Archives for September 2014

It’s My Future (And I’ll Dream Big If I Want To)

I’ve looked into my future, and I like what I see. No, I didn’t go see an old gypsy woman or sift through any tealeaves.2b

I just chilled out in my hammock, closed my eyes and visualized where I was going to be professionally and personally in three years.

In the end, I detail that future in a 3-4 page document known as a Vivid Vision (formerly Painted Picture).

I want as many people as possible to read this Vivid Vision, and not only because I think it’s a pretty interesting read. The more friends, colleagues, suppliers and contacts who see where I want to go, the bigger the network I have on my side helping to make it come true. You’ll find it on my website, in my book and right in your inbox if you want it. I’m not shy.

So where do I see myself by the end of 2016, you might ask? Well, I’m not quite the Leader of the Free World (yet) but I will have grown my company by leaps and bounds, and sprinkled in a little world travel to boot.

You see, helping entrepreneurs is what I love to do. So it makes sense that I’ll still be doing it in three years. Only by then, I envision helping higher profile clients and speaking at prestigious events at exotic locals around the world.

By 2016, I envision companies so hungry to align themselves with me and everything I stand for, they’ll advertise on my iPhone, my laptop, my website etc. And to ensure the clients I work with see their logos, these same companies are willing supply me with clothes, luggage and car leases.

The media will constantly turn to me as an expert when it comes to my areas of expertise. Expect to see me on CNBC, CNN, BNN and other major news networks when they need an expert in entrepreneurship, franchising, growing companies and more.

Future me is a very balanced, happy individual. I don’t get caught up in scanning the horizon because I’ll already be “there”. I have the luxury of picking and choosing my clients, which gives me time to spend with my family. I’ll even bring them along for some of the more exciting speaking tours I undertake.

Some of you might argue that this future is a little too perfect or overly optimistic. But that’s the point! Where’s the fun in envisioning a future where you maintain the status quo?

I dream big, I set it out on paper and I busy myself making it come true. It’s what’s always worked (it got me where I am today) and it’s what will make this optimistic vision come true by 2016.

Yup, my future looks pretty awesome. Now, it’s up to me to get to work making it happen. What’s in store for you?

It’s Your Future (Dream Big If You Want To)

 

I coach CEOs globally of companies small & large to look into their future, and I like what they see.  No, they don’t go see an old gypsy woman or sift through any tealeaves.2b

I teach them to just chill out in a hammock, closed their eyes and visualize where there company is going to be in three years.

In the end, they detail out that future in a three or four page document known as a Vivid Vision (formerly Painted Picture).

We they work to get as many people as possible to read their Vivid Vision, and not only because we think it’s a pretty interesting read. The more friends, employees, colleagues, suppliers and contacts who see where they want to go, the bigger the network they have on their side helping to make it come true.  Here are a few examples of CEOs Vivid Visions that you can read for yourself.  In fact, they’ve all worked with the same brilliant writer to help make theirs really inspiring.

So why not dream big, set it out on paper and start making your future come true.  What’s in store for you?

If The Rate of Change Outside Your Business…

 

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If the rate of change outside your business, is greater than the rate of change inside your business.  You’re out of business…

I strongly believe, that all companies would benefit by running lunch and learn sessions for employees on leveraging technology Apps, Tools, Hacks etc. on a weekly basis.  Bring in a 20 something, Gen Y, to run 30-45 min sessions weekly, while employees eat lunch.

Employees have laptops, iPhones and the internet.  But they don’t necessarily know how to really leverage each of them to get more stuff done, with less people, faster.

(Note: This includes ensuring everyone can type properly and quickly – vs. the hunt & peck the guy beside me on the plane is doing right now – he inspired this post from 30,000 feet)

LESSONS FROM WORLD CHAMPIONS

 

When you really think about it, building a team for your company is a lot like rebuilding a sports team. And the fun part? You get to be the General Manager!

And unless your business is like the New York Yankees and you can afford to throw money at your industry’s top performers, you’ll have to build methodically; by hiring the right people and letting go of the wrong ones.

Turning a good team into a championship isn’t an exact science, but there are some fundamentals that nearly all successful front offices use.

You need a good mix of young, energetic talent and established veterans. In sports, the rookies make the hustle plays and bring oodles of enthusiasm to the locker room, while the veterans provide guidance and a ‘been there, done that” steadiness that proves invaluable come crunch time.

The same is true in an office. The young employees you bring in will flood the environment with positivity and eagerness. They’ll also prove immensely useful in providing insight into youth markets and emerging technologies. Of course, they’re a little cheaper too, but as the saying goes; you get what you pay for.

Filling your ‘roster’ completely with young, cheap talent will make for an environment that is high on fun, but low on experience. That’s why teams sprinkle in established vets. Sure, they cost more, but their experience and proven skills often prove invaluable when needed most.  I have 4 of the BEST Executive Headhunting Firms in my backpocket – email me if you’d like an intro – Cameron@CameronHerold.com

Much like a losing team, when your company is struggling management needs to take a good hard look at the ‘players’ who aren’t pulling their weight.

Many a General Manager in sports has had to make the tough choice to get rid of under performing veterans or hometown heroes past their prime. It’s never a popular decision, nor is it any easy one, but it’s almost always a necessity.

At a fast growing company, these legacy employees can quickly fall behind the curve and become obsolete. What are you keeping them around for? “Old time’s sake” has no place in growing your business, while replacing these archaic ‘veterans’ with young go-getters certain does. And like rebuilding teams, the injection of new blood, fresh ideas and energy will do wonders for all.

Team managers and scouts always look for ‘team players’ when rebuilding a roster. You know, selfless players that will do the little things and focus on winning rather than their own personal success (a lot of sports fans might suggest players like that are becoming increasingly rare these days).

You need to look for the same kinds of traits when you are hiring. Applicants that have changed companies multiple times in their unending quest for a better title will likely just use your company as another stepping-stone. They’ll spend too much energy looking out for themselves and too little time collaborating with their colleagues.

In the office, they’re called backstabbers, office gossips, glory hogs or buck passers. In sports, they’re dubbed clubhouse cancers, divas or head-cases. But in any case, they need to go.

Even once you put together the winning team, you’ll still need a bit of luck, a lot of courage and a whole bunch of hard work. But hey, no one ever said winning was easy…

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Meetings Suck: Turning One Of The Most Loathed Elements Of Business Into One Of The Most Valuable

We all know that meetings suck, right?

You hear it all the time. It’s the one thing that almost everyone in business can agree on.

Except it’s not actually true… 

Meetings don’t suck.

We just suck at running meetings.   

When done right, meetings not only work, they make people and companies better.

In Meetings Suck, world renowned business expert and growth guru Cameron Herold teaches you how to use focused, time effective meetings to help you and your company soar.

This book shows you immediately actionable, step-by-step systems that ensure that you and everyone in your organization improves your meetings, right away.

In the process, you’ll turn meetings that suck into meetings that work. 

In life, we always hear about people who’ve made huge decisions from their gut – without data.Today, I want you to make a decision, not only from your gut, but also from some data.  A decision that is only $12 per employee but will be priceless for your business.

Right now, your gut is telling you something is wrong with your company’s meetings.  You KNOW everyone complains about meetings.

People HATE going to them, they HATE running them, and they really have NO idea which meetings are truly necessary but they hold meetings simply because they think that is what they SHOULD do.

Even some of the smartest CEOs in the world complain about meetings – Elon Musk publicly told employees at Tesla & SpaceX to walk out of meetings if they weren’t being run properly.

I sent Elon a message saying that wasn’t going to fix anything – the key is to fix the root of the problem – NOT continue to ignore why meetings suck.

A Meeting is – Any phone call, video call or occasion where 2 or more people meet to discuss or work-through office topics.

Most employees on average spend 1-2 hours per day in meetings.

And likely, none of those employees – front-line staff or leaders – have had any training on how to attend meetings or participate in them, LET ALONE How to RUN THEM.

Consider this…

If the Average employee spends just 1 Hour per day in meetings – that’s 1/8th of their time.

If the Average employee earns $50,000 per year.

And they’re spending 1/8th of their time in meetings, that means you’re paying $6,250 dollars per year for just ONE employee to attend meetings.

The reality is, employees spend 1/8th of their time – and 1/8th of your company’s payroll – doing something they have literally NO idea how to do.

The Reality is…

95% of employees are booking & leading meetings – and they have NEVER been trained on how to run them.

95% of employees have had NO training on how to show up and participate in the meetings they attend daily.

And 95% of employees and companies have no idea what meetings are even necessary to hold.

Meetings CAN be hugely effective – IF you know how to run them

Meetings don’t SUCK, we just SUCK at running meetings. 

Investing $15 per employee – to help ensure the $50,000 a year you spend on them is an obvious and easy choice.

This could be the most impactful $15 you’ll ever spend and will save the company’s money, time and resources instantly.

Buying a copy of Meetings Suck for 100% of your employees and having them read it this month will have a huge impact on your company’s success.

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Free PR: How To Get Chased By The Press Without Hiring A PR Firm

Public relations has always been an essential part of doing business which is probably why you’re shelling out big money to an outside PR firm. But the truth is that you don’t need them. You already have all the necessary tools in-house to do as good a job as the so-called experts. 

Cameron Herold and Adrian Salamunovic have taught thousands of company execs how to exploit free media coverage and ditch these expensive, often ineffective outsiders. 

Cameron & Adrian have also built in-house PR teams, spent decades learning how to generate Free PR and how to leverage public relations to complement their sales and marketing strategy. 

In Free PR, you’ll learn how the media world operates while you gain invaluable insider knowledge and actionable advice on how to: 

  • Build your own in-house PR team
  • Provide effective interviews
  • Score great media coverage for free with just a few easy steps 

Landing public relations coverage for yourself and your company is a powerful tool to help elevate your personal brand. PR is easier to generate than marketing, PR is easier to leverage than marketing and PR is more cost effective than marketing. In other words, Public Relations is more critical than ever in growing your brand and your business. 

You’ve got more passion, commitment, a larger stake, and a deeper understanding of your business than any outside PR firm could ever have. So stop wasting money and take the reins yourself.  Learn the secrets to landing TONS of Free PR for your company.

What they’re saying:

“I think PR is the core for promoting any business. Public relations acquires customers! That’s what’s cool about this book.”

– Kevin O’Leary,  Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank

“The ultimate guidebook for those looking to get press, grow their brand, and get in front of the masses. Free PR is the roadmap you’ve been looking for.”

– Peter Shankman, Founder, Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

“Adrian and Cameron will show you the secrets of getting massive exposure for your business. This book is packed with actionable insights from two guys that actually know how to to do it.”

– Dan Martell,  Serial Entrepreneur & Investor (Intercom.io, Unbounce)

“I told Cameron to write the book on generating free PR. I’m excited to see that he’s finally sharing his secrets with the world. This is a must read for any entrepreneurial company and marketing team.”

– Verne Harnish, Founder of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and author of Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)

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Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future

Many corporations have slick, flashy mission statements that ultimately do little to motivate employees and less to impress customers, investors, and partners. 

But there is a way to share your excitement for the future of your company in a clear, compelling, and powerful way and entrepreneur and business growth expert Cameron Herold can show you how. 

Vivid Vision is a revolutionary tool that will help owners, CEOs, and senior managers create inspirational, detailed, and actionable three-year mission statements for their companies. In this easy-to-follow guide, Herold walks organization leaders through the simple steps to creating their own Vivid Vision, from brainstorming to sharing the ideas to using the document to drive progress in the years to come. 

By focusing on mapping out how you see your company looking and feeling in every category of business, without getting bogged down by data and numbers or how it will happen, Vivid Vision creates a holistic road map to success that will get all of your teammates passionate about the big picture. 

Your company is your dream, one that you want to share with your staff, clients, and stakeholders. Vivid Vision is the tool you need to make that dream a reality.

miracle-morning

The Miracle Morning for
Entrepreneurs: Elevate Your SELF to
Elevate Your BUSINESS

READY FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH AS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND ACCELERATED SUCCESS IN THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A step-by-step guide to enjoying the roller-coaster ride of growth — while getting the most out of life as an entrepreneur. A growth-focused approach: The book is divided into three sections, which cover planning for fast growth, building a company for fast growth, and leading for fast growth. Each topic the author covers — from creating a vision for the company’s future to learning how to generate free PR for a developing company — is squarely focused on the end goal: doubling the size of the entrepreneur’s company in three years or less. A down-to-earth action plan: Herold’s experienced-based advice never gets bogged down in generalities or theory. Instead, he offers a wealth of practical tips, including: How to design meetings for maximum efficiency; How to hire top-quality talent; How to grow in particularly tough markets; How to put together a board of advisors — even for a smaller company; How even the busy entrepreneur can achieve a work/life balance.

READY FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH AS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND ACCELERATED SUCCESS IN THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Hal Elrod’sThe Miracle Morning has helped redefine the mornings and the lives of millions of readers since 2012. Since then, careers have been launched, goals have been met, and dreams have been realized, all through the power of the Miracle Morning’s six Life S.A.V.E.R.S.

THESE SIX DAILY PRACTICES WILL FUEL YOUR EFFORTS TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE.

Now The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs brings you these principles in a whole new light—alongside the Entrepreneurial Elevation Principles and the Entrepreneur’s Elevation Skills. These are essential skills that you need to create a successful business and personal life. Cameron Herold— Bestselling Author and a widely-respected expert on entrepreneurial mindset—brings his wisdom and insight to you using Hal Elrod’s powerful Miracle Morning framework.

DEVELOP A VISION FOR YOUR BUSINESS, AND BECOME THE INFLUENTIAL AND INSPIRING LEADER YOU WERE ALWAYS MEANT TO BE.

The principles and skills you’ll find in this book will help you to channel your passion and achieve balance in a remarkable new way. – Learn why mornings matter more than you think – Learn how to master your own self-leadership and accelerate your personal development – Learn how to manage your energy—physical, mental, and emotional – Learn how to implement Hal Elrod’s invaluable Life S.A.V.E.R.S. in your daily routine – And much more… You’re already an entrepreneur. Now discover how to take your success to the next level by first taking yourself to the next level. The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs is your roadmap to masterfully building an empire with a powerful vision, utilizing your areas of personal genius, with the right team at your side.

Start giving your business and your life the very best opportunities for success, right now.

A step-by-step guide to enjoying the roller-coaster ride of growth — while getting the most out of life as an entrepreneur. A growth-focused approach: The book is divided into three sections, which cover planning for fast growth, building a company for fast growth, and leading for fast growth. Each topic the author covers — from creating a vision for the company’s future to learning how to generate free PR for a developing company — is squarely focused on the end goal: doubling the size of the entrepreneur’s company in three years or less. A down-to-earth action plan: Herold’s experienced-based advice never gets bogged down in generalities or theory. Instead, he offers a wealth of practical tips, including: How to design meetings for maximum efficiency; How to hire top-quality talent; How to grow in particularly tough markets; How to put together a board of advisors — even for a smaller company; How even the busy entrepreneur can achieve a work/life balance.