thoughts of a gotta be venturer ~cesar abueg

What Were You Thinking...Actually I Wasn't, That's The Point

What were you thinking?? Is often asked when something unimaginable has happened.

"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?" William Shakespeare 

"The greatest friend of truth is time, her greatest enemy is prejudice, and her constant companion humility." Chuck Colson

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

converted socially to:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become tweets & updates.
Watch your tweets & updates, for they become blogs.
Watch your blogs, for they become video clips.

Watch your videos, for they become your profile.
Watch your profile, for it stays on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter forever.”

Giving In A Non-Giving Economy

Clenched Fists Prevents You From Giving & Receiving

In this kind of economy, we have a tendency to keep our hands closed. We don't like to give, because we are worried that we would run out of stuff to give. I understand you got bills to pay; you've got work or products you need to sell. I'm not telling you to give ALL your stuff, just what you can give away. Everyone can give something away.

So what can you GIVE?

…ANYTHING of VALUE to others. 

 

Zig Ziglar quotes:

"If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want."

You have a dream, that's great, everyone should have one. So do others. But as Zig says, if you help enough people get what they want, you'll get what you want in life.

Practice it. Help someone, and don't expect something in return. 

Just HELP to HELP someone. And somehow, that kindness will come back to you in a way you'll never expect.

If you want to meet the man himself, yes, Zig Ziglar, and his timeless wisdom. Join us in this great event called the www.ExtremeBusinessMakeovers.com.

No, I'm not getting paid to spread the word. I just believe in it so much, that I want you to know about this great event that changed my life, my business, and my relationships.

Let me know if you decide to come, I may have some discounted tickets left. Thanks for listening.

Sad Disconnect Truth of Such a Connected World

We Live In An Age Where Reaching Out To People Is Really Easy

Its amazing how far we have come in technology. We have gizmos that can pretty much communicate in every medium possible. With the recent announcement of Apple and their new "ipad", we have yet another device to absorb information, communicate and interact with the world.

I recently came back from a weekend in Miami where I attended WordCamp & BarCamp Miami. It was great finally meeting people I initially just connected via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. To put a human touch from their virtual profile was no short than...REAL. I made friends there that I know would last a lifetime. The beauty of social media at its best.

Yet with all this technology, why is it that I feel like we can still be "disconnected".

Recently, I tried to reach out to a few people online, wanting to talk with them via phone call, but they responded saying, "just email me". At first I was offended, quite honestly. But then I realized in an age of SPAM, phone solicitations and so forth, we do get bombarded with so much information and communication, sometimes we just need to screen ourselves.

You want to talk, but people respond rather with text messaging or email.

"I feel we have lost the human touch, even if its just a voice that I crave in the other end."

Realizing this, I am making a more conscious effort to talk to people more on the phone, or meet with them in person. We are social beings, living in a highly virtual social community, perplexed with our technology, that sometimes we lose sight that there is so much more than just digital responses.

To each is own, so don't feel like I am calling you out. You communicate what you want and how.

What do you think? Feel like responding, don't comment just yet. Call me first, and lets talk, my number is 321-549-0881, then comment. Tell me what you think.

PS
Sorry its been so long posting...glad to be back.

Authenticity Sucks, Character Improvement Rocks

Your Authentic or True Self May Suck, So What To Do About It

Okay, the buzz is, authenticity is the best thing since sliced bread, or is it? So businesses or companies should not hide behind their corporate walls and masks and start really being REAL to their customers.

Wait a minute. What if we are authentically selfish, rude, obnoxious and just plain out unprofessional? That all we want to do is make money. Nothing wrong with making money, but in time, your business will show its true color and customers will start fleeing from you, as if you had the plague.

To have that kind of character I mentioned and be transparent, can only get you into trouble. So does that mean social media is out of the game for you?

NO!!!

The only solution, CHANGE!

Start really caring for your customers!!!

The general rule of business, is that, people do business with others if:

1. They Know You! (Hence, why social media is the rave, you get to know people you normally won't get a chance to know in your normal circles or that you are really starting to put to work the circle of influence you really have.)
2. They Like You! (They can't like you, if you don't know you. So put some personality into it. Be likable, and be real. Just be careful what you reveal.---gotta use this title for another blog)
3. They Trust You! (Trust is big, so you gotta work at it. Be the go to person in your field. If you really are an expert, flaunt it, by giving people value that they can use, not to just toot your own horn.)

Now don't think I got this from years of being in business. This was actually clarified to me by a good friend of mine, Bob Burg, the author of "The Go-Giver", him and John Mann, wrote this book about a guy in need of a desperate sale. Its a must read. It has changed the way I do business for the better.

We are currently working a project with Bob for the upcoming Extreme Business Makeover conference in Orlando on April 25, 2010, and its gonna be awesome. Join us!!

So change your character and be a person that people will want to do business with, and your authenticity will flow out, and that will help you get more business.

I leave you with a great interview of Gary Vaynerchuk, author of "Crush It". This guy has built a millionaire dollar wine business, and if you want to be successful, listen to what he has to say.

Web & Business Predictions for 2010

Knowing What Will Work in 2010 Can Be A Game Changer

Wouldn't it be great to know beforehand what will work for your business or not. What technology you use, what marketing approach, what web agency to hire that can bring more business. Half the battle really is being informed, and keeping your ears open. Knowing where to put your ears to is also key.

Here are some great Proverbs that I hold dear:

"Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (Proverbs 12:15)

“Plans go wrong for the lack of advice; many advisers bring success” (Proverbs 15:22)

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life” (Proverbs 19:20)

“Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice” (Proverbs 20:18)

1. Facebook is Gonna Dominate. Most of our lives we surround ourselves with friends and family, and those we care about. Facebook allows us to do that. They will make a breakthrough that will make businesses really want to invest their efforts here. Not for marketing sakes, but for building long term relationships.
   
2. Its About Relationships. We do business with who we know, like and trust. The foundation of a good relationship. Its not only about price, its whether your customers like you enough to pay a little extra.
   
3. Real Value & Price. Along with relationships, there are really needs to be an obvious "no brainer" value to what you are bringing to the table. People are searching for value, not just price, and how you 'relate' to them is going to determine whether you have a loyal raving fan.
   
4. Building Loyal Raving Fans. Obama won the Presidency because he built a loyalty by winning people over, and giving them the tools to do it. 2010 is going to be about empowerment. Power to the Raving Fans.
   
5. Twitter Alone is Dead. Twitter needs to integrate itself even more, just like it did with LinkedIn. More of that will help this company start monetizing on its service. How you say? That depends on the data that its able to collect from its users, and and how they can utilize the data they get from tweets, will make Twitter a viable company worth keeping.
   
6. Video Goes Even Further. Right now, its still pretty challenging for the novice user to do video, even with all the services and technology that we have now. Its not so much that, its really about what the video can really say. So content, creative approach, and purpose driven videos are what's going to stand out. We have so much content out there, it just needs to get better.
   
7. Authenticity Redefined, True Morality is Pursued. Your authentic self may not be a good thing. So maybe its time to change all that, and look at who you really represent. What are your values, your morals, that define you? By being so, you can be authentic, but not authentically masquerading yourself to be someone you are not.
   
8. Niche It Even More. The Internet continues to grow, finding your niche can be hard, so make it your own and define one, and gather those needed around you.
   
9. Locally Focused, Yet Worldly Open. Local business is great, your friends, your neighbors, the guy at your church will be able to keep his or her business open. But lets be smart and choose what we keep local. It needs to be viable, profitable and efficient. When its better to outsource it somewhere else, exhaust your options and think long term, outsourcing is not for everything or for everyone.
   
10. Locally Smart & Effective. To go further from the previous prediction. Knowing what you have locally is key. So brick & mortar stores and business really need to scream and shout and get noticed. Whether more involvement then ever on the web, with social media, and truly building relationships should be a priority.
    
11. Partnership Becomes An Even More of a Necessity For Success. You can do it alone, but it won't be easy, you'll be much stronger if you find other people who can help and back up your vision. Find them, build them, and unleash them.
    
12. Push For Multilingualism. The whole world is out there. China alone is a huge market, its time to get out of our comfort zone and tap into world markets. Lets stop being consumers to other countries, its their turn. To do that, we need to be multilingual. This is gonna be a great year for translators.
    
13. Mobile Is The New Netbook. I love these smaller laptops, but quite honestly, what I can do with it, I'd rather have it on my mobile device. Laptops are suppose to be a mobile office medium, if I can't put hogging applications on it, then what's the use in getting these small netbooks. I like my laptop screens big. I see Mobile phones getting faster, smarter and true office productivity devices. Maybe I am wishful thinking on this last one.

Thanks WebFugitive for the inspiration. You can view his predictions here:
http://webfugitive.posterous.com/predictions-for-2010

Do you agree to disagree with what I said? Got any predictions of your own?

Things I Am Thankful For, For Eternity

Writing What Your Thankful For, Helps Keep You Grounded

The best things in life are things that keep you grounded. Knowing what that is makes you realize how thankful you really need to be. Often times we forget what's really important, and we can become ungrateful and unsatisfied.

I was Inspired by Jon Gordon's e-mail newsletter, a snippet from his book "The Energy Bus". In one of his suggestions, he encourages us to write down what we are thankful. Its truly liberating to admit and realize what one needs to be thankful about.

So I wanted to share with you what I'm grateful for. These things in my life has grounded me in a way that helps me appreciate what I have, instead of what I don't have.

I Am Thankful For:

1. Knowing my Creator - many times I have doubted, and will still do so in the future. This year has drawn me closer to Him. Just glad He hasn't abandoned me. Thank you Jesus for the truth.
2. Having An Incredible Faithful & Supportive Wife - married to me is not easy, I've made so many mistakes and I've put my spouse behind the line. Thank you Emma for standing by me.
3. My Adorably Joyful Children - I am such a proud father. I love being one. My kids make it so easy. They are so precious and a delight to me.
4. My Family & Friends - you have been a great supporter, mentor, coach, uplifter, and challenger.
5. My Extended Family - yes you Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn family, thank you for reaching out and being acessible. I love you all.
6. Health, Wellness & Spiritual Growth - without these, I would go insane, grumpy and miserable.
7. Business Partners - can't do it alone. Its great to have trusting guys who let me do what I do, appreciate your trust and support in what I do.
8. Opportunities - there so many out there, find them, change your stars, I am on that road myself.
9. Loyal & Loving Customers - yes, even with this economy :). Thank you all for staying with me since the beginning. I look forward to many more prosperous years.
10. Everyone Else - whoever you are, I appreciate you. I can learn from you, and I love that one day, we can be friends.

I encourage you to do the same, and write down what you are thankful for. Share it with you friends and family. Be bold, and be honest. Look forward to reading them. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Word Of Mouth Is Not All That

Reliable Word of Mouth "Is" All That

Lets be honest, when was the last time you gave a friend a recommendation you weren't 100% sure of? Maybe you had an alternative motive, and wanted to help a friend out, but wasn't sure if their product or service was really reliable.

Sometimes we do it because we want to be the one "Who Knows It All".

Well here are some ways you can avoid getting bad "Word of Mouth":

1. Ask reliable & appropriate people. Yes, its that simple. Asking the right person, can get you the right advice.
2. Ask specific questions. If you are looking for an AC repair guy, ask the person who is recommending the company why they are recommending them. Get details. Get answers.
3. Get more than one. If you ask around, don't stop with just one recommendation, ask for more. Keep shopping. That means, don't get sold on the first person you interview, because they are a good sales person.
4. Ask for backup. Okay, you got a list of the 'cream of the crop', now what to do about it. Ask more people if they've heard of these companies or peoples.
5. Do your research. Look them up online, check out their website. Go on their LinkedIn.com profile and see if they have "Recommendations". If they have a Facebook fan page or group, visit that, and see what's on there.
6. Test them out. Be testy, and give people a chance to prove themselves. This will give you an idea of what's like to work with them. Its as simple as giving them a minor task before the real thing.
7. Cheap is not the best, nor is the pricey one. Buying a product because its cheap, means it was constructed cheaply. You get what you pay for, most of the time. The most expensive may not necessarily be the best indicator too.
8. Trust your gut. If somethings fishy, 9 times out of 10, it probably is. To fix that, follow #2 again.

 

Funny - Not So Good Advice:

Hope that helps.

Subscribe to my friend Bob Burg, the guru on Word of Mouth, you can visit his site: www.burg.com.

Tell me if you have anything to add, would love to hear about it. Thanks for reading.

Your Hands Are Precious Like Jewel

The Gifts, Skills, Abilities, Your Very Hands Make A Difference

Just saw Jewel in concert with the wife. It was my birthday gift to her. She's a huge fan, so am I. It was our first time to see her live.

In one of her famous songs, "Hands", She shared to the audience, before she became famous, that she was homeless for nearly a year. During that tough time, living in her car, she stole food to feed herself.

One day she passed by a store in which she saw a pretty sunny dress she liked very much. She planned on stealing it. After looking at the tag of this $39 dress she was trying on, she came to a realization. She rebuked herself for stooping so low.

She knew she was much better than that. From that day on she stopped stealing. The rest as they say, is history. A once homeless and struggling artist, is now a 3 time Grammy nominee that has sold over 27 million albums worldwide.

Wow, what an incredible story. If you haven't heard or read her story, its amazing. I've provided a link in the end of the blog so you can read more about it.

Each day we are faced with moral & ethical dilemmas. We hear in the news about white collar crimes from top executives stealing, lying and abusing their power because of greed.

You have a choice each day to make sure your hands contribute for the benefit of many, or just yourself.

Take responsibility for your actions. Remember, your hands make a difference. Make it a good one, and leave a legacy worth remembering.

Jewel Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_(singer)
http://twitter.com/jeweljk
http://www.jeweljk.com/
http://www.charityfolks.com/cfauctions/auction_verticalngo.asp?slrid=2017

"I won't be made useless, I won't be idle with despair, I will gather myself around my faith"...

"My hands are small I know, But they're not yours, they are my own"...

"In the end only kindness matters, I will get down on my knees, and I will pray"...

"We are God's eyes, God's hands, God's eyes, We are God's hands, We are God's hands"...

Accolades Are Your Friends, So Get More of Them

No Better Way to Enjoy What You Do, Then For Others To Tell You Your Doing A Great Job

So here are some quick lessons on getting accolades or recommendations for work you've done & why its necessary.

I logged unto my LinkedIn Profile account and saw that I could use some recommendations, especially since we've just recently launched a few websites these past few weeks. So I did what any person would do, I asked for them.

Lesson #1 ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU MIGHT JUST GET SOME

Recommendations and accolades they are the same to me. No matter how it was given, its sole purpose is to lift that person up, to praise them for their work, to honor their service, their commitment, their blood and sweat. Ultimately, to show others you are worth dealing with. Okay, not to get dramatic or anything, but getting these "words of sweet honey" in my ears made me smile inside.

Lesson #2 SWEET WORDS CAN SOOTHE A SOUL

Hey why not, I worked hard for it...it was a labor of love.

Lesson #3 WORK AS IF YOU'RE WORKING FOR GOD

Believe it or not, that works for me. You see, if you work for the big man, no matter what the outcome, as long as you worked your best, you'll get the thumbs up. And you'll have a tendency to do a good job. Whatever works for you.

Seriously, what's the big deal? Not much, except you can win peoples confidence, trust, business, you name it. Getting recommendations is essential for credibility.

Lesson #4 RECOMMENDATIONS BUILD CREDIBILITY

If you are smart shopper, whether you are buying a product or a service, you would always want to look at the comments, feedback, ratings, rants, etc., so that way you get the inside track without having to invest in anything just yet.

Lesson #5 GIVE IT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE

You see, often times accolades come too late or don't come at all. So please, when you have the opportunity, make someones day and give them sincere and kind words. Lift their spirits up. I leave you with this quote:

Are We Commitment Phobias, That We Cant Commit to Commit

Commitment Is Lagging, Why Can't We Commit?

Please don't feel judged, not my intention at all. Actually, I ask myself the same question. I started this blog to test myself, to reveal a part of me, that often times, I need to check, to question, to ask the very question I ask you.

We sometimes get in a situation where we have to say "Yes" or "No", but not to hurt the person or to bring them down, we say "I can't promise anything, but I'll do my best!".

This gets us out of the loop of committing, or does it?

Recently, a very good and long time friend turned not only his back, but literally his word, to say the least. His lack of commitment hurt me and many others as well, not to mention it wasted many weeks of time and energy, that could of been avoided if he was just honest with me and to himself.

He is not primarily to blame, I should of seen it coming. I should of known better.

So the deal is, do you have a problem keeping your word? In business, in your personal life, perhaps?

Keeping my word, has gotten me in a lot of trouble. But in a good way. I have committed to customers in projects, and due to various "incidents", it was really not in my best interest to keep those commitments. People would of understood, even the customer themselves. But I knew I had to keep my word. My reputation and my integrity was in jeopardy. Even it costs me so much, even it costs me so much down the road, that many things I worked on for years would come tumbling down. If I had known, would I have still done it? I honestly don't know. All I know is that I'm glad that I kept my word.

With that said, is it okay to be wishy-washy when someone ask you for a "Yes" or "No" answer? Is it wishy-washy? Are we commitment phobias? What happened?

Is it okay to let people down, if other people let you down too?

Would love to hear your feedback.