When Opportunity Knocks…

One of the biggest mistakes I see new business owners make is not knowing when opportunity is knocking. This fundamental cornerstone of business isn’t often taught in business school, but often talked about. You have to know when and where to look for opportunities in order to expand.

The best way to create your own business opportunity is by offering an upgraded version of your products or services. Yes, create your own opportunity. If sales are starting to flat line then take a page out of Apple’s tech book and create a newer, better version of your old products or sales.

You also want to seek out a narrowcast of options. This is a TV term but it applies to business. Don’t try to market your product or services to all of the people, all of the time. Instead, be precise about the group you want to capture and then start seeking out opportunities to network, introduce or promote your product at.

Don’t think advertising alone will create opportunities, either. Long term publicity campaigns are needed in order to layer your brand’s identity in a credible manner. Ads don’t produce credibility, longevity or a huge push in ROI.

Remember, creating your own opportunities are the best ones to take advantage of!

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Dr. Twyla Garrett Speaking At The United Nations in New York City on July 16th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul. 15, 2014 - MANHATTAN, N.Y. -- Twyla Garrett has spoken at renowned events, including The White House, across the country for the past five years. As a two-time author, serial entrepreneur and owner of the homeland security company IME, Garrett is scheduled to speak on the topic of innovation this Wednesday, July 16th, in New York.

“I can’t wait to participate at the New York Impact event. The early bird tickets are already sold-out. I know I can offer attendees a lot of great insight on innovation. I encourage a collaborative process. I want people to interact at this event and follow me on Twitter for an after-event Q&A session,” said Garrett.

The IMPACT Summer Academy for Emerging Global Leaders will take place at the Church Center of the United Nations in New York (777 United Nations Plaza 2nd Floor) on Wednesday, July 16th. The event starts at 9am and runs until 6:30 pm. Tickets start at $35 dollars and range up to $115 dollars. Tickets can be purchased online using any major credit card or PayPal. For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/impact-summer-academy-for-em...

Twyla Garrett will be speaking between 10am and 11:30 and is co-hosting the discussion with Dr. John P. Fernandez, Ph.D. President, ARMC Global; Author, Leading in a Diverse and Conflicted World and 9 other books on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in corporate and business setting. Other speakers include Ambassador Edita Hrda, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the UN, Dr. Meredith L. Sadin, Ph.D. Princeton University, and more.

Members of the media are invited to request an interview with Twyla Garrett prior to, during or after the IMPACT at The United Nations event by contacting her media manager.

About: Twyla Garrett, CBM, CHS III is an extraordinary serial entrepreneur, corporate speaker, and compelling author who has been personally invited to speak at The White House on the issues of creating jobs, economic growth, and the controversial fiscal cliff of 2012. Garrett is known for her notable (sometimes 100% self-funded) business deals as much as she is for providing excellent opportunities to individuals facing immense challenges.

Ms. Garrett is an executive consultant to federal, state and local emergency management and homeland security programs nationwide. Her operational experience dates from response operations in 2003 and has continued for 10 years in direct or indirect support as a consultant to government.

MEDIA MANAGER: Helene Vece of HireAProWriter.com

Manhattan Office: (917) 410-7938

244 Madison Ave, Suite 2550. New York, NY 10016

Are You Exceptional?

I recently read an article on being exceptional in business. The article went on to say that if you are not exceptional (in their eyes), your business is bound to fail. I disagree with such a bold statement because 1) who defines exceptional and 2) there is something to be said for hard work.

I did, however, agree with some of the traits needed to navigate one’s business past the first year (which is the hardest thing to do these days). Here are the three exceptional traits needed to survive your first year of business.

1. Politics are to be avoided. Don’t get involved in scratching one’s back to get what you need out of a business deal. This may pay off now but it will ricochet later on. Plus, some things can be considered unethical. So, don’t get involved in politics and remain neutral.

2. Think and think some more. While you do have to be a do’er when running your own business, it is just as important to think things through and consider all scenarios before taking any action. Business owners who dive in blindly to certain opportunities will find the water shallow and have no depth with their investment.

3. Good business owners don’t sustain the standard, they reinvent it on the daily. Instead of considering certain rules or procedures or expectations as the standard, exceptional business owners will figure out a way to make things better or more competitive and then move in that direction. They have no loyalty to rules of the past because they are always looking forward.

So, hard work counts but these three steps will help carry your hard work a long way.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Can You Be Out Smarted? Sure!

Gwynne Shotwell recently spoke at the Women 2.0 Conference stage. She said one really important thing, which was: "You can't control whether you're the smartest person in the room, but you can certainly control whether you're the most prepared." I couldn’t agree more.

It is important that we always learn from others. There are always going to be occasions, even when you are the boss, where other people are smarter than you and have more insight on you. This is hard to overcome for a number of reasons, but even more difficult of a pill to swallow when an employee knows more about your business and industry than you. So, what do you do in these situations?

First, don’t let your ego get the best of you. If you think you are going to be the smartest person in the room in every situation- you do need to work on taking that ego of yours down a notch. Once you do, follow these steps.

1. Be overly prepared. Like Ms. Shotwell said, you can’t ever be too prepared. Have data for meetings available on a note pad in front of you, so you only have to glance at it without admitting to using your smart phone to look up citations.

2. Read. Yes, read. Commit to one book a month on your industry and make sure they are recent book. Books over six months old are almost obsolete in many industries. Stay on the cutting edge of things by reading the most up to date material available.

3. Reach out to others within your industry, outside of your company, for coffee. Pick their brains and ask questions. This way, when you return to the office, you have an outside perspective and additional knowledge.

4. Ask questions of those in your company who are smarter than you. Ask then the who, what, where and why to get their opinion. This tactic will help you learn how they think, operate and what it is you need to study up on.

I hope this insight has helped if you feel you are struggling with this issue.

Until Monday,

Twyla N. Garrett

2 Bad Choices with Instant Repercussions

Someone recently asked me, via Twitter, if I have ever immediately regretted a business decision. I think we all have, which is why I am penning a book on failure. One of my most valued lessons is knowing that there are two bad choices every business owner will make in his or her life that will immediately be regretted- followed by a hard lesson. Trust me when I say that these two bad choices can be avoided, which is why I am sharing them. I don’t want you to learn these lessons the hard was so I am hopeful you will keep reading.

#1. Stating you tried your best and failed. We, as people, are conditioned to say “I’ve tried my best” when we are met with failure. Instead of knowing you have this label excuse in your back pocket, say something meaningful before a challenging task. Say “I will” and then do it. It doesn’t matter in life if you try or not. Millions of people try every day fail. Why? They have the “I’ve tried my best” excuse available. Make no excuses for failure, make up your mind not to fail! So, don’t regret letting a client or a boss down by stating this excuse. Instead, work harder and longer and make it happen.

#2. Refusing to apologize. This is a big one for most people. Don’t take the lame cop out with an “I’m sorry you feel this way.” What’s wrong with simply saying “I’m sorry”? Swallow your fear--or pride--and say you're sorry. Then you'll help the other person let go of their resentment or bitterness and both parties will be able to move on. Saying you’re sorry means you take accountability for something, a rare thing in today’s world.

So, remember – say you are sorry and refuse to try your best, instead do your best.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Office Rumors.

Rumors are the worst. Most of the time, they are not true. However, sometimes they are. Either way, rumors and office gossip can easily tear a company down. Many great employees either leave because of gossip pertaining to them or because they culture sickens them.

I wanted to address how you deal with office gossip and rumors directly on my blog tonight. First, identify the root of the gossip. Now, you have two choices. First, don’t share anything with this person and change the subject every time he or she is around or second, fire him or her. This may seem drastic but it also depends on the extent of the gossip.

If the person is gossiping about someone’s hair or personal affairs, it is catty but ignoring it usually squashes it. If the person, however, is sharing company secrets or talking bad about the company or key employees in a way that can be harmful, liable or leak trade secrets- there is no rectifying the behavior. A firing is needed. Period.

I tell all of my employees that gossiping is not acceptable. Regardless of who starts it, if it gets back to me- the entire staff is fired. This isn’t a joke. I will do this. Most people are less likely to carry stories or even go near known gossips if they know the entire group’s livelihood is dependent upon this single rule.

So, if need be, implement my no gossip policy tomorrow. It is the best way to save your company from legal issues and prevent employee turnover.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla Garrett

The Successful Business Day!

I receive many questions on the subject of what people should be doing. While this is a broad question, I thought about it and came up with some consistent steps for daily success.

First, start with breakfast. Don’t skip it. Breakfast is not a Starbucks and a pastry, either. You want oatmeal and a protein and then coffee. Breakfast gives you fuel and focus needed to hectic days. This sounds simple, but many busy business people skip it.

Second, have the courage to say no. You do not have to accept each and every meeting and invite that comes your way. Same goes for clients. So, make sure you put priority on the meetings, clients, etc. that you say ‘yes’ to and respectfully decline opportunities that will impede your focus and schedule.

Third, and last, clear your desk at the end of the day. Sounds odd, right? It’s not. If you clean up your office space at the end of the day- the you of tomorrow will thank you. Walking into an office that is neat and clean and not cluttered is a psychological cue for success, not defeat. Even if this mean stacking files and paper neatly, do it! Ten minutes of cleaning your office each day will set yourself up for double the productivity on the following day.

Try these tips out and get back to me on your results.

Until next time,
Twyla Garrett