http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemdCorporate Mom Dropouts Blog NetworkThu, 26 Apr 2012 08:01:26 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/KQjUU/h/Balancing_the_Super_Woman_Act.htmNext Tuesday I have the honor of being interviewed by Meggin Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D. 'The Ph.D. of Productivity'(TM) Join me if you are available. Tues. May 8th @ 1:30PM Est So far we have over 300 people registered so make sure you tune in. Are you - or do you know - a superwoman who is paying a steep price? Learn from (and share) the upcoming free teleseminar that I'll be hosting with guest expert, Lucinda Cross. Here's where to read more and get registered: http://keepingchaosatbay.com/ superwoman.html Super women are often identified as those women who do it all: They run a company, school, or nonprofit PLUS they take care of the kids, the life partner, the house, the laundry, the car, and everything and everyone in between. Does this sound familiar? *Balancing the Super Woman Act* begins with shifting some of the burden we carry and directing our energy to get more done without burn out. My special guest, Lucinda Cross, has come up with fabulously interesting ways that "Super Women" can fly and create a life that operates the way you want it. Unlike the Marvel characters Superwoman, Catwoman, Batgirl, etc., we have a bigger role to play (and a real role at that!) If you want more for your personal and professional life, this teleseminar is for YOU! Here's where to learn more and get registered: http://keepingchaosatbay.com/ superwoman.html See you on the call, Lucinda Cross @lucindaspeaks http://facebook.com/lucindacrossspeaksThu, 26 Apr 2012 08:01:26 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/K6muU/h/What_did_you_do_about_that.htm When it comes to being an entrepreneur, you can expect to run across a wide array of customers. It takes a lot to knowing them, identifying them, understanding them, and then working with them. During my time as an entrepreneur I have run across 5 main types of clients which have distinct personalities and approaches. Champion These are the ones who have skin in the game they have had their ups and downs in business and clearly can identify their needs vs. wants; they also pay well, are easy to deal with, and will often send random gifts of appreciation. They are usually mentally free and understand their position in the marketplace and have made an impact in their industry as an expert and trendsetter. Tips to working with them Keep open communication and stay in contact! Results are all they want. Keep with the facts. You don't need to convince them of the value you bring, either they need what you have or they don't. They are very clear on what their next level is so when approaching a champion makes sure you understand their business model and their motivation. Champions want to stay champions so if you can assist them in marking their territory you will be retained for a large fee, as long as you produce. Heavy Weight These are the type of clients who may have a downfall somewhere or the fear of a downfall happening. They need to be held accountable. These clients need specific things done in a specific set of time, or they are looking for a product that can do it for them. This particular client is all about growth and mentally stability. Heavy weights are very busy and don't have much time for amateurs so please show up confident and you must be able to articulate the what, why and how you plan to support them with your product or service. Tips to working with them Be very detail oriented. Their time is everything so make your communication via email and phone structured and have an outline on what you want to discuss If you are pushing a product make sure you explain to them the warranty, guarantee and the benefits If you are pushing a service make sure you simplify the process, they don't have time for long, out drawn processes or to dos. Suggestions are key. Give them suggestions on ways that they can work smarter, shorter and faster. They love random cards and gifts. Remembering their birthday or anniversary will mean getting a long term contract. Light Weight These clients value your relationship and are extremely excited but worried about working with you. To be honest they also expect discounts and freebies. They are scattered in doing to many things and still trying to find their signature style. You must be clear with them on the position you will play when it comes to supporting them. They can easily try to make you do things that are not in the contract and may tend to abuse your time if you allow it. Tips on working with them Offer a discount that is comfortable with you, this way you are not feeling resentful. Make sure they understand the amount of work that you are doing. Be clear on how much time you are devoting to them and don't go beyond the time limit. This will help them appreciate your time. Ask for payment from the beginning, this will avoid being placed in an awkward position. They are easy to befriend you so make sure you seperate personal conversations with professional conversation. Monitor the flow of the conversation and keep business conversation about business and personal conversations about personal stuff. This will help to remind them that you are still a professional. Feather Weight These are your business owners who are very attentive and careful. They take everything seriously and have dealt with some people who may have misled them. They must be dealt with very carefully and require a lot of hand holding and explaining. Tips on working with them In this situation you must be professional but also personal. You can lose them if you are too business like and you can lose them if you are too friendly. Find a medium. Don't tell them what to do, make suggestions. They are mentally and emotionally sensitive so they can smell a phony from a mile away. Keep reaching out to them, they may not buy what you have to offer on the first go round, so you need to continue to market to them over and over and over again, but it will be worth it once they sign on. Deal with these clients like you would a champion. They want to feel special. Present yourself as the trusted advisor and continue to show off your business know how. They will often ask for advice, ask you to do stuff and you can invoice them for it, as long as you let them know that anything outside the scope of work agreement will be billed. Golden Gloves These clients in my experience and observation will try to avoid paying. They may blame you for things not working out in their favor, they may call you every day for you to explain yourself or why this is working or not working, these clients want you to do everything for them for a ridiculously low price. These clients are in basic training and will come out fighting if they sense you are not people pleasing them. If you are not in the friendship business then keep I mind you are not in this to make friends you are in this to make a difference and to make money. Don't get stressed out by irate, non-paying clients who do not want to recognize your value. How to deal with them Be crystal clear on whether you can support them or not. Make sure you ask them what their expectations are. This will help you identify whether this is a client that wants the moon and the stars. Invoice their calls. This will likely limit the amount conversations with no substance and they will spend more time focusing on their business. These clients expect you to answer your phone every time they call so make sure you are clear on your client business hours and advise them to make an appt with you. Try using www.tungle.me for online scheduling. Give them a contract and a plan of action. If you really want them to pay, present yourself in a professional Bill Gates manner. You must walk like you mean business, talk like you mean business and send professional business email correspondence. Please share any client horror/success stories and tips on how to deal with them? We love comments so please share! Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:13:08 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/O_FSU/h/Would_you_like_for_me_to_be.htmQuick event announcement and showcase opportunity: Good morning, I hope you are doing something for yourself this weekend, like taking a nap, scrap booking, vision boarding, writing in your journal or just being a couch potato and watching a movie. Well I have some exciting news. I will be speaking at the Bloggy Conference Conference in Mason Ohio on July 13-15th and I want to take you with me. I will also have an exhibit table and will be exposed to over 200 Bloggers and Business Women who will be learning how to better market, brand and blog. I understand that as a business owner exposure and marketing is the key to sales. As your Brand Ambassador and having the access to attendees and VIP vending, I am asking if you are interested in promoting at the Bloggy conference and would like to be included on my vending table. In this day and age, it is important for us to find unconventional ways to get the word out there about our business and our brand. Since being at two places at one time is not physically possible, but positioning your products and services at respectable and recognized venue is. By placing some of your marketing paraphernalia in front of a large focused group of women who blog about cool brands will not only increase your visibility, but it will provide the credibility that your brand needs that will provide the confidence and the motivation for other prospects to follow. As a result you will take advantage of this golden opportunity (one to one contact) to bolster your brand perception. If your company would be interested in promotion and advertising, please contact me via email at lucinda@lucindacross.com for details and information to take advantage today. Here is the direct link to the event. www.bloggyconference.com The Session: Bringing Sexy back into Blogging: Bloggers will learn how to leverage and monetize their blogs with compelling content and topics. Excited for those who will take advantage of this opportunity to be in two places at one time. Lucinda Cross www.lucindacross.com Sat, 25 Jun 2011 11:41:19 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/1ltYg/h/Are_you_ignoring_me_or_Are_you.htm Put your thinking caps on. Take a look at your gift and figure out how you can reach a larger audience, reach a ready made opportunity that you can present and contribute your best skills and gifts to. We have these wealthy gifts, these abundant gifts and talents, we know how to use them, we have used them before, we know they work, we know we are blessed, we know how serious our gifts are and we have seen the results they produce in other people lives. Here is the big question. How can I use my gift to live an abundant lifestyle, start my ministry, start my business, open my restaurant, speak to the masses? Well I am going to ask you to let go of the HOW today. You should not be worrying about the HOW. Your focus should be aligning yourself and reaching out. Make the connections, call the person in charge, send in your information, walk into that bank, doing your research, networking with the right people, affiliating yourself with those who are already doing it. The HOW will take care of its self. The WHAT is your job, what can you do to perfect your skill, what can you do to operate at your highest and best, what can you do differently today, what can you do to be prepared. What is on your agenda this week that moves you closer to your vision, what numbers should you call, what are you doing in the morning to get closer to your God for clarity (Are you asking the right questions? Are you commanding your mornings?). What are you doing in the evening to make sure your mind is right for the HOW answer to show up in your most vulnerable state of rest? Action Work: Write down the 1 thing that you can create to expose yourself (talents, skills and gifts). For example: can you create a motivational audio cd, an ebook that people can download, an event, a product, a journal, a t-shirt, a workbook the list goes on. We are accepting applications for July (1 on 1) coaching. We only have space for 6 Creative Visionaries. If you are INTERESTED contact my assistant Phara for an application, assistant@lucindacross.com.Sat, 21 May 2011 06:00:33 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/gyHs/h/Bring_Sexy_Back_Into_Your.htm When it comes to the delivery and the appearance of your business product or service, you must dress it up just like you dress yourself. First impressions mean a lot when it comes to packaging your product or service. Yes, even a service can be wrapped up nicely and delivered with care. I want you to think of your business like a wrapped Hersey's bar. What you are selling, is the sugar, sweet taste, and the milk chocolate. When you buy it, it is wrapped in a nice shiny brown wrapping with BOLD silver lettering, and intricately shaped into 12 small squares that are connected, that give you the conveince to break a piece without making a mess. Opening it is a mouth watering experience; many times you open the candy bar before you even get to your destination. You know there is a delightful surprise inside that will fulfill your craving for something chocolaty and something sweet. You convince yourself you have a sweet tooth so that you can go back and get another. You should think of your business in the same way. How you package your product or service will either attract or repel prospects. Look at your business as a total package. When they purchase your products or service, Is it wrapped nicely? Is there something shiny that can grab their attention? Do you have a compelling description that gives them an idea of what to look forward to before they buy, hire you or join your program? When you look at your business is it sexy enough? Is your delivery and packaging sweet enough to give them a craving for more? Do you describe your business in a way that is more than compelling but mouth watering? Do you have eye catching graphics that draw people in? Think about ways that you can improve your delivery and packaging of your product or service offerings. Can you begin to include a customer follow up call in 30days? Can you send inexpensive gifts that show them you appreciate their business? How about adding something extra to give in addition to your products when they purchase it, like a sample of your next product? Bring sexy back and watch how the emails start to flood in. Stay tuned for the Bringing Sexy Back into Business teleclass next week Thursday. May 19th. Your Creative Coach, Lucinda CrossFri, 13 May 2011 12:28:54 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/q9E2/h/What_did_you_do_last_month_to.htm Month in Review Lucinda Cross and the Corporate Mom Drop Out Team I would like for us to communicate more often. I think it is important to understand what you are up to and how we can begin to support each other better. I am checking in with you this morning to see how the month of April treated you, and how we can shift May to be more motivating for us all. ... I shared a series of focusing questions to help you review your progress in April and plan for a motivating May! Here's a list of some of questions I highlighted: What did I accomplish? What did I intend to accomplish but did not? What did I put in front of accomplishing my goals? What worked well in April? What did I learn? What will I do different going forward? Who did I help in April? Who helped me in April? Who are the top 3 people to thank this week? Who are the top 3 people to follow up with this week? What's my BIG LIST for May? (Make a list of everything you want to accomplish...) Now, looking at the list of things I want to accomplish in May, if I can only complete 2 out 10, what is the 20% to prioritize? What are all the ways May will be motivating? Do I have time scheduled for me? My hour of power in the morning? Time for learning and growth? Have I scheduled time each day or week to work on the most profitable activities in my business or career? Congratulations on taking action! Investing just a little time each week to focus can make all the difference. Make this week, and May, outstanding! See you next week.... Your coach, P.S. This week we are going to focus on the Art of Communication (how to get the right message out to our online and offline community) so check our blog at www.lucindacross.com and the facebook wall for quick tips. http://facebook.com/lucindacrossspeaks Tue, 03 May 2011 09:33:08 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/seoo/h/Hear_the_secrets_from_the.htm Good morning, I am excited that i was able to be a co-author in the Amazon Best seller this week. Here is a FREE and valuable event for you to attend and listen in at no cost. Whether your kids are teens or tots, or you have no kids at all, we are constantly juggling between work and play! Several of the books' co-authors will join in a panel discussion sharing their inspirational stories and how you too can create balance and the lifestyle you desire by pursuing your passion! Register for FREE at http://www.facebook.com/l/ ef418B8PauLevvs0HcLkANo2zxw/ bit.ly/8gyWjw You'll Learn: * The 3 most important things in growing a business and raising a family * Their biggest challenges and obstacles and how they overcame them * One thing they would do differently Register now to get access to the fantastic calls! http://www.facebook.com/l/ ef418B8PauLevvs0HcLkANo2zxw/ bit.ly/8gyWjw Monday, May 2nd, 9amPT/12noonET Featured Authors: Linda Cotter, Tina Forsyth, Michele DeKinder-Smith and Joy Chudacoff Tuesday, May 3rd, 9amPT/12noonET Featured Authors: Therese Skelly, Marla Dennis, Lucinda Cross and Cindy Greenway Wednesday, May 4th, 9amPT/12noonET Featured Authors: Erin Kurt, Gina Bell, DeAnn Flores Chase and Lesley Bohm Wednesday, May 4th, 12noonPT/3pmET Our regularly scheduled GUEST EXPERT CALL is also one of our book authors, Jennifer Bourn. Normally these calls are only open to members but in celebration of the book launch, it's included in this amazing telesummit! How to Transform Your Business Into an Extraordinary Brand that is Respected, Remembered, and Referred Business owners, especially entrepreneurs are great at starting businesses, but very few are able to succeed in transforming their business into an extraordinary brand. They know they need a logo, a website, a business card, a Facebook page, etc., but something is missing. They have all the right pieces in place, but they're not working like they should and nothing seems to be working together. Does this sound like you? If so, you may feel fractured or scattered with your message or marketing, you may feel frustrated with trying to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, or you may lack a solid foundation to build your business on. And that is okay! Almost all entrepreneurs and business owners feel that way at some point when they simply have a business. They key to ending those feelings, is making the right steps to transform your business into a brand that will support you in stepping up and serving in a much bigger way with confidence and ease. In this presentation you'll learn: The biggest branding mistake entrepreneurs make that sabotages their success What a brand really is and why it is so important How to build a solid, stable foundation for your business that supports you The one works every time sentence that your brand can't do without Three crucial things you must do to build a powerful personal brand online How to leverage the brand you've built to attract more clients, more opportunities, and more money Hope you enjoy the call and get inspired to take action on your next goal, Your Business Midwife and Mentor, Lucinda Cross www.corporatemomdropouts.com www.lucindacross.comFri, 29 Apr 2011 07:00:19 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/1BDnt/h/Revised_This_Is_Not_the.htm What business did you order? This post you are about to read sets the tone for your business for 2011. My coach Kadena Tate posted this on her blog this morning, and I just had to share it with you. Make sure you visit the Trackback link, and listen to the audio that accompanies this post. We need a different perspective on business, brands and marketing, than what we are normally used to seeing. This article gives me goose bumps and I think she is talking about me. (how cool is that!) Author: Kadena Tate One aspect of business model innovation is to translate your business plan into the daily processes needed for sustainability. I have a client who is a marketing strategist that supports business moms who work from home. Prior to us working together, she was constantly being bombarded with questions about a wide range of topics from meal preparation, parenting skills and home schooling to marketing, copywriting and entrepreneurship....... LucindaCross.com ESPN Can Help You Find A Coach Coaching is unlocking a person's potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them. John Whitmore When it comes to getting the support you need this year, consider partnering up with a business coach. When it comes to finding the right fit for you and your business needs, consider what ESPN had to say about some of the top coaches they picked and the characteristics and legacies that these coaches have built. As you read the list, figure out whether you need a coach that is in your face and pushes you to the limit, a coach that outlines strategies and processes, a coach that supports you in certain aspects and levels of your life. You may need a personal trainer, relationship coach, marketing coach, spiritual coach, life coach, etc... The big question is: What level of guidance and support do you need right now? Unsubscribe Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:27:07 -0500http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/hLbt/h/This_Is_Not_the_Business_I.htm What business did you order? This post you are about to read sets the tone for your business for 2011. My coach Kadena Tate posted this on her blog this morning, and I just had to share it with you. Make sure you visit the Trackback link, and listen to the audio that accompanies this post. We need a different perspective on business, brands and marketing, than what we are normally used to seeing. This article gives me goose bumps and I think she is talking about me. (how cool is that!) Author: Kadena Tate One aspect of business model innovation is to translate your business plan into the daily processes needed for sustainability. I have a client who is a marketing strategist that supports business moms who work from home. Prior to us working together, she was constantly being bombarded with questions about a wide range of topics from meal preparation, parenting skills and home schooling to marketing, copywriting and entrepreneurship....... LucindaCross.com ESPN Can Help You Find A Coach Coaching is unlocking a person's potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them. John Whitmore When it comes to getting the support you need this year, consider partnering up with a business coach. When it comes to finding the right fit for you and your business needs, consider what ESPN had to say about some of the top coaches they picked and the characteristics and legacies that these coaches have built. As you read the list, figure out whether you need a coach that is in your face and pushes you to the limit, a coach that outlines strategies and processes, a coach that supports you in certain aspects and levels of your life. You may need a personal trainer, relationship coach, marketing coach, spiritual coach, life coach, etc... The big question is: What level of guidance and support do you need right now? Unsubscribe Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:00:58 -0500http://archive.aweber.com/corporatemd/1joZV/h/Are_you_going_to_stick_around_.htm There is going to be some major EXPLOSIONS of growth in 2011. Good morning, I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday weekend. Beautiful morning here, the city is all white full of snow, 14 to be exact. I'm writing because you have been a loyal subscriber for quite sometime. Many of you have joined in some of the content rich tele-seminars, some have experienced the inspirational videos and others just sit back as quiet readers. I've decided that its not the size of the list that matters to me and if you feel i am not providing value to you and your next level, unsubscribe don't worry, Aweber does not disclose who the unsubscribe person is, they protect your privacy. The reason why I say this is because, I have subscribed to many newsletters in the past that just take up space in my inbox. They provided no value and all they did was sell, tell and smell. Sell: All they did was try to get me to buy something Tell: All they did was talk about themselves Smell: They never provided any true value which made them stink as a business person. I am concerned about how to make you and your business and lifestyle better. Many of you are about to EXPLODE in this next season. You have done the work, you have weathered the storm, you have sharpened your saw and you are ready to hit your next level of LEARNING AND SUCCESS. Rather than beat you in the head with my new and awesome programs I have lined up for you in 2011(shameless plug), I've decided to write a short note summarizing a few thoughts about Being Still. It's something different, personal for me, but I hope you'll find it useful for you. --- Be still? --- Have you ever experienced a time where you keep getting the same God message over and over? That's how its been for me over the past year. Everywhere I turn, I'm being encouraged to Be Still. Of course, the very idea challenges my entrepreneurial work ethic. I am a busy mom of 3, my family has increased since June. I am adjusting to a new addition plus 2 under the age of 10, coaching business moms, interviewing online and off, planning my wedding and much much more. Be still? Why do I need to be still? I'm not tired... I love what I do... I have too much to do... Be still? Then it hit me. Being still is not just physical, it is a spiritual practice. Huh? What? Excuse me? The idea of being still is moving from a reliance on your own wisdom,strength or ability to using God's wisdom, strength and ability. It's learning to build your business and life with God versus slugging it out on your own. I know that might sound weird, but you are doing God's work. You have a Divine assignment. But many times we don't wait for God's instructions. Being still is the daily practice that releases what you need to accomplish your goals and experience your highest fulfillment. What does this practically look like? Simple. Here are seven things to consider: B-Believe Believe that there is a higher power working for your good. Believe that what is for you is for you. Believe that you are chosen to carry out this task. Don't worry about being qualified or certified. God choose you to do this. He is going to finish what he started when he gave you that assignment. E- Experience When you experience success, its easy to think I did it. After all, you've got the sweat and tears to prove it. But as hard as you work, always remember that God is working with you, providing direction, favor and help in so many wonderful ways. Remembering God daily releases clarity, favor and the power to build true wealth on many different levels. S-Serve Ask God to use you. If you are unclear on what you should be doing, ask God to use you. How can you be of service? Ask God what you can do today and everyday to express you are ready to be used and willing to carry out his mission. Many of you MOMS need to service yourself. You must put the oxygen mask on yourself first (according to the airplane safety rules) T-Trust We hear this time and time again. We must TRUST that everything will work out the way it is supposed to work out. We must trust the process, and trust that what we are going through is not as important as to where we are headed. We must not rely on our emotions or feelings, we must TRUST God. We may feel one way but we must trust in God's way. Go to God for your decisions and for true revelations about yourself, people and decisions you need to make. I- Intentions One of my mentors said she wants to go to God, at the end of it all, knowing that she used every ounce of her gifts that God has given her. I know for myself, I do not want to reach the end of this life, look back and realize that I spent most of it working on the wrong things. I want to make sure I use what God has given me, the voice to speak, the creative mind to write, the power to influence and much more. What do you intend to do with your gifts? L-Life Look at the big picture. Take your ideas and expand them. What is the big picture. If you look at your business, your ideas, your career, your gifts, if you expanded them times 100 what would that look like. Life's priorities are influenced by perspective. What seemed big to me at 20, doesn't today. Its vitally important to step back from the daily rush and refocus on the big picture of your life. What is going to matter in 10 years? What's not? There are a whole bunch of things on your to-do list today that won't matter next week, but the idea is to identify and prioritize the 5 to 7 core priorities that will. For me, this involves developing an eternal perspective. It's about asking God what matters in the big picture of my life? What are the big lessons for me to learn? Who are my most important relationships? What is my true work? L- Listen Learning to listen. I know you are already saying that you can hear, but the question is, are you listening? Are you learning to listen to make the big decisions. It's about the daily choices that move you closer into alignment with your destiny, not just forward. Listening requires you to be taped in, tuned up and turned on. It requires tapping into an understanding bigger than you. It requires being able to listen to that voice that gives you a grand idea, a powerful title, a strategy for success, a person to connect with and a teacher to follow. If you listen to most people, there are no absolutes. Everything is relative. Listen, at some point in your life, you've got to make a decision about what is the truth versus what is true. 15 years ago, I was broke, no place to call my own, stressed and lost in a cold place. 10 Years ago, I had access to all the money, I had 2 luxury cars, a house bigger than I can maintain, but I was stressed, and lost in a cold place. Which one is the truth about who I am? It was true, but it was not the truth about who I am. To get to your next level in business and in life, you've got to know and agree with the truth about who you are and your destiny. Stop buying into the lie of what you're not, what you can't do based on what you have and don't have. You have a great future. You will touch a lot of people for good. You will fulfill your purpose in life. You are a child of God. Be Still Faith in Action a Mom in Action, Lucinda Cross You can always make an appointment to speak with me by going to http://tungle.me/lucindacross Mon, 27 Dec 2010 06:01:12 -0500