Last evening, I enjoyed the great pleasure of speaking on Expanding Your Entrepreneurial Mindset at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Pictured here with me is Marlon Smith and Veronica Giles, the Executive Director of the Charlotte Mecklenberg Black Chamber of Commerce.
If you are a member of the Chamber, even if you did not attend, you can enter to win a free one-hour consultation with me. More about that later, but first, I want to tell you a bit about my presentation. I shared my opinion, developed after working for over a decade with small business owners from all walks of life, that the best asset you have is an entrepreneurial mindset that is focused yet adaptable, and always open to new opportunities. Here is a high level overview of how to expand your entrepreneurial mindset in this regard:
- Brand yourself. No matter what you sell, and no matter who you sell it to, you must wrap your mind around the fact that your business's best and most valuable asset is you. You are the only thing about your business that no one can duplicate. Ever. Today's business environment offers unprecedented opportunities for you to create new opportunities based not only on what you sell, but also on who you are.
- Have a laser focused business model. Gone are the days when anyone could make money online. Today, you must make up your mind to pursue and maintain laser sharp focus in order to stand out in the crowd. It's not about making money. It's about making a contribution, and if you are doing that, you won't have to worry much about money. Command the attention of people who are interested in your products by offering some precise thing that will help them solve a specificproblem.
- Allow technology to maximize your strengths. Every successful entrepreneur has specific strengths, and nothing can bring them to the fore like technology.
A strong keynote speaker uses video to show off his speaking skills.
A talented soapmaker who makes beautifully swirled handmade soap uses photos on a FaceBook Page to showcase the color and artistry that makes her soap so special.
A sought after writing coach uses a blog to share tips on how you can improve your writing skills.
A personable communicator uses a podcast to host and publish conversations with interesting people.
Fully embrace technology and all it can do for you, and help you do. The entrepreneurs who know their strengths, and who use technology to showcase them, stand out every time.
My presentation time was short so we could only scratch the surface of these important issues. I had so much fun and met so many wonderful people. I wanted to stay longer so I could learn more and soak up the buckets of positive energy that filled the room.
How To Enter To Win A Free One-Hour Consultation
Several people had more questions than I had time to answer about how to apply the principles I shared to their own businesses. Because I want to share even more, I am offering you an opportunity to win a free one-hour consultation with me.
All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment in the comment area below, either the FaceBook comment area or the blog comment area, sharing a comment or question you have about my presentation.
Leave your comment by 5:00pm EST on Monday, May 2, 2011. A winner will be chosen at random to win the free consultation. Include your name and your business name with your comment to make it easier for me to notify you if you win!
And if you miss the deadline, but you'd like to leave a comment or question, please feel free!
Here are the slides from my presentation, for those who are interested.
How To Expand Your Entrepreneurial Mindset
Questions: What ideas or tips most impacted you? What will you do differently after hearing some of the perspectives I shared?
