tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80030222646642992152024-03-12T21:52:01.267-07:00Leadership Wisdom & Wine; What a Pairing!Hello Leaders & Wine Enthusiasts.
Every experience offers a lesson to be learned. It stands to reason that sharing adventures on Wine Trails around the world will benefit our personal growth.Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-35620443563511536002011-01-21T07:30:00.000-08:002011-01-21T07:30:02.377-08:00Dispelling Myth About Women - A F(W)ine Example<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">Chances are you wont find two women competing for business side by side at the same event.</span><span style="color: #494949; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> But to declare there is no support just doesn’t seem right. The statements below compelled me to add my two cents. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><i>“It’s a dirty little secret among women that we don’t support one another,” says Susan Shapiro Barash, author of Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth About Women and Rivalry and professor of gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>To the contrary </b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>“The iVillage ‘Women Like Me’ study clearly validates that women’s communities engender an unmatched level of trust among their users,” says iVillage EVP Jodi Kahn, “and are ideal places to go for product and brand information.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">Look what happens when you combine Wine, Women & Motherhood – You get one very successful Facebook page, Blog and a thriving income generating business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NCQxOo59WLs/TTi8hESCo-I/AAAAAAAAAEI/kp4Bi0pAfEg/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NCQxOo59WLs/TTi8hESCo-I/AAAAAAAAAEI/kp4Bi0pAfEg/s1600/logo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.omgisoneedaglassofwine.com/press/">http://www.omgisoneedaglassofwine.com/press/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">My newest Northern California neighbor is rocking at a global level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See what a healthy glass of wine will do for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to meet her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">For full article dirty little secret http://bit.ly/fq1y8m</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">For full article Women Like Me http://bit.ly/epGOH4</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-63622316679785420442011-01-19T14:44:00.000-08:002011-01-19T14:44:03.824-08:00Beware of Impotent Goals<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An impotent goal will not lead you to success rather disappointment. But a goal with passion at the root will get you where you want to go. If you are working for money, why? There is rarely a passion for money – rather it’s how you will use the money. What is it you are so passionate about you are willing to sacrifice?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Example 1</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Impotent goal</u>: I will double my income in 2011.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Passionate goal</u>: I will double my income in 2011 to achieve the top sales award and take my husband on a dream vacation to Italy’s Tuscan Wine Country.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Example 2</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Impotent goal</u>: Run 8 miles to get/stay in shape.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Passionate goal</u>: Run 8 miles so that I can open and drink my last bottle of limited production 2006 David Bruce Petite Sirah, guilt free. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my case it was running eight miles through rough terrain to simply enjoy a glass of wine. The first four miles meet my daily calorie burn. The next two help me burn more calories than I consume. But the last two miles of calorie burning agony are exclusive of all goals because my passion for wine has driven me to this point. I can now enjoy a “calorie free” glass of wine this evening.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Beware of impotent goals.</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-89636193772032143432011-01-13T09:45:00.000-08:002011-01-13T09:46:56.934-08:00Working Women Want WineIt's true - based on my personal experience, <i>working women want wine</i>. Networking events typically offer hors-devours. For years food has been a determining factor when choosing one event over another. This works well to magnetize men. But if you expect working women on the scene, include the word <b>wine</b> in your event invitation. We ladies are forever working on our Wine-Waistline(c). Women have gone so far as to include wine under the fruit & vegetables category to replace the food otherwise offered. Consider this when planning your next business networking event.Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-52259897259237316572010-09-28T10:20:00.000-07:002010-09-28T13:27:14.743-07:00Search For Existing Research<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The hobbyist with an entrepreneurial spirit will eventually come around to the idea of turning the hobby into profits. What often stops them are the words <i>"I don't know</i>." Why not find out by getting the facts from credible research often available online? Are you curious about the costs and realities of starting up a winery? I did a little research and here is a quick easy snapshot posted to my website: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.divinitatis.com/wineryinvestment.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">www.divinitatis.com/wineryinvestment.pdf</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Notice that wineries small and large turn a profit within 3 years. Research like this can be used when presenting your dream to investors. Use existing research and jump start your hobby turn business dream. Use your answers to "I don't know" into a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">profit</span>.</span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-3822675043906613002010-09-27T14:08:00.000-07:002010-09-27T14:18:06.839-07:00Another Start-Up Tries to Sell Wine Online<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Any article or story about balanced entrepreneurs interests me. When it is wine industry related you've got may full attention. Claire Cain Miller hooked me with the title above. Below is part of an article she wrote about not just the business but the driving force, Lloyd Benedict. Enjoy!</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite all the other products we now buy online, Web sites selling wine have struggled. Consumers don’t automatically think of the Web when they want to buy wine, and labyrinthine laws complicate the shipping of wine between states. During the dot-com craze, several wine e-commerce start-ups were born and died.</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A new start-up, </span><a href="http://www.americanwinery.com/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AmericanWinery.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, is betting that the time for online wine has finally arrived.</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The site, which was founded in 2007, has the requisite Web 2.0 tools for wine aficionados. Winemakers can post their tasting notes and tips for tourists who want to visit their vineyards. Wine drinkers can buy, rate, review and discuss wine. </span><a href="http://blog.americanwinery.com/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> offers recipes with wine pairings and interviews with winemakers, and a </span><a href="http://www.americanwinery.com/academy/encyclopedia/browse" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wine encyclopedia</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> defines terms from “abboccato” to “zinfandel.”</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AmericanWinery.com’s founder, Lloyd Benedict, is also tapping into the latest foodie craze: buying local. Three-quarters of the 435 wineries that sell on the site are small vineyards that produce fewer than 1,000 cases of wine each year and sell in few or no stores. These winemakers don’t have other ways to reach customers beyond those that visit their tasting rooms and don’t always have the resources to set up their own e-commerce sites, said Mr. Benedict, who wears a “Support Your Local Winemaker” T-shirt to trumpet the cause.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 22px; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://americanwinery.com/about">"Take me to this leader."</a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">or continue this article...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“People in the United States are producing fantastic wine, but they are barely making it,” said Mr. Benedict, who has seen wineries go out of business in Walla Walla, Wash., where the company is based, because they can’t reach enough customers. “Direct sales are a turning point for them.”</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Many start-ups tried something similar during the dot-com bubble.</span></span><a href="http://www.wine.com/Default.asp" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wine.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, a major online wine seller, has imploded and rebuilt itself several times in the last decade. Other start-ups weren’t so lucky. Wineshopper.com, which sold a 45 percent stake to Amazon.com in 1999 when it first tried to enter the wine business, didn’t succeed and merged with Wine.com in 2000.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wine will never be easy to sell online, said Barbara Insel, chief executive of Stonebridge Research, a consulting firm for the wine industry. Wine purchases are driven by recommendations from trusted friends or salespeople, a visit to a winery or a special experience at a restaurant, she said. “You don’t get that just from going to a Web site. It’s the ultimate experiential purchase.”</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Still, consumers’ interest in buying wine online is growing, said Jeremy Benson, president of Benson Marketing Group, a Napa Valley wine marketing agency. In the last 30 years, he said, the number of wineries in the United States has bloomed to 6,000 from 300, while the number of wine wholesalers has shrunk to 200 from 12,000. As a result, more and more people visit vineyards, can’t find the wine they want in the store and go online to buy it.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nonetheless, Mr. Benson said, only 10 to 20 percent of most wineries’ business comes from the Web.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">AmericanWinery.com hopes to fill that void. The site is free for customers and vintners. When a winery sells a bottle of wine through the site, AmericanWinery.com processes the payment and the wineries are responsible for shipping. Shipping is $15 for one to three bottles and $25 for a case.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wineries set the prices for the wine, which range from $5 to $1,000 a bottle. AmericanWinery.com keeps 10 percent of that and returns 90 percent to the winemaker.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That is a crucial difference between his business and other e-tailers, Mr. Benedict said. Many of them operate as re-sellers or wholesalers, keeping the wine in warehouses and handling the entire transaction. A typical distributor gives the winemaker 50 percent of the sale price, according to Mr. Benson.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For example, Amazon.com, which is </span></span><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f15d68a2-ea55-11dc-b3c9-0000779fd2ac.html" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">reportedly starting a wine e-commerce service</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> sometime soon, is said to be using a fulfillment service called New Vine Logistics to store and send wine and will give winemakers 47 percent of the retail price. (Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.) Wine.com operates nine warehouses.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr. Benedict said it was important to him to leave distribution up to the wineries — a lesson he said he learned from the travails of wine e-commerce start-ups during the dot-com bubble. “Looking at the bust, I’m dead set on never touching the product,” he said.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One advantage of using a service like New Vine Logistics: it will navigate </span></span><a href="http://www.slate.com<br />
/id/2186957/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the maze of confusing shipping laws</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> that govern whether and how out-of-state wineries can ship wine to each state. Thirty-five states allow wine to be shipped into their states, but each has different rules, and most require winemakers to buy licenses, pay sales tax and fill out paperwork, said Mr. Benson, who is also the executive director of </span></span><a href="http://www.freethegrapes.org/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Free the Grapes</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, an organization that advocates easy, direct wine purchasing.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr. Benedict said he planned to have a system in place by December to coordinate these shipping licenses so that winemakers on AmericanWinery.com can sell to customers in the majority of states.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr. Benedict, who at 24 has only been able to legally drink for three years, said he first became interested in wine when he moved to Walla Walla to attend college in 2002. The region is a </span></span><a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/greathomesanddestinations/30havens.html" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">burgeoning wine destination</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He started the site with $2 million from angel investors as a free service for winemakers to post information about their wines online for other vintners or for visitors planning a trip to the vineyard. Winemakers quickly asked him to add an e-commerce feature so that consumers could buy wines. He did that a year ago, and 35 to 40 new wineries sign up each month.</span></span></div></span></div>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-77640421003432597072010-09-24T12:35:00.001-07:002010-09-24T12:50:11.327-07:00Still True: Actions Speak Louder Than Words<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our best evidence of people's true feelings and beliefs comes less from their words than from their deeds. Observers trying to decide what people are like look closely at their actions. Researchers have discovered that people themselves use this same evidence -- their own behavior -- to decide what they are like; it is a primary source of information about one's own beliefs, values, and attitudes (Vallacher & Wegner, 1985).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It does not hurt to check in with ourselves from time to time (or daily in times of change).</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's pose the questions:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What does my behavior say about me?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What actions of others are drawing my attention?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What will I do today that will reflect my own beliefs, values, and attitudes?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">ask</span> the questions we are 1/3 closer to greatness.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">answer</span> the questions we are still another 1/3 closer.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">act</span> on our intentions we 99.9% there. The last 1% is reserved for those of us that go back to question one throughout our lives.</span></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-28150337437188570382010-04-26T08:18:00.000-07:002010-04-26T08:18:22.582-07:00Forget About the Competition: Lead & Develop Success<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i>"It's mind over matter, I don't mind because you don't matter." -me</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The "you" in this quote refers to the competition. Its time we stop giving our energy and focus to them. Your own ability to deliver a quality product and outperform the rest depends on your leadership not theirs. You take control of what happens in your business. Every second given to checking out the competition is a second away from your personal best. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When asked what they do to outperform the competition, Ron McManis of McManis Family Vinyards responded: "Our focus is on three things: quality, consistancy and value."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Ron is not checking out the competition's quality and consistency. He's focusing on his business and what he controls and accomplishes. Competition is a diversion from success. When you started your company or developed a vision, did it have anything to do with competition? Maybe quality, consistency and value is what you too want to deliver. Decide on what they looks like to you. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Forget about the competition because they don't matter. What three things you do to lead, succeed and consequently, outperform the competition?</div>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-32051753869212524232010-04-20T11:48:00.000-07:002010-04-20T11:48:55.562-07:00Turning A Gamble Into Certainty<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What do a future restaurateur, human resource consultant and a wine maker have in common? They all asked the question “Should I start my own business?” The one question they all had an answer for was, “Do I want to continue doing what I am doing?” That answer “no” was the key motivator for starting their business. In these difficult financial times starting a new business seems like a gamble but it does not have to be.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A good start would be to reduce the risks by confronting reality. That does not mean giving in to fears and coming to a full stop. It means research the means to creating a successful business. Gain certainty with real answers for making sound decisions. Reduce risks by changing any gamble to a specific known. Allow yourself to make S.M.A.R.T. decisions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On September 11, 2001 Jim Waters was a New York City firefighter faced one of the most tragic experiences of his life. Not long after he made a career and life changing decision to turn a hobby into a dream. To meet him you need only visit his now family owned and operated <a href="http://waterscrestwinery.com/">Waters Crest Winery</a> in Long Island’s North Fork wine region. He’ll forever be remembered as one of America’s heroes. He also made it on to my list of favorite winemakers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In both careers there is risk. Both careers require you to make very important decisions; some life threatening others financially distressing. So when it comes to the transition it is simply a matter of how to make the change. There are always tough choices in life – so gamble with it? Live life knowing, with certainty, it is the right life for you</span>.Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-91300952737538599242010-03-12T09:37:00.000-08:002010-03-12T09:49:02.458-08:00Memorable Experiences Drive Our Decisions<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">Memorable refers to the depth of understanding that comes by allowing experiences to speak to one another: familiar and exotic, new and old, or side by side. </span><br />
<br />
I find my expectations around the taste and quality of wine vary depending on my surroundings or the location. Location can mean any number of places: countries, regions, large or small wineries, family-owned wineries, in a restaurant or at home. Some of my favorite and most memorable experiences are those visits to small family-owned wineries in the middle of nowhere.<br />
<br />
While driving through Franconia, Germany, and we saw a small sign near a driveway that read “Wein.” We made a right turn and parked in front of a simple house with a typical wooden swing set near the house and a heavy wooden door with a doorbell, which we pushed. An old woman (OMA or Grandma) opened the door. Her face and hands were weathered from years in the fields. Her hands looked strong, a finger was missing and there was plenty of earth under her nails. She spoke German with a regional accent so strong we could hardly understand her. However we all spoke “WINEeese” without strain.<br />
<br />
When we asked if we could taste her wine her face lit up! She was cute as she wobbled back inside gesturing for us to follow her. She opened a little refrigerator and pulled out bottle after bottle of wine, all sorts of wine. If I remember correctly the bottles were already open and few had labels. She poured wine for each of us including herself. <br />
<br />
Our expectation for the wine’s taste and quality was low. We were CORRECT; it was mostly undrinkable and nothing we would buy in a store. BUT we were having a fabulous time just soaking up the old woman’s joy of sharing wine with strangers. We stayed for at least an hour. She doted over our daughter pouring her glasses of varying grape juices: red, purple, white. Hayden eventually went to play on the swing and we bought wine. <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">I can’t say whether or not we ever drank the bottles we bought. It doesn’t matter – it was a memorable experience. It drove our decision to buy undrinkable wine.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;"><br />
</span>Memorable refers to the depth of understanding that comes by allowing experiences to speak to one another: familiar and exotic, new and old, or side by side. Can you create an experience so wonderfully memorable that you could drive another to buy even the undrinkable?Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-84181599828578341892010-03-10T10:28:00.000-08:002010-03-10T10:30:37.917-08:00Dictate Your Own Schedule, Business & Life<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">You dictate your schedule, your business and life. This is the powerful mindset you need to successfully be a leader</span>. I caution anyone that sees it the other way around. If you WANT to give your control and passion to someone or something else this is not the blog for you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday the sun was shining and was the warmest day of 2010. I had planned to be in the office all day. Tuesday coaching sessions start at 6am and wrap up by around 11. I develop new business the rest of the day. That can mean a networking luncheon, follow-up calls, writing this blog or my ezine. Sometimes I schedule my own personal development.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Given the beauty of the day and the call of the convertible I made some adjustments to my plan. Why couldn’t I write, network and research in the wine country? I checked in with my boss (that would be me) and declared it an excellent idea!</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ventured to Bucks County Wine Trail, PA. This was a work day and I planned to do it my way. The beauty of a vineyard is my place of inspiration. As I sat in the sun and sipped wine I focused on all the same tasks I would have in the office. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The people I met either worked at the winery or were business owners in search of a release. It gave me a chance to connect within my niche. Everyone we meet can use your expertise or services someday. Who knows maybe you need there’s, right?</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don’t be afraid to change up your business day. Resentment, longing and frustration are clear indicators you need attitude adjustment. Talk to your boss (that’s you) and get a new perspective on how to get a handle on your schedule, business and life.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WINE ENTHUSIAST RECOMMENDATION:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you ever get to Bucks County, PA, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.crossingvineyards.com/">Crossing Vinyards & Winery<span id="goog_1268245283462"></span></a>. The property is majestic, they have award winning wines, and Mary is absolutely delightful.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If all this sounds unachievable consider giving me a call for Life Coaching. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you would like to inspire others with your own success stories use this blog to COMMENT!</span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-9835980050063397782010-02-19T04:44:00.000-08:002010-02-19T04:44:15.707-08:00Open That Bottle Night - Feb. 27, 2010<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's Friday friends - and that means you get less of leadership and more of wine.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">February 27th is Open That Bottle Night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know what you're thinking, "Jake made that up."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nope - see for yourself.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.openthatbottlenight.com/index.shtml"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.openthatbottlenight.com/index.shtml</span></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think that might be the right time to introduce Divinitatis Coaching's new wine label. Oh, and open up that bottle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Use your leadership skills to create an evening with one mission in mind: Open That Bottle!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What will you be doing? Your fellow blog readers really do want ideas - I bet yours is a good one.</span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-10853274084342091472010-02-17T10:57:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:57:50.482-08:00Do you value your leadership quality like an exquisite rare wine?<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"There are things whose value depends upon only their rarity, such as...exquisite wines. Since we can only procure things from particular territories of very small scale, it follows that their quanity be very limited: no amount of hard work is able to increase their quanity." Ricardo, English economist</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is only one you so you'll need to value the quality of your leadership. Be sure to invest in yourself. Be your personal best. No matter how hard you work there is only one you - so be the best and reap the rewards of earning top dollar for your value. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Value depends on rarity. Economics is quite simple- right?</span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-24314445608687195322010-02-12T08:57:00.000-08:002010-02-12T08:57:20.911-08:00Leaders don't give up on what's important!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">I reward myself for an excellent work week with a worthwhile wine. I'm pleased the artisan that made the wine did not give up when facing challenges that came his way.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">Read on...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I recently received a tip that was especially relelvant for any of us who are parents, and for us business owners (that includes winemakers) too. Charles Fay from the Love and Logic Institute (www.loveandlogic.com) was talking about his father who made a profound impact on this life by repeatedly sharing this important thought: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Well, Charlie, what's really worthwhile in life is rarely easy." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Charlie goes on to say that many children rarely get this powerful message about struggle, and end up going from one thing to the next, hoping for it to be 'easy', and desperately trying to find fulfillment. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That got me to thinking, "Doesn't that apply to us as business owners too?" Marketers everywhere are telling us that it is easy, when in fact anything worthwhile in life is rarely easy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a result, we have unrealistic expectations about growing our business, the results we will get, and the amount of work involved. And then in the end we feel like WE are not suited to be businesses owners, and that WE are the failures. And then we move on to the next venture hoping to find more ease and success there. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Is it worthwhile to grow a thriving business, and are you willing to do the work to make it happen?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I reward myself for an excellent work week with a worthwhile wine. I'm pleased the artisan that made the wine did not give up and faced any challenges that came his way.</span></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-36466261828969205662010-02-08T07:28:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:56:23.541-08:00Leadership Perspective - Fresh Mondays!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fresh Start for Monday - Pay & Plan. Unlike Garfield the Cat - I like Mondays.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I begin by paying bills. There is nothing like a sense of completion when closing your checkbook for the week. Major ahhhhhh, right?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next I reward myself by finding a wine event (you can choose any activity) and write it in on my calendar. No time for attending the event or its too far away? Write it down anyway. You never know if your schedule will open up for an activity that interests you. Now your prepared for possibility.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now your bills are done and you're prepped for fun. The rest of the week is yours!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bvwinetrail.com/trail_events.cfm"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Brandywine Trail: Wine & Chocolate Month</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">February 2010 </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bring your sweetheart and come celebrate with the wineries of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail as we present delicious wine and chocolate tastings and other romantic activities throughout the month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">See you on the trail?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA#watch-main-area">Monday Inspiration</a></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-9161851595687613782010-02-05T12:24:00.000-08:002010-02-05T12:24:11.392-08:00Each man set his own standard<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are no standards of taste in wine... Each man's own taste is the standard, and a majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard. ~ Mark Twain</span> <br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We like to think we set the standards for others, right? We set the bar or we even raise the bar. But truly it is we that decide for ourselves just which stardard we would follow or set. Thus WE/ YOU set your own standard.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I know what may be right for another and see in her the possibilities, she must see them for herself. She must decide on her own personal standard for it is only that standard for which she will strive. If you truly want to grow or help another to grow, encourage her to look within first. If you want to help, teach her ways to discover her internal compass for setting her own standard. Your reward for this effort is watching her grow. Who knows, her standards may be far beyond whatever you would have set for her.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">These thoughts are a little deep for a Monday - so it's Friday and I'm enjoying a fabulous Zinfandel Hayley's from </span><a href="http://www.karmere.com/"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">Kamere Vinyards</span></a><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">, CA. Here's a thought when selecting the people with whom you will share your wine:</span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ~ Mark Twain (1835–1910) American humorist and writer</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-52731910586302746682010-01-25T10:30:00.000-08:002010-01-25T10:30:55.169-08:00Does Commenting On Other People’s Blogs Make a Difference?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you comment on other people’s blogs? If you are a blogger, you know the emotional lift you get when people actually take the time to acknowledge what you’re writing. It makes all the effort feel really worth it. But did you know there are business reasons why commenting on blogs is a good idea?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Consider this: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Your primary objective through social media is most likely to build visibility for yourself and your business. When you comment on the influential blogs in your niche regularly, you become known by not only that blogger, but by the people that regularly read that blog too. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some people that read that blog, and appreciate the thoughtful points you make, may click your name to read more about what you have to say. That’s why you should always include a website link in the optional field. (NOTE: I advise against including your link in the text of your comment. That just feels spammy.) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes, if the blogger hasn’t disabled it, those website links count as incoming links to your blog, increasing your search engine visibility. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You contribute to the larger discussion that helps everyone in your niche consider different viewpoints, and ultimately become better. Are you helping to shape the conversation? </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s so easy to just consume the content that other people are putting out there, without giving back. But those that are most successful know that contributing is an important part of visibility. Take some time to read 3-5 influential blogs in your niche several days a week, and leave comments! It will benefit the visibility of your business. blog contributor - <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=104194116&gid=2261254&srchCat=WOTC&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ejenfongspeaks%2Ecom%2Fdoes-commenting-on-other-peoples-blogs-make-a-difference%2F%3Fsms_ss%3Dlinkedin&urlhash=rVbf">Jennifer Fong</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> You share your comments about wines - good or bad. Why not take a few minutes to comment on the thoughts of another. Chances are they will be thrilled by your feedback - good or bad. So - get going!</span></div>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-33167523760624599982010-01-18T06:16:00.000-08:002010-01-18T06:16:29.873-08:00Martin Luther King DayYou may be enjoying the day off. You may be scrambling to work while your children are enjoying their day home from school. You may experience inconvenience on the “bank” holiday. Breathe and reflect on how Dr. Martin Luther King’s words are still worthy of guidance going forward in our complicated and global world.<br />
<br />
“…my four children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”<br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">Character! As we are challenged to grow our businesses, close sales and juggle family life, remember his words. While pursuing your dream and your personal best you need only remember the significance of your character. The REAL you, the content of your character, will lead others to be a part of your success toward accomplishing your dream.</span><br />
<br />
Today we honor a leader above leaders. A man who brought honor to this great nation by holding our leaders, our people, accountable to the promises we hold self evident. Today we honor a man who teaches us not to live in fear. <br />
<br />
“Tonight I’m not worried. Tonight I’m not fearing any man – my eyes have seen the coming of the Lord.” Martin Luther King<br />
<br />
As leaders we have the power to act on our passions without fear. Whatever your dream – you have the power of choice!<br />
<br />
I imagine bits and pieces of Dr. Kings famous speeches will be running on the TV or maybe even radio. Just in case you would like to listen on your own time, I’m attaching this link:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk&feature=related">I Have a Dream </a><br />
<br />
Bless the lives of those you care about by BEING a Leader.Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-50668034623662792592010-01-11T09:22:00.000-08:002010-01-11T09:24:29.452-08:00Consider Each Moment a Success<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I live moment to moment and see greatness all around me, especially in others. When asked about my greatest achievement I am stifled. Greatest? Really? Are they asking me to nail down a particular life accomplishment like childbirth, writing a best selling book or climbing a mountain? If that were the case I simply couldn't choose.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If asked "What would you say contributed greatest toward your success?" I could easily answer: learning to live in the now. It allows me see and enjoy the wonders around me. It allows me to see the beauty in the person beside me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sound corny or 'earthy'? Consider the person who has had a near death experience. They have a greater or even new appreciation for every moment in life. They live each day as if it were their last. You too can have the same exhilaration for life without the near death experience.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, <span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">when asked about the greatest wine I've ever tasted I again reflect on the moment</span>. How I feel or want to feel depends very much on where I am mentally and physically. So would my answer. At the moment I am energized and its sunny and cold outside. Writing this blog it would be great to have a buttery yet mild-bodied Chardonnay with notes of toasted oak in my hand. I'll post this and possibly make my way to the wine cellar to see what looks the great.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Try it... it is GREAT! </span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-15553764729581234902010-01-04T11:03:00.000-08:002010-01-04T11:03:37.804-08:00Lead the Way ... what it takes to get your products to your customers.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: #f3f3f3;">Lead the Way and be a part of progress.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Since moving to Pennsylvania I am constantly reminded of how difficult this state makes it for Winemakers to sell their wines. I've even gone to extreme measures to get my favorite wines shipped into the state (names witheld to protect the awesome). Well it seems Pennsylvania is finally giving in to consumer demand and making a few changes for distribution. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/features/beverage/e3ifeb9b7d8f4cd52bcc673b27c18dad761">Follow this link to see progress in the making.</a><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Lead the Way</em> and be a part of progress.</span><br />
</div></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is ever-so-exhillerating and inspiring to see anyone willing to act on an idea and see it become a reality. Thank you to the creative minds behind this idea. </span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-58393583103698052622009-12-31T08:13:00.000-08:002009-12-31T08:17:03.036-08:00Reflections of A Leader<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Observe the maneuvers of your critical mind (as well as your critics) and decide what role they will play in your Leadership Success.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rather than working against your inner-critics consider observing them. Meditation is considered a powerful method for turning-in for clarity. However, in our ordinary (or extraordinary) waking moments the pointing finger, angry and doubtful voices cry out for attention. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By observing their manoeuvres, you can “distance from your (my) own inner condemning, critical voices, literally encouraging you (me) to "watch" these voices as if they had no more importance than other thoughts passing through your mind.” To be able to regard these critical voices as the "antics" of the mind, to train yourself to simply observe their maneuvers, you achieve greater peace of mind and leadership Success.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The wine enthusiast may want to venture out to Artesa Winery in Napa California to begin just such a journey. </em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Aretsa</strong> is one of the most architecturally stunning wineries in Northern America. Sitting on 350 acres, this ultra-modern winery offers panoramic views of Napa Valley, the Carneros growing region, and San Francisco Bay. Steeped in the property’s modernistic, minimalist look and surrounded by contemporary sculptures, fountains, and reflecting pools, the Visitor Center and Tasting Room are a delight to behold.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They are known for their sparkling wines, but the winery has since found its niche in still wines, especially their Estate Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – according to Barbara Scott-Goodman author and fellow wine enthusiast.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Observe the maneuvers of your critical mind (as well as your critics) and decide what role they will play in your Leadership Success.</em></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-27482933335255366052009-12-09T08:36:00.000-08:002009-12-09T08:37:57.737-08:00Planning 2010 Before Year End<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you doing NOW to plan for 2010? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the moment you're planning what wines to serve with Holiday Meals and Parties. I'm with you and have a good start on purchasing sparkling and other wines. Years past we did not realize we could not get wine in PA grocery stores (remember I'm from CA) and Wine & Spirit stores were closed on holidays. My husband knocked on a winemaker's door and we were saved. Needless to say wine is first on our holiday event planning list. As priorities go I highly recommend you add <strong>Create a 2010 Leadership Success Plan For Personal & Professional Success.</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wine growers and makers we can't predict what the crops for the next year but they work with what they already can. They create marketing plans for their existing product, budget for new barrel, create goals for distribution and greater market share, etc. And they can work on their overall VISION: why did I start this business and what am I doing now to make sure my dream stays alive?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white;">When you create your leadership success goals now, you can think about your plan of action. What better time of year to share your vision with friends, family and associates. Let them know you are already prepared for success in 2010. Of course you'll need to take a little time now and get it out of your head and put it on paper</span>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've got some suggestions to get you thinking - </span><a href="http://www.standoutezine.com/divinitatis/2009/11_19/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">check them out</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-88999690331034556932009-11-19T04:12:00.000-08:002009-11-19T04:12:31.387-08:00What were you doing at twenty five?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting to turn that job into a career? Beginning to wonder if you’d get married at thirty? Maybe thinking about putting that tiny bit of stashed away retirement money into a really nice car? If you were Andrew Murray, the answer to the question “What were you doing at twenty five?” would be “being praised as one of the top winemakers in America.” (Woot Wine)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wonder how you would answer the question. Better yet, are you doing what you want to at whatever age you are today? . How will you look back at this day 15 years from now? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>It's never too late to start or restart leading your search for your personal legacy.</em></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-59081930117762632192009-11-13T12:22:00.000-08:002009-11-13T12:45:13.859-08:00Attract New Clients: Lead With Wine<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prospering in today’s economy will require an extraordinary examination of your personal commitment to “the truth” as it relates to your industry in general and your own business or job in particular. In dealing with clients from many different backgrounds, I have noticed that, quite often, we do not make decisions according to what is true. Rather, we make decisions according to what we want to be true. Or what we wish was true. This is usually a recipe for disaster. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider the well established restaurant that's been serving food and drink since 1796. By now there’s been quite a turnover in clientele - graveyard conveniently located across the street. As time dictates the menus change as do the people they attract. Once again they felt it was time for a change. So what did they do to get attention and attract new patrons? Host wine events of course!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until now I've only heard about the <a href="http://www.shipinn.net/">Ship Inn</a> and driven past on many occasions. I've asked friends and neighbors; they too have heard about it but haven't been to "that old place on the corner."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New business developer, Terri Stevens, took a realistic look at how the area and culture had change and formulated a new approach. Each month they host a fabulous & affordable wine event. Each event raises money for one particular cause or another. Then she went about spreading the word. She went to the hottest women's groups in town and promised fabulous wine and food events in a classy atmosphere.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are on to their third month. Each time the place is rocking and everybody’s talking about the "Classy Hot Spot's" next event:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Traveling Through California Vineyards in Support of Lung Cancer." Proceeds go to the Cancer Center at Paoli Hospital</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notice what's working and what's not working. And when it's not working, change your approach. And keep changing until you finally achieve what it is you're committed to. </span><br />
</div>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-73852919515649937282009-11-09T06:35:00.000-08:002009-11-09T12:35:47.765-08:00Coach Jake declares: Enthusiastic Leaders Enjoy Premium Wines<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be the enthusiastic leader in your life! Enthusiasm must be nourished with new action, new aspiration, new efforts, new vision. It is one’s own fault if enthusiasm is gone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember it is the power of enthusiasm that leads others to act- so make it contagious. Our latest joys in Va La’s Enoteca (also known as a wine tasting room) illustrated the resounding response to our celebratorious enthusiasm.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sister flew from California to Pennsylvania with only 36 hours to share and participate in a special religious event in honor of my son. We were full of life and joy in sharing this time together, brief as it was.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I insisted we visit some wineries on our way back to the airport. During our tasting we concentrated on the wines and intermittently recalled the previous day’s experience. We shared our stories with our server. She was engaged and our energy was quickly transferred. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then mentioned our next stop was the airport. Surprise, surprise our now high energy yet empathetic server insisted on honoring my sister with a glass of wine from their premium wine list. We smiled, were truly grateful and suggested a premium chocolate would be the perfect pairing for a perfect farewell. The rest goes without saying.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #4c1130;">Leadership includes sincere enthusiasm for a meaningful experience and a shared vision. There is truly no desire for resistance only assistance. Part of my job as a </span><a href="http://divinitatis.com/coaching.html"><span style="background-color: #4c1130;">leadership coach</span></a><span style="background-color: #4c1130;"> is to help energize and motivate leaders to focus on those activities that invoke such enthusiasm.</span></span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003022264664299215.post-20886301848825344682009-10-20T12:02:00.000-07:002009-10-20T12:02:49.292-07:00Winemakers: Entrepreneurs, Artists, Leaders<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of the winemakers I know started making wine in their garage or basement. Some inherited the family business which was also started in a basement or barn. All have the hearts of a true entrepreneur as they forge on to develop great wines. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hobbyists beware of the words “you should sell this stuff.” BAM! The entrepreneur inside turns its creative mind to large quantity production and cool labels. But if they ever want to get it in your hands they have to do much more than create and bottle the wine. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While researching the newest winery in the region I met Lance and Valerie owners of Black Walnut Winery. I should add that they do have partners in crime (wine), Jack and Karen. These four are the classic wine enthusiasts turned hobbyists turned entrepreneur and soon to be leaders recognized for their award winning wines. I can not describe how much I enjoyed their wines and YES, their story. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[<em>read Rob Kallessa's article bacause I could not have written it better</em>: </span><a href="http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091006/SPARK0302/910070304/1129/rss06"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091006/SPARK0302/910070304/1129/rss06</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">] </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.blackwalnutwinery.com/about.html</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the purpose of this blog I continue…</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, we all have something great within us that we want to share. In each story there is a pivotal moment when they sought advice and expertise of other entrepreneurs they consider leaders. The spirit that drove them to ask for advice also encouraged them to act. About that time they totally become paralyzed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One winemaker I know said he got great advice and did do what he needed to trademark and begin selling the wine. When he finally had everything in place he freaked out! When the license to sell was in his hands reality hit; his dream had come true. Up ‘till then he was so busy following instructions and DOING.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #4c1130; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t know that we always see the shift from artist to entrepreneur when its happening. We experience the challenges and feel the anxiety about a particular task – but only after we allowed the internal leader to take charge. Its being a leader that helps us to get the do done. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So my fellow artisans I encourage you now to look back at what happened in your life just before you started DOING – that was your first defining moment. That is when you unleashed the leader in you. My bet is 50% of you were laughing over a glass of wine when it happened.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I right? Comment!</span>Certified Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17311451577007896750noreply@blogger.com0