Business Book Recommendation

I want to start recommending books that I have read and have found helpful in my continuing journey as an entrepreneur. Success doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t come easy. While everyone may have advice for you, the best thing I can say is to create your own path. You should learn from others but apply it to your own situation. Don’t copy others because then you’re simply repacking an existing idea.

All this said, my first Monday Book recommendation is called ‘The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future’. I am in NO way affiliated with this book. I don’t know who wrote it nor do I have a relationship with anyone who worked on it. I simply love the content and feel that it can help so many of you, too. Here’s the link to buy it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/100-Startup-Reinvent-Living-Create/dp/0307951529/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1438646501&sr=8-13&keywords=business

It’s over 300 pages and there is a video trailer on the Amazon site for the book. I love this book because it doesn’t present a roadmap as to how you can get rich. Instead, it presents options to really look at yourself, what you want, and how to get yourself in the right mindset to get there… even if it is with only $100!

When you’re doing reading this book, please share your thoughts with me. I am eager to read what you liked and hated about this book.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Traveling - Homeland Security & Ebola

Should I say that is seemed obvious our DHS (Department of Homeland Security) should have been on top of the Ebola "US outbreak" all along? Well, I wish it was all so simple. I've spent the morning reading critical article after critical article and I don't think the reporters understand that the DHS doesn't have a magic wand. It can't snap its fingers and have trained and designated employees on the front line. Does this mean mistakes weren't already made? No, but I think the DHS does need to be cut some slack.... Here's why;

1. The one incident in the USA so far was because of a lie and the home country didn't catch it. This wasn't completely our fault. In fact, it was a Houston hospital who released the patient first, which was a security risk on its own.

2. The Homeland Security Department ordered agents at airports (and other ports of entry) as of TODAY so its staff can observe everyone coming into the United States for potential signs of Ebola infection. We had to coordinate people, training, procedures, etc. to ensure the DHS was meeting both the obligations of our security and its budget. Sending untrained staff to a location doesn't do anyone any good, in fact- this could have put more people in harm's way, so it did take some time to respond.

3. The Obama Administration has to make the final call. The DHS can't write unlimited checks, it needs approval and it needs a signature to perform certain actions. While it is easy to blame the DHS, it isn't as easy for the Department to get initiatives passed.

Going forward, I believe the DHS will do a great job of protecting our citizens from exposure to Ebola through airport and other entry point channels.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Secret Service Reform?

Photo: Julia Pierson

A proposal came to the table this week seeking to remove Secret Service from the realm of Homeland Security(DHS). This action was proposed after a terrible week for the Secret Service, which included Secret Service Director Julia Pierson resigning amid multiple reports of breaches in White House security. So, what are my thoughts on this proposition?

Well, the Secret Service has 6,500 employees to it- all of which have suffered since it was synced up with the DHS back in 2001. Right now, under the DHS umbrella, these 6,500 employees work as a team to combat counterfeiting and to protect current and former presidents, vice presidents and visiting heads of state. My issue isn't so much with the mission statement or the team work, but the being spread too thin part. For example, why isn't the treasury department handling counterfeiting? Well, because their staff isn't trained to spot certain terrorist patterns, where the DHS is and the secret service can be helpful within this type of associated task. Basically, without one- the other can't work as efficiently.

I do think the secret service should only be focused on protecting the president, but still should remain under the umbrella of the DHS because threats to the terrorist could involve terrorists. They should work hand-in-hand on these types of concerns, but independent ff one another when applicable. To put it in everyday terms, think about a clerk at an office. His or her job is to enter data into a computer system.The data is payroll. So, she enters it in and that is all she is responsible for, right? But what if she spots an error? Should she still enter it in? Or, should she call the supervising manager who turned in the data and point out the error? The two have to work together to solve the problem. If the clerk were to only stick to her job and enter in the error, the billing would be off and someone would be over or under paid. The supervising manager obviously made a mistake. For the benefit of the company- and basically all involved- working together , but in different capacities, was beneficial in the example.

I don't understand why we have to make things so complicated when it comes to common sense security issues. I also don't understand how forcing someone to resign rectifies any errors. Now, a new person can come in and the learning curve to start the security process can be that much more behind... right? Working together without overstepping one another only makes sense.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Simple, Great Customer Service Defined.

I can define customer service in three words. What are they? Above the curve. That’s right, now ahead of the curve but above it. Keeping clients happy is as simple of anticipating their needs so much that you are not only ahead of them with the anticipation, but you are flying so far above them that you start to meet their needs without being asked. You aren’t there to simply respond immediately to a request, you provide the service / product before the request can be made.

Being above the curve is easier said than done. You have to first gain the client’s trust, get to know him or her to develop and then predict their needs, then you have to have the resources to perform the magic of implementation without being asked. Time, effort, and attention to detail are all required to perform not only in anticipation of your client’s needs, but as answer to your client’s needs before the need even occurs.

If you can master this art, you will become in disposable to your clients. What else is better for your own company’s growth and job security? Nothing! So, it is worth putting the time, effort, and attention to detail into your client relationships. I hope this inspires you to reconsider your customer service tactics this weekend.

Until Monday,

Twyla N. Garrett

Are You A Patient Business Owner?

The faster your business grows, the faster it may fail.

Are you prepared to have your business grow? Many people are prepared for the profit but not the workload. Other businesses are just not capable for a major workload increase. Have a sound strategy on deck to plan for increases in business at a reasonable level. Don't be afraid to turn away business either. If you bite off more than you are ready to chew, your brand may be negatively impacted. Tips: 1. Develop a growth plan 2. When a large sum of business heads your way, make sure you have the resources and time to service it 3. Be patient