Trust

Another Gitomer book for the Airplane reads.

In 1998 Jeffrey Gitomer took a leadership position and wrote a book about loyalty when the rest of the world was stuck on satisfaction. More than 500,000 world wide copies later, turns out he was ahead of the curve, and right on the money.

Ten years later he is again making a statement. The next decade will be defined by TRUST.

TRUST in countries, governments, corporations, and individuals.
TRUST in products, services, claims, speeches, commercials, and ads.
TRUST in clergy, sports heroes, teachers, firemen, and police.
TRUST in healthcare, economies, newspapers, books, and the internet.
TRUST in families and friends.

This breakthrough book defines trust, relates trust to truth, tells how to gain trust, how trust is lost, shows examples of trusted relationships, and how to rebuild trust. And for salespeople this book shows how to build loyal relationships and become a trusted advisor – written in Jeffrey's straight-forward style you have come to know – and yes, even trust.

Trust is the basis for all relationships.
This book will help you:

Tell the truth. This is the number one element of trust AND relationships.

Do what you say you will do. This is a test for being trustworthy and reliable.

Communicate in a timely manner. This shows you are responsible, on top of it, and that you care.

Bring value beyond your product or service. What you do to help others be more successful will be a true reflection of your character.

Be on time. Being on time shows you respect the other person’s time.

Be friendly. Smiling people are the gateway to open communication.

Be sincere. This can only come from belief in what you do, loving what you do, and caring for others.

Show and say genuine thanks. Be grateful for the opportunity to be of service.

Be consistent. I believe this element of trust is the most difficult to master because it combines all the other elements.

Give trust. You become trustworthy by giving trust to others.
It is important to demonstrate integrity and deal directly with those you work with to ensure the message conveyed is accurate. Trust is difficult when messages received in organizations are filtered through several layers of bureacracy. The value of small teams and small companies lies in integrity and trust that is demonstrated in all communication. This book by Gitomer is well worth reading and a great reminder of what succeeds in relationships, organizations and communication.

Goals What are Yours?

A new year always brings up the concept of goals and with two months into the year, you might want to ask yourself if you are achieving the goals you set out for yourself in 2009. Or, are you one of the individual's who doesn't feel goals are necessary? I always think of Alice in Wonderland when she comes to the fork in the road and the Cheshire Cat asks where she is going. Her reply is I don't know and the cat states "If you don't know where you are going, it doesn't matter which road you take". Do you know where you are going?

Let's discuss your goals. Are they specific and can they be measured and at the same time allow for flexibility? Do you challenge yourself and provide some excitement in your home and work life? Do your goals include giving something back to your community or society? Are the goals well balanced, realistic and based on your personal values?

Take some time today to think about your goals and whether or not you are achieving them. Also how do your goals relate to what Cajana is trying to achieve as a business? Do your goals and accomplishments demonstrate integrity, honesty, enthusiasm, creativity and a passion for what you are doing personally and professionally? Or are you not sure which road to take?

New Orleans Team

It has been cold in New Orleans so we have been walking across the stree to Lucy's to have 2$ tacos and edamame. Bob enjoyed their split pea soup and fish tacos. He keeps wanting to go back every night for dinner and I couldn't quite understand why until I met Amanda the Waitress. You can see from the picture that the reason for Lucy's for dinner for Bob is Amanda.


Bob has also been reading when he isn't at Lucy's. He completed a book called The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes. I keep waiting for a book report but he seems a bit too busy to give us a re-cap. He did mention he really enjoyed the book and it gave him some insight into the great depression. I was amazed because I have never seen Bob depressed!!

Gitomer Books

If you haven't read any of the Gitomer books, go out today and buy one or go to the Amazon link and buy one. The books are great and motivational. I especially like the little book of YES. This is a great airplane book as you can read it usually in one long flight or two short ones. It is the kind of book to read over and over until you get the idea of YES. Interested in more about Gitomer go to: Http://www.gitomer.com.
Start each day with something positive to set the stage for the whole day. This is something recommended. If you are in any of the areas where he is doing seminars, I recommend attending as they are inexpensive and packed with good information.

John Chow Contest

John Chow Contest. I thought some of you might be interested in the John Chow contest where you have an opportunity to win the OIOPublisher software. Let me know if you enter...

OIO Publisher Direct Give Away
written by John Chow on January 5th, 2009
Make $5,000 per month from home!

OIOPublisher is the best solution for bloggers trying to sell direct advertising. Before this awesome piece of software came along, I would always recommend new bloggers use 3rd party ad networks instead of selling ads directly because you need to concentrate on producing content when you’re starting out.

What OIOPublisher automates the ad buying process so you can concentrate on blogging instead of selling. By using OIOPublisher, advertisers can order, pay for and upload their ads directly to your blog. The only thing you have to do is approve the ad. If you get a sale, then great! If not, then OIOPublisher will run ads from the ad networks or your own house ads until you do. Some of the other features include:

* Possible to integrate the ad platform with any website that uses PHP
* Purchase / account pages are now templated, editable within the admin area
* Text links are now controlled via zones (like banner ads)
* Works with PayPal and PayPal Subscription
* Full javascript ad display support
* Entrecard Payment option integrated

The software will work on any website that use PHP. Wordpress users get an easy to install plugin. OIOPublisher Direct sells for $47 and is worth every penny. However, I have two copies to give away.

How To Enter

To enter for a chance to win one of two copies of OIOPublisher Direct, simply reply to this post. It doesn’t get easier than that! You only need to reply once. Replying multiple times won’t get you more entries. However, if you blog about this contest and link to this post, I’ll give you five more entries. I give you three more entries if you send the following tweet to your followers.

Win a copy of OIOPublisher Direct from @JohnChowDotCom. It automates ad sales for your blog. Enter here! http://xr.com/lnf

The contest deadline is Friday, January 30. The winners will be drawn on Saturday, January 31 at Dot Com Pho. Good luck and enter now!

Download OIOPublisher Direct

A New Year

A New Year is upon us and it is a time for reflection and a time for setting goals. I just finished a book titled "Tribes" that is a bit about goals but more about the changes in leadership and the opportunities for everyone to lead. With blogs, websites, internet, facebook etc. etc. there is an opportunity to create Tribes and lead the Tribes. Godin refers to the elements of leadership and indicates that leaders challenge the status quo and create cultures. They communicate their vision to attract and motivate followers for their tribe. They commit to a vision and base their decisions on that commitment. Finally he talks about how leaders connect followers to one another. It is not about power, but rather about building and motivating a tribe. To quote his feeling on Belief "People don't believe what you tell them. They often believe what their friends tell them. They always believe what they tell themselves. What leaders do: they give people stories they can tell themselves. Stories about the future and about change." What stories have your leaders given you to tell and are you committed to any Tribes?

What makes organizations great? Their willingness to be wrong, realization that wrong isn't fatal, and a willingness to not be not great along the way but great in the future bigger goal at the end of the process. There isn't an easy way to reach the goal and there may be failures along the way but the secret is a simple one according to Godin "Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow".

Hidden Mickey's

Next time you visit Disneyland or Disney World look for the hidden characters. This all started with hidden Mickey's but has expanded some to other characters as well. What you see on this postcard is a few examples of the Hidden Mickey's at Disney World in Orlando. I just attended Mousefest (an event for died in the wool Disney fans) and went on a tour with Steve Barrett who wrote the book on hidden Mickey's and is the unofficial keeper of the list. If you plan to go to one of the parks, be sure to buy the book as it will help you find Characters you would never see otherwise. It is a fun activity to make the park experience a challenge.

Make a Smilebox postcard