(Part 5) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Only in America is a ‘rags-to-riches’ story so possible. That’s how some feel about Ted Williams and his new book. Here’s a guy who fell in love with radio as a teenager and later had his own morning-drive show. But life gave him a run for his money. Now he’s on the rise hoping to fall no more.

His story is like a deep well flowing with life-lessons. Today there are millions affected by the unemployment and housing crisis. They might be thinking, ‘what about us?” Well, reinventing your game or refreshing your name is about finding an escape that comes with having a vision in the valley.

Williams’ life hit the skids due to addiction. He lost his job, his house, his family and even his self-respect. Somehow he didn’t lose his faith which kept him alive. He credits that as coming from a source of power that was redeeming. Williams shows how it takes faith to stay plugged-in to having a chance at fate.

As luck would have it, he was discovered on the streets using his God-given gift. His voice was his calling card. Some say they don’t believe in luck. Others say luck is where opportunity meets preparation. Williams might say his break was part luck and part humility. Both came together like a stroke of divinity.

In the book Williams tells more of the bad than the good from his journey. He had to deal with his issues face-to-face. When reinventing yourself you’ll find clues as you look at your résumé or look at your relationships. But as you look into your soul, your life’s calling will show you the way.

(Part 5) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Only in America might you see. This kind of ‘rags-to-riches’ story. That’s what Ted Williams tells in his book. Of how life gave him a second look. Once falling in love with radio as a teenager. Taking a chance with little money to wager. Then life gave him a run for his money. Now things seem a bit more sunny.

His story is like life-lessons in a well. Flowing with many ups and downs to tell. Today, millions affected by the economic crisis. Many could write a jobs or housing thesis. Some thinking there’s not enough of a fuss. Maybe even wondering ‘what about us?’ Well, having a vision in the valley makes you not cuss.

Addiction put his life on a skid. Losing his job, house, family and everything he did. But somehow his faith kept him believing. He credits this to a source of power that was redeeming. Williams saw himself standing before the pearly gate. And so he stayed plugged-in to having a turnaround fate.

As luck goes, it got him discovered on the street. His God-given voice was his calling card to beat. Some don’t really believe in beginner’s luck. Others say it’s how taking a chance can bring a buck. Whether opportunity and preparation meet-up with humility. Or they come together like a stroke of divinity.

Williams’ book tells more of the bad than the good. Sharing his journey of rising from the hood. Had to deal with his issues face-to-face. Reinventing his game at an ‘on-again off-again’ pace. Yes, you’ll find clues in your résumé or a relationship. But in your soul is life’s calling for a fun trip.

Tip: Reinventing your game might be part luck and part humility with a stroke of divinity.

Talkback: Name one ‘rags-to-riches’ story that connects with your journey?

(Part 4) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Arsenio Hall hears the words ‘you’re hired’ He’s the latest winner on NBCs Celebrity Apprentice. Hall is best known for his once popular late-night talk show. Over the years his career has had its ups and downs after the show ended. Now it seems he’s making a name for himself, again!

Maybe that’s the reason behind the success of Celebrity Apprentice. It lets celebs reinvent their game and refresh their name. But how does this happen for regular folks who’ve gone through changes? Well, one place you’ll find answers is in the journey of Hall and others who are making their comebacks.

Enter Marion Jones. She was once a world-famous track athlete. Jones says she got caught up in the ‘fame and fortune’ wave. She was later banned for steroid use. After spending time behind bars, she now hopes to redeem herself. Sure, the rise, fall and rise again by Hall and Jones came with a price.

They’d admit that it also came with a new sense of priority. What matters most in life is sometimes what people praise least. So reinventing your game is about making the shift from the pit to becoming a hit. Through all the disappointments, they’ve worked hard at being better persons inside and out.

That’s how you reinvent your game after a streak has ended. Hall and Jones had different bumps in the road. They had to shake things up to get back in the flow. Some are wondering if there’s another TV gig in Hall’s future. But how many would bet that Jones will appear on the next Celebrity Apprentice?

(Part 4) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Arsenio Hall hears ‘you’re hired!’ After 16 others heard ‘you’re fired!’ He’s the latest Celebrity Apprentice winner. As the number of players got thinner. Best known for his once popular talk show. His rebound seems ready to blow. With ups and downs after the show ended. Hall again getting his name branded.

Maybe that explains the show’s success. Where celebs bring their careers back after recess. But how does this happen for regular folk? Going through changes that’s no joke. With millions hoping to reinvent their game. Some looking to refresh their name. The answer is in how Hall and others rebuild their fame.

Enter Marion Jones in the hot seat. Once a world-famous track athlete. Says she got caught-up in the wave. Fame and fortune was her rave. Later being banned for steroid use. She admitted to shooting-up the juice. Spending time in the pen. The rise, the fall, hoping to rise again.

A new sense of priority was key. In making a change and feeling free. What matters most gets praised the least. Had to step back to slay the beast. Making the shift from the pit. Reinventing their game to becoming a hit. Yet through all the setbacks and pain. They’ve worked hard at an inside-out gain.

That’s how you regroup when the streak has ended. Or when fences need to be mended. They had different bumps on the go. Shaking things up to get back in the flow. Is there another TV gig upcoming for Hall? Bet some money you’ll see Jones on Apprentice this fall.

Tip: Reinventing your game is in how you go from the pit to landing among the greatest hits.

Talkback: How much would you bet on a possible Arsenio Latenight return or Jones appearing on Celebrity Apprentice?

(Part 3) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

What do you get when you mix R. Kelly, Neo and Bruno Mars?  You get a pop-hit song. You might also get Jermaine Paul. He’s the latest winner on NBCs ‘The Voice.’ Paul spent 17 years singing background with Alicia Keys and others. Now he’s ready to take his own path to music stardom.

It’s been like a roller coaster ride on the show and in his journey. He’s put in his due to help make his dreams come through. Not sure if there was a ‘aha moment’ that set things off. But he used ‘The Voice’ as a way to reframe his performance. It was sort of a stepping stone for reinventing his game.

Paul’s motivation comes from wanting the best for his family. Yes, he’s got a wife and four kids to feed. The journey continues for him as he refreshes his image. Whether you’re just hired, last fired or sick and tired, reinventing your game could mean resetting your image in going from ‘before to after.’

Ever taken a snapshot where the picture wasn’t clear or bright? So you decide to take it again, but you tweak the exposure. That could mean adjusting the focus or adding more light. ‘The Voice’ has done that for Paul’s career. Reinventing your game is in how you adjust your focus and blow-up your brilliance.

Media reports say ‘The Voice’ is back this fall. NBC has decided to double our pleasure by producing the show twice a year. It’s likely we’ll see Paul again as he goes from ‘midcareer to mainstream.’ That’s good for him and for anyone taking it to the next level. Just find a new groove or tweak your money-voice.

(Part 3) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

What do you get with R. Kelly, Neo and Bruno Mars in the mix? A pop-hit music fix. Could also get you Jermaine Paul. The newest artist on ‘The Voice’ to win it all. Having spent 17 years singing background. With artists like Alicia Keys and some underground. Now taking a path to having his own sound.

It’s been like a roller coaster ride. On the show and with his journey from the side. He’s put in the work, paying his due. To help his lifelong dreams come true. Not sure what happened to set things off. But he used ‘The Voice’ to reframe his jump-off. Reinventing his game as more than a knock-off.

His motivation comes from wanting the best. For his wifey, kids and all the rest. He’s on track to refreshing his image. Seeing ‘The Voice’ as sort of a career scrimmage. Whether you’re just hired, last fired or sick and tired. Reinventing your game is like going from ‘before to after’ attired.

Camera takes a picture but things aren’t clear? You snap it again, tweaking the exposure up a hair. That could mean adjusting focus or seeing the light. To make sure next time everything looks bright. For Paul, reinventing his focus is doing just that. By blowing-up his brilliance to the level of phat.

NBC Reports ‘The Voice’ is back this fall. Catch the buzz on their website wall. Hoping to double our TV pleasure. Airing the show twice a year for good measure. Very likely we’ll see Paul again. He’s become to some like a real friend. Showing how a new groove and money-voice gives you a winning end.

Tip: Reinventing your game and refreshing your name means having a ‘before to after’ image of yourself.

Talkback: What feelings do you get when you hear the ‘master mix’ of your favorite artists?

(Part 2) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

“Had I known that it was this difficult, I might have done something else.” So said Oprah to her BFF Gayle King on CBS This Morning. She was talking about the ups & downs of launching her OWN Network. Some say things are beginning to look up. Oprah’s ‘Next Chapter’ is taking her to the next level on TV.

She admits to making some mistakes. The venture posted low ratings and major losses. If she had to write a book about reinventing your game she’d probably say it’s OK to think big, but keep it simple. Watch-out for over-selling your résumé, over-committing your resources, or over-reaching your reality.

Lately, she’s moved into the driver’s seat of OWN. She’s calling the shots and coming out-front more. Her brand has changed stations and scripts. She knows reinventing yourself might mean thinking big, but also acting normal. She is re-connecting with the things that made people fall in love with her before.

Maybe that’s why Media Analysts see some light on the horizon. Ratings are rising with her ‘Next Chapter’ show. Oprah’s OWN Network could be getting in a groove. It takes a lot of courage and patience when reinventing your game. So she humanizes herself by admitting to some of the same.

Oprah feels there’s no time to quit. This move is tied to her life’s calling. It might have been a longshot idea. But breakeven, then growth, is on the way. Just think, most new babies initially lose ounces after birth. Reinventing your game is like a new baby. After the losses stop, your growth begins to add up.

(Part 2) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Had she known it would have been this tough. Oprah feels she would have said, “enough!.” She tells her BFF Gayle King. It hasn’t been easy doing a new thing. Going through ups and downs of starting over. But times are looking up with her career makeover. Oprah’s ‘Next Chapter’ could be the Network’s savior.

She admits to falling short for starters. Low ratings and major losses in numbers. If she had to share her lessons in a book. She might say think big, keep it simple and take a good look. Watch-out for résumé over-selling, or resource over-committing, or reality over-reaching. If you want to reinvent your positioning.

Lately she’s stepped into the driver’s seat. Paving the way for her next feat. Calling the shots, being out-front more. Her brand has changed stations and scripts for sure. Reinventing yourself might mean thinking big. Also acting normal in working your gig. And reconnecting with the thing that people dig.

Media Analysts see some light down the road. Ratings on the rise as ‘Next Chapter’ takes the load. Oprah’s OWN Network getting in a groove. Seems like ad revenue is on the move. It takes courage and patience to reinvent your game. So she humanizes herself by admitting to some of the same.

Oprah feels there’s no time to quit now. She’s turning her calling into a new wow. Might have been an idea that’s a longshot. But even with the losses she’s still a bigshot. Just think, babies initially lose ounces after birth. In time reinventing your game, like a baby, grows in net worth.

Tip: Reinventing your game brings some losses at first but after a while your growth adds up in net worth.

Talkback: When was the last time you turned an apparent loss into a major gain?

(Part 1) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

How do you make hot even hotter? That’s a question not for the science whiz but for the players in biz. Think Steve Harvey and Ryan Seacrest who’re blazing a trail in media. They’ve had success in radio, TV, movies and book publishing. They own the #1 spot in various media markets and across media stations.

Harvey has become the main voice in New York’s Black Radio. Two stations recently joined forces to become one. Some are happy, some are sad. Some got the pink slip, and some got to live another day. But after the dust settles, could this be a lesson in how to reinvent your game and refresh your name?

In today’s economy, Black Radio is going through changes just like everybody else. Going through and getting to a breakthrough means making that change around your passion. It’s the thing you love to do. It’s the thing that you’re good at doing. It’s the thing that sells you even when you’re not selling yourself.

Word of the shakeup hit the newspapers. Radio ad revenue was shrinking. Sometimes unexpectedly you have to reinvent your game or refresh your name around divorce papers, a pink-slip or other papers. Going through and getting to a breakthrough means turning your pain into a business move that pays.

Celebs like Harvey show how reinventing your game and refreshing your name around a purpose is a money-back guarantee. It puts you on track with what’s coming and going for you. It gives you something to grow and glow about. When you put purpose to work in life you get to swag your way to new success.

(Part 1) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Making hot even hotter. Turning white even whiter. Something to know for the science whiz. And something to learn from the players in biz. Think Steve Harvey and Ryan Seacrest. Blazing a trail among media’s best. Having success in most markets and stations. Owning the #1 spot across the nation.

Harvey’s now the main voice. New York’s Black radio made a choice. Two stations joining to becoming one source. Pooling their resources to create a greater force. Some happy, some sad. Some wondering if it’s just a fad. Some waiting for the dust to settle. But, reinventing your game and your name takes mettle.

Black Radio’s going through some changes. Trying to live on for the ages. Hoping for a breakthrough in fortune. Means changing around your burning passion. It’s the thing you love to do. It’s the thing that makes you shrine through. Doing what you love and loving what you do. It’s the way you can best do you.

Word on the streets and at the newspaper outlet. Radio ad revenue a shrinking violet. Divorce, a pink-slip or other papers. Reinventing yourself is a must after the shock tapers. Turning your pain into a business move that pays. Working on delivering the goods to attract a raise.

Celebs like Harvey share advice for free. Reinventing around a purpose is a money-back guarantee. Puts you on track with what’s coming and going. Giving you a reason for growing and glowing. As you put purpose in the mix and work past the strife. You get to swag your way to more and more success in life.

Tip: Developing your game and packaging your name helps you swag your way to new acclaim.

Talkback: How has today’s economy caused you to make a shift on the job or in the marketplace?

Business Motivation for Getting America Back to Work

The Biz Desk
What a year it’s been in business! As some companies continue to hang on for dear life, others are still pulling in good numbers. A few years ago the auto industry was on the skids. They were closing down dealerships and scaling back manufacturing. But now they seem to be on the up-and-up.

Ford Motor Company is riding high in the U.S. even after not taking bailout funds from the government. The year in review is a good time for considering:

1. Core – Think about what makes you strong and what for you is of central importance
2. Floor:- Make plans to travel the distance starting from where you are right now
3. Explore:- Develop your resolutions, move into new directions, make tough decisions
4. D’jor:- Savor the joys of the holidays and the successes of the past season.

The holiday season can be a tough time for people who’ve experienced a job loss or some other personal loss. From a business perspective even after repeated financial loss Ford is again making strides. Let the end of year festivities be a celebration and motivation towards your next destination.

The Biz Desk invites you to post your comments below or you can send a personal note on Facebook or Twitter to @DocCunningham; on Linkedin to @DOCCommunications.

Work Life
Warren Buffett is one of the richest men on the planet. He’s built his wealth through business investments. His rise to the financial mountaintop has been for the most part slow and steady. He has a knack for buying low or making purchases for which others are saying no. It’s the way he approaches his investment decisions.

Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company holdings include GEICO, Fruit of the Loom and Pampered Chef. Most times he goes for underrated, under-funded companies that offer great untapped potential. Buffet’s career journey might represent the frugal and unglamorous sides of business but has been built around the fundamentals:

• Keeping the boss happy (himself)
• Upgrading his visibility
• Providing a higher level of service
• Finding more room to grow

Even as many industry insiders debate whether print media is losing its muscle, Buffet’s company recently bought an Omaha Newspaper group which makes you think he sees value that others don’t.

Life’s Work
These days Buffett is being quoted by many politicians. It’s often said that the current tax rate makes him pay less in taxes than his secretary. It’s one reason he’s open to the idea of the rich paying their fair share. But not every politician is on board with that idea.

He also raised eyebrows when he signed a pact to give away most of his wealth to charity and other philanthropic causes. Buffett life’s work reminds us of the fact that you can’t take it with you. A large portion of his portfolio is being earmarked for the Bill & Malinda Gates Foundation.

Street Talk – (Social Commentary driving change!)
Newt Gingrich has been rising in the polls recently. Some believe it’s because he’s gained some of the Herman Cain supporters. Others think it’s just his turn for having “15-minutes of fame” in the Republican field. His comments about “poor kids working as janitors” made a few people hot under the collar.

Some politicians keep saying that President Obama is pushing “class warfare.” In one corner you have rich politicians beating up on the poor. Who’s in the other corner? They make it appear as if the poor are beating up on the rich. So, is this class warfare or is it just politicians doing social-class bullying?

Business Motivation for Getting America Back to Work

The Biz Desk
Is Tiger Woods back to his winning ways? The jury is still out. But his recent tournament win is a good start. Woods hadn’t won a major championship in two years. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, American Airlines recently announced that it plans to file for bankruptcy.

Woods has had to work hard to recapture his magic. American Airlines will be doing the same using the “reinvent yourself playbook:”

1. Rethink – How you see yourself affects how you sell yourself
2. Regroup:- Starting over doesn’t always mean from scratch but definitely from below the surface
3. Retool:- Figure-out what you need that you don’t have and what you have that you don’t need
4. Replay – Let’s see you perform again like old-times, just upgraded to the present time.

They say “you can’t teach an old dog a new trick.” That’s not always true for dogs, for people or for businesses. For Woods, American Airlines or someone unemployed to return to their past glory days, they might have to learn a few new tricks in order to be among the top picks.

The Biz Desk invites you to post your comments below or you can send a personal note on Facebook or Twitter to @DocCunningham; on Linkedin to @DOCCommunications.

Work Life
Woods has been one of the most dominant pro golfers in modern times. He’s rack-up championship wins even faster than some of his predecessors. Advertisers were thrilled to sponsor his events and fans were pumped to watch him play. Then things went sour for reasons you already know.

He took some time-off from the spotlight to rethink and regroup. He made some changes to his support team and equipment. He spent time re-tooling his swing by watching video replays of past performances. It’s almost as if he had to ask himself the question, “What are you looking for career-wise?” The answers he had to choose from include:

• A rigorous skills assessment
• Being the boss
• Attending Self-taught University
• Networking in aisle 10

Woods’ play is not out-of-the-woods (pardon the pun) quite yet. He’s got to keep on working on himself as well as his game to be a top contender again.

Life’s Work
On a recent post-play interview, Woods was asked about his normal day. There was a time it was tough to get a scoop from his personal life. His response said something about his ongoing personal growth. He took pride in sharing how he was taking his daughter to dance lessons.

Maybe Woods wants to be an example of having balance in your personal and professional life. He may now think it’s better to give both the attention they deserve than to be good at work but lousy at home. Similarly, your vocation in and outside of your day’s work brings more meaning to your life’s work.

Street Talk – (Social Commentary driving change!)
Grandma is upset with the TSA! It seems on recent trips to the airport, a few senior citizens were given the frisk search. They were surprised by how much “touching and feeling” had to occur. So grandma is planning to file suit or at a minimum work on her strip tease routine.

A few weeks earlier the complaint came from a family with a toddler. They felt that the agent went too far. Most people feel there’s got to be a better way. Has common sense been thrown out the window (like throwing out the baby with the bath water) or is airport security a “hard to please everybody” situation?

Business Motivation for Getting America Back to Work

The Biz Desk
Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson have been doing their media rounds. Both are talking shop about the recent NBA lockout. Shaq is also promoting his new book while Magic continues to be a spokesperson for AIDS awareness. They have used their NBA careers to become entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Entrepreneurs come in different shapes and sizes. So it’s good to know the business models that apply:

1. Creator – Some are known as serial entrepreneurs for starting many businesses
2. Builder:- There are those who’re good at building something someone else started
3. Investor:- This is how a venture capitalist entrepreneur makes his money
4. Hustler – The art of any business is in how you turn an idea into a hustle.

Neither Shaq nor Magic went into pro basketball as entrepreneurs. Their earnings over the years have helped them to invest in franchise and entertainment ventures. This might also be true for many of today’s professionals. Starting a business may not be in your blood, but it may be in your future.

The Biz Desk invites you to post your comments below or you can send a personal note on Facebook or Twitter to @DocCunningham; on Linkedin to @DOCCommunications.

Work Life
Shaq announced his retirement earlier this year due to injuries. He played 19 seasons and won four championships with the LA Lakers and Miami Heat. He’s been on the NBA All-Star team for practically his entire career. When you consider his accomplishments as a player, he’s sure to be in the Hall of Fame.

Shaq grew-up on the streets of Newark and found basketball as a perfect fit for his physical stature. He played college ball on scholarship at LSU, leaving as a junior to go pro. He later returned to complete his degree and now that he’s retired from the NBA he’s showing how you create an upside in your career.

• Find your inner motivator
• Expand-on your passion
• Develop your professional “itch” to get rich
• Deliver exceptional results

Shaq has earned so many nicknames during his playing days. It just shows how he’s been able to mix passion and personality on and off the court.

Life’s Work
Where were you 20 years ago when Magic announced his retirement? It came suddenly and was immediate. He was diagnosed with the HIV virus. Doctors felt that for his own health, if he wanted to be around a while longer he should pack it in. Well, he’s still here thanks to early detection and medicine.

He shares how important it was to have a positive attitude. The support from his family went a long way. But maybe one of the things that kept him going is his life’s work in HIV awareness. Sometimes your life’s work happens out of natural or life-changing circumstances that give you a new sense of purpose and perspective on your existence.

Street Talk – (Social Commentary driving change!)
The NBA players and owners have reached an agreement. The lockout ended as players return in a hurry. The reduced season is set to begin on Christmas Day. Players began losing money, owners were losing patience and fans were about to lose their minds watching millionaires argue with millionaires.

Whatever the revenue sharing agreement, let’s hope everybody’s happy. It seems the rich will shutdown the business to make more money and fight the government against paying more taxes. So, was it the pain of losing their paychecks that got them to settle or was it about them coming to their senses?

Business Motivation for Getting America Back to Work

The Biz Desk
Soledad O’Brien recently hosted her latest “In America” documentary series. This time the focus was on whether Silicon Valley, the hot-bed for technology innovation, is the next Promised Land for African-American entrepreneurs. The program features eight startup companies trying to raise venture capital investments in their businesses.

All the entrepreneurs are modern-day geniuses. But to get to the next level they had to make a:

1. Change: – Some quit their job, left family behind or relocated to make it happen
2. Choice:- The living arrangement probably wasn’t their first choice, of being under the same roof
3. Challenge:- They went through some experiences that could have made them complain.

The same is true in today’s unstable economy. If you’re unemployed, maybe you have to make a change in the short-run to reap some “change” in the long-run. If you’re underemployed maybe you can choose to make a greater difference to raise your value. The challenge is in how you overcome the obstacles.

The Biz Desk invites you to post your comments below or you can send a personal note on Facebook or Twitter to @DocCunningham; on Linkedin to @DOCCommunications.

Work Life
O’Brien got the bug for journalism during a broadcast internship. She took some time-off from her education at Harvard but later returned to complete her studies. Many might remember her from her days as co-anchor on NBC’s Weekend Today. A few years into the assignment her co-host passed away suddenly while covering the Iraq war.

She later went on to become co-anchor for CNNs American Morning before establishing a niche in special news coverage and documentary reports. She’s being tapped again to anchor CNNs morning line-up. O’Brien has received awards too numerous to mention. Her professional accomplishments, probably guided by a statement of purpose, are a story in:

• Getting in the game
• Leverage your expertise
• The right can-do attitude
• Landing the perfect assignment

O’Brien has taken some issue with the fire-brand, personality-driven style of news coverage that puts “making news” as a priority over reporting the truth.

Life’s Work
In O’Brien’s autobiography “The Next Big Story,” she chronicles her American journey through the land of possibilities. She tells of her bi-racial upbringing and how that has “colored” her life. She remembers having to convince her bosses of the importance of certain stories even though they were not “sexy.”

That was among the first situations that helped to define her life’s work. Her experience covering Hurricane Katrina was also a turning point. It allowed her to see how she could make a lasting impact in the lives of young girls. Her foundation continues to provide scholarship and other mentoring resources.

Street Talk – (Social Commentary driving change!)
The Super Committee in Congress has proven what most thought would happen. They weren’t able to agree on deficit reductions to the Federal budget. Each side is blaming the other for falling short. It’s true that automatic cuts will kick-in anyway. But it shows how Congress is out to lunch.

It seems like they’re operating with a “lose-lose” approach to governing. Each side is concerned about its own issue at the expense of the larger issue which is accountability. Who do they think they’re accountable to? Is it to special interest and the campaign money trail, or is it to the American people?

Business Motivation for Getting America Back to Work

The Biz Desk
Have you seen those ads for Small Business Saturday? It’s a campaign to encourage consumers to support small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In its second year, the idea is a niche-cousin of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It recently attracted $1 million in investment from FedEx.

The campaign focuses on building:

1. Awareness: – Getting consumers plugged-in to spending their money on Main Street
2. Advantage:- Partnering with public, private and civic organizations to create leverage
3. America:- Giving the economy a boost in areas that need it most.

Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed or self-employed, these tough economic times require that you use your expertise to build awareness and advantage on the job and in the marketplace. If that doesn’t get you going, then just think about how you can use your skills to build America.

The Biz Desk invites you to post your comments below or you can send a personal note on Facebook or Twitter to @DocCunningham; on Linkedin to @DOCCommunications.

Work Life
CNBCs Maria Bartiroma has established herself as the “Queen of Wall Street.” Her financial knowledge and insider access make her an influential player in what’s typically a man’s world. Bartiroma has written three books with the most recent entitled “The Weekend that Changed Wall Street.”

The book gives a layperson’s account of the events leading up to the financial meltdown. Interestingly, it reads like a novel that could easily be describing aspects of the professional journey. To go from Bust to Breakthrough in your career or business, you have to manage:

• The tension of having “no shame in your game”
• The confusion regarding your professional intangibles
• The decision to build a diversified portfolio
• The vision to raise your passion intensity

If you can handle your career/business with these concerns in mind you’ll be able to look back and write about the week or weekend that changed your professional life.

Life’s Work
Bartiroma got her start as a CNN Business News reporter. After five years she left to join CNBC where today she’s the anchor of Closing Bell. The show airs during the final two hours of Wall Street trading. She’s often credited with being the first journalist to report live from the Stock Exchange floor.

Her major in Journalism and minor in Business in essence make her life’s work about civic economics. She tries to relay civics lessons from her varied business experiences. Bartiroma has made her life’s work the coming-together of her formal training and professional calling.

Street Talk – (Social Commentary driving change!)
The holiday season is fast approaching and some retailers are ramping-up. For many, between now and the end of the year they’ll make upwards of 30-40% of their annual revenue. With the current slowdown in the economy, it makes you wonder where people are going to find the money.

A few big-box retailers don’t seem worried. They plan to kickoff Black Friday holiday shopping at Midnight. But is it really that critical that we want to reduce the time spent with family to go shopping? Some will get what they’re looking for and others will get the credit squeeze or freeze coming to them.