Author and speaker Larry Smith suggests crafting a six word story. His brevity forces creativity. Here’s my attempt.

Born different means birthing breakout brands.

What would you say?

Thank you Gina Farrugia for introducing me to Larry - http://www.smithmag.net/

“To create a sense of well being and receive people with warmth and joy and give them a holiday feeling away from their stresses. ”

www.mykonosrestaurant.ca

Now that’s a mission.

Do you know how much revenue you want to generate each month? Regardless of whether you are a for profit or a community service, it’s wise to know your numbers.

For Diane Harris, Executive Director at Ingamo Family Homes it was $12,500. Each day she would ask herself in the morning and afternoon ‘What have I done to achieve my optimistic number?’

Here is where it gets a little whoo whoo.  Last Thursday, Diane Harris got a text message and a donation of, you guessed it $12, 500. Einstein said, “You can live your live as if nothing is a miracle or as if everything as a miracle.”

Miracle or not, knowing what you need to make per month, per week, per day focuses your efforts.

How do you do it? Let me know your process. I’ll happily share your best tactics.

Find Mark at:

www.smallbusinesssuccess.com

Max Dixon is a master speaker who has traveled the world serving  top corporations. I had the joy of being ‘Maxed‘ in Toronto.

He asked volunteers to give a tiny bit of their speech. Then he would lean in and whisper advice and ask them to speak again. The transformation was immediate. People spoke with more power, poise and impact and we learned why.

When Max asked for another volunteer, ‘Does anyone have a hard time being heard?’ my hand shot up and I got up. I read a statement with increasing volume. With each increase he would take a step back. My goal was to back him up to the wall.  I spoke louder and louder, my throat straining. He hit the wall. I took a breath.

Max walked back towards me, looked at me with such warmth and whispered  ‘stand at your full height’. He put one hand on each side of my head, tilted it and asked me to speak again.  I spoke with more volume and less effort. It was transformative.

Masters don’t give more information, they give epiphanies – a SSDT – a single simple doable thing. I’ve been standing taller ever since.

http://maxdixoncommunication.com/

Their new practice is in an up and coming neighbourhood with many newcomers who are cost sensitive yet ambitious. They wanted their patients to feel they were always being treated respectfully and being given the information they needed to make wise decisions.  Thus, the name and gorgeous design work by Julia Afflekt.

http://juliaafflekt.carbonmade.com/

A good name and design are not enough to make a brand stand out. A brand is not what you say it is, it is what others say it is. I suggested they have a monthly program where clients and staff could nominate people for ‘The Smart Choice Award’.

Awards could be given out to the kid that calls emergency services when a dad has a heart attack, a neighbour starts a community exchange of fruits and vegetables or a teen wins a scholarship. Celebrating the traits of accountability,  action and achievement is smart. It gets people talking about what matters. A brand stands out when it is clear about its values and it brings them to life. I loved branding these guys. Their hearts are in the right place.

Smart Choice Dental is truly welcoming patients now.

http://smartchoicedental.com.au/

“Yes, but they prove you do the work.”

Do you? Do you have two strategies that you use each month to put yourself in front of your ideal clients or funders?

Can you host a free private showcase?  (these are invitation only events where you share your expertise).  Can you  speak? Host a webinar? Host a charity event?

How can you become more valuable to those you value? Twice a month, no matter what.

“Manage the activity and the money will come,” says Executive Director Nancy Sutherland of The Sunshine Foundation. Wise words from a woman who has used this philosophy of disciplined strategies to raise almost a million this year to make dreams come true for kids with major physical challenges.

Come on boots, let’s get walkin’.

www.sunshine.ca

And…thanks again to Mark LeBlanc for great business development ideas.

www.smallbusinesssuccess.com

Mark LeBlanc, a preeminent small business growth coach says we have to ask ourselves one question every day, twice. This is your am and pm question: What have I done today to reach my optimistic number?

Your optimistic number is your monthly revenue target. Mark’s daily habit comes to life by committing to three High Value Activities. That’s right, you actually have to do three different activities each day to reach your optimistic number.

How can you CONNECT with more ideal clients? (Can you attend an event, host one  or speak at one?)

Who can you CONTACT? (By email or so rarely used actual mail? Remember hand written notes?)

Who can you CALL?

Who can you have a face to face CONVERSATION with?

Sport Psychologist Mario Faveri PhD says the most successful athletes are the ones with the most rituals. I’m finding the same is true at work. It’s our daily habits that foster success.

You can find Mark and his savvy business growth book here: www.smallbusinesssuccess.com

The brain ignores same same. It yearns for one of a kind. Chip and Dan Heath in Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die say the unexpected grabs our attention. Kevin Allocca, Youtube’s Trend Manager, says the unexpected goes viral.

That happened to me. I helped with a Pap Test Awareness Campaign, producing videos and emceeing a launch. Only 40+ people came to the launch but over 200,000 people have seen the video below.

I am dressed as the Fairy Godmother, well actually kind of undressed. I am wearing wings and tiara and not much else. I get a Pap test, sort of.  It’s a completely unexpected, lighthearted approach to a (sorry I can’t resist the pun) touchy subject.

Next time you are tempted to be average, to do the same same, don’t. Be joyfully unexpected instead.

www.ted.com/talks/kevin_allocca_why_videos_go_viral.html

www.heathbrothers.com/madetostick/

I learned a perfect lesson for those of you building businesses. Celebrate those who make you successful or.. in business terms.. prosper those who prosper you.

Figure skating looks like an individual sport.  It is actually a team event. So is life. I always thanked my skating team, especially in the press. I couldn’t have won gold without them. (Thank you coach and choreographer Mary Lou Marchant and sports psychologist Dr. Mario Faveri.)

When you thank your supporters you do three things.

1. You blow apart the myth that achievement is a solo effort.

2. You honour the honourable. (Our world is moving so fast that gratitude has become road kill.)

3.  You enhance the profile and prosperity of good people.

PS

Since writing this blog, Bob Burg and John David Mann, authors of The Go Giver have been in touch (see their comments below). It’s a great book title and an even better concept.  Clearly time for me check it out. http://www.thegogiver.com/

Dr. Mario Faveri, Sports Psychologist  http://www.mariofaveri.com

But what can a small brand with little caché or cash do to compete for attention?  Know your market and be witty.

Toronto Cat Rescue did just that. Their “Saving Pussy” banner made people laugh. When people laugh that good feeling translates into talking, tweeting, blogging  facebooking and now Pinteresting.

Emotions are a fast track to the brain.Price tag: $500. Very good pussy.