Did you ever sit with or be on the phone someone who you just wondered to yourself ... man, how did they get to know so much?

Because I spend a good part of my week educating and doing research that our marketing, development, and research specialists can use to produce better results for our clients ... it stands to reason that some of my time is spent either reading, talking with, or listening to the 'Greats of the Online World'. Those that have gone before and paved the way ... the folks who have witnessed success!

Well, here is a link to some of the resources that they suggest you consume to get in the know...

It was encouraging to read through and realize that I too have learned from many of the resources on their list. However, it seems for me that the more I learn the more I realize I need to learn.

Until next time...

Have you ever purchased a book because you thought that by the sound of the title that maybe there is some hope that reading it might produce some gem of knowledge that when put into action produced a result that would change your life?

How about the book entitled ... The 4-Hour Workweek.

Who on earth isn't somewhat curious of the contents? Who doesn't have even just a small twinge of asking yourself what if? You know the feeling you get when you watch those fitness program info-mercials on tv. You might even change the channel when someone walks by but you flip right back because the thought keeps creeping up in your mind ... that could be me losing 50 pounds and in the greatest shape of my life at 40. It could happen.

Well, by reading The 4-Hour Workweek you might not lose 50 pounds and have those 6 pack abs you've always wanted. You may not even get to 30 hours of work per week let alone 4. Still, read the book! Why? Because there are gems in there that even if you've heard them before may mean something to you at this point in your life ... something that may finally make sense.

One of the realizations I came away with was how much time I waste. Not time sitting in front of the television, but time wasted while working. The question came to mind while reading about how much time spent needlessly on the phone or 'watching' email ... how does that ultimately affect the value that I can provide to my clients? Respect time, be professional, yet get to the point and move on.

I havn't read any of Richard Branson's stuff yet or really learned about much of his businesses. Like most everything else there must be practices and principles he applies that I don't agree with, but I'm sure there is something to learn from. The three Keys below are a good start, but I'll be reading Branson's latest book in the next months.

Richard Branson's Three Keys to Entrepreneurial Success

Provide Untapped Value to the Customer: "The most critical thing with any new venture is we must deliver a tremendous value to the consumer so that it enhances all the ventures we've done before it," says Branson. Today, the Virgin brand encompasses everything from soft drinks to airlines. Branson's approach has been to provide something unique in each venture; something the competition lacks. Find the value, find the customers.

Exploit a Passion: "I start businesses when I have a passion for something. That's also why I went into the airline business, even though everybody I talked to told me that there was no money to be made there. I felt that I could make a difference. That's the best reason to go into business because you feel strongly that you can change things," says Branson. It's the entrepreneurial passion and attitude that makes the difference in achieving lasting success.

Trust Your Instincts: "A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts." Case in point, the "rebel-billionaire" relied on gut instincts to take advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves. Branson wasn't born wealthy, and began his empire by selling yet-to-be touched (i.e. "Virgin") records out of the trunk of his car when it was unheard of to do so. Slowly but surely, he built the expanded his business until it became the multi-billion dollar empire we know today. Mix a great idea with passion.

I couldn't believe it when I saw the headline in the news the other day. I could hardly believe it. No, it wasn't shouting at me from a grocery isle tabloid ... it was mainstream. Well, at least as mainstream as the news my own mind wants to announce.

That's right ... it was a headline in my mind! Sound silly? Let me ask you a question ... how many times do you find yourself trying to get chocolate milk from a cow? Let me re-phrase ... how many times do you find yourself hoping, praying, and trying to get someone on your staff to do a task for you that you know just isn't going to turn out well? Not because they aren't capable and intelligent, but rather because they just aren't wired to do it.

Jim Collins in his book Good to Great talks about not just getting the right people 'on the bus', but also getting those right people in the right seat on the bus.

That's a challenge for all of us. As your business evolves, grows, and morphs you can easily find yourself wanting to do everything because your time is easy and cheap. Can I suggest that we are robbing ourselves of great success by subscribing to this practice.

How to remedy the situation...

1. Stop doing those things yourself that produces a non-remarkable result.
2. Find the right people to do the right things to get remarkable results.
3. Enable the right people by providing direction and setting expectations.
4. Free yourself to work on your business instead of in your business.

The bottom line ... stop trying to get chocolate or even strawberry milk from your cow!

I was in Barnes and Noble a month or so ago ... looking for something ... something that I could learn from ... something to help me and the business grow. It wasn't long before I came across The Speed of Trust from a Covey ... not the dad Stephen Covey, but the son ... Stephen M. R. Covey.