Shera R. Sever: Igniting the Spark™

Building communities through social networking and social PR is the new marketing.  It’s no longer about WIFM, but rather, what’s in it for WE.

In addition to being a powerful social networking tool for B2B partnerships and even B2C, Linked In is rapidly becoming the recruiters tool of choice.  Now, you can search and follow companies, and apply for positions directly on LinkedIn using your profile in place of your CV/Resume.

Would you like to expand your sphere of influence by building genuine, sustainable relationships with your LinkedIn communities?

Here are some tips for optimizing your LinkedIn account with your professional communities:

1. Defining Your Brand with Your LinkedIn Profile

Who do you want to connect with? Why?  What’s your “title”. Choose  keywords for your title that will speak to companies and colleagues you want to connect with.  What are you offering? What problems do you solve?

Take some time thinking about these questions, and create a solid summary profile. Much like a  CV , the first third of your profile is what get’s read. Be sure to have a complete profile that includes your photo, website,  endorsements, blog posts, industry related reading, and possible slide shares. And be sure to include your contact information (phone, Skype, and e-mail).

Tip: You can see how many times your profile has come up in search and how many times it has been viewed daily.  This is a great barometer for determining if your LInked-In brand is attracting the intended audience.

2. Cultivate your network

Tony Robbins often says, “Your network is your net worth.” When looking for people to connect with start with your first degree of influence.  Who do you know? Who have you worked with?   Then reach out to others in your industry and to those  that compliment or even supplement what you do.

In my case, I find connecting with other Talent Management Leaders, Sales and Marketing Directors and start-up CEO’s  mutually beneficial.  I may have the solution to a initiative the company is launching, and conversely, they may have referrals to other companies seeking my areas of expertise.

If you are a job seeker, introduce yourself to recruiters in your industry and then stay in touch. If you are a consultant or a small business owner, look for other businesses that could serve as potential partners, where you both could benefit by offering more value to your clients if you were a team.  Using LinkedIn’s advanced search you can search by geographical area, group affiliations, job title, company, industries and even education (school’s attended).

Tip: When inviting people to join your network, avoid the generic default message:  I’d like to add you to my Linked In network. Rather personalize your message with a introduction and perhaps a statement like: How can I know if someone I’m connected with is a good prospect for you?

A word on Endorsements

I love when colleagues, employees, and clients I have worked with ask me for endorsements. If someone asks you, take the time and write a thoughtful endorsement that creates a visual in the reader’s mind.  Be honest and generous with your endorsements, and be sure to ask for them.

3. Giving Back

Linked In has hundreds of discussion groups that you can join or even create. (the current limit is 50). Join these groups and engage in intelligent dialogs, by proposing thought-provoking industry questions, as well as answering questions at least several times a week. 

Approach groups with the attitude of “What can I give”, rather than “What can I get”. Offer resources as often as you can, and connect others in your network when you see a good fit.  

Again, for job seekers, recruiters will often look at how active you are in groups to determine your level of expertise, your  collaborative competencies, and your communication style. Be sure to update your status a few times a week. Often times, I update my status by  sharing a  link to a recent article from an trade magazine journal, a new trend I recently came across, or simply a motivational message of my own.
Tip: Avoid selling your services to your groups, sending brief messages with a link to your website.  Again approach all your connections as relationships that you value and want to cultivate. “What can I do for you”, while sharing what you are looking for.

4. Create Trust with consistency and accountability

Live relationships , like social community networking, requires trust to flourish, and that means showing up 100%.

Keep fresh content on your profile via your status or project updates.  Check your Linked In messages frequently.  Stay in touch with members of your group- ideally once a week. 

Share your ideas, projects, a  resource, your blog post, ask how you can help them.  I have had many telephone conversations emerge, and relationships develop as a result of my Linked In Connections.

Does this seem like a lot of work?  It isn’t, once you get into the habit. By following the tips above, you will begin to build relationships of trust in  your social networking.

How alive is your LinkedIn network?

Do you have a potent summary profile, and accurate, catchy title  that describes what problems you solve?

How many groups are you active in?

How many viewers open your profile?

How many phone or in-person conversations have resulted from  Linked-In connection?

Does your Linked In profile needs a lift? I invite you to contact me today to discuss how I can help you!

About 8 years ago, I was introduced to  NVC (Non-Violent Communication), the teachings of M arshall Rosenberg.  I immediately resonated with his work, the presence and honesty it requires, and the amazing results.

Since then, I’ve completed  several 8-week courses, including a  week-long intensive with Marshall. I have adapted many of the NVC principles into my own entrepreneurship workshops and leadership seminars.

Non-violent communication (or compassionate communication), is a holistic, daily practice, based on the realization that as human beings, we all have needs.

Lack of connection, disagreements, confrontation, and “violence” are a result of not having our needs met. NVC teaches us how to express empathy for the needs of others while tuning into our own needs. It is very language specific- using very carefully chosen words that reflect self-responsibility, rather than blame. The work has been translated into more than 60 languages.

NVC requires presence, (turning off the ego-judgment in your head) and exceptional empathic listening, so that you can truly connect with whomever you are speaking with. The results are astounding. True dialog begins, misunderstanding are cleared, relationships heal. Personal integrity soars.

I just joined the 64-day movement to carry the vision in creating more love and peace in my personal life, my community, our world.

Will you join me in carrying the Vision? There’s still time to jump in.

What’s Inner Ecology?

It’s inner balance, clarity,  & motivation. It’s personal integrity. It’s an alignment of your desires and life purpose.

How’s Your Inner Ecology? Is it time for a tune-up?

Do you need a grounding chord, a compass, or a new lens?

Are you in transition? Are you ready to reinvent yourself?

Through March 31, 2011, I am offering you an opportunity to contribute to a healthier, greener economy while giving your” inner ecology” a spring cleaning by investing in any one (or all!) of my 3 coaching programs:

You, Inc. Career Coaching

Demystifying Social Media Marketing

Awakening Entrepreneurs Business Consulting

I believe that the future of America depends upon an assertive commitment to creating a environmentally sustainable, social just, and personally fulfilling presence on our planet.  Aggressive investing in Clean Energy,  Sustainable Technologies, and Green Building is essential.

As part of my personal commitment to this, I am donating 20% of my business consulting & coaching revenues from Feb. 15- March 31  to a Micro-Grant Fund supporting

Van Jones’s Green Jobs For All Initiative.

Are you ready to invest in your own inner ecology AND a greener economy?

Click here for more information on my 3, 6 , or 10 week coaching programs.

In our coaching sessions, I can promise you a potent, focused,  transformational journey with on-going support to reach extraordinary goals in your business and your personal life.

If you are a new client, I offer complimentary sessions.

You can also give the gift of coaching to a friend, colleague, or loved one, by purchasing a gift certificate .

Transform your life, change the world!

February 15- March 31: 20% of your investment is tax-deductable

and will be donated to the Green for All Micro-Grant Fund which supports 100 grant recipients across the USA

Thank you for contributing to a healthier, greener economy.

Our purpose is the foundation of our life. Our mission is an expression of our purpose. Real success is to do more for the world than the world does for you.

When coaching business owners and professionals, I help my clients excavate their purpose and mission, release limiting beliefs, and develop  compelling, inspiring congruent messages that exude the value of doing business with (or hiring) them, and DELIVER on that value.

Some of the initial questions to consider in this process include:

• How clear are you on your purpose?
• What is your personal mission statement?
• What is your business mission statement?
• Who are you people and what do they come to you for?
• What is your unique promise of value?
• How clear, consistent, and constant is your message?
• How do you communicate this to your audience/potential clients?
• How well are you leveraging social networking: FaceBook, Linked-In, Twitter, and YouTube?
• Do you have a Blog and E-Zine?
• Are you writing articles, offering teleseminars, courses, or workshops?
• What systems do you have in place to make your business work for YOU?
• Who’s Got Your Back?  (Who are your Tribes, Mentors & Referral Sources).
• Who is on your Dream Team and your personal Board of Directors?

I’d love to help you have a truly abundant harvest season, personally and professionally.  Curious?  Lets talk. Please contact me  by e-mail. (Complimentary session to the first five that respond. (Offer valid through Oct. 15- new clients only)

Why do some projects falls short, while others soar to great success?  Why are some business relationships tainted with conflict, while others are smooth, fun, easy, and profitable?

According to Stephen N.B. Covey- it’s all about TRUST.

In his most recent book, The Speed of Trust, Covey builds a strong case for TRUST as the number one leadership competency in today’s organizations and positions TRUST as a key economic driver in the new economy.

When you choose to do business with someone, what do you base your decision on? Most likely it’s that gut feeling- your intuition, that says YES.  I trust this person.

Trust is about (1) credibility (who you are), (2) character (your behavior). True character is doing the right thing when no one is looking, and (3) competence: skills, knowledge, ability to produce results.

Building high trust requires:

• Talking straight
• Showing respect
• Keeping Commitments- Do What you Say!  Walk Your Talk!
• Having an open, transparent agenda (not a personal (WIIFM) what’s in it for me, agenda),
• Clear communication that clarifies goals and expectations.
• Motive and intent of care and service- this builds loyal customers, repeat clients, referrals and a motivated team!

In high trust environments, communicate is clear, processes are smooth, flexible, and fast; change is natural, results are extraordinary.

Seems pretty simple and straightforward. So why is it so difficult for some to build trust and credibility? Normally, it’s because one is not clear on their values and what they stand for, and thus out of alignment with their personal integrity.

So, how credible are you?

Here is a short assessment that you  can take on line, to determine your trust score (how you see/trust yourself)  and credibility score (how others see/trust you)

What was my trust score you may wonder?  88%.

How do I evaluate this?  (1)  Space to improve and grow, (2) make wrongs, right with sincere apologies and changed behaviors. Next step is to send this out to others to see how they see me. I’ll be doing this in the  September issue of Leading Visions to Action. I’m excited and looking forward to the dialogs this will create!

Let’s all give it a try and create more TRUST in the world!!

For more information go to:

Speed of Trust and Who Trusts You

Success Principles start with taking 100% total responsibility for everything in your life. It’s mid-year, 2010.

Take a look at the goals you set for yourself, your family, community, your business, your employees and clients at the beginning of the year. Where are you in your achievement and level of fulfillment and satisfaction?

All success starts with 100% personal responsibility and accountability.

Here is a great little exercise, that when completed, is a powerful jump start for goal refinement, redefining your direction, taking new action.

This can  be used for personal assessment,  as well as in pair and small group discussions around community building, team building, employee engagement, and more.

I
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for my life, I would. . .(state action)
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for my happiness,  I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for my health and fitness, I would. . .
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for  the quality of my relationships, I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for the effectiveness of my business, I would. . .
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for the development of my employees, I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for quality of life in my community, I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for the health of this planet, I would. . .

Just think if BP could honestly answer these questions.

Thanks to Jack Canfield for inspiring this exercise

In one of my past blog posts on business models,  I cited Seth Godin and his book: Tribes- We Need You to Lead Us!

Tribes are everywhere,and thanks to the internet, we can find who and what we want to connect with:

Work tribes, community tribes, spiritual tribes ,Ukranian dancers. . .

According to Seth Godin, assembling tribes (not money and factories) can change the world.  You don’t need everyone. What you need is 1000 dedicated fans, true believers, supporters, doers, etc.  The hypnosis of mass-marketing no longer works. Leading and connecting people and ideas does.

What do “tribe” leaders have in common?

• They challenge the status quo- who are you upsetting?
• They are curious and build a culture- who are you connecting?
  
• They commit to leading with unrelentless focus and passion

Get inspired- watch Seth Godin’s presentation from TED :

If you are feeling  a bit stuck or in transition, get our of your comfort zone, and do something! Just by taking the action (any action!) will unleash your potential, creativity, and attract others who want to get on board with you!

Find a  group or cause that is disconnected- organize and connect them. This is what you do for a living!

Start something that matters.

Start.

Do it.

We need it (and so do you!)

Not sure where to get started?  Contact me . . . 1, 2, 3,     GO!

The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come…We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~Joseph Campbell

Change is profoundly in the air this summer.  I have a had a number of past coaching clients contact me in the past few weeks,either seeking a tune-up or in a total melt down. It’s permeating everything and everybody,  and the next turn (personally and collectively) is,  at best, unknown.

Not-knowing is one of the more evolved practices of personal leadership.

Can you trust and allow?  Do you have the courage to simply say “ I don’t know.”

When dancing with change, what’s important is that you are willing to let go of everything that has felt comfortable, familiar- this includes all those habits and plans that your ego is clinging to for it’s own survival.

Yes, it is a death . . . it is transformation.

Breathe into and accept this.
Exhale the doubt, fear, and uncertainty.
Become naked in your own truth.
Imagine, feel, see, smell and hear the new life (business, career, home, etc) waiting for you.

Stay curious
Share your truth  compassionately, consciously and wisely.
Trust and be open to receive.

For the past almost 7 years, I have been going through what I call a ‘slow death” letting go of the family members and friends that have passed over, recovering from a serious auto-accident, leaving the spiritual community I was a member of for over 22 years, along with two beautiful homes,  and so much more.

As an entrepreneur, teacher, writer, coach, these experiences have deepened my ability to guide others through intense change (personally and professionally.  As I reflect upon what seemed insurmountable at the time, I am now grateful for the experiences that allow me to serve you even more fully with a complimentary coaching session through July 15.

For more information on the practice of Not-Knowing

http://traffic.libsyn.com/amberstar/Zencast102.mp3

Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given”- Deepak Chopra

Earlier this spring, I accepted an invitation to attend PJ Van Hulle’s Prosperity Summit. It was just what I needed- an investment in myself and learning alongside 300+ motivated and committed entrepreneurs.

One of the many treasures from the summit that I left with was a deeper understanding of the concept and practice of offering VALUE. Another was focusing on asking “How can I help YOU?” in conversations with other business owners and leaders.

It’s true that most people and companies prefer to do business with people they know and have a trusted relationship with. But relationship-driven business is NOT enough. Your business needs to be “value driven”. Having clients clearly perceive the value they’re getting from working with you is imperative.

So how DO YOU communicate VALUE to your clients?

1. Make your clients’ needs more important than yours. How often have you encountered someone who is SELLING you the features or services of their business without taking a moment to ask:

Who are you? What do you need? How can I help? If you weave these three beginning “value-driven” questions, into your conversations, you will surely create a connection and evoke curiosity with an invitation to  “tell me more.”

2. Put your attention on your client’s satisfaction and fulfillment. Go beyond what you promised by exceeding expectations. Business Coach, Venture Capitalist, Bill Walsh says “Provide your client with 10 times the value of the product or service that she/he has paid for.” This IS value, and the result will most assuredly be repeat business and referrals.

3. Creating value, creates capital. What will your time, experience and resources bring to your client? This is the beginning of developing your VALUE statement. What is the value you put on your time, experience and resources?

4. Remember: Selling is Service- Take the time to find out what your clients’ needs are rather than forcing your agenda upon them. Selling comes from honesty, integrity, compassion, confidence, and the sincere desire to serve. Make the experience of doing business with you a privilege and pleasurable experience. And make it easy for your clients to refer you to others.

5. Be an expert and coach to your clients. In my many years as a presenter, trainer, and facilitator, I learned that one of best ways to provide value is through “consultative sales”- educating, coaching and consulting clients. Becoming your clients’ trusted expert and possibly even mentor, will ensure a sustainable relationship built on trust, service and value!

For myself and many that I have spoken to, 2010 got off to a slow or, perhaps, a false start?  Projects didn’t quite get off the ground- some were completely tabled;  goals, strategies had to be revised. The Health Care Reform Bill that was finally passed on the first day of Spring , March 21, is a perfect example that indeed it is time to Spring into Action!

Aristotle said it best:  Excellence is a habit. As a leader or entrepreneur, you know that Action is the most important Habit.  So now that spring is finally here, it’s time to put your 2010 plan in action.

7 Success Strategies to keep the momentum going, making you Unstoppable.

1. Commit to 3 disciplined actions (habits) that you will engage in each day-My daily disciplined actions include: some form of exercise (swimming, bicycling, or at least a brisk walk) ,meditation listening to one motivational CD, webinar, or teleseminar,  and journaling my progress/ success and gratitude at the end of each day.

2. Expand your circle of influence-We’ve heard it many times- take a look at the five people you spend most of your time with-and that will show you where you are at in your life.

Your circle of influence is a direct reflection of  your values, self-worth, and most likely your level of success/abundance. What are they doing? How do they enrich the lives of others?  What are their habits? Just think about it- we become “rich”, by enriching the lives of others. If you want to have more success, wealth, and abundance in your life, hang out with people in the winner’s circle.

3. Create a Vision Board. At least once a year, I facilitate a Vision Workshop, where participants are guided through a focused goal-setting process- we then find images that  match where we want to be in our lives and create affirmations that support the vision.  I find that reciting the affirmations out loud several times a day as if the experience already exists to be one of the most powerful tools for manifestation.

4. Own your shadow by identifying your limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging patterns and behaviors. Commit to doing the work it takes to release/transform these beliefs once and for all. I was amazed (shocked?!) to recently uncover some deeply held subconscious beliefs,  that even after several decades of committed work, I am still being affected by. It’s deep work and takes daily efforts. Find methods, help, support with this. This could be mastermind group, a women or men’s circle, workshops, a counselor, somatic therapist, shaman, or simply a small group of supportive friends.  Just remember, you are not your past.

5. Invest in your personal/professional development. The best investment you can make towards your success is in YOU. Find a seminar or coach that resonates with your goals, enroll, and go for it! As I look at the last year (2009),  this was one area of my life, where I didn’t put as much attention on as I normally would  ( I chose to spend an extensive time on several islands instead- which indeed was revitalizing). I say  a better strategy is to combine your travel with a seminar, or clear goals- i.e. finish the book you are writing!  Several weeks ago, I was invited to participate in PJ’s VanHulle’s Prosperity Summit, which I highly recommend.  My, did the light bulbs shine!

6. Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Get out of your comfort zone and do at least one thing this year that scares you. That’s right! Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., made millions helping others “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway ! Acting /taking calculated risks in spite of fear is very empowering and freeing. What will your scary action be? Traveling alone, investing in a  joint venture, committing to a relationship, sharing your vulnerability and “failures” , letting go of a habit or limiting belief?

7. Give Back by Volunteering, Becoming a Mentor, serving on Boards of Directors. Share your knowledge, skills, and resources with organizations and causes that you are passionate about. I’ve been volunteering with organizations for over 30 years, many of which I stepped into a leadership role by training volunteers and volunteer coordinators and directing communications systems.  There are thousands of opportunities within your communities, park services, and, of course, internationally. Become an unstoppable role model by mentoring and giving back.

Providing value, creating more equitable resources for all, while being sincerely committed to helping others grow and succeed is the business model for the new economy. I guarantee that if you follow these 7 Success Strategies, you are well on the path to unstoppable action this Spring!

Are you curious about how I can help you jump start your Unstoppable Success this spring?  I am offering complimentary coaching sessions to the first five that respond to this blog post by March 31.