The Life's Work Group Bloghttp://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/en-US2008-08-20T20:38:42ZSquarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Executive Men in Transition: Don't Attempt To "Preserve" During A New Transitionhttp://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/20/executive-men-in-transition-dont-attempt-to-preserve-during.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-20T20:30:19Z

]]>men@pause seminar: From Africa Missionary to Entrepreneurhttp://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/20/menpause-seminar-from-africa-missionary-to-entrepreneur.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-20T11:46:00Z
Click here and gain instant access to this men@pause seminar.

Listen to my men@pause seminar program with former Africa Missionary turned entrepreneur Randy Vaughn.

Randy spent years in theological and linguistic preparation for moving to Africa.  After 2 years of preparation, Randy and his family landed on African soil to begin living and dwelling among the Aja people.  Learning to speak the Aja-gbe language, Randy spent years developing new followers of Christ as well as offering physical assistance to one of the world's poorest people groups in the world.  Randy spent the final 5 years in concentrated leadership training and spiritual development coaching. 

In 2007, Randy and his family returned to the United States.  Randy is the father of Tori, Timothy, Jonathan and Lael.  Lael was adopted from Africa, the daughter of Randy's very best friend (his friend is crippled with polio and could not care for this newborn after her mother died just after childbirth).  Randy currently lives and works in Fort Worth, Texas.

Returning to the States, Randy faced a decision:  1) go into full-time pastoral ministry, 2) work for someone else in a business and marketing position, or 3) launch into entrpreneurism.  While the first two options had strong validity, Randy felt that being self-employed and launching his own company fit his profile for the best work situation for him and his family.  Drawing from his educational background and a passion for creative coaching, Randy launched 1429 Creative, a named derived from the call of faith as displayed in the 14th chapter of the Book of Matthew.

In 2008, Randy was joined full-time by his identical twin brother, Donny.  Fulfilling a lifelong dream of working together, Randy and Donny now operate as The Marketing Twins at 1429 Creative.  They co-author their marketing blog:  www.MarketingTwins.com  

They conduct marketing coaching clinics for small businesses and any organization wanting to go to the next level in their marketing.  They also work one-on-one with clients, speak at marketing workshops, and assist customers in implementing creative design.  They co-host the "Double Take Live Broadcast" featuring men and women who speak about the role of faith in the marketplace.

SITE:  www.1429creative.com
BLOG: www.MarketingTwins.com

 

 ]]>Webex Sales Person: "I understand why you would want to switch."http://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/20/webex-sales-person-i-understand-why-you-would-want-to-switch.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-20T01:47:35ZI have utilized Webex for my webinars for the past two years. I have conducted enough over the years that I always have an account representative call me every month just to check-up on me. That's cool. I paid $79 dollars a month and was able to have unlimited meetings for 14 guests. I also have to pay extra to utilize a conference call bridge line.

Last month Go to Webinar opened access for Mac users like me to host webinars. The package includes unlimited meetings with up to 2,000 people, and a total audio conference call bridge line to host 200 callers. The package is for $99 dollars a month.

I was very interested in the Go to Webinar package. Sounds like a better deal.

I have been loyal to Webex, so I decided to call my account manager. I have had a new one every six months or so. I told my most recent account manager that I would like to stay with Webex, but I was wondering if they could assist me in staying with Webex.

The Webex account manager instantly replied, "I can't offer anything and I understand why you would want to switch to Go to Webinar." No talk to the boss. Nothing!

Decision made...

I am a Go to Webinar customer.

Quick business case study after action review:

If you know your competition offers a superior product or service. Reinvent your product or service or make it up in the short run with unmatched customer service. Then go tell your boss that we are getting our ass kicked.

]]>men@pause seminar now one-payment of $1 dollar. Are you in?http://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/19/menpause-seminar-now-one-payment-of-1-dollar-are-you-in.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-19T11:00:00ZAre you in?

You pay $1 dollar, one-time, and you receive access to all past and future men@pause seminars.

Three seminars a month with top change agents in business and life + work design.

It is the top seminar program for executive and entrepreneurial men @ intersection of professional success and personal significance.

Recent men@pause seminars include:



























For instant access to all past and future men@pause seminars, click on link below...


www.menatpauseseminar.com

]]>Every Business is a "Lifestyle" Businesshttp://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/18/every-business-is-a-lifestyle-business.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-18T19:24:55ZIt does not matter if you are an entrepreneur man or a wage-earner, (VP, Sales-yes, you are a wage earner since someone else is paying your salary) you have a "lifestyle" business.

What does your "lifestyle" business say about your current choices?


]]>Entrepreneur Men: You Are In The Presentation Business!http://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/18/entrepreneur-men-you-are-in-the-presentation-business.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-18T12:45:00Z

If you are in business for yourself, you are in the presentation business.

Image, branding, reputation...all there when you make a presentation.

During my three-week family vacation I purchased ten books for my reading pleasure. One of those books was Garr Reynolds, presentation zen.

I added the "No More Lame Presentations" for my own accountability.

Normally when I recommend a book, I try to summarize some take-home messages for you. I would not know where to start with this book. Every page is a take-home message.

Trust me-just buy the book.

Here are my own thoughts and guidance on the topic of slide presentation design:

1. Think of your presentation as business poetry. Check out this video below. An organization called Ignite has a creative idea. Imagine you present only 20 seconds and your slides automatically advance every 15 seconds. We could sure learn from this idea in business world. Ignite holds these events at really cool places like the Baghdad Theatre and Pub in Portland as well as other places.

2. Allow the image to inspire the slide.  I use www.istockphoto.com.

3. Go to www.slideshare.net The entire site is a free place to view other presentations and even upload your own for public sharing. Many presenters even have a download button for you to save their presentations. Notice the great & bad examples of design.

             View one of my presentations uploaded to slideshare.
Meet Matthew
View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: coach plan)


]]>Entrepreneur Men: Are You Experiencing Change or Transition?http://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/15/entrepreneur-men-are-you-experiencing-change-or-transition.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-15T20:51:45Z Are you experiencing change or are you in transition?

How do you know?


Are you confused about which one applies to you right now? Don't sweat it, our society is confused.


Most of us imagine that transition is another word for change. Not the same.

  1. Change is situational. Moving to a new city or having a baby is an example of change. Switching from a PC to a Mac is (good) change.
  2. Transition is psychological. It is not an event, but rather the inner re-orientation and self-redefinition you must go through in order to incorporate any of those change into your life.
William Bridges, author of Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes says, "unless transition happens, the change won't work, because it doesn't take."

As entrepreneur men in professional and personal transition, we talk a lot about change, but we seldom deal with transition.

I have an analogy for you to assist in understanding the difference between change and transition.

Imagine the natural seasonal flow during the typical four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. We notice it gets colder & warmer, wetter & dryer, but we seem to just punctuate this to the daily ebb and flow of "weather." We are missing the big picture.

Now think about the seasons of a man's life.

What are they?

Most of us don't know, so we can't see the big picture and mark the ending of one season and recognize the new beginning of a new season.

Men, what about a seasonal approach to planning your business calendar? Would it be helpful if you you i.d. seasons of desired change in your business year?

How can you apply this understanding of change and transition to your professional and personal life?



]]>5 tips from e*trade baby on viral video marketinghttp://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/15/5-tips-from-etrade-baby-on-viral-video-marketing.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-15T01:50:13ZEveryone I talk with loves these commercials by e*trade mobile pro.


Why do we love them so? I will take a shot with my behavioral sciences and marketing background and hopefully we can apply to our viral marketing campaigns.

  1. The choice of baby as an endearing messenger.  The baby and the animation applied are perfect. The tone of the voice is not quite adult and not a young child. Even when the baby tactfully addresses a mile adult theme, you are not offended.
  2. The angle of the camera view is key. The baby is talking to you and I by staring directly at the computer screen. Makes you and I tune-in.
  3. Speaks the language of target audience. Can I "hit you back" with my "blackberry?"
  4. The "art of the fart." Did you see and hear the creative use of embarrassing moments that you can't help and laugh. From farting to vomiting, the sweet baby adds a whole new dimension to this funny moment.
  5. The time consistency. Did you notice both advertisements are 32 seconds in duration? As viewers, we develop a consistent pace in our viewing.
What did you pick-up?

What can you learn in preparing your next viral video campaign?



]]>Are You Showing Your Clients Where You Want Them To Go?http://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/14/are-you-showing-your-clients-where-you-want-them-to-go.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-14T05:09:48Z

Watch this video and apply this lesson to your business.


]]>Solopreneur Men: Is Your Library A Creative Class Indicator in Choosing Where to Live, Work, Play?http://site.lifesworkgroup.com/home/2008/8/6/solopreneur-men-is-your-library-a-creative-class-indicator-i.htmlMatthew Scott2008-08-06T19:47:17ZI am on vacation and as we speak I am at the Fayetteville, Arkansas Public Library.

I am a dweeb. My family saw me getting restless and gave me a library pass.

This library is no ordinary library. It literally and figuratively connects a community. I am also connected to this community library. My dad had a hand in making this vision a reality for a community.

My dad's best friend contributed millions to make this library special.

I happen to believe a public library is a men@pause criteria rating for entrepreneur men in choosing the "Where?" to live, work, and play. Regardless of whether you choose to use a public library it is a public reflection of community support and vision.

1. Is your public library a steward of the environment? Don't miss the point. Environmental building and design projects care enough about the people and landscape of the community to be part of the natural step in developing a footprint that has meaning. The Fayetteville Public Library is a LEED Certified design building in the rolling Ozark Mountains. There certainly are cheaper ways to design and build a public building then going stringent LEED environmental requirements.


2. Does your public library have color? Is your library promoting black, white, brown, and white people to enter the doors respectfully and engage in something positive? Below is a quick photo from my iphone. What you can't see is a computer lab filled with diversity. I see the skinny white kid with hair in corn-rows and a tattoo displayed on his neck. He is seated by some Colonel Sanders looking gentlemen wearing suspenders. I see the african-american dude laughing at Colonel Sanders and the white kid in corn row hair. It is a beautiful site. It gives us hope.


3. Is your library cutting edge in promoting the use of free technology? The Fayetteville Public Library is free high-speed wireless. A computer lab, the one you see above, is complete with 50 recent model computers, both PC and Mac. The reading room contains another 20 computers. No charges-just type in your free library card number for access.

4. Does your library promote intellectual lounging? Check out the picture below showing the front entrance of the library as people are drinking espresso and lounging on leather coaches, modern design chairs, or eating at the library deli. Want an organic free-range rosemary chicken sandwich with your espresso? Maybe you prefer a smoked pulled-pork sandwich with your lentil soup? Think community favorite deli meets high-tech repository of free knowledge. This library gets it!

5. Does your library have a branded logo that the community contributed in design and meaning? 


What does this post have to do with choosing where you as a solopreneur/entrepreneur man will choose to live, work, and play?

Why don't you contribute your answer to this question.


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