Qualities people value in their leaders

According to “The Leadership Challenge,” a wonderful book focused on “liberating the leader in everyone,” there are 4 qualities that stand above the rest when people are asked what they value in their leaders … take a look at the list below, and see if these core values are the same you value in yourself as a leader.

*PS: After you read the list, ask yourself if the qualities at the top are the same you’d like to see in a company you do business with … interesting how they align, huh?

88% Honest

71% Forward-looking

66% Competent

65% Inspiring

47% Intelligent

42% Fair-minded

40% Broad-minded

35% Supportive

34% Straightforward

33% Dependable

28% Cooperative

24% Determined

23% Imaginative

21% Ambitious

20% Courageous

20% Caring

17% Mature

14% Loyal

8% Self-controlled

6% Independent

How to hire the best team

A lot goes into building and running a successful company.

There is startup capital, continued investment, sales, marketing, accounting … you can go crazy thinking about everything that’s involved in a good company. Of course, you also need to have a valuable product or service.

However, NO company can succeed without the right people behind it. You need a GREAT team to run a GREAT business.

While you can do everything to train the right people, starting at the hiring process will make things much easier. Here is how to ensure you hire the right people to begin with.

This might seem like obvious advice, but it all starts with competency. Does a prospective employee come with the ideal skill set? Many of us like to believe that everyone has the same amount of potential and that any trait can be taught. Maybe this is even true. If you hire someone who doesn’t come with the background you desire, though, you’ll only be making more work for yourself.

Nancy Matthews from the Women’s Prosperity Network has been an unbelievable alumni of my Big Table program … & a great partner in my worldwide team!

Part of this means compatibility. There’s a lot to be said for someone’s personality. Sometimes people have the degree and/or background you want, but simply aren’t good at taking direction, working well with others or accepting new challenges. Eventually, these people become more of a burden than a benefit.

You also want to make sure your new employee wholeheartedly accepts the salary and benefits you offer them. In this economy, it can be easy to think that anyone should be happy with what they get. Unfortunately, this attitude can lead to employees who underperform or are constantly on the lookout to jump ship.

Neither is going to help your company in the long run.

Most everyone lists references when they apply for a job, but how many companies actually check up on them? It’s important that you do so. Many times, references sign up for the job because they feel pressured to do so. This might mean they won’t actually endorse the candidate when you call them. Other times, the reference isn’t aware of the types of jobs for which their former employee or acquaintance is applying.

Either way, it’s worth your while to not just check up on references, but also drill them for honest answers. Tell them what your company does and the type of candidate you’re looking to hire. Then spend some time ascertaining whether or not the person you’re inquiring about is a match.

Hiring new people is easy if you don’t keep the above standards. Unfortunately, this is a great way to surround yourself with the wrong type of people. So consider the advice in this article to ensure you hire people who will help your company achieve its goals.

How to ask for a raise – and actually get it

Note: If you truly want to live a happier life in the occupational phase of your life, you NEED to become an entrepreneur! If you don’t know how to get started, this is a good place to start. BUT … if you absolutely have to stay at your W-2 job, here is a good outline of how to go about asking for more money.

No matter how much you’re currently making at your job, chances are you wouldn’t mind making even more.

However, for some of us, a pay raise is a very real need. Perhaps you’ve started a family or have debts you need to pay down. Whatever the reason, asking for a raise is rarely an easy thing. If you do it right, however, it can be an extremely rewarding one.

Before you ask for a raise, get an idea of how much money you’re actually worth. Missing the mark on either side will not end well for you. Ask for too little of a raise and you might actually get it, only to be disappointed later. It will also let your employers know that you are clueless about your actual value. On the other hand, if you ask for too much, you’ll be all but guaranteed a flat “no.”

Keep in mind that just because you’re worth a certain amount doesn’t mean the company will give it to you. They may not be able to afford it, for one. It might also be that what you’re worth on the open market isn’t what you’re worth to them. So be sure a large part of your research is figuring out what you’re actually worth to your current employer.

Once you know how much you’re worth, ask for it.

Don’t ask for less out of some sense of modesty. Just make sure your request includes a rationalization. Explain how you came to the final number. Then confidently seek that amount. If you mince words or otherwise show you’re not sure about your value, don’t expect an employer to do you any favors.

Many people go too far in their attempt at convincing an employer they’re worth extra money. We’ve all heard horror stories about someone threatening to quit. Don’t become one of those yourself. Even if you get the raise you wanted, providing any type of ultimatum will most likely not go over well with your boss. You should fully expect that your new salary, and time with the company, is limited, as they no longer feel they can rely on you.

Lastly, practice making your pitch. Practice it over and over until it sounds natural. Then ask for your raise as soon as possible. The longer you put it off, the harder it will be. Plus, if someone beats you to the chase, your chance at success just dropped.

Requesting a raise can seem difficult, but not if you adhere to the above advice. By dedicating yourself to this goal, you’ll be guaranteed a much better shot at success, which could mean more money in your pocket.

Take risks or stay the same

Thought of the day for all of my fellow entrepreneurs out there…

I’ve met with a TON of aspiring & existing entrepreneurs and others seeking financial freedom. People are always excited at the prospect of becoming their own boss, living a life they love, and “never working another day.”

This all sounds great (& is true), but I’ve got a newsflash for you:

ALL successful people have 3 things in common: Motivation, ability and opportunity. So, to succeed, we need hard work, talent & good luck.

Here’s the point of my post: A lot of you are willing to work hard and a lot of you are very bright … but many of you aren’t willing to take new opportunities.

A lot of you aren’t willing to take calculated risks.

A lot of you aren’t willing to put your money where your mouth is to take your business and life to the next level.

A lot of you aren’t willing to take a step into darkness simply because you’re uncomfortable with it …

To that I say, fine. Stay the same. Earn the same check. Live the same life. Stay where you are.

Good luck with that.

But for those of us who have taken the risks (some good, some bad) and seen the life-changing results … can I just say that, MAN, IT FEELS GREAT TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE!

Trust me, not everything will go your way and not every strategy will result in millions of dollars … but when opportunity knocks at your door, are you going to peek through the window, turn off the lights and stay quiet until it goes away … or are you going to take a deep breath, open the door and say, “I’m ready.”?

…

Take that next step.

September 11: Remembering and honoring today

Take time today to honor & remember the almost 3,000 lives that were lost & countless others that were impacted by the September 11 attacks on America 13 years ago.

I love what this country stands for, I love our unity & I love my fellow Americans.

I’m proud to be an American.

Launching your own company 101

Is 2014 going to be the year you finally start your own company?

It’s about time! 😉

If so, you probably already have a ton of ideas in terms of your product or service, business name and even how to market yourself.

What you might lack, however, is the knowledge about the actual steps you need to take in order to get this idea from inside your head into reality.

All serious ideas for a business need to begin with a business plan. Until you handle this part, your idea is still a fantasy, at best. There are a number of tools online that can assist you, but the general idea is that you want to map out what it will take to “open your doors” and begin selling a product or service for a profit.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by hiring a freelancer online. Find someone with the experience you may be lacking and pay them to create a business plan for you.

When they finish, you’ll have a roadmap for launching your company.

A major obstacle every business has to deal with is raising capital. It always costs money to make money, no matter what kind of company you’re hoping to start. Fortunately, in the digital age, it’s easier than ever to get a business up and running with minimal funding. If it’s going to take more than you have at the moment, consider speaking with your bank or borrowing the money from friends and family. There are also a number of options online for raising funds from interested parties, as well.

Depending on the nature of your business, you’ll need to designate it as a sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), cooperative or nonprofit. Learn about each one and then choose whichever is best for you (usually an LLC). This decision will affect many things, especially those pertaining to taxes.

Speaking of which, you’ll need to find out which tax ID number you need from your state revenue agency and the IRS. Then, register with them for taxes. This step will also award you unemployment benefits if they ever become necessary, workers’ compensation and more.

Usually, when you first start out, you or your family will be the only employees working for the business. As that changes, however, you’ll need to be sure you understand your responsibilities as an employer.

Even though a lot goes into launching a successful business, don’t let the above intimidate you. Everyone has to go through it and it’s actually easier than it seems (trust me … I’ve started a plethora of ’em!).

“What’s a Tweet?” – Twitter for beginners

By now, everyone has heard of Twitter and it would seem as though everyone has their own account.

This is just as true for businesses who have taken to Twitter, even more than Facebook, to reach out to their customer base. Twitter makes it extremely easy to not only get the word out to your market, but listen for what they say back (for better or worse).

However, being successful with 140 characters is harder than it looks.

Follow me @Loral!

The first rule of Twitter is to use it often.

People have been saying content is king for years and that hasn’t changed now that it is processed in smaller chunks. If your company’s Twitter account goes stale because you’re not using it enough, you’re missing out on a golden opportunity.

While it’s important to use your company’s Twitter account to make important announcements and advertise new products and services, you can be doing so much more with it. Speaking to individual customers or even tweeting something humorous or non-business related now and then will go a long way. Just be sure you keep it professional and don’t get sucked into conversations or arguments that won’t help your business.

One of the biggest challenges everyone faces with Twitter is getting recognized and being heard. With hundreds of millions of users, this is no easy task. Interacting will certainly help, so aside from tweeting, be sure you favorite and retweet certain messages, too.

However, Twitter will also provide you with plenty of opportunities for strategic partnerships. Find other Twitter accounts that could use some growth just as much as you could and negotiate a deal to both help the other by mentioning them in tweets. If you can do this with a company where you share customers, this will be especially potent. Sometimes there are Twitter accounts that won’t gain from your added exposure because they already have hundreds-of-thousands of followers. Find contact information for them and see what they would charge you for some mentions.

Don’t expect immediate results with Twitter. Those accounts with impressive followings are usually the result of hard work or starting back when Twitter was still a small platform. Stick with the simple advice above and you’ll get there soon enough.

No business these days should exist without a Twitter account. More and more, it’s becoming a feature customers expect. So start with Twitter today and begin implementing these tips for a respectable following you can concert into revenue.

Finding mentors (and why you NEED them)

Hands down, the greatest key to my successes during my early years was finding great mentors – notice I said “great” & not “good.

I was fortunate enough to be mentored by some mega-giants as a young entrepreneur, and you need to do the same – but be careful in who you choose to emulate.

A person you can always rely on to give you an upper hand is incredibly important, but you’ll want to carefully consider how best to choose one.

Like so many things, finding the right mentor begins with first establishing what exactly you’re looking for. If you don’t clearly define this, anyone will do and you’ll soon end up disappointed in your choice and the final results.

Part of this initial process will mean making yourself vulnerable, to some degree. By nature, needing a mentor means admitting you need some help. So don’t let pride get in the way. The more open you can be about your needs and the more vulnerable you’re willing to make yourself in your pursuit, the easier time you’ll have finding a mentor to assist you.

Don’t limit yourself in terms of the places you look for a mentor. Your goals for a mentor may necessitate you choose someone from your own industry. That’s not always the case, though. Thanks to the Internet, you can expand your search to any industry, anywhere on the globe. So don’t allow yourself to settle for a subpar mentor because you weren’t creative enough with your search.

Once you’ve chosen the ideal mentor, contact them and invite them to lunch or some other form of meeting. Explain to them your intentions so they don’t feel ambushed. When you meet, you’ll have plenty of time to elaborate on your needs and what you can offer in return.

After securing a mentor, set up a regular schedule with them to meet. Then be sure to stick to this arrangement and consider moving on if your mentor isn’t able to. Without a concrete schedule, no mentor is going to be much help.

Always keep in mind that your mentor is not a charity you can abuse. While they could be helping you out of the kindness of their hearts, they’re under no obligation to stick it out if they don’t want to. So be sure to show your appreciation often. One of the best ways to do this is by proving you take their lessons to heart and apply them. Let continued growth and success be the form your gratitude takes.

The right mentor can be a force multiplier on your path to success, but you first need to find the right one. By using the above advice, you’ll soon find yourself receiving the help you need.

The Ultimate List of 284 Email SPAM Trigger Words

More than 850,000 emails have been sent in my name just this week.

Either through automatic email triggers, email confirmations, receipts or manual sends, my team has sent almost a million emails in just a few days.

How?

Well, for starters, my database is over 300,000 people worldwide, and if you’re not emailing your clientele on a regular basis, they’re forgetting all about you…

But, with sending thousands of emails every day comes a great pressure to ensure that we’re following CAN-SPAM laws and closely monitoring the latest SPAM email triggers, so our emails don’t end up in your SPAM box.

Basically, if an email inbox sees a certain word in your email body, it might trigger its SPAM catcher and send the email straight into the SPAM folder, and not in front of the eyes of your subscriber. Stinks, right?

Now, wouldn’t it be helpful if someone put together a list of SPAM email trigger words, just so you knew what to avoid…?

Well, I did just that!

I gave my email marketing team a ‘little’ task and had them research a ton of email marketing SPAM trigger words and compile them into a single list for you.

Now, I do want to say that I’ve probably used these words thousands of times in the millions of emails I’ve sent in the past two decades of my career…but my team & I are learning every day how to avoid these words more and more, in order to increase our deliverability rates.

So, don’t feel bad if you’ve used these words…just make a REALLY HUGE mental note for the future.

Check ’em out & good luck!

‘Hidden’ assets
4U
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Act now! Don’t hesitate!
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Apply Online
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Claims not to be selling anything
Claims to be in accordance with some spam law
Claims to be legal
Claims you are a winner
Claims you can be removed from the list
Claims you registered with some kind of partner
Click below
Click here link
Click to remove
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Collect child support
Compare rates
Compare rates
Compete for your business
Compete for your business
Confidentially on all orders
Congratulations
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Copy accurately
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Credit bureaus
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Dear email
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Different reply to
Dig up dirt on friends
Direct email
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Discusses search engine listings
Do it today
Don’t delete
Drastically reduced
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Email marketing
Expect to earn
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Find out anything
fit
For free
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For just $ (some amt)
Free access

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get it now
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Have you been turned down?
Hidden assets
Home employment
Human growth hormone
If only it were that easy
In accordance with laws
Increase sales
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Insurance
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It’s effective
Join millions of Americans
Laser printer
Limited time only
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Lose weight spam
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Message contains disclaimer
MLM
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Name brand
New customers only
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Nigerian
No age restrictions
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No inventory
No investment
No medical exams
No middleman
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No purchase necessary
No questions asked
No selling
No strings attached
Not intended
Off shore
Offer expires
Offers coupon
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Once in lifetime
One hundred percent free
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Online biz opportunity

Online pharmacy
Only $
Opportunity
Opt in
Order now
Order status
Orders shipped by priority mail
Outstanding values
Pennies a day
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Please read
Potential earnings
Print form signature
Print out and fax
Produced and sent out
Profits
Promise you …!
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Real thing
Refinance home
Removal instructions
Remove in quotes
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Requires initial investment
Reserves the right
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S 1618
Safeguard notice
Satisfaction guaranteed
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See for yourself
Sent in compliance
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Sign up free today
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Take action now
Talks about hidden charges
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The following form
They keep your money — no refund!
They’re just giving it away
This isn’t junk
This isn’t spam
University diplomas
Unlimited
Unsecured credit/debt
Urgent
US dollars
Vacation offers
Viagra and other drugs
Wants credit card
We hate spam
We honor all
Weekend getaway
What are you waiting for?
While supplies last
While you sleep
Who really wins?
Why pay more?
Will not believe your eyes
Winner
Winning
Work at home
You have been selected
Your income

Check ’em out & good luck!

What's the #1 Obstacle Holding You Back from Ultimate Wealth?