Happy Holidays!!

It's the eve before Christmas Eve. The children, finally asleep and tucked in for the night. Presents are wrapped and the shopping just about done. And we sit and relax. Preparing for another Christmas. This year simpler, and hopefully more meaningful. With gifts plenty but not overboard. Things wanted but each with meaning. It's been fun preparing for a simpler holiday. Our hope to an emerging pattern from overdone to one of gratitude. In gratitude and simplicity there can still remain abundance.

Happiest of Holidays!

Living in the Flow....

Living in the Flow

Living in the flow. Are you living in the flow? What is the flow anyway? for me it is the energy of positive action. It builds and builds the more I am in it. When I am taking positive action and things are happening I feel the power of the flow of positive energy. It rejuvenates me and gives me more energy. Part of it is creative energy. The ability to create and move quickly into action. For example, two days ago I was working on a tele-class on enhancing employee performance. I am offering it next week. As I worked on it, I thought about the importance of the information, the power of the information to impact lives and businesses. I also thought of a friend and colleague that has offered similar but different material to her clients. And the idea of collaboration was born. I emailed her and invited her to collaborate on a joint venture project. She agreed. We talked it through and designed a 6 week tele-seminar. I built the web page for it yesterday, and we pulled together bonuses and ideas. We are living in the flow. The creative juices are flowing and we are creating. It empowers you to take action in a variety of areas.

This newsletter is another example. Because the creative energy is flowing this article and newsletter come together easily and quickly. So, how do we get in the flow and then how do we stay there once we are there? And if for some reason we get knocked out of the flow how do we jump quickly back in? These are each vital questions.

1. How do we get in the flow?

   We have to know ourselves, what turns on our creativity? And consciously move ourselves into action to be in that energy.
   

2. How do we stay in the flow once we are there?

   It's partially a conscious choice that we make, to be in flow. We control our consciousness, we can decide to stay in that energy and build upon it. Once you are in the flow, it consumes you. For me, excitement and energy build, and creativity breeds creativity.
   

3. How do we jump back into the flow when we get knocked out?

   This takes conscious action on your part, commitment and determination. When you get knocked off a horse, you have to take action to climb back on the horse. And, we all have heard the saying "get back on the horse". What a great metaphor for what needs to happen when you get knocked off the flow of creativity. You need to take action, intentional action to get back into the flow. The type of action you need to take depends upon what knocked you down It might mean what you do to heal from tragedy or trauma, or from simple interruptions. One of the important keys is that it takes intentional action. It doesn't just happen. You know yourself and some of the things that can help you get back into the flow. But what if you are really knocked down? Then, you might need to reach out to others to help you figure out the action you need to take. To give you the action tools for moving forward and jumping back into the flow. One tool that I love and talk about a lot with clients is visioning. Vision the vision. Write it down, read it, talk it and you will start living it.

Once you have experienced being in the flow it's a place you want to return to, it feels good. Not only does it feel good, but you are moving forward at what feels like lightening speed. You are achieving, and performing.

As we move into a new year take time to reflect on the times that you have been in the flow. And learn from your experiences of the past year for staying in the flow in 2007.

Another New Website

This is the time of year for launching new websites!! Please check out my latest site: http://www.extraordinaryhomebiz.com

It's a fun site that I am trying out. I am learning so much about internet marketing through this new venture. If you sign up for the newsletter on the site you will receive incredible marketing information via email every couple of days.

Enjoy!!

Donna

Donna Price
Compass Rose Consulting, LLC

www.extraordinaryhomebiz.com
www.compassroseconsulting.com
www.coachingstaffforsuccess.com

Check them all out!

New Website Launched

It is the week of new websites. Today I want to invite you to visit my new site: www.extraordinaryhomebiz.com. You can sign up there for a really valuable internet marketing e-zine. This email newsletter has so much information about markeing for your business you will be amazed! I want your business to grow and thrive and I know that the information in my internet marketing manual e-zine will help it do just that!! In fact there is so much info in it I have advertised it as the Mega Internet Marketing Manual E-Zine. be sure to check it out today!!

http://www.ExtraordinaryHomeBiz.com

Enjoy the day!!


Donna

New Issue of Bearing Points

The new issue of Bearing Points is available:
Get it here!

The issue is filled with some great information regarding new programs available. Be sure to consider Alex Mandossian's new tele-seminar Secrets Course. This class changed my business last year. After taking the class I added tele-seminars to what I offer more intensely. Business Builders Intensive was born and turned out to be a fantastic course! Click Here to check out the full details of this course.

I am currently working on a collaborative course called Coaching Staff For Success. Last year it was part of the Business Builders Intensive. This year it will become it's own course.

I am teaching at the University of Masters material from my book: Launching Your Dream, and now am interviewing people living their dream!! Be sure to check it out:
University of Masters


And this week I will be offering a class on improving employee performance through the performance appraisal. This program is offered through 24-7 Coaching. You can ktake up to two tele-classes with them complimentary. So, check out my class!

And, my last bit of news is my new website: ExtraOrdinary Home Biz
I have learned so many things since I launched this site and am participating in many new programs. The internet is a wealth of information and there are so many ways to promote your business via the internet. As I learn I will share my new learnings with you via this blog and my site, so be sure to keep reading. If you aren't a subscriber to my e-zine you can sign up for it today!

I hope you are continuing to dance!

All the best,

Donna Price

Working with businesses to chart the path to success!!

New Issue of Bearing Points

The new issue of Bearing Points is available:
Get it here!

The issue is filled with some great information regarding new programs available. Be sure to consider Alex Mandossian's new tele-seminar Secrets Course. This class changed my business last year. After taking the class I added tele-seminars to what I offer more intensely. Business Builders Intensive was born and turned out to be a fantastic course! Click Here to check out the full details of this course.

I am currently working on a collaborative course called Coaching Staff For Success. Last year it was part of the Business Builders Intensive. This year it will become it's own course.

I am teaching at the University of Masters material from my book: Launching Your Dream, and now am interviewing people living their dream!! Be sure to check it out:
University of Masters


And this week I will be offering a class on improving employee performance through the performance appraisal. This program is offered through 24-7 Coaching. You can ktake up to two tele-classes with them complimentary. So, check out my class!

And, my last bit of news is my new website: ExtraOrdinary Home Biz
I have learned so many things since I launched this site and am participating in many new programs. The internet is a wealth of information and there are so many ways to promote your business via the internet. As I learn I will share my new learnings with you via this blog and my site, so be sure to keep reading. If you aren't a subscriber to my e-zine you can sign up for it today!

I hope you are continuing to dance!

All the best,

Donna Price

Working with businesses to chart the path to success!!

Dancing with Delainey

One of the things I love about being a Mom is dancing. We play music loud in the living room and we dance, wildly. Delainey is my 2 1/2 year old that loves dancing. She still loves for me to hold her and dance sometimes. Her sister, Sadie, loves it too. Well, what does this have to do with business or being successful. For me, it has to do with freedom, flexibility, and being a business owner. Sure you can dance with your kids when you're a working Mom, but for me, I have the time and space to do this because I'm working from home, and have created a flexible schedule that keeps it's focus most of the time on family.

I think that it is also part of what keeps me in the "flow" of positive energy. Because I dance and because I have the time and space to dance.

I hope you are finding ways to dance in your life.

All the best,

Donna

check out my new site: www.extraordinaryhomebiz.com

Keep dancing

New Website Launched Today!!

Compass Rose Consulting, LLC has just launched a new website! Please visit it and let me know what you think. It's a new look, but still offers you a wealth of information about our services, products and free articles.

visit today: http://www.compassroseconsulting.com

I look forward to your feedback!

Donna

Lastest Issue of Bearing Points available.

Dear Friends and Colleagues-

The newest issue of Bearing Points: Build Your Business Success NOW, is available at: http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/bearingpoints3.html

In this issue there is great info on enhancing employee performance... read the article today.
http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/bearingpoints3.html

Watch for our new website -- coming in the next two weeks, refined and new design. Watch for the news.

The newest small business group is still forming. We have 3 spaces left. Don't miss this great opportunity to build your business with a group of like minded business owners, the benefits of having a coach and an effective strategic plan. This year we are also working on your business plan. The program is so comprehensive you don't want to miss this business building opportunity.Register today at: http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/entrepreneursuccessgroup.htm

Great business owners coming together to support each others success while building their own!!

Are you wishing you could join the group but you are not in New Jersey? Well, I am working on a solution for you!! Soon, I will be annnouncing a on-going coaching group. Using "Launchingg Your Dream" as a framework for working together on building your success. Groups will meet every two weeks and each member will receive a copy of my complete "Launching Your Dream Kit". If this sounds good to you, let me know: dprice@compassroseconsulting.com

Thanks for being a part of my growing community of success oriented people. We are approaching 3500 subscribers between this newsletter and my "Dream Makers News" Want to join my other newsletter or subscribe for the free "Launching Your Dreams E-Course"? Visit: http://www.launchingyourdreams.com

Have a Great Autumn Day!

All the best,
Donna
Donna PriceCompass Rose Consulting, LLCPO Box 615Branchville, NJ 07826973-948-7673dprice@compassroseconsulting.com
Growing Businesses Like a Gardener.....
http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/http://www.businessbuildersintensive.com/www.launchingyourdreams.com

Take my new survey at:
http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/dreamassessment
Are you realizing your dreams??? Check out how you are doing.....

Entrepreneur Success Groups starting in September

The Entrepreneur Success Group is starting in September.

Are you aiming to:

-Make sure you run your business ~ instead of having your business run you?
-Reach new professional heights and achieve your personal aspirations?
-Intentionally create balance in your life?
…then this program is for you!

2 New Groups starting in September 2006!

The results that our current participants are achieving are great:
operating with a new mind set
developing new programs
increasing clients
increasing revenue
improved tracking of marketing plan and marketing results
new marketing approaches
renewed enthusiasm
focused accomplishment of goals and priorities

Are you an entrepreneur creating your vision?

Could you benefit from regular support and coaching to keep you on track and moving forward?

What is the Entrepreneur Success Group?
The Entrepreneur Success Group is group of committed business owners and leaders that want and need to create better results in their businesses. The program focuses on creating results in small businesses. Best Year Yet™ is a year-long planning and implementation process for actually achieving previously unattainable levels of business performance. It is the only system that begins with the planning session, but then monitors progress throughout the full year, holding people accountable for the goals they set for themselves.

For all of the details visit: http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/EntrepreneurSuccessGroup.htm

Be sure to check the bonuses at the bottom of the page. This program is filled with value and bonuses. And they are continuing to pile up!

Join us for the next year in building your year of great success!

Reflections on Summer

As I sit here reflecting on summer I realize that we have spent wonderful times swimming, kayaking, sailing, spending time intentionally. We decided to change our lives years ago by having children, and we also decided to change our lives by having a business. Both have been wonderful changes. But, how do you continue to maintain intentional living? We have spent time this summer equipping ourselves so that we can spend time with our kids and doing our passions -- sailing, kayaking, biking. We added a double kayak to our fleet, a small sailboat and bike trailers and bike tag along! Lots of great recreational equipment. It brings us altogether. It comes back to vision. Creating that intentional vision of your life, the details, and moving towards your dream and vision each day.

We continue to move intentionally towards the life we are visioning.

Remember to create your powerful vision that is clear and detailed and exciting. Inspire yourself.

Don't miss this great this business building opportunity!

We are offering in September two new Entrepreneur Success Groups. These groups are phenomenal in that each member works on their business -- creating a powerful strategic plan, and then implementing it. The group gives members an opportunity to learn from other group members, help other group members and build additional business relationships. As the facilitator and coach of these programs I have seen great growth of members AND have seen many advances in each person's business as well.

The Entrepreneur Success Groups will begin in September. Registration has just opened! Don't miss your opportunity to produce better results in your business.

For more information: Click Here

Don't miss out. This can propel your business to new levels.

Back To Vision

Back To Vision:

With each business I work with and each tele-seminar I lead I am finding that vision is key. Having a strong, clear vision of your business and where you are going is an essential component of building that business. It goes beyond the daydream of success and deep into what that business will look like. How you visualize it. Am I talking about using visualization, well certainly that can't hurt and can even help you in manifesting what you want. but more importantly I am talking about having a clear vision, written down of where you want to go. Your vision statement becomes your roadmap. It guides you on your journey. A clear vision helps you to make good decisions for you business. Often there are tempting distractions that get us off course. We decide to add a new product line or create a new service, and down the road we find that it doesn't feel like the right fit. When we look back at our vision, there it is clear as day. The new service or product wasn't a part of the vision. That's why it didn't fit or wasn't successful.

Sure, we want to be creating new services, new products, new opportunities for business growth, but we want to stay on our path. If the new service takes us too far off the path then it might not be the right choice and as the owner it's your role to evaluate that.

Do you have a compelling vision? folks that have been working with me will tell you that I keep coming back to this with them and in my own business. What is the vision? What does the company look like? What are the services, the clients, the products? What growth has the company experienced? What does it feel like, sound like? Writing a detailed vision that includes all of the emotion helps you to develop a clearer plan.

Once you've created a written vision, then make a picture, hang it on your wall where you can see it.

And, as always, tell people about your vision. They can become your partners in making it happen.

If you have questions about creating your vision, give me a call!

Donna

Networking, Networking and Follow-up

I am a member of several networking groups and organizations. I have found that networking is a talent. I am amazed at the great people that I meet through networking groups both in person and on-line. I am also amazed at the number of people that don't do any follow-up following the networking.

I've actually created a networking plan. Now, I can't say that I always follow it to the letter but it has helped me to focus my networking efforts. The plan came about because I found myself in several networking groups and didn't feel that I was really getting the business I expected from them. I decided to make my networking efforts more intentional and focused on producing some results. I evaluate each networking group based on the results that I am producing in the group. I find that networking can be an expensive venture, especially as a business owner, with no one else paying the dues or meeting fees. So, it had to be working for me to continue to do it.

My plan includes: goals, a step by step plan and a follow-up component.

My goals are to:

1. add 8 new contacts a month to my database/leads list and categorize each contact based on the group where the contact came from, and the type of service/product that might be appropriate. (for me, this means that they get grouped by the size of their business).
2. meet one on one with at least 3 new contacts per month
3. get 5 new leads/clients quarterly

I use an "audio" logo when I meet people and it is ever changing. Creating an audio logo for your business gives people information about you quickly and engages them in conversation. I learned the concept of an audio logo from Robert Middleton, of Action Plan Marketing. The audio logo eliminates the label of "I'm a business coach" and moves me directly into who I work with and the problem or pain that I address. "I work with business owners and leaders that are frustrated with the results they are producing in their company."

The audio logo intentionally doesn't tell the person how I do what I do. The goal is to engage in conversation about my business. To leave them hanging so that they want to know, they need to know, because they feel like they don't have enough info.

Back to my networking plan. Also in the plan is to attend the meetings regularly. You can't be an effective networker if you are not present. There are too many other people there and you are quickly forgotten. I work to send each person a follow-up email in the next couple of days. I find that very few people do this. I also, find that not everyone acknowledges that I have.

For people that I had longer conversations with that I feel might have a good lead for me or might be in need of my services themselves, I set up a one on one meeting for breakfast or lunch. It's not a hard sales lunch ( I'm not very good at the hard sales approach). It's a relationship building lunch. A chance to get to know them better and for them to get to know me better.

I also add them to my database so that they receive regular communications from me. I call that my "keep in touch" marketing. I find that people that I have met years ago, know who I am because of my "keep in touch" marketing approach. It helps me to continue to build the relationship, the trust and move into a client relationship down the road.

What is your networking plan? Do you follow-up with people after you meet them? Do you think of ways that you can help them in their business? Do you network with intention or are you just hoping it pays off?

Call me to create an effective plan for your business.

How do you create a culture of open communication in your workplace?

Communication has got to be the biggest challenge we each face as people. We are constantly communicating but are we doing it effectively? And, at work there are added roadblocks to communication. As an administrator, I realized that communication was limited just by the location of my office and my role. it didn't have as much to do with me and who I was as the pre-conceptions of staff or their personal history with supervisors and administrators.

So, how as an administrator can you open the communication with staff? There are several steps you can take to be more open with staff and have them be more open with you.

1. Be open and honest yourself: role modeling communication is a great first step. Staff will be hesitant to risk openness and honesty if you aren't willing to do that.
2. Share your vision of the future. What is your vision for the company? Where do you want the company to go, and how do the staff fit into your vision?
3. Meet with staff regularly.
   
4. Meet in a circle, without tables or barriers between you. Tables create barriers to communication. They can hender the communication and block the communications.
5. Empower staff to do their jobs, coach them to succeed. When you over control, limit communications and micro manage, staff get less done, and communication shuts down.

Communication is essential to work places, working effectively. As the administrator, you can shift the culture of communication. Be open to hearing staff, hearing their suggestions, their ideas and implementing the ones that make sense.

What great solutions are you missing because you have a closed communication system? Staff see the problems but they also have great ideas about the solutions. Ask and listen and you will tap into a wealth of valuable information.

Are you planting a good garden?

Gardening is one of my pasttimes. I love working in the yard, planting seeds, and plants and watching it all emerge. I just planted our vegetable garden last week-- tomatoes, beans, sqaushes, cantelope, watermelon, basil, carrots and more. We have a two small areas we use for vegetables. In the back we've added peach trees, blueberries and a variety of raspberries, and a small patch of strawberries.

With small children it's a great way for them to learn about the earth, growing and eating. My two year old, walks into the garden and picks vegetables , eating them as she prowls for more. It's fun!

I see my business in much the same way, a garden, in which I plant seeds -- with the contacts I make, sharing a bit of knowledge or something of value. Through my ongoing contacts I am working to grow the relationship, and further our connection. I use my e-zine, Bearing Points, Build Your Business Success, NOW! as one of the methods for continuing to connect and add value. I also use my book and it's e-zine: Launching Your Dream. And tele-seminars both free and fee based to offer value to contacts. Each is geared at growing my business garden, further my business and offering real value to the people I am in contact with.

As I watch both gardens growing this spring there is excitement and momentum. My business garden is multiplying with close to 2000 subscribers to my two e-zines, many personal contacts, and a growing client base. My fruit and vegetable gardens are just starting. Strawberries are getting ready to blossom, lilacs are blooming and the sunflowers are coming up! Everything else is preparing for full growth and food for our table.

How is your garden doing? Is it blossoming? ARE you bearing the fruits of your hard work? Do you wonder what you are missing and why it's not coming together better? I am offering 10 initial consultations over the next two weeks. An intital consult is a half hour session in which I provide you with 30 minutes of coaching. At the end of 30 minutes you decide if you want to continue or we part as friends having had a great consult. contact me to schdule your consult today: dprice@compassroseconsulting.com

Coaching provides you with a wonderful resource. Someone to talk with about your dreams and goals. Someone to share ideas with, get feedback from, act as a sounding board. If you are wondering how could this help me and my business grow, try our initial consult offer!

Are you still working your New Year's resolutions?

I've found that many people start the year off with great goals and aspirations for the year. But, then by March, most people in my workshops have stopped working the goals, given up or lost focus. How are you doing? Did you start out the year with a great plan?

Maybe there's comfort in knowing that you're not the only one that has gotten off track. Do you want to get back on? There are a number of things you can do to regain your focus and build your momentum. First, write the goals down. Did you already write them down, then pull them out. Read the list over and make any revisions that you need to make. Don't give up, but look at them and decide if they are still important to you. Eliminate the ones that aren't relevant any longer.

Limit the number of things you are working on. No more than 10. Next, make a list of what has gotten in your way, why you haven't been focused. Next to each item develop a strategy for not letting the different items interfere.

Third, decide on a plan for keeping yourself on track. There are several things you can do.

• set up a tracking system for yourself, a graph or a chart to track your goals
• This can be really helpful and motivating. Make it simple and easy to use

• hire a coach
• find a support buddy
• create a mastermind group

As a coach, and having a coach of my own, I recommend coaching. You have someone that is committed to seeing your greatness, working to build you up and not take you down, or put you down. A coach can help you stay focused and re-focus when you get distracted or off track.

I work with individuals and also have several groups. Consider working with a coach to achieve your New Year's Resolutions!

Amazon Book Promotion

This week I am promoting my new book "Launching Your Dream" with Amazon. We've put together a great group of bonus gifts to go along with an Amazon purchase.

Find out how to create your dreams and live them instead of just dreaming...
http://www.launchingyourdreams.com/amazon/index.html

Launching Your Dream is an experiential, action oriented bookdesigned to get you moving in the direction of that dream and vision.

So, many of us have that aching desire for something and we just haven't figured out how to make it happen. You can create the life you want and intentionally live you dreams and visions.

Go today to: http://www.launchingyourdreams.com/amazon/index.htmlto buy your copy of 'Launching Your Dream' and take action that you have only dreamed of.

'Launching Your Dream' is available with a great suite of bonus gifts valued at over $800. These valuable gifts are incredibleadditions to the book and are available to those purchasing the book through midnight on the 22nd.

Start realizing your dreams today, and living them instead of dreaming them. You will find great inspiration and a wonderfuldream making process in 'Launching Your Dream'.http://www.launchingyourdreams.com/amazon/index.html

Remember, our launch is available through midnight on the 22nd of Aprilif you want the incredible group of bonuses. Order your copy today!

All the best in creating your dream,

Donna Price Author, Business and Life Coach,
and always a dreamer of new futures
dprice@compassroseconsulting.com

Please forward this email to the other dreamers you know, that are looking for inspiration to take action.

This book can change your life!

For our full e-zine this month visit: http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/NewsletterApril2006.htm

Taking Back My Life!!

As a business owner you know that your life can get away from you and your business takes over. That's the way I've been feeling. I've been working, working, working and yet, the reason I started a business was to be home more with kids and not be consumed with work. So, here I am consumed with my own business.

There are many things happening in my business, a new tele-seminar series: Business Builders Intensive; continued work with small business owners using Best Year Yet; and growing work with business teams; which is my passion, and now my book launch, happening this week for Launching Your Dream. It's all great, and exciting.

Last week I had kids home all week and the weather was wonderful. We played outside, planted parts of the garden and went to the state park beach with family. It was great. And I remembered that the reason I am in business is to work well with each client AND to be able to focus on myself and my family.

So, how do we as business owners maintain this much needed balance, and how do we get it back when we've lost it? First, is the observation that we are out of balance. Second, is the commitment to be in balance again, and a focus on achieving that. Third, is prioritizing self and family, or whatever your balance is, as important, and a priority.

I believe that part of the success of my business is my own health and balance. People will not want to work with a business coach that is not working well herself, in her own business. It is amazing to me that we learn lessons in our lives and then keep re-learning them. When do we get it? Well, this is a lesson re-learned for me, and something I work with clients on. create health and balance in your life. When you are working hard and are dedicated and operating from a good place personally, the rest is going to fall in place!

Acknowledge What You're Accomplishing!

I often use Best Year Yet (TM), a strategic planning and implementation program that produces results, with clients. I have found this simple system to be highly effective in helping individuals and teams to focus on their top priorities and make the shifts hey need to to produce results. It is amazing to watch the process evolve and the insights that are realized throughout. In working with this process over the past two years I have witnessed my own business grow and thrive in many new ways.

When I reviewed the accomplishments of the year, last year it was an opportunity to revisit all of the successes that you've had. Accomplishments give us energy for continuing to move forward. And we can see how far we have already moved in creating great success. Here at Compass Rose Consulting, LLC we've had many great successes this year and we're sharing some here with you:
-Started an email newsletter
-Added new clients
-Added new programs
-Started the Best Year Yet Introductory workshop, each month
-Joined several new networking groups
-Finished a Best Year Yet Team program with a non-profit organization
-Attended the Best Year Yet conference in Amsterdam & Denver
-Initiated a new program called the Small Business Success Institute
-Completed Action Plan Marketing with Robert Middleton
-Completed Coach training with Comprehensive Coaching U And personally,
-Completed the adoption of our second daughter
-Added new clients

As I look over part of the list from last year, I find we continue to move in new and different ways still now.

Accomplishments continue to grow with the completion of my first book: Launching Your Dream; more new clients; completion of Matt Bacak's Internet Marketing Millionaire Intensive, completion of Alex Mendossian's Tele-Seminar Secrets, the beginning of my new tele-seminar: Business Builders Intensive; and newly added monthly tele-classes, with the first one on newsletter marketing.

Recognizing your accomplishments and celebrating them keeps the energy moving your forward. Remember to write down your accomplishments and acknowledge them.

Are you including play in your life?

Take Care of Yourself: I love this lesson because it so central to each of us and our success. We cannot be successful when we don’t take care of ourselves. And playing, for me is an essential component. We all know this and yet somehow the time gets away or other things become the priority. Think back to your childhood and the things you loved to do. We ran through the woods, building “forts”, played kick-ball with all the neighbors, and did lots of biking. I loved biking, and stopped when I went off to college. Ten years ago, I rediscovered biking. It felt familiar and like I was home. As a teenager I had biked everywhere, to visit friends, go the “mall”, and did a week of touring. We didn’t think anything of riding 50 miles.

When I found biking again, I also found imagination, adventure, freedom and joy. I joined a bike club, started riding several times per week and planned a cross country tour. The next year I led a small group from Maine to Oregon, and found a free spirit.

Now, ten years later, I play in a new way, with a one year old and four year old. We make sand castles, mud pies, fly kites, color and build airplanes out of boxes with toilet paper rolls for wheels and stickers decorating the outside. It’s a wonderful sense of play and also familiar. Memories are rekindled of fond childhood moments and I hope I am part of making future fond memories. The challenge as a parent and small business owner is to do the things I love to do as an adult.

Recently, a colleague read my profile on my website and said, “Wow, you like to do so many things – kayak, bike, run, climb”, and it’s true I do love these things. Day-to-day life sure does take over sometimes. How do we bring play into our lives and what are the benefits? In the play of childhood there was a feeling of openness, adventure and lightness. When we bring these qualities into our lives regularly it lightens our approach to people, to work to our day to day demands of life. That’s the benefit.

I include play, with intention, as part of my best year yet plan. It keeps me focused and including it in my life. And as a benefit, I find new energy, new commitment and a lighter, happier attitude.

Try a few new things this month:
-Take a trip to the toy store and buy a toy – legos, blocks, crayons
-Visit a playful place—the zoo, the beach, a carousel
-Do an activity that gave you joy as child
-Plan a day to play and do your favorite things, note how you feel the following days.
-Make play part of your life, regularly.

Take care of yourself and play!

Launching Your Dream

This week has been exciting, with the release of "Launching Your Dream". Both the book and the kit are available at: www.compassroseconsulting.com/launchingyourdream.htm.

I received the shipment of books and kits last Friday, just in time for an expo for women on Saturday. I quickly got the image of the book enlarged and matted on foam board. The artwork drew people into the booth and started conversations.

I also had the opportunity to do a "Launching Your Dream" workshop with about 20 women. It was fun and successful. Fun, to be presenting the book for the first time, to a group of women, and fun to learn about their dreams and visions.

Talking with people about the book is enlightening, as I quickly begin to learn about their dream, their vision. And it is always refreshing to know that I'm not the only dreamer, but that there are many among us, and many that want to realize their dreams.

Realizing dreams is what both the book and kit are all about. The kit is rich in what it offers, with a workbook, 3 audio CD's that guide you through the process and offer 2 guided visualizations, and a visual CD, for use when you need to create new ideas. There are also reflection cards to use with the stones and oddly shaped glass marbles that also are included in the kit.

Being a new author, it was exciting to sign books, see my name listed as Donna Price, author, and feel the positive response of the group.

All some of the positive effects of realizing dreams and living them.
I have also started a new newsletter specifically focused on "Launching Your Dream" and it can be found at: http://www.launchingyourdreams.com/

Join me in dream making and launch your dream.

I love the artwork on the both the kit and the book and had to include it again!!

Launching Your Dreams -- Just Released!!

I am very excited to announce the release of my first book and kit called "Launching Your Dreams: A multi-sensory experience for bringing your dreams into your life". The book outlines a multi-sensory process for realizing your dreams, whether it's like one of mine, to bike across the country or open your own business. The book describes the process I used for realizing my dream, one after another. The kit provides you with all of the tools. The kit is comprehensive. It includes 3 audio CD's and a visual CD, a workbook, reflection cards, and river stones, and sparkling glass. The CD's take you step by step through the process.

As a dreamer, I love creating dreams in my life. I'll share with you, briefly my process. First, I vision the dream. What it looks like, feels like, sounds like... All the details. Early on, I talk about it, with everyone. It helps bring it into my reality. It keeps me on my path. Helps to make me more accountable, because I'm talking about it.

Next, I strategies in all areas, related to the dream. How will I accomplish each area? Usually, my dreams are big. As you see, right now, I am working on my own business. I owned my first business 20+ years ago, as a Chimney Sweep. I still have all of my gear. But, I wasn't committed, I didn't work it, and it didn't succeed. I've learned a lot since then. And commitment is the biggest lesson. You have to commit to the dream, to the goal. Without commitment I drift, and get distracted.

Learn more about the book and the kit at: http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/launchingyourdream.htm

Dreaming is a wonderful -- but it's even better when you live them.

Powerful Strategies Build Results

Are you working in your power?

Creating a powerful work place that is focused and intent on success is one of the biggest challenges business owners face. What is a powerful workplace?Powerful workplaces are focused, strategic, and intentional. Owners and staff are action oriented in ways that move the business. They do not waste time on activities that are not focused on the success of the company.

Well, how do you do that? First, is to create an intentional strategic plan that is focused on your company's success in all areas. It is important to include the entire team in the planning session. Take time to hear what is working well, and celebrate it. Then spend time, hearing what isn't working so well. It is important to be open to this step. This isn't a time to dwell on what's not right, just get the information out there.There is vital information in both what works well and what doesn't work well. That vital information is the wisdom of those closer to the day-to-day workings of the company. Is it possible that the greatest solutions could come from unexpected places, most definitely. Staff on the front lines see both the problems and have ideas about the solutions.

After you have gathered this vital information look at what gets in the way of the team's success or the company's success. Often we have created our own road blocks. Sometimes they are in terms of systems (that we created), often they are rules (that, we also created), and sometimes it is in how we think individually or as a team. This is a hard step, because it takes deep thinking and honest reflection. Teams can be scared of doing this work, but it is very important to moving the company forward, taking the company to the next level.

Once you have identified how the team is in their own way of success you can create a new attitude or approach to success. We recommend doing this in a postive statement that points to an exciting future.

Now, you are ready to develop the strategies for moving there. Write your strategies in the form of measurable goals. Things you can really count, so that you can track your success. A goal such as "improving the company" is to vague. Instead write, "increase revenue by 25%". That is measurable. Limit your strategic goals to ten. This enables you and your team to stay very focused. If the team comes up with 100 goals, then find the top ten.

After goals are established you begin working with intention. Each day staff and leaders should be working to achieve the strategic plan. If your operations involve tasks that aren't focused on these strategies evaluate whether outsourcing these tasks would improve your results with the increased time to focus on implementation. Or are there other ways you can improve the focus of the team?

Maintain implementation. After a strategy session, everyone is often excited and enthusiastic,but quickly the day-to-day operations interupt your focus. Schedule at least monthly strategy review meetings. Don't bring other agenda items to the meeting. These meetings are solely for reporting on the strategies and scoring them. Each person that has taken responsibilityfor a strategic objective comes to the meeting prepared to report on the results that have occurred. This reporting is in terms of numbers. The strategy was achieved at ___%, giving you a clear picture of where you are. This group accountability is powerful. It creates a culture of performance, a focus on success and achievement.

By operating with focus and intention on strategy you can build your business success week by week, month by month and produce the results you want and need. Clarity of goals, focus, and implementation each contribute to the success of the team and the organization.

Marketing, Marketing....

When I started my business, I was new to business, and like many other business owners was pretty clueless about marketing. As a non-profit manager and administrator our marketing needs were limited. Now, after 3 years in business, I have learned and implemented so many marketing approaches. At first, I thought marketing was not very much fun, but now, I am starting to have a lot of fun with it.

You have to first get past the fear of the "No". I found that this took a while. In the scheme of the world and even of my own life, someone saying "No" to me is just not that big of a deal. Yet, I feared it. At this point in my business, I no longer fear it, and actually want to set up systems so that people are saying it faster. Faster? Why faster? Well, if they are going to say "No", I need to hear it and move on. I don't want to spend a lot of time and energy with them to get to "No". I have changed my approach in meeting or talking with people so that we get there faster. I have spent hours with people doing an initial consultation, for FREE, and then gotten to the "No". At the same time, as they are telling me how great the consultation was. It motivated me to want to get there faster. I am using a process to let people know upfront what my fees are and policies are, prior to consult, and letting them know that it is time limited and we get to a decision point at the half hour mark. They're responsibility is to come to the meeting ready to make the decision.

Are you afraid of "No", in your marketing and sales? How can you create a system that gets you there faster so that you can move on? You don't want to spend valuable time trying to sell to someone that is ultimately going to say "No", and you certainly don't want to do that with folks that are walking in the door, knowing they aren't buying.

Give up the fear of thhe "no" and then create your powerful system or process for managing your resources (time) in reagrds to it.

Happy Marketing!!

Do newsletters help your marketing??

Newsletters act as part of your “keep in touch” marketing strategy. They provide a vehicle for keeping in touch with your current customers or clients and providing them with additional value. The newsletter also is a good vehicle for keeping in touch with prospective customers and clients. Through the use of the newsletter you are continuing to build your relationship with the prospect. They become more and more familiar with you and your services and most importantly the value that you offer. A newsletter can also act as an incentive to build your database, especially if it is a free newsletter. On your website you can offer your “free” newsletter in exchange for the person’s name and email address. This gives you information about who is interested in your service, but not buying right now. It gives you the opportunity to develop a relationship for future work together.

Newsletters come in a variety of formats and each has advantages and disadvantages. Traditionally, companies used printed, snail mail newsletters. The big advantage of print media and snail mail is that it gets to the target. It doesn’t get caught up in spam filters and email blocks. It provides a hard copy of your information and people tend to keep well produced newsletters longer. Your newsletter could have a great coupon or article that the person wants to act on and they put it in the pile on their desk and eventually they find it, pull it out and follow-up with you. The disadvantages of a print newsletter are the costs for development, printing and mailing. It can be labor intensive for the small operation that is doing the mailing themselves. Personally addressing hundreds of newsletters is time-consuming. If you are not good with software programs, you might need assistance putting the newsletter together in a presentable format, adding to your expense, and then there are the ever rising costs of postage. You will also need to print the newsletter, professionally. Bulk mail is less expensive but comes with many rules and regulations and does not get forwarded if the address is wrong.

Email newsletters or e-zines are much less costly but have other disadvantages. The good things about the e-zine—are that they are inexpensive. You can email thousands of people for little cost. You can use an e-zine service to help with formatting your e-zine and managing your database. There are e-zine service companies that will write and produce your e-zine in it’s entirety, but this of course is more costly. Services such as Constant Contact or Aweber or 1shoppingcart, each provide you with the tools to create forms for your website that visitors can fill out and then receive your e-zine. If you create a website with a lot of traffic this is a great way to build your database and potential customer base. These companies also provide you with some great information about who has read your newsletter, how many people clicked on links in your newsletter, how many were blocked and undelivered etc. This becomes valuable information to you in your marketing and knowing who you are hitting and who you are missing. Some of the disadvantages of an e-zine are that many do get blocked by spam filters; email programs and never reaches their target. They also get easily deleted and aren’t saved in piles on the desk. It doesn’t stay in front of people.

There are many resources out there for developing an e-zine or newsletter. You can subscribe to article lists and receive a wealth of useful information that you can include in your e-zine or print newsletter. You don’t have to write each article. I have many articles of value to my readers written by other experts. You can also share your articles with these same services and increase your exposure. This continues to build your reputation, and it also improves your website ratings as you have more and more links to your site from other sites (but, that’s a whole different article).

Whether you choose the email version of a newsletter or the print version or both, you need to provide value to your clients and potential clients. Both are a vehicle for you to build your relationship and do new business or additional business. If there is no value then people will “opt-out” and won’t be interested in receiving your information. Provide valuable information, it builds your reputation as a resource and an expert. Your reputation builds your business.

Newsletters can help you build your business, if they are done well.

Welcome

Welcome to Magnetic North!

My name is Donna Price and I am owner of Compass Rose Consulting, LLC. I look forward to you reading my blog.

Stay tuned for lots of information!