In the Business of Excuses

I did a radio show on Monday and we touched briefly on why some people don't follow their dreams. Simply put, I believe many people don't do what they want in life because they are in the business of making excuses. What, you thought I would sugar coat this? Really, c'mon! I don't want to sound harsh or insensitive, but I want to tell the truth. I don't have a magic wand and I certainly didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. No one from the US Government came to my house, tapped me on the shoulder, and said I was going to be successful. Some people, unfortunately, like to dream big, talk even bigger, and then make up excuse after excuse as to why their dreams didn't come true. Well, boo hoo to those people.

No one is going to reward you today for the work you didn't do yesterday. You have to go after what you want out of life. When you fail, you have to get back up on your feet and try again. There will never be the right set of circumstances to start a business. I had 4k in the bank when I started IME and I had just quit my job with the Government. That's right, 4k- no income coming in- and no client leads. I couldn't make excuses. Instead, I had to make things work. I truly believe this is the difference between those who do and those who talk about doing. Some people make things work, others make excuses.

So, I beg of you today, to ask yourself what side of the fence you are truly on. Do you talk about your dreams a lot or do you execute action plans? Do you happen to lean on excuses vs. lean on reasons why things aren't working out and then develop recovery plans?

I know a woman who is very smart. She is naturally gifted at being both book and street smart. She wanted to start her own marketing company. She went to school to obtain her marketing degree. There is nothing wrong with this, right? Well, then she went to school to get her Master's degree. After this, she wanted to get a communications degree. School became her crutch NOT to open her business, rather talk about it and seem like she was really working on it. After 15 years of intense education, this woman got pregnant. After being home with the baby for two years, she then decided she needed to return to school to brush up on marketing trends in the current time. At this point I asked her if she wasn't a professional student, was she planning on simply teaching marketing vs. opening up a marketing agency. We haven't spoken since....

Don't allow valid excuses to become stagnant reasons for you to not move forward in your life. If you want to open up a business, do it - unless, that is, you are in the business of making excuses.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Are You Likable?

I almost fell to the floor with laughter in the lobby of my building today. I was waiting on a client. While waiting, this man was on his cell phone screaming (probably at his wife or partner) that his employees hated him. I wonder why! He kept screaming and screaming, he was getting louder and louder. I started to think "how can you be so smart and yet not understand why you're not likable?"

Business is tough. You often have to be hard as nails, but you don't have to scream or be a jerk most of the time to get your point across or as a way to feel respected by employees. In fact, studies show that nice CEOs tend to have more loyal employees and better retention rates when it comes to turnover. So, what makes a CEO likable? I've come up with a few theories.

First, I think people like honest people. Even if the truth is going to hurt, people rather know where they stand with someone vs. being told one thing and not knowing the truth. Honesty tells the world that the CEO is about transparency and isn't into playing politics, which equates to success.

I also believe people want to be heard. CEOs who take the time to listen to their employees are more likable and respected. Even if you don't agree with what an employee is stating, simply listening validates that their opinion / concerns are heard and this will have a positive result internally.

Finally, work. Yes, work! CEOs who are out of the office "doing lunch" or "golfing" automatically cause resentment among many people. Sure, you need to wine and dine potential clients and business partners, but don't make a habit out of it. Instead, keep the blinds or door to your office open. Let your staff see you working. This will let your staff know that you are involved with the company and it will also keep them more accountable.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Fighting and Business.....

“Conflicts are common between you and competitors or employees and bosses. How you deal with conflict and those moments when you feel like you’ve been decked can mean the difference between success and failure.” – Bobby Campbell.

I read this statement today and sat on it. It hit me hard because Bobby talks about how running a business is like getting into a boxing ring each and everyday. The key is knowing when to get out of the ring or when to stay in and fight. As business owners we will encounter daily conflict. This doesn’t mean we have to engage into a conflict everyday. There is something to be said about the above statement.

Walking away from conflict is easier said than done. Chosing your battles wisely will be the difference between failure and success for you. If a conflict is minor, meaning it isn’t going to harm your company regardless if you win or lose, let it go. That fight isn’t worth it. However, if you are engaged in a battle that can harm your business – at the advise of a lawyer- then a fight must proceeed.

I am writing a book on failures in business right now and addressing the issue of fights won but businesses being lost as a result will be included in a chapter. If you have a similar story then I want to hear from you.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

The #1 Thing Business Owners Will Not Share About Entrepreneurship!

Business owners share a lot of advice. What they don’t tell you is between the networking events, overseeing employees and interacting with clients- there is a real sense of isolation. Yes, entrepreneurs are often lonely people.

Business owners tend not to share this “dirty little secret” because there is a sense of shame often associated with the lone wolf type of personality. I’m not even sure most business owners like to be alone at the end of the day, but it happens more often than not. Why? We’re busy and we are constantly working. That is just the fact of who we are and what we do. We are our companies.

Relationships fail because we are tied to work. Family commitments get put to the back burner more often than they should because we are closing deals or traveling often. We, as entrepreneurs, learn to embrace this job factor and fill the time reading, being quite or (dare I say it)- eating a meal not at our desk!

I think we should , as entrepreneurs, address this fact with aspiring business owners. We owe it to them to be honest. You are investing in yourself, which means you are truly submersing yourself , and 95% of your time, in your business. You will be busy. You can feel lonely. It is a job hazard , but when the company takes off and you can build a legacy for your family- or family to be- the sense of accomplishment often outweighs the years of loneliness.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla Garrett

Sochi ; Did We Overreact?

You can’t always win with the media. This time last week, the major broadcast stations were busy noting how many opportunities terrorist had when it came to the Olympics in Sochi, Russia. While there are always concerns about safety and the Olympics, it was a particular hot button issue for many reporters.

Today, the concern isn’t as strong and things seem to be going smoothly. This is when we, as a country, shouldn’t let our guard down. The media reporting on how safe everything is right now sets a tone of lax and could open us up to security issues. There is, it seems, no middle ground with the press.

As the owner of a Homeland Security company, I would like the media to really start thinking about the tone they develop with their reporting. We should have honesty, accuracy and a straight-forward approach. Over-hyping potential incidents can equate to crying wolf when nothing happens and leaving us less likely to take future threats seriously. Stating the security concerns are not as validate as they were the prior week is also dangerous. It can instigate a potential security threat, or worse yet- an attack.

As we head into the final days of the Olympics, I truly hope the media uses their power to help maintain an honest, open and level-headed approach when filing their future reports.

Until next time,

Twyla Garrett