Business

Business

Shark Tank’s Daymond John Became Fashion Guru Before Urban Wear Was Cool

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

The fashionistas are working overtime. Many are studying what sizzles and what fizzles. With a few adjustments, some will draw-up the next season’s designs. Before you know it we’ll be hearing about the new spring look. Well, Daymond John became a fashion guru before urban wear was even cool.

Things started out when John was looking for a certain style hat. He couldn’t find one for a good price. So he used his sewing skills to make one. The hat caught-on in his Queens NY hometown so he decided to launch FUBU with a few friends. He turned a personal need into a product line by creating market value.

His business took-off as word spread. John sized-up the market, going from a startup company to a brand that captured additional market value. He knew he was on to something after doing $800 worth of sales in a few hours. He expanded into other clothing apparel. He even convinced LL Cool J to wear FUBU gear.

Now, John launched an entrepreneur academy to bring branding to the masses. He’s sharing tools of the trade along with lessons learned. By teaching what he knows John is reinvesting his success to circulate market value. It’s like going from 45 to LP to CD. He’s shifted from startup to street corner to superstar.

John can be seen each week on the Reality TV show Shark Tank. The show features a few business moguls and allows entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to them as potential partner investors. John believes it’s going to take a rush of entrepreneurship ventures to bring about sustained recovery in the economy.

daymond_john

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Many Fashionistas working overtime. Checking what sizzles and fizzles on a dime. Next season’s looks giving them fits. A few adjustments could bring new design hits. Before long new spring skirts on the avenue. With magazine ads to boost store revenue. Daymond John made urban wear a cool rendezvous.

Started out by looking for certain style hat. Thought to himself ‘what’s wrong with that.’ Couldn’t find one for a good price. Used his sewing skills making one to entice. Caught-on in his Queens NY hometown. Launching FUBU with friends down. Personal need into a product line. Turning market value into a shine.

Business took-off with more buzz. So he sized-up market value fuzz. Going from startup to company brand. Capturing more clout almost by hand. Doing $800 sales in a pinch. A few hours work felt like a cinch. Expanded into other apparel and gear. Even convinced LL Cool J to promote FUBU urban wear.

Now John launched biz ‘homie-school.’ Teaching others the cash-flow rule. Bringing brand training to the masses. With tools of the trade and expert-led classes. Reinvesting his success to circulate. More market value so others duplicate. Like going from 45 to LP to CD. Startup to street corner to superstar BD.

Seen each week on ABCs Shark Tank. Moguls with wads of cash in the bank. Up-and-comers make a personal pitch. Of a business idea that’s in their niche. Hoping to land partner in the mix. Who brings a real marketplace fix. John sees a rush of new ventures. As the ticket to economic recovery adventures.

Tip: Upping your game means thinking about what you can sow today in order to reap tomorrow.

Talkback: Who’s the Shark on the Reality show that’s got the most to gain or lose?

Sir Richard Branson To Launch an Out-of-World Experience in Space Flight

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

After winning the X-Prize Spaceflight competition in 2004 with SpaceShipOne, Virgin Galactic upped its game in commercial space travel. That journey began eight years earlier with the vision of British Billionaire Sir Richard Branson and others. In 2014 he plans to launch an out-of-world experience in flight.

NBC Universal and its network of entertainment outlets have announced a partnership to promote the events leading up to the first commercial spaceflight next year. This ‘where were you moment’ will feature Branson and his kids among six other civilians aboard SpaceShipTwo. It’s a dream long in the making.

The journey from vision to reality is what many experience in living their dreams. The American dream is filled with examples of those who pursued greater opportunity. Many left their homeland without much to show. A driving force has been channeling a sense of purpose by turning an idea into an action plan.

In U.S. history we had the gold rush. That was part of the Western migration of people looking to secure land and get natural resources in hand. Then we had the Industrial Revolution where many experienced the home-buying rush. Now we’re in a phase of the business ‘brand rush’ defined by the social revolution.

Many a dream got started by those far less-wealthy than Branson. What exists in passion often matters more than what’s found in money. Branson and others know that a dream starts off with a deep-down rush of inner juices. So, like him, maybe 2014 is the year for an out-of-world experience in dream flight.

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Winner of X-Prize for Spaceflight. In 2004 SpaceShipOne reached new height. Then Virgin Galactic upped its game. Commercial space travel would make its name. Journey began eight years before. A glimpse of Sir Richard Branson’s vision score. Plans for out-of-world experience in space allure.

NBC Universal got first right. Entertainment outlets to promote first flight. With outlets from cable to theme park. Covering the feat from morning to dark. Billed as a ‘where were you moment’ in time. Will also feature Reality TV show in prime. Branson, his kids, six others for the taking. A dream long in the making.

Journeying from vision to reality. Sure to bring new-found notoriety. It’s what many experience living their dreams. Whether in biz or on sports teams. Going for greater opportunity out the door. Many leaving homeland for another shore. Channeling purpose as a driving force. Turning idea into action-plan course.

U.S. history had the gold rush. Western migration with the land crush. Natural resources had people looking. Before the Industrial Revolution was cooking. A time many saw rush in home-buying. Heading north with family left crying. Now it’s the ‘brand rush’ biz phase. Defined by social revolution craze.

Many a dream started small. By those with little-or-nothing at all. Found in passion not just for your honey. Matters more than what’s found in money. Branson and others are in the know. A dream makes rush of inner juices flow. Maybe 2014 the year to get it right. With an out-of-world experience in dream flight.

Tip: Upping your game means seeing your dreams for the passion that it is and keeping your eyes on the prize in the world of biz.

Talkback: Will commercial spaceflight become a normal social occurrence like air travel?

Jimmy Choo Went from a Cobbler’s Name to Brand Name Shoe Empire

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Most women seem to love one thing. Besides a fashionable purse it’s a hot-stepping pair of shoes. Some seem to drool when talking about the days of former Philippines First Lady Imelda Marcos who had a walk-in closet just for shoes. Maybe it’s how Jimmy Choo went from a cobbler’s name to shoe empire.

Things came together as a partnership between Jimmy Choo (the cobbler) and Tamara Mellon (the dreamer). Mellon lost her job at British Vogue and decided to start her own business. She reached out to Choo who would build the shoes based on her designs. The shoes became popular on “Sex in the City.”

Sure, it might have been a long-shot but Mellon had an idea. So she acted on the idea from a place deep in her gut where it became her dream. She connected with Choo who was originally supposed to be the main designer. But Mellon took the lead with the vision for the product line and business operations.

She says the business was built around fears, family and feet. Her success was a response to fears that became masked by drug addiction. Her determination was a response to the challenges of a difficult relationship with her mother. Her passion for footwear comes from having had to step “in her own shoes.”

Choo was eventually bought-out of the business. Mellon later stepped down from the brand. Now she’s released her own shoe line with her own name on the label. She’s gone from dream to vision to reality a second time. So even with mayday in the job market there’s still room for some breakthrough shine.

tamara-mellon (jimmy choo)

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Most women love one thing. Besides a nice purse, a piece of bling. But many prefer hot shoes. Spending money to cure the blues. Some drool about Imelda Marcos’ closet. As Former Philippines First Lady shoes was her nugget. Maybe Jimmy Choo a one-time hire. From cobbler to name brand shoe empire.

Things came together in partnership. Choo as cobbler, Tamara Mellon the dream friendship. Mellon lost her job at British Vogue. Started a business in going rogue. Reached out to Choo for his skills. While she would focus on paying the bills. “Sex in the City” gave them looks. As money began to flow in the books.

Sure might have been a risk among the long-shots. But Choo was used to building shoes for some big-shots. Mellon placed the idea deep in her gut. Which became the dream that took her out a rut. Mellon thought Choo would be the main designer. But later saw bigger vision while putting on eye-liner.

Says the biz was built around fears. With family and feet over the years. Success a response to beating drug addiction. Determination a response to less motherly affection. Her passion takes footwear business from startup to explosion. Relationships helped her rise above. To let her dreams fly like a dove.

Choo eventually bought out for cash. Mellon later leaves business in a dash. Having taken shoes from dream to vision. A second time around was a proven decision. Now branding her own style in shoe line. Her own name on the label makes it fine. With job market mayday still room for some breakthrough shine.

Tip: Upping your game means turning an idea or gut feeling into something that gives you room to shine.

Talkback: How do you think Choo and Mellon feel in having their names on brands they helped build?

Lane Kiffin and USC Football Go Separate Ways After Some Rough Days

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Everybody was reporting the big shakeup. The college football powerhouse known for athletes like Carson Palmer, Reggie Bush and Mark Sanchez has seen better teams. A recent ugly loss seemed to set things in motion. So former Head Coach Lane Kiffin and USC go separate ways after some rough days.

The sports junkies feel this wasn’t a surprise. Kiffin has gone through three or four recent coaching gigs with little success. The business gurus think this is more about the USC brand. With NCAA sanctions reducing their college scholarships, the front office had to make a course correction with Kiffin’s firing.

Things don’t always go down as dramatic in sports or the job market. Many business busts and careers shifts rarely get this much attention. True, the Blackberry brand is dealing with its own issues just like many who experienced layoff due to the economic slowdown. But Blackberry has found a buyer.

For the average Joe there’s no such buyout luck. So getting back in the flow can be rough going. In the meantime while working and waiting on the right offer, it’s about re-positioning value around a main thing or skill, marketable ‘extras’ and a larger purpose. That combination will help to attract the right situation.

Kiffin probably won’t be hurting for money. He’s come up the smooth side of the mountain. Even with him gone, a turnaround in the program goes deeper than one man. A decision to change is viewed in an instance of time. But for change to stick over time it takes a commitment that goes deeper than one loss.

usc-trojans

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Errbody’s talking ‘bout the shakeup. Would Kiffin and USC kiss and make-up? A football powerhouse on the skids. Former players like Palmer, Bush and Sanchez scoring grids. The program has seen better teams. Many living their NFL dreams. So Kiffin and USC part ways. After a bad loss and some ugly days.

For sports junkies not a surprise. Kiffin’s star power not on the rise. Gone through three or four recent gigs. Little success among sport bigwigs. Business gurus think it’s more about the brand. NCAA sanctions have tied their hand. Reduced scholarships and in hiring. Course correction in Kiffin’s firing.

Things not always so dramatic. Where the news is ever so climatic. Whether sports or job market competition. Shifts rarely get this much attention. True, Blackberry dealing with revenue losses. Company being sold to new bosses. Blackberry’s found a new buyer. As pink-slip folks still try to go higher.

No such luck for the average Joe. Hard getting back in the flow. Rough going and doubtful moments. With nobody as their agent or proponent. While working and waiting for the right offer. Think about subbing as a gofer. Add marketable skills and purpose as light. That combo puts a comeback in flight.

Kiffin won’t be hurting for money. Got some old-time milk and honey. Coming up the smoother side of life. Maybe not much pain and strife. Being gone not magic for a turnaround. Deeper than one person going from lost to found. Firing decision seen in an instance. But change happens over a season’s conference.

Tip: Upping your game happens by going deeper like roots in a family tree before going higher like leaves on an oak tree.

Talkback: Think it’s gonna take long before Kiffin gets another head coaching job or is he riding on hype?

Mark Zuckerberg’s Taking on the Internet as a Social Justice Project

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

When you think of the Industrial Revolution, Ford Motors comes to mind. They led the way in automated vehicle assembly. Well, there’s a new sheriff in town named Mark Zuckerberg. He hopes to lower the barriers and raise access to the web worldwide. He’s taking on the Internet as a social justice project.

As Facebook founder, Zuckerberg’s no stranger to the information technology revolution. He aims to bring the Internet to the other two-thirds of the world’s population. He thinks it’s gonna take some new efforts. This is true for gaps with the Internet as with the long-term jobless and gun violence that’s so senseless.

Zuckerberg wants to put everyone everywhere online. This means less developed countries and less affluent neighborhoods. It means exploring new models of business efficiency and effectiveness. This new model in business and social justice is like turning the words of Dr. King into economic evangelism.

In a recent article, Zuckerberg said “We’re focused on it more because we think it’s something good for the world, rather than something that is going to be really amazing for our profits.” Whether in business or community the return value is in finding new solutions as a stepping stone to solving age-old problems.

Zuckerberg’s a good example of business innovation with social activism. He’s not shy in putting his money where his mouth is. To all the ‘powers that be’ he’s showing how you make the case and then make things happen. It’s not enough to have power over people. It’s really how you empower people.

mark-zuckerberg

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Think of the Industrial Revolution. Ford Motors led the innovation. With automated vehicle assembly. And faster new-car delivery. Well, a new sheriff’s in town. Mark Zuckerberg leads the countdown. Hopes to slow the social slide. And raise online access worldwide. Taking the Internet on a social justice ride.

As Facebook CEO & founder. To technology revolution he’s no stranger. Aims to reach the other two-thirds. Of world’s population that’s unheard. Thinks it gonna take some things new. With efforts coming out of the blue. True for the Internet and long-term jobless. Maybe even gun violence that’s so senseless.

Wants to have everyone connected. From the barrios to the pre-selected. Less developed countries and neighborhoods. Internet access even in the woods. With ‘new and improved’ business models. Riding in generation-next saddles. Business mixed with social activism. Like King’s words of economic evangelism.

Loves on top and doing good. Rather than amazing profits ever could. Focusing not so much on money in the banks. But lending a hand and giving thanks. Whether in business or community. The return value adds authenticity. Finding solutions as a stepping stone. Solving age-old problems down to the bone.

Zuckerberg brings a new Internet creation. From the business and activism station. Not shy to put money on the line. Letting his actions deliver the shine. Showing to all the ‘powers that be.’ And peeps across the world to see. Life’s less about power over one or two. Lifting unsung dreams to ‘make it do what it do.’

Tip: Upping your game can mean positioning an unsung dream as if it’s a social justice project.

Talkback: Has Mark Zuckerberg gone too far or has he taken a page from Henry Ford and Dr. King?

Steve Harvey Turns the ‘Gift of Gab’ for Comedy into a Branding Powerhouse

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

Steve Harvey likes to make people laugh. His career is one that likely started at the bottom. But now he’s here at the top. Harvey’s heard on morning radio and seen on daytime TV. He gives back to the community through his foundation. Harvey turned his ‘gift of gab’ for comedy into a branding powerhouse.

He’s worked hard at bringing content to audiences and audiences to advertisers. Over the years Harvey has used comedy to sellout venues. He’s now become a high-profile, multi-media brand. Harvey’s work has achieved the kind of ratings that seem to make the haters hate and the fans appreciate.

Maybe he uses Oprah’s success as inspiration. While not trying to walk in her shoes, Harvey knows something about reaching those who might be hurting. He connects with the pulse of the community and the pain of the down-but-not-out. It’s a special thing to have wealth and be able to show you have heart.

Listen to how he gives advice and you can tell that Harvey is big on lifelong learning. He knows when you stop learning you stop growing. When you stop growing you tend to surrender your success. The setbacks and disappointments he had back-in-the-day was then. Today he’s focused on being in the now.

Each year Harvey hosts his annual Neighborhood Awards. It’s one of the ways his brand uplifts the community. Some see it as the party of the year. But Harvey might have a greater purpose in mind. He knows that when all is said and done, life’s favorite moments will stay with you a while, so have some fun.

steve-harvey

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Steve Harvey’s a man of many jokes. Bringing laughs to kids and grown folks. A career starting from the low. Now he’s at the top of his flow. Heard on morning radio, seen on daytime TV. Giving back, paying it forward without a fee. Turning his ‘gift of gab’ for comedy. Into a multi-media escape from poverty.

Works hard to meet people where they’re at. Bringing content and audiences together, got it down pat. Having used comedy to sellout venues. Now he’s pulling high-profile multi-media revenues. With ratings that seem to make the haters hate. But he keeps doing his thing so the fans appreciate.

Could Oprah’s success be inspiration? He’s also got the ear of a nation. Not trying to walk in her shoes. Done a lot to pay his dues. Giving his time to spread more good. To the down-but-not-out in the neighborhood. Feeling the pulse and pain on the ground. A special thing to have wealth and be profound.

Hear how he gives advice. Lifelong learning, he could charge a price. When you stop learning you stop growing. That’s some of what he’s showing. When you stop growing you kill success. That’s the word from the Harvey press. With setbacks and lean times back-in-the-day. Today he’s on point in every way.

Radio, TV and Awards host. Maybe a role he loves the most. Just one way his brand is a hub. Uplifting the community like a club. Some see it as the party of the year. But Harvey has a greater purpose to share. He knows when all is said and done. Life’s fav moments stay with you so rock the fun.

Tip: Upping your game means turning everyday learning into fun-favorite moments of high earning.

Talkback: How has Steve Harvey’s Neighborhood Awards made a difference in the community?

J.K. Rowling Got ‘Busted for Flying Under the Radar’ with Her New Book

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

The secret’s out the bag! The Cuckoo’s Calling is not by some newly emerging author named Robert Galbraith. Instead it’s written by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Many publishing industry insiders were fooled and even stunned. Rowling got ‘busted for flying under the radar’ with her new book.

With limited sales and some mixed reviews, this crime novel didn’t debut with much fanfare. Rowling wanted to reinvent her writing without the added pressure of media hype. She wanted to connect with a new stream of audience feedback. So she came up with the fake name and storyline bio.

Sometimes this is how athletes and celebs reinvent their careers. First, there’s a time for ‘flying under the radar’ just to regroup. They look for new opportunities to connect their skills. Some go from retired to re-hired in a fresh role on Reality TV. Their careers get a new identity and 1-page bio.

Then there are the top-dogs in business who look to reinvent their brand. While ‘under the radar,’ Rowling was busy re-branding how she ‘dots the i’s and crosses the t’s.’ As @TaraDowdellGrp tweet reminds us of a Walter Landor quote, “products are made in the factory but brands are created in the mind.”

If there’s a plot line to Rowling’s makeover success it’s in moving from brand development to discovery to name recognition. The book went from bottom to #1 on Amazon. In baseball ‘the game’s not over until the fat lady sings.’ Well in career and business it’s not over as long as the brand name in the market rings.

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Secret’s out the bag! Author with unknown tag. The Cuckoo’s Calling not by some new writer. Instead by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter creator. Robert Galbraith was the pen-name. Editor for both found to be the same. Insiders stunned and feeling the fool. Rowling ‘flying under the radar’ around the press pool.

Limited sales, modest reviews. A crime novel with some hidden clues. Low attention on the pop culture front. Many glossed over deciding to punt. Wanting to reinvent her writing career. By shifting her game starting last year. With a new fan-feedback stream. Adding a fake name, bio and PR team.

Athletes and celebs do it all the time. Reinventing their careers at the drop of a dime. First, ‘flying under the radar’ to regroup. Adding skills that bring opportunities to recoup. Some go from retired to re-hired in a ‘New York minute.’ Using Reality TV to take things to the limit.

Other top-dogs in the world of biz. Look to reinvent their market fizz. Rowling went under the radar for a reason. To re-brand her work for a new season. By how she dots i’s and crosses t’s. With her own style of abc’s. As @TaraDowdellGrp tweet reminds. “Products made in the factory, brands made in the mind.”

A plot line to Rowling’s makeover success? Moving brand thru development, discovery and recognition in the press. Book went from bottom to #1 ranking. On Amazon and Kindle Rowling is banking. In baseball ‘the game’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings.’ Well, in biz it’s not over if the brand name still rings.

Tip: Upping your game means working on a new idea you hatch and sometimes having to start over from scratch.

Talkback: What do you remember most about a favorite celeb, artist or athlete who made a career move that gave their brand new life?

Has Paula Deen’s Food Franchise Gotten Lost in the Sauce?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

It seems like Paula Deen’s ‘bread & butter’ franchise is in a tailspin. Reports surfaced that she used racial slurs in the past. One by one the big-box retailers began dropping her like a hot potato. Her public responses have been more ‘miss than hit.’ Has Paula Deen’s food franchise gotten lost in the sauce?

So she’s hired Judy Smith to help with crisis management. Smith is the inspiration behind the highly-rated TV show Scandal. To help make a comeback Deen has gone from PR to ER in handling the situation. Her public relation has been a disaster. Now things call for an emergency response to stop the bleeding.

Where did Deen go wrong, and can Smith make things right? She might help Deen see the difference between being closed versus locked. A door that is locked is also closed. But a door can be closed without being locked. Career or brand comebacks are possible before doors go from closed to locked.

R&B Music star Charlie Wilson is a good example of a comeback after being ‘down but not out.’ His career went from highs to lows. Sort of like Deen and others faced with a business setback or slow job market. But with the right support, focus and pure genius he found a way to go from zero to hero.

We tend to forget scandals after a while. The short-term pain can be difficult. But the long-term effects are lessons for a lifetime. Smith will coach Deen on putting her brand back on the block. It’s probably not too late since comebacks are a matter of leaving a mark so that when you’re gone you’re not forgotten.

paula-deen

The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Seems like Paula Deen’s franchise is in a spin. Many lost opportunities to win. Reports surfaced of using racial slur. Saying her past was just a blur. Big-box stores dropped her one by one. Like a hot potato her biz put under the gun. Public responses haven’t been a hit. Will these troubles cause her to quit?

Added Judy Smith to her crisis team. A point of inspiration from a bad dream. With TV show Scandal based on Smith’s story. Deen hoping to strike-up new glory. Going from PR to ER in this situation. As an emergency response to bad public relation. To help stop the bleeding and personal frustration.

Where did Deen go wrong? This was like a bad song. With branding advice Smith is stocked. Knowing the difference between closed and locked. Door that is locked also closed. But doesn’t always mean your chances are hosed. Market comeback may still be doable. Closed, not locked says brand is renewable.

R&B Music star Charlie Wilson a good example. Of a ‘down but not out’ music gamble. Going from career highs to new low. Falling out the pop culture flow. Like Deen and other biz setbacks. A slow job market means a hard comeback. But with the right support and focus. Takes pure genius, ditch the hocus pocus.

Scandals are forgotten after a while. Short-term pain can affect your style. Long-term effects are lessons in forever. As the saying goes, “never say never.” Smith will coach Deen through the paces. To put her brand in good graces. Not too late to be back on the block. From leaving a mark while punching the clock.

Tip: Upping your game means seeing ‘down but not out’ as a preview for going from zero to hero.

Talkback: What do you think Paula Deen can do to get back in good graces?

Jennifer Hudson Could Be a Paid Spokesperson for 3M.

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(Part 13 of 13) Workplace Dreams: Winning Big in Business One Success At a Time!

 Weight Watchers must be sitting pretty! With a spokesperson like Jennifer Hudson, sales can only go up as people’s BMI improves. She’s lost close to 70 pounds. She’s looking like a new person, ready to take on the world. 3M has also seen a bump in sales. Did these changes happen by accident?

The abbreviation 3M stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing. The company started out in mining but is best known for Post-it Notes. This product has turned out to be a major force in office organization tools. You can stick them anywhere. They’re often used as page markers and friendly reminders.

The company pulls much of its revenue from international sales. They even have a location in the island of Jamaica.. ha-ha! Their success gives meaning to the expression, “think global.” It also says something about pursuing your dream, even when you’re not 100% sure how it might play out.

This is not unlike Jenifer Hudson’s journey. She started out on American Idol. After being booted from the show she wasn’t sure what would be next. She gathered herself and got her life organized. Since leaving Idol, she’s gone on to achieve success in music, film and with her weight struggles.

Hudson recently released a new album. She seems to have a winning formula in career and life. Her 2011 resolution is to live “limitless.” This means living beyond the scope of someone else’s limitations. It’s about living with a larger vision. Sounds a lot like how 3M has turned Post-it Notes into big business. 

Tip: Living a ‘limitless life’ means living in possibilities beyond your normal line of sight.

Talkback: How has Jennifer Hudson’s story been a head-turner or page-turner for achieving personal and professional goals?

Coming in April: “Reinvent Your Game, Future-Proof Your Dreams: How Celebs and Pros Go From Played-out to Poppin’ Again!”

Did Chris Brown and Lil Wayne Do Hard Time with Caterpillar Tractors?

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(Part 12) Workplace Dreams: Winning Big in Business One Success At a Time!

 Did you see Chris Brown and Lil Wayne doing hard time on a Caterpillar tractor? No way! Brown has returned on the scene hoping to break music records. Wayne has again seen the light of day after spending time in the slammer. Their rocky road stories bring lots of buzz that’s louder than any tractor.

For sure they all have drive. This is an important ingredient to success. Caterpillar is a leading manufacturer of heavy duty equipment that delivers lots of drive. But, as we’ve seen, sometimes too much drive gets you in trouble. On the road or TV, when drive is out of control it becomes rage.

Caterpillar also makes trucks and heavy duty engines. Over the years they’ve broadened their appeal. Their equipment has been used in many natural disaster efforts like earthquakes. Brown and Wayne also have massive appeal. They now know that professional “disaster recovery” can be a defining moment.

You’ve seen those highway signs about federal funding of infrastructure projects. This is money used to rebuild roads, bridges and other transportation hubs. Rest assured there’s some CAT machinery being used on the job. That’s probably one way they make big money in sales and services.

So Brown and Wayne are back on the block. Caterpillar’s revenues are humming tick-tock. In 2010 they paid among the highest dividends on the Dow Jones Average. If there’s a lesson from Caterpillar’s success, it’s that winning in business takes hard work, good buzz and regular development projects.

Tip: Winning big in business takes a commitment to professional development which makes you more than just a one-hit wonder.

Talkback: Who are some of the one-hit wonders in music or business that you can remember?

Coming Soon: “Reinvent Your Game, Future-Proof Your Dreams: How Celebs and Pros Go From Played-out to Poppin’ Again!”