Another GREAT Brief, Rick. I am eager to document and evaluate our systems! I appreciate the PDF download option. Thanks for another great analysis and action items that will make a difference.
Said Harmony on 11/25/2008
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Great stuff Rick. I also wanted to say thanks for the bonus you are offering for folks to come to your lodge and use the video room. I just wanted to put in a plug for that. I’ve stayed at Ricks before, and except for the altitude sickness I got :), it was great. He has the whole set up there to do the kind of quality videos you see in the brevity brief.
Said Jason Sant on 12/17/2008
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Hi Rick,
Another great brief. John Lennon once said that “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” While it’s true that we cannot control many of the events that affect our lives (business and personal), it’s equally true that we can completely control how we respond to these events. It’s in how we respond that determines our success or failure. Thanks again Rick and happy holidays.
Said Jeff Fagin - www.jefffagin.com on 12/19/2008
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Write a description of a person you know... or a person you could imagine...who would change everything for the better for you: My description would have to be someone who isn’t “as good as they are going to get.” We all need to push for constant improvement and our ideal customer is one who realizes there is still more to learn. We want our company to be realistic and flexible. Our immediate plan is to embrace what works and get rid of what doesn’t. Every day is an education. Our investment is in educating ourselves in news ways of doing business. And every day presents a new way, a new opportunity.
Said Charlotte O’Brien - www.SandyPointInk.com on 12/16/2008
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Great over view of a GREAT book! I make it a point to read good to great at least every other year if not every year.
Said Ryan J. Peterson - www.serenitysoft.com/ on 11/20/2008
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Rick I love this concept,you take a Great book, pull out the key principles all in a matter of a few minutes and leave us with a clear message on how to apply these principles into our business.
I look forward to a growing group of serious business owners network.
Said Grahame Rees (from Australia) on 11/19/2008
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I watched this first video last week and let the ideas sit a few days so I could see how they fit with others in my thinking.
The biggest tug was with another piece of business wisdom that suggests it is better to have a good idea that you can get everyone behind than a great idea that only has limited support.
Seems in some ways these are opposing views.
I’d be interested in othes perspectives on how these ideas come together.
Where it came out for me is in identifying and living core values.
If that is driving identification of greatness, everything can balance around it.
If not,”greatness” is watered down and committment diminishes.
I find this particularly important in communicating with others on my team since it is often difficult to agree on what is a great idea.
Pausing to ask what is the value we want to live helps get the conversation back on track.
Thanks, Rick
Said Anonymous on 11/19/2008
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I’ve always said that “complacency is the root of failure”. Good enough may be good enough, but it’s not really good enough to hit new levels.
Said Anonymous on 11/19/2008
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Stop trying to make big plans: how true, top government research for over 25 countries shows instability to be growing - and predicted it 5 years ago.
It’s true that writing only financial goals increases the risk and can blindside your business.
Organic “process management” or growth architecture can lead the way for a “all cylinders firing” experience—and result.
Said Michael of the :earl family, free-man-on-the-land - www.NewHealthTest.com on 11/19/2008
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Wow! That’s right. It’s the people and not the plan.
This is exactly right for any network marketing company.
If you improve the relationship with your team, everything else will fall into place.
Thanks, Rick and I’m glad I’m part of GoBrevity.
Said Anonymous on 11/19/2008
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“Brutal respect for reality” would be the one that inspired me the most and is also what I need to hear at the moment for my business.
I knew what I am going to next is to work with the “great” partners to create “great” businesses.
Vivian Wang, Founder of Hong Li Leadership Transformation
Said Consulting Studio, Taipei Taiwan on 11/19/2008
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As the owner of a consulting company, I have emphasized the concept “form is the content”.
Why?
Because the form is the first impression.
Your presentation is in beautiful form.
The content is also excellent.
Great work!
Said Anonymous on 11/19/2008
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I plan to think hard about the Brutal Realty of my business, excellent summary!
Said Howard Maslich on 11/19/2008
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I must say, I really enjoyed the ruthlessness with which the author views reality.
These ideas, if followed, must bring a scary level of efficiency to any company.
I am planning to raise the bar on all of my interactions and contacts going forward. Are you?
What does that question mean to you?
Said Alex on 11/19/2008
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Any money, time or talent I am investing in being good, is the same thing that is preventing me from being great.
Good employees are the most costly = replace ALL good employees for great employees, customers and vendors.
Sit down in a quiet room and THINK about the brutal reality of my business. OPPOSITE of the SECRET, faith in what I can do, and confidence in the implementation of that faith.
People are more important than the plan. Instead of making plans, just raise the bar on all of my relationships.
Reach for the stars - who do I know who can make my business a dream to run? Sweeping the floors - make a list of everyone and ran them from best to worst.
The bottom ones need to go, with brutal respect for reality. Flywheel - keep pushing in the same direction and AMAZING things happen eventually.
Set operational goals, only, not financial goals.
Said Alex’s Notes on 11/19/2008
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Hi Rick—Always great to see your new ideas in motion! You probably aren’t experiencing a shortage of book recommendations but since I do 2 recos a month for SMARTSTART members I’ve got plenty you can use. One particularly great read is A WHOLE NEW MIND: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age by Daniel H. Pink.
Said Linda M. Lopeke - www.smartstartcoach.com on 11/19/2008
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A concept that really stuck for me about this book was “The Hedgehog Concept”. They found most of these companies they studied were implementing this and it was based on asking three things “What are we the best at and what are we not the best at?”, “What are we most passionate about?”, “What drives our economic engine?” This has been a powerful tool as a small business to ask these questions and narrow down our focus to those things that are going to generate the most revenue. To learn more about this you can go to Jim’s website and he has a whole section dedicated to this.
Said Stephanie Vaughan, Pres of Coaching at CHI - www.chetholmes.com. on 11/18/2008
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I enjoyed this, and look forward to reading this book. The idea of diagramming is very attractive to me. Please let me know if you guys have done this since listening to this brief.
Said Dan Morris - www.clippershiptravel.com on 12/4/2008
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Great ideas for growing both my personal and business life by continuous small improvements. Since many of my clients are also small business owners and entrepreneur, this allows me to give more value when I am meeting with them and offering solutions.
Said Jeff Fagin - www.JeffFagin.com on 11/20/2008
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Having being a software engineer and consultant for ten years, I can attest that the diagramming explained in this book/brief will do wonders. I have been using the same method as a consultant to track down software errors for development teams time and time again.
Said Ryan J. Peterson - www.serenitysoft.com/ on 11/20/2008
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After going over this BB I’m going to start diagramming my process for my business. Doing this is going to put things into perspective and to make sure I’m on track. Thanks to Cory Geffre for reminding me about Mind jet... I have it and will start using it for this process.
Said Chris Koehl - www.LeadPageGenerator.net on 11/20/2008
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I got two things from this Brevity Brief.
1. I am solving core problems or waisting time. 2. First Draw a box.
(Diagraming with Cause and Effect.)
Omni outliner is going to be my software tool for this BB. This tool comes free with every Macintosh.
The Brevity really energizes my day.
Said Patrick B. McCutchan - www.patrickmccutchan.com on 11/20/2008
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KEY INSIGHT FOR ME! The analogy about brainstorming producing several options/possible solutions VS. diagramming which produces one only one solution... like a puzzle has me very excited to test this out to solve my core problems. THX Rick - (I’m going to trash my Mind Mapping software now)! PS I have a bunch of mind maps with hundreds of possible solutions available if anyone wants them?
Said Dave Boufford - www.MotivationInAMinute.com on 11/19/2008
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One of the major reasons we strike out on our own, is to have the time with family and love ones. Yet we may drop back to the “corporate” way of doing things. Having the balance in all aspects of your life - health, character, family life, friendships, your purpose, your business - is so much more important as a small business owner. It is us that makes it happen - inside of our work and outside of our work. I love the simple approach that this brief provides and we should be asking ourselves the question “It this the effect or is it the cause?” I can find more time in the day for my life if I ask this question. Thanks Rick.
Said Tom Pickett - authenticpotential.com on 11/19/2008
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The big business of small business is your life. Optimize your life. I think that is a good insight. I’d probably balk at seeing it as a problem to be solved though, like a puzzle. The board is always changing, as are the shape of the pieces. Perhaps you optimize your life by learning to dance.
Said John Koriath - www.fullcirclelearning.com on 11/18/2008
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I really found the common sense trap to be a powerful message. Action is critical to the beginning and endurance of success!
Said Alex on 12/17/2008
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Thanks Rick for this brief. Michael is a brilliant business mind and educator. Having trained with him, he has a clear picture of the 4 major roles necessary for entrepreneurial success for a start up. All of his books are loaded with practical systems that every small business owner needs to be aware of.
Said Jeff Fagin - www.jefffagin.com on 12/8/2008
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I appreciate your comment that whenever I feel pain it is a signal that I must learn something and do it now. Pain is overlooked as a teacher. Effective action now is the only measurement of value.
Said nitsan gaibel - easierparenting.com on 12/1/2008
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I love this one. I have been expressing these concepts to a business associate and not getting through to them. This will probably be the wake up call. They have been hitting their head on the Freedom Ceiling to the point of almost being brain dead. Thanks for the brief.
Said Brenda on 12/1/2008
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I’ve experienced the pain of ‘death by freedom’, I just didn’t realize that’s what it was. Thanks for the clarity. My implementation will be to create my own job description. That will be a challenge!
Said Jamie Harrington - www.unitedcarolinagroup.com on 11/26/2008
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I’m thrilled that we can now download the brief so I can take it with me and read whenever and discuss it, etc. Good idea!
Said Pam Snell - GoAmerican.com on 11/26/2008
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I never thought about writing my own job description, but that’s my action step for this week. Thanks, Rick
Said Wanda J. Bedinghaus, MD - www.healingunleashed.com on 11/26/2008
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I think “Death by Freedom” is the most powerful insight for myself. I believe that the reason most entrepreneurs fall into this trap is because their ego is so large that they think they can own and run a business. And they would be right. So the biggest challenge is looking at myself honestly and as objectively as possible. Another reason to hire someone. Maybe hire someone to not be a “yes” person, and to point out to my behaviors at your less than perfect moments in order to learn and improve yourself consistently. So there is a definite difference between the ego that says “I know what the hell I’m doing! Leave me alone! And the one that is able and willing to admit that I don’t know everything. What can I learn from you.
Said Allen Burnsworth - www.trainmydogrightnow.com on 11/26/2008
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Yes Ed, I fall into the common-sense trap all the time! One reason I’m doing Brevity reading+analysis personally is to force myself to break through that *one* trap, and put into place all this wisdom.
Said Rick Raddatz - Xiosoft.com on 11/25/2008
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The Common Sense Trap is a great and true concept. I will use it with my clients, because our teachings are virtually all simple (Leadership Made Simple). In fact, Rick, if you’ve read my latest book with that title, I wonder if YOU fell into that same trap?
Said Ed Oakley - www.makingmanagersintoleaders.com on 11/25/2008
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Another way to express the “Common Sense” trap is “Understanding is the Booby Prize”. Most people stop at understanding something at an intellectual level. Understanding is meaningless in the real world. You can understand how to ride a bike and not be able to ride one. Understanding is only useful if it produces a measureable change in behavior that contributes to your bottom line.
We see this all the time in our business clients. The more they understand the worse they are at execution.
My two cents ...
Said Dike Drummond - www.superteams.com on 11/25/2008
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The Common Sense Trap. Wow, that one hit me right between the eyes. I realize that in the past I have put myself into a Common Sense BOX. I now have a sign on my wall saying. “BEWARE Common Sense Traps!”
You can read that as
”beware OF common sense traps”
Or
”beware common sense traps are AHEAD!”
Or
”beware, BECAUSE common sense will trap you”
Said Ian Parkin - www.IanParkin.org on 11/25/2008
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The “death by freedom” comment really hit home to me...i have owned my current business now for 20 + years, and i have regularly fallen into this trap...the “common sense trap” is also a beauty too...
Said David McLean - www.strive.com.au on 11/25/2008
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Excellent material and truth!Somtimes a slice of humble pie works wonders and other times, I need to eat the whole pie.
Said Rick Cutter on 1/1/2009
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Despite being part of a number of MasterMind groups, I think having a specific weekly accountability group is a great idea. I’ll be implementing that right away. I also agree with the “when you find you’re the smartest person in your group, find a new group and get humble again” philosophy. It’s happened many times over again, and I can’t stress enough how important it is to be in a group with more experience than you to help you raise your own bar. If (as Jim Rohn says) you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, pick wisely!
Said Jeremy B. Shapiro - www.ForeclosuresMass.com/ on 12/30/2008
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Pick your specialty = find your niche. Learn to make money in that niche then teach it. Golden words.
Said Ian Parkin - www.IanParkin.org on 12/23/2008
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Interesting week Rick. The idea that wisdom creates wealth and freedom is a bit incomplete. Wisdom alone certainly creates a wealth of knowledge, but that alone is just intellectual entertainment. Which is cool if that’s what you want. But Wisdom and knowledge applied and taken action on - well... that’s the key to wisdom creating wealth and freedom.
We’ve all seen it and many of us have been there. You see an overweight person order the double ¼ pound cheeseburger meal supersized. I guess it’s possible that that person doesn’t realize that it’s what goes in his pie hole that causes him to gain all this extra weight and it’s possible his goal is to get as fat and over weight as he can... ya know maybe to set a new Guinness book record. But - I think that’s not likely.
It’s likely he has read a dozen books on weight loss, tried as many “weight loss programs” and sits there on Tuesday nights watching “The Biggest Loser” longing for that to be him. Why does he have the knowledge but not the weight loss? Lack of a plan, lack of support, lack of faith, lack of a good self image.
He has the knowledge, but that alone is not enough. He needs to take action, small steps. Simple actions. One teeny tiny action a day. He needs support. He needs people who have been there to help him get there. (Which even if you don’t believe that The Bible is the Word OF God, it is an historical document written by people who have been there - done that. But... that’s another discussion!)
I guess the moral of the story is that Successful people take acquired knowledge and apply it fast. They don’t wait to see if another book comes out to back up the first book they just read... they just dive in.
So... make sure once you get the knowledge you take the needed action - fast - don’t give yourself a second to “second guess: yourself!
Said John Jaworski - www.jollyrogermarketing.com on 12/18/2008
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I just started reading proverbs each day (and their is one for each day) it amazing you choose the book of proverbs this week!! I had a great time at the ERetreat Network a week ago. If anyone hasnt’ been to the lodge, we had a great mastermind meeting 5 days at the lodge!! Its awesome, thanks Ric for making it available and for stopping by on Saturday and sharing your wisdom... jim hogle
Said Jim Hogle - www.usccra.com on 12/17/2008
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Great job again Rick! Weather religious, relational or business only there is an underlying commonality which is present, belief. Most business owners believe their business will succeed and would be willing to defend their belief. One important theme demonstrated here is that wisdom, honor and kindness will prevail against all else.
Said Ryan J. Peterson - www.serenitysoft.com/ on 12/16/2008
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Rick Raddatz here. To extrapolate on that last reference to ‘god deciding’... the big parallel in business is the fact that we marketers make big plans... but the market has the last word. So in that parallel analogy, the ‘market’ is the ‘god’ that businesses must fear, respect, and honor. This can get pretty deep if you think about it! Be careful ; )
Said Rick Raddatz - xiosoft.com on 12/16/2008
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Okay, now that I’m off my soapbox. Even though I’m not a bible man myself. It is always good to be reminded from time to time that the most successful people in the world have been doing the fundamentals since time immemorial. This to me is where being humble really begins. Having the capability, and the desire, to be open to learning new things and reinforcing the basics over and over and over again.
Said Allen V. Burnsworth on 12/16/2008
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While it’s romantic to think that these ideas were somehow passed down from god, I have found over the years that the most pure and simple truths in life are woven throughout our lives and are easy to learn if, and that’s a mighty big if, you’re willing to step back and observe your life as honestly as you can. The religions have no lock on fundamental truths of life. Life provides them automatically for you. And as far as control is concerned, essentially all of these action items are about taking some sort of control. But at the end of the day the one thing that we have absolute control over, if we decide to, is how we respond to what is happening in that moment.
Said Allen V. Burnsworth on 12/16/2008
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I’m curious to see how the membership reacts to this weeks brief.
Not so much from the standpoint of “church and state”, but rather from the standpoint of “control”.
I would guess that most of the members feel that they are in control of their own destiny. However, as your favorite quote points out, God is in control.
Said Rob on 12/16/2008
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I salute Rick for being bold enough to celebrate an ancient text even as controversy rages about “church and state,” etc.
None of that changes the fact that the ancients, unencumbered with all the trappings of the modern digital age, came upon timeless wisdom we can all use.
This summary mentions humility - that is my action item for the week: Seek to better practice humility in business and in my private life. What better time for that than during this Holiday season leading up to the new year?
Said Henri Schauffler - www.EnterpreneurFreedomBlog.com on 12/16/2008
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The “extend your reach with third party content” is a great suggestion. One of the things we do each month is put out a number of reprintable reports that third part newsletter publishers can use. It’s “Done for You” newsletter content you can count on each month. The content adds additional value add content for publishers and extends our reach out further.
* Newsletter publishers get “done for them” content
* Their subscribers get value add content
* We get exposure to more people
Win, Win, Win!
Said Jeremy B. Shapiro - www.maxainvestments.com/doneforyounews/ on 1/7/2009
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I liked the idea of ‘license your knowledge to your competitors. As a solo-preneur I’m now thinking about how to implement the concept. I’ve been relationship building this year. Therefore ‘every employee is a marketer’ resonated with me.
Said Johnetta Miner, NP - www.lifestylewellnesscoach.com, www.jeminer.com on 1/6/2009
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Rick,
I like the idea of having affiliates add value thru 3rd party offerings, etc. It’s a good way to add additional value to my products, without taking the time to create new products. Great stuff.
Said Jason Sant - REIevolution.com on 1/3/2009
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Well, you’ve peaked my interest, Ian!
I’ve always preached the know, like, and trust factor. And I love the idea that you need to offer something that is “no-risk” to prospects who don’t yet know you well. They are certainly not going to buy your most expensive service, but they may download a free report, attend a low-cost seminar, or subscribe to your newsletter.
Said Nika Stewart - www.WealthyDecorators.com on 1/2/2009
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Oh, I can help you all with your most important—and most fun—action item this week. You know . . . . “Invent an experience you can give to your prospects or customers that is SPECIAL. Something WOW. Something they can’t wait to tell their friends about.” I’m happy to share....
Said Ian Parkin - www.ReferralTechnique.com on 1/2/2009
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Another comment on the Get Help point in this weeks brief that I use is having a cleaning service. It’s relatively inexpensive to have a cleaning service and they take a lot off your mind. Not having to worry about personal house keeping.
Said Ryan J. Peterson - www.serenitysoft.com/ on 1/8/2009
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Rick: You mentioned having everyone on Exchange Server. What if you do not run Exchange? Do you have any experience with any other solutions that might work but just not as good as Exchange?
Thanks! Brevity is OUTSTANDING.
Said Michael on 1/15/2009
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I’ve been doing the “Say No to (Almost) Everything” this year. First temptation was to join a Board of Directors (paid) which would take up space in my calendar that I need for longer-term, business growth activities. First I said “Maybe,” then I went home and said “What was I thinking - no, I just went off of a board because of time and focus.” So, I chilled for a few days, then called them and said - “Wish I could, but NO!” David Allen’s book is a good reminder to stay focused and say No to the things that take you off focus, even though they might be interesting opportunities.
Said Kae Wagner - www.northstar-m.com on 1/15/2009
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This is exciting because tonite I was in the midst of processing and filtering to catch up. I already do the mind capture thought not weekly and will boost that frequency. I’m working on the saying no part. Fortunately or un, right now most of my communication is email and online, not much by phone, need more by phone and less by email! This is a terrific service, look forward to exercising my affiliate link. Thank you.
PS. I am redoing my website, it is top priority!
Said Melissa Galt - www.melissagalt.com on 1/14/2009
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Great stuff, Rick. I am reading a marvelous book called “How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci” by Michael Gelb. da Vinci had thousands of pages he recorded in his “notebooks”. Carry a little notebook around with you and write down ideas, sketch images, doodle, whatever. It really works. Mr. Gelb has a new book out called, “Innovate Like Edison”. That’s next on my list.
Said Wanda J. Bedinghaus, MD - www.healingunleashed. com on 1/13/2009
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GTD is great stuff and there are a lot of resources available out side of David. Google GTD and Getting Things Done”. The hardest part - getting started!
Said John Jaworski - www.JollyRogerMarketing.com on 1/13/2009
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I have been waiting for a solution to process all of the great Brevity information. Every week there is something great that I want to implement, but never “get it done”. I am going to start processing the brevity briefs every friday morning at 10AM. I recently hired a personal assistant, my life is the best is has ever been. She lives over 2000 miles away and gets more done in my life than I do.
Said Cory Geffre - www.corygeffre.com on 1/10/2009
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Re: David Allen’s GTD book. I’ve been a member of David’s membership site for about 6 months. Whoever does his web site and organization is superb. It’s smooth and cooridnated. Lots of short videos. He reminds me of the stuff I tell the site to remind me of. Very nice and “personal”.
I use Levenger’s Circa system letter size note book for GTD as it’s easy to add and pull out pages. It you go with Circa you must by a $52 Circa punch to create your own custom pages, indexes, etc. and save money on what Levenger wants to sell you. When I show clients the book and GTD organization I’ve designed into it they are always impressed.
Your synopsis was very good. I confess that I’m not a really good “GTDer”, but with practice and perserverance I’ll get “clear as water” eventually.
Keep up the good work with Brevity. I’m sure you’ve found it ain’t easy to compress those books. Good selections by the way. Best regards, Roger
Said Roger W. Poyner on 1/9/2009
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Hi Rick!
Excellent information. When combined with Alex Mandossian’s Action Secrets, I have some great tools to work with in keeping organized, both things I knew already and some new. I still struggle with the “P” word - procrastination and time management. I hope you can do a Brief on books regarding those two. I know they are inter-related but...
Thanks again.
Gilles
Said Gilles L’Heureux - www.careercoachnow.ca on 1/9/2009
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