This SBA-funded program is taking off across America, with workshops in select cities. I’m lobbying to bring this exciting program to Arizona, where it is sure to draw from huge Veteran populations in Phoenix, Tucson and beyond. Add your voice to mine and let’s bring V-Wise to Arizona next year!

Learn more about V-Wise here: http://whitman.syr.edu/vwise/ 

And be sure to Like the V-Wise Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/VWISEconference 

Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com

Discovering something that we are good at is a confidence builder. We feel capable and competent and we like the feeling, so we actively look for ways to spend more time using and building on our new skill. That’s as it should be. We like the idea of being ‘good at something’. It makes us feel talented and able and when we feel talented and able, we feel strong and successful.

People like to be around — and do business with — people whom they perceive to be successful.

Strength creates confidence and confidence can be very, very contagious. When we believe in ourselves, others will do the same. If we project positive energy, the people around us will see and feel positive energy. If we speak and act negatively or indecisively, that’s exactly what they will see … and feel … and perceive. The impression that others have of us is very much of our own making. Always strive to make a positive impression.

Motivational Energy is the positive, highly magnetic energy that we project when we focus on and amplify our true Core Strengths. If you focus on your strengths and put your best self out there, you will shine! … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert and Author, http://pplusonline.com

Someone has to want, need or desire what you are offering if you are going to be successful. More importantly, they have to know that they want, need or desire your product and its benefits.

A great message strategy sets up a situation or need, makes a Promise, includes a believable Reason Why and asks for the sale — typically in very few words or through a single compelling image. Great advertising and media messages are a challenge to create and the most memorable ones are often stunning in their simplicity (‘Just do it!’). Those of us in the advertising industry know that it only looks easy. An enormous amount of research and thought has to go into the process … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author,  www.pplusonline.com  (Excerpted from Lori’s book, Be the Bulb!. To read more, visit Amazon.com HERE.

Innovation happens when creativity meets inspiration, enthusiasm overcomes inertia, and at least one person is willing to challenge the status quo. There has to be a desire to make something better, stronger, faster, more efficient, more intuitive, more something … and to do it in a way that people will notice … and appreciate … and value.

Often, we keep doing things the same way … following the same processes … using the same tools … or buying the same products because they are familiar to us. There is no new learning curve or conversion time … but there’s also no momentum.

I am reading a book right now called The Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators. Author Jeff Dyer interviewed more than 100 people recognized for their innovative thinking and suggests that there are five behaviors that can be learned, adopted and used to inspire creativity and innovation: Questioning, Observing, Networking, Experimenting and Associating.

The biggest revelation I see? That Dyer’s ‘building blocks of innovation’ are behaviors that can be learned and mastered, NOT traits that someone must be born with in order to benefit from. Thinking (creatively! innovatively!) outside of the box is something that anyone can learn to do — and should. It’s how progress happens.

It’s the same way with Being the Bulb! You CAN learn how to be the person who lights up a room and attracts potential customers, partners and others to your light. That’s the entire premise of my book. You can Be the Bulb!

Remember: ‘High achievement takes place in a framework of high expectations’ (Jack Kinder). Expect the best from yourself, always … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com

As entrepreneurs, we long to turn our passions into income-producing busineses. Who doesn’t dream of being able to wake up each day and make money for living their passion?

A business that is built on your strengths is much more likely to succeed and it is much more likely to survive the challenges that all new businesses face. Why? Because its entrepreneurial, passion-pursuing owner … that’s you … will be more likely to hang in there, work hard and do what it takes to make it through tough times. Your commitment and emotional investment will make you willing to invest your time and effort to make things work and the quality of the time and the effort that you invest will be better.

You will be involved by choice … and choice is the most powerful motivator in the world! … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com

Be sure to visit the MindingHerBiz project at http://mindingherbiz.com

Early Adopters seek out new ideas and put them to work.

Adapters put up with what is given them, often reluctantly … and usually without joy.

Adopt versus Adapt.

One is offensive, the other defensive.

One is proactive, the other reactive.

One requires courage and curiousity … a trade off of risk for reward.

The other is more about compliance, complacency … or even fear.

It is difficult to get Adopters to adapt, but it’s easier to sell them on new ideas and products.

Adopters live life and experience it. Adapters cope with it.

Adapters will follow Adopters, as their numbers grow.

Target Adopters and they will help you spread the worrd … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com  

… MAKE it happen! Success comes to those who go after it — in any economy. There’s no magic formula to live by, just four undeniable truths that apply to any business or brand.

Lori’s ‘Four To Live By’:

    – Make Yourself Visible;

    – Plant the Idea;

    – Ask For the Sale;

    – Deliver As Promised and Provide Exceptional Service.

      Always

Servicing the sale is more important than closing the deal. The experience of working with you and your company is what customers will remember. First impressions count, but it’s the perceived experience that makes or breaks a reputation …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com

Your marketing strategy, like life in general, must always be a work in progress. People change, markets change, circumstances change, the world changes — and your relation to (or with) all of these will also change and evolve.

You must avoid inertia by working to ensure that your offering and your message remain relevant amidst change. You must keep your sites focused on the target, as it moves, to ensure that you keep moving toward your goal.

There will always be opportunities to make your company stronger, smarter and more successful. Watch for these opportunities — and then enbrace and expand on them.

Evolving brands — and businesses — thrive. Static brands die. Change for the sake of change is not the solution. Considered brand evolution is.

Alway be considering your next toward success. … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com

It’s the new reality: More people are likely to meet you or visit your company for the first time online than they are in person.

Google (or Bing or whatever search engine or social networking tool that you or they prefer to use) is no longer just a search engine, it is also a reputation manager. Potential customers, employers, workers, residents, partners and even potential dating prospects are using online tools to find … learn … compare … and form opinions BEFORE they contact, meet or visit the subject (You!) in person. Make sure that you like what they see — and learn — when they find you or your company online. Your online impression must be positive and strong. Second chances are very, very rare these days.

Google yourself, regularly, and make sure that you like what you see. Focus on the first two pages … few people look beyond those results. And if you’re not seeing anything at all? It’s time to start working on developing an online strategy so that you can Be Visible … and Get Found, in a positive way …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com