Tag Archives: Communicate

Are You Seriously Supportive of Your Entrepreneurial Spouse?

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This article is intended for probably your significant other or spouse to read… I felt compelled to write it talking to them about your needs since my marriage went south due to the lack of much of this. If you currently don’t have one, give it to a family member or friend and/or save for Mr. Right later! Enjoy and hope it helps!

Did you know (you, meaning the non-entrepreneurial spouse of an entrepreneur) that your entrepreneurial spouse (or significant other – just as important in this scenario) takes on a huge responsibility when they start their own business?

Granted, some of the smaller, home based type business owners could be out there just to make a few extra bucks for fun or they’re doing their business for a hobby, not truly a serious business venture.

However, I’m not talking about them here, I’m talking about actual entrepreneurs (home based or not) who are in business to turn a profit AND provide products and services they are passionate about.

I’m also talking about the ones who are your significant others or spouses (so forward this to them if this is the other party – you’ll be glad you did) in which case YOU are also NOT an entrepreneur yourself and frankly wouldn’t want to be….is this you? Did you know that your spouse may not be getting the kind of support they need in order to be fully confident and successful in their business? (yes, by you) And in order to be completely successful at running your own business CONFIDENCE is the key!

When you have a job working for someone else, often you can succeed without that much confidence but when it’s your own business…there’s absolutely NO way.

Did you know that your spouse may not know how to communicate this need to you?

Now, two things can happen here….

1 – you won’t care and you’ll stop reading this or 2 – you’ll care but you’ll have no idea if this is true or even how to find out what your spouse needs exactly (hopefully you’re still reading…)

If #1 occurred then you’re probably on your way to divorce anyway so your situation is most likely not fixable.

If you’re in alignment with #2 though then GREAT! But now what?

There are basically 2 things you can do to support your spouse in business (even if you don’t have any involvement in their business, know what they do or want to know).

You can either take Action or Non-Actions. Actions consist of ways to physically help out or support your spouse.

Non-Actions consist of ways to emotionally and mentally help out or support your spouse.

Your spouse unfortunately needs both in order to feel fully supported, loved and encouraged (that’s the hard part, it requires some work).

But let’s break it down…

Actions

o helping – when asked for help

o learning – about what they do and how else you can support them

o listening – to requests, feelings, emotions and needs o loving – at all times in various ways that are noticeable

Non-actions o understanding – they need to do it ‘their way’

o giving – of your energy when they need it the most regardless if asked

o sharing – feelings, emotions, questions and concerns

o expecting – nothing but complete and utter happiness among all

Of course there’s so much more to it than this but that’s what marriage counselors are for right?

No, seriously…the one way to learn better how to communicate and support your entrepreneurial spouse is to start the dialog, practice this stuff, ask what they need, learn more about what others are doing and then get help as needed

((c) Copyright 2009 K. Sawa Marketing International. Katrina Sawa is an Award-Winning Author & Speaker who’s helped hundreds of small business owners take dramatic steps in their businesses to get them to the next level in business, revenues & their personal life. Get her Free Entrepreneur’s Success Kit at http://www.JumpStartYourMarketing.com !

Unlock The Opportunity Of Change!

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By Jed McCall

During the past few years there have been dramatic changes in communications and technology. Our home computers have more computing power now than the Americans had to land on the moon! Do you think that these changes unlock an opportunity?

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Improving 1:1 Communication

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By Emma Wortt

998486_sexy_girlsThe person with the most flexibility in thinking and behaviour has the most influence on any interaction. – NLP presupposition.

As the boss concentrating on reaching your department’s goals it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing on how other people need to change in order to reach those goals.

Is there someone with whom you need to communicate regularly but who always leaves you thinking you just haven’t got through or made a difference? They just don’t seem to understand; their body language and attitude are all wrong; they try to appease you by saying yes and no in the right places but then fail to take action or change the situation. Or perhaps they argue with you; or back off and go quiet; or blame someone else. And the same thing happens every time. It’s a pattern.

Throughout these exchanges you’re thinking:

* He’s got to change

* Why isn’t she listening to me?

* Why doesn’t he ever seem to understand?

* Her attitude is really getting through to me

* Why can’t he see the big picture I’m describing?

* Why doesn’t she take action about this situation?

If you identify with this scenario and you are now waiting for me to tell you how to change other people, I’m afraid you’re in for a disappointment.

What I’m actually going to do is get you to look at your own contribution to this pattern.


Ask yourself:

* In what ways do I react every time with this person?

* How does the interaction start?

* Then what happens?

* Then what happens?

Continue asking this last question until you have worked out the complete pattern that occurs when you try to communicate with this individual.

Work out and recognise the parts you are playing which contribute towards and maintain the pattern.

Then ask yourself:

* How could I break this pattern?

* What could I do differently?

* If I put myself in their position for a moment, what is causing their reaction?

* What is the best way to approach this person to change the reaction I normally get from them?

* How does this person need me to react in order for them to behave differently?

The quote at the top of this article is worth repeating. It can be a very powerful idea if you take it on board:

‘The person with the most flexibility in thinking and behaviour has the most influence on any interaction.’

© Emma Wortt of Em-powering Executives, 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Em-powering Executives help leaders and their teams to achieve excellence through executive coaching and training. To receive similar articles direct to your inbox, you can subscribe to the FREE monthly Em-powering Executives newsletter at http://www.em-poweringexecutives.co.uk

How to Make the Most Out of Your Executive Coaching Sessions

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51138723_futureHiring an executive coach is a sound decision if you want to reach your business goals more efficiently and effectively. Business coaching helps a business grow and become more profitable on so many levels – from improving staff performance to efficiently executing business strategies, business consultants contribute to your business success.

To get the most out of business coaching, open communication is vital. When working with a business coach, expectations should be well expressed. Some areas that business consultants address are: managerial coaching skills, redesigning processes, communication skills, team building, executive management training and negotiation skills.

Executive coaching is a two way street, so there are things you need to do to make the most out of your executive management training sessions. They include:

1. Participate in the communication dialogue. Communication at the start of your business coaching session guides your satisfaction. You and your business coach will discuss each other’s role in the process, establish expectations, clarify objectives and establish benchmarks for results. Actively participate in the dialogue and ask questions of the business consultants to clearly define your goals. Your feedback ensures you get the most from your business coaching sessions.

2. Listen and be open to change. An executive coach may introduce new ideas or communication skills. While it is often difficult to adapt to change, listen well to the reasons behind the change. Communication between you and your business coach is important for working through your concerns. Be open to the new ideas business coaching offers in a non-judgemental manner. After all, the purpose of an executive coach is to develop measures to ensure your business operates at peak performance.

3. Stay focused. This will better manage your time with your business coach. Before each executive management training session, think about your goals and bring discussion topics. This will help during your executive management training to remain focused on the core issues surrounding your goals.

4. Do your homework. Your business coach might have you try some new ideas and jot down your experiences to review at your next session. This allows for good communication flow about the idea’s effectiveness. An executive coach might also give you homework, such as reading material, business building exercises, or communication skills to practice. Committing the extra time to your coaching moves the process towards your ultimate goals in a timely fashion.

5. Implement. Business consultants set forth actions for achieving your objectives. This could range from executive management training for employees, new communication skills, a change in strategy, or new procedures. You must implement these actions or try out the ideas in order to get the best return on your investment.

An executive coach will challenge you, introduce new communication skills and encourage you to view things differently to improve your business. Be willing to accept new ideas or to try different communication skills. Business consultants present concepts based on best practices and their experience. Rely on their unbiased views as to what your business needs to operate efficiently and remain successful.

Alan Gillies is the Managing Director of the L2L Group, specialising in providing Executive Coaching, Training and Consultancy Services to Businesses across the Globe. Want to learn more about these business success strategies? Get Alan’s popular FREE Business Pack today!

Photo: Iva Villi

Technology and Community

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An article about technology and the change in the way we view community.

1184953_fernSociologists, philosophers and theorists have long debated theories of community. The theorist Tonnies argued in the late 1800′s that there are two types of community ‘Gesellschaft’ and ‘Gemeinshaft’.

Gemeinschaft communities were communities based upon local geography. These had rigid social norms and rules for behavior, usually structure by religion. Social mobility, class and identity were prescribed by the community and social background. Access to knowledge, education and greater experience were all limited. People’s psychology and identity were formed by locating yourself within a small community. This type of community was more prevalent before the industrial revolution.

Gesellschaft communities typify the modern living arrangements, were people no longer see themselves in terms of their family and geographical ties. People opt. in and out of social groups and live a more atomized, secular existence.

Changes in technology and the internet have made pseudo-communities possible, in which, time and geography and no longer so important. Online communities and formed along the lines of interest groups, user groups, forums and social networking sites.


There are various theories about how our collective consciousness is developing. People are now starting to question traditional ideas of intellectual property and the originality of ideas. The two terms that seem to sum-up the twenty first century experience are ‘sharing’ and ‘collaboration’. Internationalized companies are now distributed across several continents. The common identity is the logo or brand identity. The ‘Open source’ movement is challenging the way that software and intellectual property rights have been.

The great historical philosopher Hegel argued that there was a ‘geist’ at work, or a world mind. The collective thoughts of humanity were historically and dialectically, working themselves out and ‘progressing’. The speed at which ideas transmit themselves across the world is increasing exponentially. Traditional media models are being challenged in favor of a democratic; internet based one, in which common people contribute.

Although it can be argued that certain companies have allowed certain restrictions in certain countries. There is a dark side to the internet which has allowed the less acceptable sections of society scope to communicate, group and share. There will always be a difficult ethical dilemma in terms of censorship and individual liberty.

It can also be argued that although the volume of information has increased, the quality has not. It is becoming increasingly difficult to claim originality and to trust sources of information. Whatever happens in the future, it is certain that technology is only going to increase our thirst and desire for communication and knowledge.

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The author is a keen technologist and writes about a number of social and technical subjects. http://vondix.com/ Photo: Robert Linder