Well, this isn’t my typical kind of post for Success On My Mind but I figured I’d put a twist on things for a change!  Though this type of technology is not new, I am pretty excited to be making this post directly from a Windows program on my computer.

Earlier today, I purchased and installed Microsoft’s all new Windows 7 64-bit on my new computer.  Yes, that means I bought a new computer that was running Windows Vista.   I must say that I am extremely happy with Windows 7.

It almost feels like it does too much.  I don’t mean that in a bad way.  I mean, it has so much to offer that it just doesn’t seem like just another operating system.  Microsoft did well on this one.  I think that everyone should snatch a copy for themselves!

If you are a college student, you can get an upgrade from Vista Home Premium to 7 Home Premium for just $29!  When I heard that, I couldn’t believe it.  All I needed to do was give them my school email address, pay $29 and I could start the download immediately!

For students – http://windows7.digitalriver.com/store/mswpus/en_US/DisplayHomePage?resid=yRvVrgoBAiMAACo@Hx0AAAAy&rests=125324149646

The best thing about it is that it left out all of the quirks from Windows Vista!  I won’t spend too much time beating this up.  However, I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew how satisfied I was with Windows 7.

I would recommend it to anyone looking to add a little spice to their current computer or if you’re looking to purchase a new one.  Because Windows 7 is officially released now, you should soon see it as the standard operating system on computers right out of the store!

Features – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features

System Requirements – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements

Videos – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/videos

Upgrade – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/upgrade

Well, what is it?  The reason I ask this question is because people sometimes forget why it is that they decided to become an entrepreneur in the first place.  As time moves forward, we tend to become comfortable in our current situation.  The typical result is that we lose our initial passion, which is the fuel we need to reach our goals.

As stated in a previous post:

Dedication is doing what you said you were going to do, long after the mood you said it in has passed.

While this statement is true, how often do we really want to put it to the test?  Wouldn’t it be much better if that mood could last for the duration of your journey?  In other words, if your emotions stayed the same, your drive would most likely stay the same as well.  So why not make sure those emotions stayed in place from the spark of your idea to the completion of your project?

I fully understand this concept so I try my best to make sure that my motivation stays in the forefront of my mind.  For me, this is really simple as of right now.  I am a Soldier in the US Army and I am ready to bring my service to an end.

I know that I will not be able to leave the Army when my contract is complete if I am not in a position to do so.  I’ll need to be financially stable.  I will also need to have a solid plan for producing income.  My answer to these potential issues is to become a professional web developer and my own boss.  To make sure this happens, I need to be constantly reminded of why I have this goal!  My favorite technique is to remind myself with notes.

Visual Reminders

On my desk, right beside my computer, I have typed notes taped down in plain site.  When I see these messages, even if I don’t read them, the reasons why they are there automatically pop up in my head.  Here is an example of one of those notes.  This is a quote from “Think & grow Rich” written by Napoleon Hill

If the thing you wish to do is right, and you believe in it, go ahead and do it!  Put your dream across and never mind what ‘they’ say if you meet with temporary defeat, for ‘they,’ perhaps, do not know that EVERY FAILURE BRINGS WITH IT THE SEED OF AN EQUIVALENT SUCCESS!

There are many more things that you can do to keep that reminder in front of you.  The key is to make sure it remains there.  Keep triggering the emotions that caused your passion in the first place.  Never forget the “why” and the “how” will magically follow.

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Finally, anyone looking to learn the art of internet marketing or web development can follow Noob Junction, one of my other websites, on Facebook and Twitter!

If you haven’t noticed yet, social networking is arguably the hottest thing on the web right now.  Everyone from DeVry University (my current college) to Pizza Hut can be found on these popular websites.  Noob Junction is no different!

For those of you who missed my post introducing Noob Junction to the World Wide Web, I’ll give you a run down of what we have here.  All over the internet there are people looking to learn something new.  Some want to learn how to make money online.  Others want to learn how to build websites.  Some want to know both!

The purpose of Noob Junction is to provide a home for those “noobs” where they can ask all of the questions they need to ask without feeling like a noob, per se.  This community will help each other grow online and eventually become a group of not only noobs, but experienced internet professionals as well.

If you haven’t joined yet, be sure to do so.  Register for FREE here.  If you are already a member, go ahead and become a Noob Junction fan on Facebook and follow Noob Junction on Twitter.

Facebook – www.noobjunction.com/facebook

Twitter – www.noobjunction.com/twitter

Thank you for the support!

What is a global market?  Well, what is a local market?  If you own a housecleaning business, you most likely have a small market because you can only clean houses within a certain radius of your base location.  So, a global market is the opposite of that.  You have no restrictions as far as who you can market to.

The question is, do you take advantage of the global marketplace if you have the type of business that can?  Internet marketers, you DEFINITELY have access to a global market.  The internet has made the world smaller than ever considering you can instantly reach people from all over the world within seconds.

Your products and services have the ability to be used all over the world, especially if they are digital products, like ebooks.  So, what do you do to make your business more marketable to consumers in other nations?  There are many different things that you can do depending on what type of product or service that you have.  Here are a few ideas.

Research

For one, you may not have to do very much work to make your product or service usable to other nations.  However, things as simple as your slogan may be turning those potential customers away and you not even know it.  KFC (you know… Kentucky Fried Chicken) made the mistake of failing to do research before marketing their food.  “Finger-lickin’ good” was understood by the Japanese as “Bite your fingers off.”  That’s no good!  Find out who your potential customers are and make sure this isn’t happening to you.

Understanding the Culture

You may have a product or service that absolutely everyone could use… conceptually.  However, that doesn’t mean that it is tweaked to perfection for everyone.  German and Japanese car makers have done an awesome job tailoring their vehicles to Americans.  Does it cost more money to do so?  Yes, I’m sure it does.  But that investment is more than recovered because of the consideration shown to other nations.  See if any of your products can be adjusted slightly to accommodate everyone.

Laws

This may be a bit tougher for some of you but it is something to take into consideration.  Make sure that you are not wasting your time and effort marketing something to people whose host country does not allow what you have to offer.  This is a rare case with internet marketers but it should not be ignored.

Financial Differences

Make sure you consider the financial abilities of all potential customers when you market your products.  Actually, this is important whether you are active in the global market or not.  Say for instance you sell an ebook that cover 7 different areas.  You may sell this ebook for $99.  However, what about the people who can’t afford that and they are only interested in 2 of the 7 areas?  Why not offer chapter packages for $20 each?  Just something to think about!

Bottom line, do your research and optimize your business for the global market.  I will promise you that the world is not getting any bigger!

This is a pretty good topic to discuss and I would LOVE to know how you all feel about it.  First of all, lets talk a little bit about corporate social responsibility.

By loose definition, corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is like a business’ responsibility to all affected areas of our existence.  This would include a business’ ability to abide by the law, consider the best interests of their customers, consider the best interests of their respective industry, and adhere to the “norms” of their chosen field.

As you have probably already concluded, this is quite a controversial topic.  Companies have the freedom to ignore CSR.  As  a common practice, a company will integrate these things into their own business model.  There is no regulation stating that Company A has to give a damn about Company B.

And example of a company that has to consider CSR greatly is Wal-Mart.  Everyone knows Wal-Mart.  Everyone has gone to Wal-Mart and bought something for an “everyday low price.”  Consumers LOVE Wal-Mart, and they should.  Wal-Mart’s number one goal is to provide the customer with everything they need at the lowest prices possible.

What does this have to do with CSR?  Well, what about the manufacturers looking to receive a contract from Wal-Mart?  With Wal-Mart being the biggest retail chain in America, what company wouldn’t want to get their products on Wal-Mart’s shelves?  The only issue is: How will they make a profit if Wal-Mart makes them sell it a certain price?  Ofcourse, the company can get a contract somewhere else.  However, they’ll still lose money because everyone goes to Wal-Mart… so why contract with another retailer?

Well, how about CSR and your business?  Are you an online marketer?  Do you dominate your niche?  Is it okay to dominate your niche?  Is it okay to trick unknowing “noobs” into thinking you are a guru and selling them mediocre products?  I mean, they will buy them… so why not?  Is it okay to think this way?

Talk to me!

Which one would you consider yourself?  First, before answering that question, lets compare the differences and similarities of the two.

What is a Business Entrepreneur?

By definition, an entrepreneur is an ambitious person who is willing to (and does) spend their own time, money and resources in an effort to create and market some type of product or service to the people.  The main thing that makes an entrepreneur and entrepreneur is the fact that all risks are to be assumed but this person.

We all know that businesses don’t always go as planned.  Expected revenue may never be seen.  Initial investments may seem to be a complete waste within months of opening the “doors” to your business.  What defines an entrepreneur is that person’s ability to understand these risks and still try to make things happen.

What is a Social Entrepreneur?

A social entrepreneur is very similar to a business entrepreneur.  Social entrepreneurs are just as ambitious.  They have the ability to create something out of nothing.  They use all of the same resources as business entrepreneurs.  Also, in most cases, there is a risk to be assumed and they are the ones taking the chance.

The key difference between a business entrepreneur and a social entrepreneur is the motive that drives the two businessmen or businesswomen.  Social entrepreneurs are motivated by the idea of lifting society up as a whole and making the “world” a better place.

While a business entrepreneur is focused on making profits, a social entrepreneur is focused on helping people have more, experience more or have a better quality of life in general.  A great example of a social entrepreneur can be found at www.Tomsshoes.com.

Tom’s Shoes was founded by a man named Blake Mycoskie who is an American traveler.  Blake became friends with children from Argentina but was saddened because he came to realize that a lot of the kids had no shoes to protect their feet.  To make a long story short, Blake created TOMS to provide shoes for the children.

The structure of the business is extremely unique.  For each pair of shoes that a customer buys from TOMS, one pair of shoes is given to a child.  It’s a dead even one for one swap.  So the purchasing power of the American customers is what is used to provide provide the children with the shoes they need.

This project has grown so big that TOMS plans to provide well over 300,000 pairs of shoes to the children in 2009 alone!

What are your thoughts on social entrepreneurship?  What do you think the similarities and differences are between social entrepreneurs and business entrepreneurs?  Do you feel that “social entrepreneur” is a good name for these innovated people?

On my other website, NoobJunction.com, I helped a member use their new Thesis Wordpress theme.  I gave him some pretty helpful information and I wanted to share it with you other bloggers who use the Thesis theme!

From a post on NoobJunction.com

The only way you’ll be able to use Thesis is to fully understand Thesis. The point of Thesis is to make it easy to control the layout and design of your site without having to edit the templates. This gives you the ability to control your site without dealing with confusing div tags, PHP or CSS. HOWEVER, this is only helpful if you’re fine with having a plain old site.

When you installed Openhook, what you did was give yourself easy access to two very important files and the openhook option. Let me break them down.

The first file is the custom.css file. You can edit this file by going to Appearance => Thesis Custom Style. This file will have information in it, none of which controls the look of your site. You can read it or delete it. The purpose of this file is to design your site using CSS. Here’s the special part to remember. THIS IS NOT YOUR MAIN CSS FILE. You are using this file because you selected the “Use Custom Style Sheet” option a few minutes ago. The reason that this is important is because you will periodically need to upgrade your Thesis version. When you do so, all original files will be over written. So if you edited your original CSS file and had a nice and beautiful site, an upgrade would wipe it all out! However, an upgrade does NOT affect the custom.css file. So all custom css needs to go there!

The second file is the custom_functions.php file. You can edit this file by going to Appearance => Thesis Custom Programming. This file will also have unneeded information that you can read and then delete if you choose. This file follows the same concept as the custom.css file. All custom PHP will go here so that it is not affected when during upgrade.

Next is the Thesis Openhook which can be found by going to Appearance => Thesis Openhook. This page is wonderful. All it is is a built in way to control various areas of you site. For example, read the section called “Do you need to see more?” on the “My Theme” page. http://successonmymind.com/my-theme/

Thesis has a learning curve. To customize it, you’ll need to have an idea of what you want and then research how to do it. To give you a quick idea, paste this CSS into your custom.css file and save it.

/*---:[ Main Custom Body ]:---*/
body
{
background-color:black;
margin-top: 0px;
}

You can find more information about Thesis here!  http://successonmymind.com/my-theme/

Today is a great day.  Some of you may have noticed that my blog posts slowed down a little over the last three weeks.  The reason for this inconsistency is because I have been working on a new project with my business partner.

We have created a community for everyone to join and we hope to make it an enjoyable place for learning.

Noob Junction

The purpose of Noob Junction (NJ) is to give “Noobs” a place to hang out on the internet and learn in peace.  We all know that it can get tough on some forums when you want to ask a question that everyone expects you to already know the answer to.

On NJ, noobs are welcome to communicate not only with each other, but any experienced member as well.  The name of the game is people helping people!

Features

NJ has quite a few sections for users to enjoy.  The main sections of the site are:

• The Homepage & related pages
• The Forums & Community
• The Blog & Articles
• The Marketplace known as Noob Junction Offers
• The Jobs Section for freelancers

Homepage

The homepage is a portal for the entire NJ web site.  Here, you will find links to the blog, forums, marketplace, jobs, advertising, disclaimer, special site sections and more.

Forums & Community

The forums are the bread and butter of NJ.  This is where the community will come together and thrive.  It is absolutely free to join and there will be endless amounts of information and conversation about predefined topics.  Forum topics range anywhere from the basics of how the internet works all the way to way you can quit your job and work online!

Blogs & Articles

The latest big news about the internet and related subjects will be blogged about here.  Also, all site updates will be posted here.  The blogs will also serve as educational tools.  Sections like “Noob University” offer posts connected in a series that teach how the internet works and how to build web pages.

The Marketplace (Noob Junction Offers)

Here, you can buy and sell websites, domain names, digital products, whatever!  Listings are at the unbelievably low price of $5 each and you can post as many listings as your heart desires.

The Jobs Section

NJ jobs is for freelancers who would like to offer their skills to the NJ members.  If you like to write code, design sites, be a personal assistant, etc.,  this is the place for you.  Offer your services or ask for someone else’s!

Please feel free to join up and contribute at your own pace.  We appreciate your support!

NoobJunction.com

For a long time, this has been a big debate for me.  A few years back, I first showed my entrepreneurial side when I decided that I was going to get involved with Real Estate Investing (REI).  Boy was that one hell of a ride.  Talk about learning as you go.  I spent quite a bit of time doing things that I really didn’t need to be doing.  Likewise, I spent a lot of money that I didn’t need to spend.

I remember riding around my neighborhood looking for homes that were “For Sale By Owner.”  I got a call from my friend, now business partner, saying that we needed to shift everything to the internet.  I attempted to have this conversation while driving… but that wasn’t a good idea.

I pulled over to the side of the road and asked him to explain.  He proceeded to tell me about some things that he had learned about leveraging our REI business via the internet.  He told me that he had ordered an Internet Marketing package that I could borrow and read.  I did just that.

Within a couple of weeks, I had a website (If you want to call it that!) up and running.  I can’t even remember the name of this site.  All I know is that it was designed to bring sellers to me, as opposed to me driving around trying to find them!  I wanted people to hop online and Google “Sell my home” and see my website.

This is where everything changed.  I dropped REI and dove deep into the internet with plans to return to REI at a later date.  That was about three years ago and I haven’t thought about REI since.  I always say that I will be back to it once I have more money to invest.  However, I’m not sure that I will.

Have you tried both?  Have you made a decision on which one you would like to pursue… if not both?