All posts tagged guest post

What do Kim Kardashian, Oprah, and Barbie Have in Common?

Posted on:March 24, 2011 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

Lisa Steadman, an online friend and Savor sister of mine, is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author, sought after speaker, results coach, and chief executive officer of Woohoo, Inc.

Last week she sent me this fantastic post titled: What do Kim Kardashian, Oprah, and Barbie Have in Common? I thought it was so great, I had to share! This special guest post discusses communicating your brilliance for your product, service and/or brand.

Enjoy!

~ Nancy Vaughn

What do Kim Kardashian, Oprah,
and Barbie Have in Common?

Of course, they’re all attractive and successful women. But they’re also attractive and successful brands.

Think about it. When you hear any of their names, you automatically know what you’re going to get. Kim is all about fashion and glamour. Oprah is about love and living your best life. And Barbie is every girl’s feminine ideal. Each offers an expertise and is the face of their business.

So let me ask you – At your core, are you and your business a brand like Barbie, Kim, and Oprah?

Don’t worry if you’re not. Not all businesses are brands. You could be a product, a service, or a mission/movement.

Or, quite possibly, you’re a hybrid. Oprah is a hybrid; she’s a brand AND a mission. Barbie’s a hybrid, too. She’s a brand AND a product.

So think about you and your business and choose the category that most closely aligns with the ultimate vision you have for your business, and not necessarily the business as it stands today. I’m talking about the grand vision you initially had for your business, that Woohoo Within™ that spoke to you, guided you, and gave you permission to think BIG and share your innate gifts with the world.

Many of us have lost that initial vision, bogged down by the burdens of running a business, making money, and chasing clients.

Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to get re-engaged to your Woohoo Within™ and honor what you’re REALLY here to do.

So again, in the grand vision of your business, are you a brand, product, service, mission/movement, or a hybrid combination? And if you’re a hybrid, what percentage of your business is a brand? A product? A service? A mission/movement?

Why does it matter what you and your business are?

Because the way you communicate your brilliance depends very much on how you answer that question. It also tells you how you should be spending your time.

Click here to read the full article.

5 Ways to Erase Daily Procrastination in Your Business

Posted on:April 6, 2010 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

The following is a guest post by A. Michelle Blakely, originally posted in Entrepreneur Connect. Great advice on breaking free from procrastination…now!

According to Real Simple magazine’s survey of 10,000 readers, the average daily to-do list has 5 to 9 tasks on it. Only 5% of the readers are productive for 3 hours during a 9-to-5 workday as a result of web-related distractions. According to the Procrastination Research Group, based on some figures, it is estimated that as much as 95% of the people are prone to procrastination. Amongst them, 20% of them are chronic procrastinators.

Procrastination is generally defined as avoided tasks or activities that need to be accomplished. Poor time management and procrastination can be a direct result of having unreachable goals, having to meet others’ standards, disorganization or the inability to handle the task. Below are ways to erase daily procrastination in your business.

1) Use the first hour or two of your day to work on things that require your attention or have deadlines. Accomplishing necessary tasks will invigorate you to do more.

2) Inspire yourself with insightful reading. Read at least one business article daily and take action. Try implementing a new idea. Don’t just read about it, but do.

3) Afternoon organization can make the next day easier. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to think about tomorrow’s priorities. Knowing what needs to be done at the beginning of each day gives you focus and direction.

4) Break large projects or tasks into smaller activities and schedule them on your calendar as appointments. Do them in 30-minutes, 1-hour or 3-hour time blocks. You wouldn’t interrupt a scheduled appointment, so don’t allow unnecessary interruptions when working on your projects.

5) Don’t make lofty goals. Be reasonable in your expectations of yourself, your time and your commitments. Overextending yourself can cause you shut down. Be practical and realistic.

It’s always helpful to identify the source of your procrastination. Take some time to think about why you are putting things off and then try one of the above techniques. Procrastination can really be a struggle and challenge for small business owners, especially when they are simply overwhelmed and unsure of their next move. Take it one step at a time and be conscious of your actions AND inaction.

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

3 Tips For Staying Healthy, Happy, and Thin This Valentine's Day!

Posted on:February 12, 2010 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

The following is a guest blog post by Cynthia Pasquella, CCN, CHLC, CWC. Cynthia is a nutritionist, wellness expert and a friend of Principal, PR & Marketing Director, Nancy Vaughn and White Book Agency via Savor the Success (premium network for women entrepreneurs). While you’re busy working on your business, don’t forget to take care of number one – YOU!

Cynthia provides some great advice for staying healthy and happy this Valentine’s Day…

Valentine’s Day is that rare holiday that is embraced by many and shunned by so many others! Whatever your view, take caution to not get so caught up in the madness that you stress out, make yourself an emotional wreck, and gain 5 pounds. Here are some easy tips that will help you sail through this holiday with your heart – and your waistline intact!

1. Choose the Healthy Chocolate – It’s very fitting that love is celebrated with chocolate (which is an aphrodisiac!), but how much do you really love yourself? Take that into account when you’re reaching for those yummy treats and then have a piece or two of dark chocolate and move on.

Dark chocolate is packed with healthy antioxidants, lower in sugar, and it’s bitter so you won’t eat as much. One word of caution: beware of your co-workers desk with that bowl full of candy that tugs at your sweater whenever you walk by! Have her come to your desk instead!

2. Don’t Sweat the Small Things – This is one of the few holidays where women will drive themselves crazy trying to make every little detail perfect for their loved one. The thing is, if they truly love you, they aren’t going to care what you give them as a gift or what you eat for dinner. They’re only going to care about you!

Realize that the only standards you are being held to are your own and then breathe in deeply and let them all go. Take care not to get caught up in the emotional eating trap because you feel stress or pressure. Relax and enjoy this special day with your loved one – or with the most special person in the world – YOU!

3. Plan and Cook Your Own Healthy Dinner - Yes, really! Restaurants have a field day with their fancy schmancy dinners (translation: full of calories, fat, and unhealthy ingredients). They jack up the price and fill your tummy full of several courses designed to make you feel anything but sexy when you get back home.

This year, why not plan and prepare your own meal? Keep it simple by choosing your loved ones favorite dinner, setting a nice table, dimming the lights, and lighting some candles. The meal will be healthier and the setting will be much more intimate. You can even prepare and cook the meal together for a more romantic experience!

© Copyright 2010 Cynthia Pasquella and Defying Gravity, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Cynthia Pasquella is touted as one of Hollywood’s favorite nutritionists due to her extensive knowledge, upbeat attitude and fresh perspective. Her clients range from celebrities to professionals. To get insider secrets on optimizing your health, losing weig.ht fast, increasing your energy, and decreasing your stress, sign up for your F.R.E.E. “Secrets to Health and Happiness Toolkit” at www.CynthiaPasquella.com

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