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Carl Gould interviewed for Entrepreneur Magazine: Carl discusses what small businesses can do to survive AND thrive in this economy. Why this economy is different and what you can do about it. Carl Gould in South Africa to launch his latest book, “The 7 Stages of Small Business Success”. The South African market is hungry for Executive Coaches, solid business mentors, and the guidance to take their businesses to the next level.
As I travelled through South Africa, I was reminded of an story I heard when I was giving a sales training. The topic was ‘focus’. In other words, do you focus on the problem or on the opportunity? The story goes something like this…
A sales representative from a shoe manufacturer was tasked with traveling to Africa to investigate whether or not that market was work pursuing. Upon arriving, the sales representative quickly noticed that most of the population didn’t wear any shoes. He concluded his investigation boarded his return flight and returned to headquarters, proclaiming, “There is no opportunity there, everyone is barefoot.”
A sales representative from a DIFFERENT shoe manufacturer was also sent to the same region with the same mission…”Does a market exist for us to pursue?” Upon arrival, this sales representative also noticed the barefoot tendencies of the natives. He immediately rang the home office, nearly hysterical with excitement, “Come down right away! There is a HUGE opportunity here, everyone is barefoot!”
While driving towards Cape Town, I noticed a very poor village made up of rows and rows of single-room, corrugated steel homes. Little or no running water, poor if non-existent sewage systems. It seemed as though some of the homes had electrical service. Most of the homes had dirt floors. Upon the first inspection, one would think, “There is no opportunity here.” Yet if you took a second look, you would notice that on top of a number of the homes were satellite dishes; and many of the villages were walking around talking on theirmobile phones!
Clearly, these are living conditions that need to improve. There is no doubt of that. And yet, in the middle of the poorest of villages are state-of-art technologies.
As a business advisors, I spoke to South African entrepreneurs about their paradox. During my book launch, I was asked repeatedly about what steps can be taken to start a business or grow a business in these economic conditions. If you focus on the poverty, living conditions and unemployment, you will see no market nor opportunity. You’re creativity will be limited. If you focus on the needs of the consumer, what they would truly value, and how to create an amazing experience for them – you’ll begin to realize there is great opportunity for you.
Don’t allow the negativity of the press, the news, and naysayers derail you from your mission of making a product; find a willing buyer; and delivering on your promise. There is opportunity at every doorstop. And if you don’t see it there, look up on the roof!
Carl L Gould is the president and Chief DISCoverY Officer CMT international, LLC (www.CMTmentors.com), the farthest-reaching business mentoring organization in the world. Carl’s unique approach to executive coaching, business mentoring and performance training helps his clients achieve results worldwide. His upcoming book, The 7 Stages of Small Business Success – From Startup to 7 Figures in Three Years or Less, will provide entrepreneurs and business owners a step-by-step formula to taking their businesses to the next level.
I. The South Africans treated every match of the World Cup as if it were the 7th Game of the World Series, even if their team wasn’t playing. They are so passionate about soccer; it drew interest from the casual (and indifferent) soccer fan.
Lesson Learned (well, reinforced): Passion and enthusiasm are infectious! If you believe that strongly in your product or service, you will gain the attention of someone who wasn’t even considering you beforehand.
I have signed business coaching, business mentoring, and business advisory clients with clients who had previously not even considered my service but were taken in by my passion and enthusiasm.
II. The Vuvuzela is a native horn that is obnoxiously loud. The organizers of the world Cup considered banning the Vuvuzela for fear that it would create a poorer fan experience. Just the opposite happened…the Vuvuzela could be heard everywhere, on the streets, in malls, airports and yes at matches. It became an international phenomenon.
Lesson?: Blow your trumpet as loud and as long as you can. If it is done in the spirit of fun, goodwill and a genuine desire to enhance people’s lives, it will be embraced!
III. “Welcome to My Office”
The toilet attendant (bathrooms are referred to as ‘toilets’ internationally) greeted every visitor with a smile and the greeting, “Welcome to my office.”
Lesson?: Any job can be made fun and enjoyable, if you set your mind to it. Focus on the client experience, greet them with a smile, welcome them to our place of ‘business’, and you can turn even the s888iest of jobs into a pleasurable experience.
IV. “Care for Some Tea?”
Wake up Tea, Arrival Tea, Morning Tea, Tea with lunch, Afternoon Tea, “Tea” (late afternoon tea) and Tea with and after Dinner, Evening Tea. Have I missed one?
Lesson?: Our international friends are prolific tea drinkers, and they use this at times for social interaction and networking. We as Americans can learn a lot in the area of creating balance in our daily lives from those who ‘work to live’ rather ‘live to work’.
Take time from your day to relax, enjoy your favorite beverage, take a walk around the block. These mini breaks will allow you to stay fresh and more present during the day.
Carl L Gould is the president and Chief DISCoverY Officer CMT international, LLC (www.CMTmentors.com), the farthest-reaching business mentoring organization in the world. Carl’s unique approach to executive coaching, business mentoring and performance training helps his clients achieve results worldwide. His upcoming book, The 7 Stages of Small Business Success – From Startup to 7 Figures in Three Years or Less, will provide entrepreneurs and business owners a step-by-step formula to taking their businesses to the next level.
I admit, when the USA competes in the World Cup, I barely took notice. I would lose any bet that required me to recite our team’s roster. The last time I took notice of the USA”s participation was when Brandi Chastain scored the winning goal and took off her jersey in celebration.
When I heard that South Africa was awarded the host of World Cup, I was more than a bit skeptical. Could they really pull this off? Do they have the infrastructure? On my last two visits (I travel to South Africa annually around the same timeframe-first 2 weeks in July- each year), the Gautrain, the Stadiums, the roads and other facilities were all under construction. Would they be ready?
And what about safety? Give their violent history, would the international traveler feel comfortable and secure in South Africa?
Of even greater concern was the presence of the Vuvuzela is an INSANELY LOUD horn that is popular among the South African soccer faithful and one Vuvuzela, when blown, can be heard a city block away. Imagine a stadium full of them? The World Cup organizers wrestled with whether or not to permit them in the stadiums. They chose to allow them. Good call.
Was the Vuvezela, and south African’s ready for the world stage? That was the big question. South Africa with a resounding…YES!
The old story coming out of South Africa was some version of poverty, racism and violence. There is now, finally, a new story to tell! South Africa threw one of the best parties the world has ever seen!
The new story is a much more positive one which includes diversity, beauty, acceptance and the abundance of spirit.
Fan parks all around the country had a Super Bowl-like atmosphere for EVERY match, not just the final. The schools closed for one month, the fan experience was so exceptional that 50% of the people who showed up for a match didn’t even have a ticket! They were coming for the atmosphere, food, drink, attraction and energy that surrounded each match.
There was such a positive vibe! I watched the semi-final match between Netherland and Uruguay at a fan park in Johannesburg. We sat at a table outside of a cage (all of the streets in the Melrose Arch section were closed to allow for pedestrian traffic and to allow the restaurants to expand their seatings all the way out into the streets), with a fan group from Uruguay on one side of us and a Dutch group on the other. Each side cheered (and trumpeted) for their team and allowed the other to do the same. No taunting or fighting, no finger pointing or barbs thrown. This was celebration!
I was thoroughly impressed by the country, the people, authorities, and the organization of the events. While no event of this magnitude comes off perfectly, South Africa was impeccable.
I was delayed on my flight into Durban and I, as well as nearly 1000 other passengers (including the co-pilot of our plane!) missed attending the match live, so I watched the match at the airport on TV.
Now, the Vuvuzela, once thought of as a nuisance, has become an international phenomenon. One report told of a UK company selling 40,000 Vuvuzelas in England. They have found their way into cricket and rugby matches around the world. Passion can make quite an impression can’t it? South African left quite an impression on me and has left Brazil, the next host of the next World Cup, with a tough act to follow.
Carl L Gould is the president and Chief DISCoverY Officer CMT international, LLC (www.CMTmentors.com), the farthest-reaching business mentoring organization in the world. Carl’s unique approach to executive coaching, business mentoring and performance training helps his clients achieve results worldwide. His upcoming book, The 7 Stages of Small Business Success – From Startup to 7 Figures in Three Years or Less, will provide entrepreneurs and business owners a step-by-step formula to taking their businesses to the next level.
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Carl Gould interviewed on SAFM Radio in South Africa. The South African entrepreneurial community is hungry for answers as they have just acknowledged entering into a recession (Join the party!). Carl provides useful insights as to business success, and giving birth!
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Hiking Down Table Mountain: Carl Gould narrates a 2-hour journey in just over 10:00. Table Mountain is breath-taking and awe-inspiring. Watch how quickly the weather moves in and out as Carl descends the mountain on foot.
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Back-to-Back Matching and Mirroring: Demonstrating the power of the human’s ability to synchronize to another person’s body posture EVEN THOUGH THEY CANNOT SEE EACH OTHER in an attempt to solve the riddle that they have both been given. Amazing. Note the postures are aligned ( not perfect, remember they can’t even see each other) in the way they are standing, swaying, foot position, head position, and how/where they place their arms.
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Face-to-Face Matching and Mirroring: Watch how the coaches masterfully synchronize their body language with that of the client and coachee. Notice the positioning of the feet, the mirrored sitting position, and how it all seems so natural. Well done!
Carl Gould, the globally respected award-winning executive coach and business mentor from New Jersey, USA, makes a welcome return to South Africa to launch his latest book: The 7 Stages of Small-Business Success.
Full Article Click Below:
http://www.exclus1ves.co.za/article/Event-Carl-Gould-14-July-2010-Tygervalley/
