Posts Tagged ‘melinda emerson’

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 

SmallBizChat is the Wednesday weekly Twitter chat – focused on everything that small business owners need to know about running and sustaining their business. Hosted by Melinda Emerson, The Small Biz Lady; follow @smallbizchat for updates via Twitter.  How to participate in #SmallBizChat: http://bit.ly/S797e

Sept. 1, 2010 How to network online and offline for your small business Kevin Knebl @KevinKnebl Kevin Knebl is the owner of Knebl Communications, Inc., a Colorado-based company specializing in effective Online and Offline Networking skills and Social Media training. He is also professional speaker, trainer and coach who presents to small, medium and Fortune 500 companies.  He is an in-demand Online and Offline Networking keynote speaker and trainer and considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on networking using LinkedIn.

Sept. 8, 2010 How to write a marketing plan Kindra Cotton @kindracotton Kindra Cotton owns SSS for Success, a company that promotes Small Business Survival through the EASY Brand Marketing Program.  She is also the creator of The MiniMarketing Survey, and she channels her energy into multiple activities that are geared towards helping small business grow.

Sept. 15, 2010 How to hire the right employees for your small business Dr. Janice Presser @DrJanice Dr. Janice Presser is Chief Executive Officer of The Gabriel Institute, and (with Dr. Jack Gerber) an originator of Role-Based Assessment (RBA). She is a recognized Thought Leader in talent development and measuring quality of hires in a business setting. Dr. Presser has served on SHRM’s Human Capital Assessment/Metrics Special Expertise Panel.

Sept. 22, 2010 Understanding the ins and outs of partnership agreements Nina Kaufman @NinaKaufman Nina Kaufman is an award-winning business attorney, columnist and blogger for Entrepreneur online, and author of The Entrepreneur’s Prenup: How to Choose a Business Partner Who Won’t [BLEEP] You, she demystifies legal mumbo-jumbo in business partnerships so you save time, money and aggravation.

Sept. 29, 2010 Could a franchise be the right model for your business? Mary Tomzack @FranchiseHelp Mary Tomzack is author of “Tips & Traps When Buying a Franchise,” and one of the industry’s most respected franchising experts.  A former writer for the Economist Intelligence Unit, Mary has been cited by The New York Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Franchise World, and has spoken on the topic of franchising at such institutions as Harvard Business School.

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)