A blog reader recently wrote an email and shared his frustration at being stuck in a corporate job and hating it, but not knowing how to begin a new business in a new field. To answer this question, I outlined a number of steps you can take to go from vague and fuzzy idea to concrete business concept, highlighted here: Step 1: Wrap your arms around the field. Learn as much as you can about all the ways this field is expressed in business, so that you know which area to focus on. Step 2: Choose a...
May 22, 2007•6 min
Most small business owners have big plans to develop new services, re-invigorate marketing efforts or enhance online offerings. But if you are working alone, sometimes the tasks seem overwhelming. Participating in a group class or workshop can be a great way to: Develop a supportive network of peers that can provide insight, encouragement and motivation for your project Get expert advice from your instructor which can ensure you don't make costly misakes and do things right the first time Build ...
May 07, 2007•4 min
If you were raised in a conflict-averse household like I was, you may find that your early training seeps into your business and you are afraid to upset anyone with a controversial product or service. Big mistake! The most successful (and interesting!) businesses take a stand and create something different, unique and meaningful for their target market. You should be no different. In this 6-minute episode, I outline why I think it is so important to take a stand and do the following things when ...
Apr 24, 2007•6 min
For all of you who have just made your first sale, congratulations! You should jump up and down and dance a jig at your accomplishment. Very soon, however, you will discover that a closed sale does not equal money in your bank account. Based on personal experience and that which I have learned from smart friends, I share some guidelines for making sure that you plan and contract for a stable cash flow in your new business. They include things like: Carefully study your client's financial terms, ...
Mar 19, 2007•7 min
We all get comfortable using email to introduce ourselves to people we find compelling or share common business interests with. It is a quick and painless way to connect with people all over the world. But with the influx of email in everyone's inbox these days, as an alternative, why don't you try picking up the phone? In this episode, I cover some tips for phone networking so that you: Know how to professionally and quickly get to the point of the call Respect the other person's time Make sure...
Mar 05, 2007•4 min
If you are anything like me, you sweat the details of your business, wanting to make sure that everything is flawless and of the highest standards. The problem is, in a rapidly moving world and life, it is impossible to be perfect at everything you do. In fact, you will most likely stress yourself out and get little done if your standards are so high that you get paralyzed. In this episode, I invite you to redefine your relationship with perfectionism and invite "good enough" as a new standard f...
Feb 21, 2007•7 min
Intrigued by questions from many of my blog readers about small business marketing, I thought I would get answers from John Jantsch, one of the most well-respected small business marketing experts in the world. Do any of these questions ring true for you? If I have never marketed myself before, where do I begin? What are the pieces of a total marketing system? Why is it so important to define a specific target audience or niche for my services? Won't this narrow my opportunities? What if I loath...
Feb 12, 2007•34 min
All aspiring entrepreneurs have fears about starting a business. Such as: No one will ever buy my product or service I do not have enough experience to start a business All my competitors have superior products (besides which, they are smarter and/or better looking) Some people stay paralyzed and never move forward, while others find ways to overcome their fears and experience success. In this episode, I walk you through a specific exercise that you can use to diagnose and alleviate your fears. ...
Jan 29, 2007•7 min
Departing from the regular, brief bursts of information in this podcast, this interview is a 40 minute conversation with Martha Beck, author of the New York Times bestselling book Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live and monthly columnist for Oprah's O Magazine . Martha provides lively and insighful information about how to figure out the work you are meant to do, a critical step in deciding which business to start as a new entrepreneur. Her approach may surprise...
Jan 15, 2007•44 min
It is easy to get in the habit of being the "person behind the curtain," creating fame and glory for charismatic clients, executives and spouses. But when we choose to play small, we limit our lives to "next best" and miss the opportunity for great contribution to the world and personal joy and satisfaction. In this episode, I share some of my own experiences with playing small and the tremendous surge of energy and abundance I experienced when I decided to play bigger. Why not decide to play bi...
Jan 01, 2007•5 min
If you are just starting to market your business, you might feel a little exasperated when trying to choose a perfect brand name. It may feel like until you do this, you can't move forward with any marketing plans and you feel stuck and frustrated. In this episode, I cover: What a good branding process should look like Which marketing activities you can undertake before your brand is fully baked Which marketing activities you should hold off on until you are 80% or more satisfied with your brand...
Dec 18, 2006•7 min
Do you often feel like the oddball in your family, your job or your profession? Drawing on inspiration from the "Island of the Misfit Toys" from the 1964 classic movie Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, I outline ways to: Celebrate your unique quirks, differences and personal history Tie them in with needs in your market Be proud of the misfit you are and reflect it in an authentic and kickass brand! For those that are fans of the movie, I found a really fun link with some of the back story of the c...
Dec 04, 2006•7 min
Knowing what business to start is a huge question for many aspiring entrepreneurs. Aside from examining your own passions and interests, you can gain great insight into this question by thinking about your ideal customer in the following dimensions: Who would I genuinely like to work with? What characteristics do they share? What impact would my product or service have on their life? How does it feel to know I am having a positive impact? How would I feel talking about my business with these cus...
Nov 20, 2006•6 min
Do you do something very well, get recognition and rewards for it but feel very burned out and dead when you practice it? You may suffer the curse of competence, a deadly trap for aspiring entrepreneurs. This episode discusses how to avoid starting a business based on a skill or ability you are burned out on. It can seem the easy path to money, but often leads to real frustration and apathy. Some strategies discussed: Disconnect the ability from the job description Create a personal development ...
Nov 06, 2006•4 min
Two of the most critical elements of becoming a successful entrepreneur are developing a positive mental attitude and defeating negative self-talk. This is important to not only produce great business results, but also to enjoy the day-to-day process of building your business. In this episode, I discuss two elements of a postive mental attitude: Distinguishing between your "essential" self and your "social" self to ensure you are doing work you are meant to do Using a simple 4-question process c...
Oct 23, 2006•9 min
In this episode, I cover three things that help new entrepreneurs overcome their dread of all things marketing: Readjusting your marketing mindset Clearly defining a niche Selecting and creating a marketing plan I reference two helpful marketing experts: Robert Middleton from www.actionplan.com and John Jansch from www.ducttapemarketing.com
Oct 09, 2006•7 min
Many people have questions about which business to start. But most approach the task from the wrong angle, believing that if they just think about it enough that the answer will magically appear. In this episode, Pam covers: A myth about the process of deciding which business to start Insight into why it is such a difficult quest for veteran corporate employees A (fun) homework assignment to get some insight into the best business idea for you
Sep 25, 2006•7 min
This episode covers the importance of thinking about the kind of life that would make you happy, healthy, stable and fulfilled before you run down the road of creating a business plan. I include an easy-to-complete exercise with just enough "woo woo" to make you relax in your cube.
Sep 11, 2006•4 min
This episode introduces the purpose and intent of the Escape from Cubicle Nation Podcast. It will build on content I write on my blog www.escapefromcubiclenation.com as well as include interviews with interesting, informative, passionate and creative people who know more than a thing or two about entrepreneurship.
Aug 28, 2006•8 min
