In his quest to find the perfect toy, Howard fends off advances from a psycho mailman, a vengeful cop, and his neighbor who’s bent on moving in on Howard’s wife, usurping his role as husband and father.

After hours of careening from store to store, Howard finds himself in the town’s annual holiday parade, dressed up as – you guessed it! – Turbo Man. All ends well when his wife and son realize his heart is in the right place. Don’t you just love happy endings?

You may think there’s no lesson here for a business owner, but there are plenty. We could talk about work-life balance, or the importance of keeping your commitments, but the main one to highlight is the role that serendipity plays in business.

Many successful business owners will tell you that the second they became crystal clear on their objectives, things just seemed to fall into place for them. Sure, they faced some obstacles along the way, but somehow the person they needed to meet or the book they needed to read or the lesson they needed to learn fell into their path.

Preparation is a great thing, and it’s necessary for day-to-day success. It’s what gets us through the tough, repetitive and sometimes boring stuff. But often the big leaps forward in our business occur because of some force stronger than us that’s at work in the universe.

Consider this quote from renowned poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” Even if you aren’t the “woo-woo” type, it can pay to be open to seemingly miraculous coincidences and occurrences.

Some people consider these types of coincidences to be signs that you’re moving on the right path. But whether you believe in the “great divine” or not, smart business owners will take advantage of any opportunities, regardless of source. And the more clear you are on your end goal, the more you’ll be able to recognize these opportunities.

The twist: Aided by pure-of-heart and diminutive Cindy Lou Who, the Whos celebrate the Christmas spirit, even without the wrappings, and the Grinch’s frozen heart melts. And in the Carrey version, he also finds true love with the sexiest Who of all, played by Christine Baranski.

It’s the updated version that brings us our lesson for today, and the lesson is this: There’s really someone for everyone. If a grumpy, stinky, pants-less Grinch can capture the heart of the nubile Martha May Whovier, then out there, somewhere, there’s a customer base for you.

Go online and you can find plenty of proof of this belief. There are people selling gun-shaped soap, frozen yogurt for dogs, and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans. If they can make it, you can, too. Take these tips from the Grinch:

• Be absolutely clear on who you are. Don’t waffle. If you’re strange, revel in your strangeness. The more clearly you reveal yourself, the more easily you’ll appeal to your “tribe,” as Seth Godin calls it.
• Don’t apologize for who you are. If you’re a gun-toting survivalist, so be it. If you are a tattooed, be-ringed 60-something, go with it. Your customers don’t want someone who is embarrassed; they want to be led by someone who’s confident and embraces their different-ness.
• Come down from the mountain. It’s not until the Grinch leaves his hermit-like cave at the top of Mt. Crumpet and emerges into the “real world” that he finds acceptance and love. You need to be where the people are.
• File down your rough edges. “Authenticity” can be an excuse for bad behavior. There’s a difference between being transparent and honest, and being downright unpleasant and rude. Even at the end of the movie, the Grinch softens a bit – without losing his Grinch-ness.

Their friends and neighbors object to their lack of Christmas spirit and heckle and bully them, attempting to force them to get back in line and get their jolly on. They successfully resist… until they learn that their daughter is unexpectedly returning home for Christmas.

The Kranks have to scurry around in order to create Christmas at the last minute, borrowing Christmas trees, pulling together an eleventh-hour party and trying to woo back the neighbors in the community they’ve alienated. Of course, all ends well once the Kranks respond to the external pressures and get back in line.

So, what do the Kranks teach business owners? The main lesson is that you can make all the plans in the world, but sometimes you just need to respond to what your market wants.

Poor Luther and Nora don’t think they’re doing anything wrong. So they want to head in a different direction this year. What’s the big deal?

Well, the big deal is that the Kranks’ audience (neighbors and friends) like things just the way they are. They don’t want the Kranks to change. They want things to stay the way they always have been – even if the Kranks have different ideas.

Think about trying to change something in your business – your website, your pricing structure, your offerings. Even if you’re positive the changes are for the better, you can hit serious backlash because your customers like things a certain way. They like knowing that the “buy” button is in red at the bottom of the page, or that your podcast comes out every Wednesday – not Tuesday, and certainly not Thursday. If you mess with their routines, you may have to pay the price – just like the Kranks.

Now, this isn’t to say that you can’t ever make changes to your business. It’s just a warning that you’d better make sure the risk is worth the reward, and that you’re not changing just for change’s sake.

Don’t mess with your customers’ Christmas.

Finally, he learns that his only skill – playing his drum – is enough.

Maybe you’ve felt this way: You take a skills assessment or strengths finder, or ask your friends and family what they turn to you for. The answers are less than stellar. Instead of being a powerhouse leader, or an inspiration, you come up as a great administrator, or… the Drummer Boy equivalent of today, a good listener. What are you supposed to do if you’ve got mad skillz as, say, a babysitter or folding paper airplanes? Can you possibly make a business out of that?

Well, the short answer is, yes, you can. Whatever your skill, there is a market for it. Follow these tips to make sure you find your business home:

• Don’t underestimate yourself. So you can imitate cartoon voices. Big deal. No one will pay for that…. Or will they? Sure they will! For presentation narration, video games, films… you name it. If you have an above-average skill, someone out there will pay for it. If you doubt this, go to Fiverr.com and take a look at the kind of things people are shelling out money for.
• Get yourself out there. Standing in the back of the crowd, quietly tapping on your drum, is not going to do anything for your popularity. You need to put yourself in front of people who can help (if you get nervous, just think back to the Little Drummer Boy. If he could approach Mary, the mother of Jesus, you can probably get up the courage to launch a podcast or website).
• Hone your craft. If your skill really is folding paper airplanes, then make yourself the very best paper airplane folder out there. If you are skilled at cleaning toilets, then keep your finger on the pulse of the toilet-cleaning industry and be a leader in that space. Just because you’re naturally gifted doesn’t mean you can coast; you must keep making yourself better and better.

When you have a gift, it is truly that – a present bestowed upon you. It is your responsibility to make the most of it and share it with others.

Ah, but this is Christmas, so not only does Buddy convince his new family that syrup tastes good on everything; he also wins the heart of his stepmother, half-brother, and the cynical Jovie, his new love. And yes, Walter eventually sees the light.

So business owners, here’s your business lesson from Buddy the Elf: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

So… what if you’re not Santa? Buddy would tell you it doesn’t matter. Enthusiasm is catching. No one is going to be more excited about your business, your product, your podcast, your class, your blog than you are.

Sometimes we feel a little hesitant to show our enthusiasm. It can be risky to show how much we care about something. But if we don’t show our passion, we’re not going to convince anyone else to follow or act on our recommendations.

Think about the last time you went out to eat. If the waiter or waitress gave a lackluster endorsement to the daily special, you likely took a pass. But if she or he said, “I just tried it before my shift and it was delicious!” you’d be a little more likely to partake. Enthusiasm sells. Period.

Here are a few tips to make like Buddy the Elf without sounding like a used car salesman (or an escapee from the North Pole):

• Be honest. Don’t sell or promote something you don’t believe in. It never works – people can tell, and you’ll damage your reputation.
• Be yourself. You may be the understated type who isn’t going to jump out of a helicopter a la Richard Branson to promote your latest business venture. You don’t have to be! (One Richard Branson is enough for this world.) But do show your energy in a way that is natural for you.
• Be realistic. If you promote every new thing that comes down the block, or have a new solution du jour, pretty soon no one is going to listen to you.

You don’t have to dress up in pointy shoes to get people to buy your new e-course. But hey… if the shoe fits… why not?

Tried virtual assistants before, but spent more time explaining things than getting work done.  Any suggestions?

by cletch under CC  

Virtual Assistant

.

We discussed the importance of key-phrases and the many things you can do to increase search engine visibility and website traffic utilizing strategic online marketing tactics.

Many thanks to Joey from LaVergne, who was able to use a little good ‘ole American Ingenuity to repair my car!  Rather than pulling the engine to remove the bolt, he skillfully welded another bolt end to the broken one, and was able to remove the offending part.  He put it all back together, and I’ve been driving it for a week now with no problems!  Joey – THANK YOU !!!

I’ll also add that he did the job (which was a real pain) for a LOT less than the local shop that forgot about me!  I’ll recommend Joey for any automotive work, and will certainly call him again!    If you’d like Joey’s contact info, just let me know in the comments.

Here’s the deal.  I have a 95 Cadillac Eldorado that I bought on Craigslist – with a Northstar (aluminum block).  Drove it a while, and one day on the interstate the bolt that secures the idler pulley (serpentine belt) snapped off, and the pulley rolled down the road!

Having some mechanical experience from days past, I attempted to drill out the bolt and use an easy-out to get the bolt out.  Well, I snapped it off.  (The screw extractor was too small).

Problem: there’s not a lot of room to work with a drill here (see photos), I actually tried a 90 degree drill attachment to get as far as I did – but it may be that the engine has to be lifted to give you enough room to work.  So, no way I can do this.  I need some professional help.

So I took these photos (and others) to a local shop to see what they thought.  After a few weeks of waiting for an estimate, I called back and it sounded like the guy was making it up as he went – and he gave me some outrageous numbers.  Clearly, he hadn’t even looked at the photos and must have padded the estimate based on it being a Caddy (did I mention I bought it on Craigslist?) and that I was dressed nicely.

That said, having done mechanic work many, many years ago – I do know the value of good work and the cost of professional tools. I’m looking for old-school wrenches who can look at an issue and actually diagnose it – not just experiment with parts and my money! 

I’m willing to pay a shop or mechanic a fair amount, based on the job.  So, if you can drill out a broken bolt, heli-coil it if necessary, (maybe pull the engine to do so), and get me back on the road – I want to talk to you.  Call me at work – 615-278-9324

Thanks – Ken

Simply providing location services isn’t really what has everyone up in arms though. Places also allows others (people you’ve “friended”) to “tag” or check you in at a location. Now that could be a bit scary. I sometimes post on Twitter or Facebook if I’m attending a particular event (or if I’m stuck in an elevator at the Chamber of Commerce moments before giving a seminar). Don’t laugh. It happens. But what if I’m being stalked by Angelina Jolie or Sela Ward? I may not want them to know where I’m at. Okay, go ahead and laugh. But it could happen.

Of particular concern with most people however, is the fact that this service is turned on by default. Facebook does have some privacy settings in place, and this makes it unlikely that you’ll accidentally disclose your whereabouts, but the default settings do not prevent others from “tagging” you without your knowledge. In fact, even if you don’t use Places and and leave your phone at home, your Facebook friends could still make this public knowledge unless you actually login to Facebook and change this setting.

Turning this on by default is a colossal gaff in my humble opinion. This really needed to be a user decision. But Facebook is used to privacy issues. I’m interested to see what the new movie “The Social Network” reveals concerning their policy making. Being the 800 lb. gorilla in social networking, I suppose they can afford to thumb their noses at us.

Although modern mobile devices automatically track your location via the GPS chip or tower locations, that information is not generally available except to emergency services. For a mobile application to report where you are, you generally have to install and enable that functionality, and are typically asked to confirm that you want to let the device disclose your location, a sensible precaution.

Facebook privacy settings do let you control who can see if you’ve checked into a location. Again, by default your Facebook friends can see, but you can broaden that to “friends of friends or “everyone.” (But why would you?) A more useful feature is that you can also limit it to individuals or groups. You could create a group names Golf Buddies, and reveal your location only to them.

The good news? According to the Facebook Blog, you can now access your Facebook privacy settings from any web device, including most cell phones. You might want to log in and do that right now while you’re thinking about it, and it’s especially important for parents to talk with their kids about the safe use of location services.

For those of you who are new to the web, Craigslist.org is basically an online classified ads bulletin board – kinda. It’s really much more, depending on how you use it. I’ve heard Cragislist described as one of the seven wonders of the web. You can use it to find your dream job, get a date, buy concert tickets and sell your car. Unlike traditional classified ads, it’s free to use (for most everything) and much easier, too.

So how does it work? Just go to the main Craigslist site at http://www.craigslist.org and pick your nearest big city. This is a Global resource, so you’re sure to find a Craigslist city near you. Don’t worry if you think the nearest location is too far away – everyone in your area is in the same boat, and most people ‘tag’ their listings with a locality anyway. Once you’ve selected your local site, see if any of the categories will help you narrow your search. If so, select it and begin searching – otherwise you can enter your search term directly from the home page, although this method sometimes yields too many results.

Craigslist Search Tips

Craigslist has a pretty good site search functionality which is unusual – most site searches are worthless, but if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, try this instead. Do a Google search. Go to http://www.google.com and simply type this into the search bar:

site:http://yourcity.craigslist.org/ your search term

for example, site:http://nashville.craigslist.org/ geo metro convertible

Obviously you’ll want to replace the location with your own city, and your own search phrase, but this search works pretty well. I was recently looking for a specific used car which got notoriously great fuel mileage. Unfortunately, there are very few of these cars on the market and very few for sale near Murfreesboro – but I was willing to travel for the right deal. Craigslist doesn’t provide for multi-location searches, so using the method above, I simply changed the city to surrounding cities and bookmarked the search for easy retrieval later. However, if you don’t have time to do searches, and are familiar with RSS feed readers – there is an easier way.

Make RSS work for You

So, maybe you want to be alerted to a new job posting, or pounce on a great deal before anyone else. Just set up the search you want, and run it. Then, head to the bottom of the page. Tucked in the lower right corner of every search results page is an RSS link. Alternatively, depending on your web browser, there is an orange RSS button located on the far-right side of the URL bar. Click it to subscribe, and you’ll get matches sent straight to your feed reader. So instead of searching over and over for new listings, the results come to your reader as they happen. If this is not fast enough, you can also have RSS results texted to you on your mobile phone. Yahoo (and Google, I think) allow you to set up text alerts for RSS feeds.

What are your experiences? Do you have any Craigslist Search tips or tricks? Share your Craigslist shortcuts in the comments section below.