Click here for our latest January newsletter.

Featuring the article Traits of a Million Dollar Mindset and our featured client, Dr. Cal LeMon’s article Four Gifts to Give Yourself in the New Year.

here is the new site and strategy we have developed and implemented for Dr. Cal LeMon, President of Executive Enrichment, located in Springfield, Missouri. Cal helps organizations create strategic futures and transform managers to become extraordinary leaders.

Click here to view Cal’s new site.

Click here to view Cal’s fabulous videos.

Click on our portfolio page collection to view other sites and strategies we have created.

Apple has just announced their latest gadget – the iPad which I belive is an industry and revolutionary game changer. Although some critics are already citing reasons why this technology is not as advanced as expected and are finding flaws with it, I think to the contrary. Similar to what Apple has done with graphic user interface (GUI) in the 80s, then followed by many innovative technologies in the 90s, and then the introduction of the iPhod, iPhone, music and movies, they are now leading into the future again with this remarkable invention.

So what is the big deal with this iPad and is it just a big iPod? Well read on.

1. Several years ago I said that sales of hard copy books will drastically subside and be replaced with the dramatic increase in digital book purchases. This is already happening and the iPad will make it a complete reality.


2. The newspaper industry is in a huge decline and elimination. The iPad will make it attractive to digitally read newspapers in intuitive ways which are unimaginable in hard copy.


3. I resisted the Kindle because I wanted a cool tablet which has the power of a powerful computer and displays vivid colors. Steve Jobs made this a reality for me today.


4. I am already using an app on my iPhone that has handwriting capabilities. I am sure this is going to be available on the iPad very shortly and not require these silly digital pens to be carried around.


5. So just a big iPod? Absolutely not! I would call this a Microsoft and Kindle killer. And actually the more I think about it, this is an amazing example of looking into the future in the present.

A question was recently asked: “One of my past clients has retired from his organization and is still consulting for them. I want to get back in this organization. Previously, the ex-employee brought me into the organization and I worked with the CEO who is no longer there. We are going to talk this week. Have you had any experience partnering with an ex-employee to consult with their old organization?”

Here is my answer:

Since he is inside already and especially since you have worked with him and them in the past why won’t you:

1. Ask him what key issues they are facing.


2. What role is he providing.


3. Who, inside this organization, may he introduce you to, to start building relationships.


4. Are there areas that the two of you may collaborate on.


5. What other organizations could he make introduce you to.


6. Ask him for a testimonial of the work you’ve done for him in the past.

I recently spoke on Social Media and All That Online Jazz to the Pittsburgh Consulting Community. Here are some video testimonials I have captured with my flip video camera.

Here is Chad’s definition of social media:

The connection of people online to explore mutual interests, share ideas, wisdom and expertise, build relationships, have fun, provide and solicit answers to questions and conduct business.

I am thrilled to share with you a brand new and exciting offering that was launched today. I have joined Dr. Alan Weiss in offering this new and amazing experience, never before offered, to help consultants, speakers, authors and entrepreneurs to develop and create products. The goal is to provide the tools, expertise, access, references, resources, and support to identify, create, and launch profitable new products, with the option of a partnership with existing, successful providers.

Click this link To learn more and register.

Below is a recent testimonial I have received from Libby Wagner, President of Libby Wagner & Associates.

“Don’t think for a minute that having a great, value-laden website is a nice-to-have business tool but doesn’t really impact your business results or revenues. My website has increased my brand and credibility, created opportunities for new business, including a six-figure contract and two keynotes just in the past 6 months! Potential clients are calling with their buying decision already made!”

This testimonial was also featured in our most recent newsletter.

Pretty powerful stuff you would probably agree. Not only do I take tremendous pride in receiving such testimonial, but the true essence for me, is our ability to lead and help our clients generate powerful results and reach higher level of success in their business and be rewarded for that.

So with that in mind, how effective are you in soliciting testimonials from your clients and how do you then leverage it in your business. Here is my take:

1. It is great to receive unsolicited testimonials from your clients. The way I believe to increase such is to share stories with your clients of the ones you have received. And when that testimonial arrives, I like to follow-up with a thank you note to my client.


2. When I hear my clients share their success story with me, it is the trigger I need to hear to request a testimonial. The language I usually use is: “Thank you for sharing your success with me. It delights me to hear this. If I may, I would like to share something with you. The way our business grows is when others hear success stories, such as the one you just shared with me. It would me the world to me, if you would be willing to write us a testimonial outlining the outcome we have generated for your business and place it on your letterhead.”


3. When presented with the opportunity, I would also ask my clients for their willingness to video record a short testimonial. I would suggest you bring a professional videographer or use a flip video to do it yourself. The perfect opportunity to do this is at the end of your speeches such as in my previous post.


4. Pull out the most powerful sentence or two and display on your testimonial page as well as on various applicable pages. If the testimonial refers to your consulting, why not place it also on that page.


5. Scan the testimonial letterhead received and place a link for the visitor to be able to view the entire scanned testimonial.


6. Why not frame the testimonials and hang them to display proudly and prominently in your office.


7. Include them in your PR kit when you need to send it out.


8. Blog about them.


9. Refer to them in your discussions and speeches. “I was chatting with one of my clients who proudly shared with me that …”


10. Finally, make sure to share with your clients what makes for an effective and powerful testimonial. Let them know that it is not the one that talks about how many years your are in business or how nice your new web site looks. You are looking for the one that describes the outcome and results you have generated for your clients.

You’ve built a great looking web site (well, let’s start with that assumption) and announced it to the world. Yet, several months later you are starting to get desperate as the phones are not ringing, no emails inquiries are coming in and no products are being ordered from your site.

You are probably wondering what went wrong and what are the most effective ways of changing this. Well, here are some points to consider before you pull the trigger:

• There is no one silver bullet approach to creating success on the web.


• Engage in as many effective marketing activities that allow you to connect with your clients. Such as: creation and participation of various web sites, blogs, press-releases, online forums, newsletters, social media activities, Radio, TV and podcast interviews, teleseminars, workshops, speaking and more.


• Strengthen your brand and credibility and become an object of interest.


• Nurture and grow your audience and your databases. From results reported by many of my clients, one of the most effective marketing techniques is to consistently send emails containing valuable offers and incentive to their database. This means that in addition to your content driven newsletters you need to also send announcements of your products and services. This is often overlooked by many.

What have you found to be effective?

It is quite obvious that one of the keys to the business success of many, is their ability to offer valuable products on their web sites. When I demonstrate, review and discuss this with my clients it is quite common to hear them share with me their aspiration to create such products to promote on their own web sites. The unfortunate thing is that such aspiration is often associated with an immense sense of frustration and the rudimentary challenge of how to make this a reality. The other obstacle is how to get their knowledge and ideas out of their head and into a completed product such as a booklet, book, CD, DVD workshop, Teleseminar and more.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Interview other thought leaders, record the conversation and create an audio file that is available as an MP3 download off your site or a CD.


2. Have others interview you or even video tape the conversation and make it available as an audio or video file.


3. If the objective is to increase your audience by providing free value, interface your audio recordings with iTunes and your videos with YouTube and such services. Also make your transcript available as an eBook in a PDF download.


4. Hire a content writer that will help you get your great ideas unto paper or digital files.


5. Assemble some of your best articles into a powerful collection and create a new eBook that is also available as a hard copy.


6. Create a weekly podcast series.


7. Create a monthly video series.


8. Invite your audience for three free teleseminars, deliver outstanding value and announce your new monthly teleseminar series.


9. Get together with your Internet company and layout the strategy and tactics to implement and promote these products successfully.


10. Chart your way to success – Determine one of your desired products, pull out your calendar, write down the date it will be completed and available, determine all the steps necessary to accomplish this and schedule them accordingly. Now repeat for the next product.

Unless you have already mastered the creation of such products and are doing so effectively, consistently and profitably, the key is your discipline and creating a powerful support system to help you get there. To become successful at creating products, you may need to select an accountability partner, a mentor, an Internet and a business strategist, a content writer or someone who has done so successfully and learn from them.

Since it is that time of year when making resolutions is popular yet only few follow through with, why not take a moment, determine a product your customers need that you are passionate about and have the knowledge and expertise. Then, pull out your calendar and take your first step by taking action now. You’ll be glad you did. I promise.