Biznovations.net

Moving to Wordpress!

2010-07-16T14:18:00.008-04:00

Hey everyone, thanks for following my blog here. I am moving over the Wordpress. The name of the new blog is Passion in Action: Catalyst Ideas for Bold, Innovative, God-Inspired Living! My continued goal is to motivate and equip people to activate their dreams in order to live the life God created for you.

I will continue to share my thoughts on topics that I am passionate about, including my faith, purpose development, social entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and social innovation. This blog will stay up, but I will not be updating it any more. Fortunately all of content from this blog is going with me. So you can review past articles here or there.

Make sure you subscribe when you get there. See you soon!

Thrive on Purpose!
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Are you aware that up to 97% of Christians surveyed disclose that they don’t hear sermons or messages that specifically connect their work life to their spiritual life? Are you one of them? If so, Dream B.I.G. in 3D will be the missing link for you to activate your gifts, find your niche, and fulfill God's calling for you in the workplace.

If you are looking to maximize your purpose in the marketplace, this is the perfect book for you. Get your copy today at www.DreamBIGin3D.com.

Dream B.I.G. in 3D One Year Anniversary!

2010-07-06T09:56:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wow! It's hard to believe it's been one year since the launch of a movement, i.e. the release of my first book, "Dream B.I.G. in 3D: How to Pursue a Bold, Innovative, God-Inspired Life!" Many lives have been positively impacted as they shifted from dreaming to living on purpose.

We had a lot of fun at our 3 "Books & Biscotti" book release events, produced by my incredible publisher Paramind Publications. We had some incredible performers that did an amazing job personifying and amplifying the Dream B.I.G. message. Check out the event videos...

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Sweet Dreams!
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Your true life does not have to be only a dream, it can be a dream manifested in 3D! Learnhow to Discover, Define, and Drive your desires by unleashing the God given muse to help you envision yourself in a B.I.G. way. God designed you for greatness so stop dreaming small. Uncover your legacy. Now is the season for a Bold Innovative God-Inspired Life! You owe it to yourself to see just how far your true dream in life can take you.

If you are looking for purpose in your life and life in your purpose, this is the perfect book for you. Get your copy today at www.DreamBIGin3D.com.

Sacred and Secular Coming Together in Business

2010-06-29T11:57:00.024-04:00

In times past such a distinction was made between the "sacred" ministry roles and positions in the church versus "secular" positions in the marketplace that leaders outside the church were made to feel inferior to those who worked in full-time ministry within the church.

Fortunately those times are changing. A new group of pastors and church leaders is recognizing the significance and ministry potential of maximizing the combination of sacred and secular ministry to bring the redemptive and transformative power of Christ to people through traditional and non-traditional means.

In a recent blog, Business as Missions Network profiled a few pastors who are actively breaking down the wall between the sacred and the secular. Here's a link to the story: http://www.businessasmissionnetwork.com

Many organizations now exist that are strategically and practically bridging the gap between the secular and the sacred, such as...

Nehemiah Project (www.nehemiahproject.org)
Convene (www.convenenow.com)
The Joseph Company
C12 Group (www.c12group.com)
Kingdom Point International (www.kingdompoint.com)
Kings & Priests (www.kings-priests.org)
Marketplace Leaders (www.marketplaceleaders.org)

Beyond this short list, there are many other organizations and businesses that are also helping to bridge the gap and break down unnecessary walls that limit the potential of leaders and entrepreneurs to be the church in the marketplace.

The potential of business leaders to be transformational change agents in lives and communities is exponential. Hopefully, the trend will continue that leverages the best of both the sacred and the secular.

I would love to hear your thoughts. What is your experience with this topic? What barriers still need to be overcome to break down walls between sacred and secular ministry?

Thrive on Purpose!
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Your true life does not have to be only a dream, it can be a dream manifested in 3D! Learnhow to Discover, Define, and Drive your desires by unleashing the God given muse to help you envision yourself in a B.I.G. way. God designed you for greatness so stop dreaming small. Uncover your legacy. Now is the season for a Bold Innovative God-Inspired Life! You owe it to yourself to see just how far your true dream in life can take you.

If you are looking for purpose in your life and life in your purpose, this is the perfect book for you. Get your copy today at www.DreamBIGin3D.com.

Solve a Problem, Create a Niche, Become Indispensable

2010-06-17T10:16:00.000-04:00

In this video posted on Entrepreneur.com, Seth Godin explains how small-business owners can become indispensable in the new economy through originality, emotional risk and community service.

Your ultimate value as an entrepreneur is found in your ability to solve problems (or satisfy needs) that create value for customers. And this economy has plenty of problems that need solving. Create your own niche and become indispensable by solving a problem that no one wants to or is able to.

How are you creating a sense of indispensability for your customers?

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Gain powerful and practical insights from dynamic leaders, catalysts, and influencers who are making theirs and others dreams come true!
Learn more about the Dream B.I.G in 3D Leaders Symposium on June 19, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

#SmallBizChat Interview with Melinda Emerson

2010-06-14T09:58:00.006-04:00

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs. This Twitter talk shows takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9pm ET. I had the pleasure and privilege of being Melinda's guest last week. This is excerpted from my interview:

Smallbizlady: What’s the difference between a vision and a dream in business?

Paul Wilson Jr: I’ve heard it said that a vision is a dream with a deadline. A dream is all about creating a mental picture that stretches the boundaries of your imagination for what you believe is possible. A (business) vision brings clarity, specificity, and direction to the dream.

Smallbizlady: Where do you find inspiration to dream big in business?

Paul Wilson Jr: Faith in God. Other big dreamers. Vision boards. Imagining the benefits and results of the lives that my business is targeted to reach. Driving through areas of the city that I want to see transformed. Praying for the people that I want to impact. In essence, putting myself in situations to have my mind stretched, including different types of learning environments, listening to those who inspire me, reading books, and other things.

Smallbizlady: How do you shift from dreaming big to doing big things in your business?

Paul Wilson Jr: Vision without execution leads to frustration. One vision is often a combination of many (complimentary) ideas. List all the different ideas needed to realize your vision. Choose one to work on first and build your business plan for that. Implement, grow, and perfect that idea and then build on it with another complimentary idea going through the same process.

Smallbizlady: What is one key of success for implementing a big dream?

Paul Wilson Jr: One key to long-term business success is that there’s alignment and congruency between the vision of the business and the dream/mission/purpose of the individual.

Smallbizlady: How can you ensure that your life plan is aligned with your business plan?

Paul Wilson Jr: Your business plan should be an outgrowth of your life plan. This also ensures that you’re in the right business for the right reasons.

Smallbizlady: How can you assess if your business is the right fit for your life plan?

Paul Wilson Jr: Evaluate and assess the alignment of three things in relation to your business: 1) Your purpose, your passions, and your professional skills. 2) Your purpose involves your personal vision, mission, and values. 3) Your passions are key areas that drive and stretch you to be excellent – no matter what it takes. Your professional skills combine your talents, knowledge, education, experience, etc.

Smallbizlady: What hinders big dreamers from having successful businesses?

Paul Wilson Jr: The person is more important than the plan. Don’t get intoxicated with the dream and then not be willing to following through on the execution to implement it. The best business plan is only as good as the people who are executing it. Develop yourself so that you are the best person you can be to execute your business plan.

Smallbizlady: How do you keep doubts out of your dreams?

Paul Wilson Jr: For some people dreaming can inadvertently cause doubt when you stop dreaming and starting thinking about all the reasons why you can’t do something. Reverse that with thinking about all the reasons you CAN do it. Dominate your doubts or your doubts will dominate you.

Smallbizlady: How do you overcome F.E.A.R. in order to dream big in business?

Paul Wilson Jr: Focus your thoughts in a positive direction – for me it’s God’s power. Evaluate your obstacles thoroughly to assess their validity. Attack the enemies “in-a-me” (silence the negative voices). Respond to the challenge.

Smallbizlady: How do you ensure long-term sustainability of your big business dream?

Paul Wilson Jr: It’s not about you – it’s about what you leave for someone else to build on. That’s legacy. Build a business where you are focused on the size of your significance versus the significance of your size.

If you found this interview helpful please purchase my book, Dream B.I.G. in 3D: How to Pursue a Bold, Innovative, God-Inspired Life! You can buy it at www.DreamBIGin3D.com.

Thrive on purpose,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Gain powerful and practical insights from dynamic leaders, catalysts, and influencers who are making theirs and others dreams come true!
Learn more about the Dream B.I.G in 3D Leaders Symposium on June 19, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Entrepreneurial Economy Becoming More Fact than Fiction

2010-06-09T10:51:00.008-04:00

Three separate stories in the past week has me convinced more than ever that we are moving even quicker toward an entrepreneurial economy than some have predicted. The sad thing is that many of these newly minted entrepreneurs will be involuntary or part of the "contingent workforce" - people that corporations are increasingly hiring to get the work done without having to pay benefits, vacation, sick leave or match 401(k) contributions. Some predict that the contingent workforce could rise to as high as 45% of the total workforce by 2030. Wow!

See for yourself...

A ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. In this case we can't prevent this seismic shift in the workforce, but we sure can prepare for it.

Entrepreneurship education and development is becoming more necessity versus just a nicety. Don't get left out in the cold. Stay ahead of the curve. Prepare yourself now so that you have more options later.

If you are currently an employee, what are you doing to prepare yourself for the coming changes?

If you are currently and entrepreneur, what are you doing to position your business for greater opportunities?

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29 Point Social Media Self-Assessment by Stephen Jones

2010-06-07T10:18:00.002-04:00

If you’re looking to establish your online presence in social communities in order to build relationships, generate exposure and attract new business - it’s not the kind of project where you show up, build your profiles, find a few people, and call it good.

If it were, you and your competition would be raking in the cash because of your social media marketing exposure!

Here are 29 ‘Basics’ that you want to make sure you’re mastering as you utilize this rapidly growing, and increasingly powerful platform and distribution channel – called Social Media.

29 Point Social Media Self-Assessment Test

View more documents from GROWTH STRATEGIES.

Learn more strategies to build, brand, and monetize your business at Digital University. Join us for this free workshop, Monday, June 7th in Smyrna, GA. Click here for more info.

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Gain powerful and practical insights from dynamic leaders, catalysts, and influencers who are making theirs and others dreams come true!

Learn more about the Dream B.I.G in 3D Leaders Symposium on June 19, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

How to Be a Full-Time Employee and a Part-Time Entrepreneur With a Million-Dollar Brand

2010-06-04T10:54:00.001-04:00

Entrepreneurship doesn't always have to be be an "all-or-nothing" proposition. There are times when people are able to build a successful side business while maintaining a full-time job. There are even a few rare occasions when people are able to build a multi-billion dollar brand in their spare time.

Recently Entrepreneur.com profiled Sarah Crevin, who launched BooginHead while she was working full-time. Her main product, SippiGrip, was created out of her frustration of the lack of available products that could keep her son's sippy cup from constantly falling on the ground and getting lost or dirty. Now thousands of parents everywhere purchase SippiGrip from large retailers such as Babies "R" Us as well as smaller, high-end boutique stores like Kitson in Los Angeles.

In the article she tells her story and also provides some great insights for developing your plan, designing product prototypes, building strategic relationships, gaining larger distribution, and expanding a product line (click here for the full article at Entrepreneur.com).

You shouldn't wait until you need to become an entrepreneur to become an entrepreneur. This is a proactive "Plan A" entrepreneur mentality versus a reactive "Plan B" mentality. Start developing your ideas and plans now so you can have an "entrance plan" into entrepreneurship instead of a rushed, emergency exit plan out of your job.

What do you think about what Sarah did? Could you do that with you current job? Why or why not?

Thrive on Purpose,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

Learn more strategies to build, brand, and monetize your business at Digital University. Join us for this free workshop, Monday, June 7th in Smyrna, GA. Click here for more info.

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Marketing Like a Farmer

2010-06-02T11:23:00.002-04:00

Critical Tools for "Slow Burn" Marketing... Continued from Part 2

In my previous post about "Slow Burn" marketing, I related the slow burn approach to putting the pieces of a puzzle together. In this post I'm switching metaphors to an agricultural perspective.

When you are considering using a slow burn approach you have to think of yourself as a business farmer who plants lots of marketing seeds in one season with the expectation to reap the harvest in the next season. With this mindset, it's important to recognize when it's best to plant certain kinds of seeds versus others. This requires patience, timing, attention to detail, expert knowledge of the materials, and an understanding of the most beneficial planting conditions.

One of the great benefits of this strategy is that farmers get an exponential return on the seeds they plant. For every seed planted, there could be many times more crops that are harvested. Here are some of the critical tools that I use to plant my marketing seeds...

~ Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Ning
~ Email Marketing: comF5
~ Internet TV: Passion in Action TV
~ Motivational and Instructional Videos
~ Blogging
~ Workshops (Live, Teleseminar, and Webcasting)
~ Personal Networking

The key is to use as many of these tools as possible, while getting them to work together. It's like you're building a digital tapestry that has many contact points draped across the Internet. This positions you to increase your visibility with current and potential customers, which of course enables you to find new opportunities to maximize your profitability.

If you are overwhelmed by all this, that's very understandable (I wrote about this in Part 1). Remember that you have to choose the best tools that are going to work for you within a comprehensive strategy, system and process. Without these, you will become overwhelmed, frustrated and ineffective.

If you need help building your digital tapestry, check out www.Biznovations.com. We inspire and design creative solutions that empower individuals and organizations to enhance their digital brand.

What are you thoughts about this? What other tools can you think of that could be incorporated into to a slow burn marketing strategy? I look forward to your comments.

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

Learn more strategies to build, brand, and monetize your business at Digital University. Join us for this free workshop, Monday, June 7th in Smyrna, GA. Click here for more info.

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Gain powerful and practical insights from dynamic leaders, catalysts, and influencers who are making theirs and others dreams come true!
Learn more about the Dream B.I.G in 3D Leaders Symposium on June 19, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Refresh Your Digital Marketing Tools

2010-05-25T15:50:00.012-04:00

This past Monday comF5 released their new website! Below you will find some great information to help you....

Increase your brand awareness & your profits.

ComF5 helps create brand awareness in online business marketing by combining traditional marketing tools with modern technology, such as video enabled email campaigns. Your imagination is unfettered using comF5’s platform, allowing you to take full control of your online business marketing efforts.

ComF5 provides only the best combination of all the tools that are available for marketing or promoting yourself or your business online.

We provide the power of brand integration into multiple platforms. Combine that with the right tools to successfully measure and refine your marketing efforts and you get the most complete Internet Marketing System available.

All in one place and at a GREAT value.

~ Build and maintain better relationships by personalizing all of your customer and client contacts with video.
~ Make business or organizational presentations with slides and guest speakers using live or recorded broadcasts.
~ Manage and publish your pictures and videos.
~ Create your own web pages without using a hosting service.
~ Collaborate with associates with shared contact lists, calendars and documents.
~ Capture leads with web forms or with text messaging, follow up with campaigns and autoresponders, all with robust reporting.

We invite you to investigate in detail all of our F5 products. We think you’ll agree, the possibilities are endless when you put comF5 tools behind your marketing approach.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COMF5 HERE

Digitally Yours,

Paul Wilson Jr

"Dream Catalyst"

How much does this cost? View here

Paul, I have seen enough how do I sign up? Sign up here!

Let Your Customers Choose What They Want to Pay

2010-05-19T10:21:00.005-04:00

A Panera Bread Co. restaurant in St. Louis, that was converted to a non-profit cafe, is allowing customers to choose what they want to pay for their meals. The owners came up with this innovative approach as a way to give back to their community. Cashiers show customers what their order costs and then allows them to pay what they want or can afford. Those who can't pay are asked to donate their time. The owners are not sure if it will be profitable but they are willing to test people's generosity to find out.

What do you think of this business model? Could you try something like this with your business?

Click here for the full article on USAToday.com

Thrive on Purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to thrive in the entrepreneurial economy at 3hrive 3.0 Workshop on May 22, 2010.

For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Skip the Recession! Free eBook

2010-05-13T09:20:00.006-04:00

Recently I had a great opportunity to contribute an article to an incredible project that provides practical tips, powerful strategies, and motivational messages to help people stimulate their personal economy. This powerful information is included in the free eBook by Danek Stephen Kaus, "No Thanks, I'll Skip the Recession," with articles from Mark Victor Hansen, Brian Tracy, Tom Hopkins, and many more great thinkers, entrepreneurs, and motivators.

My article is entitled "re:Position Your Perspective", which motivates and challenges people to become more entrepreneurial due to the current state of the job market. It's right in line with what I write about concerning creating your personal enterprise.

Click here to get your free copy. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think of the article and the eBook overall.

Thrive on Purpose,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to thrive in the entrepreneurial economy at 3hrive 3.0 Workshop on May 22, 2010.

For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Stimulate Your Personal Economy

2010-05-10T10:20:00.007-04:00

America’s economic landscape will probably never be as it was before the recession. Consequently, the career landscape has also changed forever. And while the financial pundits spend their time talking about corporate profitability, we need fresh thinking for helping individuals and families enhance their personal profitability by repurposing, repackaging, and repositioning their professional pursuits.

We are quickly shifting into an entrepreneurial economy, which means more people need to acquire entrepreneurial skills to survive the shift.

"3hrive 3.0: Entrepreneurial Skills for the Entrepreneurial Economy", happening May 22 in Atlanta, is a career transition workshop with an entrepreneurial twist. It will provide people with a strategic approach on how to flourish with the right perspective and skills in this current and future economic environments. The goal is to equip, enrich, and empower individuals with motivational instruction and stimulating exercises that will position them for lasting success in their chosen career/business path.

Attendees will learn how to:

rePurpose their path in life!
rePackage their personal brand!
rePosition their personal enterprise!

A few months ago I wrote an article about more people needing to consider entrepreneurship as 'Plan A' instead of just 'Plan B'. This is an opportunity to craft that plan. It's much better to be proactive than regretful.

So join us on May 22. Click here for more information.

Thrive on Purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to thrive in the entrepreneurial economy at 3hrive 3.0 Workshop on May 22, 2010.

For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

3 R's to Beat the Recession

2010-04-26T11:00:00.008-04:00

I know the economists have said that we have "officially" come out of the recession. However, many people - especially the unemployed - are still experiencing recession-like symptoms in their lives.

Here are three critical characteristics to help you beat the recession, whether you're employed, unemployed, self-employed, or misemployed.

Resourceful: Use all you have in the most creative way you can in the circles of influence that you reach. You will have to work smart and harder than everyone else to win in this economy.
Radical: Be willing to go against the grain to change your situation. If everyone else is going left, you might need to go right. If everyone else is zigging, you might need to zag. Leaders don't follow the influence of crowds, they create influence that crowds want to follow.
Resilient: Aside from a miracle - which is definitely possible - your situation is most likely not going to change over night. So dig your heels in and get ready to do whatever is necessary to win. Persevere. Persist. Just like a boxer, although they might take some punches that hurt, they keep fighting.

If you would like more quick-witted words of wisdom to propel you through these perilous times, check out my recession-proof, eco-friendly, mom-approved free e-book "Tweet Dreams!"

Thrive on Purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to thrive in the entrepreneurial economy at 3hrive 3.0 Workshop on May 22, 2010.

For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Putting Humpty Dumpty's Brand Back Together Again

2010-04-13T10:30:00.000-04:00

In light of my recent posts about branding and marketing, I'm very excited that I have a feature article in this month's issue of the new Brotha Online Magazine. In the article I make a comparison between the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme and the branding industry. Here's a short excerpt:

"A person’s brand, i.e. reputation, is about as fragile as an eggshell. It takes a lot of time to nurture and develop that brand into something recognizable, valuable, and marketable. Regardless of the time and money spent, no brand is indestructible. If that person has a momentary (or on-going) character crisis, that brand can be shattered into a bunch of little fragments very quickly, just like Humpty’s shell."

Click here to read the full article. I look forward to your feedback. Enjoy!

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Dare to dream again in 2010!

Register for the Dream B.I.G in 3D Live Workshop! on April 17, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

3 Keys to "Slow Burn" Marketing - Part 2

2010-04-06T11:00:00.014-04:00

Continued from"Slow Burn Marketing - Part 1"...

"If you can't sustain the sizzle you will eventually fizzle out!"

Strong brands that evoke enthusiastic customer loyalty are built over time not all at once. They are fashioned piece by piece like a puzzle. Each piece has a cumulative effect that adds positively to what's already in place.

Enthusiastic customer loyalty is nurtured through repeated consistent, high-quality experiences from the products and services they invest in. Quality and consistency can't be established with one idea or campaign. Companies with strong brands understand this.

Yes there are times when certain marketing activities have a big impact, but strong brands don't get intoxicated by that and rest on their laurels. They keep working on incorporating the next pieces that will allow them to extend and sustain their impact, not just be a flash in the pan.

This approach reminds me of a scented candle. It doesn't burn fast like a match, but eventually it's aroma fills an entire room. You don't want a "brand scent" that burns brightly for a short while, but then is quickly forgotten about. You want your brand to leave a pleasant aroma with your customers that lingers for a long time.

Here are 3 keys to consider with a "slow burn" marketing approach for your company:

Strategic: Consider every new tip and tool within the confines of your current strategy and budget. As you add new things make sure they complement what you're already doing. If you feel the need to do something "radical", reconsider your entire strategy not just one piece of it.

Significant: Every marketing effort should have either an immediate or cumulative measurable benefit.

Sustainable: Make sure that whatever you do is not a one-shot deal, but something that you can do continually and consistently well.

I have to admit this methodical approach runs counter to our make-a-fast-buck culture. I also have to admit that I sometimes get frustrated when I see other companies that seem to be making a bigger "splash" than I am and creating more buzz. Nevertheless, I realize that I'm building for the long haul and what I do today may not produce immediate dividends. But I will reap the rewards in the long run.

Slow burn marketing feels kind of like the proverbial tortoise racing against the hare. Just remember the tortoise won.

In an upcoming post I will discuss in more detail how you can use today's tools to utilize a slow burn approach in your marketing efforts.

What are you thoughts about this? How do you feel about a "slow burn" marketing approach for your business? I look forward to your comments.

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Dare to dream again in 2010!

Register for the Dream B.I.G in 3D Live Workshop! on April 17, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Slow Burn Marketing - Part 1

2010-04-05T11:00:00.002-04:00

It seems like every day some "expert" comes up with the next-best-marketing-strategy-thing to make your growth explode. From technology to blogging to social media to email to SEO to whatever is next, there's always seems to be new stuff that you have to do in order to be successful. This can make an entrepreneur can feel like they are drowning in new stuff while still trying to figure out the old stuff - which might only be a few weeks or months old, but the "gurus of the new" make it seem like what was said previously is all of a sudden ancient history.

I'm not sure about you, but that's how I feel sometimes, like I'm always playing catch up to something that I can't catch. As soon as I implement one new thing here's comes something else that I better do or else I'm out of the loop with my customers and I won't be able to grow my business.

I have come to the realization that if you try to do everything that every expert tells you to do with your marketing, it will lead to frustration, futility and eventually failure. It got me to thinking there has to be a way to sort through the maze of advice to find the stuff that really works but at the same time is not overwhelming.

Many entrepreneurs go looking for the "big bang" approach to marketing. They try to create the hip viral video or snazzy social media campaign, hoping that if it catches on they won't ever have to do anything clever or creative ever again to attract customers. They think this one thing will be able to carry them for years. *Cue game show sound*... WRONG!

"Slow burn may not be fast or fancy, but it can be effective."

Because our society has such a short attention span, even if they liked what you did today, they will have forgotten about you next week because of the viral video or social media campaign that the next company did. That's how you become a short-lived novelty. That's not how you build long-term brand loyalty.

Marketing is really about have a multi-pronged approach to establishing your brand in the minds and hearts of people (just because you get in their heads doesn't automatically mean you have their hearts). It's multiple pieces on multiple levels with multiple applications that you have to implement over time.

Patience is the key. Without it you may just be another flash in the pan that was here today and gone tomorrow.

I will continue with Part 2 tomorrow of what I call "slow burn" marketing.

What are you thoughts about this? How do you feel about all the new stuff related to marketing your business? How do you approach marketing? I look forward to your comments.

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Dare to dream again in 2010!

Register for the Dream B.I.G in 3D Live Workshop! on April 17, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Conscious Capitalism

2010-03-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

In this time in history increasingly more people and organizations are realizing the incredible benefits of using business as a transformational agent for individuals and communities. A new organizational structure called a "B Corporation" is the latest example of businesses intentionally implementing progressive strategies and practices to leverage their business for good...

What do you think about this concept of a "B Corporation"? Would you structure your business like that?

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Dare to dream again in 2010!

Register for the Dream B.I.G in 3D Live Workshop! on April 17, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

The New Entrepreneur: Research Review

2010-03-16T11:00:00.002-04:00

Check out this research on the impending entrepreneurial economy...

The New Entrepreneur: Research Review

View more presentations from Taly Weiss.

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Dare to dream again in 2010!

Register for the Dream B.I.G in 3D Live Workshop! on April 17, 2010... For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Create Your Personal Enterprise

2010-01-12T10:15:00.001-05:00

In yesterday's post I wrote about the growing trend of corporations hiring more "permatemps" versus full-time employees. Over the next decade as corporations increasingly move further in this direction, greater numbers of people will be engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits -- by choice or circumstance.

It's time for you to shift your focus on how you view yourself and your employment. YOU are a personal enterprise. YOU are a business owner. The business you own is YOU!

YOU, Inc. is the most valuable enterprise that you could work for. Your product/service is the unique and innovative combination of your talents, knowledge, experience, education, skills, ideas, creativity, relationships, networks, etc. Now is the time for you to start managing your career like a business owner, not just a "permatemp" at the mercy of companies' quarterly earnings reports.

For some this equates to starting a business. For others this means approaching your job search (and performance) more entrepreneurially. Either way, it's time to reformulate your expectations about your participation in the workforce -- either as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

Many of you may be saying, "I have no idea how to create my YOU, Inc." Fortunately, I'm here to help you. I'm passionate about moving people to thrive professionally, purposefully, and profitably.

Contact me today for some ideas on how you can create your personal enterprise.

Thrive on Purpose,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

Dream again in 2010!... www.DreamBIGin3D.com

***For a limited time get $5 off my book... use discount code "DREAMBIG"***

You're a Business Owner Whether You Know It Or Not

2010-01-11T10:15:00.003-05:00

Have you heard the term "permatemp"? It describes people who seem to be caught in a never-ending cycle of temp jobs, unable to secure full-time status. As you may have noticed, even as the economy recovers from this recession, companies are still not hiring full-time workers. Many are using this permatemp approach to keep people in limbo as temporary workers, while not having to pay them full-time salaries or benefits.

Businessweek.com posted an enlightening article recently, "We're All Business Owners Now", documenting companies’ shift from "relying on full-time employees to a contingent workforce of temps, freelancers, contractors, and part-timers. Not just in low-skill jobs or easily outsourced tasks, either."

Even as the economy "recovers", this trend is going to continue. So whether you're currently employed, unemployed, or underemployed, you have to decide if you want to be another victim of corporations' short-sighted, penny-pinching ways, where disposing of workers is even easier now than it used to be... or if you want to proactively position yourself as the owner of your "personal enterprise".

Don't wait to be a victim. You can use entrepreneurial strategies to find a more meaningful and profitable career path. I'll talk about this more in my next post.

Thrive on purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

Dream again in 2010!... www.DreamBIGin3D.com

Also, check out this related video, "The Disposable Worker", focusing on the challenges of the unemployed being able to return to profitable, long-term full-time work...

Winning Ugly is Still Winning!

2009-12-17T12:15:00.001-05:00

As we get closer to the end of this year, it's a good time to reflect on what this year was and what it could have been. You might be lamenting that it could have been better. On the flip side, you should be thankful that it could have been worse, but it wasn't.

The longer you're an entrepreneur the more you realize that entrepreneurship is a marathon. You have to be prepared to engage in opportunities that aren't guaranteed to succeed, endure challenges with confident perseverance, and excel beyond your competitors in the face of adversity. Although some people make it look easy, this race isn't easy and everyone isn't cut out for it.

In sports you sometimes hear that a team had an "ugly win". That basically means they played terribly, made a bunch of mistakes, and should have lost, but somehow were able to score more points than the other team to win the game. While they may not have liked how they played, they are still happy to get a win.

Business is a lot like that some years. Yeah, I know you might have made some mistakes this year, blown some opportunities, and even fallen flat on your face. It doesn't matter. If you made it to this point, you had an "ugly win". Hooray! Celebrate! Rejoice! Many people and businesses didn't make it this far. If you're still in business - or even if you're still alive - you have an opportunity to gain from your mistakes and mishaps, and grow personally and professionally to be better next year.

Remember, the race isn't won by the swift, sleek, or sexy. It's won by those who engage, endure, and excel.

If 2009 wasn't great for you, it doesn't matter. Make 2010 a year to remember!

Dream B.I.G.,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

Help someone Dream B.I.G. for Christmas!... www.DreamBIGin3D.com

Entrepreneurship Needs to be 'Plan A' for More People

2009-12-09T11:53:00.002-05:00

In my last post, I wrote about the U.S. moving closer to an "entrepreneurial economy" as we go through this economic recovery. Interestingly, I read another interesting article today on USAToday.com that predicted 25% of the workforce could become temps as contract work grows (click here for article). Temp workers cost employers less, because they don't have to pay for benefits, such as health insurance.

That tells me more people need to be thinking proactively about entrepreneurial work options. No matter what you call them, temp workers, contractors, or free lancers, they are entrepreneurial by nature. Some people take on these roles by choice. However, there are many who reluctantly find themselves in these positions through unwilling or unexpected circumstances. And often they are unprepared for this reality.

Just because the economy recovers doesn't mean it will function the same as it did before. I'm a firm believer that now and in the future entrepreneurship needs to be considered as Plan A - not just Plan B - for those who want to control their professional destiny.

What do you think? Do you believe that as the economy recovers more people will have to settle for contract work versus full-time employment? Let me hear your thoughts...

Dream B.I.G.,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

Help someone dream B.I.G. for Christmas!... www.DreamBIGin3D.com

Entrepreneurial Pockets of Inspiration in Economic Uncertainty

2009-12-01T09:50:00.006-05:00

As we have just come up for air from the super-sales-driven Thanksgiving weekend, it's very easy to see the desperate wishes of companies that this holiday season will help to turn around their financial trajectory. They cling to the hope that although companies keep shedding jobs, people will ignore that and keep plunking down cash and credit, which will keep the big behemoths afloat.

This current period of economic uncertainty underlies the fact that "necessity is the mother of invention." In recent history, there has been no other time - or opportunity - that has presented a greater necessity for innovation and inspiration than right now. That's why it's great to see entrepreneurs who take this to heart and are able to thrive while others are just struggling to survive.

Entrepreneur.com has an article, "The Entrepreneur Economy", which highlights how smaller entrepreneurial companies have been able to successfully respond to the morphing economy with new ideas and innovation, while their much larger counterparts are struggling. Here's an excerpt:

"We don't have to do things the same way. We can take the economy in hand and drive our own destinies. And a movement that has been slowly building in the business world is finally taking hold: We're seeing the beginnings of the entrepreneurial economy, a system built on nimble, low-overhead, oftentimes small companies with fluid workforces, rather than the massive conglomerates that have upheld the economy for decades."

As our economy tugs and pulls to get back on solid footing, it will cause significant changes in what we call the "workforce". Whether by choice or circumstance, people will have to become more entrepreneurial. You don't have to become a victim of change. You can lead change - entrepreneurially.

Dream B.I.G.,

Paul Wilson, Jr.

Transform your dream from an idea into reality... www.DreamBIGin3D.com

Paul Wilson Jr Featured on The Success Center

2009-11-18T10:00:00.002-05:00

I'm very excited to be featured for a second time on the website Rod Kirby's Success Center, a great resource for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. The blog I wrote was entitled, "Building B.I.G. Entrepreneurial Dreams." Here's an excerpt...

"I believe there are many people who will not reach their full life potential working as an employee for someone else. Their capacity to thrive is limited by people and environments that are not geared to help them maximize their talents and abilities. Those are the people I want to empower to make a successful transition from employee to entrepreneur.

At the core of a true entrepreneur is an unbridled dreamer. Entrepreneurial dreamers and thinkers are always concocting new concepts, shaping fresh ideas, considering new possibilities, and asking “why not?” Without an active imagination, entrepreneurs cease to produce creative solutions that are transacted into valuable assets, i.e. revenue-generating products and services." Click here for the full article.

If you are interested in building your B.I.G. entrepreneurial dreams, you can start by attending the Dream B.I.G. in 3D Live Experience this Saturday, November 21st. Based on content from my book, this interactive, high-energy seminar will provide timely inspiration and practical instruction to empower you to “Live in 3D!” by equipping you to:

Discover Your Dream
Develop Your Dream
Drive To Your Dream

With your dream investment of only $39, you will receive a free copy of my book Dream B.I.G. in 3D, free breakfast and lunch, access to a special panel of B.I.G. dreamers, and much more!

For more details, please visit http://dreambigin3dlive.eventbrite.com

If you are currently an employee or an entrepreneur, don’t fear the unknown path of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Don’t be afraid to transition your life to something that may be unfamiliar, yet more fulfilling. The time is now to dream B.I.G., live B.I.G., and own a B.I.G. business!

Your Dream Coach,
Paul Wilson