Archive for the ‘Become Your Own Boss Tips’ Category

Did you know that mastermind groups have the power to change your business and keep you sane as an entrepreneur?

For the last few years, I have participated in two mastermind groups that have made all the difference in my business. One is a mixed group of professional speakers and coaches that is focused on a specific career goal and the other is a group of three women in different industries in which I participate every other week. What I enjoy the most about these groups is that it’s a safe environment to share and get strategy advice about my business.

The History of Mastermind Groups:  Napoleon Hill founded the principle of the mastermind group in the early 1900s. He studied Andrew Carnegie, who was known to use the concept of the mastermind to keep his businesses growing and prosperous. Andrew Carnegie kept 50 men on staff just for the development of ideas to grow his steel business. In 1937 Napoleon Hill wrote the now legendary “Think and Grow Rich” book based on these ideas.

One of the biggest challenges in starting a business from scratch is building all the processes and systems by yourself. You spend a lot of time alone with your endless “to do” list and feelings that can be overwhelming. Even more dangerous to an entrepreneur is the isolation—which is the enemy of all small businesses. Your own thoughts can defeat you in business—quicker than any competitor.

Mastermind groups consist of 4-15 people who meet regularly to talk through issues that may be personal or directly related to running your small business. Masterminds groups function best when participants feel comfortable to share their unique views.

The Benefits of Mastermind Groups 

• Mutual support  Regular people do not understand the entrepreneurial lifestyle.  It is a great thing to be able to lean on other small business owners for support.  There are times when only someone who has walked in your shoes can give you advice.
• Resources  Everyone in your group will have access to a different materials, contacts and skill sets. I’ve often found that when I ask for help in my mastermind groups, those resources that I need are a click or a phone call away. 
• Accountability  Mastermind groups hold members accountable to short and long-term goals. Having regularly scheduled meetings forces you to follow-up on your own action plans for your business because no one wants to be the person at the meeting or on the call who hasn’t don’t their homework.
• Differing perspectives  You can always benefit from someone else’s experience. Your fellow mastermind participants may see issues and opportunities with customers or employees that you would otherwise be unaware of. The other good thing about hearing other’s viewpoints is — you can choose to take their advice or not. Most of the time you will take away nuggets that will improve your situation.

Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group   If you have been following this resource blog, you know that my mission is to end small business failure. This September, I am launching a new program called the Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group.  It is an intensive 8-week program where a small group of people, led by me will work together to kick-start or reinvent your small business.

I have created this group coaching program to give you one more leg up as you start your business. As a member of the Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group you will benefit from all of these services.

Here’s an itemized list of what you’re getting.

• Each class is a 90-minute working call
• An autographed copy of Become Your Boss in 12 Months
• Convenient classes available via phone and Internet
• Unlimited email access to Smallbizlady for feedback on homework
• Access to all class recordings
• Access to private Become Your Own Boss member forums
• Step-by-step outline to action plan to Become Your Own Boss
• Discounts on Smallbizlady’s one-on-one coaching services
• Recommendations on start-up tools that will save you time and money
• A special FREE gift worth $197

You can get more info about the program here:  http://succeedasyourownboss.com/mastermind-group/

I also have a payment plan that can work for your budget.  Reach out to me personally — melinda@melindaemerson.com 

At the end of the 8-weeks, you’ll leave the class with a written ACTION PLAN to start or reinvent your small business.  The program starts Sept 7^th, and we have a limited number of slots left; I suggest you jump on it right away. 

Melinda F. Emerson, known as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.  Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010) For more information http://www.becomeyourownbossbook.com 

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Social Media, Blogs, News Releases, Online Video, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly, 2nd Edition by David Meerman Scott ( J. Wiley & Sons, 2010)  In 2007, when it originally published, a friend suggested I read The New Rules of Marketing and PR and it changed my business. Now that David Meerman Scott has updated the book, it’s an even a better resource for integrating new school and old school marketing techniques with social media.  By embracing the strategies in this book, you will transform your small business. David shows you a multitude of ways to propel yourself into becoming “THE” thought leader in your market and driving sales revenue – all without a huge budget. 

Trust Agents:  Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith ( J. Wiley & Sons, 2009)  What I like about this book is that the authors Chris Brogan and Julien Smith help readers understand that today’s social media environment is driven by trust. They emphasize the importance of being present in social media.  Chris and Julien also suggest that we need to inject some humanity and intimacy into our online relationships, which I could not agree with more. Once you earn trust from your core audience they will carry your message organically.  Once you are a trust agent, you can spread your influence faster, wider, and deeper. 

Social Media:  Strategies for Engaging in Facebook, Twitter and Other Social Media by Liana “Li” Evans  (Que Publishing, 2010)  I love how-to books that are plain and easy to absorb.  Social Media by Li Evans is just that kind of book.  This book helps you understand how all the most popular sites of the moment work and she helps you with the strategy behind what you might want to use for a certain social media platform.  I especially like that she drills home the need to have your messaging consistent across your entire social media footprint.  Best of all Li gives you guidance to integrate your traditional and social media marketing tactics — which is perfect, as social media alone should never be a small business owner’s sole marketing strategy.  

Using LinkedIn by Patrice-Anne Rutledge (Que Publishing, 2010)  This book is for any small business owner who wants to tap into the power of LinkedIn.  What I like about this book is that you walk away with real technology skills.  Using LinkedIn by Patrice-Ann Rutledge tells me what I need to know about leveraging LinkedIn to the max.  This is also one of the first books I’ve seen that has step-by-step video tutorials, web links and audio sidebar interviews with experts that you can download to create a customized learning experience.  My favorite chapters for entrepreneurs are:  Communicating with Your LinkedIn Network, Saving Time with LinkedIn Tools, Advertising on LinkedIn.

For more tips on starting or growing your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog at www.succeedasyourownboss.com

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure.  As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She has been featured on NBC Nightly News, the Tavis Smiley Radio Show, in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur and Black Enterprise Magazine. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com  Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)