 Day Challenge?

A comment from a past participant:

From Chris (professional coach): I took this class recently and my business has been growing ever since.  Lalita's combination of wisdom, experience and know-how, along with her warmth, vitality and extraordinary coaching skills makes her a dynamic trainer. 

Not only has my business substantially grown but I've also learned how to leverage the many contacts that I've had but just didn't know how to use.  Her system is well thought and is taught in a way that breaks it down into manageable pieces and then - she holds us ACCOUNTABLE for doing what we say we'll do to improve our business! 

Lalita's class has helped me get clearer and more focused on the market that I want to target and the type of clients I want to attract.  I have also learned how to network with others in and out of the class to form partnerships that are mutually beneficial and have an important impact on my bottom line.  I have even decided to get an office outside of my home to accommodate my influx of new clients. 

A new 90 Day Challenge will begin on June 1st. Complimentary informational sessions are scheduled for May 4th and 18th at 3:30 pm (Chicago)/4:30 pm (New York).

Want to learn more about the 90 Day Challenge? Click here...

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Um, OK....

Some things to ponder while stuck in traffic on  the way to that important meeting or back home.

That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!
Homer Simpson - Cartoon Character

I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying.
Woody Allen - Actor and Director

If you can't convince them, confuse them.
Harry S. Truman - American President

Nothing interferes with my concentration. You could put on an orgy in my office and I wouldn't look up. Well, maybe once.
Isaac Asimov -- Sci Fi Writer

A Timely Idea

If you're on business or personal travel, precious minutes can be saved if police or first responders can get to key information about you quickly, like your emergency contact person, your blood type, brief medical history, medications and allergies. Try this to create an emergency entry that will "speak" for you when you can't.

You simply need to program the letters ICE (In Case of Emergency) in your PDA or cell phone directly before the name of your emergency contact person. In your notes section (in your PDA or Outlook), you can list allergies, blood type, medical conditions, drug sensitivities and other information that will save precious minutes.

Your employees and even your children can use this helpful tip to help keep them safe and speed help to them when something unavoidable happens.

The ICE initiative was the brainchild of a British paramedic and began last spring. It took off after the July 7 bombings and is now being adopted by several US police and rescue offices.

This is what an entry might look like in Outlook.

Next Newsletter: October is International Strategic Planning Month

Strategic Planning Made Easy...and Effective

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