(2494,2,'2010-11-10 04:13:49','2010-11-10 04:13:49','<p>In his recent remarks on the October Jobs Report, President Obama said...</p> <p>\"I am open to any idea, any proposal, any way we can get the economy growing faster...\"</p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:0eb93b37-19f1-4551-9b5d-44207891e2ae\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpvLypacpIU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US]</div></div> <p></p> <p>(If you can not see the video, you can find it here on <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpvLypacpIU\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube</a>.)</p> <h4>Thank you for asking Mr. President, here is my list:</h4> <p><strong>First and foremost, focus on the sectors that are proven job creators.</strong></p> <p><a href=\"http://www.kauffman.org/newsroom/kauffman-foundation-analysis-emphasizes-importance-of-young-businesses-to-job-creation-in-the-united-states.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Research from the Kauffman Foundation</a> shows that newly created and young companies are the primary drivers of job creation in the United States. Added to this, <a href=\"http://www.edwardlowe.org/whatWeDo/?function=YEcon\" target=\"_blank\">data from the Edward Lowe Foundation</a> and their research on <a href=\"http://www.edwardlowe.org/index.elf?page=ss\" target=\"_blank\">Second Stage Companies</a> that shows that establishments with 10 - 100 employees and $1 million to $100 million in revenue have created the vast majority of the <strong>net new jobs</strong> over time.&nbsp; (Take a look at the data at <a href=\"http://www.youreconomy.org\">www.youreconomy.org</a>) </p> <p>So if you are looking for job growth, focus on providing early stage and second stage companies what they need - and the American people will get what they need - more jobs.</p> <p><strong>These businesses need access to capital to grow and to create jobs.</strong></p> <p>The fuel that drives job growth in these growth sectors is capital.&nbsp; When there is a steady supply of capital, there is a steady supply of new jobs.&nbsp; It is capital that funds innovation, that purchases resources for manufacturing and supplies the catalyst for future growth. </p> <p><strong>Where does the money come from?</strong></p> <p>The capital that fuels growth in&nbsp; early stage and second stage businesses comes from the following areas - the life savings of the business owner (including IRA\'s and 401K\'s with penalties), credit cards of the business owner (personal or business issue), F&amp;F (Friends and Family), Angel Investors, Private Equity/Venture Capital, SBA Loans, Traditional Lending, Public Equity Markets and most important of all CUSTOMERS.&nbsp; </p> <p>In addition, the capital for growth often comes from operational cut backs and efficiencies inside the business, and more often than many would think, a business owner that is forgoing a paycheck while working 60 - 70 hours a week to keep things growing until the cash flow problem gets fixed.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>So if we need capital to grow these businesses and create jobs here are some suggestions:</p> <p><u><strong>Life Savings and 401K\'s</strong></u></p> <p>Forgive penalties on withdrawals from IRA\'s, 401K\'s, and the like made by business owners for the business or to feed their families while they personally went without wages to keep the business alive AND allow them to put the money back in when things get better again.</p> <p><u><strong>Credit Cards</strong></u></p> <p>Extend the protections in the <strong><a href=\"http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-Reforms-to-Protect-American-Credit-Card-Holders/\" target=\"_blank\">CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION ACT</a></strong> to include credit cards and charge cards that are issued to a business IF the card is personally guaranteed by the individual card holder.&nbsp; These \"business cards\" are actively marketed to small business owners yet do not carry the same protections as those issued to \"consumers\".</p> <p><u><strong>Friends, Family, and Angels</strong></u></p> <p>After the business owner, the most common form of early stage capital infusion comes from friends, family and Angel investors.&nbsp; Interestingly these are the same people that will be adversely affected if the Bush Tax cuts are not renewed AND these are often the same people that are paying the lion\'s share of taxes already.&nbsp; It is critically important the that Bush Tax Cuts be made permanent.&nbsp; The goal should not be to have a few people pay more - the goal needs to be stimulate job growth so that more people can pay something! </p> <p><strong><u>Private Equity and Venture Capital </u></strong></p> <p>Private Equity and Venture Capital have played major roles in the growth spurts of high growth and high potential companies.&nbsp; These American businesses and private investors invest in American businesses and can be a supercharger on our growth engine.&nbsp; Lynn Tilton, chairman&nbsp; and founder of <a href=\"http://www.patriarchpartners.com\" target=\"_blank\">Patriarch Partners</a>, traveled to Washington with a plan to help companies and spur job growth based on a proven model that she uses in her own companies.&nbsp; This process is so unique that the US Patent Office issued a patent for it.&nbsp; (Click to view <a href=\"http://www.patriarchpartners.com/ourpatent\" target=\"_blank\">Lynn Tilton\'s patent</a>.) </p> <p>Administrator Karen Mills and her team at the SBA are making real progress with <a href=\"http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/mills-advocacy-symp-10-14-10.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">the expansion of the SBIC program</a> but wouldn\'t it be great to have more leaders and investors involved in this effort to create a lasting solution? Perhaps it time to take another look at her proposed SME Rescue Loan Plan or <a href=\"http://patriarchpartners.com/blog/?p=157\" target=\"_blank\">perhaps give her a call</a>.</p> <p><strong><u>Tax breaks for small businesses</u></strong></p> <p>Mr. President, you often speak of your support of tax breaks for small business. Any tax break that allows businesses of any size to reinvest in the business and create more jobs is a good thing.&nbsp; BUT, it is important to remember the tax breaks only benefit companies that are making profits to pay taxes on.&nbsp; Many of the companies that will grow and create jobs now and in the future are investing ahead of the curve and are not yet profitable.&nbsp; For these companies, a tax break is an empty promise.&nbsp; </p> <p>Instead perhaps a good idea would be tax breaks, tax credits, or other incentives for private equity and angel investors to motivate more of them to get out of the \"parking lot\" they are currently in and put their money to work in businesses that are creating jobs.&nbsp; The American people have invested in Wall Street Bailouts, Cash for Clunkers, and credits for energy efficient appliances.&nbsp; Perhaps its time we invested in American investors who are putting their hard earned money into American businesses.</p> <p><strong><u>Promoting innovation</u></strong></p> <p>Innovation is my personal passion.&nbsp; My definition of innovation is simple.&nbsp; Innovation is doing something in a new way that makes life better.&nbsp; Just as we as business owners, investors and innovators need to focus on changes that make things better - we need you to do the same in Washington.&nbsp; This includes:</p> <ul> <li>Reversing the provision in the Healthcare Bill that will require <a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/21/smallbusiness/1099_deluge/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">all businesses to file a 1099 for EVERY supplier over $600.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; At a time when you need us to run faster, you are tying our ankles together with red tape.&nbsp; I know that Congress is the team that needs to fix this problem - but could you whisper in their ear?  <li>Cut down on the red tape in general.&nbsp; From an ever growing list of regulations on how we get things done to a multitude of forms in triplicate or worse when we do business with government agencies, it is getting harder to do business when we need it to get easier.&nbsp; <li>Work with Congress to fully support the SBIR program on an ongoing basis instead of continually placing Band-Aid on it to keep it going.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.nsba.biz/sbir.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">According to the NSBA</a>,&nbsp; \"small R&amp;D companies employ 38 percent of all scientists and engineers in America. This is more than all U.S. universities and more than all large businesses. Furthermore, these small companies produce five times as many patents per dollar as large companies and 20 times as many as universities—and more small-business innovations are commercialized. Yet small companies receive only 4.3 percent of the federal government’s R&amp;D dollars. The SBIR program provides more than half of this amount.\"&nbsp; Here\'s a suggested innovation - set a permanent requirement to allocate government innovation contacts and&nbsp; SBIR awards to small business based on the proportionate share of innovators they employ.&nbsp; If we generate results like these at just over 4%, just imagine what would happen if we had almost 40^% to work with.&nbsp; <li>Create a fast track program for new technologies and innovations moving from Phase I to Phase II contracts with government agencies.&nbsp;&nbsp; With today\'s backlog, some very promising companies and the technologies they have created could disappear due to delays that in some cases have been more than a year.  <li>Drive innovation within the US Patent Office to take the costs out of what we need to do to protect American innovation.&nbsp; Many small businesses can not afford the cost, time and expense as it is.&nbsp; And for many of them, a patent is a of little value since most small businesses can not afford the cost to defend it.&nbsp; (Small business patents are being violated on a regular basis and the response from big business is \"sue me\" when they well know that the small business could never afford to go the distance or carry the burden hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars in legal fees.)</li></ul> <p><strong>So Mr. President, you asked for suggestions.</strong>&nbsp; These are mine.&nbsp; I don\'t know if you will ever see them, but I truly hope that someone on your team is listening.&nbsp; We\'re all in this together after all.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p><em>Joan Koerber-Walker</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>About the author:</strong></p> <p><strong>Joan Koerber-Walker, MBA</strong> is a small business owner and an angel investor who makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.&nbsp; As a blogger she has personally interviewed Lynn Tilton on several occasions and has personally worked with Patriarch Partners and its portfolio companies and seen the results of what the Patriarch process can do first hand.&nbsp; In addition she is a past CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association and&nbsp; a past member of the board of trustees for the National Small Business Association. During that time she met with and shared ideas with hundreds of small businesses and second stage companies on key issues including health care, workforce development, regulation, taxation, and access to capital.&nbsp; She currently serves the small business community as a volunteer ambassador for SCORE in Phoenix, Arizona, as chairman of the <a href=\"http://otef.org\" target=\"_blank\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a> and as co-chair of the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences (<a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>) which will gather together over 300 entrepreneurs, small business owners and investors together to share ideas, connect, and hit the \"reset\" button on their businesses on November 17, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. </p> <p>To contact Joan Koerber-Walker, <a href=\"http://corepurpose.com/contact.html\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>.</p> <div style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a4ad6d49-1fd1-4126-9cff-b39ad8386a84\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Small%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Small Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Economy\" rel=\"tag\">Economy</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Economic%20Recovery\" rel=\"tag\">Economic Recovery</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Investments\" rel=\"tag\">Investments</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lynn%20Tilton\" rel=\"tag\">Lynn Tilton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Angel%20Investors\" rel=\"tag\">Angel Investors</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation\" rel=\"tag\">Innovation</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Taxes\" rel=\"tag\">Taxes</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Bush%20Tax%20Cuts\" rel=\"tag\">Bush Tax Cuts</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Jobs\" rel=\"tag\">Jobs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Job%20Growth\" rel=\"tag\">Job Growth</a></div>','Dear President Obama, since you asked…','','inherit','open','open','','1556-revision','','','2010-11-10 04:13:49','2010-11-10 04:13:49','',1556,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1556-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2495,2,'2010-11-07 22:48:06','2010-11-07 22:48:06','<h4>People you will meet and hear from at AZEC10</h4>\nIt\'s a busy time as we prepare for <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>: The Great  Reset on November 17th,  As I\'ve been chatting  with sponsors, attendees and our  fabulous line up of <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/speakers\" target=\"_blank\">speakers</a>, I have been giving lots of thought to the components  needed to get our\n\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-776 alignright\" title=\"JKW ABC15 11 05 2010\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/jkw-abc15-11-05-2010.jpg\" alt=\"Joan Koerber-Walker shares thoughts on the Key role of Angel nvestors (ABC15)\" width=\"318\" height=\"245\" />\n\neconomic engine firing on all cylinders again. On Saturday, I had the opportunity to share some thoughts on what it will  take to get our economy growing again with ABC15\'s Angie Holdsworth.\n\nResearch from both the <a href=\"http://www.kauffman.org/newsroom/kauffman-foundation-analysis-emphasizes-importance-of-young-businesses-to-job-creation-in-the-united-states.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Kauffman Foundation</a> and the <a href=\"http://www.youreconomy.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Lowe Foundation</a> supports what many of us in the entrepreneurial community have learned first  hand.  The greatest growth in net new jobs comes from early stage and second  stage companies.\n\n<strong> So if we need early stage companies to create more jobs.  What do  they need to get the job done?</strong>\n\nThe answer in many cases is access to capital.  And a key source of capital  for companies in this stage of growth is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_investor\" target=\"_blank\">Angel  Investor</a> community.\n\nYou can find Angie Holdsworth\'s original story and the video here at <a href=\"http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/\'Angels\'-needed-for-economic-recovery\" target=\"_blank\">ABC15.com</a>.  Angie shares her take on our conversation  as well as some front-line Angel perspective from  <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/in/morriscallaman\" target=\"_blank\">Morris  Callaman</a>, a successful angel investor and founder of <a href=\"http://www.callamanventures.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Callaman Ventures</a>.\n\n<strong>Join us at AZEC10 for a Gathering of Angels</strong>\n\nThe best way to work with angels is to get to know them.  This year at AZEC10  we have some great opportunities with our Angel Panel - always an AZEC10  favorite.  This year\'s panel is moderated by <a href=\"http://issuu.com/myteklife/docs/myteklife_magazine_fall_2010_issue/19?viewMode=presentation\" target=\"_blank\">Morris Callaman</a> of Callaman Ventures and includes <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/10/some-like-them-hot-just-ask-investor-and-advisor-rick-gibson.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rick Gibson</a> of Hot Ventures, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/11/after-the-bubble-burst-it-was-time-to-hit-the-reset.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Winandy</a>, executive director of  <a href=\"http://atif-az.org/\" target=\"_blank\">ATIF</a>, Curtis Gunn, chairman of  the <a href=\"http://www.desertangels.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Desert Angels</a>, and  Dave Bittner of <a href=\"http://www.beanstalkcfo.com/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Beanstalk CFO</a> and <a href=\"http://www.investsouthwest.org/whyattend.html\" target=\"_blank\">Invest  Southwest 2010</a>.\n\nIn addition, you will not want to miss hearing from <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/10/what-can-one-person-do-find-out-from-dave-mcclure-at-azec10.html\" target=\"_blank\">Dave McClure</a>, founder of the new SuperAngel/VC fund 500  Startups. Dave travels all over the world looking for ideas and deals.\n\nSo if you want to help reset our economy and grow your business, you might  want to fly with the angels.  You will find them in he audience and on the stage  at AZEC10 on November 17, 2010.  I\'ll be there.  Will you?\n\n<strong>Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…</strong>\n\n...there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes  glimpses between now and <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/\">AZEC10</a>. If you have not registered  for <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\">AZEC10</a> yet, use discount code  <strong>PhxBiz</strong> and save 10% off the ATTENDEE ticket price.\n<blockquote><em>Joan Koerber-Walker</em></blockquote>\nNote:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity  Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole  beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit <a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\">www.otef.org</a>.\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9bbebb12-2457-4d8a-bdda-15dcf5e29ec3\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ABC15.com\">ABC15.com</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Angie%20Holdsworth\">Angie  Holdsworth</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Morris%20Callaman\">Morris Callaman</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Callaman%20Ventures\">Callaman  Ventures</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dave%20McClure\">Dave  McClure</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Curtis%20Gunn\">Curtis  Gunn</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dave%20Bittner\">Dave  Bittner</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rick%20Gibson\">Rick  Gibson</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Paul%20Winandy\">Paul  Winandy</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ATIF\">ATIF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/WebPT\">WebPT</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\">AZEC10</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan  Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>','Angels are key players on our economic recovery team','','inherit','open','open','','1555-revision','','','2010-11-07 22:48:06','2010-11-07 22:48:06','',1555,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1555-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2496,2,'2010-11-02 18:38:33','2010-11-02 18:38:33','<h4><strong>People you will meet and hear from at AZEC10 - Investor and CEO Paul Winandy</strong></h4> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" title=\"PaulWinandy\" alt=\"PaulWinandy\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://atif-az.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/PaulWinandy-226x300.jpg\" width=\"180\" height=\"239\">After the tech bubble burst in 2000-2001, large scale software implementations at Fortune 500 companies were non-existent. Doing what had worked before was not working.&nbsp; As <a href=\"http://azec10.com/\">AZEC10</a> Investor Panel participant Paul Winandy shared \"My consulting practice hit a wall and I had to retool and redefine myself.\"&nbsp; So Paul switched from services to software and joined an early stage software company here in Phoenix (Khimetrics) which was later acquired by SAP. After another SaaS startup (<a href=\"http://www.skillsurvey.com/\">SkillSurvey</a>) and managing <a href=\"http://atif-az.org/\">ATIF</a>. Today he is CEO of the fastest growing EMR solution for physical therapists (<a href=\"http://www.webpt.com/\">WebPT</a>).&nbsp; </p> <p>WebPT is the first web-based physical therapy documentation system in the world. The system offers a brand new approach to practice management and patient documentation as the application is designed to improve clinic productivity, increase revenue, reduce expenses and enhance a more stress-free clinical environment. The digital documentation system combines an intuitive dashboard user interface with practical physical therapy logic to create a user-friendly documentation solution. WebPT\'s goal is to revolutionize the industry utilizing sound technology and innovative methods to provide the strongest, most effective solution to assist with increasing clinic profits and improving the quality of practice.  <p>Paul is an active angel investor focusing on investment opportunities in enterprise software, Internet commerce, technology enabled services and medical devices with 10 different investments in my career. The results: 3 failed, 2 returned 3x, 5 are in process.&nbsp; He brings a unique perspective to early stage entrepreneurship coming from a family of entrepreneurs.  <blockquote> <p>My grandfather ran a diner in downtown Chicago for 30 years. My father started his own chemical manufacturing firm which was angel funded, made the Inc. 500 list and was sold for a very nice exit. And I’ve been a part of six different startups in my career … 2 bootstrapped; 2 angel funded; and 2 VC funded. The results: 2 failed, 2 made the Inc. 500 list and exited for &gt; $150M, and 2 are still growing and doing well.&nbsp; (<em>Paul Winandy</em>)</p></blockquote> <h4><strong>ATIF Invests in Arizona (About ATIF) </strong></h4> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" title=\"ATIF-oct09-06\" alt=\"http://www.ATIF-AZ.org\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://atif-az.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/homepage_atif.jpg\">The Arizona Technology Investor Forum (ATIF) is an active community of accredited investors who invest in high-potential technology companies based in Arizona.  <p>ATIF members participate in four investor meetings a year to consider investment opportunities presented by finalists screened by our selection process. Since May 2007, ATIF members have invested over <a href=\"http://atif-az.org/about/portfolio-companies/\">$2.3 million in Arizona-based technology ventures</a> that have presented at ATIF meetings.&nbsp; <p>With over 50 members ATIF\'s growth is really the result of contributions from all our members. Each of our members is involved in the entrepreneurial community and actively promotes ATIF to other investors.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; How do you see your role in the AZ Entrepreneurial Eco-system?</strong>  <p><strong>PW:</strong>&nbsp; In Addition to the companies I have worked with and led, I’ve also been an active angel investor so I have a lot of experience with startups and investing. I know both success and failure. I’ve made money and I’ve lost money. Through it all I remain steadfast in my belief that the path to truly great wealth is to build successful startups into scalable enterprises.  <p>My role is to pass on my hard earned experience to the next generation of entrepreneurs and to motivate others to invest in them.</p> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp;&nbsp; What do you plan to achieve between AZEC10 and AZEC11? </strong> <p><strong>PW:</strong>&nbsp; I plan to focus heavily on WebPT to help it reach its potential. By AZEC11 we should be the premier EMR solution for the physical therapy industry.</p> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; WHY did you choose to support OTEF and AZEC10? Why will you be there? </strong></p> <p><strong>PW:</strong>&nbsp; I actively support local organizations that offer real value to early stage tech entrepreneurs. AZEC has consistently hosted a strong conference with speakers that provide sound advice and counsel. I am honored to be a part of this event.</p> <p><strong>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned…</strong>  <p>...there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/\">AZEC10</a>. If you have not registered for <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\">AZEC10</a> yet, use discount code <strong>PhxBiz</strong> and save 10% off the ATTENDEE ticket price.  <blockquote> <p><em>Joan Koerber-Walker</em></em></p></blockquote> <p> <p>Note:&nbsp; Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.&nbsp; To learn more about OTEF, visit <a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\">www.otef.org</a>.</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:280d7374-0b03-401c-af0d-6909297bc7c0\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Paul%20Winandy\" rel=\"tag\">Paul Winandy</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ATIF\" rel=\"tag\">ATIF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/WebPT\" rel=\"tag\">WebPT</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div></b>','After the Bubble Burst It Was Time to Hit the Reset','','inherit','open','open','','1554-revision','','','2010-11-02 18:38:33','2010-11-02 18:38:33','',1554,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1554-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2497,2,'2010-10-28 16:59:01','2010-10-28 16:59:01','<strong>People you will meet and hear from at </strong><a href=\"http://azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/ecoedge_debra-johnson.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/ecoedge_debra-johnson_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"EcoEdge_Debra Johnson\" width=\"181\" height=\"260\" align=\"right\" /></a>When CorePurpose was just getting started in 2002, I made what was, at the time, a BIG investment (at least it was big to me since it was my personal money and we were not making any yet) as a Mentor Sponsor at AVCC (The Arizona Venture Capital Conference which has evolved into <a href=\"http://investsouthwest.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Invest Southwest</a> .)\n\nI was standing at the back of the room getting the lay of the land when I struck up a conversation with an entrepreneur with a vision to help preserve our environment and help companies save money at the same time. That CEO was Debra T. Johnson of Eco-Edge. She\'ll be sharing her story and what she has learned along the way at AZEC10 this year.  Here is a sneak peek.\n\n<strong>THE CHALLENGE\n</strong>Balancing the needs of keeping fleet operations going, making them more cost effective, and trying to do the right thing for the environment can often stress even the strongest management teams. Evaluating the ever increasing array of technologies with claims of “green” is a project that most companies find daunting and many simply pass on incorporating environmental initiatives into their operations. (Source: <a href=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com\">www.ecoedgeco.com</a>)\n\nEco-Edge addresses this challenge by:\n\nTaking companies with diesel fleet and industrial operations to new levels of profitability, performance and sustainability:\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/ee_bullet.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"9\" height=\"8\" /> Eco-efficient <a href=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/services.htm\">Solutions</a>\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/ee_bullet.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"9\" height=\"8\" /> Unprecedented Credibility\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/ee_bullet.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" width=\"9\" height=\"8\" /> <a href=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/services.htm\">Award-Winning </a>Technologies for\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/index.3.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" align=\"absMiddle\" /> Improved Fuel Economy\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/index.3.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" align=\"absMiddle\" /> Reduced Maintenance Costs\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/index.3.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" align=\"absMiddle\" /> More Efficient &amp; Effective Operations\n\n<img src=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/images/index.3.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" align=\"absMiddle\" /> Reduced Environmental Footprint\n\n<em> </em>\n<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><a href=\"http://www.ecoedgeco.com/about.htm\"><img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/image44.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"image\" width=\"433\" height=\"136\" /></a></p>\n<strong>JKW:  How do you see your role in AZ’s entrepreneurial eco-system?</strong>\n\n<em><strong>DTJ:</strong> As a survivor of the Great Recession, a pioneer in the current business push toward sustainability, and a woman operating in male dominated industries, I like to think of myself as a harbinger of change and an example of “it can be done.”</em>\n\n<strong>JKW:  How long has Eco-Edge been in Arizona and how has it  grown?</strong>\n\n<em><strong>DTJ:</strong> We started here in 2002, working out of my house, dealing mostly in Mexico as “Emissions Product International.” We gradually outgrew our name as we expanded our product line and focus. We learned that the technologies we represent are not yet mature enough for international markets, so our primary focus has been on growing domestically since about 2005 or so. </em>\n\n<strong>JKW:  Who helped you/Eco-Edge along the growth path?</strong>\n\n<em><strong>DTJ: </strong></em><em>Wow – so many people that I can hardly begin to name them all! We have been really blessed by having a lot of people really believe in what we do. The most significant ones have been our people at Eco-Edge (and spouses who put up with us). Others whose contribution was critical to where we are now: <a href=\"http://www.pinnaclewest.com/main/pnw/AboutUs/commitments/sdd/sddtraining/SDDtraining_1.html\" target=\"_blank\">AAAME</a> and Rena Huber, Frank Thomas, Rick Johnson at Renaissance Forum, Greg Mischel, and so many others. </em>\n\n<strong>JKW:  What do you plan to achieve between AZEC10 and AZEC11? </strong>\n\n<em><strong>DTJ: </strong></em><em>Return to consistency in our monthly revenues. The Great Recession really took its toll there because of our heavy reliance on construction related businesses through 2008 (almost 70%), but we have clawed our way back and have diversified extensively, which is showing results. We will also launch at least two of our own technologies developed in house;, whereas in the past, we have strictly sold others’ products.</em>\n\n<strong>JKW:  As a leader - did you ever get stuck?  What was your “reset” ?</strong>\n\n<em><strong>DTJ: </strong></em><em>Yes. Many times. There are a couple solutions I try when I am stuck:</em>\n\n· <em>The old “Fake it till you make it” philosophy – which to me means that you have to tell yourself affirmations that get you through the moments of doubt.</em>\n\n· <em>Step back and use the Stephen Covey principle of “sharpening the saw.” Do something you enjoy and that completely clears your head of work. </em>\n\n· <em>The Covey planning and prioritization tools are also something I often come back to when I am stuck. Those tools organize my activities into little steps that can be tackled in a logical order, give a sense of direction, and give a sense of accomplishment that feeds my enthusiasm whenever I cross something off the list.</em>\n\n<strong>JKW:  WHY did you choose to support OTEF and AZEC10?  Why will you be there?</strong>\n\n<em><strong>DTJ: </strong></em><em>AZEC10 has grown over the year\'s into an outstanding resource for entrepreneurs to learn about tools available to us, as well as that we are not alone. Others are facing the same challenges, something which is often not realized as we entrepreneurs try to slay our dragons. I am thrilled that some of the lessons we have learned from issues we have battled through might inspire or help other entrepreneurs in their own quest. </em>\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned… there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/\">AZEC10</a>.\n<blockquote><em>Joan Koerber-Walker</em></blockquote>\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<em>Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>.</em>\n\n<em><strong>Note:  If you have not registered for </strong><a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\"><strong>AZEC10</strong></a><strong> yet, use discount code PhxBiz and save 10% off the ATTENDEE ticket price. </strong></em>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0a703705-ddce-490f-9521-5383769d9b93\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Debra%20Johnson\">Debra Johnson</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Debra%20T.%20Johnson\">Debra T. Johnson</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Eco-Edge\">Eco-Edge</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\">AZEC10</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>\n<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Angie%20Holdsworth\"></a>','Going Green in a BIG Way - Debra T Johnson of Eco-Edge','','inherit','open','open','','1553-revision','','','2010-10-28 16:59:01','2010-10-28 16:59:01','',1553,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1553-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2498,2,'2010-10-26 04:53:47','2010-10-26 04:53:47','<p>A guest post by <a href=\"http://blog.stealthmode.com/\">Francine Hardaway</a>, PhD, OTEF executive director, co-founder of <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/\">AZEC</a>, <a href=\"http://otef.org/\">OTEF</a> and <a href=\"http://www.stealthmodepartners.com/\">Stealthmode Partners</a></p> <h3>People you will hear from at AZEC10</h3> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dave-mcclure-by-kk.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Dave McClure  - photo by Kris Krug www.staticphotography.com/\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dave-mcclure-by-kk_thumb.jpg\" width=\"251\" height=\"374\"></a>One man in Silicon Valley is trying to turn&nbsp; the venture capital industry on its head -- by going outside Silicon Valley. Dave McClure, founder of the new SuperAngel/VC fund 500 Startups, travels all over the world looking for ideas and deals. Not only that, but he will do a deal with anyone who pitches him a good idea. <br>We are fortunate to have Dave coming to Arizona for <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> on Nov.17.<br>How does he know when he sees a good idea? Well, it\'s his history and experience that give him the edge. He\'s been in Silicon Valley for twenty years. He was director of Marketing for Paypal in 2004 when it was acquired by EBay.&nbsp; He has taught a class on Facebook at Stanford. He managed the fund created by Accel Partners, Facebook, and Founders Fund&nbsp; to incubate Facebook applications. For the past half dozen years, he\'s been an active angel investor.</p> <h4>Encouraging Entrepreneurial Exchanges Globally</h4> <p>Dave sees the entire geek world, no matter what continent it is on. And I mean up close and in person.&nbsp; A few years ago, he organized a series of trip so called <em>Geeks on a Plane</em>, through which American geeks visit other cities and countries and Dave gets to meet not only them, but the geeks at the destinations. He does this by volunteering to speak at tech conferences. I went with him to China, Korea, and Singapore this past spring, and in two weeks we went to four cities in three countries, attending six conferences for startups and web technology. He has also taken trips to Washington DC to lobby for better immigration policies and to Hawaii to \"Re-Think Hawaii.\" Next year, he plans some new continents. :-)&nbsp; </p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dave-and-francine.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Dave McClure and Francine Hardaway - Geeks On A Plane - Shanghai - China ( photo by Kris Krug www.staticphotography.com)\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dave-and-francine_thumb.jpg\" width=\"284\" height=\"210\"></a> </p> <p>In Silicon Valley, he organized Startup2Startup, a monthly dinner where entrepreneurs hear from one of their own. And he\'s active in a program that\'s trying to get the visa rules changed for non-natives who come to the US for an education and would like to stay here to start companies.</p> <p><br>As a champion of the \"Lean Startup,\" a concept that involves getting the product out to the market as quickly as possible to get feedback, iterate, optimize, and get more feedback, McClure is trying to convince engineers to design products quickly, and move on from their failures. It\'s a loop, Dave says. He\'s all for killing features that \"suck,\" and keeping what works.</p> <p><br>To that end, he\'s now going around the world looking for his 500 Startups, to each of whom he gives a small amount of funding to get the loop going. This goes against traditional venture capital models, which typically make larger investments in fewer companies later in their development cycles. But it appears that, in the current age of apps, the ordinary VCs can\'t find the right deals for their huge funds. McClure, flying to Asia, holding his dinners, speaking at <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers\" target=\"_blank\">entrepreneurship conferences in Arizona</a>, and talking about Startup Metrics for Pirates, is sneaking in right between the legs of the most towering VC names.</p> <p>____________________________________________________________________</p> <h4>About Francine Hardaway:</h4> <p><a href=\"http://blog.stealthmode.com/\">Francine Hardaway</a>, PhD, OTEF executive director, co-founder of <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/\">AZEC</a>, <a href=\"http://otef.org/\">OTEF</a> and <a href=\"http://www.stealthmodepartners.com\">Stealthmode Partners</a> has been an entrepreneurial and social venture catalyst for over 30 years.&nbsp; She spends her time between Phoenix, the Silicon Valley and London and where ever she goes, you can be sure that she is on the look out for the next great innovation.&nbsp; To connect with Francine, follow her on Twitter <a href=\"http://twitter.com/hardaway\">@Hardaway</a> or via Google Voice at 816-WRITTEN (9748836)  <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned... there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com\">AZEC10</a> on 11/17/2010.  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker </p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong> <p><em>Note:&nbsp; Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.&nbsp; To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>. </em></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f2b49ce8-9be7-4b49-96af-d4cff50eb3f2\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dave%20McClure\" rel=\"tag\">Dave McClure</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Geeks%20on%20a%20Plan\" rel=\"tag\">Geeks on a Plan</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Venture%20Capital\" rel=\"tag\">Venture Capital</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kris%20Krug\" rel=\"tag\">Kris Krug</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Francine%20Hardaway\" rel=\"tag\">Francine Hardaway</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>','What Can One Person Do? Find out from Dave McClure at AZEC10','','inherit','open','open','','1552-revision','','','2010-10-26 04:53:47','2010-10-26 04:53:47','',1552,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1552-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2499,2,'2010-10-23 20:25:10','2010-10-23 20:25:10','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/abc15-10-21-20101.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ABC15 10 21 2010\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/abc15-10-21-2010_thumb.jpg\" width=\"337\" height=\"246\"></a> Effective November 5, 2010, the US Small Business Administration will be adjusting the limits and guidelines as to what defines a \"Small Business\" for a number of SBA programs including SBA loans, small business set asides for government contracts, and other programs.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/sba-to-stretch-definition-of-small-business.html\" target=\"_blank\">Basically \"small\" just got bigger.</a>&nbsp; This change is designed to make capital and opportunity more accessible to entrepreneurs and small business.&nbsp; The goal:&nbsp; help these businesses grow so they can create more jobs.</p> <p>On October 21, 2010, I had a chance to speak with ABC 15 reporter Angie Holdsworth on why this is good for the economy and creates more opportunity for entrepreneurs.&nbsp; You can watch the video from the News at 10 and connect to a link to Angie\'s story below.&nbsp; To learn see a snapshot of the SBA loan history for FY 2009, FY 2010, FY 2011 YTD ( the US Government is already in Fiscal 2011) <a href=\"http://sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_fa_weekly_lending_report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>.&nbsp; These are big numbers BUT with <a href=\"http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/27/president-obama-signs-small-business-jobs-act-learn-whats-it\" target=\"_blank\">President Obama signing the Small Business Jobs Act</a> into law on September 27, 2010, there is $30 Billion more in SBA loan support available. And for it to help \"re-set\" the economy it needs to move from banks to business.&nbsp; By making the pool of eligible businesses larger, the hope is that the money will move the economy&nbsp; forward faster.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp; You can see the original video and ABC15\'s Angie Holdworth\'s full coverage at </strong><a href=\"http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/state/more-valley-businesses-soon-to-be-eligible-for-sba-money\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ABC15.com</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Small businesses, and specifically those in the second stage category of 10 to 100 employees with $1M to $100M in revenue are the single most productive segment for net new job creation.&nbsp; Data from the <a href=\"http://www.edwardlowe.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Edward Lowe Foundation\'s</a> research site <a href=\"http://www.youreconomy.org\" target=\"_blank\">Your Economy.org</a> illustrates the impact of second stage companies as the singe largest driver in the creation of net new jobs year after year.&nbsp; These companies need capital to grow and do their bit for job creation and the economy. The SBA\'s action is designed to open up access to capital and opportunity to more of these companies.</p> <p><strong>The best way to learn if this change benefits YOUR business is to talk to the SBA. </strong></p> <p>Representatives from the <a href=\"http://sba.gov/\" target=\"_blank\">US Small Business Administration</a> (SBA) and <a href=\"http://www.scorephoenix.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Greater Phoenix SCORE</a> will be be on hand at the fifth annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference (<a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>) on November 17, 2010 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix.&nbsp; Both the SBA and SCORE are great resources for entrepreneurs in gaining a better understanding of how they might use SBA programs to access capital for growth, compete for government contracts, and use other programs specifically designed to help small businesses grow and create jobs.&nbsp; </p> <p>In addition to the opportunity to learn more about the great resources available from both the US SBA and Greater Phoenix Score, attendees at AZEC10 will hear from and meet thought leaders from around the country, successful CEOs who are making it happen even in this economy, as well as&nbsp; entrepreneurs from across North America.&nbsp; To learn more about AZEC10, this year\'s speakers, and to register, <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/speakers\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned… there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com/\">AZEC10</a>.  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong> <p><em>Note:&nbsp; Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.&nbsp; She also serves as an Ambassador for Greater Phoenix SCORE.&nbsp; To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>.</em>  <p><em></em>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1c5f6526-cdb9-431c-baae-4c53fc2580b7\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/SBA%20redefines%20small%20business\" rel=\"tag\">SBA redefines small business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/US%20SBA\" rel=\"tag\">US SBA</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Greater%20Phoenix%20SCORE\" rel=\"tag\">Greater Phoenix SCORE</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ABC15\" rel=\"tag\">ABC15</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ABC15.com\" rel=\"tag\">ABC15.com</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Angie%20Holdsworth\" rel=\"tag\">Angie Holdsworth</a></div>','Capital is Key to Growth and Growth Brings Jobs','','inherit','open','open','','1551-revision','','','2010-10-23 20:25:10','2010-10-23 20:25:10','',1551,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1551-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2500,2,'2010-10-19 04:53:17','2010-10-19 04:53:17','<p>A guest post by <a href=\"http://blog.stealthmode.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Francine Hardaway</a>, PhD, OTEF executive director, co-founder of <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC</a>, <a href=\"http://otef.org/\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> and <a href=\"http://www.stealthmodepartners.com\" target=\"_blank\">Stealthmode Partners</a>&nbsp; <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/4708365788_83432eeb46_b.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:0 5px 5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Kris Krug www.staticphotography.com\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/4708365788_83432eeb46_b_thumb.jpg\" width=\"295\" height=\"198\"></a>Legendary photographer (and all around nice guy) <a href=\"http://www.staticphotography.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kris Krug</a> has much to say about both photography and entrepreneurship, because he is both a photographer and an entrepreneur.&nbsp; Based in Vancouver, Kris travels all over the world to take pictures for&nbsp; <a href=\"http://nationalgeographic/\">National Geographic</a>, <a href=\"http://rollingstone.com/\">Rolling Stone</a>,<a href=\"http://businessweek.com/\">Business Week</a>, the Financial Times, USA Today, the LA Times, PBS, <a href=\"http://ionmagazine.ca/\">Ion Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://wikipedia.com/\">Wikipedia</a>,<a href=\"http://www.headsmagazine.com/\">Heads Magazine</a>, <a href=\"http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/index.html\">The Victoria Times-Colonist</a>, <a href=\"http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Home\">the Seattle Stranger</a>,<a href=\"http://www.westender.com/\">Westender</a>, The Terminal City News and various other online and print publications. He has also co-authored the book <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Photos-iPhone-Matthew-Bamberg/dp/1435456890\">\"Killer Photos With the iPhone.\"</a>  <p>But the photographs are almost the back story.&nbsp; There\'s a man behind the art, a man&nbsp; who cares deeply about technology, the web and the world. His <a href=\"http://linkedin.com/in/kriskrug\">LinkedIn bio</a> says he\'s a \"technarist,\" and a cyber-punk antihero, and that\'s his \"professional\" profile. When you meet him, you don\'t know whether to be drawn first to the photography or to the human being. He\'s one of the most evolved, well-rounded humans on the planet.  <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/4695754266_cfb63c6fba_o.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"copyright Kris Krug, www.staticphotography.com\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/4695754266_cfb63c6fba_o_thumb.jpg\" width=\"164\" height=\"244\"></a>After publishing a ground-breaking online magazine for several years, Kris was president of Bryght - a \"web 2.0\" start-up that offered a unique hosting service. Through enthusiastic outreach, Kris helped create a marketplace for community-centric websites and his evangelism spawned an eco-system of related companies in Vancouver. He moonlighted as a fashion photographer, shooting subjects from executives to rock bands for fun and profit. He also organized PhotoCamps and PhotoWalks for aspiring and established photographers to exchange tips on both artistic and business lens of photography.&nbsp; <p>And then he became an entrepreneur on his own. He makes money through his passion, photography, even though he licenses his work through Creative Commons. How does he do it? You will have to hear him to find out.  <p>Well known in the blogging community, he&nbsp; speaks at conferences and media programs around the world about Internet tools, new media, and evolving copyright standards. He is an organizer of the Vancouver tech conference <em>Northern Voice</em> as well as a catalyst for workshops and \"un\"conferences - most recently in Beijing and Shanghai where Kris participated in international economic leadership events in advance of the 2008 and 2010 Olympics. I met him first at <em>Gnomedex </em>in Seattle, and then had the extreme pleasure of traveling with him this spring to China, Korea and Singapore with the <em>GeeksonaPlane</em>, group, organized by Dave McClure, another headliner at <a href=\"http://azec10.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>.</p> <p><br><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/4698978104_bab887de7e_b.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Copyright: Kris Krug, www.staticphotography.com\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/4698978104_bab887de7e_b_thumb.jpg\" width=\"164\" height=\"244\"></a>Kris\' skills bridge the technology, business and art communities. Through his unique approach to aesthetics and open business, he encourages collaboration to produce personal and professional expression online. As a bit of an \"Internet rockstar,\" he actively touts Vancouver as the most exciting and productive place to start a web business and openly assists new tech enterprises with entrepreneurial challenges.</p> <p>You must see the work.&nbsp; But you can do that on <a href=\"http://flickr.com/photos/kk\">Flickr</a>.&nbsp; It\'s much more important to meet the man in person, and hear his life philosophy, his enthusiasm, and his wonderful spirit emerge.  <p>-- --</p> <p>About Francine Hardaway:</p> <p><a href=\"http://blog.stealthmode.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Francine Hardaway</a>, PhD, OTEF executive director, co-founder of <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC</a>, <a href=\"http://otef.org/\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> and <a href=\"http://www.stealthmodepartners.com\" target=\"_blank\">Stealthmode Partners</a> has been an entrepreneurial and social venture catalyst for over 30 years.&nbsp; She spends her time between Phoenix, the Silicon Valley and London and where ever she goes, you can be sure that she is on the look out for the next great innovation.&nbsp; To connect with Francine, follow her on Twitter <a href=\"http://twitter.com/hardaway\" target=\"_blank\">@Hardaway</a> or via Google Voice at 816-WRITTEN (9748836)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned... there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>.  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker </p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong> <p><em>Note:&nbsp; Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.&nbsp; To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>. </em> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:350adba8-a693-421f-bc95-c10e012a6e77\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kris%20Krug\" rel=\"tag\">Kris Krug</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Francine%20Hardaway\" rel=\"tag\">Francine Hardaway</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>','Looking at Life and Entrepreneurship Through a View Finder','','inherit','open','open','','1550-revision','','','2010-10-19 04:53:17','2010-10-19 04:53:17','',1550,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1550-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2501,2,'2010-10-18 03:55:56','2010-10-18 03:55:56','All over the country there are lots of great conferences.  There are blogger conferences, women\'s  conferences, entrepreneurship conferences, technology conferences, and leadership conferences to name a few.  If you had the time and the money, you could go to a conference almost every week.  Some of them are money makers for individuals. Others are the focus of membership <a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo3.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo_thumb3.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC10_Logo\" width=\"244\" height=\"73\" align=\"right\" /></a>organizations looking to recruit and retain members.   <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF,</a> the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation was not established to run conferences.  Instead, <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC</a> was born out of a need to raise money to fund programs that help at-risk populations (you know, the people who really need a hand up) attain economic self sufficiency <img title=\"OTEF Logo\" src=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/wp-content/uploads/OTEF-Logo.png\" alt=\"OTEF Logo\" width=\"243\" height=\"71\" align=\"right\" />through entrepreneurship.  The OTEF founders knew that the best way to raise money for a worthy cause is to to deliver value.  Instead of going to every deep pocket in town with their hands out, they got to work on programs that would do just that.  Since 2006, OTEF and the AZEC series of conference each November have been some of the most benefit rich programs for the cost that you can find anywhere.\n<h3><strong>OTEF\'s work does not stop with the AZEC conference - It starts there.</strong></h3>\nOTEF’s first program<strong> </strong>(in 2007) was at the SEEDS House in Phoenix and helped lay the foundation for a new entrepreneurial venture.   Cup O’ Karma offers great beverages and snacks in a comfortable setting with free Wi-Fi, and artwork plus live entertainment Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. All proceeds from Cup O’ Karma support the programs and services offered by <a href=\"http://www.natn-az.com/home\" target=\"_blank\">NATN</a>, which includes the agency’s <a href=\"http://www.natn-az.com/home/seeds_program\" target=\"_blank\">Support, Education, Empowerment and DirectionS (SEEDs) program</a>.\n\nSEEDs residents participated in a 12-week entrepreneurship program offered by <a href=\"http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&amp;friendID=391157133\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/93/m_c9fd209aaf8a63fa58216c6c0e3526f2.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Cup O\' Karma\" align=\"right\" /></a>OTEF and taught by OTEF Executive Director <a href=\"http://stealthmode.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\">Francine Hardaway</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ednusbaum.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Ed Nusbaum</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/about.html\" target=\"_blank\">Phillip Blackerby</a>.  Together they developed a business plan, which included owning and operating a coffee shop.  The SEEDs residents would operate the café while learning employable skills such as customer service, community relations, marketing and outreach, purchasing and management.  From its grand opening in June of 2008 until today, Cup O\'Karma has been the place to go for  great beverages in a comfortable atmosphere with free Wi-Fi, local artwork, and live entertainment weekly. Located at 1710 W. Southern Ave Between Dobson &amp; Longmore in Mesa, Arizona  (across from Mesa Community College), Cup O\'Karma has become not only a place of new beginnings for the SEEDS women but also a vibrant part of the community they serve.\n\nSince AZEC10 marks OTEF\'s fifth annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, I thought it would be a great time to reach out to Monalou Callery, founder and chairman of the <a href=\"www.natn-az.com\" target=\"_blank\">National Advocacy &amp; Training Network</a> and the SEEDs Program and the Founder of NATN and the Assistant Director of the Diane Halle Center for Family Justice at Sandra Day O\'Connor College of Law to touch base.\n\n<strong>JKW:  Tell me a little about SEEDS and your work with OTEF.</strong>\n\n<strong>MC:</strong> SEEDs ( <strong>s</strong>upport, <strong>e</strong>ducation, <strong>e</strong>mpowerment &amp; <strong>d</strong>irection<strong>s) </strong>is a<strong> </strong>transitional housing program for battered/sexually abused women that cultivates and nurtures each individual to become independent and self sufficient through all avenues of life skills and entrepreneurship.\n\nOTEF opened a door for small non profits (like SEEDS)  to think beyond just offering social services to people in need and think on a much larger scale in terms of revenue generating opportunities that individuals, agencies and businesses together can unite to solve many of our social issues today.\n\nObstacles lead to resilience and undiscovered opportunity. Opportunity paves the way to untapped sources of tools and alternative skills for business management I would otherwise never have considered. A phrase I believe to be so fitting for us,\n<blockquote>“Too often we are so preoccupied with the <em>destination</em>, we forget <em>the journey</em>.”</blockquote>\n<strong>JKW:   OTEF was honored to have the opportunity to work with the SEEDS women to develop the concept and plan for Cup O\'Karma in 2007 as part of that journey.  What has happened since then?</strong>\n\n<strong><img src=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/wp-content/uploads/Seeds.jpg\" alt=\"OTEF Training at SEEDs\" width=\"399\" height=\"163\" align=\"right\" />MC:</strong> Cup O’Karma has been in operation since June, 2008. Since opening our Café, sales and customer base has doubled; we have tapped into community groups such as musicians, artists, crafters, that our agency would have never crossed paths and worked so closely together to pursue our mission. The women not only gain job and people skills but it has given them the complete confidence to know they are more than capable of operating a business, developed leadership skills, or just in knowing that they can accomplish  anything  they set their minds on.\n\n<strong>JKW:  Who and what helped you and the team  along the growth path?</strong>\n\n<strong>MC:</strong> By keeping an open mind, listening and hearing all the feedback the women themselves have to offer as we grow..we have grown together.   Whether it is a woman who has no job skills or business background or one with years of business experience, we learn so much from the life lessons of each woman. After all, they are survivors and have learned things that none of us will ever read in a book. Aside from our SEEDs women being key to our growth, members of the community, volunteers and customer relationships and their feedback are the backbone of our sustainability.\n\n<strong>JKW:  SEEDS is all about growth.  What\'s next for Cup O’Karma?</strong>\n\n<strong>MC:</strong> Cup O\'Karma: Community Café for a Cause plans to expand out coffee shop into a place where community becomes instrumental to social change. Our future journey: A community galleria that will move to a larger site, expand our food menu and sell crafts and goods for other agencies, increase opportunities for more musicians and artists and finally to become a resource to any member of the community needing assistance.\n\n___________________________________________________________________________________\n<blockquote>\"Be the change that you want to see in the world.\"\n<a href=\"http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mohandasga109075.html\">Mohandas Gandhi</a></blockquote>\nMonalou and the SEEDs women are living Gandhi\'s words.  They are changing their lives and touching the lives of others.\n\nThe attendees, sponsors, speakers and volunteers who came together in 2006 to connect,engage, and collaborate at the First Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference in 2006 did too.  Not only did the receive the benefit of listen to thought leaders including Michael Gerber and panels of local CEOs but they also helped provide the resources to allow <a href=\"http://otef.org/programs\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> to support the SEEDs women on their journey. That\'s why to me, OTEF\'s  Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences are special and different from so many others.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> on November 17, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona is more than just another conference with <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers\" target=\"_blank\">great speakers</a>.  It is an opportunity for us to build not just our businesses but our community.  I will be there.  Will you?\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned...there will be more AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and the conference.\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<em>Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>. </em>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c2c912e8-ac9c-43e0-88c7-bbbcc927cbfc\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\">AZEC10</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/SEEDs\">SEEDs</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/NATN\">NATN</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Monalou%20Callery\">Monalou Callery</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>','More than just a conference, AZEC is a community builder','','inherit','open','open','','1549-revision','','','2010-10-18 03:55:56','2010-10-18 03:55:56','',1549,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1549-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2502,2,'2010-10-16 02:43:43','2010-10-16 02:43:43','<h3>Which company from Startup Weekend Phoenix will be on the main stage at AZEC a few years from now?</h3>It\'s a simple fact of life.&nbsp; Every journey starts somewhere.&nbsp; And the entrepreneurial journey is no exception to the rule.&nbsp; Here in Arizona, many of our investors, technology<br>companies, entrepreneurs, and community organizations understand that journey, that is why they support <a href=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Startup Weekend</a>.&nbsp; <p><b>What it is Startup Weekend?</b></p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/swphx-logo-10.png\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"SWPHX-Logo-\'10\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/swphx-logo-10_thumb.png\" width=\"271\" height=\"204\"></a>An international non-profit that\'s hosted in over 100 cities worldwide. The 3 day event brings together Developers, UX designers, SEO marketers, Entrepreneurs, Graphic Designers, Lawyers and anyone necessary to build a company. The participants pitch their ideas and form teams around the best concepts. These teams have 54 hours to build a prototype and present it on the final day. The best team winning prizes and potential funding.</p> <p><strong>Why Phoenix?</strong></p> <p>This year’s Startup Weekend Phoenix is the first in Downtown Phoenix and is designed to tap into the incredible creativity that is developing. Hosted in the <a href=\"http://www.incohoots.com\" target=\"_blank\">CO-HOOTS</a> co-working space at 825 North 7th Street (in the newly renovated Bayless Grocery Building), attendees will be working in the heart of Phoenix’s art district, which will add a unique dimension to this event.&nbsp; (The valley\'s highly successful 2008 Startup Weekend was hosted at <a href=\"http://www.gangplankhq.com\" target=\"_blank\">Gangplank</a> in Chandler, Arizona.) </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><a href=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/files/2009/08/4.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" alt=\"Photo courtesy of Start Up Weekend Phoenix\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/files/2009/08/4.jpg\" width=\"282\" height=\"212\"></a>When it is:</b> October 22nd - 24th 2010...&nbsp; <ul> <li>Fri. 6pm-10pm  <li>Sat. 9am-12am  <li>Sun. 9am-10pm </li></ul> <p><b>How much:</b> $75 for the weekend, $20 to attend the Sunday Pitch Night.&nbsp; Tickets are going fast - get them while you can.&nbsp; If they are still available by the time you read this, <a href=\"http://bit.ly/swphx20\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a> to take advantage of a 20% discount.  <p><b>What to expect if you come to Startup Weekend Phoenix: (swphx)</b>  <ul> <li>Food and beverages for 3 days (including beer for participants 21+)&nbsp; <li>The ability to test your ideas and potentially bring them to life  <li>Guidance and support from experienced mentors from various backgrounds  <li>Networking and team building with like minded participants  <li>Exposure for teams with exceptional market potential&nbsp; <li>Access to Angels and VCs  <li>An opportunity to become an entrepreneur </li></ul> <p><b>What\'s unique about swphx compared to other SW events:</b></p> <p><a href=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/files/2009/08/5.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 15px;\" alt=\"Startup Weekend 2008 was hosted at Gankplank in Chandler, AZ\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/files/2009/08/5.jpg\" width=\"280\" height=\"210\"></a>The focus of swphx is on building viable business models. The judging criteria requires that the products or services being pitched have a primary focus on generating revenue, specifically with the goal of being profitable. Many startups focus on building \"neat\" ideas that generate a large number of users or impressions because people will use their service for free. Instead of focusing on \"monetizing\" at a later date, <strong>swphx</strong> is focused on entrepreneurship today. </p> <p><strong>\"Profitability, is in essence, sustainability.\"</strong></p> <p><strong>The organizers and volunteers at swphx</strong> want to foster the creation of sustainable companies and believe that \"If customers are willing to pay you for something it means you\'ve created something of true value.\" It\'s not to say that services like Twitter are not useful. They are great tools, but that\'s very different from being a great business. At <strong>swphx</strong> expect to be reminded that profitability, is in essence, sustainability.&nbsp; <p><strong>Growth comes through collaboration</strong>  <p><b>Walking the halls of Co-Hoots this coming weekend will be e</b>ntrepreneurs, developers, graphic designers, SEO experts, UX Designers, marketing experts, inventors, lawyers, investors and anyone who has a desire to help build a profitable business.&nbsp; (They are even letting me pop in.)  <p>AT OTEF and AZEC10, we recognize that this year\'s Startup Weekend Phoenix companies may well be the next big success to share there experiences with our entrepreneurial community in the years to come. That is why we have donated an <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> ticket to be awarded to one of the lucky attendees.&nbsp; After all - every entrepreneur can use a little luck.  <p>Programs like <a href=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Startup Weekend Phoenix</a> and <a href=\"http://azec10.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC</a> are components of what makes our Arizona entrepreneurial community strong and vibrant.&nbsp; Don\'t miss your opportunity to attend<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://phoenix.startupweekend.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>swphx</strong></a> (October 22-24) OR <strong></strong><a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\"><strong>AZEC10</strong></a> on November 17th.&nbsp; <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...&nbsp; There will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and AZEC10.  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker  <p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong> <p><em>Note:&nbsp; Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.&nbsp; To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>. </em></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bade9192-d063-438a-a453-ea6c5f9779c6\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/SWPHX\" rel=\"tag\">SWPHX</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Startup%20Weekend\" rel=\"tag\">Startup Weekend</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Startup%20Weekend%20Phoenix\" rel=\"tag\">Startup Weekend Phoenix</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div> <p>\"<a href=\"http://startupweekend.org/about\" target=\"_blank\">Startup Weekend</a>\" is a trademark of Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP  <p><a href=\"http://startupweekend.org/about\" target=\"_blank\">Startup Weekend Phoenix</a> logo and photos courtesy of Startup Weekend Phoenix  <p>All rights reserved.  ','On Your Mark, Get Set, Get Started','','inherit','open','open','','1548-revision','','','2010-10-16 02:43:43','2010-10-16 02:43:43','',1548,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1548-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2503,2,'2010-10-15 12:54:12','2010-10-15 12:54:12','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/rick-gibson-by-mg-irc.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Rick Gibson ( photo by Mark Goldstein/IRG copyright 2010 all rights reserved)\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/rick-gibson-by-mg-irc_thumb.jpg\" width=\"294\" height=\"197\"></a>All the HOT companies are in the Silicon Valley - Right?&nbsp; Of course not.&nbsp; Great ideas and great entrepreneurs come from everywhere.&nbsp; Luckily so do strong investor partners and advisors and a great example is Rick Gibson, Managing Director of <b><i><a href=\"http://www.hotventures.com\" target=\"_blank\">HOTventures</a></i></b>, a \"mentor capital fund\" for the Southwest U.S., which invests in and advises fast-growth companies, specializing in Information Technology, BioSciences, GreenTech and Media. As an investor and entrepreneurial activist, he’s totally immersed in early-stage growth companies...finding them, making them great, and helping them reach that magical moment, a liquidity events.&nbsp; Rick has been an investor, advisor or board member in:<i>&nbsp;</i> <i>Avisere</i>, <i>The Book Patch, <i>Bourque Industries</i>, CopperKey</i>, <i>Flypaper, Funding Universe, GridCoNet, High Throughput Genomics, <i>IVIS</i>, Medipacs</i>, <i>MedSphere, MDS VetInfo, MojoVideo, MSDx, Octopi, Real Time Companies, Regenesis, StrongWatch, USU2India, Virtual Learning Technologies, World Wide Wheat and Zero Waste Wine</i>. He was a limited partner in <i>Solstice Capital II</i> (one of the largest venture capital funds in Arizona) and is a shareholder in Bill Gross’ <i>Idealab</i>.  <p>Rick is also part of the panel of investors who will joining us at <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10,</a> the fifth annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference on November 17, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona.&nbsp; The annual investor\'s panel is a perennial conference favorite along with keynotes from national thought leaders and local CEOs who will share their lessons from along the growth path.&nbsp; (To see more about all the AZEC10 speakers <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>.)&nbsp;&nbsp; <h4>As part of our <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/making-2010-your-year/\" target=\"_blank\">continuing series on who you will meet at AZE</a>C10, I asked Rick a few questions and this is what he had to share...</h4> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; How do you see your role in AZ’s entrepreneurial eco-system?</strong>  <p><strong>RG:</strong>&nbsp; My firm <a href=\"http://www.hotventures.com\" target=\"_blank\">HOTventures</a> builds fast-growth companies.&nbsp;&nbsp; Throughout AZ, I serve as investor, fundraiser, board member, mentor, coach, speaker and deal guy.&nbsp; I am constantly am looking for awesome companies, and then acting as a catalyst to help them succeed.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; How long has&nbsp; your business been in AZ and how has it&nbsp; grown?</strong>  <p><strong>RG:</strong>&nbsp; HOTventures is now 10 years old.&nbsp; It began as an opportunity which looked easy then.&nbsp; We began with zero assets and created potentially millions of dollars of value.&nbsp; Time will tell.&nbsp;&nbsp; Call me back in about two years.</p> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; That\'s pretty impressive growth. Who helped you along the growth path?</strong>  <p><strong>RG:</strong>&nbsp; Several people.&nbsp; Often it was about finding the right deals at the right time.&nbsp; I have been lucky to work with some really amazing people.&nbsp; As you know, I have a long history with Bill Gross, founder of Idealab, then Harry George, managing director of Solstice Capital.&nbsp; I was able to be part of the Desert Angels from the very first meeting, and served on its board and screening committee.&nbsp; I was lucky to get involved with Invest Southwest and meet lots of AZ’s best entrepreneur’s over the years.</p> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; You lead your own team and support the leaders of your portfolio companies.&nbsp; Have you ever gotten stuck?&nbsp; What was your “reset” ?</strong>  <p><strong>RG:</strong>&nbsp; I am forever finding major revelations.&nbsp; Since my role is to make difficult things happen, getting stuck happens regularly.&nbsp; Often we find a way, sometimes we don’t.&nbsp; Once in a while, I get deep into something and it fails.&nbsp; I had one a couple of years ago, and I am still fixing it.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp;&nbsp; What do you plan to achieve between AZEC10 and AZEC11?</strong>  <p><strong>RG:</strong>&nbsp; Meet ten awesome entrepreneurs and try to help some of them.  <p><strong>JKW: WHY did you choose to support <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> and AZEC10?&nbsp; Why will you be there?</strong>  <p><strong>RG:</strong>&nbsp; There are rare occasions like this to meet entrepreneurs, at this stage in the game, who are looking to build themselves.&nbsp; I can’t wait.</p> <p>JKW: And I can\'t wait either.&nbsp; Every time&nbsp; I am around Rick and the other great leaders who join us at AZEC I learn something new.&nbsp;&nbsp; They share lots on event day and all through the year.&nbsp; For example, here is a quote from the <a href=\"http://www.hotventures.com/\" target=\"_blank\">HOTventures website</a> - some&nbsp; great rules to live by for companies of every size...  <blockquote> <p><b><u>Rules To Live By</u></b></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>It is good to trust, but much better <em>to know</em> (not <em>just</em> to trust)  <p>Focus on what <i>should</i> be done, not just what you <i>can</i> do. Then put all effort into <i>how</i> you can do it. While this is much harder, it not only provides the best solution for your customers, but the biggest deterrence to your competition  <p>It is not as simple as <i>knowing</i> what to do. For example, most people <i>know</i> what foods are necessary for an ideal diet and how much they should exercise. However, most lack the discipline to actually perform to this knowledge. Knowledge is good, but the <i>ability to execute</i> is much better.  <p>(Rick Gibson - HOT Ventures)</p></blockquote> <p>Don\'t miss your opportunity to hear more from Rick and our other great panelists, CEOs and thought leaders at <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\">AZEC10</a> on November 17th.&nbsp; <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned.&nbsp; There will be more AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and the conference.  <p>&nbsp; <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong> <p><em>Note:&nbsp; Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.&nbsp; To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>. </em> <p>Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\"></a></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:56d93a3b-5949-4998-b90e-00258e2e0d7d\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rick%20Gibson\" rel=\"tag\">Rick Gibson</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/HOTventures\" rel=\"tag\">HOTventures</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>','Some like them hot. Just ask investor and advisor Rick Gibson','','inherit','open','open','','1547-revision','','','2010-10-15 12:54:12','2010-10-15 12:54:12','',1547,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1547-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2504,2,'2010-10-12 20:11:02','2010-10-12 20:11:02','<strong><img src=\"http://www.sphinxdateranch.com/images/Pillsbury_Wine_Company_logo(1).jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"185\" align=\"right\" /></strong>Entrepreneurs come from many fields and many places.  This year at <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> we have a special treat in  store for you, the chance to hear from an entrepreneur who came from half-way  around the world to create a home and a business in Arizona.  Entrepreneurs are  story tellers, risk takers, and creators who take a vision and work together  with others to create something magical. The same can be said of film makers and  wine makers.  You might enjoy <a href=\"http://www.sundancechannel.com/tastemakers/vignette/\" target=\"_blank\">this  video</a> as  <a href=\"http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/sam-pillsbury/biography\" target=\"_blank\">international film maker</a> and <a href=\"http://pillsburywinery.com/\" target=\"_blank\">winemaker</a> Sam Pillsbury  shares a bit about how he feels about Phoenix and his journey from film to  fields to fine wine.\n\nAs part of the ongoing series about the people you will meet at AZEC10, I got  a chance to ask Sam a few questions about his journey and his experience.  He  will be sharing more from the main stage at the conference - but as they say in  the world of wine,  sometimes all it takes is a taste to get you coming back for  more.\n\nAs part of the ongoing series about the people you will meet at AZEC10, I got  a chance to ask Sam a few questions about his journey and his experience.  He  will be sharing more from the main stage at the conference - but as they say in  the world of wine,  sometimes all it takes is a taste to get you coming back for  more.\n\n<strong>JKW:  How </strong><em><strong>do you see your role in AZ’s  entrepreneurial eco-system?</strong>\n</em>\n\n<strong><em><img src=\"http://weeklywinejournal.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/p-pssam114.jpg\" alt=\"Source: http://www.PillsburyWine.com\" width=\"295\" height=\"196\" align=\"right\" /></em>SP:</strong> I grew up in a country, New Zealand,  which evolved from seeing itself as a colony of Great Britain to being a country  proud to produce great things itself, which included eventually, among other  things, wine and movies.   When I first moved to Phoenix, I found a state which  still thought that if it was made here, it was not good.  Everyone wanted to  live in a Tuscan mansion, which has nothing to do with the Arizona desert and  climate.  ABSURD!  I wanted to go against that trend and make a premium world  class wine that was 100% original and unique, completely grown and made here.   Ten years ago it was an incredible struggle to be taken seriously, but that has  changed remarkably in the last three or four years. I planted my first vineyard  in 2000 in Cochise Country and started my own wine label in 2006.\n\n<em><strong>JKW:  Neither the art of film making or the art of wine making are  quick or simple processes. As the leader you need both patience and resolve.   Did you ever get stuck?  What was your “reset” ?\n</strong></em>\n\n<strong>SP: </strong>I have gotten stuck in the movie making process.  It\'s  partly due to not being in control, like with the movies I made in the USA.   With the wine venture, I started it because I love wine, but I also set it up so  that I could always be in control.  This way my work can not be compromised  and<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\"> I am 100% responsible for what I have produced.</span> That does not mean  that I don\'t need a great team.  A number of people have helped me and the  company along the growth path including Rob Dunaway, Bob Vera, Al Buhl (a former  wine partner in Dos Cabezas) and now my executive director Lindsey Higginson.\n\n<strong>JKW:  The Pillsbury Wine Company is gaining recognition and high  marks as a </strong><a href=\"http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/41607\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>rising star</strong></a><strong>.  What is your goal for  2011?</strong>\n\n<strong>SP:</strong> I want to make the best wine in America and increase  production by 50% in the coming year.\n\n#\n\nSam will be sharing more of his story at <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> on November 17th.  Now that the stage is set, you won\'t  want to miss the opportunity to meet him and hear what comes next in the  Pillsbury Wine Company story\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned.  There will be more AZEC10 behind the  scenes glimpses between now an November 17th,\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<em>Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The  Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization  and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit </em><a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\"><em>www.otef.org</em></a><em>. </em>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:acbb4e15-4bc6-4f88-a284-f6ba7a64040e\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\">AZEC10</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Sam%20Pillsbury\">Sam Pillsbury</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Pillsbury%20Wine%20Company\">Pillsbury  Wine Company</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rob%20Dunaway\">Rob  Dunaway</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a></div>\n<strong> </strong>','An Entrepreneurial Journey from Film to Fields to Fine Wine','','inherit','open','open','','1546-revision','','','2010-10-12 20:11:02','2010-10-12 20:11:02','',1546,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1546-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2505,2,'2010-10-08 16:22:17','2010-10-08 16:22:17','<h3>Who you might meet at AZEC10</h3> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/gelie_headshot_2.png\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gelie_Headshot_2\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/gelie_headshot_2_thumb.png\" width=\"171\" height=\"244\"></a>  <p>One day, during my tenure as CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association, my friend Ben Smith at <a href=\"http://www.lavidge.com\" target=\"_blank\">Lavidge</a> and I were chatting about how to better connect with business owners across Arizona.&nbsp; One of Ben\'s suggestions was to meet \"Gelie\". [ghel-ee] According to Ben she was a networking powerhouse.&nbsp; So meet her I did.&nbsp; <p>Fast forward a few years, and today <a href=\"http://www.networkingphoenix.com/blogs/gelie\" target=\"_blank\">Gelie</a> runs <a href=\"http://www.networkingphoenix.com/\" target=\"_blank\">NetworkingPhoenix.com</a> Arizona\'s largest business networking organization.&nbsp; And they have grown to that position in only TWO YEARS.&nbsp; As a matter of fact, NetworkingPhoenix.com celebrated its second birthday on October 1st and is now the state\'s largest networking organization with over 12,000 members.&nbsp; <p>This year <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a>, the host organization for <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> has teamed up with Gelie and the team at NetworkingPhoenix.com to spread the word across the community about all the <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers/\" target=\"_blank\">great speakers and business owners</a> that will be coming to the <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"http://www.networkingphoenix.com/\"><img style=\"margin:0;\" title=\"NetworkingPhoenix.com Home\" alt=\"NetworkingPhoenix.com Logo\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://static1.networkingphoenix.com/files/networking_phoenix_logo.png\" width=\"184\" height=\"53\"></a></a>conference on November 17, 2010. (If you have not registered yet you can do so <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.)  <p>AZEC is about sharing ideas, connecting great people, and growing our businesses.&nbsp; Since this also is exactly how Gelie built her business, I decided to ask her a few questions.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; Why did you create NetworkingPhoenix.com?</strong>  <p><strong>Gelie:</strong>&nbsp; When I first started networking, about 3 years ago, I quickly realized that there was a big gap in the market. There is a big networking community in Phoenix, but it was extremely segregated and there wasn\'t a central place where networkers could come together to get information on events. I would try to plan out my networking strategy for the month and it was nearly impossible because I would find out about events the day before or after they had already happened.&nbsp; As a hobby, I created a calendar to share with all my ‘networking friends\' and the rest is history.  <p>JKW:&nbsp; <strong>The theme of AZEC10 is <em>The Great Reset</em>.&nbsp;&nbsp; Did you ever get stuck?&nbsp; What was your “reset” ? </strong> <p>I feel like I get \'stuck\' all the time because there is so much going on at once, it gets difficult to prioritize and figure out which projects to focus on at the moment. And even when I do prioritize, I get pulled off the projects that need my time for various uncontrollable reasons. My \'reset\' is to take a step back, \'clear off my desk\' so to speak and start over. I will literally take 3 giant post-it posters and markers and will color code my projects, action items, etc. I try to do this at least every 30 days so I can keep myself on track with the bigger projects that we\'re working on.&nbsp; Each post-it has different information on it to keep me organized.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; How has NetworkingPhoenix.com grown since birth?</strong>  <p><strong>Gelie:</strong>&nbsp; NetworkingPhoenix.com has evolved in a number of ways. For one…we are already on our third version of the site. I\'m sure as the years go by, the look and feel will keep getting updated. We also offer many more tools to our members, such as the Networking Passport membership. Once our members sign up for this program, they can attend many of the other group\'s events for free. This program is very popular and we are constantly evolving it to keep adding value for our members. For me this is a total labor of love and 100% feels like I’m raising a child.&nbsp; I always tell people that I feel like I have a 2 year old at home. I can definitely leave it for a while with a babysitter…but it still needs its mommy.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; Your company has has some amazing growth in 2 years.&nbsp; Who helped you along the growth path?</strong>  <p><strong>Gelie:</strong>&nbsp; I was extremely lucky to have worked with the <a href=\"http://luckynapkin.com/who-we-are.html\" target=\"_blank\">Lucky Napkin team</a> when I first quit my day job. By working with successful entrepreneurs, I got to learn invaluable lessons about taking an idea and turning it into reality and then a successful business. I learned more during that time than I knew what to do with and many of the lessons are still surfacing daily. I\'ve also been very fortunate to have the support of the entire Phoenix business community. There would be way too many groups and individuals to list here, but the support has been overwhelming and I\'m thankful for it because my core purpose has always been to unite people.  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; What do you plan to achieve by NetworkingPhoenix.com’s NEXT birthday?</strong>  <p><strong>Gelie:</strong>&nbsp; Oh-oh…I\'m afraid to answer this one!&nbsp; I think next year is going to be about growth, but also about putting padding on the \'skeleton\' that we have already built out. I\'d really like to add more value to our quarterly Signature Events as well as fully build out the Networking Passport program. Both of these tasks will require a tremendous amount of time and energy, so if I can accomplish those two goals, I will be very pleased!  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; WHY did you choose to support OTEF and AZEC10?&nbsp; Why will you be there? </strong> <p><strong><strong><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo2.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 5px 0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC10_Logo\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo_thumb2.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"73\"></a></strong>Gelie:</strong>&nbsp; We are really excited about participating with <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> because it\'s a great event that supports a great foundation. From an educational stand point, the speakers that come out to this conference are fantastic and from a promotional stand point, we are always trying to get in front of different circles in the business community. This will give us a great opportunity to support <a href=\"http://www.otef.org/\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a>, get some more tips on how to \'reset\' and get in front of people.  <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; And knowing Gelie, that\'s exactly what she will be doing. Sharing ideas, making new contacts, and finding new ways to build her business to even greater heights before its third birthday.  <p>I hope you enjoyed \"meeting\" Gelie.&nbsp; She is a great example of the people YOU can meet at AZEC10. Between now and November 17th will be sharing more looks behind the scenes at the conference - and don\'t forget to <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">register</a> before October 16th to get the $25 early bird discount.  <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker  <p>Chairman of the Board of OTEF, the host organization for AZEC10.com </p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1b5c8ccb-8889-441a-9263-8cc7bfd45f46\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Phoenix%20Arizona\" rel=\"tag\">Phoenix Arizona</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Gelie\" rel=\"tag\">Gelie</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/NetworkingPhoenix.com\" rel=\"tag\">NetworkingPhoenix.com</a></div>','Success is about who you know and how you work together','','inherit','open','open','','1545-revision','','','2010-10-08 16:22:17','2010-10-08 16:22:17','',1545,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1545-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2506,2,'2010-10-06 16:08:57','2010-10-06 16:08:57','<h3>Part 2 in the Count Down to <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/10/entrepreneurs-it-is-time-to-hit-the-reset.html\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10 blog series</a>.</h3> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dave-cooke.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Dave Cooke\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dave-cooke_thumb.jpg\" width=\"164\" height=\"244\"></a>I have a passion for people and organizations that make a difference.&nbsp; So when Francine Hardaway recruited me over 5 years ago to serve as Chairman of the <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\" target=\"_blank\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a> and work with the team to help at-risk individuals find a path to economic self sufficiency through entrepreneurship, I had a hard time saying no.&nbsp; Recently, I had the chance to chat with another executive and entrepreneur who also has stepped forward and contributed his time and talents to the OTEF cause.&nbsp; He is known around the valley as \"<a href=\"http://www.salescooke.com/\" target=\"_blank\">The Sales Cooke</a>.\"&nbsp; I know how Francine convinced me to get involved but I was curious about what motivated&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.salescooke.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\">Dave Cooke</a> to donate his time and talents to&nbsp; OTEF and the <a href=\"http://www.azentrepreneurship.com\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences.</a>&nbsp; So I asked him, \"Why did YOU get involved?\"&nbsp; Here is what he said...  <blockquote> <p>I enjoy and appreciate OTEF\'s commitment to our community.&nbsp; Everyone needs help.&nbsp; But not&nbsp; everyone can simply purchase support resources.&nbsp; I enjoy being part of organizations and businesses that recognize this and provide a solution by serving as a committed resource without always being “paid” to do so.&nbsp; Education and experience are gifts that can and must be shared.</p></blockquote> <p>And, the great thing is, sharing is exactly what he has been doing.&nbsp; Last year, Dave spoke at AZEC09, sharing his decades of experience with hundreds of entrepreneurs who were looking for ways to grow their businesses more effectively in a challenging economy.&nbsp; This year, for AZEC10, Dave went one step further and volunteered to serve as sponsorship chair for the conference, donating not just words but also putting the actions behind them.  <p>As a consultant and business owner, Dave works with other business owners and business leaders to help them with their revenue related challenges.&nbsp; Together they re-define selling strategies and then helps educate the sales team and other parts of the organization so that the strategies are successful and effective.&nbsp; Since he answered my first question, I decided to ask a few more.  <p><strong>The AZEC10 theme this year is <em>The Great Reset</em>.&nbsp; As a leader - did you ever get stuck?&nbsp; What was your “reset” ?</strong>  <p><strong>Dave:</strong>&nbsp; Who doesn’t get stuck?&nbsp; I rely on the power of my best connections and resources.&nbsp; Over the years, I have built a very strong based of trusted and experienced advisors who, as business leaders and successful entrepreneurs, have traveled the road I am on.&nbsp; When I get stuck, they get me unstuck.  <p><strong>How long has you been working with entrepreneurs in the valley?</strong>  <p><strong>Dave:</strong>&nbsp; I have been in the Valley nearly four years.&nbsp; As a person passionate about helping others realize their objectives, I am confident I have made a difference.&nbsp; I am active in several associations, make myself available as an advisory resource, and have enjoyed a business relationship with many companies in the in the greater Phoenix area.&nbsp;&nbsp; Having only known two people when I got here and now sporting a contact base of over 1200, I think I have made an impact.  <p><strong>One of OTEF\'s key areas of focus is mentoring.&nbsp; Who helped you along the growth path?</strong>  <p><strong>Dave:</strong>&nbsp; In every position, at every company, I had one mentor who taught me something.&nbsp; I continue to find great mentors and advisors.&nbsp; Of course, I have always looked up for those resources and have been willing to be vulnerable to ask for their help.&nbsp; Too many people are afraid to ask, show fear, or expose failure.&nbsp; Why not?&nbsp; There are plenty of people in this world who have experienced those same things and are willing, eager to share their knowledge.&nbsp; Simply asking for help and be willing to listen, learn, and take action will encourage those people to help you.&nbsp; <p><strong>Will you be at </strong><a href=\"AZEC10\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>AZEC10</strong></a><strong>?&nbsp; Why?</strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo11.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC10_Logo\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo_thumb1.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"73\"></a>  <p><strong>Dave:</strong>&nbsp; There is a great energy and information there.&nbsp; The speakers always provide new insights and information.&nbsp; And, these are nationally known, prominent, and powerful speakers who offer tremendous credibility their stories.&nbsp; I wouldn’t miss it for anything. </p> <p><strong>What do you plan to achieve between AZEC10 and AZEC11?</strong>  <p><strong>Dave:</strong>&nbsp; My mission is the same mission I encourage local business owners everywhere – diversify your business portfolio across multiple market segments and multiple geographies.&nbsp; There are many business segments and geographies that are experiencing growth.&nbsp; Many of those are not in Phoenix.&nbsp; My mission is to go back to diversifying my customer base in SE Michigan, Bay Area CA and Phoenix so I am not caught up in the economic churns that sometimes limits opportunity in a particular area.  <p>I hope you enjoyed this look at some of the people behind <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> and <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>.&nbsp; We\'re just getting started as we count down to the Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, AZEC10 this November 17th. And don\'t forget - early registration discounts end after October 15th.&nbsp; Register today to save $25 off the general registration fee.  <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7a4f3deb-783c-463a-9c38-a9bb017837ca\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Fifth%20Annual%20Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dave%20Cooke\" rel=\"tag\">Dave Cooke</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Phoenix%20Arizona\" rel=\"tag\">Phoenix Arizona</a></div>','So I asked him - why did YOU get involved?','','inherit','open','open','','1544-revision','','','2010-10-06 16:08:57','2010-10-06 16:08:57','',1544,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1544-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2507,2,'2010-10-04 05:19:50','2010-10-04 05:19:50','<p><strong></strong></p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://modernsinglemomma.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/reset-button.jpg\" width=\"293\" height=\"220\">We all know how it feels, that endless feeling of frustration as the processing icon spins on our computer screen or smart phone.&nbsp; To get things going again,&nbsp; you have to hit the reset button or spend your life in limbo.&nbsp; Perhaps that feeling of endless limbo has been happening at the office too?&nbsp; You feel like you are spinning and spinning, but your business is not moving forward .&nbsp; Looking around, you see others waiting for change in their businesses too.&nbsp; Unfortunately, businesses and economies do not come with an easy&nbsp; to find reset button.&nbsp; But, that does not mean there is no hope.</p> <p>This November, The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, is again hosting Arizona\'s Annual Entrepreneurship Conference to support the organization\'s mission of&nbsp; providing training and support to help at-risk youth and adults improve their lives by creating and growing entrepreneurial ventures.</p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo1.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 10px 5px 5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC10_Logo\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"73\"></a>This year\'s conference, <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a> - The Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, will focus on what new entrepreneurs and established business owners alike can do to hit the \'reset\' button in their businesses and get things growing again.&nbsp;&nbsp; The full day conference will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the <a href=\"http://www.desertwillowconferencecenter.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Desert Willow Conference Center</a> in Phoenix from 8 AM to 7 PM.&nbsp; </p> <p>Combining national thought leaders and local CEOs in a forum for best practices, networking, and collaboration has been a hallmark of the conference since its inception in 2006 and this year\'s conference is no exception with an <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers/\" target=\"_blank\">all star line up</a> including Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Dave McClure, Technology Analyst Jeremiah Owyang, marketing and online media expert Brain Solis, Flowtown founder Ethan Bloch combined with local leaders from Callaman Ventures, Arizona Angels, Beanstalk CFO, Infusionsoft, Kolbe Corp, EcoEdge, Shwaag.com, Pay Your Family First, Brain Savers, Gangplank, and Pillsbury Winery.</p> <p>There are even early registration discounts (though October 15th).&nbsp; Tickets are available on the conference website at <a href=\"http://www.AZEC10.com\">www.AZEC10.com</a>.&nbsp; Members of the community can also get involved by choosing to sponsor a student or support&nbsp; OTEF and AZEC10 through donations and sponsorships.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>How it Started</strong></p> <p>Five years ago, this all started when a small group of entrepreneurs came together to help others who were less fortunate.&nbsp; Since that day, hundreds of entrepreneurs have come together to connect, share ideas, launch new ventures, and apply innovative ideas to existing ones.&nbsp; It\'s our way of hitting the reset button TOGETHER.</p> <p>As Chairman of the Board of OTEF, I have had a front row seat each year as well as access behind the scenes at the conference.&nbsp; I\'ve met so many great people, picked up some great ideas, and also seen the difference that the money raised at the conference makes throughout the year. So, from now to November 17th, here at the CorePurpose blog, I will share some stories with you about this year\'s speakers and&nbsp; some of the people you might meet at the conference.&nbsp; I also have a story to tell about some of the organizations and community leaders who, through their support, have made this all possible.&nbsp; They each have a story to tell and a tip to share and you will find them right here AND of course at <a href=\"http://azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">AZEC10</a>. </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>P.S. You might want to subscribe to the email or RSS feed so you don\'t miss the great ideas they have to share.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:01e82c74-5b24-4efd-bc04-2093ec4c8b75\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\" rel=\"tag\">OTEF</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/November%202010%20events\" rel=\"tag\">November 2010 events</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/entrepreneurial%20education\" rel=\"tag\">entrepreneurial education</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/phoenix%20az\" rel=\"tag\">phoenix az</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/entrepreneurship\" rel=\"tag\">entrepreneurship</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership\" rel=\"tag\">leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/education\" rel=\"tag\">education</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/non%20profit%20support\" rel=\"tag\">non profit support</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a></div>','Entrepreneurs, It Is Time to Hit the \"Reset\"','','inherit','open','open','','1543-revision','','','2010-10-04 05:19:50','2010-10-04 05:19:50','',1543,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1543-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2508,2,'2012-07-26 05:01:07','2012-07-26 05:01:07','CorePurpose, Inc., a business publisher and provider of strategic growth services to business and industry, today announced that Joan Koerber-Walker, founder of CorePurpose, Inc., has been profiled in The Social Media Bible (Second Edition) by Lon Safko. The book which was a bestseller in its first edition and has been recognized as the most comprehensive resource on the subject of social media includes profiles and vignettes on the leading companies in the space including the \"social media trilogy\", Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In.  In the book, CorePurpose is recognized for the innovative way it was able to grow a substantial social media presence globally and generate measurable return on investment by creating a targeted Twitter communication strategy that appeals to the company\'s different market segments and audiences focused on business information (@CorePurpose, leadership (@JKWleadership), innovation (@JKWinnovation), and growth (@JKWgrowth).  About The Socail Media Bible: The Social Media Bible, Second Edition (http://www.TSMB2.com) is the most comprehensive resource that transforms the way corporate, small business, and non-profit companies use social media to reach their desired audiences with power messages and efficiency. In this Second Edition, each of the three parts - Tactics, Tools, and Strategies - have been updated to reflect the most current social media trends. It covers all major new software applications, including features and benefits, in detail and lists more than 120 companies integral to the social media industry with updated data, products, services, and links including advanced topics like measuring social media return on investment (ROI) and how to develop and implement the Five Steps to Social Media Success strategy plan Includes dozens of social media ROI case studies. John Wiley&amp; Sons, September 28, 2010) ISBN-10: 0470623977 ISBN-13: 978-0470623978 http://www.TheSocialMediaBible.com',' CorePurpose founder profiled in The Social Media Bible - September 28, 2010','','inherit','open','open','','678-revision-5','','','2012-07-26 05:01:07','2012-07-26 05:01:07','',678,'http://www.corepurpose.com/678-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2509,2,'2010-09-24 03:23:27','2010-09-24 03:23:27','<p>I love this post\'s title.&nbsp; I can\'t take credit for it.&nbsp; It actually is opening quote in a new book, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/No-Excuses-Women-Change-Think/dp/1580053289\" target=\"_blank\">No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power</a>, that is&nbsp; being released September 28, 2010 by my friend <a href=\"http://www.gloriafeldt.com/about/\" target=\"_blank\">Gloria Feldt</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But since the 24th marks my 50th birthday, the line really resonated with me.&nbsp; </p> <p>As the kids head back to school this September, we have looked at a number of great business books together here on the CP Business Blog including <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/the-secret-to-building-a-great-team-get-the-recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe</a>, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/good-boss-bad-boss-learning-from-leaders.html\" target=\"_blank\">Good Boss, Bad Boss</a>, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/bridging-the-gap-between-academics-and-reality.html\" target=\"_blank\">Are You Ready to be an Entrepreneur</a>, Defy Gravity, and Conquer the Chaos.&nbsp; </p> <p>In <em>No Excuses</em>, we move from the skills needed to run a business, to the skills we (women AND men)&nbsp; can use to make a difference at work, at home, and in our communities.&nbsp; When it comes to making a difference, Gloria Feldt is an expert.&nbsp; For over four decades, as a corporate leader, feminist and activist, Gloria has never been one to sit on the sidelines.&nbsp; As New York Times Best Selling author, writer,blogger and speaker, she also not afraid to speak her mind.&nbsp; I don\'t always agree with everything Gloria has to say, but I know that when we have a conversation, I am going to learn something and that to me is what makes the conversation, blog, or book interesting.</p> <p>Last September, Gloria invited me to attend an event called <em></em><em><a href=\"http://womengirlsladies.blogspot.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Women, Girls, Ladies</a>:</em> a FRESH conversation among intergenerational feminists about all that matters: power, work, sex, motherhood, pop culture and more that was being held at Arizona State University.&nbsp; Normally I would not attend a \"feminist\" event.&nbsp; I just don\'t think of myself that way but I always learn something when I am around Gloria.&nbsp; So I set aside that evening and headed over to main campus to check it out.&nbsp; And, true to my past experience, listening to Gloria and the panel was very interesting and informative.&nbsp; It made me think, and that I believe was their goal.&nbsp; </p> <p>Recently, I found this clip from Eldridge &amp; Company with host <a href=\"http://www.cuny.tv/series/eldridge/eldridge.lasso\" target=\"_blank\">Ronnie Eldridge</a> (CUTV 75 NY) on YouTube with Gloria and some of her fellow panelists (<a href=\"http://www.courtneyemartin.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Courtney E. Martin</a>, Brooklyn-based writer, teacher and speaker; and <a href=\"http://girlwpen.com/?page_id=29\" target=\"_blank\">Deborah Siegel, PhD</a>, expert on gender, politics, and the unfinished business of feminism across generations.They are three-fourths of WOMEN GIRLS LADIES, a traveling panel that discusses issues reflecting our lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (The video is just under 30 minutes but there are lots of thought provoking comments about what it takes to make a difference for men and women alike.) </p> <p>&nbsp; </p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3VPkjcLJZc&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1]  <p>&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3VPkjcLJZc&amp;feature=player_embedded#at=749\" target=\"_blank\">Video</a> via YouTube courtesy of Eldridge &amp; Company, CUTV 75 New York) </p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/noexcuses.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"noexcuses\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/noexcuses_thumb.jpg\" width=\"276\" height=\"430\"></a> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What do YOU want to make happen in this world?</strong></p> <p>It takes power to make things happen and to me a key take away from this book is that we all have access to power IF we choose to embrace it. This book is not about gaining power over others; it is about power to bring change.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/No-Excuses-Women-Change-Think/dp/1580053289\" target=\"_blank\">No Excuses</a></em> is not one of those \"guru\" self help books.&nbsp; This is a well researched, step by step opportunity to learn that combines lessons from life and from history to demonstrate what we each can do to make a&nbsp; difference in our personal lives, our business roles, and in our communities.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>You\'ve come a long way baby...Maybe</strong></p> <p>In the book there is a great quote from then-Presidential&nbsp; Candidate Hillary Clinton. \"My mother was born before women<br>could vote. My daughter gets to vote for her mother for president.”&nbsp; But what we see as the chapters progress is that while women have more opportunity today, many are still not comfortable reaching for it.&nbsp; (I have always considered myself pretty empowered.&nbsp; Then I read the the questions on page 26 and had to think again. Maybe I am not as far along as I thought.) </p> <p><strong>The 9 Ways</strong></p> <p>On the book, Gloria uses history, experience, and hard earned wisdom as a basis of the 9 ways to embrace your power.&nbsp; Each provides great ideas that can be used to advance individuals towards their goals be they women or men, boomers or millennials.&nbsp; Employing any one of these tips will move you forward.&nbsp; Learning to master all nine will move you forward that much faster.</p> <p><strong>Looking out at the next 50 years</strong></p> <p>On September 23rd, I got the opportunity to see Gloria again during a private celebration she held with friends to celebrate her new book.&nbsp;&nbsp; Since it was the eve of my 50th Birthday, I asked her for some words of wisdom as I head into the second half of MY century.&nbsp; This is what she shared: </p> <blockquote> <p>\"The great news is that at 50, women often come into our power quite organically. We care less about other people\'s judgments of us than we did when we were younger, and that is liberating. I suspect that the happiest among us are those who either take on something completely new in work or personal life, or who retool the way we have been doing things even if we don\'t have a major life change.\"</p></blockquote> <p>I hope you have enjoyed a look at a fascinating woman and a thought provoking book.&nbsp; That is my goal this September, after all.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/08/learning-is-not-just-for-kids-1.html\" target=\"_blank\">Learning is not just for kids</a>. </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dccba171-f739-4d8b-a083-136b8c8a242c\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Gloria%20Feldt\" rel=\"tag\">Gloria Feldt</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/No%20Excuses\" rel=\"tag\">No Excuses</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/9%20ways%20to%20embrace%20your%20power\" rel=\"tag\">9 ways to embrace your power</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/activism\" rel=\"tag\">activism</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/feminism\" rel=\"tag\">feminism</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/women%20and%20power\" rel=\"tag\">women and power</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/making%20a%20differnce\" rel=\"tag\">making a differnce</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/new%20books%202010\" rel=\"tag\">new books 2010</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a></div>','You\'ve come a long way baby...Maybe','','inherit','open','open','','1542-revision','','','2010-09-24 03:23:27','2010-09-24 03:23:27','',1542,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1542-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2510,2,'2010-09-17 14:02:46','2010-09-17 14:02:46','<p>This September at the CorePurpose Business Blog, we\'ve seen some great business books we grown ups can take advantage of as the kids head back to school.&nbsp; At the beginning of the month I shared a peek into Amilya Antonetti\'s <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/the-secret-to-building-a-great-team-get-the-recipe.html\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a> and Professor Robert Sutton\'s <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/good-boss-bad-boss-learning-from-leaders.html\">Good Boss, Bad Boss</a> two books that share great stories about leadership in their own unique way.&nbsp; Marty Zwilling asked <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/bridging-the-gap-between-academics-and-reality.html\" target=\"_blank\">Are You Ready to Be An Entrepreneur</a> while Rebel Brown shared how to challenge the status quo and <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/get-ready-for-lift-off-its-time-to-defy-gravity.html\" target=\"_blank\">Defy Gravity</a>.&nbsp; </p> <p>We have looked into the pages of books on&nbsp; leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Now let\'s look at a real life story by two entrepreneurs, <a href=\"http://clatemask.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Clate Mask</a> and <a href=\"http://www.infusionblog.com/author/scottm/\" target=\"_blank\">Scott Martineau</a>, co-founders of <a href=\"http://www.infusionsoft.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Infusionsoft</a>. </p> <p>I first met Clate and Scott in 2006 when Infusionsoft was the very first company to step up to the plate to help&nbsp; <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/otef/\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> with a new fundraising venture to support helping at-risk populations find a path to economic sustainability, <a href=\"http://azec10.com\" target=\"_blank\">The Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>. (The conference is now in its fifth year and Infusionsoft has been there to support us EVERY time!)&nbsp; Our paths crossed again in 2007 when as CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association it was my honor to hand the award for being an <a href=\"http://companiestowatch.org/index.ctw?aff=Arizona&amp;page=home\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona Company to Watch</a> to Clate and Scott as they accepted it on behalf of the Infusionsoft team.&nbsp; </p> <p>Both&nbsp; of these leaders are serial entrepreneurs with a proven track records.&nbsp; Little did I know that with all their experience, they, like the rest of us, were dealing with the day to day chaos of entrepreneurship.&nbsp;&nbsp; But instead of letting chaos win, they built a business designed to help other entrepreneurs <a href=\"http://books.google.com/books?id=ATowq0VGbCIC&amp;pg=PA10&amp;dq=google+books+conquer+the+chaos&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=g1KMTJzqI46ksQOigvHzBA&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\">Conquer The Chaos</a> - here\'s a clip where they share some of their experiences...</p> <p>&nbsp; </p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyDk5W7wmG8&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1]  <p><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyDk5W7wmG8\" target=\"_blank\">Video Link</a> to Clate and Scott talking about Conquer The Chaos courtesy of John Wiley and Sons via YouTube.com)</p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 0;\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://www.strategystew.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/conquering-the-chaos2.jpg\" width=\"183\" height=\"275\"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>About Conquering Chaos</strong></p> <p>In the video, Clate shares that every entrepreneur should ready this book.&nbsp; Well,&nbsp; you might be thinking, he would say that, he wrote it!&nbsp; As it turns out, Clate is not the only one who thinks so.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/12/exploring-the-entrepreneurial-myth---an-interview-with-michael-gerber.html\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Gerber</a>, one of the all-time best-selling authors worldwide on the subject of entrepreneurship thinks so too and he says so in the foreword he wrote for the book.</p> <p>In the book you find an honest account of how they struggled not just to build a business, but to do so in a way that they could be proud of and enjoy doing.&nbsp; And because they recognized what it took&nbsp; in the form of commitment from not just them but also from the team they make a point of reminding us that we need to be sure that we build up and maintain a good supply of emotional capital as well as financial reserves if our businesses are to succeed and we are to survive the journey it tales to get there.</p> <p>Clate and Scott share six strategies for breaking free of the chaos:</p> <ol> <li>Have enough Emotional Capital  <li>Practice Discipline Optimism  <li>Declare Entrepreneurial Independence  <li>Centralize and simplify to clear out the chaos  <li>Follow up systems provide stability for your business  <li>Automate - you will never get off the treadmill of you don\'t.</li></ol> <p>Want to know more?&nbsp; Pick up <em>Conquer The Chaos </em>and please plan to join us November 17, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona for the Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference.&nbsp; Clate and Scott will be there along with members of the Infusionsoft team when Clate joins <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers/\" target=\"_blank\">this year\'s great line up of speakers</a>.&nbsp; It\'s your chance to get the story right from the source.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d1546149-9469-4b96-b160-9405fda86b17\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Conquer%20The%20Chaos\" rel=\"tag\">Conquer The Chaos</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/John%20Wiley%20and%20Sons\" rel=\"tag\">John Wiley and Sons</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Clate%20Mask\" rel=\"tag\">Clate Mask</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Scott%20Martineau\" rel=\"tag\">Scott Martineau</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Infusionsoft\" rel=\"tag\">Infusionsoft</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Michael%20Gerber\" rel=\"tag\">Michael Gerber</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20books%202010\" rel=\"tag\">business books 2010</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/entrepreneurship%20Books\" rel=\"tag\">entrepreneurship Books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/entrepreneurship\" rel=\"tag\">entrepreneurship</a></div>','Are you ready to Conquer The Chaos?','','inherit','open','open','','1541-revision','','','2010-09-17 14:02:46','2010-09-17 14:02:46','',1541,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1541-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2511,2,'2010-09-14 01:17:59','2010-09-14 01:17:59','When I was a young girl I loved the book <a href=\"http://books.google.com/books?id=bG5yWX8N-N0C&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=inauthor:%22James+Barrie%22&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=c76BTPDTFI-ksQOc2p3BBg&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\">Peter Pan</a> by James Barrie.  It was not because Peter would never grow up - I could not wait to grow up.  No the cool thing was that because Peter believed that he could, he could fly!  And, with the help of a bit of pixie dust, he could help others fly too.\n\nWell now, at long last, I am grown up.  Actually I have been grown up for a while and my days are spent in the business world, not an imaginary Neverland.\n\nThis September, I have been keeping my promise to share an inside look at some  great new business books. We stared things off with <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/the-secret-to-building-a-great-team-get-the-recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a> by Amilya Antonetti  - a fictional lesson in leadership, followed up by a great book full of real  life leadership examples, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/good-boss-bad-boss-learning-from-leaders.html\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Good Boss, Bad Boss</em> </a>by Robert I. Sutton, PhD out of  Stanford\'s Graduate School of Business.   Then we shifted gears and explored the  question <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/bridging-the-gap-between-academics-and-reality.html\" target=\"_self\">Are You Ready To Be An Entrepreneur </a>with Marty Zwilling.  All  of these books have great tips for leaders, entrepreneurs and organizations, but  the stories take place at right here on the ground.\n\nNow for a peek a a new book that is specifically designed to help you and your business rise to new heights, Rebel Brown\'s new book - <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Defy-Gravity-Propel-Business-High-Velocity/dp/1608320545\" target=\"_blank\">Defy Gravity</a>.\n\nFor a bit of fun, my friends at <a href=\"http://www.metro-studios.com\" target=\"_blank\">Metro Studios</a> helped me put together a short video review of the book for Rebel - take a look...\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEEiTh9GR9w&amp;hd=1]\n\n(Can\'t see the video?  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEEiTh9GR9w&amp;hd=1\" target=\"_blank\">Click here</a> to watch on YouTube.)\n\n<img style=\"margin:10px 10px 15px;\" src=\"http://www.rebelbrown.com/storage/defy-gravity-left-nav-bar-a.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"159\" height=\"235\" align=\"left\" /> I\'m not the only one who did a little bit of video for our favorite rebel, lots of her friends got into the act.  To see the video montage, click <a href=\"http://www.rebelbrown.com/defy-gravity-free-chapter-opti/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\n\nSo what\'s Rebel\'s secret for defying gravity and helping your business take off?  First she starts with a great analogy between aero dynamics and business flight.  According to Rebel, \"We either climb higher or we crash and burn.  The status quo does not cut it any more.\"  The next section in the book dives deep into the sources of gravity - the things that hold us down followed up with the things we must think about <strong>and do</strong> to achieve high velocity growth and more importantly, to sustain it.\n\nSo if you are like me and have always wanted to fly - you might want to give your business a lift, and check out <em>Defy Gravity</em>.  In a world where good enough isn’t good enough anymore, Rebel Brown has pulled together the right strategies, tips and thought provoking advice to help your company soar. If you and your team are ready to defy gravity – this book will get you started.  Don;t just take my word for it - here are a few gravity defying tips from Rebel Brown...\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5DqPl3PVHA]\n\n(Can\'t see the player?  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5DqPl3PVHA\" target=\"_blank\">Click here</a> to watch Rebel\'s message on YouTube.)\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\nPS.  Rebel has a special offer of a free 80 page workbook she is sharing with friends that buy the book on launch day, September 14, 2010.  This is the same workbook she uses with clients, realigned with a more general business perspective in mind.  This Workbook will help you apply the lessons of Defy Gravity in your own businesses - so you can breakout and soar to profitable and sustainable growth.   To learn more, click <a href=\"http://rebelbrown.com/defy-gravity-launch-day/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> .  (NOTE:  this link is live ONLY on September 14, 2010)\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c238bfc5-9731-4af7-b59d-ba4b6bc66df8\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rebel%20Brown\">Rebel Brown</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Defy%20Gravity\">Defy Gravity</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Books%202010\">Business Books 2010</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success\">Success</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership\">leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/joan%20koerber-walker\">joan koerber-walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/corepurpose\">corepurpose</a></div>\n<em> </em>\n\n<em> </em>','Get ready for lift off - its time to Defy Gravity','','inherit','open','open','','1540-revision','','','2010-09-14 01:17:59','2010-09-14 01:17:59','',1540,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1540-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2512,2,'2010-09-12 02:46:33','2010-09-12 02:46:33','<p></p> <p>This September at the CorePurpose Business Blog, I am highlighting some great business <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/08/learning-is-not-just-for-kids-1.html\" target=\"_blank\">books we grown ups can take advantage of as the kids head back to school</a>.&nbsp; At the beginning of the month I shared a peek into Amilya Antonetti\'s <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/the-secret-to-building-a-great-team-get-the-recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a> and Professor Robert Sutton\'s <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/good-boss-bad-boss-learning-from-leaders.html\" target=\"_blank\">Good Boss, Bad Boss</a> two books that share great stories about leadership in their own unique way.&nbsp; </p> <p>Now it\'s time to change classes and move into the study of entrepreneurship with a look at a new book by my good friend <a href=\"http://littlelifestories.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/making-a-difference-by-mentoring-others-an-interview-with-marty-zwilling/\" target=\"_blank\">Marty Zwilling</a>, who just happens to be a friend to hundreds of thousands as <a href=\"http://twiiter.com/startuppro\" target=\"_blank\">@startuppro</a> on Twitter.&nbsp;&nbsp; Every day - yes EVERY day, Marty posts a new blog post for entrepreneurs at his very popular <a href=\"http://blog.startupprofessionals.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Startup Professionals Musings</a> blog.&nbsp; He even finds time to share wisdom at the <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marty-zwilling\" target=\"_blank\">Huffington Post</a>, <a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/author/martin-zwilling\" target=\"_blank\">Business Insider</a>, <a href=\"http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/06/investor_due_diligence_is_not.html\" target=\"_blank\">Harvard Business Review</a>, <a href=\"http://search.forbes.com/search/colArchiveSearch?author=martin+and+zwilling&amp;aname=Martin+Zwilling\" target=\"_blank\">Forbes.com</a> and many other sites.&nbsp; It\'s amazing that he can find the time in between his activities as an angel investor, executive in residence at <a href=\"http://callamanventures.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Callaman Ventures</a>, <a href=\"http://www.caycon.com/consultant-Marty-Zwilling.php\" target=\"_blank\">chief knowledge officer</a> at Cayenne Consulting&nbsp; and as a very active participant in our local start up community here in AZ.&nbsp; If you have not gotten the message - I am very impressed with the sheer volume of what Marty gets done. </p> <p>Earlier this Spring over lunch, Marty shared with me that he was thinking about taking his most popular posts for start ups and weaving them into a book.&nbsp; We brainstormed some ideas and I shared a little bit of my past experiences in the world of publishing.&nbsp; By Summer, Marty\'s idea had&nbsp; moved from concept to reality.&nbsp; One day the postman delivered a beautiful hardcover book <a href=\"http://www.startupprofessionals.com/Do-You-Have-What-It-Takes.html\" target=\"_blank\">Do You have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur</a> by Martin Zwilling along with a really kind inscription.&nbsp; (Like I said, when it comes to getting it done, my hat is off to Marty!&nbsp; He even has a great little video that explains why he wrote the book that highlights some of the ideas he shared with me over lunch last Spring.&nbsp; Take a minute to watch the video and&nbsp; then I will share a few of my own take-aways.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA3PkPEdUHE&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1]  <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Bridging the Gap</strong></p> <p>Obviously Marty\'s book was not around in 2002 when I made my own leap from the Fortune 500 to the land of the entrepreneur.&nbsp; I wish it had been.&nbsp; Back then I had all the big business experience, a relatively fresh MBA, and lots of ideas.&nbsp; What I did not have was ANY experience as an&nbsp; entrepreneur.&nbsp; And, Marty is sooo right.&nbsp; What you need to know is not taught in your average class room or in a Fortune 500 board room.&nbsp; Lucky for me, a number of experienced entrepreneurs including <a href=\"http://www.ednusbaum.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Ed Nusbaum</a> and <a href=\"http://blog.stealthmode.com/work-with-francine/about/\" target=\"_blank\">Francine Hardaway</a> from <a href=\"http://www.stealthmode.com\" target=\"_blank\">Stealthmode Partners</a> took pity on me and gave me some tips so that I&nbsp; did not blunder too badly, but as an avid reader, Marty\'s book would have been REALLY helpful.&nbsp; Actually it still is. Even 8 years later, I still have lots to learn.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/do-you-have-what-it-takes.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 10px 5px 5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Do you have what it takes\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/do-you-have-what-it-takes_thumb.jpg\" width=\"172\" height=\"244\"></a> </p> <p><strong>Building the Bridge</strong></p> <p>If you had the time to hunt through literally hundreds of Marty\'s blogs, you could find this information, but as entrepreneurs who can spare the time.&nbsp; That is the great part about this book.&nbsp; From the forward by best selling author <a href=\"http://www.slechter.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Sharon Lechter</a> (co-author of <em>Think and Grow Rich</em>, <em>Three Feet from Gold</em>, and <em>Rich Dad Poor Dad</em>) through sections&nbsp; ranging from \"Why Entrepreneurs are Special\"&nbsp; to&nbsp; \"How Social Media Is Changing the Landscape\" all of the information is in well organized, easily actionable, easy to read form.&nbsp;&nbsp; When my college freshman son told me he wants to study entrepreneurship, I handed him my copy of <em>Do You have What It Takes to Be and Entrepreneur</em> and told him to read it.&nbsp; You could say this book is kid tested and Mom approved. </p> <p>So if you are an entrepreneur, or considering making the leap, check out Marty\'s book.&nbsp; You\'ll be glad you did.</p> <p>Thanks for reading along this September.&nbsp; Next up in this series will be a brand new book releasing September 14th - <em>Defy Gravity</em> by Rebel Brown. You won\'t want to miss it.&nbsp; </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8fbd4bdb-1798-472e-8485-5e7a1c8a4aa6\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Do%20You%20Have%20What%20It%20Takes%20To%20Be%20An%20Entrepreneur\" rel=\"tag\">Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Matry%20Zwilling\" rel=\"tag\">Matry Zwilling</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Martin%20Zwilling\" rel=\"tag\">Martin Zwilling</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Books%202010\" rel=\"tag\">Business Books 2010</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship%20Books\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurship Books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20a%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe a fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Good%20Boss%20Bad%20Boss\" rel=\"tag\">Good Boss Bad Boss</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Robert%20I%20Sutton\" rel=\"tag\">Robert I Sutton</a></div>','Bridging the gap between academics and reality','','inherit','open','open','','1539-revision','','','2010-09-12 02:46:33','2010-09-12 02:46:33','',1539,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1539-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2513,2,'2010-09-06 18:51:31','2010-09-06 18:51:31','<p>This September we started the month with the statement that <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/08/learning-is-not-just-for-kids-1.html\" target=\"_blank\">learning is not just for kids</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; I promised you a look behind the scenes at some great books that we grown ups can use as tools to tune up our leadership and business skills.&nbsp; That\'s right, the kids are not the only ones who have the opportunity to&nbsp; learn something new this Fall.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>We started the series with a look at <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/09/the-secret-to-building-a-great-team-get-the-recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">Amilya Antonetti\'s The Recipe a fable for leaders and teams.</a> Antonetti\'s book is a fable, set in a fictional bakery - demonstrating leadership lessons through the eyes and experiences of the characters.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now let\'s shift gears and look at what happens when you study real life bosses up close and personal.&nbsp; That\'s just what Stanford Professor Robert I. Sutton has done in his new book, <a href=\"http://books.google.com/books?id=riZ8RAAACAAJ&amp;dq=good+boss+bad+boss&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=VXKBTMWMIYqosAPYl5j3Bw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA\" target=\"_blank\">Good Boss Bad Boss:&nbsp; How to be the best...and learn from the worst</a>.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sutton is no newbie on my business bookshelf.&nbsp; His last book, <a href=\"http://books.google.com/books?id=u-12HAAACAAJ&amp;dq=no+asshole+rukle&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=R3OBTKv9M4n2swPM27D2Bw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA\" target=\"_blank\">The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn\'t</a> was a&nbsp; smash hit in management circles this year.&nbsp; As a matter of fact, he got so much feedback from <em>The No Asshole Rule</em> that <em>Good Boss, Bad Boss</em> was written as a result.&nbsp;&nbsp; Dr. Sutton was kind enough to reach out to me on Twitter (he\'s <a href=\"http://twitter.com/work_matters\" target=\"_blank\">@work_matters</a> ) and to share an early copy with me before the official launch&nbsp; this September 7th.&nbsp; So, I got a head start in reading the book.&nbsp; What a treat! <em>Good Boss, Bad Boss</em> is a great read - full of real life stories and situations that many of us can relate to from our own workplace experiences.&nbsp; I\'ll tell you more in a bit, but first, here\'s a clip where you can hear more about the book from Bob Sutton himself:&nbsp; </p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmp-4l_Gfr0&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1]  <p>(video credit: Stanford Graduate School of Business - via YouTube <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmp-4l_Gfr0&amp;feature=player_embedded\" target=\"_blank\">video link</a>) </p> <p>Dr. Sutton\'s <a href=\"http://hbr.org/search/Robert%25252520i%25252520sutton/\" target=\"_blank\">guest posts at The Harvard Business Review</a> have always been favorites of mine because he does not just spout theory or opinion, he bases his statements on real people and real life examples. <em>Good Boss, Bad Boss</em> follows this same winning formula.&nbsp; </p> <p><img title=\"Front Cover\" border=\"1\" alt=\"Front Cover\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://bks2.books.google.com/books?id=riZ8RAAACAAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;img=1&amp;zoom=1&amp;sig=ACfU3U1CN6KAXFQR0UdnO19szWddgOOYQA\" width=\"128\">As bosses we all have to do a bit of a balancing act, and I loved the example of the see-saw with \"love\" in one side and \"$\" on the other that he shared in his discussion about David Kelley, Chairman and CEO of <a href=\"http://www.ideo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">IDEO</a>.&nbsp; (I\'ve been a big IDEO fan for years and hope that someday I have the opportunity to work with them at one on my companies.) </p> <p>Further in there is a great reminder to all of us to \"Protect Yourself from the Energy Suckers.\" (p.120-121) This is one of the lessons I have learned the hard way over my career.&nbsp; If only I had read this chapter a few years ago!</p> <p>In Chapter 7 - \"Don\'t Shirk from the Dirty Work\" I found great examples including stories about experiences <a href=\"http://peopleink.com/about.html#AnnRhoades\" target=\"_blank\">Ann Rhoades</a>&nbsp; (founder of PeopleINK and another of my favorite leaders) had at Southwest and later at Jet Blue that illustrate that <strong>how</strong> you deal with a tricky situation makes all the difference.&nbsp; </p> <p>Well, I\'m getting close to my word limit (self imposed) or I could go on and on.&nbsp; But the point is to give you a taste so you will want to check out this book.&nbsp; Hopefully I have succeeded in whetting your appetite.&nbsp; It really is worth the read.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned... There are more peeks inside some great business books coming this September.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b4c1b877-0cd2-43c2-bb47-a92485c582a5\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Robert%20I%20Sutton\" rel=\"tag\">Robert I Sutton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Good%20Boss%20Bad%20Boss\" rel=\"tag\">Good Boss Bad Boss</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/No%20Asshole%20Rule\" rel=\"tag\">No Asshole Rule</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Books%202010\" rel=\"tag\">Business Books 2010</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20A%20Fable%20for%20Leaders%20and%20Teams\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe A Fable for Leaders and Teams</a></div>','Good Boss, Bad Boss - Learning from Leaders','','inherit','open','open','','1538-revision','','','2010-09-06 18:51:31','2010-09-06 18:51:31','',1538,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1538-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2514,2,'2010-09-03 21:54:11','2010-09-03 21:54:11','<p>This September, as the kids head back to school,&nbsp; we will be reviewing some great books for executives and entrepreneurs here at the CorePurpose Business Blog .&nbsp; </p> <p>As we all know, building a championship team is a great way to move closer to your goals.&nbsp; But how will you pull that team together and how will you lead it.&nbsp; A great little book on just this subject is <a href=\"http://books.google.com/books?id=-WU9PhAwSCEC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=amilya+antonetti&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=bS98TJGnKoi-sQOWwImFBw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams by Amilya Antonetti (</a>CorePurpose Publishing, May 2010) . </p> <p>Before I give you my takeaways - here is a clip from the author talking about The Recipe:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQmzqdC3oRs&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1]</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>So what is your secret to creating a great team?&nbsp; In The Recipe, the characters learn that leadership and teamwork is diversity.&nbsp; Each brother has his own strengths and talents, but it is when they are blended together as a team that&nbsp; great things happen.</p> <p>I read my share of \'serious\' business books, and so often they try to tell you what they think you need to know.&nbsp; The great thing about The Recipe is that it does not tell you, it shows you through an easy to read story with it\'s share of humor and conflict.&nbsp; Then you can draw your on conclusions based on where you and your team are in the baking process.&nbsp; </p> <p>As a publisher, I see more than my share of book treatments and manuscripts.&nbsp; With <em>The Recipe</em>, the first thing I heard was the story line and I loved it.&nbsp; That\'s why CorePurpose Publishing worked with Amilya to bring it to life.&nbsp; So if you are looking for an entertaining read - with great reminders for all of us as leaders and teammates, pick up <em>The Recipe</em> for yourself and your team mates.&nbsp;&nbsp; After you have read it, come on back and leave us a note on what best your take-away from the story is.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a4327db0-d16e-415f-9200-991800f71547\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose%20Publishing\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose Publishing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20a%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe a fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership%20books\" rel=\"tag\">leadership books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/teamwork%20books\" rel=\"tag\">teamwork books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/2010%20books\" rel=\"tag\">2010 books</a></div>','The secret to building a great team - Get The Recipe','','inherit','open','open','','1537-revision','','','2010-09-03 21:54:11','2010-09-03 21:54:11','',1537,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1537-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2776,2,'2013-05-19 15:17:54','2013-05-19 15:17:54','<p>This September, as the kids head back to school,  we will be reviewing some great books for executives and entrepreneurs here at the CorePurpose Business Blog . </p>\n<p>As we all know, building a championship team is a great way to move closer to your goals.  But how will you pull that team together and how will you lead it.  A great little book on just this subject is <a href=\"http://books.google.com/books?id=-WU9PhAwSCEC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=amilya+antonetti&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=bS98TJGnKoi-sQOWwImFBw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1&amp;ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams by Amilya Antonetti (</a>CorePurpose Publishing, May 2010) .</p>\n<p>Before I give you my takeaways - here is a clip from the author talking about The Recipe:</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/rQmzqdC3oRs\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"></iframe></p>\n<p>So what is your secret to creating a great team?  In The Recipe, the characters learn that leadership and teamwork is diversity.  Each brother has his own strengths and talents, but it is when they are blended together as a team that  great things happen.</p>\n<p>I read my share of \'serious\' business books, and so often they try to tell you what they think you need to know.  The great thing about The Recipe is that it does not tell you, it shows you through an easy to read story with it\'s share of humor and conflict.  Then you can draw your on conclusions based on where you and your team are in the baking process. </p>\n<p>As a publisher, I see more than my share of book treatments and manuscripts.  With <em>The Recipe</em>, the first thing I heard was the story line and I loved it.  That\'s why CorePurpose Publishing worked with Amilya to bring it to life.  So if you are looking for an entertaining read - with great reminders for all of us as leaders and teammates, pick up <em>The Recipe</em> for yourself and your team mates.   After you have read it, come on back and leave us a note on what best your take-away from the story is.</p>\n<p>Thanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...</p>\n<p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a4327db0-d16e-415f-9200-991800f71547\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display: inline; margin: 0; padding: 0;\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose%20Publishing\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose Publishing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20a%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe a fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership%20books\" rel=\"tag\">leadership books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/teamwork%20books\" rel=\"tag\">teamwork books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/2010%20books\" rel=\"tag\">2010 books</a></div>','The secret to building a great team - Get The Recipe','','inherit','open','open','','1537-autosave','','','2013-05-19 15:17:54','2013-05-19 15:17:54','',1537,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1537-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2515,2,'2010-08-30 22:03:04','2010-08-30 22:03:04','<p><img title=\"\" alt=\"academics,apples,books,education,education on a pedestal,food,fruits,knowledge,learning,metaphors,pedestals,Photographs\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900341950.jpg\">Here in Arizona the kids have already headed back to school.&nbsp; In other parts of the country, summer vacation may extend to after Labor Day.&nbsp; But one way or another, by mid September over 50 million Americans will be heading into the classroom. For them their days will be filled with lessons, books, and homework.&nbsp; It\'s time to for the kids to dedicate themselves to learning new things.</p> <p>For those of us who have left our school years behind us, we can still make a commitment to learn new things this September.</p> <p><strong>Gain New Insights with the Kolbe</strong></p> <p>In August, we profiled inventor and innovator <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/08/wisdom-insight-invention---kathy-kolbe.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Kolbe</a>.&nbsp; Kathy and her team have been helping leaders and their teams learn about their conative and how together they can get more done for over 20 years.&nbsp; You can take <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/?refid=453&amp;entry_redirect=1\">the Kolbe A™ Index</a>&nbsp; by clicking the line (purchase required) to learn about how you naturally get things done. Kathy shares great insights in the information that comes with your index results.&nbsp; In addition, if you DM your results to me <a href=\"http://twitter.com/jkwgrowth\">@JKWgrowth</a> , I will be happy to review them with you also as a thank you for visiting us here on the blog.</p> <p><strong>Read a great book</strong></p> <p>This summer I had the chance to preview some great books including the latest from <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Amilya-Antonetti/e/B001HMSVBU\" target=\"_blank\">Amilya Antonetti</a>, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Brown/e/B003TONLIM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1283198530&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\">Rebel Brown</a>, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Conquer-Chaos-Successful-Business-Without/dp/0470599324\">Clate Mask</a>, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Robert-I.-Sutton/e/B001H6J4DA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1283198566&amp;sr=1-1\">Bob Sutton</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Martin-C-Zwilling/e/B0040ZJHA0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1\">Marty Zwilling</a>.&nbsp; Stay tuned throughout the month of September when I will be sharing reviews of these great books - you might want read them too!</p> <p><strong>Sign up for a conference</strong></p> <p>The Fall is a great time to reconnect with thought leaders and your community at a conference.&nbsp; Once of my favorites is the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference.&nbsp; This year <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com\">AZEC10</a> will be held on November 17th in Phoenix, Arizona, but you can save money by registering in September\'s Early Bird Registration.&nbsp; This year\'s speaker line up is one of the best yet.&nbsp; You can see for yourself by <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/speakers/\">clicking here</a>. </p> <p><strong>Challenge yourself to learn something new.</strong> </p> <p>So, what will your learning opportunity be this Fall?&nbsp; As the kids head back to school, join me in committing to learning something new this September.&nbsp; Share your commitment here by leaving a comment, and we can inspire each other and all learn together.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b4c1616b-c747-4014-9ffa-12886e3063b8\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Robert%20Sutton\" rel=\"tag\">Robert Sutton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rebel%20Brown\" rel=\"tag\">Rebel Brown</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Clate%20Mask\" rel=\"tag\">Clate Mask</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Marty%20Zwilling\" rel=\"tag\">Marty Zwilling</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kathy%20Kolbe\" rel=\"tag\">Kathy Kolbe</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kolbe%20Corp\" rel=\"tag\">Kolbe Corp</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/back%20to%20school\" rel=\"tag\">back to school</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/learning%20for%20adults\" rel=\"tag\">learning for adults</a></div> <p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h6>Disclosures:&nbsp; Joan Koerber-Walker is chairman of the board of the <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/otef/\" target=\"_blank\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a> which hosts AZEC10, is a certified Kolbe Consultant, and may have received complimentary review copies of the books listed from the authors mentioned.</h6>','Learning is not just for kids','','inherit','open','open','','1536-revision','','','2010-08-30 22:03:04','2010-08-30 22:03:04','',1536,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1536-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2516,2,'2010-08-27 12:31:58','2010-08-27 12:31:58','<p><b></b> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dr-michelle-hanna.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Dr.-Michelle-Hanna\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dr-michelle-hanna_thumb.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"244\"></a>Have you ever looked at something and thought – I bet I know a better way?&nbsp; Sure, most of us have.&nbsp; A select few will go all in.&nbsp; They do not just think about a better way.&nbsp; They create it.&nbsp; We call them inventors.  <p>A great example is Dr. Michelle Hanna, the founder and CEO of <a href=\"http://www.ribomed.com\">RiboMed Biotechnologies</a>.&nbsp; Michelle , received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis in 1983 and did her postdoctoral work in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics as an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. She was an Assistant Professor of Biological Chemistry at UC Irvine College of Medicine where she received young investigator awards from the American Cancer Society and the Beckman Foundation. Dr. Hanna was a tenured Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma until August 1999, when she founded RiboMed Biotechnologies. Over the past 23 years, Dr. Hanna has been awarded over $10 million in grants and contracts from the ACS, the National Cancer Institute (NCI)/National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/NIH, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Homeland Security Advanced Projects Agency (HSARPA). Her work has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, three book chapters, <a href=\"http://ribomed.wordpress.com/category/patents/\" target=\"_blank\">five issued U.S. patents</a>, 1 international patent, and multiple pending patents.  <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image0017.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:10px 10px 5px;\" border=\"0\" hspace=\"12\" alt=\"clip_image001[7]\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image0017_thumb.jpg\" width=\"152\" height=\"92\"></a>Michelle and her team are combining know-how with a passion for finding a better way and are applying it to the field of personalized medicine.&nbsp; By specifically looking at the ways that we treat cancer, RiboMed is developing tests that will save lives AND decrease healthcare costs.&nbsp; Today, patients with many forms of cancer, including lung cancer and&nbsp; ovarian cancer, are often treated with the chemotherapy drug <a href=\"http://www.cisplatin.org/\">cisplatin</a>. While cisplatin treatment may be effective, it carries with it <a href=\"http://www.cisplatin.org/effects.htm\">severe side effects</a> and, either before or during treatment, the majority of patients will develop a resistance to the drug.&nbsp; The end result – all of the side effects and associated costs without the benefit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <p>Using RiboMed’s patented technology, Michelle and the team are developing new tests that will allow physicians to test for resistance first so that they will know if cisplatin is the right way to go for their patients or if another strategy might be better.&nbsp; And, since new drugs are being developed and approved that can reverse cisplatin resistance, RiboMed’s tests will allow physicians to determine when these drugs are needed.&nbsp; Called <a href=\"http://www.genomeweb.com/dxpgx/companion-diagnostics-take\">companion diagnostics</a>, these tests are just one way that committed teams and researchers are putting the power of invention&nbsp; to work.  <p>As an investor&nbsp; in the company&nbsp; and then as a member of the board of directors, I have had the opportunity to observe Michelle and her team in action.&nbsp; Perhaps their dedication to the research and innovation process has rubbed off on me.&nbsp; By watching them, I am learning too.&nbsp; Here is what Michelle and her team have taught me.  <p>1.&nbsp; Innovation is not an exact science.&nbsp; Instead it is a continuing process of exploration, experimentation, application, and explanation.  <p>2.&nbsp; A person may invent something - but it takes a team committed&nbsp; to the goal to take that invention and turn it into something that truly makes a difference -&nbsp;&nbsp; to create innovation.&nbsp; <p>3.&nbsp; Overnight success is a myth. Great inventions become innovations when the inventors are willing to make the commitment to helping others apply the invention to doing things in a new way that makes things better.  <p>I hope you have enjoyed this series honoring some great inventors during National Inventors Month.&nbsp;&nbsp; <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...  <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bcfe459e-cd59-4b83-b2e4-1dc7f44beabb\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/RiboMed%20Biotechnologies\" rel=\"tag\">RiboMed Biotechnologies</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Michelle%20Hanna\" rel=\"tag\">Michelle Hanna</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/inventors\" rel=\"tag\">inventors</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/biotech\" rel=\"tag\">biotech</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/epigenetics\" rel=\"tag\">epigenetics</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/innovation\" rel=\"tag\">innovation</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/National%20Inventors%20Month\" rel=\"tag\">National Inventors Month</a></div>','Doing it a better way – Dr. Michelle Hanna Founder of RiboMed','','inherit','open','open','','1535-revision','','','2010-08-27 12:31:58','2010-08-27 12:31:58','',1535,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1535-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2517,2,'2010-08-22 20:42:45','2010-08-22 20:42:45','<p><a href=\"http://www.flowtown.com/\">Flowtown</a> co-founders <a href=\"http://www.danmartell.com/about/\">Dan Martell</a> and <a href=\"http://ethanbloch.com/\">Ethan Bloch</a> had a vision of how a company and its solution could help users leverage their personal networks across the social continuum to connect, engage, create value and grow.&nbsp; They knew the answers to their WHY questions, and had a reasonably good handle on WHAT they wanted to create.&nbsp; The next step was to get to the HOW.&nbsp; To do that, they rely heavily on three values that guide not only the company decisions but also they players that they bring to the team. They are:</p> <ol> <li>Love to learn - personally, professionally, and as on organization  <li>Measure - everything that matters  <li>Go Direct - we do not have time to beat around the bush - go directly to the person you need to work with or communicate with and get it done.</li></ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href=\"http://azec10.com\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC10_Logo\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec10_logo.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"73\"></a>This year, at <a href=\"http://azec10.com\">AZEC10</a>, Ethan will be coming over from San Francisco to join our&nbsp; Arizona entrepreneurial community for a day of idea sharing, connections, and value creation as we gather for the Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference on November 17, 2010.&nbsp; Since August is <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/08/looking-for-inspiration-and-innovation.html\">National Inventors Month</a>, it was the perfect opportunity to have a chat about the journey to FlowTown with Ethan. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/ethan_bloch_headshot.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Etan Bloch - co founder of Flowtown\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/ethan_bloch_headshot_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"118\"></a> A serial entrepreneur, Ethan Bloch is no stranger to the needs of small businesses.&nbsp; He started his first ecommerce website at the age of 13 and that led to other ventures, and hosting <a href=\"http://revision3beta.com/watch/wsyk/\">WSYK</a>, an Internet TV show which was syndicated to Revision3. Today, as the CEO of Flowtown, Ethan combines what he has learned along the journey with the talents of a great team to add value in a new way.&nbsp; Here is a bit of what he had to say. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" alt=\"The 2010 Social Networking Map - courtesy of www.Flowtown.com\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://s3.amazonaws.com/flowtown-temp-file-serve/Flowtown-Social-Network-Map0809.png\" width=\"247\" height=\"521\"></p> <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; Tell me - What is Flowtown?</p> <p><strong>EB:</strong>&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.flowtown.com\">Flowtown</a> is the place where you can see which Social Networks your customers are on.&nbsp; </p> <p>Today everyone is trying to expand their business and engage in customers in new ways. but for many businesses, especially small businesses, what you have developed over the years is a database of email addresses. With Flowtown, you can leverage that valuable data into a wealth of new information as Flowtown shows you all the different social networks your customers are on including: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Myspace and more.&nbsp; This gives you the insight to need to see who your customer audience is, what they are talking about (a great indicator of what they care about), it can also help you find new people to engage with and best of all, it provides tools help you deliver more value to your customers and to measure the return on investment you are making in getting more social.&nbsp; <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; I\'ve seen lots of interesting inventions in the social space, but for them to move into the innovation category, they need to be used and create value.&nbsp; Flowtown is still young company, where are you along this path?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>EB:</strong>&nbsp; We\'ve focused on the small business space as the customer segment where we can add the greatest value.&nbsp; Today Flowtown has over 15,000 businesses&nbsp; who use our services on either a monthly subscription or by accessing al a carte services.&nbsp; Our customer base tracks to our focus with 80% of our customers falling into the small business segment.&nbsp; Our early adopters are web savvy entrepreneurs who are looking to expand and grow by engaging deeper with their customers across the social map.</p> <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; Those are great numbers for this stage in your evolution.&nbsp; Has it always been a smooth road?</p> <p><strong>EB:</strong>&nbsp; No way.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.flowtown.com/blog/why-we-scrapped-3-5-months-of-development\">Our first iteration of the product failed</a>.&nbsp; But we were reminded of an important lesson.&nbsp; <strong>To do stuff in a vacuum is dangerous.</strong>&nbsp; That was a hard lesson to learn.&nbsp; But when we started with the second generation product, we learned from what our customers were telling us. We simplified our model, revised how we priced it, and BEFORE we built it, we asked our target customer base - is this what you want AND will you pay for it.&nbsp; We measured results and when we got to the target number of \"Yes\" answers that is when we started building it again.&nbsp; This process took us 10 - 11 months, but in the end we had a product that met the customers needs AND that they are willing to pay for.&nbsp; Today <a href=\"http://www.flowtown.com/blog/top-10-blog-roundup-in-real-life-divorce-court-trade-shows\">we listen to our customers</a> and they give us great ideas.</p> <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; Guiding customers across the social landscape is a big job to do on your own.&nbsp; Are you up to the task?</p> <p><strong>EB:</strong>&nbsp; You can\'t do it alone - that is why we reached our and formed relationships with great partners including MailChimp, iContact, BatchBook, Wufoo and many more.</p> <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; I am inspired by great inventors and entrepreneurs.&nbsp; Who inspires you?</p> <p><strong>EB:</strong>&nbsp; Ben Franklin (inventor and entrepreneur), Warren Buffet, and Bill Gates.</p> <p><strong>JKW:</strong>&nbsp; Well this has been just a glimpse into Ethan\'s life and journey at Flowtown.&nbsp; Don\'t miss out on meeting him and learning more when he is here with us in Arizona at <a href=\"http://azec10.com\">AZEC10</a> on November 17, 2010.&nbsp; (You might want to register today.&nbsp; Space is limited and the early registration discount is a great way to save.) </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned....we have some more inventor profiles lined up a we celebrate National Inventors Month this August.</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p>Connect on Twitter:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://twitter.com/flowtown\">@flowtown</a> <a href=\"http://twitter.com/ebloch\">@ebloch</a> <a href=\"http://twitter.com/danmartell\">@danmartell</a> <a href=\"http://twitter.com/corepurpose\">@corepurpose</a> <a href=\"http://twitter.com/joankw\">@joankw</a> <a href=\"http://twitter.com/azec10\">@azec10</a> <a href=\"http://twitter.com/azentrepreneurs\">@azentrepreneurs</a> </p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b9d2e2e1-863f-407f-b7a3-b6807de7fa64\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Ethan%20Bloch\" rel=\"tag\">Ethan Bloch</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Flowtown\" rel=\"tag\">Flowtown</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/social%20media\" rel=\"tag\">social media</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/small%20business%20tools\" rel=\"tag\">small business tools</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/social%20map\" rel=\"tag\">social map</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/National%20Inventors%20Month\" rel=\"tag\">National Inventors Month</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC10\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC10</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/marketing%20for%20small%20business.%20Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">marketing for small business. Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a></div>','Founding Flowtown - Value Driven Invention and Innovation','','inherit','open','open','','1534-revision','','','2010-08-22 20:42:45','2010-08-22 20:42:45','',1534,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1534-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2518,2,'2010-08-16 05:18:25','2010-08-16 05:18:25','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image0021.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" hspace=\"12\" alt=\"clip_image002\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image002_thumb1.jpg\" width=\"191\" height=\"286\"></a><a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/12/helping-others-make-the-most-of-their-conative-strengths---kathy-kolbe.html\">Kathy Kolbe</a>, Founder of Kolbe Corp,&nbsp; did not invent <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conation\">conation</a>, but <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/pdfassets/wisdomoftheages.pdf\">the history</a>, the study of conation, and most importantly the measurement and application of conative ability in individuals and teams has been her passion for decades.&nbsp; It was through this journey that Kathy created The Kolbe Wisdom™&nbsp; and invented the first assessment specifically designed to measure and describe conative ability, the Kolbe A™ Index.  <p><b>Assessing the Mind:</b>  <p><b></b> <p>Today’s assessment tools break out the functional areas of the mind into three areas, Cognitive (how we think),&nbsp; Affective (how we feel) and Conative (how we get things done).  <p>One of the first modern day measurement tools in this area , <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderlic_Test#Relationship_to_IQ\">The Wonderlic Test</a> was created by industrial psychologist Eldon F. Wonderlic in 1936 and a form of the test&nbsp; is still used today by many organizations including the National Football League.  <p>Later new tests were developed that focused on the&nbsp; affective portion of the mind, some of the most popular include the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment\">DISC</a> (1948),&nbsp; <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Birkman\">Birkman</a>&nbsp; (1951), and the&nbsp; <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator\">Myers-Briggs Type Indicator</a> (1962).&nbsp;&nbsp; These test were designed to measure feelings, social styles, and other affective behaviors.&nbsp; <p>It was not until 1987 that the first assessment for conative abilities, The Kolbe A ™Index was introduced to the public.&nbsp; Interestingly, the journey to bring it into being is almost as interesting as the test itself.&nbsp; As a young girl and a student, Kathy had to learn how to look at things differently.&nbsp; As a dyslexic in a time where we did not have the accommodations and resources&nbsp; that students have today, traditional learning was an uphill battle.&nbsp; (Kathy’s form of dyslexia is so strong that things we take for granted like telling right from left or reading the hands of a clock are a challenge.)&nbsp; Differences in how she and other learned led to her fascination with the patterns she began to see in the way minds worked. She had a natural mentor whose thoughts she often challenged. Eldon F. Wonderlic was Kathy’s father.&nbsp; Her early work was with all forms of uniqueness, including the gifted and learning disabled in educational environments. But a near fatal 1985 auto accident put things in a new perspective&nbsp; Kathy’s severe injuries included both physical and mental trauma that left her unable to read or write for over a year. She overcame what many believed would be career ending disabilities by using what she had learned about conation, the instinct-driven capabilities she knew she could count on. In the process of re-training her own brain, she learned more about not just how to measure conative abilities, but how to apply them to work situations, relationships, health and other adult challenges.&nbsp; Her determination to write the book that became the foundation of The Kolbe Wisdom™&nbsp; startled all doubters and led to her becoming known as the proof of her own theories.  <p>The basis of her consulting and coaching process is her discovery of our conative Action Modes<b>®</b> that are the basis of a person’s MO (modus operandi). Since conation is the source of human actions, reactions and interactions knowing a person’s MO allowed Kathy company, Kolbe Corp, to predict human performance.  <p><b>Four Action Modes® </b> <blockquote> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image0031.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"clip_image003\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image003_thumb1.jpg\" width=\"213\" height=\"244\"></a></p></b> <p><strong>Fact Finder</strong> - the instinctive way we gather and share information.<br><strong>Follow Thru</strong> - the instinctive way we arrange and design.<br><strong>Quick Start</strong> - the instinctive way we deal with risk and uncertainty.<br><strong>Implementor</strong> - the instinctive way we handle space and tangibles.</p> <p><br>The Kolbe A Index result is a graphical representation of an individual\'s way of getting things done. Numeric results in each Action Mode represent different points on a continuum, on which every possibility is an equally positive behavior. There is no such thing as a negative or \"bad\" Kolbe Index result. Some, however, are more appropriate results for a specific job or on a particular team.</p> <p>(Source:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.Kolbe.com\">http://www.Kolbe.com</a> ) </p></blockquote> <p>For over 20 years Kolbe’s assessments, strategies, and wisdom have benefited tens of thousands of individuals and thousands of corporations and organizations around the globe. Great examples of how individuals and organizations respond to Kolbe resources can be found in <a href=\"http://leadingspace.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/building-and-leading-teams-through-conation-and-the-kolbe-model/\">this article</a> by Joe Williams speaking about his experience with Kolbe at NASA, as well as these article from the <a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704133804575198011745918470.html?mod=WSJ_article_related\">Wall Street Journal</a>, <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/O/\">O, The Oprah Magazine</a>, and&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956231-8,00.html\">Time Magazine</a>. </p> <p>To experience the&nbsp; Kolbe A Index for yourself, simply click <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/?refid=453&amp;entry_redirect=1&amp;spid=2010APAAA\">here</a>. (purchase required) After you complete the assessment be sure to listen to the audio sessions that accompany your results from Kathy Kolbe herself.&nbsp; It’s just one more form of Kolbe innovation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>I hope you enjoyed this Inventor’s Profile as we celebrate National Innovators Month.&nbsp; </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned… </p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bada3584-185f-4f1f-b893-d9bce745894b\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/National%20Inventors%20Month\" rel=\"tag\">National Inventors Month</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kathy%20Kolbe\" rel=\"tag\">Kathy Kolbe</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/conation\" rel=\"tag\">conation</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kolbe%20Corp\" rel=\"tag\">Kolbe Corp</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Brain%20Science\" rel=\"tag\">Brain Science</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Assessments\" rel=\"tag\">Assessments</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/innovation\" rel=\"tag\">innovation</a></div></b></p>','Wisdom, Insight, Invention - Kathy Kolbe','','inherit','open','open','','1533-revision','','','2010-08-16 05:18:25','2010-08-16 05:18:25','',1533,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1533-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2519,2,'2010-08-16 01:24:58','2010-08-16 01:24:58','<p><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 30px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/img_8714a.jpg\" width=\"207\" height=\"311\">Inventors live a life of \'firsts\" where the ideas they dream up become new products, create solutions, and sometimes just bring a smile.&nbsp; To kick off <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/08/looking-for-inspiration-and-innovation.html\">August\'s series on for National Inventors Month,</a> I reached out to an inventor who always makes me smile - the one and only Lon Safko.&nbsp; </p> <p>Lon is the founder of eleven successful companies, including Paper Models, Inc., which developed Three-Dimensional Internet Advertising for business, promotions, and education, for which Lon holds two patents one on Virtual Electronic Retailing and the other Three Dimensional&nbsp; Internet Advertising.(US Pat. <a href=\"http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=wcN6AAAAEBAJ&amp;dq=lon+safko\">7072949</a> and US Pat. <a href=\"http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=96nHAAAAEBAJ&amp;dq=lon+safko\">7546356</a>)&nbsp; and has a third pending. As an inventor in the early days of personal computing and software development, the patent laws were different. If Lon\'s copyrights from the \'80\'s and \'90\'s were patents like we do it today, he would have an additional&nbsp; 125 software and 35 hardware patents.</p> <p>Lon been recognized for his creativity with such prestigious awards as; The Westinghouse Entrepreneur of the Year, Arizona Innovation Network\'s Innovator of the Year, The Arizona Software Association\'s Entrepreneur of the Year, twice nominated for the Ernst &amp; Young / Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year, The Public Relations Society of America\'s, Edward Bernays, Mark of Excellence Award, and nominated as a Fellow of the nation\'s Computer History Museum. Lon has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, PC Novice, Inc. Magazine, and Popular Science Magazines just to name a few. Lon was recently selected by the Smithsonian institution to represent \"The American Inventor\" at their annual conference.</p> <p>I chatted with Lon this week and asked him a few questions.&nbsp; Here is what he had to say...</p> <blockquote> <p>\"When you see your world in a different perspective, you see new ways to do everything!\"&nbsp; ~ Lon Safko</p></blockquote> <p><strong>What is your favorite invention? </strong></p> <p>I like all of the obvious one’s like the car, electricity, the light bulb.&nbsp; No invention has affected my life more than the computer.&nbsp; From the very first Apple II&nbsp; until today.&nbsp; I learn from it, make a living from it, am entertained by it, manage my companies with it, communicate through it, and make a living from it.&nbsp; If you take away every major modern invention today, but leave me my computer...&nbsp; I can still do it all!</p> <p><br><strong>Why do you invent?</strong></p> <p>Because I see things.&nbsp; I make matches.&nbsp; I see a problem, then immediately see something that can be combined to solve that problem. It’s kind of&nbsp; like a Google search engine in my head, everything just matches together. I also look at things from behind, backwards, upside down.&nbsp; Like the paper models that have become so popular . (For one of Lon\'s favorite models&nbsp; <a href=\"http://synergyicons.stores.yahoo.net/fflagwheel.html :0)\">click here</a>. They are fun for kids and grown ups alike not to mention great for classroom projects.)<br></p> <p>&nbsp;<strong>What was it like the first time you saw one of your inventions in the Smithsonian?</strong></p> <p>Wow!&nbsp; It was humbling.&nbsp; Before I saw the items, they published a <a href=\"http://invention.smithsonian.org/downloads/prototype_winter06.pdf\">newsletter</a>, that featured: Darwin, Wyeth, Edison, and Safko.&nbsp;&nbsp; That was insane!&nbsp; When they actually asked me to represent the “American Inventor” at their annual conference, I couldn’t speak.&nbsp; I did speak, just not for a day after they asked.&nbsp; Having 18 inventions in the Smithsonian Institute and more than 30,000 personal documents, is like being an actor and winning 18 Academy Awards.&nbsp; The “Smith” is the ultimate valuator.&nbsp; I guess to make a short story long, I felt honored.</p> <p><br><strong>How does your passion for innovation and invention tie into your work and books on Social Media.</strong></p> <p><img align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/book3d.jpg\" width=\"243\" height=\"298\">Just as when the computer first came out, I immediately recognized it as disruptive technology.&nbsp; Then it was the Internet.&nbsp; Then Email.&nbsp; Then eCommerce.&nbsp; Then Social Media.&nbsp; We haven’t even scratched the surface on how we can combine all of these technologies to create amazing new applications.&nbsp; And, social media incorporates many of my passions; innovation, creativity, communications, computers, marketing, and sales.&nbsp; It’s just the next cutting edge innovation!<br></p> <p>( Lon\'s book on social media, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Bible-Strategies-Business/dp/0470411554/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1\">The Social Media Bible</a>, at 840 pages is by far the biggest book&nbsp; there is on the topic.&nbsp; It\'s choc full of the stories of the the evolution of the medium though interviews with the innovators and inventors how have pioneered the industry. Watch for <em>The Social Media Bible II</em> coming out this Fall from John Wiley and Sons.) </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>I hope you enjoyed meeting one of my \"inventor\" friends.&nbsp; There are more to come.</strong></p> <p><strong>Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned...</strong></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Joan Koerber-Walker</strong></p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bee7bbaf-dbb5-44fa-b54a-677ae368a049\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lon%20Safko\" rel=\"tag\">Lon Safko</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Inventors\" rel=\"tag\">Inventors</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovators\" rel=\"tag\">Innovators</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/National%20Inventors%20Month\" rel=\"tag\">National Inventors Month</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Social%20Media%20Bible\" rel=\"tag\">The Social Media Bible</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Smithsonian\" rel=\"tag\">Smithsonian</a></div>','Looking at things in a new way - Lon Safko','','inherit','open','open','','1532-revision','','','2010-08-16 01:24:58','2010-08-16 01:24:58','',1532,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1532-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2520,2,'2010-08-03 17:10:24','2010-08-03 17:10:24','<p><img title=\"\" alt=\"\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900426646.jpg\"></p> <p>August is <a href=\"http://inventors.about.com/od/eventsconventions/a/inventors_month.htm\">National Inventors Month</a>,&nbsp; a time when we celebrate invention and creativity. The tradition began in 1998 when&nbsp; the <a href=\"http://www.uiausa.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=79775&amp;orgId=uia\">United Inventors Association of the USA</a> (UIA-USA), the <a href=\"http://www.aas-world.org/\">Academy of Applied Science</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.inventorsdigest.com/\">Inventors\' Digest</a> magazine came together to honor our country\'s creators.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Finding the bright light</strong></p> <p>Lots of us see things that we would like to change or problems we would like to solve.&nbsp; Inventors have the ability to take that idea and bring it to life.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>I love hanging out with inventors</strong></p> <p>My love of invention and passion for innovation just may be genetic. Both of my grandfathers were inventors - Grandpa Bill focused his creativity on his trade as a brew master (here is a link I found to <a href=\"http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2076422.pdf\">one of his patents from 1937</a>) while Grandpa Leo was an engineer and focused on mechanical devices.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Early in my career I had the opportunity to spend six years in the Silicon Valley and work with some brilliant inventors as the re-invented the way we work with data, created portable computers - wow can you imagine -&nbsp; and dreamed up things that today we take for granted.</p> <p><strong>Vision Creates Energy</strong></p> <p>What I learned at Grandpa\'s knee and later in the emerging world of technology is that an inventor\'s vision creates energy.&nbsp; In the inventors I know, it is so charged that you can feel it.&nbsp; So in honor of National Inventor\'s Month I have asked some of them for permission to tell their stories.&nbsp; I hope you will follow along, it\'s bound to be enlightening.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:325259de-2a88-4cf0-9373-7dbe1cc44c81\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Inventors\" rel=\"tag\">Inventors</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Inventions\" rel=\"tag\">Inventions</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/National%20Inventors%20Week\" rel=\"tag\">National Inventors Week</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/innovation\" rel=\"tag\">innovation</a></div>','Looking for Inspiration and Innovation','','inherit','open','open','','1531-revision','','','2010-08-03 17:10:24','2010-08-03 17:10:24','',1531,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1531-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2521,2,'2010-07-25 17:46:15','2010-07-25 17:46:15','<p>According to the the New York Times, there is an <a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38400016/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/\">Epic Battle Looming Over the Expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts.</a>&nbsp; Here is an excerpt from the article:<img style=\"margin:5px;\" title=\"\" alt=\"architecture,buildings,capitol buildings,capitols,congresses,domed buildings,domes,government,landmarks,legislatures,lights,nighttimes,photographs,United States,USA,Washington,Washington D.C.\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900401099.jpg\" width=\"310\" height=\"310\"></p> <blockquote> <p>Democratic leaders, including Mr. Obama, say they are intent on letting the tax cuts for the wealthy expire as scheduled at the end of this year. But they have pledged to continue the lower tax rates for individuals earning less than $200,000 and families earning less than $250,000 — what Democrats call the middle class.  <p>Most Republicans want to extend the tax cuts for everyone, and some Democrats agree, saying it would be unwise to raise taxes on anyone while the economy remains weak. If no action is taken, taxes on income, dividends, capital gains and estates would all rise.  <p>The issue has generated little public attention this year as Congress grappled with health care, financial regulation, energy, a Supreme Court nomination and other divisive topics. But it will move to the top of the agenda when lawmakers return to Washington in September from their summer recess, just as the midterm campaign gets under way in earnest. In recent days, intense discussions have begun at the Capitol. <a title=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38400016/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/\" href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38400016/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/\">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38400016/ns/politics-the_new_york_times/</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>It\'s a matter of priorities</strong>  <p>As we look at our nation from an economic perspective we have two critical priorities, 1) reducing a ballooning&nbsp; Federal Deficit and 2) building an economy that is sustaining and creating more jobs.&nbsp; In reading the preceding sentence, it may seem that these are two separate and distinct issues, when in fact they should be considered together. The question becomes one of a short term fix or a long term gain.  <p><strong>Where will the dollars do the most good?</strong>  <p>Letting the tax cuts expire is a short term fix.&nbsp; There is no question that the middle class (as defined above) needs help.&nbsp; Lowering taxes for lower and middle income Americans may help reduce credit card debt or increase consumer spending a little per household. Yet raising taxes on \"the rich\" will reduce their consumer spending and investment capital.&nbsp; Thus we get a little more spending from one side while reducing spending AND investment more on the other as we shift the net tax increase to the Federal Government to apply to the budget and hopefully the deficit. (This Net Gain is calculated as an Upper Income Tax Increase LESS&nbsp; Middle and Lower Income tax reduction)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <p>The argument for renewing the tax cuts is simple, keep the money in the economy and in the hands of the people who can use it to invest in struggling markets, to support business growth, and most importantly to create and protect jobs.&nbsp;&nbsp; In today\'s economy, the capital to do this comes from the people.&nbsp; Many of \"the rich\" are small business owners who are investing in their business, others are family businesses that may be crippled by estate taxes should a business owner pass away.&nbsp; Still others are investors whose money goes into the capital markets to support the capital needs of larger businesses through the stock market or as angel investments.&nbsp; Renewing the tax cuts so they do not expire leaves the money in the hands of the people who directly or indirectly support job growth.For when people are working THEY pay taxes which again the Federal Government can apply to the deficit.  <p><strong>The greatest Net Gain</strong>  <p>Most decisions have pros and cons.&nbsp; This one is no different.&nbsp;&nbsp; The big question is where the American people and the country will get the greatest net gain.&nbsp; Congress has three choices:  <ul> <li>They can extend the tax cuts.  <li>They&nbsp; can let them permanently expire and then institute a new structure to help lower and middle income earners.  <li>They can issue a temporary extension and pass the buck on the decision to the next session.</li></ul> <p><strong>Why the time for the people to act is now</strong>  <p>On August 9th the Senate and the House begin the Summer Recess that extends until after Labor Day. Our elected representatives are headed home to meet with constituents and in many cases to hit the campaign trail either for themselves or others.&nbsp; If we have an opinion, NOW is the time to voice it.&nbsp; Contacting your Congressman is easy.&nbsp; You don\'t even have to go to a rally or make an appointment.&nbsp; Just <a href=\"http://www.contactingthecongress.org/\">reach out to them</a>. Every phone call or email does have an impact.&nbsp; Your Congressman may not personally read it but their staffers do and the feedback ends up in the briefings they get when it comes time to vote.&nbsp; So what ever side of the battle you rest on, don\'t miss your chance to be heard.&nbsp; After all, the beauty of our system of government is that it is supposed to be representative of the people.&nbsp; So help them do their their job and tell them what you think.  <p>&nbsp; <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...  <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b2102870-d77e-4202-bae1-b2a909501005\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Economy\" rel=\"tag\">Economy</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Jobs\" rel=\"tag\">Jobs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Congress\" rel=\"tag\">Congress</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Bush%20Tax%20Cuts\" rel=\"tag\">Bush Tax Cuts</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Small%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Small Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Making%20your%20voice%20heard%20in%20Congress\" rel=\"tag\">Making your voice heard in Congress</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/New%20York%20Times\" rel=\"tag\">New York Times</a></div>','Timing is everything and the time is now','','inherit','open','open','','1530-revision','','','2010-07-25 17:46:15','2010-07-25 17:46:15','',1530,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1530-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2522,2,'2012-08-19 21:06:37','2012-08-19 21:06:37','As the song says... \"When I was younger so much younger than today, I never needed anybody\'s help in any way...\"\r\n\r\nWell today, we all need help whether it is with a personal goal, a business challenge, or in making a difference on a much broader scale.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/-s-F7ZmmGbY\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s-F7ZmmGbY\">Help by the Beatles</a>\r\n\r\nI was in kindergarten in <a href=\"http://www.brainyhistory.com/years/1965.html\">1965</a> when the Beatles released Help!.  It did not mean much to me except as a song with a catchy beat to bop around the kitchen to.  Mom was the one who probably needed HELP! back then with 4 babies under the age of 6 and another on on the way.  Our country needed HELP! too.  Key topics of the day included a war we could not win, healthcare, racial inequality, new technologies, and a generation struggling to make a difference and leave a mark  a new way.  Well the song means a lot more to me now.  It\'s been a long time since kindergarten - but interestingly, in 2010, many of the same themes remain. The words and the names are different - but there is still a need for help.\r\n\r\n<strong>Help Requires Courage</strong>\r\n\r\nWhether you are asking for help or offering it, help requires courage.\r\n\r\nWe often won\'t ask for help when we need it.  Perhaps because people might think we are weak or don\'t know what we are doing.  Yet if the fear of asking for help holds us back - we rarely get it when we need it.\r\n\r\nOffering to help can be just as scary.  People don\'t always appreciate you when you offer to help.  I\'ve seen leaders and volunteers alike become targets  personally and professionally just because they stepped out, spoke up, or got involved in helping someone else.  Yet true leaders keep doing it.  They make the time, proactively offer assistance,  take the criticism, and keep moving forward.\r\n\r\n<strong>Helping Takes Commitment</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>I\'ve watched <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/05/turning-round-and-looking-up.html\">Lynn Tilton</a> take <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lynn-tilton/dark-days-ahead_b_642357.html\">her message</a> of how to turn the economy around and create more jobs out across traditional and social media while working 20 hour days, seven days a week to help save companies and jobs.  It must be working - Lynn and her team have saved 250,000 jobs on the last 9 years. (You can hear what Lynn has to say about this when she will be the featured guest on <em><a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/huckabee\">Huckabee</a></em>, at 8:00pm ET on the FOX News Channel tomorrow (Saturday, July 17th) with on FOX News Channel at 8:00pm and 11:00pm ET on Sunday, July 18<sup>th</sup> she\'ll be talking about job creation in the current economic crisis.)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://littlelifestories.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/being-a-little-bit-different-makes-a-differnce-francine-hardaway/\">Francine Hardaway</a> is committed to job creation too.  Working at the ground level with entrepreneurs in the Southwest and around the country, she has not stopped for 30 years.  Whether it is flying to Kansas City on her own dime to learn about programs she can bring back to help other entrepreneurs, launching a <a href=\"http://www.azec10.com/\">conference to bring entrepreneurs and thought leaders together</a>, or just spending time one on one, Francine is committed to making a difference with the entrepreneurs she touches.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/02/honoring-a-great-president.html\">Dr. Michelle Hanna</a>, founder of <a href=\"http://www.ribomed.com/\">RiboMed Biotechnologies</a>, has dedicated the last ten years of her life to developing new tests that will help us battle cancer.  Today she and her team are focusing on ways to make a major difference not just in the lives of the patients but  have also found a way to do so that could result in billions of dollars in healthcare savings and that affects ALL of us.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/the-recipe/amilya-talks-about-the-recipe-with-adam-shapiro-of-fox-news/\">Amilya Antonetti</a>, founder of Soapworks, today takes what she learned along the journey to help other entrepreneurs bring out products that provide better choices to today\'s consumer.  Along the way she learned that every leader needs the help of their team - to share it she wove it into a story and wrote a book.\r\n\r\nIn a quiet manner, one on one, <a href=\"http://www.phoenixmag.com/lifestyle/valley-news/200907/a-life-redeemed/\">Morris Callaman</a> shares his story and his expertise in helping entrepreneurs with great ideas move forward.  A successful investor and venture attorney, Morris finds projects that he believes will make a difference and help people - and in turn he helps them.\r\n\r\nBut you don\'t have to be running a $7 billion private equity fund, be a social media maven, a PhD, a serial entrepreneur, or a certified member of MENSA, to help others.  You just have to have something to offer and be willing to share.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong> <strong>Everyone can help</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>Take a look at <a href=\"http://dalvaro.tumblr.com/post/816641383/optimism-101\">this post</a> by Domenic Alvaro who graduated High School with my son <a href=\"http://littlelifestories.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/oh-the-places-hell-go/\">Nick</a> this year.<strong> </strong>He has a better handle on how our attitude makes a difference than many adults I know.  And he is sharing it with others so that what he has learned in his life can help them.\r\n\r\nEach of us will need help sometime.  And each of us has something to offer that will help someone else.  We just need the courage, the commitment, and the willingness to HELP!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\r\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\r\nP.S. to everyone who has helped me along the journey -Thank You!  I promise to keep passing it forward to help others too. ~ JKW\r\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a54b2874-d663-41fa-ad5e-118fd797d099\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/People%20Making%20a%20differnce\" rel=\"tag\">People Making a differnce</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/asking%20for%20help\" rel=\"tag\">asking for help</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/offering%20help\" rel=\"tag\">offering help</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lynn%20Tilton\" rel=\"tag\">Lynn Tilton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Francine%20Hardaway\" rel=\"tag\">Francine Hardaway</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Morris%20Callaman\" rel=\"tag\">Morris Callaman</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Patrairch%20Partners\" rel=\"tag\">Patrairch Partners</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Fox\" rel=\"tag\">Fox</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Huckabee\" rel=\"tag\">Huckabee</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dominic%20Alvaro\" rel=\"tag\">Dominic Alvaro</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Nick%20Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Nick Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/HELP\" rel=\"tag\">HELP</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Beatles%20Songs\" rel=\"tag\">Beatles Songs</a></div>','HELP! We ALL Need Some','','inherit','open','open','','1529-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:06:37','2012-08-19 21:06:37','',1529,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1529-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2523,2,'2010-07-11 04:20:08','2010-07-11 04:20:08','How committed are you to your success?  I like to think I am but I don\'t think I would go as far as my friend <a href=\"http://kevindaum.com/\">Kevin Daum</a> has.  He is on a quest for what he calls the \"Jewish Super Bowl Ring\"; a New York Times Best Seller with his latest book, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Roar-Heard-Sales-Marketing-Jungle/dp/0470598794\">Roar</a>!\n\nKevin shared his thoughts earlier this year with <a href=\"http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/author/index.php\">Mike Michalowicz</a>, <a href=\"http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com\">The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur</a> about personal commitment and what it takes to succeed in the Sales and Marketing Jungle.\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62ponMIHtU]<strong><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" src=\"http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID31097/images/Tattoolarge.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"right\" /></strong>\n<blockquote><strong>\"Go Big or Go Home\" - Kevin Daum</strong></blockquote>\nIn days like these,  we hear a lot about leaders who are looking for commitment, engagement, and the need for people who are willing to give all they have to the project, the plan, and the goals of the company.  Yet, how many of us as leaders are truly committed to \'go all in\" as they say in Vegas.\n<blockquote><strong>Commitment is not measured in words - JKW</strong></blockquote>\nThe true measure of commitment is not your words, it\'s your actions.  If you don\'t believe me - ask your team.  They know what their leaders are truly committed to because they pay attention to not just what we say but what we do.\n<blockquote><strong>Your team may listen to what you say... but they do what you demonstrate. - JKW</strong></blockquote>\nI\'ve met a lot of authors who say they want a New York Times Best Seller. OK, lets be honest, most of us would be doing the happy dance if this happened.  But would we sell our big house, and move to a nice (but small) apartment in Manhattan to be closer to the action.  Would we hound our publisher with idea after idea to get extra support, stand on a street corner in the cold passing out flyers to passer-byes,  meet  with group after group telling the same story over and over again, or chronicle each step of the way on a blog for all the world to see.  I\'ve watched Kevin do it.  (Ok, I admit it - after the tattoo I had to see what he would come up with next.  And I am not even his publisher, that honor went to John Wiley and Sons.)\n\nWatching Kevin pursue his dream, I believe him when he says he will be a New York Times Best Selling Author some day.  And because HE is so committed, it made me want to \'join his team\' by offering some encouragement here.\n<blockquote><strong>If you want your team engaged, keep your sense of humor. - JKW</strong></blockquote>\nAs leaders, we need to keep trying new things, finding ways to add more value, and deliver a quality product .  We need to recruit champions and inspire our team to carry the message further.\n\nIn Kevin\'s case he has come up with some very innovative ideas to promote <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Roar-Heard-Sales-Marketing-Jungle/dp/0470598794\">his book</a>.  I\'ve even used some of them, with his blessing, in promoting CorePurpose Publishing\'s latest release, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Fable-Leaders-Teams/dp/0974705691\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a> by Amilya Antonetti.  It must be working - after a while Amazon started to offer the books as a pairing together.\n\nIn watching Kevin what I have noticed, through it all, is he is loving every step of the journey.  He never loses his smile or his personal belief that he will get to the end of the road.  He has a quality product (I bought the book and read it) and he\'s kept his sense of humor.  For example - check out his \"book trailer\"...\n\n<strong> </strong> [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qord1Y_VU-8]\n\nSo whatever dream you and your team are pursuing, you might want to take a page from Kevin\'s book and live your commitment.  You just might end up doing your own happy dance!  (Hey Kevin - what IS the name of that song?)\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6364772c-6bb4-40aa-8748-95762274ce75\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kevin%20Daum\">Kevin Daum</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Roar\">Roar</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Sales\">Sales</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Marketing\">Marketing</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/John%20Wiley%20and%20Sons\">John Wiley and Sons</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership\">leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/growth\">growth</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\">business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\">business tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/commitment\">commitment</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Mike%20Micaholwicz\">Mike Micaholwicz</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Toilet%20Paper%20Entrepreneur\">Toilet Paper Entrepreneur</a></div>','Are you MARKED for success?','','inherit','open','open','','1528-revision','','','2010-07-11 04:20:08','2010-07-11 04:20:08','',1528,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1528-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2524,2,'2010-07-06 03:03:14','2010-07-06 03:03:14','<p><a href=\"http://seobyswaby.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/question-mark.jpg\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://seobyswaby.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/question-mark.jpg\" width=\"189\" height=\"283\"></a>Last week, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/07/why-we-do-what-we-do.html\">we explored the power of a simple word \"WHY\"</a> and the impact it can make on decision&nbsp; making, strategy and life in general.&nbsp; </p> <p>Continually asking the question WHY, until we can go no further, narrows the frame of reference so that you can get to and answer - or does it?</p> <p><strong>Some questions have no answers</strong></p> <p>Simple questions have answers. For instance: Is Washington D.C. the capital of the United States of America.?&nbsp;&nbsp; The answer is Yes, it is.&nbsp; The answer is one that most of us know and can be supported in many ways by looking on the Internet, at a map, or in an atlas. Questions that speak to past actions also may be answered definitively in many cases.&nbsp; For instance: Was <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy\">John F. Kennedy</a> the 35th President of the United States.&nbsp; The answer again, Yes, he was</p> <p>But when we seek answers to forward looking questions, the answer is almost always conditional. We make assumptions, project future events, and anticipate outcomes.&nbsp; But rarely do we have answers.&nbsp; We plan for the future based on a hypothesis.</p> <p><a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesis\">Merriam Webster</a> defines the word hypothesis as follows:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>1 a</strong> <strong>:</strong> an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument </p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>b</strong> <strong>:</strong> an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action<br><strong>2</strong> <strong>:</strong> a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences<br><strong>3</strong> <strong>:</strong> the antecedent clause of a conditional statement </p> <p><strong>synonyms</strong> <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/hypothesis\">hypothesis</a>, <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/theory\">theory</a>, <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/law\">law</a> mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature. <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/hypothesis\">hypothesis</a> implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation &lt;a <em>hypothesis</em> explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs&gt;. <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/theory\">theory</a> implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth &lt;the <em>theory</em> of evolution&gt;. <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/law\">law</a> implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions &lt;the <em>law</em> of gravitation&gt;.</p></blockquote> <p><strong>\"Based on our current thinking...\"</strong> </p> <p>A friend of mine, <a href=\"http://www.callaman.us/principal.html\">Morris Callaman</a>,&nbsp; is a venture law attorney, a founder\'s counsel, and a very successful angel investor. When we work together on projects, he is the usually the first to temper my enthusiasm and certainly with a very important phrase:&nbsp; \"Based on our current thinking...\"&nbsp; And he is&nbsp; always correct.&nbsp; While I might do a great job of structuring assumptions, modeling cash flows, forecasting consumer behavior, and laying out a strategy for the team, future events are just that, future events.&nbsp; Variations in the world around us, new opportunities, and unexpected hurdles all can impact the eventual results.&nbsp; The business plan is not an answer.&nbsp; It is a hypothesis that is tested by the team over time.&nbsp; Only at the end of our business experiment, when we measure the outcome, will we have the actual answer.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Don\'t confuse confidence with certainty</strong></p> <p>As leaders, we must inspire confidence in those we work with.&nbsp; Their lives, livelihoods, and aspirations are directly affected by the direction we set along the journey.&nbsp; If we can not display the confidence necessary to engender our team\'s trust, they are unlikely to go the distance with us.&nbsp; But long term success depends our our ability to not confuse our own confidence with a sense of certainty.&nbsp; When we are CERTAIN we have an absolute answer to a complex question, we do ourselves and our teams a disservice.&nbsp; Leading, innovating, and growing all hinge on change.&nbsp; We can postulate, model, and plan for outcomes, but we must always take into account that outcomes will be the result of actual events and our actions, not what we modeled months before.&nbsp; Our job as leaders is to continually test our hypotheses, adjust for variables, and inspire trust in our teams so that they can deliver the best possible outcomes.&nbsp; For only later will we know if we actually had the right answer.</p> <p><strong>So next time you are&nbsp; faced with&nbsp; a question...</strong></p> <p>ask yourself, is this an answer or a hypothesis?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It might change the way you look at where you are and where you and your team are heading and the steps you will take along the way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8bca1b7f-5402-4118-9eda-97047cde8bd2\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\" rel=\"tag\">Leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation%20Quotes\" rel=\"tag\">Innovation Quotes</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Questions%20and%20answers\" rel=\"tag\">Questions and answers</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Confidence\" rel=\"tag\">Confidence</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Certainty\" rel=\"tag\">Certainty</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/hypothesis\" rel=\"tag\">hypothesis</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\" rel=\"tag\">business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\" rel=\"tag\">business tips</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Morris%20Callaman\" rel=\"tag\">Morris Callaman</a></div>','Answer or Hypothesis?','','inherit','open','open','','1527-revision','','','2010-07-06 03:03:14','2010-07-06 03:03:14','',1527,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1527-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2525,2,'2010-07-02 03:50:44','2010-07-02 03:50:44','<p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.kinesismarketing.co.uk/images/why-us.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"149\"></p> <p> When we meet new people, in business settings and in casual ones, sooner or later the question comes up...What do you do?&nbsp;&nbsp; Rarely does someone ask you WHY do you do what you do.&nbsp; I wonder why?&nbsp; After all, wouldn\'t that answer be a lot more interesting?</p> <p>Someone must think so.&nbsp; There are lots of different words we apply to the WHY behind what we do.&nbsp; Think about it:&nbsp; motive, purpose, goal, strategy, aim, basis, drive,&nbsp; impulse, incentive, incitement, inducement, influence, inspiration, intent, intention,&nbsp; motivation, objective, passion, rationale, root,&nbsp; spur, stimulus, thinking, and more all tie back to our why.&nbsp; </p> <p>WHY is one of my favorite words.&nbsp; I\'m sure I drove my parents crazy with my incessant \"whying\" when I was young just as it probably has frustrated my supervisors, co-workers, and employees as I moved through my career, not to mention the poor folks who\'ve had to live with me.&nbsp; But for me at least, I can\'t get to the What and the How until I understand the WHY.&nbsp; In fact, it is the WHY that ultimately shapes the What and How of getting the job done.&nbsp; </p> <p>In its purest sense, the WHY is at the root of our business and our being.&nbsp; The answer to our WHY in business and in life is our core purpose.&nbsp; The ultimate answer to WHY.&nbsp; Years ago, when I started my company, I was struggling with what to call it. Ultimately, CorePurpose, Inc. was born to help businesses grow by focusing on their WHY.</p> <p>You see, once you know WHY you are doing something, it\'s much easier to set goals, make plans,and follow through on them.&nbsp; And when you can explain your WHY to others, you just might find that they believe in your core purpose also and will join you on the journey.&nbsp; </p> <p>So take some time to think about WHY.&nbsp; Once you have the answer, the What, How, Who, and When come naturally.&nbsp; </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>P.S. Please join me on July 7, 2010 at 9:30 AM Central Time when I will be sharing ideas on Blog Talk Radio with host Zane Safrit around putting the WHY to work in your business and how to focus yourself and your team on building, connecting, growing around YOUR core purpose.&nbsp; For more information, <a href=\"http://www.blogtalkradio.com/zane-safrit/2010/07/07/joan-koerber-walker-founder-of-corepurpose\">click here</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f1bc4b23-6261-4c5e-b80e-618979c6b36e\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Zane%20Safrit\" rel=\"tag\">Zane Safrit</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Blog%20Talk%20Radio\" rel=\"tag\">Blog Talk Radio</a></div>','Why we do what we do','','inherit','open','open','','1526-revision','','','2010-07-02 03:50:44','2010-07-02 03:50:44','',1526,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1526-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2526,2,'2010-06-27 05:25:01','2010-06-27 05:25:01','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/scan00551.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"scan0055\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/scan0055_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"164\"></a>We\'ve all heard it said so many different ways.&nbsp; That infamous and rarely welcome message - </p> <blockquote> <p>\"Don\'t Call Me - I\'ll Call You.\" </p></blockquote> <p>Whether it\'s said in the spirit of efficiency - </p> <blockquote> <p>\"I don\'t have an answer yet - when I do, I\'ll call you.\"&nbsp; </p></blockquote> <p>or as the ultimate brush off.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>\"Yeah, Yeah - I\'ll get back to you on that.\"</p></blockquote> <p>knowing when to wait and when to follow up can be a delicate dance of one step forward and two steps back.</p> <p>Whether you are an entrepreneur working on getting that next round of funding, an employee moving a decision up the corporate decision ladder, or a sales person trying to close that BIG order, it is important to be able to get over the \"Don\'t Call Me\" hurdle.&nbsp; Here are some tactics that have worked for me.&nbsp; They just might work for you too.</p> <p><strong>Ask a clear question that can be answered.</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p>Be sure to clearly state the question and make sure the other person knows what you are asking.&nbsp; Nothing is more frustrating that waiting for an answer and when it comes,&nbsp; YOUR question is still unanswered.&nbsp; When this happens you end&nbsp; up&nbsp; starting the process all over again.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Ask a champion to help you get an answer.</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Just like the photo above, find someone who can help you place that call.&nbsp; Your champion may have the inside information or access to get through when you do not.</p> <p><strong>Help the other party understand why making a decision is good for THEM.</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p>While we often focus on what we need, that will not necessarily be a high priority for the other person.&nbsp; If you can demonstrate why coming to a decision is good for the person on the&nbsp; other side, you might quickly find that you are both on the SAME side.</p> <p><strong>Wishing won\'t make it so.</strong></p> <p>Years ago, I was waiting for a VERY important answer on a very big deal.&nbsp; If we did not have an answer that day, the deal would not go through and weeks of my team\'s work would have been for naught.&nbsp; I got so frustrated that I finally just sat in my office staring at the phone and willing it to ring.&nbsp; My assistant was not used to seeing me sit still that long and came in to see what was up.&nbsp; When she realized what I was doing, she started to laugh.</p> <blockquote> <p>\"That\'s no way to get an answer.&nbsp; You have to do something to move things forward.&nbsp; Wishing won\'t make it so.\"</p></blockquote> <p>The glare I gave her would have made strong men tremble as I muttered under my breath and turned back to stare at the phone even harder.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>&nbsp; \"Maybe I can help\" she said.</p></blockquote> <p>With that she went back to her desk and called an assistant at the other company.&nbsp; Explaining that her boss was driving her crazy, she asked the other assistant to help.&nbsp; Within 15 minutes,&nbsp; I got my answer.&nbsp; My company got&nbsp; the deal AND my assistant got a raise.&nbsp; And, she did not even have to ask!</p> <p>So whatever you need to do to get YOUR answer, do it.&nbsp; You never know, it just might be the one you\'ve been waiting for.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6f10e3f2-eeaf-4c8d-877b-33fa8ae6bd0c\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Getting%20Answers\" rel=\"tag\">Getting Answers</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Making%20Decisons\" rel=\"tag\">Making Decisons</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Negotiations.%20Sales\" rel=\"tag\">Negotiations. Sales</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\" rel=\"tag\">Business Tips</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a></div>','Don\'t Call Me. I\'ll call you','','inherit','open','open','','1525-revision','','','2010-06-27 05:25:01','2010-06-27 05:25:01','',1525,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1525-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2527,2,'2010-06-19 20:56:52','2010-06-19 20:56:52','<p><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"1981 Porsche 928 (3)\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1981-porsche-928-3_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"164\">Are you looking to move your business into high gear and get things moving this summer? Business in the fast lane sounds great.&nbsp; Think of how we describe it - </p> <blockquote> <p>Taking the Lead</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Going all Out</p> <p>Racing Through the Checkered Flag</p></blockquote> <p>But running at high speed can be tricky.&nbsp; </p> <p>Here are some helpful hints I\'ve learned along my journey. Maybe they\'ll come in handy for you too.&nbsp; </p> <h4>Map your course</h4> <p>Whether you are running a race or growing a business, you need to know where you are going.&nbsp; Champion drivers on the course or in the board room will tell you that the secret to winning the race is a solid plan.&nbsp; You need to map out the course, know where the detours are, and how you will accelerate through the curves that are sure to lie ahead. Then you need to stay the course and keep your eyes open for the unexpected.&nbsp; </p> <h4>Check your gas tank</h4> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1980-chevroley-corvette-1.jpg\"><strong><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"1980 Chevroley Corvette (1)\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1980-chevroley-corvette-1_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"164\"></strong></a>Before you rev your engines, check your gas tank!&nbsp; There is nothing worse than pulling to the head of the business pack&nbsp; and then sputtering to a stop because you ran out of gas! Fuel for your business comes in many different forms.&nbsp; It can be the right resources, a strong marketing plan, or the capital you need to make it to the finish line.&nbsp; Many a race has been lost because the driver simply ran out of gas!</p> <h4>Assemble a great pit crew</h4> <p>Winning drivers have winning teams.&nbsp; No one wins the race alone.&nbsp; The driver may be the person everyone sees out in front, but it is the pit crew that makes sure that he or she can stay there.&nbsp; The same is true for winning businesses.&nbsp; Your business pit crew is essential.&nbsp; They are the people that ensure that your business can deliver on its promises, stay on course, speed up when it needs to, and go the distance. </p> <h4>Be sure your vehicle fits.</h4> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1997-chevrolet-tahoe.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"1997 Chevrolet Tahoe\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1997-chevrolet-tahoe_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"164\"></a><strong><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1980-chevroley-corvette-1.jpg\"></a></strong></p> <p>When we look at a race track, the cars look very alike. They are small and sleek and nimble.&nbsp; When it comes to the business race, you have a wide choice of vehicles to get you to where you want to go.&nbsp; The trick is to know the right size, features and benefits will be the best fit for you and&nbsp; your goals.&nbsp; Running fast and sleek in stealth mode may be what your business needs, but when you are packing for a long haul, you might want to look around for a workhorse that can carry the load.&nbsp; It might be yours, or it might belong to a strategic partner - but either way you need the right style and fit to achieve your goals and get the job done.</p> <h4>But most of all...</h4> <p><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"DSC00261\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/dsc00261_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\">what ever vehicle you choose to get you where you are going ...</p> <p>Buckle up and enjoy the ride!</p> <p>After all what is the point of starting the race if you don\'t enjoy the process of winning it.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:eaf43a80-2f19-4d5e-9466-9aea41645825\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Fast%20Lane\" rel=\"tag\">Fast Lane</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrpreneurship\" rel=\"tag\">Entrpreneurship</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\" rel=\"tag\">Business Tips</a></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/1997-chevrolet-tahoe.jpg\"></a></p>','Business in the Fast Lane','','inherit','open','open','','1524-revision','','','2010-06-19 20:56:52','2010-06-19 20:56:52','',1524,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1524-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2528,2,'2010-06-14 04:26:36','2010-06-14 04:26:36','<p><a href=\"http://www.upei.ca/research/files/research/blog/photo/standard/758/bigorsmall2.jpg\"><img alt=\"Size Matters I tell you!\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.upei.ca/research/files/research/blog/photo/standard/758/bigorsmall2.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"306\"></a></p> <p>It\'s the age old question - Does size matter?&nbsp; Well my guess is that just like almost any of the key questions in life... it depends.&nbsp; </p> <p>Let\'s look at some business examples and you can decide:</p> <p><strong>Size and economic development</strong></p> <p>When it comes to economic development, it appears that size does matter in the minds of economic developers.&nbsp; Most economic development agencies&nbsp; spend the bulk of their time and energy in the recruitment of BIG companies.&nbsp; It looks really good when you go to justify your existence to the&nbsp; legislature and you can show that you brought in 1,000 jobs to your state by recruiting someone like Google to your town.&nbsp; They might just approve your budget for next year.&nbsp;&nbsp; Yet comparatively little attention is given to saving or helping to start up one small business.&nbsp; It\'s funny really - since as a group, small businesses - in every state -&nbsp; are the single largest employer group.&nbsp; Even bigger than the Feds or the state itself.&nbsp; Take a look at the composition charts at <a href=\"http://youreconomy.org/pages/states/us.ye?region=comp\">YourEconomy.org</a> to see what I mean. </p> <p><strong>Size and Innovation</strong></p> <p>How about Innovation?&nbsp; So often we hear that the greatest innovations come from small companies since the big ones are too mired down in red tape and inertia to create the new and novel.&nbsp; Maybe not.&nbsp; This is the list of&nbsp; the top companies by patent awards.&nbsp; Click on the links for each of the companies listed below to browse their innovations.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-International_Business_Machines.html\">IBM</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Samsung.html\">Samsung</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Canon.html\">Canon</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Microsoft.html\">Microsoft</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Intel.html\">Intel</a> , <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Matsushita.html\">Matsushita</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Toshiba.html\">Toshiba</a> ,<a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Fujitsu.html\">Fujitsu</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Hewlett_Packard.html\">Hewlett-Packard</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Hitachi.html\">Hitachi</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Micron.html\">Micron</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Seiko_Epson.html\">Seiko Epson</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-General_Electric.html\">General Electric</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Fujifilm.html\">Fujifilm</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Infineon_Technologies.html\">Infineon Technologies</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-LG_Electronics.html\">LG</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Texas_Instruments.html\">Texas Instruments</a>, <a href=\"http://ip.com/ps/pq-Honda.html\">Honda</a> (Source:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.securinginnovation.com/2010/04/articles/patents/top-patenting-companies-in-the-usa/\">IP.com</a>) </p> <p>But patents are only one measure of innovation and perhaps one that is understated.&nbsp; There are many inventions that never make it through the patent process. It is just too time consuming and expensive for many small companies, not to mention that actually enforcing a patent claim can cost thousands if not millions of dollars.&nbsp; As one small business person told me last week: \"Big Company X is violating our patent.&nbsp; We called to inform them of it and requested further discussion as to either stopping or paying us a royalty - there response was - Sue me.&nbsp; We could never afford to do that and they knew it.\"&nbsp; </p> <p>Innovations are inventions that actually make a difference in the marketplace. Again, size has it\'s advantages since bringing a product to market takes LOTS of capital (money) to cast a wide net.&nbsp; Yes there are firms that started small and then grew rapidly through innovation and acceptance.&nbsp; But they are the ones that beat odds that would put a Las Vegas casino consistently in the money.&nbsp; </p> <p>How about innovation compared to country size?&nbsp; Big countries with lots of universities and leading economies have the advantage.&nbsp; Right?&nbsp; Maybe, Maybe not.&nbsp; If we measure innovation by the number of patents per capita, there are some very interesting results,&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_pat_gra_percap-economy-patents-granted-per-capita\">just take a look</a>. Some of the smallest countries and with equally small economies, top the list.&nbsp; The economic big guns, the Japan, the UK,&nbsp; United States, Canada, China, rank as #19, #38, #40, #41, and #60 respectively.&nbsp; </p> <p>So when it comes to innovation, BIG has the advantage of resources but perhaps small has the advantage of greater personal motivation and reward for the innovator.</p> <p><strong>Size and Business Agility</strong></p> <p>Here small has the advantage according to most business books.&nbsp; Small companies are nimble, and can adjust their plans much more quickly than their behemoth brethren.&nbsp; So on the surface it\'s advantage to the Smalls.&nbsp; Yet, we often forget that it takes more than cutting through bureaucracy to create agility - it takes the resources to bank roll changes in direction.&nbsp; Here the advantage is almost always to the bigger firms whose access to capital on a short term basis provides many more avenues to resources.&nbsp; The smaller company may be able to make a decision faster - but the bigger one can get it funded and in action faster.&nbsp; So in this case - again, it depends.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>So with all that said - Does size matter - it almost <u>always</u> depends.&nbsp; But one way or another each type of organization has its advantages and disadvantages.&nbsp; So perhaps the answer comes down to what Mark Twain once said about what really matters.</p> <p><strong>“It\'s not the size of the dog in the fight, it\'s the size of the fight in the dog.”</strong></p> <p>Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:983b63a7-035d-4fe0-9c39-e0734feb0dff\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpsoe\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpsoe</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Small%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Small Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Big%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Big Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation%20Quotes\" rel=\"tag\">Innovation Quotes</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Economic%20development\" rel=\"tag\">Economic development</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Does%20size%20matter\" rel=\"tag\">Does size matter</a></div>','Size matters - Or Does it?','','inherit','open','open','','655-revision','','','2010-06-14 04:26:36','2010-06-14 04:26:36','',655,'http://www.corepurpose.com/655-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2529,2,'2010-06-12 15:12:01','2010-06-12 15:12:01','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/the-top.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Their are multiple ways to get there, but only one top. (Photo Sourse: www.traditionalmountaineering.org) \" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/the-top_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\"></a> </p> <p>I was talking to a marketing friend the other day about one of my business projects.&nbsp; It\'s a&nbsp; book we had published with author Amilya Antonetti titled <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Fable-Leaders-Teams/dp/0974705691\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a>.&nbsp; </p> <p>We need leaders and teams now more that ever and <em>The Recipe</em> is a little book with a BIG message.&nbsp;&nbsp; It brings together the ingredients, the tools, and the easy to follow instructions for success all wrapped up in a great story that is fun to read.&nbsp; But for it to make an impact, lots of people need to read it.</p> <p>With that in mind, we created a set of goals:</p> <ol> <li>Get the book to hit #1 on Amazon.&nbsp; (Don\'t laugh - yes I know that Amazon fame is fleeting but it\'s an important proof point.)  <li>Get the book placed on the shelves of Major Retailers and Independent Book Stores  <li>Get the book placed into mass retail channels - Not everyone buys books at bookstores.  <li>National Media Tour and Speaking events to move the books off the shelves of the book stores and other outlets and into the hands of readers  <li>Partnerships with other best selling authors and thought leaders to help move things along </li></ol> <p>If we hit these goals, we\'ll achieve one of our key objectives&nbsp; -&nbsp; to get the book to The Top of the major books lists -&nbsp; the ones that really count. You know, like the the New York Times.</p> <p>&nbsp;<strong>Circling Back</strong> </p> <p>That brings us back to the conversation at the beginning of this post.&nbsp; When she asked HOW I plan to get the book moving faster up Amazon - and I said Twitter - she started to laugh and said ...</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>\"You CAN\'T Tweet Your Way to the Top!\"</strong></p></blockquote> <p>Now I am not totally unrealistic.&nbsp; I understand that social media is an integrated platform where blogs, tweets, Facebook, LinkedIn, websites, and other tools all work together.&nbsp; The big question is this:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>If you truly are connected into these networks and you put out a call to your friends and team - is anyone really listening and more importantly&nbsp; - will they act?</strong></p></blockquote> <p>Well, I am reasonably well connected so I thought - why not try.&nbsp; After all, I have been sharing my thoughts on my blogs, articles, and in person.&nbsp; Maybe it\'s time to to put it to the test.&nbsp; Here is a little bit of what I have been talking about: </p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b7779af9-af49-44ea-af61-496e1a23f575\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpXup9coPcE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;border=1]</div></div> <p></p> <p><em>This video was recorded live in January, 2010.&nbsp; Since then the numbers have continued to grow.&nbsp; As of June, 2010 the count was over 100,000 friends on Twitter alone across five different profiles.&nbsp; Combine that with Amilya\'s following and other friends, that\'s a pretty good reach.</em></p> <p><strong>So here is what I am&nbsp; going to do:</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/recipe-cvr.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Recipe cvr\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/recipe-cvr_thumb.jpg\" width=\"174\" height=\"244\"></a>This <strong>Saturday, June 12th</strong> and <strong>Sunday, June 13th</strong> I am going to ask my social media friends for help in getting the book to The Top on Amazon.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>Here are the tweets I am going to send.&nbsp; I am keeping them simple since that is what another friend I GREATLY RESPECT told me to do.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>I\'m trying to get #TheRecipe by @Amilya to the Top of Amazon TODAY.&nbsp; Can you help?&nbsp; <a href=\"http://amzn.to/cXvaLK\">http://amzn.to/cXvaLK</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Can you help? I\'m trying to get #TheRecipe by @Amilya to the Top of Amazon TODAY.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href=\"http://amzn.to/cXvaLK\">http://amzn.to/cXvaLK</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>#The Recipe is a great book for you AND your Team&nbsp; <a href=\"http://amzn.to/cXvaLK\">http://amzn.to/cXvaLK</a> - We\'re trying to get it to the Top of Amazon Today.&nbsp; Pls Help.</p> <p>It\'s a little book with a BIG message.&nbsp; Please help us get #The Recipe&nbsp; <a href=\"http://amzn.to/cXvaLK\">http://amzn.to/cXvaLK</a> to the Top of Amazon Today. </p> <p>#Leadership and #Teams matter.&nbsp; Please help me get #The Recipe&nbsp; <a href=\"http://amzn.to/cXvaLK\">http://amzn.to/cXvaLK</a> to the Top of Amazon Today.&nbsp; </p></blockquote> <p><strong>We\'ll see what happens.</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p>If you see my tweets or Facebook notes on Saturday and Sunday, perhaps you\'ll do me a favor and RT. </p> <p>Better yet, you might buy copies for yourself and for your team mates.&nbsp; It really is a wonderful book.&nbsp; Don\'t just take MY word&nbsp; for it.&nbsp; Check out the reviews at the bottom of <a href=\"http://amzn.to/cXvaLK\">the Amazon Page</a>.&nbsp; :-)</p> <p>We are starting out at <b>Amazon Bestsellers Rank:</b> #125,404 in Books (<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/ref=pd_dp_ts_b_1\">See Top 100 in Books</a>) Let\'s see how far it can go. If Amazon says they\'ve run out of stock - wouldn\'t that be nice - don\'t let that stop you.&nbsp; More are on the way.&nbsp; :-)</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by and for any help you can give.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1a4de9fa-5830-4995-a647-9d3f4c42a7ad\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20A%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe A fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\" rel=\"tag\">business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20books\" rel=\"tag\">business books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership\" rel=\"tag\">leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership%20books\" rel=\"tag\">leadership books</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/twitter\" rel=\"tag\">twitter</a></div></blockquote>','You Can\'t Tweet Your Way to the Top','','inherit','open','open','','1523-revision','','','2010-06-12 15:12:01','2010-06-12 15:12:01','',1523,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1523-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2530,2,'2010-06-09 23:43:35','2010-06-09 23:43:35','<p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" title=\"\" alt=\"Source - MS Clip Art - Fotolia\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MH900442363.jpg\" width=\"290\" height=\"290\"></p> <p>&nbsp; It was bound to happen.&nbsp; If you stand up in front of people enough times talking about topics like innovation, leadership, and success, sooner or later someone in the audience is going to drop the&nbsp;&nbsp; F-Word.&nbsp; </p> <p>NO! Not that one!&nbsp; The other four letter F-Word.&nbsp; \"FAIL\"</p> <p>Interestingly I had been speaking professionally for almost 10 years before I got the question.&nbsp; A young woman in the audience raised her hand, and called out her question...</p> <blockquote> <p>\"It\'s great to hear stories about how to succeed...but have you ever FAILED?\"</p></blockquote> <p>And the answer was a resounding - Oh, Yeah! </p> <p>&nbsp; </p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4ee63392-8ace-4684-b063-f83ae8cdc9e8\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0JrsV_O9jc]</div></div> <p></p> <p>But the real questions are:&nbsp; How can we learn from this?&nbsp; How do we fix it? Where do we go from here? And occasionally - Is it time to call it and move on?&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>Unless you perpetually play it safe, you will eventually come to that day in a job, a project, or other personal or professional&nbsp; relationship where the F-word comes into play.&nbsp; I remember an occasion when I was in the running for a job that I really wanted.&nbsp;&nbsp; When I found out that I did not get it, I asked the interviewer, someone I knew pretty well, if I could get some feed back and pointers on what I could have done better in the interview.&nbsp; His reply was a real eye opener:</p> <blockquote> <p>\"You did not do anything wrong.&nbsp; You just lacked some key experience.\"</p></blockquote> <p>I was puzzled.&nbsp; I had studied that job description. My background and experience met every single point of the position criteria.&nbsp;&nbsp; When I asked what I was missing - his answer floored me.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>\"In the interview, we asked you to tell us about a situation where you failed.&nbsp; You could not think of one and to my knowledge you never really have had to deal with a significant failure.&nbsp; That\'s a skill you have yet to develop.\" </p></blockquote> <p>He was right, I hadn\'t.&nbsp; At the age of 28, I had lived a charmed life, personally and professionally, and had not been a position where I was responsible for managing through a true failure. Sure there were times when things did not work out as planned and I had to adjust or be flexible - but that F-Word was not in my vocabulary.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was not until later, when I had higher levels of responsibility and was more involved in managing risk that I got that experience.&nbsp; Every leader does.&nbsp; It comes with the territory.&nbsp; You and your team don\'t succeed EVERY time.&nbsp; Occasionally you fail.&nbsp; And a key responsibility for any leader is to know how to ask the questions, define the strategy, and execute on the plan that takes the team over or around the hurdle created by a \"failure\".</p> <p>To this day, my resume still does not have bullet points under my qualifications that lists out my \'failures\' significant or otherwise. But at this point in my life - I certainly know how to answer the question when it is raised.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5879b4c6-f4c9-419f-a1bf-74b27352b306\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\" rel=\"tag\">Business Tips</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success\" rel=\"tag\">Success</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Failure\" rel=\"tag\">Failure</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Interviewing\" rel=\"tag\">Interviewing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Speaker\" rel=\"tag\">Speaker</a></div> <p>&nbsp;</p>   \n ','Have you ever failed?','','inherit','open','open','','1522-revision','','','2010-06-09 23:43:35','2010-06-09 23:43:35','',1522,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1522-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2531,2,'2010-06-03 07:20:43','2010-06-03 07:20:43','The older I get the more I recognize that success takes a team. Over the last few weeks I have seen how teamwork and leadership go hand in hand in multiple ways.\n\nAs a hockey mom, I have seen my share of team work, solid passes, and game winning goals.  I\'ve also seen teams falter when one superstar tries to do it all alone.  The reality is, that in the end, strong TEAMS win.\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/team-photo-3.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 0 5px 5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/team-photo-3_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The 2008 Phoenix Polar Bears - USA Hockey Junior A Bronze Medialists\" width=\"440\" height=\"295\" /></a>\n<blockquote><em>\"The only way we win is as a team.\"</em> ~  Harry Mahood, Coach of the <a href=\"http://www.phoenixpolarbears.com\">Phoenix Polar Bears</a> - the only Junior team in USA Hockey history to play in the National Championship Tournament NINE years straight. (Quite a feat for an Ice Hockey team from the desert!)</blockquote>\nIn May, CorePurpose published a great new book by <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/the-recipe/amilya-talks-about-the-recipe-with-adam-shapiro-of-fox-news/\">Amilya Antonetti</a> titled <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Fable-Leaders-Teams/dp/0974705691\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a>.  It is not our usual type of book or even our normal market - but the message was so important and timely in the current economic environment that I made the decision as publisher to give it a try - and I called my team together for help.  Everyone pitched in to bring the book to market faster than any other title we had ever published.  Graphics designers, editors, printers, our marketing team, our distributor (BookMasters), and our author worked around the clock to put together a little book with a BIG message.  And the end result was something we could all be very proud of.  Over 100 friends came out as we honored three great leaders: <a href=\"http://monicamemo.typepad.com/weblog/biography.html\">Monica Crowley</a> (Journalism), <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/in/thedatadoc\">Ken Colburn</a> (Entrepreneurship), <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/05/turning-round-and-looking-up.html\">Lynn Tilton</a> (Business) at a private media event sponsored by <a href=\"http://www.innovatorswarehouse.com\">Innovators Warehouse</a>, <a href=\"http://www.shwaag.com/home\">Shwaag</a>,  and <a href=\"http://www.barringtonprinting.com\">Barrington Printing</a>. When <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=8002&amp;id=107164955986279&amp;l=02f9960446\">we officially launched the following day at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Triangle</a> in the heart of Manhattan, it was to a full house and we sold out every copy they had on hand!  (It did not hurt that we had an awesome team of leaders on our panel; at Barnes and Noble including <a href=\"http://www.kevindaum.com\">Kevin Daum</a>, <a href=\"http://www.gloriafeldt.com\">Gloria Feldt</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.tpentrepreneur.com\">Mike Micholwicz</a>!)\n\nWonderful friends from across the country pitched in and continue to help  spread the word.  Kevin Daum, author of the hot new book <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470598794\">ROAR</a> made introductions to reviewers and friends in Manhattan, <a href=\"http://www.google.com/profiles/kathypartak\">Kathy Partak</a> flew out from California to help coordinate the media and save my sanity by coordinating a million details,  <a href=\"http://www.kevindesoto.com/\">Kevin Desoto</a> began leading our social  media strategy and even made the trek from Warwick, RI  to NYC to cover the launch events live.  (To see how teamwork can lead to freedom - watch Kevin\'s Video about Lisa Ling and Euna Lee on <a href=\"http://www.kevindesoto.com/\">his website</a> - Amazing!) <a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/chalk-bd-champions.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/chalk-bd-champions_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Reprinted from The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams, used with permission\" width=\"284\" height=\"377\" align=\"right\" /></a>\n<blockquote><em>Would you rather have a team of champions OR a championship team?</em> ~Amilya Antonetti</blockquote>\nThe great thing about teamwork is that it is an ongoing process.  Another team that pitched in to help were our friends Eric Keosky-Smith and Michael Edwards founders of <a href=\"http://www.shwaag.com\">Shwaag</a>.   To help bring attention to the NYC launch, they gave away an iPad with The Recipe on it in May and <a href=\"http://www.shwaag.com/products/16gb-ipad-w-the-recipe-by-amilya-antonetti\">they are doing it again</a> this week as we launch the West Coast media tour.  (To get your chance to get \"shwaag\'d\" go to <a href=\"http://www.Shwaag.com\">www.Shwaag.com</a> and use invite code AMA2525.)\n<blockquote><em>I wanted to give back and I asked 24 of my good friends to help me.</em> ~ John Assaraf</blockquote>\nAmilya\'s friend <a href=\"http://www.johnassaraf.com/about-me/\">John Assaraf</a> one of the featured experts in the  blockbuster movie and book <a href=\"http://www.johnassaraf.com/the-secret/\">The Secret</a> and the New York Times best selling author of  <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Answer-Achieving-Financial-Freedom-Extraordinary/dp/1847372147/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1275541472&amp;sr=1-5\">The Answer</a> and <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Having-All-Achieving-Lifes-Dreams/dp/B001FOR5K8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1275541210&amp;sr=1-3\">Having It All</a> was one of our first reviewers for The Recipe.  (A quote from his review is on the book\'s cover.) John\'s newest project is taking team work to a whole new level.  Together with 23 of his personal friends, he put together as free teleseminar series where each expert will share their secrets of success - twice a week for 12 weeks -  beginning June 15th. John named the program <a href=\"http://www.SuccessManifestors.com/Antonetti/invite\">Success Manifestors</a> since that is what each of these experts have demonstrated and will share.   It\'s just one more example of what happens when you ask champions to come together as a team.  Everyone wins! (To take advantage of this opportunity, you need to register. For more information, <a href=\"http://www.SuccessManifestors.com/Antonetti/invite\">click here</a>.)\n\n<strong>Like I shared in the beginning - success takes a team.</strong>\n\nThe great thing is... teammates are all around you.  You just need to ask for help occasionally, look for strong players, and as my kids will tell you - pass the puck!\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f2395640-b36a-4691-ad82-91c9560c6108\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose%20publishing\">CorePurpose publishing</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20A%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\">The Recipe A fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kevin%20Daum\">Kevin Daum</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Roar\">Roar</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Shwaag\">Shwaag</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Gloria%20Feldt\">Gloria Feldt</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Mike%20Michaolwicz\">Mike Michaolwicz</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lynn%20Tilton\">Lynn Tilton</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/John%20Assaraf\">John Assaraf</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success%20Manifestors\">Success Manifestors</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Ken%20Colburn\">Ken Colburn</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Monica%20Crowley\">Monica Crowley</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Barrington%20Printing\">Barrington Printing</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovators%20Warehouse\">Innovators Warehouse</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kevin%20Desoto\">Kevin Desoto</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/phoenix%20polar%20bears\">phoenix polar bears</a></div></blockquote>','Success Takes A Team','','inherit','open','open','','1521-revision','','','2010-06-03 07:20:43','2010-06-03 07:20:43','',1521,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1521-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2532,2,'2010-05-22 17:56:52','2010-05-22 17:56:52','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/image43.png\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lynn Tilton - Graphic credit:  Kevin DeSoto - Photo - courtesy of Patriarch Partners\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/image_thumb43.png\" width=\"495\" height=\"372\"></a> </p> <p>Graphic credit:&nbsp; Kevin DeSoto - Photo - courtesy of Patriarch Partners</p> <p>Just like the horses and riders on a carousel, American businesses are turning around and looking up.&nbsp; And when it comes to the art of the&nbsp; turnaround few do it better that maverick CEO <a href=\"http://patriarchpartners.com/lynntilton\">Lynn Tilton</a> of <a href=\"http://patriarchpartners.com/aboutus\">Patriarch Partners</a>.&nbsp; This month I had the opportunity to chat with Lynn when she was honored as an Extraordinary Leader during the launch of <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/about-amilya/\">Amilya Antonetti\'s</a> new book <i><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Fable-Leaders-Teams/dp/0974705691/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a></i> in New York City.&nbsp;&nbsp; (Here comes the FTC disclaimer, one of my companies, <a href=\"http://www.corepurpose.com\">CorePurpose Publishing</a>, published this book.)</p> <p>Over the past week, at the CorePurpose Business Blog and at Amilya.com, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/05/making-a-difference-in-a-world-gone-dark.html\">Part 1</a> and <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/experts/lynn-tilton-making-a-measurable-difference/\">Part II</a> of the interview with Lynn Tilton focused on what she is doing and why.&nbsp; Now it is time to take it one step further as we share that most important lesson of all...HOW to turn things around and how Lynn is doing it in the 70 companies within the Patriarch Partners portfolio. </p> <p><b>I asked Lynn what were the FIVE key factors of successfully turning around individual firms and our nation\'s economy.&nbsp; Here is what she had to say...</b></p> <p><b>1.&nbsp; Search for the Truth</b></p> <p>If we do not understand where we are and what we are facing, there is no way to find solutions to the challenges we face.&nbsp; This is true in our businesses, our communities, and our country.&nbsp; You must have an understanding of the truth of the situation; you can not fix what you do not understand.&nbsp; We must all persevere in our search for the truth even when we don’t like what we find.&nbsp; It is the answer that has value.&nbsp; Once you find the truth, you can do something about it. </p> <blockquote> <p>“Truth is cold and hard but it is also the first step on the path to hope and salvation.” ~ Lynn Tilton</p></blockquote> <p><b>2. The American Dream was built upon the concept of living with dignity.</b></p> <p>Dignity and pride come in many forms.&nbsp; One of the most basic is a job with a decent wage and the ability to take care of your family.&nbsp; In America, the <a href=\"http://youreconomy.org/pages/states/us.ye?region=comp\">vast majority of jobs</a> come from small and medium sized businesses.&nbsp; Entrepreneurs are America’s job creation engine. Yet in recent years we have failed to provide them the fuel this engine needs in the form of capital.&nbsp; Each of us must let our representatives know that we expect and require that they address direct lending to small and medium businesses so that they can do what they do best, create the jobs our economy and our people need so that they can do what they do best and live a life of dignity. </p> <blockquote> <p>“Until job loss turns to job creation, we have little chance for a true economic recovery. Absent job creation, little else matters.” ~ Lynn Tilton</p></blockquote> <p><b>3.&nbsp; Women, working together, will make a difference.</b></p> <p>One of the greatest resources we currently have at our disposal to turn things around is America\'s women.&nbsp; If there is a need right now it is for talented women to band together and build. Trying to tackle huge projects alone is fraught with challenges and a hard and lonely task.&nbsp; But if two women come together, combining their talents and their experiences, success and jobs are the result. The more we build together as teams, the better the opportunities for success.&nbsp; Find a colleague, explore how you can make a difference - and do it. Too often as women we have felt the need to compete for relationships, for jobs, for opportunities.&nbsp; If we stop competing and start partnering ,we can move the recovery forward faster.</p> <blockquote> <p>\"America\'s greatest asset is human capital. Women, shoulder to shoulder, can be the driving force that leads to the economic healing and requisite transformation of our great nation.\" ~ Lynn Tilton</p></blockquote> <p><b>4.&nbsp; Focus on helping others and you will find you have helped yourself.</b></p> <p>Lynn shared that one of the biggest lessons she learned along her personal journey is that when you help others, you ultimately help yourself.&nbsp; How we help others is relative and ties back to our own skills and talents. Finding the&nbsp; truth, identifying what we are best at, and then putting that to work on behalf of creating good outcomes for others, creates a positive spiral up for all of us.</p> <p>This is especially true on the case of innovation.&nbsp; Based on the concept that <i>innovation is doing something in a new way to make life better for others,</i> we can each look at how we do what we do and how we can improve upon it.&nbsp; By shifting away from \"what\'s in it for me\" thinking and focusing on what\'s better for them, we increase our customer base, increase our sales of goods and services, and need more people to support the subsequent growth.&nbsp; The end result is a life of dignity for our teams, more job opportunities in our businesses, and sustainable economic health for our country.</p> <blockquote> <p>“The key components of a successful turnaround are rationalization and innovation.” ~ Lynn Tilton</p></blockquote> <p><b>5. When the day is darkest, look up and find the light</b></p> <p>Today there is so much darkness and negative energy.&nbsp; Negativity creates a downward spiral that leads to greater problems and more negative outcomes. Simply look back over the last two years and you will find too many examples of this.&nbsp;&nbsp; The way to combat this is with light and positive energy. Each of us has the ability to create this through our actions.&nbsp; What we can do is relative to what resources we have, but if each of us does one thing for someone else each day, the aggregate impact would be enormous.&nbsp; Each thing we do to create a bit of light for another makes a difference. It can be a small bit of praise, a few minutes of mentoring, a shared resource, or a winning idea.&nbsp; But each of these things builds positive energy and it is positive energy that moves us forward just as negative energy hold us back.&nbsp; As Lynn shared with me \"the tree grows from the seeds you plant.\"&nbsp; If our seeds are positive and our actions support them - we reap the benefits.&nbsp; </p> <blockquote> <p>“We must all strive to be better people and to demonstrate those qualities that create light in a world gone dark.” ~ Lynn Tilton</p></blockquote> <p><strong>Not what you were expecting?</strong></p> <p>Perhaps you were expecting more of a tactical approach and a how to list made up of the more traditional answers like watch your cash flow, manage your inventories, provide great customer service, monitor your markets, and invest in R&amp;D?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; These could readily have been Lynn\'s answers.&nbsp; In talking to members of her team, I learned that she does all of those things.&nbsp; But so do thousands of other firms.&nbsp; It is the leadership and life philosophy of Patriarch\'s matriarch that has supported the firm\'s growth to unprecedented levels where today Lynn and the Patriarch team manage a portfolio of 70 companies representing 250,000 jobs gained or saved and with over $7 Billion in assets under management.&nbsp; </p> <p></p> <p>To follow along as the Lynn Tilton story continues, you can find Lynn on <a href=\"http://twitter.com/lynntilton\">Twitter</a> and <a href=\"http://facebook.com/lynntiltonpage\">Facebook</a>.</p> <p><strong>Author\'s note:</strong></p> <p>I hope you enjoyed the three part series from my interview with Lynn Tilton.&nbsp; I really enjoyed getting to know Lynn better.&nbsp; Don\'t miss <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/05/making-a-difference-in-a-world-gone-dark.html\" target=\"_blank\">Part I here</a> and <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/experts/lynn-tilton-making-a-measurable-difference/\" target=\"_blank\">Part II at Amilya.com</a>.&nbsp; This post (Part III)&nbsp; was originally written to appear on <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/user/joan-koerber-walker-0\" target=\"_blank\">Going for the Brass Ring my Member Blog at&nbsp; Fast Company</a>.&nbsp; The post is appearing here since Fast Company has chosen to no longer support new posts from <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/about/faq.html\" target=\"_blank\">Fast Company\'s Member Bloggers.</a>&nbsp; It\'s a shame -&nbsp; really - when it comes to running in fast company - nobody tops Lynn Tilton.</p> <p><strong>About Joan Koerber-Walker:</strong></p> <p>She is an entrepreneur, an executive, an investor, and an active volunteer in her community. You can find her on <a href=\"mailto:Twitter@joankw\">Twitter</a>,&nbsp; on <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/in/joankoerberwalker\">LinkedIn</a>, on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/joankw\">Facebook</a>, and lots of other places.&nbsp; Just check out her <a href=\"http://www.google.com/profiles/jkoerberwalker\">Google Profile</a>. Joan’s career includes 20 years in executive roles within a Fortune 500 company, entrepreneurial ventures, angel investments (starting in 1989), non-profit and community leadership, and as an advisor to universities, corporations, entrepreneurs, and non-profits. A popular keynote speaker, blogger, and friend to over 100,000 across social media platforms, she is also a wife and a mother to two BIG boys. Joan and her family make their home in Phoenix, Arizona.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:45f011aa-3ead-44f4-9ff7-7c7c3832abe3\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lynn%20Tilton\" rel=\"tag\">Lynn Tilton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Patriarch%20Partners\" rel=\"tag\">Patriarch Partners</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20A%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe A fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership\" rel=\"tag\">leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leaders\" rel=\"tag\">leaders</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20success\" rel=\"tag\">business success</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\" rel=\"tag\">business tips</a></div>','Turning \'Round and Looking Up','','inherit','open','open','','1520-revision','','','2010-05-22 17:56:52','2010-05-22 17:56:52','',1520,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1520-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2533,2,'2010-05-14 15:30:44','2010-05-14 15:30:44','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/lynn-tilton-light-in-the-world.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Lynn Tilton light in the world\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/lynn-tilton-light-in-the-world_thumb.jpg\" width=\"481\" height=\"362\"></a>&nbsp;</p> <p>This week, while in NYC launching <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Fable-Leaders-Teams/dp/0974705691/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for Leaders and Teams</a>, our new book by <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/about-amilya/\" target=\"_blank\">Amilya Antonetti</a>, I got to meet an amazing woman.&nbsp; Her name is <a href=\"http://www.patriarchpartners.com/lynntilton\" target=\"_blank\">Lynn Tilton</a> - and boy is she making a difference!</p> <p>It\'s not every day that you meet a girl from the Bronx who has worked her way up to not only phenomenal success (her company <a href=\"http://www.patriarchpartners.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Patriarch Partners</a> has SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS under management) but who is so \"together\" that her success comes not from a desire for cash but from a drive to make a difference for others by saving companies and saving and creating American jobs. </p> <p>Lynn was one of three leaders that AMA Enterprises and CorePurpose honored as inspiring leaders at a private VIP and Media Event in New York as we launched The Recipe.&nbsp; While the book is a story about how teams and leaders come together, Lynn\'s LIFE is a prime example of how one woman\'s quest to make a difference can affect millions!&nbsp;&nbsp; (You can see more pictures from the event honoring Lynn <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/AmilyaAntonetti?v=photos&amp;ref=ts#!/album.php?aid=6936&amp;id=107164955986279\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> )</p> <p>Lynn graciously agreed to answer some of my questions about how she has achieved so much.&nbsp; As she spoke, I learned so much that this is actually the first of a three part series I will be running about our conversation in the week to come.&nbsp; It will start here, continue on <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com\" target=\"_blank\">Amilya.com</a>, and conclude on <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/1641253/establishing-value-brass-rings-and-post-of-gold\" target=\"_blank\">Going for the Brass Ring, my blog at Fast Company</a>.&nbsp; </p> <h3>So here are some of the first bits that Lynn shared with me...</h3> <h4>It started in the Bronx...</h4> <p>My life journey has evolved from my birthplace - Bronx, NY- through the<br>ivory towers of Yale and Columbia Universities to the male-dominated world<br>of Wall Street.&nbsp; Today, as the founder and CEO of Patriarch Partners, I<br>focus not only on the more than 70 companies in our portfolio, but also on<br>\"the Main Streets\" of once thriving towns across America, that struggle for<br>survival in the new economy that has turned its back on the American worker.<br>Patriarch\'s mission is to rebuild America one company at a time and one job<br>at a time and it has been made possible through hard work, an innovative<br>spirit and an unwavering quest for truth and light where others see<br>hopelessness.</p> <blockquote> <p>The truth is cold and hard but the first step on the path to hope and<br>salvation. ~ Lynn Tilton, Patriarch Partners</p></blockquote> <h4>Saving America...Once Company at a Time</h4> <p>My business is founded upon my personal mission...the attempt to save<br>America, one company at a time, one job at a time.&nbsp; The Patriarch platform<br>is built upon the premise that each company otherwise would have been liquidated, but<br>instead saved and rebuilt, is value added to our economy and our nation.<br>With the restructure and renewal of each of these companies, jobs are<br>sustained and created.&nbsp; Over the years we have saved approximately 150<br>companies from the throws of liquidation and 250,000 jobs associated with<br>those companies.</p> <h4>Who was your inspiration?</h4> <p>My father--his teachings and his values--have long been my inspiration.&nbsp; We<br>were raised to give back to the world and to others.&nbsp; It is for this reason<br>that my firm is named Patriarch Partners; in the name of the father.&nbsp; My dad<br>died my junior year in college but that which he taught me lives on in our<br>work and the lives of the families who we touch.&nbsp; </p> <h4>Turning Dust to Diamonds</h4> <p>My business and my personal life no longer have boundaries.&nbsp; I am driven by<br>the cause that this business has become.&nbsp; Knowing the loss of a working<br>parent while young, I experienced the devastation such loss can bring to the<br>structure of a family.&nbsp; That loss and the memory motivates me to spare<br>families from that desolation.&nbsp; In the end, I believe that making money and<br>making the world a better place are not mutually exclusive options.</p> <h4>If you had 3 wishes - what would they be?</h4> <ol> <li>People standing shoulder to shoulder with common vision and perseverance to<br>rebuild America.  <li>A world with more appreciation and less expectation.  <li>A little more calm and sleep for me.</li></ol> <h4></h4> <h4>So that\'s how we started...</h4> <p>But I have so much more to share.&nbsp; Please stay tuned as the interview continues this weekend on <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com\" target=\"_blank\">Amilya.com</a> and concludes next week on <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/1641253/establishing-value-brass-rings-and-post-of-gold\" target=\"_blank\">Going for the Brass Ring, my blog at Fast Company</a>.&nbsp; I\'ll be posting the links on <a href=\"http://twitter.com/JKWleadership\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a>, on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/CorePurpose\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook</a>, and through the comments link here on this first part of the series.&nbsp; Just subscribe to the comments here on this post so you don\'t miss the great insights from Lynn to come.&nbsp; You can also follow Lynn on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynn-Tilton/200134715759\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook</a> and <a href=\"http://twitter.com/lynntilton\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a>.&nbsp; I do.&nbsp; :-)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8688f0e7-ac50-44e7-b141-321bb764e882\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lynn%20Tilton\" rel=\"tag\">Lynn Tilton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Patriarch%20Partners\" rel=\"tag\">Patriarch Partners</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leaders\" rel=\"tag\">Leaders</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership.%20The%20Recipe%20A%20fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\" rel=\"tag\">Leadership. The Recipe A fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose%20Publishing\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose Publishing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/People%20Making%20a%20Difference\" rel=\"tag\">People Making a Difference</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Leaders\" rel=\"tag\">Business Leaders</a></div>','Making A Difference in a World Gone Dark','','inherit','open','open','','1519-revision','','','2010-05-14 15:30:44','2010-05-14 15:30:44','',1519,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1519-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2534,2,'2010-05-09 02:22:41','2010-05-09 02:22:41','<a href=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GpogRJaxEsU/SZlNkfJzvwI/AAAAAAAAA1g/oLlZk4DuhH8/s400/Bigapple2.gif\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GpogRJaxEsU/SZlNkfJzvwI/AAAAAAAAA1g/oLlZk4DuhH8/s400/Bigapple2.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"235\" align=\"right\" /></a>As the song goes, my bags are packed and I\'m ready to go.  This coming week I\'m headed to NYC for the biggest book launch I\'ve ever done.  May 9, 2010 (Mother\'s Day morning I\'m off to the airport for a whirlwind week.) And it would not be possible without some absolutely wonderful friends who have all pulled together to help spread the word about CorePurpose Publishing\'s newest release - <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974705691?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=shwaagcom-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0974705691\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams by Amilya Antonetti.</a>\n\nAfter sharing some of what has been happening with my friend Marty Zwilling <a href=\"http://twitter.com/startuppro\" target=\"_blank\">(@StartupPro</a>) he even wrote <a href=\"http://blog.startupprofessionals.com/2010/05/ten-tips-for-collaborative-startup.html\" target=\"_blank\">this great post about it</a>.\n<h4>Monday May 10th</h4>\n<strong> </strong>It\'s a Celebration of Leaders and Teams as we head for a private party with the media and VIP guests as we honor three great leaders:  <a href=\"http://www.cnbc.com/id/30985956\" target=\"_blank\">Lynn Tilton</a> founder of <a href=\"http://www.patriarchpartners.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Patriarch Partners</a>, <a href=\"http://monicamemo.typepad.com/weblog/biography.html\" target=\"_blank\">Monica Crowley</a> of FOX News, and <a href=\"http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2009/10/14/dcl.data.doc.toothpaste.cnn\" target=\"_blank\">Ken Colburn, CNN Tech Commentator</a> and founder of <a href=\"http://www.datadoctors.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Data Doctors</a>.\n<h4>Tuesday May 11th</h4>\nNo private party this time.   Everyone is welcome to the official launch of The Recipe at Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Triangle (Broadway and 66th Street) at 7:30 PM.  Lots have friends have already RSVP\'d on <a href=\"http://therecipenyc.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">EventBrite for this great evening</a>.  We have a fabulous panel of leaders joining <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/amilyaantonetti\" target=\"_blank\">Amilya</a>.  Experts will be sharing ideas for leaders and teams.  We\'re so grateful to have such a great panel, including women\'s leadership expert <a href=\"http://www.gloriafeldt.com\" target=\"_blank\">Gloria Feldt</a>, <a href=\"http://www.tpentrepreneur.com\" target=\"_blank\">The Toliet Paper Entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz</a>, <a href=\"http://www.kevindaum.com\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Daum</a> with his new book ROAR, <a href=\"http://www.drlizcruz.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. Liz Cruz</a>, <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/pub/donna-tarantino-loyle/a/482/671\" target=\"_blank\">Donna Tarantino-Loyle</a> from ShopNBC, and <a href=\"http://www.luckynapkin.com/anthony-tesoriero1.html\" target=\"_blank\">Anthony Tesoriero</a> of Lucky Napkin.    If you can be in NYC on May 11th - PLEASE COME TOO! It\'s free.\n\nI\'m so thankful to my friends at <a href=\"http://www.innovatorswarehouse.com\" target=\"_blank\">Innovator\'s Warehouse</a>, <a href=\"http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2628\" target=\"_blank\">Barnes and Noble</a>, <a href=\"http://barringtonprinting.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barrington Printing</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.shwaag.com/products/ipad-wifi-16gb-1\" target=\"_blank\">Shwaag</a> for sponsoring and hosting these events!\n<h4>Come Wednesday Morning...</h4>\nthe parties are over and it\'s time to get to work with a full week of meetings and presentations, key connections, and lots more as Amilya and I work together on our next collaboration. (It\'s still a secret - I\'ll tell you as soon as I can - stay tuned...)\n<h4>But everything was not perfect.</h4>\nEven though many of my friends were coming to New York from as far away as Arizona, California, Missouri, and Rhode Island plus the gang from NY Metro Area, EVERYBODY could not come celebrate.  I just HATE leaving people out.  When I shared this with my friend Eric Keosky-Smith, co founder of <a href=\"http://www.shwaag.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Shwaag</a> , he FIXED it so that everyone can have some fun and excitement too.  Not just the folks in NY but all over the country.  Here is Eric\'s Solution - Check this out:\n<h4>Shwaag is giving away a 16GB iPad w/ The Recipe by Amilya Antonetti</h4>\n<h4>The best of everything - in your hands!</h4>\n<a href=\"http://shwaag.com/products/ipad-wifi-16gb-1\"><img src=\"http://shwaag.com/system/photo_1s/63/small/photo6.png?1272985043\" alt=\"Photo6\" /></a>\n\nAmilya Antonetti\'s fabulous new fable, The Recipe, is now available <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974705691?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=shwaagcom-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0974705691\" target=\"_blank\">at Amazon</a>.\n\nNeed a copy? <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974705691?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=shwaagcom-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0974705691\">Buy it on Amazon now<span style=\"color:#a8001c;\"> </span>and learn how you can make your army of 2 - or 200 - a rip-roaring success! </a>\n\nIt\'s a great book about startups and team building. In coordination with the book launch, we have teamed with <a href=\"http://shwaag.com/products/ipad-wifi-16gb-1\">Shwaag</a> to release a SINGLE electronic version of the book, that comes with it\'s own 16GB WiFi iPad !! Now Apple doesn\'t comment about the book, but they do say the iPad is the best way to experience the web, video, books, photo\'s and even email - hand\'s down. That seems pretty amazing. But public reaction so far seems to be holding that up.\n<h4>What\'s Shwaag™ and how can I win The Recipe on an iPad?</h4>\nShwaag™:`shwāāg Premium stuff given away that you can choose to keep or pay forward<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/swaag-jkw.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/swaag-jkw_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"swaag-jkw\" width=\"165\" height=\"244\" align=\"right\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.shwaag.com\" target=\"_blank\">Shwaag™</a> is an online movement built to encourage generosity among social networkers and advertisers and to provide a genuine forum for brand loyalty. By giving away products, brands can demonstrate authentic generosity, create new and unbreakable bonds with social networking trendsetters, and help create a new generation of consumers that rely on trust networks to choose brands.\n\nIt\'s easy and it\'s fun.  If you have experienced Shwaag™ before, just go to <a href=\"http://www.Shwaag.com\">www.Shwaag.com</a> and log in.\n\nIf you are a first timer on Shwaag you need an invitation code.  And Eric and the gang gave me some for the launch this week.   Use code: <strong>JKW2525  (We only have so many so don\'t delay and miss out!)</strong>\n\nThen, this week when the \"Shwaag Drops\" they will let you know  via <a href=\"http://twitter.com/shwaag\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter</a>, <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/shwaag?v=app_4949752878#!/shwaag?v=wall\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook</a>, email etc. <strong>Here\'s how you can get  started:</strong>\n\n1.  <a href=\"http://shwaag.com/users/new\" target=\"_blank\">Click here</a> and fill in your info and invite code JKW2525\n\n2.   Log in and look around.  See something you like on Featured Shwaag?  Click the \"Shwaag Me\" button.  As you go through the options you can get more chances to win by sharing the message with friends on Twitter or Facebook.  It\'s really easy.\n\nWho knows, this time next week you might be the proud new owner of a 16GB iPad loaded with your personal copy of The Recipe courtesy of Shwaag.  Good Luck!\n<h4>So this Mother\'s Day...</h4>\nI\'m leavin\' on a jet plane.  Unlike the song - I DO know when I\'ll be back again.   And I will be bringing lots of great new ideas, stories about adventures, new opportunities and more back in my bags.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned - I\'ll be sure to send pictures and videos from the Big Apple.  :-)\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9b922ede-b9eb-4e26-baa1-d439c85e31b6\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose%20Publishing\">CorePurpose Publishing</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe\">The Recipe</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe%20A%20Fable%20for%20leaders%20and%20teams\">The Recipe A Fable for leaders and teams</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Shwaag\">Shwaag</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/iPad%20with%20The%20Recipe%20by%20Amilya%20Antonetti\">iPad with The Recipe by Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20book\">business book</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership%20book\">leadership book</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leaders\">leaders</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/teams\">teams</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/teamwork\">teamwork</a></div>','Big Doings in the Big Apple This Week','','inherit','open','open','','1518-revision','','','2010-05-09 02:22:41','2010-05-09 02:22:41','',1518,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1518-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2535,2,'2010-04-25 21:47:03','2010-04-25 21:47:03','<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/monarch-butterfly-on-flowers.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/monarch-butterfly-on-flowers_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"monarch-butterfly-on-flowers\" width=\"244\" height=\"184\" align=\"right\" /></a> What\'s the deal with a video about butterflies on a business blog?  Simply said, the butterfly is is thing of beauty and so are the right people in a great business.  It emerges from its cocoon, moves from place to place, does it\'s duty, and fosters growth in the most inspiring of ways.  The same can be said when you have the right people in the right roles.\n\nAt least that\'s what came to mind this morning as I watched <a href=\"http://everydayexplorers.nationalgeographic.com/individual-video.php?mediaid=263607\">this video from National Geographic about the simple butterfly</a>.\n<h4>We all need more butterflies in our businesses and in our lives.  Think of it like this:</h4>\n<h4>The Butterfly is a creature that is committed to change.</h4>\nFew creatures provide a better analogy for change than the butterfly as they move from stage to stage.  (<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkiU9uFwqmw&amp;feature=channel\" target=\"_blank\">You can see a great time lapse series here</a>)   People also go through many stages.  It takes time for them to develop from an early stage to into voraciously absorbing the resources and knowledge around them.  Then its time to rest, use what they have consumed, and then emerge into something - or someone - pretty special.  It is that point that they spread their wings and fly. \n<h4>The  Butterfly moves from place to place enabling growth.</h4>\nAs a well developed butterfly spreads its wings, it moves from flower to flower, taking precious pollen with it.  This brings new growth, fresh blooms, and new colors to the world.  As a well developed person spreads their wings, they bring new businesses, new leadership, new opportunities, and new innovations. \n<h4>Butterflies like bees have a job to do. But Butterflies don\'t sting.</h4>\nNow you might say that we do not need the butterfly since we have the bee.  It too moves from flower to flower spreading growth.  The BIG difference is that butterflies never sting!  On the people side, I bet you\'ve met both butterflies and bees.  The butterfly gets the job done with elegance and finesse.  The bee is awfully busy in getting the job done, but don\'t cross it or it just might make you sorry.  That\'s why we tend to squash bees and treasure butterflies.\n<h4>Butterflies are a wonder to watch</h4>\nA fully developed butterfly is a wonder to watch.  We can learn so much from them.  Butterflies, like people, must stretch their wings and explore new boundaries.  NASA even took butterflies with them <a href=\"http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sliceofscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/monarch-butterfly-on-flowers.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2009/11/12/butterflies-going-to-international-space-station/&amp;usg=___4TmvHrttmRe5lFq0iSrqwz8KOA=&amp;h=375&amp;w=500&amp;sz=152&amp;hl=en&amp;start=15&amp;sig2=syH3iyVK2GRwzjsCA4OWsA&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;tbnid=apV1l7Abt7YZrM:&amp;tbnh=98&amp;tbnw=130&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbutterflies%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4DKUS_enUS288US288%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;ei=vWXUS7nmDqW2tAPLj9nECQ\" target=\"_blank\">into space in 2009</a>.  The same is true of human butterflies.  If you give them time to develop, the resources they need to grow, and let them spread their wings, they will help your business garden grow and it\'s a joy to watch them do it.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d654e80b-3d6e-4c36-bdf0-8741d06a3df6\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/growth\">growth</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/growth%20analogies\">growth analogies</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/people%20skills\">people skills</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership\">leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/professional%20development\">professional development</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\">business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a></div>','Business and the Butterfly','','inherit','open','open','','1517-revision','','','2010-04-25 21:47:03','2010-04-25 21:47:03','',1517,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1517-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2536,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:10','2012-08-19 21:56:10','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/circle-of-life_woodall_walk.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Circle-of-Life_Woodall_Walk\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/circle-of-life_woodall_walk_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"244\"></a> </p> <p>Whether I am speaking to a packed ballroom or just exchanging ideas over a Diet Coke with a friend, the question \"Can you have it all? A great career, a family, a sense of purpose?\" is one that comes up a lot.&nbsp; I don\'t have all the answers. I don\'t have MOST of them.&nbsp; But, the the family, friends and mentors I have met along the way are helping me to figure it out.</p> <p>Whether we are looking to get the best in our business or the best in our lives, we all have a series of choices that we have to make and a series of priorities we have to set.</p> <p>Our values as people&nbsp; and as organizations are the points on the compass that help us navigate the journey.&nbsp; Luckily, there are people that we meet along the way that help us determine the points on our personal compass.&nbsp; It may be just for an instant or it may be a partner that comes along on the journey - but either way - they share something with us that helps us set our direction.</p> <p>This video shares to story of one of the people I met along my journey over 25 years ago.&nbsp; What she said stayed with me.&nbsp; It has helped in my business and my life, and her work graces the walls of my home to this very day.&nbsp; </p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7d1b40d7-fd04-4a5a-a82a-97483c9057ae\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSArDJ3E28o]</div></div> <p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>So to answer the question - can you have it all?&nbsp; I think the answer is YES, you can have it all in your business and your life IF you understand WHAT \"having it all\" means to you - AND you are willing to embrace the people, the ideas, and the value choices that are the markers along the path.&nbsp; So pull out your compass, plot your path, and enjoy the journey.</p> <p>Thanks for Stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1a8c608b-96e4-4ab5-b4c5-bf1f5a5937f9\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Having%20It%20All\" rel=\"tag\">Having It All</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success\" rel=\"tag\">Success</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/choices\" rel=\"tag\">choices</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/priorities\" rel=\"tag\">priorities</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\" rel=\"tag\">business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/career\" rel=\"tag\">career</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/life%20choices\" rel=\"tag\">life choices</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/mentors\" rel=\"tag\">mentors</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Video\" rel=\"tag\">Video</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Keynote%20Speaker\" rel=\"tag\">Keynote Speaker</a></div></blockquote>','Can we have it all?','','inherit','open','open','','1516-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:10','2012-08-19 21:56:10','',1516,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1516-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2537,2,'2012-07-14 19:48:05','2012-07-14 19:48:05','CorePurpose Publishing Announces the offical release of <strong><em>The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</em></strong> by Amlya Antonetti.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nHere are just a few of the events around the May 1, 2010 Launch:\r\n\r\nMay 1, 2010 - Official Publication Date\r\n\r\nMay 3, 2010 - Special AMAZON email promotion releases - stay tuned for lots of great opportunities.\r\n\r\nMay 11, 2010 - Author Event and Leadership Panel at Barnes and Noble\' flagship store at Lincoln Traingle in NYC.  For more details on this great free event and tweetup - <a href=\"http://therecipenyc.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>\r\n\r\nAnd just released April 16th - a special look inside the book - Enter the world of The Recpe and the team at Prosperous Bakery and enjoy!\r\n\r\n<a style=\"margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;\" title=\"View The Recipe: A Fable for leaders and teams  2 Chapter Preview on Scribd\" href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/30100165/The-Recipe-A-Fable-for-leaders-and-teams-2-Chapter-Preview\">The Recipe: A Fable for leaders and teams 2 Chapter Preview</a><iframe id=\"doc_48345\" src=\"http://www.scribd.com/embeds/30100165/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=list&amp;access_key=key-ld4wa7ks806tp5rs4ju\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"100%\" height=\"600\" data-auto-height=\"true\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.772727272727273\"></iframe>','The Recipe by Amilya Antonetti - Special Two Chapter Preview from CorePurpose Publishing','','inherit','open','open','','247-revision-10','','','2012-07-14 19:48:05','2012-07-14 19:48:05','',247,'http://www.corepurpose.com/247-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2538,2,'2010-04-03 04:35:20','2010-04-03 04:35:20','<p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/gear-up-for-opportunity-lg.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gear-Up-for-Opportunity-lg\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/gear-up-for-opportunity-lg_thumb.jpg\" width=\"270\" height=\"226\"></a>As business owners, we are always on the look out for opportunities.&nbsp; But, too often, great opportunities pass us by because we are not ready for them.&nbsp; Capturing a great opportunity and making the most of it takes a combination of three things - Awareness - Access - and Ability.&nbsp; Like cogs in a machine, each plays a critical role in driving action forward.&nbsp; Otherwise, as you are standing still, opportunities may pass you by.</p> <p><strong>AWARENESS</strong></p> <p>There is a reason<strong> AWARENESS</strong> forms the biggest cog in the opportunity process.&nbsp; The world is&nbsp; full of opportunities, but knowing which is the right one for you and your business requires a continual scanning of the marketplace.&nbsp; Some opportunities are great for someone, but not necessarily great for you. Others may be hidden and require a bit of polishing&nbsp; up before they are ready to be considered. But if you are not continually searching, scanning your markets, and aware of the changing trends, you have not got a chance.&nbsp; Before you know it the opportunity has passed and you only see it when someone else takes advantage of it.</p> <p><strong>ACCESSS</strong></p> <p>As you become aware of new or current opportunities, the gear turns and triggers a need for <strong>ACCESS</strong>.&nbsp; To capture the opportunity\'s potential, the teeth bite in turning the next gear.&nbsp; In the case of opportunity access, think of the teeth as the six key assets you will need to take advantage of the opportunity. In most cases these are:</p> <ol> <li>The right talent to make things happen  <li>The right resources to build up from  <li>The right market to serve  <li>The right partners to deliver through  <li>The right processes to keep things rolling  <li>The right funding and business partners to grease the wheels</li></ol> <p>Each of these assets are critical. If one is missing the wheels stop turning and the opportunity engine skips and stutters.</p> <p><strong>ABILITY</strong></p> <p>The final gear is that of your <strong>ABILITY</strong> to execute.&nbsp; I spend a lot of my day speaking with business owners and other leaders.&nbsp; Most, when faced with a challenge, can lay out their goals, their mission and their plans.&nbsp; But when the gears jam up it is almost always due to a lack of execution.&nbsp; One missed step or flaw can make the difference between success in making the most of an opportunity or the failure to do so.&nbsp; When one missing critical process brings things to a grinding halt and the opportunity engine seizes up we tend to want to force it.&nbsp; Yet as leaders, our job is not to take a crow bar to the the gears (that almost always makes matters worse) but to make adjustments or shift alignment so that things start running smoothly again.&nbsp; For it is only when we are moving forward that we can keep abreast of our opportunities and capture them.</p> <p>So don\'t let your great opportunity pass you by.&nbsp; Focus on the three A\'s - Awareness, Access, and Ability.&nbsp; When you do, you just might find that opportunity will not pass you by...instead it will come knocking at your door.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e63a9180-8ef8-4a8f-83ef-90a99e205367\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunites\" rel=\"tag\">Opportunites</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\" rel=\"tag\">Business Tips</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Strategy\" rel=\"tag\">Business Strategy</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Execution\" rel=\"tag\">Execution</a></div>','Don\'t let great opportunities pass you by','','inherit','open','open','','1515-revision','','','2010-04-03 04:35:20','2010-04-03 04:35:20','',1515,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1515-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2539,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:16','2012-08-19 21:56:16','<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/money-image.jpg\"><img style=\"border-bottom:0;border-left:0;border-top:0;border-right:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Growth Solution image c. CorePurpose All rights reserved\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/money-image_thumb.jpg\" width=\"236\" height=\"264\"></a>  <p>Whether you are talking about a plant, an animal or a business...if you starve it, you stunt its growth.&nbsp; This is not a new concept. Any farmer can tell you that if any organism does not have the food and nutrients it needs, it can not grow.</p> <p>It\'s been said by many, from philosophers papers and economic treatise to Broadway Musicals and through the magic of Hollywood.&nbsp; No matter how it is delivered the message is always the same.</p> <blockquote> <p>\"Money is like manure, of very little use except it be spread.\"  <p>Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626)</p></blockquote> <p>As an entrepreneur, an investor, and an executive throughout my career, I have seen it time and time again.&nbsp; Great ideas, inventions, and opportunities are lost because we cash starve them to the point where we stunt their growth.&nbsp; This results in the business, the opportunity, or the benefit of the potential innovation being lost.</p> <p>This hit home to me Monday of last week when I was speaking with a group of entrepreneurs at <a href=\"http://www.stealthmode.com\">Stealthmode Partners</a> <a href=\"http://www.fasttrac.org/techventure.cfm\">FastTrac® TechVenture™</a> class in Tempe, Arizona.&nbsp; A young entrepreneur shared a great idea.&nbsp; He was explaining what he needed money for and the first words out of his mouth were \"to pay myself\".&nbsp; I held up my hand - \"Don\'t say that,\" I injected. \"you won\'t get funded.\" </p> <p>Mid week, I was at a board meeting.&nbsp; Afterwards we were talking about yet another biotech company that was in danger of closing its doors.&nbsp; It was not a new&nbsp; story.&nbsp; I had been hearing them all year.&nbsp; And each time I did, I wondered if this was the company that would have brought out the drug, the new treatment, or the new solution to a problem that would someday directly affect the way we live.&nbsp; But now, it wouldn\'t.</p> <p>Other conversations throughout the week were with friends in the investment community.&nbsp; Over and over I heard the same thing.&nbsp; \"I\'m parked.\"&nbsp; That\'s investor shorthand for \"I have money, but I\'m not moving it.\"&nbsp; </p> <p>The bloggers and the \'experts\' keep writing posts and articles about bartering, collaborating, and bootstrapping.&nbsp; Heck, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/03/got-a-problem-get-creative.html\">I even wrote one myself</a>.&nbsp; But the harsh reality is that you can not launch or grow a business without cold, hard cash.&nbsp; Look at it like this... </p> <ul> <li>To Grow, you need talented people and they expect and deserve to be paid.&nbsp; If you do not pay them, you do not keep them.  <li>To sell a product you need inventory. And vendors eventually need to be paid.&nbsp; As a matter of fact, try getting a credit line of any material value with a vendor if you don\'t have money first.  <li>Then there is research, product development, marketing, legal services, and sound financial advice.&nbsp; These professionals devoted years of their lives to gain the knowledge and experience that allows them to do what they do.&nbsp; And if you want to move quickly you need the most knowledgeable and the most talented.&nbsp; And they rarely work for free.</li></ul> <p>As I sit here reading the job reports and articles about our new <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_economy\">Knowledge Based Economy</a> and the coming <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jobless_recovery\">Jobless Recovery</a>, I can\'t help but think that the reason we are not recovering the jobs that are so desperately needed and that more and more entrepreneurs are turning to less capital intensive service based businesses is simple.&nbsp; All of us in the investment community, myself included, have been unwisely rationing the manure - I mean money.&nbsp; There are some notable exceptions.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008861044_tiltonprofile15.html\">Lynn Tilton</a> puts her money where her mouth is - into product based businesses that create local jobs.&nbsp; And she is vocal about it.&nbsp; But of late she is a definite exception to the rule. </p> <p>In all the hullabaloo about healthcare, we seem to have overlooked that the funds coming out of our government to fund job creating research at places like <a href=\"http://www.nih.gov/\">NIH</a> are slowing to a trickle.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.nasa.gov/\">NASA</a>, a long time catalyst for the development of new product technologies, is facing crippling cuts.&nbsp; Oh, and the&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.sbir.gov/\">SBIR</a> program, the life line for many start up technology based product companies, is again <a href=\"http://www.capwiz.com/nsbaonline/issues/alert/?alertid=14792781\">at risk</a>.</p> <p>And the banks will not be coming to the rescue where small and medium business is concerned based on the latest report from the Department of the Treasury as quoted here in <a href=\"http://www.nsba.biz/content/2979.shtml\">an article by the NSBA</a>. </p> <p>If we want to get our economy on track, the answer always comes back to money.&nbsp; We (not just Uncle Sam but you and me too)&nbsp; need to take the \'manure\' out of the bag and start spreading it around.&nbsp; Not as handouts but as investments in companies that make and sell real products to real people.&nbsp; That creates jobs.&nbsp; People with jobs buy stuff and pay taxes.&nbsp; Taxes fund education and other programs that allow us to maintain a viable work force and a strong economy.&nbsp; Investing in things that were not real got us all into this mess.&nbsp; Investing in things that ARE REAL will get us out of it.&nbsp; I guess it\'s time to pull out of the parking lot.&nbsp; What do you think?</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:83c2f17b-7a12-4220-a89e-251a573f3d53\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Economy\" rel=\"tag\">Economy</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Investing\" rel=\"tag\">Investing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Jobs\" rel=\"tag\">Jobs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Jobless%20Recovery\" rel=\"tag\">Jobless Recovery</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Knowledge%20Economy\" rel=\"tag\">Knowledge Economy</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneruship\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneruship</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Startups\" rel=\"tag\">Startups</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/StartUps\" rel=\"tag\">StartUps</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/NSBA\" rel=\"tag\">NSBA</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/NASA\" rel=\"tag\">NASA</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lynn%20Tilton\" rel=\"tag\">Lynn Tilton</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Money%20is%20like%20manure\" rel=\"tag\">Money is like manure</a></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>FTC compliance information:&nbsp; Joan Koerber-Walker serves or has served in a leadership capacity for the ASBA, NSBA, biotech companies that have benefited from SBIR and NIH programs, product based companies, and in entrepreneurial ventures in the for-profit and not-for-profit arena.&nbsp; For more information view her <a href=\"www.linkedin.com/in/joankoerberwalker\">LinkedIn Profile</a>.</p>','The Best Fertilizer of ALL...MONEY!','','inherit','open','open','','1514-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:16','2012-08-19 21:56:16','',1514,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1514-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2540,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:24','2012-08-19 21:56:24','<p><img style=\"margin:5px 5px 5px 15px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://s338.photobucket.com/albums/n430/spicecomments/creativity/00009.jpg\" width=\"224\" height=\"177\">As entrepreneurs, business owners, employees, or just as people, we all face challenges.&nbsp; And often those challenges involve the BIG M - money.&nbsp; When it comes to growth, you need resources.&nbsp; Money for marketing, for inventories, for systems, and oh yeah, groceries.</p> <p>When I started my business in 2002, I went from the world of leveraging the corporate pocketbook to dipping into my own pocket - and let me tell you - it was NOT anywhere as deep.&nbsp; It was a problem.&nbsp; So I had to get creative.</p> <p>&nbsp; <strong>Here\'s an example I shared with the Society of Women Engineers last month</strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7f3dbaed-668a-4804-b961-9dc1588441b8\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOgVdFqN53I]</div></div> <p></p> <p>There are lots of things we can do to find or develop the resources we need to help our businesses grow - even when times are tight.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Here are a few ideas...</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Talented Friends and Family</strong> may be just the thing you need to help you through a rough spot.&nbsp; Don\'t hit them up for cash.&nbsp; Ask for a little help with something they are good at. (I\'m not sure I would have survived in those early days without access to a talented IT Guy.&nbsp; Lucky for me I was MARRIED to him.&nbsp; :-)&nbsp; Just remember - exchanging favors means that there is an equal balance in the relationship.&nbsp; If you are all take and no give...you might end up with no friends to call on.  <li><strong>Barter</strong> -&nbsp; True <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barter\">bartering</a> is a much more formal exchange of products or services.&nbsp; Sometime they are arranged one-on-one or they my occur through a more formal process using a Barter Exchange.&nbsp; But just so you know, formal barter exchanges do get reported to the IRS via for 1099\'s - so it is important to keep track.&nbsp; You can <a href=\"http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=187920,00.html\">learn more here</a>.  <li><strong>Leverage existing resources in a creative way</strong>.&nbsp; Think of a skill, some excess space,&nbsp; or a&nbsp; resource you might have that is more than what you need.&nbsp; Instead of letting it sit unused, leverage it into something someone else can use in exchange for something that you might need.  <li><strong>Take your show on the road.</strong>&nbsp; Get out there and talk to people.&nbsp; It might be in free presentations to local groups and organizations or like I did on the speakers circuit.&nbsp; Not comfortable speaking in front of a crowd?&nbsp; Join your local <a href=\"http://www.toastmasters.org/\">Toastmasters</a> group and tune up your skills.&nbsp; Get to be good at delivering your message - you never know who might be in that audience.  <li><strong>Utilize Social Media</strong> - <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/09/is-twitter-part-of-your-business-strategy-should-it-be.html\">Twitter</a>, <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/CorePurpose\">Facebook</a>, <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/11/sorry-im-not-a-lion.html\">LinkedIn</a>, <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/joankw\">YouTube</a>, and many other tools can help you get your message out to potential&nbsp; customers.&nbsp; Compared to traditional advertising this is a much less expensive way to get the word out and the business in.&nbsp; Most of the tools are free or close to it - but <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/01/free---isnt.html\">remember it is NOT free</a> - you are simply choosing to invest your time instead of your dollars.&nbsp; Watch for the return on investment or ROI just as you would if you were investing cash,</li></ul> <p><strong>The Time Money Continuum</strong></p> <p>To be very clear, there is great value in being able to go to the experts to get the products and services that you need and PAY for them.&nbsp; Very often this will move you faster.&nbsp; They do what they do best while you are out doing what YOU do best.&nbsp; There is a time/money continuum.&nbsp; You can invest your dollars to get things done and often get it done FASTER than if you go the Do it Yourself or DIY route.&nbsp; But, if you do not have the money, some creativity, a bit of elbow grease, and a network of talented friends can make a BIG difference.&nbsp; </p> <p>So if you\'ve got a problem, get creative.&nbsp; You just may find you have \"created\" your solution.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d28b5e44-6a7a-40af-a132-dd4b7a707678\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/StartUps\" rel=\"tag\">StartUps</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/BARTER\" rel=\"tag\">BARTER</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Barter%20Exchanges\" rel=\"tag\">Barter Exchanges</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leveraging%20resources\" rel=\"tag\">leveraging resources</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/solving%20problems\" rel=\"tag\">solving problems</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/problem%20solving\" rel=\"tag\">problem solving</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\" rel=\"tag\">business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/small%20business\" rel=\"tag\">small business</a></div>','Got a Problem? Get Creative!','','inherit','open','open','','1513-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:24','2012-08-19 21:56:24','',1513,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1513-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2541,2,'2010-03-14 22:16:58','2010-03-14 22:16:58','<p><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Follow The Leader:  Dot Woodall (Koerber-Walker collection) all rights reserved\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/followtheleader_woodall_wal.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"226\">So much is written about leadership, about teams, and about the&nbsp; importance of both.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sometimes we choose the path of leadership and sometimes it chooses us.&nbsp; Most leaders will tell you that to be a good leader is to be a good follower.</p> <p>We follow a vision, a mission, a plan.&nbsp; And thru our words and actions others may choose to follow us.</p> <p>Have you given thought to who or why you follow? Everyone follows someone and something at different times of their lives.</p> <p>But the time will come for each of us when we are called forward to lead.&nbsp; </p> <p>Recently I had the chance to connect with some amazing women at the Society of Women Engineers.&nbsp; When I was sharing ideas with them during the dinner keynote one of the questions from the day came back to me.&nbsp; The question was ....could women lead and be recognized as leaders.</p> <p>Here is what I had to share...</p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ef7761da-c0ae-4c03-8ad4-8c71cd6f5d8f\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOkxN2EvJyk]</div></div> <p></p> <p>Choosing to lead is a decision. And to be ready when your opportunity to lead appears, you need to decide to prepare.&nbsp; That means getting your education, building your network, and refining your skill sets so that when your turn comes you can be a GREAT leader.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>CorePurpose Publishing</strong> recently had the chance to work with another great leader, Amilya Antonetti.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/0974705691.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"The Recipe - ISBN10: 0974705691\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/0974705691_thumb.jpg\" width=\"174\" height=\"244\"></a> Her newest book, <em><a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/the-recipe/\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams</a> </em>releases officially on May 1, 2010 and is already getting <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/the-recipe/people-are-talking-about-the-recipe\" target=\"_blank\">great feedback</a>.&nbsp; . As the publisher, it was an honor to work with her on this project.&nbsp;&nbsp; In it Amilya shares what she has learned about leaders and their teams in a wonderful story sprinkled with \"Little Spoonfuls\" of tips, tools, and even some questions that give us food for thought.&nbsp; Another friend of ours, Kathy Kolbe the author of <em><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Instinct-Kathy-Kolbe/dp/0971799938/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1268604305&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\">Pure Instinct: The M.O. of High Performance People</a> and Teams</em>, graciously wrote the forward for the book.&nbsp; </p> <p>To learn more about Amilya\'s book, <a href=\"http://www.amilya.com/the-recipe/\" target=\"_blank\">The Recipe</a>, and Kathy\'s book, <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Instinct-Kathy-Kolbe/dp/0971799938/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1268604305&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\">Pure Instinct</a>, just click on their links.&nbsp; </p> <p>You see, women CAN lead and they make great leaders.&nbsp; Not only that, we make great collaborative teammates.&nbsp; Amilya and Kathy are proof of that.&nbsp; </p> <p>So now is the time to get ready.&nbsp; 2010 begins the decade of our success and the choices are ours.&nbsp; The question is ... What are we going to do with it and what will we choose?</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned....</p> <p>Joan Koerber- Walker</p> <div style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:417deacc-3cce-4776-8d0f-31b1e354244a\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose%20Publishing\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose Publishing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Amilya%20Antonetti\" rel=\"tag\">Amilya Antonetti</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Recipe\" rel=\"tag\">The Recipe</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kathy%20Kolbe\" rel=\"tag\">Kathy Kolbe</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Pure%20Instinct\" rel=\"tag\">Pure Instinct</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Creating%20High%20Performace%20Peopleand%20Teams\" rel=\"tag\">Creating High Performace Peopleand Teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\" rel=\"tag\">Leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/results\" rel=\"tag\">results</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/preparing%20for%20leadership\" rel=\"tag\">preparing for leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/opportunities\" rel=\"tag\">opportunities</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\" rel=\"tag\">business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20trade\" rel=\"tag\">business trade</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/video\" rel=\"tag\">video</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/leadership%20keynote\" rel=\"tag\">leadership keynote</a></div>','Why we follow - the other side of Leadership','','inherit','open','open','','1512-revision','','','2010-03-14 22:16:58','2010-03-14 22:16:58','',1512,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1512-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2542,2,'2012-07-26 05:26:33','2012-07-26 05:26:33','Phoenix, Arizona March 8, 2010 CorePurpose Publishing today announced that its newest title, The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams by Amilya Antonetti is now available for presale with an official publication date of May 1, 2010.  \"Now more than ever, in business and life, leaders and their teams are the key ingredients\" shared The Recipe\'s author, Amilya Antonetti. \" Success is a collaborative process where we come together to be better as a whole than we can ever be separately. The question is how? How do we find the right teammates? How do we find our place on the team? And, when it is our turn, how will we lead? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a magical recipe with all the right ingredients, the perfect utensils and easy to understand directions you could follow? It does not matter if you are running your home, launching a business, leading a division, or building an empire. Where ever you are and where ever you’re going, you need your team.\"  In The Recipe readers enter the world of Prosperous Bakery where six brothers and their guide discover the recipe for teamwork and success along the leadership path.  \"We are thrilled to work with Amilya on this project\" said Joan Koerber-Walker, Chairman of CorePurpose, Inc, and Publisher at CorePurpose Publishing. \"Not only does The Recipe have a great story, as an added plus the book\'s \"Little Spoonfuls\" are great learning aids for individual readers as well a professional development organizations. We expect that The Recipe will be very popular with a wide range of readers in both the educational and business/trade markets.\"  Individual copies of The Recipe are now available for pre-sales at both Amilya.com and Amazon.com with shipments on the May 1, 2010 official release date.  For quantity and educational purchases, contact CorePurpose Publishing here. CorePurpose is a Registered Trademark of CorePurpose, Inc.  About the Author: Amilya Antonetti  She’s an entrepreneur, an investor, a successful business woman and a Mom, but most of all, Amilya Antonetti is a leader who understands she is NOTHING without her team. Having launched and built successful companies and national brands, she shares her ‘can do’ message in articles and blogs as well as on television and radio. Now she shares it with you in The Recipe.  The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams US $22.95 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: CorePurpose Publishing; 1st edition (May 1, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0974705691 ISBN-13: 978-0974705699',' The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams','','inherit','open','open','','675-revision-4','','','2012-07-26 05:26:33','2012-07-26 05:26:33','',675,'http://www.corepurpose.com/675-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2543,2,'2010-03-05 19:56:03','2010-03-05 19:56:03','<a href=\"http://www.diamondsjewel.com/images/diamonds394.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://guineaoye.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/guinea11diamonds.jpg\" width=\"295\" height=\"271\"></a>  <p>It has been said that diamonds are a girl\'s best friend - and who am I to disagree.&nbsp; I love the sparkly little things.&nbsp; But, in the world of business, I love a different kind of diamond more.&nbsp; These kinds of diamonds make a real difference.</p> <p>Just as the glittering rocks have been valued through the ages, there are some people who are true diamonds and they shine!</p> <p>But how do we measure a diamond\'s value?&nbsp; Any diamond aficionado can tell you that diamonds are graded on the 4 C\'s - Carat Weight, Cut, Clarity, and Color.&nbsp; When we look for our \'human diamonds\' the same just might hold true - Let\'s take a look...</p> <p><strong>Carat Weight</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Carat</strong> is the unit of weight for the diamond.&nbsp; A carat is further subdivided in 100 points ( 0.01 carat = l point ). One carat is equal to 0.20 grams.&nbsp; Value per carat increases with carat size, because larger rough diamonds occur less frequently.&nbsp; In other words, 2 half-carat diamonds taken together will not cost as much as 1 one-carat diamond, as the one-carat stone is more rare.</em>  <p>Is there a carat weight in human terms? You might say so. The carat weight of true contributors in an organization is measured by the value they bring through their skills and talents.&nbsp; <em>They carry their weight as part of the team</em> - and the scale they are measured by is one of results.  <p><strong>Cut </strong></p> <p><strong>Cut</strong> refers to the proportions, finish, symmetry, and polish of the diamond. These factors determine the fire and brilliance of a diamond.&nbsp; </p> <p>When it comes to people, we all start out as \'rough\' diamonds.&nbsp; It is through our journey that we gather the skills, the lessons, and the polish we need.&nbsp; The most valuable diamonds are continuously learning, seeking, and finding balance.&nbsp; They have a symmetry that allows them to make the greatest of contributions in business ... and in life.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Clarity</strong></p> <p><strong>Clarity</strong> describes the clearness or purity of a diamond. This is determined by the number, size, nature, and location of the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections.</p> <p>In the case of our human \"diamonds\" their clarity is revealed in their values.&nbsp; These are people with passion, with integrity, and most of all with a willingness to share what they know with others through mentoring and leadership.&nbsp; You can find them in every level of an organization - not just at the top.&nbsp; It is the lack of flaws in their character that makes them shine. </p> <p><strong>Color</strong></p> <p><strong></strong><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_color\" target=\"_blank\">Color describes the amount of color the diamond contains.</a>&nbsp; Fancy-colored diamonds such as the deep blue <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Diamond\">Hope Diamond</a> are among the most valuable and sought-after diamonds in the world.</p> <p>When it comes to our \'human diamonds\' the value is in their diversity.&nbsp; There is something about them that makes them different and that difference enhances their value.&nbsp; It may be a spark of creativity, a different perspective, or a new frame of reference; but, whatever it is, their uniqueness brings depth to the team and to the organization.&nbsp; </p> <h3>Scoop them up</h3> <p>So in business (and in life) be on the look out for diamonds.&nbsp; Gather as many around you as you can.&nbsp; They are a sure way to add value to what you do and a sure-fire strategy for success. A company filled with diamonds is sure to shine.&nbsp; Don\'t miss they opportunity to scoop them up when you find them!</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p>P.S.&nbsp; - Thanks to the folks at The Diamond Source (Scottsdale/Los Angeles) for their easy to understand explanation of the Diamond\'s 4C\'s.&nbsp; If you want to know more you can find it <a href=\"http://www.diasource.com/fourcs.htm#cut\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ba0d00e0-3868-4dd4-ac07-58b0d7bc28e1\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\" rel=\"tag\">Leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Human%20Resources\" rel=\"tag\">Human Resources</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Diamonds\" rel=\"tag\">Diamonds</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Diamonds%20in%20the%20Rough\" rel=\"tag\">Diamonds in the Rough</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Finding%20Great%20People\" rel=\"tag\">Finding Great People</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Building%20great%20businesses\" rel=\"tag\">Building great businesses</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Teams\" rel=\"tag\">Teams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success\" rel=\"tag\">Success</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Diamond%20Source\" rel=\"tag\">The Diamond Source</a></div>','Diamonds Are A Business\'s Best Friend','','inherit','open','open','','595-revision','','','2010-03-05 19:56:03','2010-03-05 19:56:03','',595,'http://www.corepurpose.com/595-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2544,2,'2010-02-26 03:06:30','2010-02-26 03:06:30','<p>I\'ve been fascinated by space ever since I was a kid. I still remember the night when it all began.&nbsp; My friends and I had pitched our tent in the back yard for a sleep-over and were toasting marshmallows over the barbeque when Mom and Dad called us all inside to watch history happen.&nbsp; Before our wondering eyes, American Astronauts took their first steps on the moon.&nbsp; It inspired me, encouraged my love for science and technology, and made me proud to be an American.&nbsp; It made a difference.  <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/joe-in-nbl.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Joe in NBL\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/joe-in-nbl_thumb.jpg\" width=\"295\" height=\"222\"></a>Now, I\'m no rocket scientist, but I\'m proud to say I know one.&nbsp; Meet Joe Williams of NASA, my favorite Rocket Scientist.&nbsp; More than your \'Average Joe\" he\'s a husband and father seeking to make a difference in all that he does whether <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0oqO7KCuM\" target=\"_blank\">its dancing with his daughters in their dance recital</a>&nbsp; or in his professional&nbsp;&nbsp; work, as a \"rocket scientist\" contributing towards establishing a sustainable and permanent human presence off Earth.  <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/joe.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Joe\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/joe_thumb.jpg\" width=\"124\" height=\"124\"></a>I first met Joe through Twitter (he\'s <a href=\"http://twitter.com/rikerjoe\">@RikerJoe</a>) and by reading his blog titled <a href=\"http://leadingspace.wordpress.com\">Leading Space</a> (one of the best blogs out there if you are a student of leadership like me.) Online conversations evolved into emails then phone calls and this week I even got to visit the Johnson Space Center in Houston to meet him along with&nbsp; some of the team in person - what a treat!&nbsp; <p>As part of our ongoing People Making a Difference series, here and on <a href=\"http://littlelifestories.wordpress.com/category/people-making-a-difference/\" target=\"_blank\">Little Life Stories</a>, I asked Joe a few questions.&nbsp; Here is what he had to share...  <h3>\"Be a leader, be a friend, be of service.\"&nbsp; Joe Williams</h3> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; Can you tell me a little bit about what you are up to at NASA these days?</strong>  <p><strong><a title=\"The NASA Insignia - For The Benefit of All - Source:Wikipedia\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA\" target=\"_blank\"><img align=\"right\" src=\"http://education.csufresno.edu/images/NASA_Logo.gif\" width=\"237\" height=\"202\"></a>Joe:</strong>&nbsp; My current project is working with our team in determining how NASA\'s mission operations in Houston acquires the goods and services it needs to fulfill its role in human spaceflight.&nbsp; About 85% of NASA\'s budget is spent on procuring goods and services from the private sector, and mission operations is no different.&nbsp; Whether it is Mission Control, our training facilities where we train astronauts, or the people who work in them, we are heavily reliant upon our contractor workforce to accomplish our mission.&nbsp; With the recent policy shift mandated by the White House for NASA away from the certainties associated with near-term Moon landings and into the uncertainties and ambiguities of new technology development, the task before me is made even more difficult.&nbsp; What is the near-term role of mission operations?&nbsp; How do we procure the goods and services we need to fulfill that role?&nbsp; I love a good challenge, and it\'s here!  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; That\'s going to take a lot of leadership focus.&nbsp; Who are some of the leaders you have worked with and been mentored by who inspire you.</strong>  <p><strong><img style=\"margin:5px;\" alt=\"Scott Pace\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.gwu.edu/~elliott/assets/images/faculty/pics/pace-web.jpg\" width=\"145\" height=\"145\">Joe:</strong>&nbsp; I\'m inspired by Dr. Scott Pace, Director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University.&nbsp; A few years ago I served as his Executive Officer for a five-month period while he was an Associate Administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.&nbsp; Scott has the amazing blend of a strong technical background (his is in physics as is mine), a grasp of the subtleties of space policy, and the ability to formulate and articulate the combination of both in an amazing way.&nbsp; Scott inspired and encouraged me to stretch myself in many ways.&nbsp; Two of these in particular are to be comfortable working with leadership at least two levels above my pay grade, which is paying tremendous dividends in my current work.&nbsp; The second is that we are capable of handling a tremendous volume of work - that the only impediment is our own self-imposed limitations of what we think we are capable of doing.&nbsp; Scott always smiled when I would report to him something along the following lines: \"I\'m working two dozen items and I believe you would like to hear the status on six of them.\"  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; A key to leadership is understanding what really matters - what \'matters\' to you?</strong>  <p><strong>Joe:</strong> I\'m rooted in my three core values: learning and discovery,&nbsp; fairness and respect, and excellence.&nbsp; NASA\'s mission and results align with all three.&nbsp; Therefore, NASA gives me the opportunity to make a difference directly in creating a sustainable and permanent human presence off Earth.&nbsp; I feel strongly it is our destiny to eventually leave Earth and settle other places.&nbsp; It\'s part of our heritage as a nation to explore and discover the world and universe around us. </p> <p><strong><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/joes-family.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Joe\'s Family\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/joes-family_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"164\"></a></strong>Family is incredibly important to me.&nbsp; My wonderful wife JoAnn keeps&nbsp; me grounded so that I never forget what\'s important at home, even when I am hyper focused on space exploration and our NASA mission. Together we are creating a better future for our daughters.&nbsp; She\'s an important reason why I can what I do.&nbsp;&nbsp; On the lighter side - I am a HUGE Texas Longhorns fan.&nbsp; Burnt Orange is my favorite color especially when cheering for my favorite team. </p> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; If you had three wishes, what would they be?</strong></p> <p><strong>Joe:</strong>&nbsp; My three wishes are tied to my three core values:  <ol> <li>That everyone can get the education he or she needs to make a difference;  <li>That we can treat each other with fairness and respect; and  <li>That each of us will demand excellence from ourselves and from each other. </li></ol> <h4>In the final countdown...</h4> <p>Spending time with great leaders is an \"out of this world\" experience.&nbsp; What I learned in my visit to NASA is that <em>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration</em><i> </i>is more than just about space exploration - it\'s a breeding ground for our nation\'s leaders, a crucible for innovations of all kinds, and a source of inspiration and pride for Americans everywhere.  <p>NASA history began when John F. Kennedy said: \"\"<em>I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.\"</em>&nbsp; That one goal sparked thousands of innovations, new technologies , new industries, and through them hundreds of thousands of high paying jobs for Americans, yet in a time when we need them more than ever, we may be missing the opportunity to set new and equally aggressive goals.&nbsp;&nbsp; <p>Perhaps it’s time to reengage the American spirit with a new goal.&nbsp; <em>I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out,….</em><i> </i>Washington...are you listening?&nbsp;&nbsp; <h4>Thanks for stopping by. Stay Tuned...</h4> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5dd9ca52-f278-44dd-a488-98199b10d315\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joe%20Williams\" rel=\"tag\">Joe Williams</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/NASA\" rel=\"tag\">NASA</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/RikerJoe\" rel=\"tag\">RikerJoe</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dr%20Scott%20Pace\" rel=\"tag\">Dr Scott Pace</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Johnson%20Sapce%20Center\" rel=\"tag\">Johnson Sapce Center</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leading%20Space\" rel=\"tag\">Leading Space</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leading%20Space%20Blog\" rel=\"tag\">Leading Space Blog</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation%20Quotes\" rel=\"tag\">Innovation Quotes</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\" rel=\"tag\">Leadership</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Technology\" rel=\"tag\">Technology</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/this%20nation%20should%20commit%20itself%20to%20achieving%20the%20goal\" rel=\"tag\">this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/before%20this%20decade%20is%20out\" rel=\"tag\">before this decade is out</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/of%20landing%20a%20man%20on%20the%20moon%20and%20returning%20him%20safely%20to%20Earth\" rel=\"tag\">of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/People%20Making%20A%20Difference\" rel=\"tag\">People Making A Difference</a></div>','An interview with my favorite Rocket Scientist - meet Joe Williams','','inherit','open','open','','1511-revision','','','2010-02-26 03:06:30','2010-02-26 03:06:30','',1511,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1511-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2545,2,'2010-02-11 17:15:23','2010-02-11 17:15:23','<p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://trak.in/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/indian-growth-graph-best.gif\" width=\"257\" height=\"256\">An <a href=\"http://mashable.com/2010/02/11/twitter-funny-promo-video/\">article at Mashable.com</a> got me thinking this morning.&nbsp;&nbsp; Growing a business is serious stuff.&nbsp; But occasionally a little humor, a novelty, or even a contest or prize can help you business gain the attention of your target market and grow that much faster.</p> <p>After all it\'s about getting your customers and your potential customers talking about you and eventually actually buying from you.&nbsp; </p> <p>Whether your business is B2B (business to business) or B2C (business to consumer) a dash of creativity and a bit of buzz can help move you up the growth curve.</p> <p>A great way to see a selection of creative marketing ideas is to spend a little time on YouTube ... so that\'s just what I did.&nbsp; And here is what I found...</p> <h4>\"If you want to market something - create a social object.\"</h4> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:a335bd48-cdcb-40ff-a59c-e5175e8b3099\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XQAjSAMqAs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;]</div></div> <p>(You can find more from <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/user/infernopr\">InfernoPR&nbsp; at their YouTube Channel</a>._</p> <h4>What is a social object?&nbsp; Well let\'s look...</h4> <p><a href=\"http://mashable.com/author/stan-schroeder/\">Stan Schroder</a> of <a href=\"http://www.mashable.com\">Mashable</a> included a great one from Twitter\'s early days featuring Biz Stone.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:e1ca0ba3-2bde-435f-83ff-0678241dacfd\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGnMThF_2Lo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;]</div></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A favorite of my friend <a href=\"http://www.lonsafko.com\">Lon Safko</a>, of <a href=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com\">The Social Media Bible</a> fame.&nbsp; The Will it Blend series has attracted millions to their site and sent LOTS of blenders out to customers. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:c9931424-417a-4e63-9290-d95099ae53ce\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx4QgK_xEfE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;]</div></div> <p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>And as a Mom, my personal favorite, <a href=\"http://www2.evian.com/#/en_US/4-Home\">Evian\'s</a> Roller Babies.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p></p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5d274525-a798-4b5c-8b84-4b1e132b203b\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;]</div></div> <p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Not everyone hits with millions of views on YouTube - but that\'s OK.</h4> <p>There are lots of other ways to draw attention to your product by capturing the customers imagination and attention.&nbsp; Here are some more...</p> <ul> <li><a href=\"http://www.lifelock.com/todd-davis\">Todd Davis</a> of <a href=\"http://www.lifelock.com/\">LifeLock</a> is so confident of his company\'s service that he posts his Social Security number all over the place - he said it on Oprah, put it on billboards, and pasted it on the back of a bus and drove around the U.S.  <li><a href=\"http://shwaag.com\">Shwaag</a> founders Eric Keosky-Smith and Michael Edwards are building a business around Giving Away really cool stuff.&nbsp; Audiences love it and so do the companies whose products they promote.</li></ul> <h4>So maybe it\'s time to try something new...</h4> <p>You never know where it might take you...or your business.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8350f443-987e-4db9-8355-9b50fda45e0e\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Inferno%20PR\" rel=\"tag\">Inferno PR</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter\" rel=\"tag\">Twitter</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Evian%20Roller%20babies\" rel=\"tag\">Evian Roller babies</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Mashable\" rel=\"tag\">Mashable</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Youtube%20videos\" rel=\"tag\">Youtube videos</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lon%20Safko\" rel=\"tag\">Lon Safko</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Will%20it%20blend\" rel=\"tag\">Will it blend</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Blendtec\" rel=\"tag\">Blendtec</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Stan%20Schroder\" rel=\"tag\">Stan Schroder</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/marketing\" rel=\"tag\">marketing</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/creativity\" rel=\"tag\">creativity</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\" rel=\"tag\">business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\" rel=\"tag\">business tips</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20growth\" rel=\"tag\">business growth</a></div>','Growing a business is serious stuff...Right?','','inherit','open','open','','1510-revision','','','2010-02-11 17:15:23','2010-02-11 17:15:23','',1510,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1510-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2546,2,'2010-01-30 17:34:24','2010-01-30 17:34:24','<img align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/Images/FastTracLogo.jpg\" width=\"221\" height=\"201\">  <p>As I make my way around the business and investment communities, too often I see and hear examples&nbsp; of businesses that have terrific potential but just need a boost to turn potential into reality.&nbsp; More often than not, what they need MOST is a plan to move from concept to commercial success.</p> <h3>Getting Your Business on the Fast Track to Success Takes...</h3> <h3>Capital</h3> <p>I can\'t recall a conversation with an entrepreneur where the subject of money or Capital has not come up.&nbsp; It usually goes something like this...</p> <p>\"If we had the money we could...\"</p> <p>\"If you invest in our company we will...\"</p> <p>\"We would have hit our goals if we had the capital for ...\"</p> <p>Yet when I ask to see the business plan and the other information that is REQUIRED for access to capital by almost any bank or investor, the conversation suddenly goes a different direction.&nbsp; </p> <p>So hint #1 - If you need CAPITAL to Fast Track your business, you need a SOLID plan to demonstrate that you know how to not just grow your business, but also how to PAY BACK the investor or bank.</p> <p>You need that thought process in place and you need it written down so others can see it.</p> <h3>Cognition</h3> <p>The next step in the process is the cognitive step.&nbsp; Cognition is the process of perceiving, thinking, reasoning and analyzing.&nbsp; This forms the foundation of ANY plan.</p> <p>As my friend <a href=\"http://www.google.com/profiles/francine.hardaway\">Francine Hardaway</a> says: </p> <blockquote> <p>\"It\'s not enough to know just&nbsp; technology or science. To be successful, you need to understand the business behind it. \"</p></blockquote> <p>Here in Arizona, a great example of a tool to move your business forward is a program for business plan training that&nbsp; includes the <a href=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/FastTrac/\">FastTrac</a><sup>®</sup> programs of the <a href=\"http://www.kauffman.org\">Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation</a> of Kansas City, cosponsored locally by <a href=\"http://www.stealthmode.com\">Stealthmode Partners</a>.</p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" alt=\"Ed  Nusbaum of Stealthmode Partners\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://media.linkedin.com/media/p/2/000/000/03e/3c2aee0.jpg\" width=\"99\" height=\"99\"></p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" alt=\"Francine Hardaway of Stealthmode Partners\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/files/imagecache/listing_image/files/francine-hardaway.jpg\"></p> <p><a href=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/pbres.html\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" hspace=\"10\" alt=\"Phillip Blackerby, M.P.Aff.\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/Images/pb.jpg\" width=\"74\" height=\"99\"></a><a href=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/pbres.html\"></a>&nbsp;</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/fasttrac/\"><img title=\"FastTrac\" alt=\"FastTrac\" align=\"left\" src=\"http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/Images/FastTracLogo.jpg\" width=\"65\"></a></h3> <p>You can find the </p> <p>&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.arizonaft.com/\">Arizona Winter 2010 Schedule here!</a></p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>Some of the areas this program covers include: How do you generate interest? How much is it worth? How do you profit from it? How do you sustain ongoing growth? How do you get the needed financing?&nbsp;&nbsp; That\'s where FastTrac® TechVenture™ makes a difference.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here\'s what Francine had to share...</p> <blockquote> <p>\"Just as you thrive on the frontier of technology and life sciences, we operate on the cutting edge of business and entrepreneurship. During FastTrac TechVenture, this knowledge is shared with you. Learn how to determine the best way to apply it to your situation to produce a product, build your company, and fulfill your vision.</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>This program will be offered by Stealthmode Partners under the auspices of the City of Tempe, and best of all, thanks to the City of Tempe, Arizona, the course is free to Tempe based companies or other local companies who commit to create jobs fro Tempe residents(except for the cost of materials $150) . Begins March 8 at 5:30 PM. Register at <a href=\"http://www.tempeft.com\">http://www.tempeft.com</a>\"</p></blockquote> <h3>Collaboration</h3> <p>Last but not least - you need to get others on board.&nbsp; Collaboration is key to fast tracking ANY business.&nbsp; Whether it it effectively building high performance teams inside your business, or finding other businesses or community resources to partner with, NO ONE succeeds alone.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When it comes to moving a business along the growth path you have to collaborate to get things done.&nbsp; Don\'t just take my word for it ... ask ANY successful entrepreneur.</p> <p><strong>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</strong></p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <p>Resource Links:</p> <p><a title=\"http://www.fasttrac.org/\" href=\"http://www.fasttrac.org/\">http://www.fasttrac.org/</a></p> <p><a href=\"http://arizonaft.com\">http://arizonaft.com</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:71449e7f-8c1f-499c-a976-60ed3b59c0a7\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">Arizona Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Francine%20Hardaway\" rel=\"tag\">Francine Hardaway</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Ed%20Nusbuam\" rel=\"tag\">Ed Nusbuam</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Phillip%20Blackerby\" rel=\"tag\">Phillip Blackerby</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/StealthmodePartners\" rel=\"tag\">StealthmodePartners</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Fasttrac\" rel=\"tag\">Fasttrac</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Fast%20Track%20your%20busness\" rel=\"tag\">Fast Track your busness</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kauffman%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Kauffman Foundation</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Ewing%20marion%20Kauffman%20Foundation\" rel=\"tag\">Ewing marion Kauffman Foundation</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Tempe%20Arizona%20Business%20Programs\" rel=\"tag\">Tempe Arizona Business Programs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Gilbert%20Arizona%20Business%20Programs\" rel=\"tag\">Gilbert Arizona Business Programs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Mesa%20Arizona%20Busness%20programs\" rel=\"tag\">Mesa Arizona Busness programs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/FastTrac%20Arizona\" rel=\"tag\">FastTrac Arizona</a></div>','Get Your Business on the Fast Track to Success','','inherit','open','open','','1509-revision','','','2010-01-30 17:34:24','2010-01-30 17:34:24','',1509,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1509-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2547,2,'2010-01-25 03:31:33','2010-01-25 03:31:33','&nbsp; <p>The first step to success is being passionate about what you do.&nbsp; Don\'t just take it from me - talk to Mike Henry Sr., founder of <a href=\"http://leadchangegroup.com\">the Lead Change Group.</a>  <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/mike-henry-sr.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Mike Henry Sr.\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/mike-henry-sr-_thumb.jpg\" width=\"244\" height=\"244\"></a>He draws inspiration from the words of Margaret Mead:  <blockquote> <p>“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed individuals to change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.\"</p></blockquote> <p>Mike\'s passionate about developing people and making a&nbsp; difference through relationships.&nbsp;&nbsp; He founded the Lead Change Group because... that was what he could do.&nbsp; It started after he was&nbsp; laid off from a position as a Vice President of a small electronic payments company.&nbsp; To make ends meet, he began trying several different projects to make a difference and earn a living.&nbsp;&nbsp; Best of all - he\'s succeeding!&nbsp; <blockquote> <p>\"We accept our powerlessness too easily.\"&nbsp; - <em>Mike Henry Sr.</em>&nbsp; </p></blockquote> <p>One part of the strategy has been to make a difference by encouraging people through social media channels to \'give themselves away\' and help other people. Sharing from his own experience, Mike draws on decades of work in technology, operations and administrative positions in industries as varied as transportation, energy, telecom and financial services.  <blockquote> <p>\"I’ve learned you can always help people. Almost no-one will turn down help, encouragement, and interest.\"&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>Mike Henry Sr</em>.</p></blockquote> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><strong><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/young-mike-henry.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px 5px 5px 10px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"A Young Mike Henry with (then baby daughter) Jessica ) \" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/young-mike-henry_thumb.jpg\" width=\"193\" height=\"271\"></a></strong>I did a little checking up on Mike\'s leadership talents by asking two people who REALLY know.&nbsp; Here\'s what his grown up kids have to say...</strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>“Mike Henry is a good leader because he can distinguish between right and wrong ethically and morally.” –Michael Henry Jr.</p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong>&nbsp;</p> <blockquote> <p>“Dad is a good leader because he is always there to pick you up when you fall and encourage you on how to move forward. Thanks Dad for always lifting me up.” – <a href=\"http://twitter.com/jdhenry09\">Jessica Henry</a> </p></blockquote> <p><strong></strong>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Q&amp;A with Mike Henry Sr.</h4> <p><strong><strong><img style=\"margin:5px;\" alt=\"Lead Change Group Logo\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://media02.linkedin.com/media/p/2/000/034/388/2fb4ce1.png\" width=\"150\" height=\"101\"></strong>JKW:&nbsp; What\'s your favorite project?</strong> </p> <p><strong>Mike:</strong>&nbsp; I\'m very excited about the growth of the Lead Change Group and our role in the development of the <a href=\"http://leaderpalooza.com/\" rel=\" \">Leader Palooza un-conference</a> on February&nbsp; 19-20, 2010 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  <p>The Lead Change Group makes a difference because it’s an open-source, peer-based leadership development community. We formed on <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&amp;gid=1875191\">LinkedIn</a> and started growing on <a href=\"http://search.twitter.com/search?q=leadchange\">Twitter</a>. We’ve also started finding new friends on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/leadchangegroup\">Facebook</a> as well.  <p><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/leaderpaloozalogo-175.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" border=\"0\" alt=\"LeaderPalooza \" align=\"right\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/leaderpaloozalogo-175_thumb.jpg\" width=\"208\" height=\"208\"></a>We’re committed to applying character-based leadership to make a positive difference. Since we all “met” virtually, we decided to host our first face-to-face get-together this February 19-20 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. </p> <p><a href=\"http://twitter.com/AngieChaplin\">Angie Chaplin</a> named it LeaderPalooza. Here we will further the mission of the group by enabling deeper collaboration and cooperation between members who have met and shared a common experience. The time will be used to enable us to work together, energizing and equipping one another to actively apply character-based leadership in our own personal spheres of influence. </p> <p>Just the trust between the people who cut out 3 days of their life&nbsp; for this effort will generate new energy and enable some exciting new ideas. We’re not dictating a lot of structure because we want to allow time for people to interact and create. </p> <p>Some of the ideas that we’ll be talking about at LeaderPalooza will include:</p> <ol> <ol> <li>Further define the promise of the Lead Change Group. What is a character-based leader and how can one make a positive difference?  <li>How do we measure the impact of a character-based leader?  <li>how we can use social media to expand our reach as leaders and as a group.  <li>how we can help each other in our own spheres of influence after the conference. </li></ol></ol> <p>We’re using an un-conference format so the actual agenda will be finalized when the meeting begins. I can’t wait to see what happens as a result.&nbsp; </p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" alt=\"Vicky Henry\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/129178776/Vicky_s_004.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"238\"></p> <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; Who Inspires YOU?</strong>  <p><strong>Mike:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; I’m most inspired by my wife, Vicky. She’s been married to me for 27 years and it’s been a tremendous roller-coaster. My personality is quite a challenge for her, but so is her health. She daily can’t do the things she’d like to do physically, but she keeps plugging. She inspires me through her patience and her persistence. She’s steady as a rock, which also tells you something about how unsteady I can be.  <p><strong>JKW: Why do you do What you do?</strong>  <p><strong>Mike:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; I almost backed out of the interview because of this question.  <p>I don’t know why I’m doing this.  <blockquote> <p>I can’t just sit by and do nothing, and I seem to hit obstacles at many other things I’ve tried to do in my past, so I do this. </p></blockquote> <p>I enjoy people. We’re at our best when we’re giving ourselves away. For me, the best way to do that is to find a common purpose and form a team. There we can serve each other and it’s not charity. The service is in pursuit of a common goal that’s bigger than the individuals.  <blockquote> <p>“There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos.” <em>Jim Hightower</em></p></blockquote> <p>The frustration for me comes when the something I’m doing doesn’t achieve the results I’m pursuing. Sometimes it’s difficult to maintain balance and create a sustainable team.  <p>In the end, for me every day the question needs to be, “Did you help someone?” If I can answer yes to that question, that needs to be enough. When I’m really honest, many days that’s not enough. But it needs to be. (It’s very hard to say that right now.)  <p><strong>JKW:&nbsp; If you had Three Wishes - what would they be?</strong>  <p><strong>Mike:</strong>&nbsp; First, I’d wish that the Lead Change Group idea would become sustainable. I enjoy investing in people and seeing them shine.  <p>Second, I wish my wife could get some rest from her physical problems.  <p>Third, I wish I could manage as much online activity as <a href=\"http://www.google.com/profiles/jkoerberwalker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>.  <p>(My real third wish would be to deepen my relationships with my two grown children, daughter-in-law and grandson. )  <p><strong>JKW - If folks wanted to&nbsp; get in touch - how can they find you?</strong>  <p><strong>Mike:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You can\'t build a team if people can\'t find you.&nbsp; I\'m pretty accessible - here are a few places where I can be found.  <blockquote> <p>Email:&nbsp; <a href=\"mailto:mike@leadchangegroup.com\">mike@leadchangegroup.com</a>  <p>Phone:&nbsp;&nbsp; (918) 401-0011  <p>LinkedIn: <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehenrysr\">http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehenrysr</a>  <p>Twitter:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://twitter.com/mikehenrysr\">@mikehenrysr</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>So Reader - What do YOU think?</strong></p> <p><strong>Has Mike\'s story inspired you to reach out, share ideas, or lead a&nbsp; little change?</strong>&nbsp; Check out <a href=\"http://leaderpalooza.com/\">Leader Palooza</a>, connect with Mike on Twitter or Linked In.&nbsp; Find out what a \'a small group of committed individuals\' can do when they commit to #LeadChange.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:543a934d-c09a-4012-8262-5647b8c01568\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Mike%20Henry%20Sr\" rel=\"tag\">Mike Henry Sr</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lead%20Change%20Group\" rel=\"tag\">Lead Change Group</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leader%20Palooza\" rel=\"tag\">Leader Palooza</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Angie%20Chaplin\" rel=\"tag\">Angie Chaplin</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter\" rel=\"tag\">Twitter</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/LinkedIn%20for%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">LinkedIn for Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Facebook\" rel=\"tag\">Facebook</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Using%20Social%20Media%20for%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Using Social Media for Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/People%20Making%20a%20Difference\" rel=\"tag\">People Making a Difference</a></div>','Not Just Accepting Change ... Leading It. An Interview with Mike Henry Sr.','','inherit','open','open','','1508-revision','','','2010-01-25 03:31:33','2010-01-25 03:31:33','',1508,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1508-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2548,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:35','2012-08-19 21:56:35','<img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Aerial_view_of_the_Capitol_Hill.jpg/250px-Aerial_view_of_the_Capitol_Hill.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"296\" height=\"198\" align=\"right\" />Watching the Massachusetts Senatorial election results yesterday, started me thinking back to the Presidential campaign of not so long ago... \n\nback in the days when BOTH candidates campaigned on themes of CHANGE. \n\nIf we look back on <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/17/us/politics/AP-US-Obamas-Year-Timeline.html\" target=\"_blank\">President Obama\'s first year in office</a>, few would argue that it has been a Year of Change.  But most would agree, that in one way or another, it was also a year fraught with disagreements across many sectors.  The election of Scott Brown on January 19, 2010 to the Senate seat long held by Senator Ted Kennedy underscores that. \n\n<strong>A Beltway Scramble</strong>\n\nBeltway Warriors on both sides of the aisle are now scrambling to develop new strategies on key issues, especially the highly publicized Health Care legislation that is so lengthy, so complicated, and so contentious that if you asked anyone - anywhere  if they agreed with ALL of it,  you would be hard pressed to to find anyone who could answer with a resounding YES!  It\'s so full of <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2010/01/promise-and-compromise.html\" target=\"_blank\">Promise and Compromise</a> that what started out to be a race horse now looks like a camel.  Some fear it may never even make it to the finish line when most would agree that change is needed.  Others fear it might.\n\n<strong>It\'s time for Innovation in Washington D.C. not Change.</strong>\n\nInnovation to me has a simple definition.  INNOVATION IS DOING SOMETHING IN A NEW WAY TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE THAT MATTER. \n\nSo here\'s my suggestion for a true innovation.  Let\'s shift from change we can believe in to Change we can AGREE ON and get it done NOW.\n\n<a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_healthcareproposals_20090912.html\" target=\"_blank\">This listing</a> from the Wall Street Journal takes a look at the House and Senate Healthcare Proposals side by side.  In it there are some things that most of us can agree on like\n<ul>\n	<li>removing the ability for the insurance industry to place restrictions on pre-exiting conditions</li>\n	<li>restricting insurance companies from dropping coverage when people actually get sick</li>\n	<li>extending the time period that young adults can be covered under their parents insurance policies</li>\n	<li>making healthcare accessible and affordable for a broader section of the population through incentives or subsidies. </li>\n</ul>\n<strong>A REAL change could be HOW we get it done.</strong>\n\nNow is the time when the House and Senate are tasked with bringing the two proposals together in a final form.  This is an opportunity to do something in a NEW WAY.  Instead of more horse trading, side deals, and compromises, SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS. \n\nPull out each of the key items/issues one piece at a time, prioritize them based on the degree of agreement, and put them to a vote as a stand alone issue. \n\nTalk about transparency.  No more thousand page documents with hidden deals.  It\'s all there nice and clear.  You agree or disagree then vote to decide, send  it over to the appropriate agency to implement if it passes, and move on to the next item.\n\nThis would be change the American people could believe in and a change that we could  agree on.  Who knows - we might just make life better for the people - remember us. \n\n<strong>Thanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned.</strong>\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n[Joan Koerber-Walker is a wife, a mother, a small business person, and a voter who lives in Phoenix, Arizona.  Her journey includes executive roles in corporate America, as an entrepreneur, as a community volunteer, and as a non-profit leader.]\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:beb705aa-00aa-4e57-aba2-34624deb4ebd\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Washington%20DC\">Washington DC</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Health%20Care\">Health Care</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare\">Healthcare</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation\">Innovation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\">Leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/President%20Barack%20Obama\">President Barack Obama</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Senator%20John%20McCain\">Senator John McCain</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koeber-Walker\">Joan Koeber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Congress\">Congress</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/House%20of%20Representatives\">House of Representatives</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Senate\">Senate</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Wall%20Street%20Journal%20Healthcare%20Proposal%20Comparison\">Wall Street Journal Healthcare Proposal Comparison</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Change\">Change</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Small%20business\">Small business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Making%20Decisions\">Making Decisions</a></div>','Health Care Legislation on the Brink. Maybe it\'s time for ... Innovation and Change We Can Agree On','','inherit','open','open','','1507-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:35','2012-08-19 21:56:35','',1507,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1507-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2549,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:43','2012-08-19 21:56:43','<a href=\"http://www.kokasexton.com/word/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/free-sign.gif\"><img title=\"free-sign\" src=\"http://www.kokasexton.com/word/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/free-sign.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"291\" height=\"232\" align=\"right\" /></a>\n\nThere is a lot of talk about all of the things that you can get for FREE these days.  Not surprising in an era where budgets are stretched and we are all looking to get more for less.\n\nLast week, I had the pleasure of listening to <a href=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/lon-safko-biography.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Lon Safko</a>, co-author of the <a href=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Social Media Bible</a> speak to a group of counselors from <a href=\"http://www.score.org\">SCORE</a> and the <a href=\"http://www.azsbdc.net/\">SBDC</a> as a prelude to <a href=\"http://www.scorephoenix.org/January-Social-Media-Event.html?SID=x67J38LFHDSURSVAGT66R8&amp;NID=9055375&amp;\">Greater Phoenix SCORE\'s Social Media Event</a> this January 14th and 15th.\n\nDuring his presentation, Lon kept emphasizing the reasons, excellent ones BTW, that businesses need to pay attention to and utilize social media.  And repeatedly he punctuated his message with a continuing theme...Oh Yes!  It\'s FREE!\n\nBut is it?\n\nWhile access to these new social media platforms is free or in the case of some emerging premium products relatively inexpensive, let\'s look at some of the costs.\n\n<strong>FUNDING and Economic costs</strong>\n\nBased on reports from Tech Crunch, the four most prominent platforms in their categories (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google) raised over $1 Billion in equity funding to get to where they are today.\n<ul>\n	<li>Twitter is free - $160M in funding to date according to this <a href=\"http://www.crunchbase.com/company/twitter\">time line from TechCrunch</a></li>\n	<li>Facebook is free - $716M in in funding to date according to this <a href=\"http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook\">time line from TechCrunch</a>.  With over <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics\">350 MILLION active users</a> worldwide (if you are a demographer an interesting side note is that if Facebook users were a nation, they would now have exceeded the population of the United States of America making the Facebook Nation the 3rd largest country in the world!) </li>\n	<li>LinkedIn is free (although new premium features carry a price)  - $103M in funding to date according to this <a href=\"http://www.crunchbase.com/company/linkedin\" target=\"_blank\">time line from Tech Crunch</a>. With more than 45 million users representing 150 industries around the world, LinkedIn is a fast-growing professional networking site that allows members to create business contacts, search for jobs, and find potential clients.</li>\n	<li>Google Search and many applications are free.  The search engine activity has been estimated at over 2 Billion searches each day with a related estimate of 300 Million unique users daily.  Google received $25.1M in funding according to this <a href=\"http://www.crunchbase.com/company/google\">time line from TechCrunch</a></li>\n</ul>\nAnd that does not take into account that these are simply mediums across which information is shared.  The platforms have no value without content creation - think people sharing information -  and that takes time.  If we estimate that a combined 1 Billion visitors spent just 1 hour on the platforms entering/sharing their content each year at MINIMUM wage of $7.25/hour - content creation across the platforms would cost $7.25 Billion dollars - and that is for only 1 hour per year at minimum wage!  Now think about what your time is worth?  How many hours have you actually spent?\n\n<strong>There is no such thing as a free lunch.</strong>\n\nWe\'ve all heard it.  Heaven knows who said first.  \"There is no such thing as a free lunch.\"  I\'ll attribute this one to my Grandma, she may not have been the first to say it - but she was the first to say it to me.   Everything has a cost, whether in time, money, or the opportunity cost (what you could have gotten if you used your time and money in a different way.)   Until you truly understand costs, you can never calculate value since cost is a key component of the value equation.\n<blockquote>Value = Benefit - Cost</blockquote>\nThe concept of a wanting a free lunch is pervasive today across our entrepreneurial and business communities - not to mention our society as a whole.  Whether the benefit is accurate information provided by media outlets, advice from thought leaders, time with business advisors, or creative content like books, films and movies - there is a growing perception that in the new information age, knowledge and content is free.  But if we continue along this line of thinking, we may begin to find it is just the opposite.\n\n<strong>No need to buy the cow if you already have the milk.</strong>\n\nThis was another favorite \"Grandma Quote.\"  For those of you who are smirking, no this post is not going down THAT avenue.  This maxim took on an entirely new meaning when I moved from a salaried position in corporate America to the role of an entrepreneur whose livelihood and business was based on providing valuable information for a fee.\n\nIn the early years of my business, I was actively networking and sharing ideas.  Soon my calendar was filled with invitations for FREE coffee, FREE Lunches, FREE dinners where a new business friend wanted to \'pick my brain\' or \'share\' an idea.  But more often than not, all that came out of the exchange was a few more inches around my waistline.  Over those meet ups, I would answer their questions, offer contacts, help create solutions.  And more often that not, my potential new business evaporated.  They had gotten what they needed from me over lunch while all I got was a hamburger and a diet coke!\n\nThen Grandpa, an attorney, came to my rescue with some simple advice.  \"The first exploratory hour is FREE, after that you go on the clock. Your time and knowledge IS your business.  If you do not value it, no one else will either.\"\n\nI\'ve gotten better over the years.  (Although, I have to admit that I still give away \"gallons of milk\" because I often share a lot of ideas in that first hour and enjoy connecting with new people or volunteering within organizations that help entrepreneurs.) But now, when someone asks to come back to the table for second, third or fourth helpings, I am a bit wiser about knowing when to graciously decline those invitations to just get together and \'chat\' over lunch.\n\nFor as Grandpa helped me understand... if you can\'t find a way to run a profitable business, the business won\'t be around to help others profit.\n\nGoogle has figured this out and is making money.  Eventually, the other social media giants will too.  Old media will need to learn to monetize their ventures in new ways and the new cadre of consultants emerging from the rolls of corporate layoffs will learn the same lessons I have.  There is no free lunch - especially when you are the one serving up all the free information.\n\n<strong>Well enough of all this for now.</strong> I need to get to work.  Understanding how to use Google Apps for a new project is the next item on my To Do List today.  To quote my friend Lon... \"and did I mention that - it\'s free?\"  Well except that it will probably take all my \'free\' time for the rest of the week to figure it all out.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4aae6066-2369-476d-bd22-7ae9161ecde9\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Consultants\">Consultants</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Information%20Age\">Information Age</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Knowledge%20Economy\">Knowledge Economy</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Social%20Media\">Social Media</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter\">Twitter</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Facebook\">Facebook</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Google\">Google</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Google%20Apps\">Google Apps</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/LinkedIn%20for%20Business\">LinkedIn for Business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/New%20Media\">New Media</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Free%20Lunch\">Free Lunch</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/No%20Free%20Lunch\">No Free Lunch</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Greater%20Phoenix%20SCORE\">Greater Phoenix SCORE</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/SBDC\">SBDC</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/SCORE\">SCORE</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Lon%20Safko\">Lon Safko</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Social%20Media%20Bible\">Social Media Bible</a></div>\n<a href=\"http://www.kokasexton.com/word/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/free-sign.gif\"></a>','Free - Isn\'t','','inherit','open','open','','1506-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:43','2012-08-19 21:56:43','',1506,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1506-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2789,2,'2013-05-19 19:30:42','2013-05-19 19:30:42','<p><a href=\"http://www.corepurpose.com/solutions-for/cookie-cutters/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2790\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2790\" title=\"cookie cutters\" src=\"http://www.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/cookie-cutters-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>CorePurpose<sup>®  </sup>creates custom built solutions designed to meet the unique needs of our clients and their customers.</p>\n<p>Cookie cutters work well in the kitchen when you have the right dough and the right conditions.</p>\n<p>They do not cut it in today\'s competitive and ever-changing business environment. </p>\n<p>Growing a business takes expert talent building creative solutions.  That is what our CorePurpose experts provide.</p>\n<p>CorePurpose solutions start with your mission and purpose and then link to creating or finding the best operational solutions to help you get the job done right.</p>\n<p>Contact us to learn how CorePurpose experts can help you grow your business.</p>','Solutions For','','inherit','open','open','','21-autosave','','','2013-05-19 19:30:42','2013-05-19 19:30:42','',21,'http://www.corepurpose.com/21-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2550,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:51','2012-08-19 21:56:51','<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/j04265271.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/j04265271_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"j0426527[1]\" width=\"244\" height=\"180\" align=\"right\" /></a>Each year in January, I try to plan my calendar to meet with friends in the first two weeks.  I have a diverse group of friends ranging from entrepreneurs to folks from corporate America, from local community volunteers to national leaders, and from neighbors to old school chums.\n\nBy reaching out, reconnecting, asking questions, and listening, I get a really good cross section of what is happening and what is on people\'s minds.  It also gives me a pretty good feel for what to expect in the year to come.\n\nIt probably comes as no surprise that, when I did this is January of 2009, there were lots of rumblings of rough weather ahead.  People where battening down the hatches and preparing to hold on to investments, jobs, and businesses by sheer will.  Folks that I talked to did not know what to expect - but one thing was pretty consistent... they we not expecting it to be good.\n\nYet, this year, there is a different feeling in the conversations.  I don\'t know  what it is  - the stars in alignment, something in the water, or just the impact of moving into a new decade, but once again a message is emerging from all of these conversations - a common statement and theme that  I am hearing from others...\n<blockquote><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;color:#545454;\">2010 will be MY year!</span></blockquote>\nThe first time I heard it expressed by a friend with such confidence that I felt it too, I thought - \'Wow, good for you.\'  Then I heard it again - this time by a business owner - \"This will be OUR year\".  And then again from an entrepreneur, then a scientist, then a developer, then a non profit leader, and so on.  The words were slightly different each time, but the theme kept repeating over and over again.  2010 was going to be the year when they made a break through, grew their business, did something new, made a difference.\n\n<strong>So, will 2010 be YOUR year?</strong> \n\nWe all have the chance to make 2010 our year.  Here are a few things you might want to put to work for you.\n\n1.  <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Write down your goals and put them somewhere where you see them every day.</span>  A series of small goals that build on one another are better that one great big one.  That way, as you achieve each small goal or milestone, the sense of accomplishment gives you more incentive and energy to tackle the next one.\n\n2.  <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Gather Great People Around You.</span>  Whether you call them a team, a posse, a workgroup or just friends, surround yourself  with people who share your values AND your goals. By working together - things happen faster.  The shared experiences of your team can also help you avoid pitfalls and mistakes that might shift you off course.\n\n3.  <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Focus in on the things that will make the biggest impact</span>.  It is too easy to be distracted by little things that can keep you from doing the important ones.  Take the time to understand how you are most productive and then work with others to delegate or off load non core activities.  Paying someone else to do the time consuming nuisance projects can save BIG money in the long run or free you up for more impactful or productive activities.\n\n4. <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Use Processes and Systems to Your Advantage</span>.  The best businesses, projects, and ideas are those you can replicate over and over again.  Figure out what works best, get it down on paper and integrate it into HOW you get things done.  By creating repeatable systems or processes, you save time, save money and often by analyzing the system - continue to improve it.\n\n<strong>Never forget that \"2010 will be MY year\".</strong> \n\nStay positive and positive things happen.  Don\'t let anyone tell you differently. \n\nMake 2010 your year.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned.\n<blockquote><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;color:#545454;\">Joan Koerber-Walker</span></blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c35ebda3-d1c4-4be4-95df-fab8a72b60fd\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation\">Innovation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Growth\">Growth</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/2010\">2010</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/planning\">planning</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\">business tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Strategy\">Business Strategy</a></div>','Talk of the Town - 2010 will be MY Year','','inherit','open','open','','1505-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:51','2012-08-19 21:56:51','',1505,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1505-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2551,2,'2012-08-19 21:56:58','2012-08-19 21:56:58','<img src=\"http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/willow/camel-info0.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"252\" align=\"right\" />\n\nYou\'ve probably had the  experience where through the diverse objectives and perspectives of the people on your team, what you set out to create and what you got where not exactly the same.   As concessions are made to reach a point of consensus, a completely different animal begins to takes shape.\n\nIt has been said that <strong>\"a camel is horse designed by a committee.\"</strong>\n\nInterestingly, having researched this much quoted maxim, there is no true consensus on  WHO actually said it first. \n\nAs leaders, be it in our home, in our business, or  in our community, we are often in a position requiring a <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PROMISE\">promise</a> or commitment.  In many cases, to keep that promise or commitment will require the help of others, and often to get that help, you face a <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/COMPROMISE\">compromise</a>.\n\nWhen you look at the definition of the words as indicated in the links above, I found something interesting. They both come from the same Latin root - <em>promissus</em> which means<em> to send forth and compromissus</em> which means <em>to send forth mutually  or together.</em>\n\nOver the last two years, watching national and world events, I have seen many examples of this, but no better examples than what we have all watched unfold in Washington D.C.\n\nThroughout 2008, we heard a lot of promises from candidates ranging from local offices up to the highest office in the land.  But, then that is to be expected.  We as a people have come to elect people based on what they say they will do as opposed to what they have done or what they can actually do.  Seem confusing? Here is an example...\n\nOn January 11, 2009, <a href=\"http://projects.nytimes.com/44th_president/issue-tracker.html#tax-reform\">the New York Times published a list of Candidate Obama\'s Campaign Promises.</a>  They made a truly impressive list.  Yet for the most part, the list was a list of objectives that acting alone, no U.S. President could keep.  (To be fair, if you go back to the \'promises\' made by the other side, the list was equally impressive and if acting alone, equally unsupported.)   For the reality is, in the United States, we have <a href=\"http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_cnb.html\">a system of checks and balances</a> between the Executive Branch, Congress, and The Judiciary.  The Legislative branch makes the law. The Executive branch executes the law. The Judicial branch interprets the law. Each branch has an effect on the other and for any campaign promise to be kept, all three must be in agreement.<img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://ladyfi.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/compromise.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"285\" height=\"348\" align=\"right\" />\n\n<strong>To reach that agreement</strong>, there often must be concessions and compromises before we can move forward together.  It can be challenging to get TWO people to agree on a contentious issue.  Imagine how much harder it becomes when you are looking at creating consensus among one President, 100 Senators, 435 Congressional Representatives, and ultimately if needed 9 Supreme Court Justices.  Add to that truly monumental challenges like access to affordable healthcare, a less than popular war, a financial collapse, a national deficit so large that the numbers can not be conceived by the average person, and some of our largest states on the verge of financial insolvency. \n\n<strong>Looking at it from that perspective, does it come as a surprise that concessions and trade offs are being made to get ANYTHING accomplished?  </strong>\n\nOver lunch with a friend last week, we were discussing what it takes to get things done.  Not just in Washington, but in our businesses and in our communities.  Often, no matter what you do, no one is completely happy with the final result.  In life, just as in Washington, there are trade offs and compromises that must often be made to that we can move forward.  In one way or another, progress comes at a price.\n\n<strong>The true challenge</strong>, as individuals and leaders, is to have a clear understanding, BEFORE you make a promise, of what will be needed to gain consensus and to get all the support you need to make it happen.  Otherwise, instead of ending up with a sleek and agile Horse, you just may end up spending your days with a Camel!\n\nThanks for stopping by...Stay Tuned.\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dcc241a9-7ba6-430b-a70f-b28c3af724d1\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\">Leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\">Business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\">Business Tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Promises\">Promises</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Compromise\">Compromise</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Washington\">Washington</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/National%20Events\">National Events</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare\">Healthcare</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Economy\">Economy</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/President%20Obama\">President Obama</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/negotiating\">negotiating</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/negotiations\">negotiations</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/strategy\">strategy</a></div>','Promise and Compromise','','inherit','open','open','','1504-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:56:58','2012-08-19 21:56:58','',1504,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1504-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2552,2,'2012-08-19 21:43:50','2012-08-19 21:43:50','The year 2009 will be a year to remember- fondly by some and less by others.  But however you feel about this year soon past - 2010 is just around the corner. (Or as my Aussie friends remind me - It\'s already here!)\n\nAs the clock strikes Twelve - New Years tradition is to gather with friends and family to wish them well - sing a song and exchange an embrace.  We\'ve all heard the song and probably sung it - most of us badly - at least I have. \n\nIt is believed Robert Burns wrote the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne in the 1700\'s. (Most say in  1788.)  The 1700\'s were  challenging years for the Scots - and in January of 1788 - it was the passing of an era with the death at 68 of the long exiled <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Edward_Stuart\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Prince Charlie.</a>\n\nThis video has <em><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne\" target=\"_blank\">Auld Lang Syne</a></em> as sung by <a href=\"http://www.dougiemaclean.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=57:tribute&amp;catid=44:recordings&amp;Itemid=80\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Dougie MacLean</em> on his album <em>Tribute</em></a>.  \n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ca3f6a66-8e24-45c3-8add-3927077f9a6a\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxnmaVTlZA]</div>\n</div>\nAs we sing Auld Lang Syne to this challenging decade of zero years,  let\'s take a page from from the song and put it behind us with fond memories of what was good and focus in on where and why we might raise our \'cup of kindness\' to the decade to come.\n<h4>Looking Back on the Big Zero</h4>\nThe decade of the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/opinion/28krugman.html\" target=\"_blank\">Big Zero</a> was not all bad - it had it\'s highs and it\'s lows.  But the highs for me included starting my own company (<a href=\"http://www.corepurpose.com\" target=\"_blank\">CorePurpose</a> turns 8 in July), publishing my <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&amp;field-keywords=joan+koerber-walker\" target=\"_blank\">first book</a>, leading an inspiring team at <a href=\"http://www.asba.com\" target=\"_blank\">ASBA</a> for two years, working with the team at <a href=\"http://www.parentingaz.org\" target=\"_blank\">Parenting Arizona</a> and <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/otef/\" target=\"_blank\">OTEF</a> to make a lasting difference in our community, helping <a href=\"http://www.ribomed.com\" target=\"_blank\">RiboMed</a> move forward in it\'s quest for new methods of early cancer detection so we can catch it early and stop the spread before it harms the ones we love, and watching my sons grow from boys into men that their Dad and I can be very proud if.   All in all, not a bad list.\n<h4>Looking forward to the Big One</h4>\nAs I look towards 2010  and beyond - let\'s call it the Decade of the BIG ONE - I\'m starting a To Do List - not resolutions to break - just actions to take.\n<ul>\n	<li>Help someone find a job they love.</li>\n	<li>Have lunch with a  friend to share ideas on a regular basis</li>\n	<li>Pick an OLD Problem and Solve at it in a NEW way at least every other day.</li>\n	<li>Recognize someone\'s leadership potential and commit to be their mentor</li>\n	<li>Accomplish  \'Small Things\" as suggested by Rebel Brown in <a href=\"http://blog.rebelbrown.com/phoenixrising/2009/12/small-actions-bring-big-rewards.html\" target=\"_blank\">this post</a> at Phoenix Rising.</li>\n	<li>Dust off that Five Year Plan and Refine it for 2010 and beyond</li>\n	<li>Identify What We Do Best - Focus our energies there and outsource the rest</li>\n	<li>Zero in on finding <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/11/the-quest--in-search-of-a-transformational-company.html\" target=\"_blank\">my QUEST company</a> and get it growing.</li>\n	<li>Help my son Nick (he\'s 18) write his business plan for HIS dream business so that when he writes his  2019 Look Back List he can say - \"The Decade of the Big One was when I launched my business - and look what we have achieved.\"</li>\n</ul>\nSo, there you have it - my Look Back List and my To Do List going forward.  Have you started yours?\n\nThanks for stopping - best wishes for a Safe and Happy New Years and a record breaking 2010 and beyond.  Get ready - this decade will be the BIG ONE. \n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:91df9136-a2e2-4a2e-8763-bc380b616371\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Ribomed\">Ribomed</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Parenting%20Arizona\">Parenting Arizona</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/New%20Years\">New Years</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Auld%20Lang%20Syne\">Auld Lang Syne</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/to%20do%20lists\">to do lists</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/look%20back%20lists\">look back lists</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/resolutions\">resolutions</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rebel%20Brown\">Rebel Brown</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Phoenix%20Rising\">Phoenix Rising</a></div>','Just a bit of Auld Lang Syne - Farewell 2009','','inherit','open','open','','1503-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:43:50','2012-08-19 21:43:50','',1503,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1503-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2553,2,'2009-12-28 03:48:43','2009-12-28 03:48:43','<img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://www.kolbe.com/CMX/cmx_images/meet-kathy-kolbe_1225533850359_autoresized_44662.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"252\" height=\"207\" align=\"right\" />\n\nThis year I got an extra special treat - I got to meet and get to know <a href=\"http//kathykolbe.com \" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Kolbe</a>.\n\nI had known about <a href=\"http//www.Kolbe.com\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy\'s work</a> for years and had my own Kolbe A™ Index done in 2005. (My M.O. is 4-3-9-2) Since then, I have used the <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/assessmentTools/assessment-tools.cfm\" target=\"_blank\">Kolbe Assessment Tool Set</a> and Kolbe certified consultants to gain insights into creating high performance teams.  But it was not until we started chatting on Twitter that Kathy and I actually set a date to get together for lunch and started to share ideas. \n\nAbout a month later, at Kathy\'s suggestion, I got certified myself so that I could better apply the power of understanding my own innate abilities to what I do an and learn how to use Kolbe Wisdom™ to make the most of the natural strengths of others in my home life, at work, and in my various community activities.\n\nI continue to learn something new about conation every time I listen to Kathy (here\'s a <a href=\"http://howshereallydoesit.com/podcast/2009/10/kathy-kolbe/\" target=\"_blank\">podcast</a> she did recently with Koren Motekaitus) or by following <a href=\"http://twitter.com/kathykolbe\">@KathyKolbe</a> on Twitter.  Here is an article Martha Beck wrote in <a href=\"http://whttp://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/201001-omag-beck\">O Magazine</a> about the Kolbe Index.\n\nUnderstanding what my natural strengths are and how I can make the best use of them has been a huge advantage for me over the years.  So when I started the \"People Making a Difference Series on Little Life Stories - Kathy was a natural to interview. \n<h4>An Interview with Kathy Kolbe - the world\'s leading expert on Conation.</h4>\n<strong><strong><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://www.warewithal.com/visitors/images/kk_newindexresult250x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"right\" /></strong>JKW: Kathy, I hear your name every time someone talks about Conative Abilities.  How would YOU describe yourself?</strong>\n\n<strong>KK:</strong> Theorist by nature, entrepreneur by preference &amp; writer by pure determination, I’m also a severe dyslexic who has created paths to my freedom to be me. I strive to develop expertise &amp; opportunities to help others do the same.\n\nAs the author of 100+ books &amp; programs teaching creative problem solving for kids - thru my biz, Resources for the Gifted -Time Magazine named me (<a href=\"http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956231-8,00.html\" target=\"_blank\">1985 Man of the Year article</a>) 1 of 7 people representing America’s Can-Do Spirit.\n\nShortly after, a near-fatal car accident left me unable to walk, talk, read or write. I’d been exploring little known instinct-driven conative actions &amp; reactions, and this provided the unique opportunity to experience the isolated use of that source of personal power. The recovery process gave me a higher education in the conative part of the mind. When the book I later wrote (<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Conative-Connection-Acting-Instinct/dp/0201570955\" target=\"_blank\">Conative Connection</a>) became a best seller, it was clear that my life’s work was to help others discover the power of the differing but equal innate abilities I’d unearthed. I do that through Kolbe Corp and the non-profit Center for Conative Abilities.\n\n<a href=\"http://howshereallydoesit.com/podcast/files/2009/09/kolbe.jpg\"><img src=\"http://howshereallydoesit.com/podcast/files/2009/09/kolbe.jpg\" alt=\"kolbe\" align=\"right\" /></a>JKW:  Many companies are learning the importance of understanding conation in the workplace - but it does not stop there.  You\'ve shared some great examples with me.  Would you share one with our readers?\n\nKK:  A favorite application of my work is what happened when I was helping a CEO build and lead his exec team. He asked if I could also help with family problems. His wife and 16 and  12 year old kids completed the Kolbe A Index or Kolbe Youth Indexes, and by phone we discussed natural conflicts in their MOs (or Kolbe Index results). His wife came to realize she was on his son’s case because he didn’t stick to her sense of order. She was also uncomfortable with her husband’s innate degree of risk taking. The daughter, who they feared was ADD, was actually able to thrive once they understood her conative need for hands-on, multitasking activities. In three teleconferences, a family in crisis became one with an appreciation – even a sense of humor - about their differing instinctive responses to one another. And, like a doctor who faces family illnesses, the CEO became a better leader.\n\n<strong>JKW:  You have inspired thousands.  Who inspires you?</strong>\n\nKK:  My greatest inspiration has come from my grandchildren. When I see their joy when they have the freedom to be themselves, their persistence in overcoming obstacles, their compassion for each others’ conative needs, and the great wisdom in how they use this information, I am in awe of both the power within them and the way they put it to use.\n\n<strong>JKW:  Why do you do what you do?</strong>\n\n<strong>KK:</strong>  I do what I do because it is what I believe I was meant to do. I am fulfilling my sense of purpose.\n\n<strong>JKW:  If you had three wishes, what would they be?</strong>\n\n<strong>KK: Wish #1</strong> – That every human being knew the nature of his or her instinct-driven conative powers, found joy in it, humor in their differences from others, and had the freedom to use it purposefully. \n\n<strong>Wish #2</strong> – That our culture would stop pathologizing conative strengths (false ADD and other misdiagnoses ) and stereotyping these universal traits by gender, age , and race (“men are more mechanically inclined”).\n\n<strong>Wish #3</strong> - That the combination of human intelligence, compassion, and conative creativity could be used to rid humankind of poverty, pain and wars against one another.\n<h4>A Special Gift from Kathy Kolbe</h4>\nKathy Kolbe\'s gift to all of us is the ability to better understand HOW we will do what we do to solve problems, find solutions, and get things done. Understanding our personal M.O. (Modus Operandi) and identifying our natural talents helps us understand how we do our best work and why certain things come so easily to us while others do not.\n\nKathy even has set up a special page on her website just for you as a thank you for reading this post.  For a limited time, you, our readers can receive a 20% discount ($10.00 off) on the Kolbe A™ Index. See offer and more information at: <a href=\"http://kolbe.com/jkw\">http://kolbe.com/jkw</a> .\n\nWhen you take your Kolbe A™ Index, be sure to listen to the audio portions of your report, recorded specially for you by Kathy.  They are incredibly helpful. \n\nPlus - as <strong>a special gift from me</strong> (I can\'t let Kathy do ALL the work) - I\'ll be happy to spend an hour with you on the phone or via Skype chatting about how you can put this knowledge to work for you.  Just send me a note by clicking on this <a href=\"http://corepurpose.com/contact.html\" target=\"_blank\">contact link.</a>  In your note, include Your Name (exactly as you entered it in the Kolbe system) your four number MO (mine is 4-3-9-2) and your email address so I can review your report and get back to you to set up a time.\n\nTaking the Kolbe A™ Index is the first step to learning how to emphasize the things that come most naturally to you and how to stop fighting your natural instincts.  Isn\'t that a great way to kick off 2010!\n\n<strong>Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned...</strong>\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\nFor information on Kolbe Corp copyrights and trademarks, <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/globalincludes/trademarks-copyrights.cfm\" target=\"_blank\">click here</a>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e1f5a0a1-c6d9-4933-ba42-929fc687cfaa\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kathy%20Kolbe\">Kathy Kolbe</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kolbe%20Corp\">Kolbe Corp</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Conation\">Conation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Problem%20Solving%20Skills\">Problem Solving Skills</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success\">Success</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Success%20Tools\">Success Tools</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kolbe%20A%20Index\">Kolbe A Index</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a></div>','Helping Others Make the Most of Their Conative Strengths - Kathy Kolbe','','inherit','open','open','','1502-revision','','','2009-12-28 03:48:43','2009-12-28 03:48:43','',1502,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1502-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2554,2,'2012-08-19 21:22:01','2012-08-19 21:22:01','<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/gerber-m-0020.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/gerber-m-0020_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Gerber M 0020\" width=\"165\" height=\"244\" align=\"right\" /></a>\n\nI first met Michael Gerber in November of 2006 when he generously gave of his time and knowledge to come to Phoenix as a volunteer to speak at the First Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference.  <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\">OTEF</a> was a fledgling organization in those days - but we had a dream - to provide entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and support to at risk populations in finding economic sustainability through entrepreneurship.  To do that we needed the funds to offer programs and the conference was a way to share our message and raise the funds to pursue the dream.  Our project captured Michael\'s imagination. \n\nSince that day, we\'ve had the opportunity to get to know each other better.  During my years as CEO at the ASBA, Michael was a wonderful supporter, sharing his knowledge on teleconferences with our members, coming, with his wife Luz Delia, to share in the celebration of the <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/02/the-five-cs-of-growth.html\">2007 Arizona Companies to Watch,</a> sharing ideas with me and our small business community at the Enterprise Business Conference in 2008 to celebrate Small Business Week, and best of all inviting me to The Dreaming Room and plopping me down in the Hot Seat for a challenging one on one session.\n\nOver the years he has had many titles - but my favorite - is Chief Dreamer.   When you get to know him, you see how important the dream is to him and to the tens of thousands of entrepreneurs he has worked with.\n\nIn the video below from the Cisco Innovators Forum, Michael shares some of his thoughts on how entrepreneurs can get it right from the beginning.  After the video - I have a few questions of my own to ask the one and only Michael Gerber.\n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:358fc081-9a61-420e-90e5-af8c519ad759\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9SPxSeJMbA]</div>\n</div>\n<blockquote><strong>“A life without a dream is a life without a purpose. A life without a purpose is a life without meaning.” Michael Gerber</strong></blockquote>\n<strong>JKW:  Michael, in your books, seminars, and programs, you share the secrets of entrepreneurial success.  You have spent decades sharing these secrets - WHY do you do it?</strong>\n\n<strong>MG:</strong> What else would I do? Everywhere I look, people are suffering for a lack of direction. During my life I have worked with thousands of those people, and as they begin to see their lives through the entrepreneurial prism dramatic shifts occur. It’s a fantastic feeling to witness those shifts.\n\n<strong>JKW:  You have made a career helping entrepreneurs succeed in achieving their dreams.  Have you always been successful or was there a time when something happened that others would term an entrepreneurial failure?  If so, how did you recover?</strong>\n\n<strong>MG:</strong> I’ve had so many failures I can’t count them. In fact, I don’t even want to, the pain is too great. But, at the same time, my failures have always led to successes. Not necessarily connected, perhaps, but the one, the failure, taught the other, the success, that the deliberate straightforward path is not always the best path, that the success is most often realized as an epiphany that arises out of the failure in a completely unexpected fashion. So, I have come to look forward to the unexpected.\n\n<strong>JKW:  You have written over 13 </strong><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Michael-E.-Gerber/e/B001I9OR5G/ref=sr_tc_2_0\"><strong>books for entrepreneurs</strong></a><strong> and you have a new one being released in January 2010.  Can you give us a little sneak peak at what it\'s all about?</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image0023.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image0023_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"clip_image002[3]\" hspace=\"12\" width=\"160\" height=\"221\" align=\"right\" /></a><strong>MG:</strong> It’s name is <strong><em>The Most Successful Small Business In The World: The Ten Principles</em>.</strong> It speaks to the essence of what I believe must exist in an enterprise, and an entrepreneur’s relationship with it, for it to truly flourish. You’ll have to read it to find out the secret.\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>JKW: When you are not writing, speaking, and inspiring others, I know that you like to read – a lot. Whose book inspires you – and why?</strong>\n\n<strong>MG:</strong> I read fiction, not business. I rarely read anything to do with business. The reason is, I don’t learn from books, I learn from action. On the other hand, I highly recommend that all small business owners and entrepreneurs read my books. Because unlike all other business books, my books are born out of the actions I’ve taken, and the conclusions I’ve reached as a result of those actions. In short, they are less books, than they are cautionary tales.\n\n<strong>JKW: You and I have talked about social media, blogs, Facebook, and Twitter as it has been evolving. So Michael, do you tweet?</strong>\n\n<strong>MG:</strong> Not yet, but soon.\n\n<strong>JKW: I’ve heard that this year, as a special gift, you are hosting a FREE con call on New Year’s Day with entrepreneurs to help them kick the year off right. How can our readers participate?</strong>\n\n<strong>MG:</strong> Very easy. Just call in at <strong>+1 (866) 951-1151 (</strong>Conference Code Number: <strong>1984938# )</strong><strong> </strong>\n\nIt starts at 4 p.m. PST and will last 90 minutes. I do this every year, but this year is special, as my new book comes out on January 6<sup>th</sup>, and during my Teleconference I’ll be sharing The Ten Principles for creating the most successful small business in the world.\n\n<strong> </strong>\n\n<strong>JKW:</strong> Thanks so much Michael for taking the time to answer a few questions. As you know, I always have more. I guess I’ll just write them down and heave them ready for when I see you in Phoenix for a Meet Up on January 25th. (Readers: Stay tuned to <a href=\"http://twitter.com/joankw\">@joankw</a> for more details in January.)  Who knows – maybe some of our readers will be there too and have new questions for both of us.\n\nSo readers, what do YOU think. Are you ready to kick off the new year right? I’ll be on the call - will you?\n\nThanks for stopping by. Stay tuned…\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n\n<strong></strong>\n\n<strong>Tags</strong>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:952ebc9c-9b11-40c1-9521-facf3f125f42\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Michael%20Gerber\">Michael Gerber</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/E-Myth\">E-Myth</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Inspiring%20the%20Entrepreneur%20Within\">Inspiring the Entrepreneur Within</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Most%20Successful%20Small%20Business%20in%20the%20World\">The Most Successful Small Business in the World</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/In%20the%20Dreaming%20Room\">In the Dreaming Room</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\">Business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tip\">Business Tip</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a></div>','Exploring The Entrepreneurial Myth - an interview with Michael Gerber','','inherit','open','open','','1501-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:22:01','2012-08-19 21:22:01','',1501,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1501-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2555,2,'2012-08-19 21:57:06','2012-08-19 21:57:06','Christmas is a special time for many reasons. Is it OK to wish someone a Merry Christmas? I think so and here is why...\n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:21b47180-cbf4-4775-b07f-7b3b8792ec51\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjgE3AbyaVE]</div>\n</div>\nThank you for stopping by.  Merry Christmas!\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f8aa223f-8a5b-4ca3-90ca-6f21c6b01c85\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Is%20it%20ok%20to%20say%20Merry%20Christmas?\">Is it ok to say Merry Christmas?</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/What%20is%20Christmas\">What is Christmas</a></div>','Christmas Thoughts and Wishes','','inherit','open','open','','1500-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:57:06','2012-08-19 21:57:06','',1500,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1500-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2556,2,'2012-08-19 22:49:45','2012-08-19 22:49:45','One of the most important jobs of a leader is a simple one. \n\n<strong>Say \"Thank You\" and recognize the hard work of others.</strong>\n\nThis photo, taken a number of years ago, popped up on in my son\'s  Facebook stream the other day.  It had been posted by his friend Nick Roa and it reminded me of an important lesson that applies to leaders of all  ages.\n\n<img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs100.snc3/16747_1298021658860_1479947315_791759_5550192_n.jpg\" alt=\"Saying Thank You - photo by Nicholas Roa\" width=\"284\" height=\"213\" />\n\nAt the age of 13, my son Christopher was having a blast playing on his travel hockey team. His coaches instituted a great practice of having the players take turns saying \"thank you\" to the wait-staff in the restaurants where the team would gather with parents after each game.  One night in Tucson, the boys voted for chicken wings and Hooter\'s for dinner after the game.  So that evening, young Chris had to stand on a chair, surrounded by beautiful women and make a speech thanking his team mates for a game well played and the ladies for their hard work.  He did a great job.  (It\'s not everyday a leader gets to make a speech standing on a chair in a crowded restaurant surrounded by a bevy of beauties.)\n\n<strong>There are a myriad of opportunities to say \"Thank You\" </strong>and even more ways to do so.  Here are just a few:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Instead of having the mail room pass out paychecks</strong>, have them sent to you and deliver them personally with a handshake, a smile, or a bit of praise on something that that person has done for the team.</li>\n	<li><strong>Pick up the telephone and speak to someone</strong> - a novel concept these days.  Thank them for their business, their friendship, their support - make it meaningful and don\'t expect or ask for anything in return.</li>\n	<li><strong>Double that Gratuity</strong> - the next time you are out to eat and the service is good.  Don\'t just write in the TIP on the slip - tell the waiter or waitress WHY you did it.  This economy has caused restaurants to cut back on staff - so waiters and waitresses are doing more and in many cases getting smaller tips.  It may just be a few dollars and a minute out of your day but it can mean A LOT to them.</li>\n	<li><strong>Carry an envelope of Dollar Bills</strong> and put them in every little red kettle you see.  Then, THANK the Bell Ringer.  Not only are you supporting the charitable efforts of the <a href=\"http://www..salvationarmy.org\">Salvation Army</a> in helping people who need it - but you are recognizing the efforts of volunteers who stand for hours - in all types of weather -  ringing that little brass bell. </li>\n	<li><strong>Thank someone for doing the little things</strong>.  It may inspire them to do something big.  You don\'t have to ration Thank You\'s - you never run out.</li>\n</ul>\nAs 2009 comes to a close, many of us may feel that we have less to be thankful for than in other years.  But, if you start to think about it and look for opportunities and ways to say thanks, you will find that they are all around you and that when you start looking for them - you\'ll feel better about yourself  AND get better results at work, at home, and in your community. Now that is something to be thankful for.\n\nSo, \"<strong>Thank You</strong>\" Reader - for stopping by.  Stay tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cf85804b-5800-4488-bfdc-29a66bf13fe4\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Saying%20Thank%20You\">Saying Thank You</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\">Leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Community\">Community</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\">Business Tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Results\">Results</a></div>\n<span style=\"font-family:Times New Roman;color:#a8a8a8;\"> </span>','Leadership - The Importance of saying \"Thank You\"','','inherit','open','open','','1499-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 22:49:45','2012-08-19 22:49:45','',1499,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1499-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2557,2,'2012-08-19 21:54:52','2012-08-19 21:54:52','It was 30 years ago, that Summer between my Junior and Senior years of college.  I was living with my parents in Danbury, Connecticut and had started dating the boy across the cul-de-sac.  One Sunday afternoon,  we went out on our boat - Me and my Dad - and that boy and his Dad.  We were cruising around <a href=\"http://bryant3.bryant.edu/~kbonacci/Candlewood%20Lake.htm\">Candlewood Lake</a> and anchored across from  \"Chicken Rock\".  \n<blockquote>\"So, who\'s ready to risk it?\" - my Dad joked. </blockquote>\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/swan-dive.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/swan-dive_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Swan Dive\" width=\"292\" height=\"231\" align=\"right\" /></a>Everyone was laughing but I was game.  I dove off the bow, swam to shore and started to climb.  I was game - but not crazy. I climbed to the mid point - about 15 feet up - and jumped into the lake.  As I was swimming back to the boat, my Dad started yelling and pointing at the rock.  I looked back just in time to see that boy.  He had climbed to the highest point - and dove in head first.  Dad even caught it with his camera.\n\nYa gotta love a guy that\'s willing to risk it all.\n\nI did. Five years later, I married him.\n\nWhat, you may be asking, does this have to do with entrepreneurship?  Well, it\'s not that different.  Many will tell you, at one point or another - you have to calculate the risk and take that leap.\n\nEntrepreneurs are a rare breed.  We...\n<ul>\n	<li>assess risk</li>\n	<li>weigh outcomes</li>\n	<li>institute a plan</li>\n	<li>execute it</li>\n</ul>\nAnd when we do it well - we reap the reward.\n\nSometimes when you take that risk - you end up building a really great business...\n<blockquote>and sometimes when you take the leap - you get the girl.  :0)</blockquote>\nThanks for stopping by. Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f8ace61c-7bd5-4490-a3d1-02c44d6ca508\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/risk%20and%20reward\">risk and reward</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/taking%20the%20leap\">taking the leap</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/candlewood%20lake\">candlewood lake</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Chicken%20Rock\">Chicken Rock</a></div>','Entrepreneurs, What Would YOU Risk?','','inherit','open','open','','1498-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:54:52','2012-08-19 21:54:52','',1498,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1498-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2558,2,'2012-08-19 22:49:53','2012-08-19 22:49:53','<a href=\"http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://customersrock.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/phone.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://customersrock.wordpress.com/2007/04/12/tips-for-putting-customers-on-hold/&amp;usg=__S44PcIB4f-ViiL4sw1wByIFenr4=&amp;h=577&amp;w=832&amp;sz=275&amp;hl=en&amp;start=4&amp;sig2=Ag7diuS5mwEwKTGlfJnFkg&amp;um=1&amp;tbnid=Pfy1vtBj_jCnEM:&amp;tbnh=100&amp;tbnw=144&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Don%2Bhold%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DKUS_enUS288US288%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&amp;ei=_SggS_i-G5qMtgOuxsGtCg\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://customersrock.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/phone.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"270\" height=\"187\" align=\"right\" /></a>Few companies will argue that that customer service is important.  We see messages relating to the importance of customers appear in mission statements, value statements, and strategic plans on a regular basis.\n\nYet, when you call these same companies, too often you reach not a customer sensitive employee, but instead an automated voice response unit or VRU.  These marvels of efficiency creating technology are happy to give you a wealth of choices - often without an obvious or expedient option to talk to a real person.  Worse, when you actually discover the secret code, you get a very pleasant voice sharing with you that \'due to high call volume, your call will be answered in ____ minutes.\"  Sometimes the wait time is short, others not so short.  My favorite was the company that shared how important I was as a customer and that the anticipated wait time was FORTY MINUTES.  Then to add insult to injury, their hold message was bragging about their recent prestigious award for customer service!\n\nYes, reducing costs and increasing efficiencies is important.  But, be sure you understand the REAL message you deliver to your customers by your service or lack of it.\n\nAs you can see in this humorous clip from my friend Dave Griffiths  <a href=\"http://twitter.com/bensonix\">(@Bensonix</a> on Twitter) automatons don\'t make the best customer service agents or tech support staff.\n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:95cfc95f-7fc4-4694-adcb-ee227db9f8cb\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOJrXlRT-60]</div>\n</div>\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b47c90d6-cec8-4a4b-8e3c-f324e1aa1b43\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Customer%20Service\">Customer Service</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\">Business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\">Business Tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Dave%20Griffiths\">Dave Griffiths</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/@Bensonix\">@Bensonix</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/VRU\">VRU</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Voice%20Response%20Units\">Voice Response Units</a></div>','Customer Service - Be Careful What You Automate','','inherit','open','open','','1497-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 22:49:53','2012-08-19 22:49:53','',1497,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1497-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2559,2,'2012-08-19 21:43:58','2012-08-19 21:43:58','Entrepreneurs are dreamers, creators, innovators, and builders.  They come in all shapes and sizes, and have businesses that run the gamut from global ventures and high technology to localized products and services.   But if there is one thing that entrepreneurs have in common, it is their generosity and willingness to help others.  It\'s probably because entrepreneurs understand what it means to strive, to struggle, and to work towards a dream.\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/otef-logo.png\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/otef-logo_thumb.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"OTEF Logo\" width=\"244\" height=\"75\" align=\"right\" /></a>Every year for the past 5 years as Chairman of OTEF ,  I have watched as entrepreneurs from Arizona and across North America gather at the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences to learn from each other AND to help OTEF, the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, raise the money need to fund programs that help at risk populations realize economic self <a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/19742-logo.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/19742-logo_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"19742-logo\" width=\"244\" height=\"146\" align=\"right\" /></a>sufficiency through entrepreneurship with classes, mentoring, and other resources.  To learn more about OTEF and it\'s programs - <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/otef/\">click here</a> .\n\nBut even after the \'show\' is over, the continuous challenge of funding these activities continues. \n\nThis week, we got yet another example of the generosity of entrepreneurs when the team at  Pillsbury Wine Company, reached out with a wonderful offer to help in furthering our mission.\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/pillsbury.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/pillsbury_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Pillsbury\" width=\"244\" height=\"207\" align=\"right\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.pillsburywinecompany.com/\">Pillsbury Wine Company</a> is the brainchild of <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Pillsbury\">Sam Pillsbury</a>, award-winning New Zealand  and American film-maker (The Quiet Earth, Free Willy 3, Endless Bummer) and former co-owner of Dos Cabezas winery in Southeastern Arizona. Wine is his passion and Sam has done it all- from planting vines to serving Dos Cabezas wines at the White House. Dos Cabezas wines have received stellar reviews over the years and Sam is now ready to take his skills and experience in a new direction.\n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:22a4ef0e-3259-47fd-9e50-8a79bd96dfa9\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"width:407px;display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:5px;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si2_KbBFs2U]</div>\n</div>\nSam is joined in the project by winemaker Eric Glomski, formerly with David Bruce and Caymus wineries in California and by Rob Dunaway, attorney/businessman, voted one of Phoenix\'s top 12 business advisors in the New Times 2001 Readers Poll.Rob, also a founding member of OTEF\'s board of directors, brought us a special opportunity and now I am sharing it with you.\n<h4>Your Opportunity</h4>\nIt is the opportunity to support  the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation this holiday season with a gift of wine to yourself, to a loved one, or for a valued business associate. In return, PILLSBURY WINE COMPANY, the hot Arizona Wine Company that critics are raving about, is donating 12% of the wine sales to OTEF.It\'s really easy - just email <a href=\"mailto:LindseyHigginson@aol.com\">LindseyHigginson@aol.com </a>and let her know which and how many of the AWARD WINNING, FOOD ENHANCING RHONE VALLEY STYLE WINES  Pillsbury has to offer you would like to order plus  your contact information so Lindsey can get back to you and <strong>\"This is for OTEF\" to</strong> trigger the donation!<strong>Bottles signed by Sam Pillsbury can also be arranged.</strong>See this really is a great opportunity.  In one fell swoop, you get to help OTEF teach entrepreneurship skills to at risk groups as well as present great programs like AZEC09, plus you get access to wonderful, award winning wines, AND if you have not finished your holiday shopping - here\'s your chance. \n<h4>The Wines of the Award Winning Pillsbury Wine Company</h4>\nFor your shopping pleasure - here is the list of wonderful Pillsbury wines...<strong><em>Pillsbury 2008 Rosé     $20</em></strong>Provençal style ‘onion skin’ pink with hints of watermelon, red cherry and strawberry on the nose, bright and refreshing in the mouth, with a clean finish. It will pair well with any light fare, especially salads, fresh fruit, and cheese and crackers. 94 Cases made. Alcohol 14%.<strong>\'Local Product of the Month\' Phoenix Magazine, August 2009</strong>.<strong>Pillsbury 2008 Pinot Gris ‘Casa Blanca’    $20</strong>We call this ‘Casa Blanca’ because the Pinot Gris made from these high altitude Arizona vines have twice been served at White House State Dinners. It has a nose of freshly chopped apple, followed by ripe peaches and apricots on the palate. It pairs well with salads, seafood or lighter chicken dishes. 230 Cases made. Alcohol 12.5%. Not yet rated.<strong>Pillsbury 2006 Roan Red    $24</strong>A blend of Grenache and Mourvedre with a small amount of Syrah and Petite Sirah, aged in neutral oak. Bone dry, unfined and unfiltered. Fragrant herbal nose with hints of lavender and honeysuckle. It has spicy ripe red-cherry fruit, with hints of vanilla and tarragon and an autumnal, forest-floor character, with a lovely long finish. Pair with pastas and lighter meat and poultry dishes. Alcohol 13.7%, 329 cases made.<strong>93 points. Mark Tarbell, AZ Republic (highest score ever given an AZ wine)</strong><strong>Pillsbury 2007 Roan Red  $24</strong>93.2% Syrah, 6.8%Grenache. This Roan Red is different than the 2006. Our Syrah vines are an Aussie Shiraz clone we planted in the Arizona High Desert in 2000. This is an intense wine with a spicy nose, cherry/cranberry and dark berry fruit with silky tannins and hints of sweet walnut, cucumber and blood orange. Pair with lamb, pasta or robustly flavored chicken dishes. 186 cases made. Alcohol 14%. Not yet rated.<strong>Pillsbury 2007 Diva  $36</strong>64.3 % Grenache, 21.4% Petite Sirah, 14.3% Mourvedre. This blend is a Chateuneuf du Pape style blend, and once again made with our ripest fruit and matured for 15 months in neutral American and new French oak. A fragrant wine with suggestions of super-ripe wild strawberry, macadamias, tobacco and bitter-sweet chocolate with ample tannins, making it perfect for steak or barbeque and big rich casseroles. 173 cases made. Alcohol 14.5%.<strong>Gold Medal, 2009 Arizona Wine Growers Association Competition. 2006 Diva called Best Wine in AZ by San Francisco Examiner and Wine Spectator gave it 89 points.</strong><strong>Pillsbury 2007 Petite Sirah.  $54</strong>This monster Petite Sirah was picked late at 28 brix and develops an intense, almost chewy chocolate-like quality and some real fruit complexity. We tend to avoid late-pick reds as the overripe fruit and high alcohol tends to obscure the complexity of the fruit, but Petite Sirah seems to come into its own when made like this. It is bone dry, has hints of intense black berry fruit, roasted cocoa, green apple, sweet blueberry, crème brulée and rose petal with big tannins. 30 cases made. Alcohol 15.4%.\n<h4>Ya gotta love it!</h4>\nGlorious wines from Generous People coming together to make life better for others. Like I started off saying - entrepreneurs are some of the most generous people I know.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4876d320-d00b-4a6f-b3c6-b37d69a8d8cb\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;float:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/OTEF\">OTEF</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC09\">AZEC09</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Opportunity%20Through%20Entrepreneurship%20Foundation\">Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurs\">Entrepreneurs</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Fine%20Wine\">Fine Wine</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Pillsbury%20Wine%20Company\">Pillsbury Wine Company</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Rob%20Dunaway\">Rob Dunaway</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Sam%20Pillsbury\">Sam Pillsbury</a></div>','The Generous Nature of Entrepreneurs','','inherit','open','open','','1496-revision-3','','','2012-08-19 21:43:58','2012-08-19 21:43:58','',1496,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1496-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2560,2,'2012-08-19 22:50:01','2012-08-19 22:50:01','<a href=\"http://www.doversherborn.org/doverelementary/Library/CANADA/images/Organize_jpg_files/Juggler.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.doversherborn.org/doverelementary/Library/CANADA/images/Organize_jpg_files/Juggler.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"268\" align=\"right\" /></a>Are you a juggler? Do you always have at least three balls in the air at all times.  For me that is just the way I am made up.  Multiple businesses, family, writing projects, community involvement activities and other stuff are in constant motion.\n\nSome people look at jugglers in awe.  Other\'s shake their heads in dismay.  But for a juggler, it\'s a natural state - there is no other way.\n\nRecently I got to spend three days at <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/\">Kolbe Corp</a> with the wonderful <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/aboutUs/kathy-kolbe.cfm\">Kathy Kolbe</a> and her team. Together with others being certified to use the <a href=\"http://www.bebetteratwork.com/PRS%20Documents/Understanding%20Kolbe%20Brochure.pdf\">Kolbe Method</a>, I learned about the instinctive talents that we all have and how the combination of those talents help us get things done as individuals and on teams.  I also learned another word for my juggling abilities - it turns out that my particular combination of talents is termed an Innovator. Go figure.\n\nFor me, getting that ball up in the air is as natural as breathing, but keeping it there, circling with all the others takes more.  It takes the discipline to make sure the balls don\'t  drop.\n\nSo, if you are a juggler like me, here are some tips on the things I do to keep things moving in the right direction and avoid that embarrassing drop.\n<ul>\n	<li>Make lists of what needs to be done for each project and check them off as they are completed and by whom.  (Your list may be on a piece of paper, a white board, a planner, or a PDA - but however you do it - record it, schedule it, and check it off when it is done.)</li>\n	<li>Do the annoying little \'must do\' things first.  Get them out of the way and then reward yourself with the more exciting projects.</li>\n	<li>Build a great team and delegate.  Know what you are good at and what you are not.  Find others who compliment your natural abilities to get things moving with other who are great at gathering facts, creating systems, and implementing solutions. Work with them to create a team that can\'t be beat.</li>\n</ul>\nEven though others may believe that you can not possibly handle one more thing - always be on the look out for the next great idea, project or opportunity.  It\'s where your energy comes from.  Don\'t let other people make you believe you can\'t when you know you can. You are a juggler, it\'s what you do.  So, do it well.  The stage is yours.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5593a57a-420e-451a-8708-0f96c56841d0\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovators\">Innovators</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation\">Innovation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Getting%20things%20done\">Getting things done</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kolbe%20Corp\">Kolbe Corp</a></div>','Are you a juggler? How to keep those balls in the air.','','inherit','open','open','','1495-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 22:50:01','2012-08-19 22:50:01','',1495,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1495-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2561,2,'2009-11-22 16:16:14','2009-11-22 16:16:14','Do you love sharing original ideas with others?  Have you found that when you do conversations start and collaborations form? \n\nFor over 15 years, one of my favorite friends to talk with and work with is <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/pub/clay-stubblefield/7/399/755\">Clay Stubblefield</a> of <a href=\"http://www.azwebcasting.com\">AZWebcasting</a>. \n\nClay is the ultimate professional and so creative.  One of his creations is <a href=\"http://www.meetthetweets.com\">MeetTheTweets</a>, showcase of videos introducing us to people we hear from on Twitter. \n\nOne of my creations is a little project called <a href=\"http://beoriginalblog.wordpress.com/\">#BeOriginal</a> - a place on Twitter where friends share their Original Ideas. \n\nWe thought it would be fun to combine them, creating #BeOriginal Week on Meet The Tweets. So we put <a href=\"http://beoriginalblog.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/beoriginal-collaborates-with-meetthetweets/\">instructions</a> out on the #BeOriginal Blog and let some of our #BeOriginal Contributors know where to find them.\n\nAnd, since I am \'the original #BeOriginal\', I created a little video message to kick things off.\n\nHere it is.  Let me know YOUR thoughts. And don\'t forget to be on the look out for new great videos from other Originals.  Just follow <a href=\"http://twitter.com/meetthetweets\">@MeetTheTweets</a> on Twitter so you do not miss any.\n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3eca1c6d-c5c2-4ed0-a163-c03a4a0f6f24\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEDqzXboo5E]</div>\n</div>\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned...\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7a8943bd-a1c8-4c15-b1ce-1c718ecfba96\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Twitter\">Twitter</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/#BeOriginal\">#BeOriginal</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/MeetTheTweets\">MeetTheTweets</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Clay%20Stubblefield\">Clay Stubblefield</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership%20Quotes\">Leadership Quotes</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\">Leadership</a></div>','Are you an Original?','','inherit','open','open','','1494-revision','','','2009-11-22 16:16:14','2009-11-22 16:16:14','',1494,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1494-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2562,2,'2012-08-19 22:50:08','2012-08-19 22:50:08','<img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Okonjima_Lioness.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"251\" align=\"right\" />No, I\'m not talking about this majestic lady - Queen of the Jungle, I\'m talking about LI-ONs, <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LION\">Linked In Open Networkers</a>.  People who pledge to connect to everyone on <a href=\"http://press.linkedin.com/about\">Linked In</a> who sends them an invitation.\n\nYou can normally tell a LION by a profile that reads LION or by their membership in a LION group.  Some people make the mistake of assuming that someone that has 500+ connections is by default a LION, and that can be a costly mistake.  It can result in a DNK or I Do Not Know this person response.  Get too many of these and your Linked In privileges can be restricted.\n<h4>The Laws of the Social Jungle are Relationship Based</h4>\nSuccessful networking, whether it is face to face, or profile to profile in cyberspace is about creating relationships.  Once the relationship is formed, then you can move on to real conversations whether it is in the business world or the personal realm.  When forming relationships, it is important to understand how the other person chooses to communicate and share information.  It also helps to understand the boundaries or personal space preferences of the other person and adapt your behavior to theirs.\n\nListed below are my personal boundaries.  That does not mean they will be the same for you, but they might give you some ideas when you form your own.\n\n<strong>Linked In</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Inclusive</strong> - CorePurpose, my company, has a linked in page to share information.   I also share ideas occasionally on a number of Linked In groups including Lead Change, MIT Enterprise Forum Phoenix, Continuous Innovation, Corporate Planning &amp; Global Industry Segmentation, Forbes Woman, and Marketing Partners</li>\n	<li><strong>Exclusive -</strong> I limit my Linked In connections to people I actually know and have done business with.  Having been on Linked In from almost the very beginning, I still have quite a few, but every single one is someone I know and can personally recommend to others.  This enables the true power of Linked In - quality introductions.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Facebook</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Inclusive</strong> - CorePurpose, my company, has a Facebook page.  On it you can find blog posts, articles, and links that I choose to share.  Facebook pages are highly inclusive.  Like web pages or blogs, anyone can choose to see them or follow them.</li>\n	<li><strong>Exclusive </strong>- My personal profile by definition is more exclusive.  If Facebook is for friends, then my personal choice is to keep it to friends and not connect to every person who finds my profile and wants to connect.  I want to know what my friends are doing - and to do that, I intentionally keep the group smaller so I can actually find them in the crowd.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Twitter</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Inclusive -</strong> <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/my-profiles-on-twitter.html\">On Twitter</a>, I am at my most inclusive.  I look for like minded people and I auto follow back the people who follow me. But more importantly, when people engage and talk to me with @mentions or non- automated DM\'s, I engage with them and join the conversation. </li>\n	<li><strong>Exclusive -</strong> My exclusivity comes into play when people wear out their welcome.  Spammers, scantily clad avatars, porn, and hateful people are quickly unfollowed or even blocked.  I also go in once each month and clean up my accounts,  You can see how I do it <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/09/one-twitter-users-guide-to-house-cleaning.html\">here</a>,</li>\n</ul>\nIt was an article on CNN.com,  <a href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/30/online.rejection.defriending/index.html\">Defriending Can Bruise Your \'Digital Ego\'</a>, that got me thinking about all this.  You see, I probably was \"this one woman\".  The message is one that I use frequently when contacted by people on Linked In that I do not know.  It is not meant to be unkind, or rude,  Just realistic.  If I do not know you, I can not recommend you, and that is how I use that particular tool.  \'I only connect with people I know, and hopefully our paths will cross one day.\'  I am not that hard to connect with and engage in other areas.  Really - just <a href=\"http://www.google.com/profiles/jkoerberwalker\">Google me</a>.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7ee0fe3f-8c13-432a-bdef-33a56be9622a\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Networking\">Networking</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Social%20Media\">Social Media</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Social%20Networking\">Social Networking</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Linked%20In\">Linked In</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/LIONs\">LIONs</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Facebook%20for%20business.%20facebook%20for%20business\">Facebook for business. facebook for business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/twitter\">twitter</a></div>','Sorry, I\'m not a LION.','','inherit','open','open','','1493-revision-3','','','2012-08-19 22:50:08','2012-08-19 22:50:08','',1493,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1493-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2563,2,'2012-08-19 21:44:12','2012-08-19 21:44:12','<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image002.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image002_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"clip_image002\" width=\"201\" height=\"276\" align=\"right\" /></a>In literature, as in legend, there have been many great quests. One in particular that has captured imaginations, for over two thousand years, is the search for a simple cup used in a great tale of transformation. Yes, The Quest for The <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Grail\">Holy Grail</a>.\n\nThis quest has been the inspiration that sparked great literature, epic poems, and motion pictures running the gamut from <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail\">Monty Python</a> to  <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Last_Crusade\">Indiana Jones</a>.\n\nWhile my quest is not one of such mythical proportion, as I sat pondering how to share my plans with you, the legend of The Holy Grail leapt to mind. \n<h4>My Quest</h4>\nI am, together with a valued group of friends, looking to acquire a controlling interest in a very particular company.  Our search and the legendary quest have more than a few things in common. In both cases they combine Innovation, Leadership, and Growth to create Lasting Value.  These are my personal passions. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you discover something with true potential and then do what it takes to Make It Great.\n<h4>What\'s been happening?</h4>\nThis year, I have been working with a small team of friends and advisors to search out <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/really-cool-deals/\">really cool deals</a>.  We\'ve found some great ones, but not the right one. Not yet. \n\nAlong the way, I have gotten much more active in connecting to friends old and new via a range of <a href=\"http://www.google.com/profiles/jkoerberwalker\">social media tools</a>. \n\nHowever, it all came together when I was having lunch last week with <a href=\"http://www.callaman.us/principal.html\">Morris Callaman</a> at a beautiful resort nestled against a mountain in Paradise Valley called <a href=\"http://www.icmontelucia.com/?sicontent=0&amp;sicreative=3162510330&amp;siclientid=1911&amp;sitrackingid=51486133&amp;cm_mmc=Google-PS-InterContinental-_-G+B-AmericasWest-_-AZ-ParadiseValley-_-montelucia+az%7C-%7C100000000000172571973&amp;cm_guid=1-_-100000000000172571973-_-3162510330&amp;gclid=CLON2-6X-Z0CFQohDQodWyfUoA\">Montelucia</a>. \n\nMorris asked -\n\n\"Joan, what do you think about expanding this search and inviting your social media network to participate? You could literally ask for help crowd-sourcing this acquisition search.\"\n\nAnd that\'s how it started.  So, here I am asking if you will help me locate the company I would like to lead next. If so, then what follows are some of the criteria we find necessary to successfully recognize our \"grail\" when we find it.  Ready? OK. Lets discuss a little detail around what this company is, and perhaps even more importantly, what it is not. An ideal company will be one where we can combine Innovation, Leadership, and Growth to create Lasting Value.\n<h4>Innovation</h4>\nInnovation in my book is doing something in a new way to make life better for the people who matter most to us - in this case employees, customers, investors, and strategic partners.  It is a company with a product or service that can transform an industry or niche.  For example, my friend Amilya Antonetti changed the way we look at soap in <a href=\"http://www.vimeo.com/4247294\">her quest to save the life of her son</a> and now she is on a quest to help other entrepreneurs ask the right questions, get the right information and the things they need to succeed.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Criteria #1:</span>  A product oriented company that will transform its market by creating new value through a better way of doing something(s). \n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Unlikely Fits</span>: Singing pop bottles, Presidential Pet Rocks, the corner store, or the next great social media tool.  While there may be lots of investors looking for these, I am not one of them.\n<h4>Leadership</h4>\nA great idea only gets you so far before it needs more.  In this case more is the ability to see the future direction of the company\'s journey and to predict and obtain what it will need along the way.  Many a great new company has lost crucial momentum when the leader that led the way for the first stage of the journey is not ready for the next stage of that steep uphill path, which many entrepreneurs forecast and yet few would want to travel alone. \n\nThe prize we seek on this quest will have a founder and a team that is looking for a new guide as they begin the climb to revenues and profitability so that everyone, employees, customers, investors and strategic partners alike, benefit from the next stage in the company\'s growth.\n\nCriteria #2: A dedicated team in search of experienced leadership and resources to help them successfully move along the growth path.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Unlikely Fits:</span>\n<ul>\n	<li>If ALL YOU NEED IS MONEY so that you can continue along the path you are already on.</li>\n	<li>If your goal is to maintain the status quo.</li>\n	<li>If, as the owner, you are not interested in passing the baton to the next runner in the growth relay.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong> </strong>\n<h4>Growth</h4>\nThe company must have solid growth potential and demonstrate how it could scale to provide a more than reasonable return to the investors.   \n\nGrowth curves come in all shapes and sizes.  There\'s the steady incremental growth of a mature business, the graceful leaps of the <a href=\"http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gazellecompany.asp\">Gazelles</a>, and the inevitable \'Hockey Stick\" that appears over and over at every venture conference I have ever attended.  Yet, in the real world, it\'s not the pretty charts and pictures that matter, it’s the foundational elements that make a transformational company stand out.  Some Gazelles grow to be great companies, while others rapidly run out of steam after the initial burst of growth.  <a href=\"http://www.jleung.com/main/blog-entry/2007/06/04/what-is-a-hockey-stick-curve\">Hockey Stick Growth Curves</a> can be \'the big pay day\' or they can simply be a sign of a business in danger of snapping under the pressure of too much, too fast.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Criteria #3:</span>  The best true indicators of growth potential are not charts and graphs, but rather how does the company (or product) provide a solution that is usable by a large number of people and BETTER than substitutes (or lack thereof)?\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Unlikely Fits:</span>\n<ul>\n	<li>One more “me too” solution in an already overcrowded market.</li>\n	<li>A terrific solution for a very small customer base (since these rarely can scale.)</li>\n	<li>Product or services that are not designed to fill a genuine customer need (since customers must ultimately be willing to pay and karma is important to me).</li>\n	<li>A \'great idea\' that has not ever been built, tested, or sold to ANYONE (since I\'d like it to already have at least one customer).</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>Lasting Value</h4>\nAnd in the end, building a great company is more than just creating a widget, jobs, or shareholder value. \n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Criteria #4</span>:  It\'s creating something to believe in, and be proud of, for the people who matter most to us (employees, customers, investors and strategic partners). \n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Unlikely Fits:</span>\n<ul>\n	<li>Products or services you would be embarrassed to discuss with your parents.</li>\n	<li>Products or services that add no value to or potentially even harm the community, the environment, or others (since that just isn\'t who I am). </li>\n	<li>Any product or service that makes promises it cannot keep (since that certainly isn\'t me either).</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>So that\'s my list.  Have YOU seen this company?</h4>\nOf course, there are at least two BIG differences between my quest and the search for The Grail of legend.  One, I know that I\'m going to find what I am seeking, and Two, this is more than a personal journey, it is also an experiment in the power of social media.  So, if you\'ve seen this company please let me know.   You can always leave me a note here, on my blog or, if you want to keep it confidential, you can also contact me by clicking <a href=\"http://corepurpose.com/contact.html\">here</a>.\n\nAs long as we are on the subject, if you happen to be looking for a company too, just let me know what YOU are searching for and I\'ll be happy to pass along what I may find for you along the way. Unlike the fabled Holy Grail, there is more than just one great opportunity out there.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image003.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/clip_image003_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"clip_image003\" width=\"244\" height=\"98\" align=\"right\" /></a>P.S.  One of the best parts of this journey is connecting, engaging, and being inspired by fellow entrepreneurs.  On Thursday, November 12th in Phoenix Arizona I will be doing just that at <a href=\"http://azec09.com\">AZEC09</a>.  Who knows maybe I will see YOU there and we can chat.\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b4ac7202-0a6f-4d2b-9bcf-1d0c22de0885\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Really%20cool%20deals\">Really cool deals</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation%20Quotes\">Innovation Quotes</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Leadership\">Leadership</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Growth\">Growth</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation\">Innovation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Acquisitions\">Acquisitions</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Investments\">Investments</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\">Business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Social%20Media\">Social Media</a></div>','The Quest- In search of a transformational company','','inherit','open','open','','1492-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:44:12','2012-08-19 21:44:12','',1492,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1492-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2564,2,'2012-08-19 21:22:51','2012-08-19 21:22:51','<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/az-ent-logo.jpg\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/az-ent-logo_thumb.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZ Ent logo\" width=\"212\" height=\"244\" align=\"right\" /></a>How did it get to be NOVEMBER already!  It seems like just the other day I was writing articles about Embracing Change in 2009 and now, in just two short months, 2009 will be one for the record books. \n\nIt\'s still to be written what the final outcome of the health care debates in Congress will be, or how the year will wrap up from an economic perspective, but many will tell you they can\'t wait for 2010 to make its arrival.\n\nBut there have been some bright spots in this recession that we have all struggled through.  Companies that are making great things happen in the world of social media, women\'s health, green materials, and a host of other industries.  That\'s why, as I prepare for the exciting things that I know will happen in 2010, I am getting ready today by attending the <a href=\"http://azec09.com\">4th Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a> on November 12th. \n\nAs chairman of the board of <a href=\"http://azentrepreneurship.com/otef\">OTEF</a>, the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, November is always a busy time as we prepare for the conference.  Each year\'s conference is vitally important since all of the proceeds go to fund OTEF\'s efforts to provide entrepreneurial training and support to at-risk populations - giving them a better chance for future financial sustainability.\n\nBut, as an entrepreneur, I look forward to the conference for the many great ideas I know I will receive there each year.  This is the only place I know where, in one day, I can gain insights from national thought leaders like Tara Hunt and Michelle Robson (<a href=\"http://www.empowher.com\">EmpowHer</a>) , connect with fellow CEOs from TiE and EO to learn what\'s working for them, and get the latest updates in technology and business trends from CEOs and thought leaders who are on the front lines.\n\nI\'m also excited this year that we have friends coming from far and near to share ideas.  Patti Dragland (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/StrategicSense\">StrategicSense</a>) is coming in from Calgary, Tara Hunt (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/missrogue\">MissRogue</a>), author of The Whuffie Factor,  from Montreal, Howard Lindzon (founder of StockTwits), <a href=\"http://www.seriousmaterials.com/html/executives.html\">Kevin Surace</a>, of Serious Materials, is flying in from Sunnyvale, and my favorite entrepreneurial blogger, Marty Willing (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/StartUpPro\">StartUpPro</a>), will be there not to mention fellow conference team members and great friends like  Francine Hardaway (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/hardaway\">Hardaway</a>), Steven Groves (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/StevenGroves\">StevenGroves</a>), Ed Nusbaum (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/edaz\">EdAZ</a>), Merlin Ward (@<a href=\"http://twitter.com/merlinward\">MerlinWard</a>) and many more!\n\nNovember 12th is an important day for gathering new ideas, making connections, and to just get that extra dose of inspiration that will come in real handy in 2010.  I know where I will be on November 12th.  How about you?\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f9144d40-786d-4d66-a735-fe53d276d59d\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC09\">AZEC09</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Francine%20Hardaway\">Francine Hardaway</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Steven%20Groves\">Steven Groves</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Merlin%20Ward\">Merlin Ward</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Tara%20Hunt\">Tara Hunt</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Michelle%20Robson\">Michelle Robson</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/EmpowHer\">EmpowHer</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Kevin%20Surace\">Kevin Surace</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Serious%20Materials\">Serious Materials</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Thw%20Whuffie%20Factor\">The Whuffie Factor</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Getting%20ready%20for%202010\">Getting ready for 2010</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Bright%20Spots%20inthe%20recession\">Bright Spots inthe recession</a></div></blockquote>','Looking out towards 2010','','inherit','open','open','','1491-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:22:51','2012-08-19 21:22:51','',1491,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1491-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2565,2,'2012-08-19 21:23:07','2012-08-19 21:23:07','I was scanning some articles online this morning when I cam across a fun one at <a href=\"http://www.howstuffworks.com\">How Stuff Works</a> titled <a href=\"http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/23-must-have-toys-from-the-1950s-and-beyond.htm\">23 Must-Have Toys from the 1950s and Beyond</a>.  So I decided to check it out.  Of the 23 \'must haves\', only <em>Strawberry Shortcake</em> never made it into either my or my children\'s toy collection.  But it was the <a href=\"http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com/Cart_Pages/milestones.html\">Cabbage Patch Kids</a> that brought back the memory of how one innovative toy really drew a crowd.\n<blockquote><a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/image42.png\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/image_thumb42.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"image\" width=\"185\" height=\"250\" align=\"right\" /></a>Xavier Roberts was a teenager when he launched his Babyland General Hospital during the 1970s in Cleveland, Georgia, allowing children to adopt a \"baby.\" In 1983, the Coleco toy company started mass-producing these dolls as <strong>Cabbage Patch Kids</strong>. Each \"kid\" came with a unique name and a set of adoption papers, and stores couldn\'t keep them on the shelves, selling more than three million of the dolls in the first year.</blockquote>\n <span style=\"color:#777777;\">It was just before the Christmas holidays in 1983, and my fiance Chris worked at Coleco, home of the Cabbage Patch.  EVERYONE was trying to get their hands on the little darlings - even employees.  The company had to even hold a lottery for employees to be able to purchase them.  So after months of lotteries, we had a small collection of six Cabbage Patch Kids ready for adoption.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color:#777777;\">I really did not give it too much thought when I lined up the \'Kids\' on the back seat of my car and left my home in South Windsor, Connecticut on a Saturday afternoon to drive down to see our families in Danbury, Connecticut.  But I got a real lesson on what it is like for an innovation to draw a crowd when I stopped at a McDonald\'s along the way to get a Diet Coke.  The young girl at the drive thru window saw into my back seat, and exclaimed!</span>\n<blockquote>WOW!  Where did you get all those Cabbage Patch Dolls!</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#777777;\">That\'s all it took.  Before I had even been given my cup, my car was surrounded by Moms, wallets and checkbooks in hand, asking me what it would take to sell them \"Just One.\"  I explained that they were gifts and that they were not for sale, but finally the manager had to come out and move the eager Mommies away - before I could put my car in gear and make my escape from the drive thru.  I learned a lesson that day...</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color:#777777;\"><strong>When an innovation capture\'s the public\'s imagination - it draws a crowd. </strong></span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#777777;\">Over twenty-five years have passed and I have seen many innovative new products come and go.  Some are just a passing fad, but others have real staying power.  As an investor, I look for those companies with inventions or solutions that can make life better in one way or another.  Products or services that capture the imagination and can, with the right resources, literally draw a crowd in their chosen marketplace.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color:#777777;\">Some of these companies have been in technology - like when <a href=\"http://www.xilinx.com/company/history.htm\">Bernie Vonderschmidt</a>, the first Chairman and CEO  of <a href=\"http://www.xilinx.com/company/about.htm\">Xilinx</a>, shared his vision of the next generation in silicon technology,the FGPGA, or when <a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/02/honoring-a-great-president.html\">Dr. Michelle Hanna</a> of <a href=\"http://www.ribomed.com\">RiboMed</a> helped me to imagine a day when we could detect and treat diseases like cancer BEFORE it was too late and our loved ones were suffering.  Others have not.  </span><span style=\"color:#777777;\">But none of the innovations I have invested in have been toys.  Perhaps because I never got over the experience of being \'mobbed by Mommies\' at McDonalds.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color:#777777;\">Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned...</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color:#777777;\">Joan Koerber-Walker</span></blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0e2cffe4-36ed-40a1-9ff0-2dc13d480ff0\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation%20Quotes\">Innovation Quotes</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Innovation\">Innovation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Products%20that%20capture%20the%20imagination\">Products that capture the imagination</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/toys\">toys</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/how%20stuff%20works\">how stuff works</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Time%20Magazine%201983\">Time Magazine 1983</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Xilinx\">Xilinx</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Ribomed\">Ribomed</a>,</div>\n<span style=\"color:#777777;\"> </span>','Drawing a Crowd in the Cabbage Patch','','inherit','open','open','','1490-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:23:07','2012-08-19 21:23:07','',1490,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1490-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2566,2,'2012-08-19 21:44:23','2012-08-19 21:44:23','<img src=\"http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t148/SatchmanPooch/ick-heart.jpg\" alt=\"ICK - Incongruent Customer Knowledge\" width=\"286\" height=\"187\" align=\"right\" />Millions of articles and blogs have been written on the topic of branding.  Google the word  \'branding\' and you will get over 33 million hits! \n\nUnfortunately too often, businesses spend lots of money creating and protecting their marketing message and not enough time protecting the value of their brand. \n\nToo often we forget that there is a  difference between our marketing message and our brand.  Put simply, our marketing message is what we say about our company, product or services; but, the true measure of our brand is what OTHERS think about us when they hear our name.  So in a real sense, our true brand value is our company\'s image as reflected by Customer Knowledge.    Customers form impressions of what our company truly is based on what we say - our marketing message - and what we do - our actions. When they do not match up you get ICK - Incongruent Customer Knowledge.\n\nWhen what you do and what you say are congruent, customers believe in what you say  and you.  This adds to your company\'s value.  At other times the message and actions are not congruent and no matter how much time and money you spend touting your product or service, your ICK factor is a BIG negative thus detracting from your company\'s value.\n\n<strong>Making Promises to employees, partners, customers, and investors.</strong>\n\nPromises can take many forms.  They may reflect what the company does directly, or they may be the promises shared in the marketing message, the Annual Report, or  employee communications.  But however the message is delivered,  when you promise a specific result, people expect to get it.\n\n+ Keeping the promise = a strong POSITIVE brand reaction.\n\n- Breaking the promise = a weakened brand perspective - just ICK!\n\nDid you know that Your Marketing Message itself can create a negative feeling of ICK and deplete your brand?\n<h4>Here are a few examples of mistakes I see too often when I log on to Twitter:</h4>\n<ul>\n	<li>Messages or Mentions offering to \"Grow my Twitter\" following from \'experts\' who have less followers than I do.  (If the whole point of a quality following is to understand who you are talking to, you\'d think they\'d look.)</li>\n	<li>Branded corporate sites that only talk about their products and never share or engage with the community to add value.</li>\n	<li>People who send \'conversational\' welcome messages via a DM but are not following you.  If you take the time to respond back - only to find that they are not following you - the message is highly incongruent.  Not only are you not really welcome - they can not even hear you!  Major ICK!</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>But incongruence and ICK are not unique to social media.</h4>\nVery often we share statements of our company\'s values on websites, in our annual report, or even in our advertising.  But do our actions reflect those values? \n\nHere is an example of a <a href=\"http://www.theyesmen.org/agribusiness/halliburton/corp/index.html\">corporate statement by Halliburton Corporation</a>.  Did you read it?  Sounds great!  Now read this article from ABC news: <a href=\"http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=3977702&amp;page=1&amp;page=1\">Victim: Gang-Rape Cover-Up by U.S., Halliburton/KBR</a> (KBR Told Victim She Could Lose Her Job If She Sought Help After Being Raped, She Says.)  Do the actions of Halliburton/KBR match their words? \n\n<img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/images/customerservicev1.jpg\" alt=\"Customer Service: The Hall of Shame\" align=\"right\" />\n\nBut it is not just Halliburton (the company everyone seems to love to hate these days) that falls into the ICK.  Check the marketing message of almost any company and you will find statements talking about how important their customers are and how well they serve them.  Yet, as you can see in the image at right, some well respected national brands have made the Customer Service Hall of Shame as reflected in <a href=\"http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/TheCustomerServiceHallOfShame.aspx\">this article</a> from MSN Money.  Whether it\'s due to internal processes, lack of resources, declining quality, or just a general lack of customer sensitivity, these are firms that need to really pay close attention to their ICK factor.\n<h4>So how do you avoid ICK?</h4>\nAvoiding ICK, should be the goal of any company that places any level of value on its brand.  Here are some basic common sense guides to follow:\n<ul>\n	<li>Don\'t make promises you can\'t keep. EVER.</li>\n	<li>Establish Corporate Values that are shared across your company and base your processes, decisions, and actions on keeping true to those values.</li>\n	<li>When you make a mistake - or something unexpected happens - and it will sooner or later- don\'t place blame - just own up to it and FIX it.  Taking responsibility and working to fix the problem is a great way to minimize the ICK Factor when the unavoidable happens.</li>\n</ul>\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\nICK Factor, Incongruent Customer Knowledge (TM)  2009 - CorePurpose, Inc.\n\nCopyright - Joan Koerber-Walker/CorePurpose, Inc. 2009\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:64e13a62-c37a-4708-93f6-6db30dd433ec\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Branding\">Branding</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ICK\">ICK</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/ICK%20factor\">ICK factor</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Incongruence%20in%20Branding\">Incongruence in Branding</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Marketing\">Marketing</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/entrepreneurship\">entrepreneurship</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business\">business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\">business tips</a></div>','The ICK Factor','','inherit','open','open','','1489-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:44:23','2012-08-19 21:44:23','',1489,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1489-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2567,2,'2012-08-19 21:44:47','2012-08-19 21:44:47','From time to time, I get involved in answering a tricky question.  <strong>\"What is this company worth?\"</strong>  Sometimes the question comes up when speaking to a business owner or executive who is truly trying to increase the value of their organization.  At other times <img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://my.opera.com/edwardpiercy/homes/files/Pot-Of-Gold-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"211\" align=\"right\" />the question is raised from someone looking for investors or buyers.  And then most importantly - I ask it myself when the buyer or investor might be me.\n\nYears ago, in business school, I had great professors at the <a href=\"http://wpcarey.asu.edu/\">W.P. Carey School of Business</a>.  They taught me the science of financial valuation and how to look at the opportunities  and systematic business risks that lie buried behind the balance sheet.  There where times in the learning process when I might have cursed my teachers for being so exacting, but the lessons they taught combined with the insights I gained from my fellow students were worth more than a pot of gold.\n<h4>Measuring a company\'s value falls into 3 categories</h4>\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">What it has - it\'s assets</span></strong>\n\nAssets can be real and tangible.  We all know about these: property, plants, and equipment plus firm contracts and money in the bank.  We can see it, touch it, count it up.  Other assets are intangible.  We know that there is some level of value, but measurement is often subtle, involving an estimation of the worth.  This can be a patent, a trademark, or a customer or prospect list that in and of it self has no hard value, but when put to good use can be converted to tangible assets in the future, \n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">What it lacks or  owes - It\'s liabilities</span></strong>\n\nOn the other side of the equation are the liabilities.  Some are easy to measure and take the form of debt, contractual obligations, or other factors that reduce the company\'s assets.  But there are other more intangible liabilities to factor in like adverse economic conditions, holes in the team, or a lack in organizational bandwidth - you know - too much to do and not enough resources to do it with.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">What It promises - Its brand as an organization</span></strong>\n\nAnd most important of all, I look at what the company promises to its people, its customers, its partners and its investors through its brand as an organization, PLUS  its ABILITY to keep those promises.\n\nWe all make promises, and most up us do everything in our power to keep them.  The question I focus on most closely is can the company turn promise into reality with its unique combination of assets and liabilities. \n<ul>\n	<li>Does it have a clear and simple plan that the team can follow to keep the promises it makes? Are there clearly defined goals, strategies, tactics? Are there clear measurement milestones along the way?</li>\n	<li>Does it have a culture that supports its team in achieving shared objectives.  It\'s sad but true.  Objectives and goals that are not shared by the team are rarely achieved.</li>\n	<li>Does it have the resources to give to that team so that they can execute on the plan? And if not - does it have the ability to get them?</li>\n	<li>Does it use its assets wisely?  Is it investing in its people and its product to take and hold a leadership position in its markets  in the future?</li>\n	<li>Does it look at its customers, supply chain, and investors as collaborative partners and treat them accordingly?</li>\n	<li>Is leadership committed to <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">keeping</span> the promises it makes to the team, the partners, the customers, and the investors.</li>\n	<li>Does every member of the team share that commitment?</li>\n</ul>\n<h4>The Value of the COMPANY</h4>\nWhen I am done with the measuring, I add it all up.  What I then have is a valuation of the company in a form that they rarely teach in business school.  A clearer picture of whether the company can keep its organizational promise and create value as well as what it may to make that happen, and what I can do to help along the way.\n\nBecause, at the end of the day, the true value of any company is in the promises it makes, and its ability to keep them.\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote>Joan Koerber-Walker</blockquote>\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6fc74841-0941-43a5-9532-c90d40b15327\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\">CorePurpose</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\">Business</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\">Business Tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Valuation\">Valuation</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneur\">Entrepreneur</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Investing\">Investing</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Investor\">Investor</a></div>','Valuing a Company','\"What is this company worth?\"  Sometimes the question comes up when speaking to a business owner or executive who is truly trying to increase the value of their organization.  At other times the question is raised from someone looking for investors or buyers.  And then most importantly - I ask it myself when the buyer or investor might be me.','inherit','open','open','','1488-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:44:47','2012-08-19 21:44:47','',1488,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1488-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2568,2,'2012-08-19 21:44:58','2012-08-19 21:44:58','In less that one month, entrepreneurs from around Arizona and from other parts of North America are gathering for <a href=\"http://www.azec09.com\">AZEC09</a>, The Fourth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference which will be held in Tempe Arizona on November 12, 2009.  \n\nAZEC09 continues the Arizona tradition of bringing together thought leaders in entrepreneurship, technology, and social media together for a full day of sharing ideas, making connections, and even launching new companies and products that started with <a href=\"http://www.jumpbox.com/\">Jump Box</a> in 2006 continues with another great new idea that emerged from last year\'s conference and will be debuting this year. \n\nEach year our lunch keynote is a special treat, someone sharing great ideas that each attendee can take back to the office and put to work in their business the very next day.  Past keynotes have included Michael Gerber author of the best selling E-Myth, Dan Morrison, CEO of IT ToolBox, and Matt Mullenweg founder of Word Press.  This year, at lunch we\'ll be hearing from Tara Hunt, author of The Whuffie Factor, as she inspires us to raise a little whuffie. \n\nWhat - you don\'t know what WHUFFIE is!  We\'ll let\'s get a sneak preview from Tara as she answers the question ...What is Whuffie?\n<div id=\"scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ea8c9766-6338-4dbc-ad19-12eb8914a696\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyFaWoiL6Cc]</div>\n</div>\nIn addition to learning how great companies are putting Whuffie to work in their businesses, AZEC09 is an opportunity to gain insights from Michelle Robson, the founder of <a href=\"http://www.empowher.com/\">EmpowHER</a>, get the latest from Kevin Surace on the strategies that are helping <a href=\"http://www.seriousmaterials.com/\">Serious Materials</a> succeed in the eco friendly building materials space, get the latest developments in Healthcare 2.0, hear from panels of local CEOS who generously share their secrets on how they are building great businesses,  and get the scoop from Howard Lindzon on the state of Venture Capital.\n\nBut, like everything else in business, you can\'t win if you do not show up. \n\nAnd since winning is so much fun, we have even decided to liven things up with some great prizes during the day thanks to some of our generous sponsors and partners.\n\nSo here\'s your chance to win.  Register now for <a href=\"http://www.azec09.com\">AZEC09</a> and if you do so before 8AM on October 16th you can even save $50 with the $99 early registration rate. (At 8:01 AM on the 16th tickets go up to $150.)\n\nIt\'s your chance to Engage, Connect, be Inspired and WIN.\n\nI know where I will be on November 12, 2009.  How about you?\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n\nJoan Koerber-Walker\n\nChairman, OTEF, The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation\n\nHost organization of AZEC09 , AZEC08, AZEC07, and AZEC06.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.azec09.com\"><img style=\"border-width:0;\" src=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec09_logo-2.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC08 November 12, 2009\" width=\"244\" height=\"96\" /></a>\n\nP.S. - You might be wondering who those great sponsors are...so here\'s the list:  <a href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/\">The Business Journal Phoenix</a> and <a href=\"http://www.infusionsoft.com/\">Infusionsoft</a> – who have generously stepped up EVERY year, as well as <a href=\"http://www.mashable.com/\">Mashable</a>, <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/\">Microsoft</a>, <a href=\"http://www.affordableimage.com/\">Affordable Image</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/\">The Town of Gilbert</a>, <a href=\"http://www.metro-studios.com/\">Metro Studios</a>, <a href=\"http://www.pourmasters.com/pm_default.asp\">Pour Masters</a>, <a href=\"http://www.gangplankhq.com/\">Gangplank</a>, <a href=\"http://www.stealthmode.com/\">Stealthmode</a> Partners, <a href=\"http://www.corepurpose.com/\">CorePurpose</a>, <a href=\"http://brentspore.com\">Brent Spore</a>, <a href=\"http://chuckreynolds.us\">Chuck Reynolds</a>, <a href=\"http://www.phoenixperformancemagazine.com/\">The Performance Magazine</a>, and  <a href=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com/\">The Social Media Bible.com</a>, PLUS our great friends and community partners at <a href=\"http://www.startupmedia.org/\">The Knight Center for Digital Media</a>, <a href=\"http://www.eoaz.org/\">EO</a>, <a href=\"http://arizona.tie.org/\">TiE-Arizona</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.aztechcouncil.org/\">The Arizona Technology Council</a>, <a href=\"http://www.smcphx.com/\">Social Media Club Phoenix</a>, <a href=\"http://innovatephoenix.org/\">The Phoenix Innovation Foundation</a>, <a href=\"http://podcampaz.org/\">PodCampAZ</a>.\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8579e464-0ebe-4b46-ad5e-6c8696ee58d1\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC09\">AZEC09</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/The%20Whuffie%20Factor\">The Whuffie Factor</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Tara%20Hunt\">Tara Hunt</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreners\">Entrepreners</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\">business tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/marketing%20tips\">marketing tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/social%20media\">social media</a></div>','Go Forth and Raise Whuffie','','inherit','open','open','','1487-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:44:58','2012-08-19 21:44:58','',1487,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1487-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2569,2,'2012-08-19 21:45:06','2012-08-19 21:45:06','<a href=\"http://koerberwalker.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/az-ent-logo.jpg\"></a><a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c0120a5d50dd9970b-pi\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c0120a5d50ddc970b-pi\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZ Ent logo\" width=\"212\" height=\"244\" align=\"right\" /></a>A business owner asked me the other day, what was the best marketing strategy ever?  I did not have to think very long.  To me, the answer is <a href=\"http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/airborne.html\">Southwest Airlines in its early days.</a>   In a day when Southwest was competing with industry giants to launch a new airline, they broke through and succeeded by demonstrating that they were the airline you wanted to fly by doing the following things.\n<ol>\n	<li>They offered an affordable and valuable service.</li>\n	<li>They put their employees first and let them know it.  The Employees became their marketing ambassadors on EVERY flight and at every gate.</li>\n	<li>They empowered their employees to do what ever it took to make the customer experience both safe and enjoyable.  The employees felt good about being part of Southwest and that spirit was contagious.</li>\n	<li>They got people fired up about the service they were offering and encouraged them to tell a friend.  They mastered the art of the testimonial!</li>\n</ol>\nCombining silly slogans by peppy flight attendants with little things like birthday cards or free drink coupons, and ads that made you smile, Southwest integrated the customer experience into every step of what they did and how they marketed.  The rest, as they say, was entrepreneurial history. One friend told another - and they told someone else.  People chose to fly the fledgling airline to see what all the buzz was about.  They liked the experience, kept on flying, and kept on telling their friends.\n\nI\'ve been thinking about this - the creating of an experience  - a lot lately for two reasons. \n\nOne is a company that I am hoping to become much more involved with.  They have an offering that will revolutionize their category in a way similar to what Southwest did to the airline industry.  As I look at what would be needed to do just that, I start to get really excited.  (You\'ll have to stay tuned to learn more about this project....it\'s a developing story.)\n\n<a href=\"http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/azec09_logo-2.jpg\"></a><a href=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c0120a62b9de4970c-pi\"><img style=\"border-width:0;margin:5px;\" src=\"http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c0120a62b9de7970c-pi\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AZEC09_Logo-(2)\" width=\"192\" height=\"76\" align=\"left\" /></a>But the other project, is one that I can tell you all about.  It\'s the Fourth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference or <a href=\"http://www.azec09.com\">AZEC09</a>.  For the last 4 years, I have worked with the team at <a href=\"http://www.otef.org\">OTEF</a> (The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation) to provide entrepreneurial training, support, and inspiration to at risk populations here in Arizona.  Programs have included helping women, who have faced huge challenges, start over and launch a new business.   Teens got a fresh start in their own entrepreneurial venture and now, through <a href=\"http://www.scribd.com/doc/13641187/Blueprint-for-Survival-Executive-Summary-March-2009-v51\">Blue Print for Survival</a>, displaced workers are finding a new purpose through their own businesses.  The funding raised each year at AZEC09 makes this possible!\n\nSo, how could I apply what I have learned through the  years from studying Southwest make AZEC09 better?\n\n<a href=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:k8wtKAYP3O5lBM:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\" alt=\"See full size image\" width=\"45\" height=\"45\" align=\"left\" /></a>Valuable and Affordable -  at $99 for early registration and $150 for the regular conference rate, it is probably one of the best full day conference values you can find.  And the learning you can gain is invaluable from both the speakers and the people you meet.\n\n<a href=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:k8wtKAYP3O5lBM:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\" alt=\"See full size image\" width=\"45\" height=\"45\" align=\"left\" /></a>Our team is first rate from our sponsors and community partners to our volunteers.  It is important that we make the experience as good for them as possible so that they will make the conference great for our guests.\n\n<a href=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:k8wtKAYP3O5lBM:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\" alt=\"See full size image\" width=\"45\" height=\"45\" align=\"left\" /></a>We need to make sure that all of our team understands, this is not just another conference.  It is an opportunity to make a difference in our businesses AND our community all at the same time.\n\n<a href=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" src=\"http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:k8wtKAYP3O5lBM:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/B-check.svg/600px-B-check.svg.png\" alt=\"See full size image\" width=\"45\" height=\"45\" align=\"left\" /></a>And it\'s time to get folks fired up and to do something different to make things more fun.  So I asked out great partners at the Phoenix Business Journal for help and they came through with  the perfect gift  to give away at different times throughout the day - I love presents!  Another friend has gotten into the spirit of this and is also helping to bring other surprises.  So now, on top of great speakers, the opportunity to connect with thought leaders, and some of the top exciting entrepreneurs around we have presents to.  How cool is that!\n\nSo all I needed was a few testimonials.  I went through the conference file and asked friends for permission to share their words with you.  Here are a few...\n<blockquote>\"Dollar for dollar the 2008 Arizona Entrepreneur\'s Conference was the best money and time spent on any conference.  Period!  I\'m expecting even more on Nov 12th 2009!\"\n\n   Eric Keosky-Smith  CEO, Co-Founder, Shwaag (tm)\n\n\"... this is the best educational and networking opportunity in the state.... It’s an opportunity to network with and learn from people who have achieved entrepreneurial successes in health care, digital media, sustainability and cloud computing PLUS lots of ideas shared by CEOs on the front lines who are making things work!. \"\n\n   Pat Elliott, Western Marketing Group</blockquote>\nSee, the thing that makes testimonials from delighted customers the best marketing strategy ever is that what THEY say matters most.\n\nSo, I have a favor to ask.  If you have attended one of the last three Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences, leave me a comment and share your experience. And if you are coming this year, tell me why so we can work on making sure you have the best experience ever!\n\nI\'ll be watching for your ideas!\n\nThanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned...\n<blockquote><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;color:#545454;\">Joan Koerber-Walker</span></blockquote>\nP.S. Remember those great Sponsors and  Community Partners I mentioned.  Here is who they are:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/\">The Business Journal Phoenix</a> and <a href=\"http://www.infusionsoft.com/\">Infusionsoft</a> – who have generously stepped up EVERY year, as well as <a href=\"http://www.mashable.com/\">Mashable</a>, <a href=\"http://www.microsoft.com/\">Microsoft</a>, <a href=\"http://www.affordableimage.com/\">Affordable Image</a>, <a href=\"http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/\">The Town of Gilbert</a>, <a href=\"http://www.metro-studios.com/\">Metro Studios</a>, <a href=\"http://www.pourmasters.com/pm_default.asp\">Pour Masters</a>, <a href=\"http://www.gangplankhq.com/\">Gangplank</a>, <a href=\"http://www.stealthmode.com/\">Stealthmode</a> Partners, <a href=\"http://www.corepurpose.com/\">CorePurpose</a>, <a href=\"http://brentspore.com\">Brent Spore</a>, <a href=\"http://chuckreynolds.us\">Chuck Reynolds</a>, <a href=\"http://www.phoenixperformancemagazine.com/\">The Performance Magazine</a>, and  <a href=\"http://www.thesocialmediabible.com/\">The Social Media Bible.com</a>, PLUS our great friends and community partners at <a href=\"http://www.startupmedia.org/\">The Knight Center for Digital Media</a>, <a href=\"http://www.eoaz.org/\">EO</a>, <a href=\"http://arizona.tie.org/\">TiE-Arizona</a>, and <a href=\"http://www.aztechcouncil.org/\">The Arizona Technology Council</a>, <a href=\"http://www.smcphx.com/\">Social Media Club Phoenix</a>, <a href=\"http://innovatephoenix.org/\">The Phoenix Innovation Foundation</a>, <a href=\"http://podcampaz.org/\">PodCampAZ</a>.\n<div id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d8deae40-f5bb-4490-bb94-7aebcc4c40a5\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\" style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\">Technorati Tags: <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference\">Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC09\">AZEC09</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Southwest%20Arilines\">Southwest Arilines</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreners\">Entrepreners</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Entrepreneurship\">Entrepreneurship</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/business%20tips\">business tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/marketing%20tips\">marketing tips</a>,<a rel=\"tag\" href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/testimonials\">testimonials</a></div>','The Best Marketing Strategy Ever','','inherit','open','open','','1486-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:45:06','2012-08-19 21:45:06','',1486,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1486-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2570,2,'2012-08-19 21:45:18','2012-08-19 21:45:18','<p>Do you want to boost your business?&nbsp; Is connecting with new customers on of your goals?&nbsp; Are you wondering if your marketing message is falling on deaf ears?&nbsp; Do you sometimes feel like just another <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/vividbreeze/480057824/\">face in the crowd</a>?&nbsp; If you are in business, to one extent or another, the answer to these questions is probably YES.</p> <p><img style=\"margin:5px;\" title=\"\" alt=\"Face in a crowd by vividBreeze.\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/480057824_c16d767b4d.jpg\" width=\"294\" height=\"195\"></p> <p>The real question is WHAT are you going to do about it.&nbsp; Well, the person with the answer is probably somewhere around you in the same crowd asking questions of their own.&nbsp; </p> <p>Questions YOU might have the answer to.&nbsp; </p> <p>Now you just need to find a way to meet up.</p> <p>In today\'s business world there are lots of opportunities, via networking events, seminars, symposiums, and even through new media tools like Twitter, Facebook,&nbsp; and Linked In to find people who are asking questions and looking for partners to source answers in the crowd.&nbsp; The trick is in finding them.&nbsp; And it starts with a MeetUp.</p> <p>It\'s easy to say, \"I\'m too busy\", \"we\'re short handed\", \"I just don\'t have time.\"&nbsp; But don\'t fall into that trap.&nbsp; You need to get out of your office and connect with others to find the answers you seek.&nbsp; </p> <p>Here are a few examples of ways to connect with others - AND if you are in the greater Phoenix area - actual activities you can plan to attend:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Turn a Twitter , Facebook, or LinkedIn contact into a real connection</strong>.&nbsp; Just this week, I finally got to talk with Patti Dragland&nbsp; - <a href=\"http://twitter.com/strategicsense\">@StrategicSense</a> - from Calgary.&nbsp; While we had been tweeting to each other for over 9 months, we had never spoken.&nbsp; Patti took the initiative with a simple DM - \"Time for a Skype\" and soon we were chatting away, exchanging ideas and best of all - Patti will now be with us in Phoenix come November 12th at the <a href=\"http://www.azec09.com\">4th Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference</a>.&nbsp; Now that\'s taking a meet up to a new level.&nbsp; <li><strong>Reconnect with Thought Leaders in your own home town</strong>. A great example of this is with Kathy Kolbe - <a href=\"http://twitter.com/kathyKolbe\">@KathyKolbe</a> - creator of <a href=\"http://www.kolbe.com/\">Kolbe Index</a> that IDs instinct, M.O. or natural strengths relative to&nbsp; work, learning, and actions. I\'ve used Kathy\'s company for years.&nbsp; We\'ve sat across the room from each other in meetings, but we\'ve just never had a chance to get together and really chat.&nbsp; That\'s ending today - we\'re meeting for lunch at Olive and Ivy.&nbsp; We both decided it was time to meet up.  <li><strong>Kick off you morning at an educational networking event</strong>.&nbsp; Locally, one to try is the monthly AZ Entrepreneurs gathering.&nbsp; This month the topic is \"<a href=\"http://s284888372.onlinehome.us/5.html\">Marketing and Sales Strategies for Your Business\"</a> where seasoned sales and marketing veterans Randy Gustafson, Michael D\'Hoostelaere, and Jeff Hanlon are setting aside the normal&nbsp; panel format and opening it up to questions from the crowd from the very beginning - the format is simple - ASK your key questions - let\'s find a solution.&nbsp; They even invited ME to be part of the answer team - so if you want to \'meet up\' you will find me there early in the morning on October 13th.&nbsp; <li><strong>Make a Day of it at </strong><a href=\"http://www.azec09.com\"><strong>AZEC09</strong></a><strong>!&nbsp; </strong>Sometimes you need to dive deep and invest a whole day in gathering new ideas and making new connections.&nbsp; Set your MeetUp engine into overdrive November 12th for the 4th Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship conference where hundreds of local entrepreneurs will gather to learn from and with each other, to connect and re-connect, and most of all to shine a light on what\'s working for business - even in this economy.</li></ul> <p>So, want to boost your business?&nbsp; Get that Meet Up on your calendar.&nbsp; </p> <p>You\'ll be glad you did.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:70226ada-4b8f-4d0f-9f1b-99e9a4679bd3\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZEC09\" rel=\"tag\">AZEC09</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZ%20Entrepreneurship%20Conference%20Az%20Entrepreneurship\" rel=\"tag\">AZ Entrepreneurship Conference Az Entrepreneurship</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/AZ%20Entrepreneurs\" rel=\"tag\">AZ Entrepreneurs</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Meet%20Up\" rel=\"tag\">Meet Up</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Networking\" rel=\"tag\">Networking</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business\" rel=\"tag\">Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Sales\" rel=\"tag\">Sales</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Marketing%20Growth\" rel=\"tag\">Marketing Growth</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Business%20Tips\" rel=\"tag\">Business Tips</a></div>','Boosting Your Business Starts with a MeetUp','','inherit','open','open','','1485-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:45:18','2012-08-19 21:45:18','',1485,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1485-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2571,2,'2012-08-19 21:45:25','2012-08-19 21:45:25','<p>If you have been listening in on what is going on in our nation\'s capital, you know that the healthcare battle continues to wage.&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.jiltin.com/download/media/images/thumbnail/us_health_insurance_thumb.jpg\"><img style=\"margin:5px;\" align=\"right\" src=\"http://www.jiltin.com/download/media/images/thumbnail/us_health_insurance_thumb.jpg\" width=\"281\" height=\"211\"></a></p> <p>But did you know that if you are a small business based in the state of&nbsp; Arizona, there is - and has been for some time - a healthcare option that&nbsp; is reasonably affordable, fully accessible, guaranteed issue and is available for companies of ANY size - even groups of one.&nbsp; AND if you have employees out of state - or they have dependents out of state, it works for them too!</p> <p>As a large group plan it does not base your acceptance or your company\'s rates on your health condition or the condition of your employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All of the association members are in one big pool and it is on the performance of the pool that the rates are set.</p> <p>How do I know this - BECAUSE I HAVE IT.&nbsp; And if your company was in Arizona, you could too.&nbsp; As a member of the Arizona Small Business Association - ASBA - you are eligible to join the <a href=\"http://www.asba.com/benefits/healthcare-phoenix.aspx\">ASBA plan</a> at the following times:</p> <p>1.&nbsp; If you are a new member - after being in the Association for 90 days and then the first of the month.</p> <p>2. During open enrollment each November</p> <p>3.&nbsp; If you already have a group plan, you can switch to the ASBA plan on your plan renewal date.</p> <h4>Now, before you get mad at me for selling on this blog.&nbsp; I am not. </h4> <p>I\'m trying to make a point.&nbsp; </p> <p>If you look at the details of the <a href=\"http://www.asba.com/Common/Files/09%20EE%20Summary%20HDHP.pdf\">ASBA HSA Qualified plan</a>, it has about the same level of benefits as what President Obama is fighting for:</p> <p>1. Guaranteed Issue - you can not be turned down</p> <p>2. Reasonable Rates - Based on this <a href=\"http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Health_Insurance_Premium_Report.pdf\">White House report</a> the ASBA plan is right about in the middle of the pack.&nbsp; </p> <p>3.&nbsp; Out of pocket limits similar to those suggested by the President.</p> <p>4.&nbsp; The President is calling for one improvement ASBA does not have - eliminating the life time maximum - and the ASBA plan on the HSA side does have a $1M cap.&nbsp; </p> <p>But here is a big difference - while on average, in the western states, family insurance <a href=\"http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Health_Insurance_Premium_Report.pdf\">rates have gone up 5%</a> each year (15% net from 2006 - 2009 if you do the math ) - the ASBA plan has gone up a net 3% TOTAL from 2006 to 2009.&nbsp; Thus this plan, from a little business association in Arizona, did 12 points better than the regional average!</p> <h4>It did not take an act of Congress to do this...</h4> <p>What it took was a group of small business owners coming together to form a larger group that looks like a bigger business.&nbsp; Association based healthcare plans work for Small Business.&nbsp; Just as Small Business is the primary driver that puts this country to work.&nbsp; Yes, Congress has a role in continuing to work on the factors that are driving aggregate healthcare costs up, but if they had spent more time looking at ways to control costs and create and support more programs like the ASBA plan than bickering over a Public Option that, as we saw this week - they could not pass - we might be further along right now.</p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <p><em>Authors note:&nbsp; While I had the honor to serve as the CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association from December 2006 - December 2008, I no longer have ANY affiliation with the organization other that as an active member and as a business that participates in the plan.&nbsp; This post was not reviewed or endorsed by the Arizona Small Business Association prior to publication.</em></p></blockquote> <div style=\"display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;\" id=\"scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e0ea74dc-25ee-47d1-aef6-c0bf6fe18c4c\" class=\"wlWriterSmartContent\">Technorati Tags: <a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker\" rel=\"tag\">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose\" rel=\"tag\">CorePurpose</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare\" rel=\"tag\">Healthcare</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Small%20Business%20Health%20Insurance\" rel=\"tag\">Small Business Health Insurance</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Arizzona%20Small%20Business\" rel=\"tag\">Arizzona Small Business</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Association%20Healthcare%20Plans\" rel=\"tag\">Association Healthcare Plans</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Public%20Option\" rel=\"tag\">Public Option</a>,<a href=\"http://technorati.com/tags/Congress\" rel=\"tag\">Congress</a></div>','Small Business Health Care that did not need an Act of Congress','','inherit','open','open','','1484-revision-2','','','2012-08-19 21:45:25','2012-08-19 21:45:25','',1484,'http://www.corepurpose.com/1484-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),