The 4 P's of success in life or business are:

1. Patience - Often times it takes years to launch a new idea and still more time to be successful at it. You have little real control over the thinking of others. Be it the world, family, friends or business associates. Some will come around to your way of thinking others will not. You know it's a great idea but 'they' may not be ready for it. The world is not on your clock.

2. Persistence - If you really believe in what you're doing you will not give up. Changing your thinking, adjusting the measurements, and revising your plan are all part of the process. Giving up is not.

3. Perspiration - If you don't do the work nobody else will. You can try paying someone else or coercing them. Unless they see the passion and real commitment from you, likely their effort will not be enough to help you be successful.
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4. Passion - You can't be taught passion, buy it or be given it as a gift. It is so strong others can see it, hear it and almost taste and touch it in the way you present yourself and your ideas. It can't be faked or forged, true passion is very real. Genuine passion bubbles up from within. You can't contain or control it and without it your chances for success are slim.  Find something you are passionate about and start pursuing it now! It could take a while to get there. Don't forget to enjoy the journey.

Eric Gilboord, A2E
CEO WarrenBDC  
416-270-2466 

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
Answer a question, make a pitch, request a sale, get an opinion, show someone how to do something. If you can't make the message clear, communicate it quickly and say it simply so anyone can understand, then you're not ready.

I used to say, explain it to me like I'm a six year old.  So here goes. 
Grandpa and Grandma, are mixed up and sad about closing their store. Let's make them happy.

Know a 50+ owner of an established business feeling 'a little mixed up and maybe even sad about transitioning out of their business'? A friend, spouse, parent or client.

If yes, please click here and find out how to help make them happy again. 

Ever thought about what you would do when running the business day to day was no longer your responsibility?

The past year has been an interesting time for me. Lots of changes, including how I work, who I work with and how much I enjoy my work. Yes it is true, if you really enjoy what you're doing it's not work. 

This is not without the obligatory surprises, tests of will and oh crap did I just make a huge mistake lightning bolt. So how have I managed to soldier through the challenging times? Good question. While it's exhilarating enjoying the highs, it can be tough dealing with the lows.

Here is my mantra. "I don't know, I'll figure it out."

Next time you're faced with an overwhelming challenge, don't curl up in the fetal position and try to ride it out or yell at the innocent party who just asked you a simple question. 

Embrace the situation, take a deep breath and say "I don't know, I'll/we'll figure it out."

Interesting, I just had an epiphany while writing this post. It's no longer always I, it's now we. As more great people join our company I have become part of the 'we'.

Something for both of us to think about.

Cheers, Eric

Are you attracting Takers or Buyers?

Free samples has several meanings and offering stuff for free can often result in different outcomes.
 
You can get a free sample at the deli counter before you buy. Usually you're there to buy so it makes sense to offer free samples. Sure someone might take advantage but typically the ratio of buying vs taking is low.
 
Free on the other hand, as in download this stuff free, take this free pen at the trade show, come to this free event or take an hour of my time for free has less attraction to real Buyers and usually appeals to Takers. 

Takers go for anything free or close to free and place little value on what they're receiving. It's appropriate to lower your expectations and anticipate a lesser quality of response.

Rarely do they buy as the free stuff satisfies the need for acquisition. If I have all these free downloads to read I don't have to buy books. If I go to free events I don't have to attend paid ones. I've done my duty.
 
On the other hand if I'm considering purchasing a tool or buying a ticket for a paid event I'll gather information, evaulate the purchase and determine if it is the best choice for me. Will it fulfill my requirements, how does it compare with other similar offers and is it a good value? I expect to pay for value and free is not a choice.
 
So next time you're pricing and promoting a product or service or even considering doing someone a favour, you have to decide if this is a free offer or a paid one. We've all done favours where you know there was little real appreciation for your efforts. Kind of an empty feeling.

Ask yourself, what message are you sending about who you are and how you value yourself or your product. Is this a charge situation or a free sample?

Eric Gilboord, A2E

If you follow my blog regularly you'll know I've been through some significant changes or perhaps better said an evolution over the past couple of years. My dream, WarrenBDC has opened, our events are starting to flow, Clients are signing up and if I said I knew what would happen from the beginning I would be lying.

Things really started moving when I adopted the mantra "I don't know, I'll figure it out." We are often our own biggest stumbling block and self-defeat is an enormous beast that will likely never be completely tamed. The day I admitted and accepted that no I don't have all the answers is the moment when everything started to fall into place. 

Yes, I gave myself permission to not know, to screw up and move forward. 
Believe in yourself, start and don't quit, as you go you will figure it out.
 
If you agree with my thinking, please pass this blog along to friends, family or business associates. One small action could change another persons life.

Eric Gilboord, A2E
CEO WarrenBDC  
416-270-2466