LAURA BENJAMIN'S ONLINE MAGAZINE

Dedicated to help business grow and people prosper. It's never 'just business' it's always personal

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Vol. 8, Number 4 - February 27, 2007
Editor: Laura Benjamin
http://www.LauraBenjamin.com
Published continually since 2000
Copyright©Pinehurst Press Ltd., 2007

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Teamwork Quotes & Funny Quotes
2. Teleclasses & Expert Interviews
3. Discussion Point: Ethics
4. Grow Your Business Tutorial
5. Perspectives: Open Mouth, Insert Foot
6. Ways to Boost Your Business
7. The Grand Finale

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1. TEAMWORK QUOTES & FUNNY QUOTES
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"Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it's the
only thing."(Albert Schweitzer, French Philosopher, Physician)

"Those who honestly mean to be true contradict themselves
more rarely than those who try to be consistent."
(Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., American Jurist)

"Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you
to merit the face you have at fifty."(Coco Chanel)

"Those who are lifting the world upward and onward are those
who encourage more than criticize."(Unknown)

Teamwork Quotes at: www.LauraBenjamin.com/teamworkquotes.htm
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2. COMPLIMENTARY TELECLASSES AND EXPERT INTERVIEWS
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Here's our schedule for upcoming expert interviews:

- Friday, Mar 2: Wendy Burt on How to Get Publicity for your
Business and Break Into Freelance Writing
- Friday, Mar 16: Dr. Dan Price on How to Handle Your Small
Projects/Project Management
- Thursday, April 5: Meri Villane of The BizBookBuzz(TM)
on How to Start a Business Book Club in your organization

Register at: http://www.LauraBenjamin.com/interviews.htm

Did you miss out on one of our earlier programs? No worries!
Now you can tune in and listen to these recorded programs at
http://www.LauraBenjamin.com/shows.htm. Listen to:

-Website Basics for Non-Tekkies
-Collaborative Book Authorship
-Top 10 Reasons Why Teams Fail
-Breaking In & Making Out: Small Business Marketing Tips

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3. DISCUSSION POINT
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A short discussion point to encourage meaningful dialogue and
development. Warning: This one's not for the faint of heart.

DISCUSSION POINT #4: HOW ETHICAL DO WE NEED TO BE?
Recently there was talk of pending parties to celebrate the
anticipated death of Fidel Castro. Those who suffered under
his regime said they had the right.

Some financial institutions extend services to illegal aliens
saying that technically, there's nothing wrong with this
practice.

While these topics may provoke strong opinions one way or
the other, they both deal with an ethical dilemma. In the
workplace, classroom or kitchen, we face similar ethical
judgments.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Is what's technically allowed under our laws or within
our policies the right thing to do for the good of the
community or the company?
- At what point, does it become okay or not okay?
- Who gets hurt, either way, and to what degree?
- Is their demise justifiable for the greater good? Why?

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4. HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS TUTORIAL
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Our newest feature on the website is specially created for
business owners who would like to grow their business. We've
now got tons of tips on websites, how to build your lists,
increase leads and basically prosper like nobody's business.

This complimentary tutorial emails you one practical tip each
day for 79 days. To sign up and start getting your Business
Builder Tips right away, go to:
http://www.LauraBenjamin.com/businessbuildertips/signup.htm

Want to find out how to create an online Tutorial for your
customers or website? Contact Laura for information on her
upcoming Business Builders Mentor Program.

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GOT A DIFFICULT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE? Well you're in luck
'cause we've got a complimentary Tutorial for you too. Get
107 Tutorial Tips on how to deal with difficult personalities
in the workplace, at home or in school. You get one a day in
your inbox without having to lift a finger. Go to:

http://www.LauraBenjamin.com/difficultpeopletips/signup.htm

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5. PERSPECTIVES: OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT
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We don't live in isolation, so the issues we face at home or
hear of in the news also find their way into the workplace whether
we like it or not. More often these days, people seem to be walking
on eggshells around one another. Perhaps it's because we have
become an increasingly diverse society and perhaps it's because
some of us are looking for opportunities to take offense. No doubt,
we're seeing it modeled on TV and in the papers. One political
candidate says something and the other side jumps all over it
trying to prove the point that they are either racist, bigoted,
homophobic, or whatever other label is expedient these days.

No doubt, there IS racism, bigotry, homophobia etc. that's
alive and well in our neighborhoods and the workplace. However,
the root of this problem is summarized quite nicely by the
quote, "You never see a fish on the wall with its mouth shut."
We open our mouths and in goes the hook.

I personally think some folks look for trouble. We don't give
each other the benefit of the doubt. We're so busy trying to prove
how wronged we've been that we don't realize we may be stepping
on other people's toes in the meantime.

One person overhears another one, takes something out of context
or makes a broad assumption then hightails it down to HR to make
a formal complaint. Before you know it, there's all kinds of
smoke and sparks to contend with.

I think we need a little dose of "Ya know, it's NOT all about
you". People aren't conspiring behind your back (that often) or
trying to make you out as the evil one. Perhaps we're just a tad
too sensitive, eh?

And then there's the other side of that issue. There are people
in our organizations who need to be stopped. Their hurtful words
and actions should no longer be tolerated. If you're managing
someone like this, it is your responsibility to come down with
both feet on this sort of thing. If you don't, you are in
cahoots (one of my grandma's favorite sayings) with the wrong
doer. Take action. Have that straight talk conversation. You do
have the right and you probably have a competency somewhere in
your performance program that says people must conduct themselves
with professionalism. Being mean is not professional.

Everyone has the ability to make a positive difference. Make a
commitment to turn the environment around tomorrow. It starts
with one simple act and just a smidge of leadership courage.
It's never too late.

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SENSITIVITY TRAINING
Did you know that Laura offers a straight-talk sensitivity class?
If you've got folks who would benefit from having their awareness
heightened, please check out the program description at
http://www.laurabenjamin.com/trainingprograms.htm
then call us at 719-266-8088 to discuss your needs.

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6. WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS
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-Create a way to stay in touch with customers and prospects on a
regular basis. Make sure it's something they will see and keep
around for longer than a minute or two. (Note: Oversized postcards
are all the rage. I give them about 3 seconds or less of eyeball
time before they go in the trash - unless they have information
that is useful like a conversion table or the baseball schedule.)

-Create a slice or sample or your products or services that
folks can try out without getting themselves in too deep. We all
worry about having to say no to someone. Give them something
they can say yes to without a huge, long term, costly commitment.

-Unless you're a doctor or accountant, credentials may mean more
to you than they do to them. Don't postpone going after the work
because you have to get yet one more credential. Get yourself a
little more "face time" with people who may need your services
rather than spending it hunched over another book.

-Put a process in place to add inquiries to your customer list.
Give people an opportunity to inquire in the first place. Put
something on your website they can join, download, request, etc.
Create a checklist/script for those who answer your phones to
identify who is calling. If they're "just looking", how soon
might they become more serious? When they DO get serious, what
level of seriousness are we talking - small or large quantities?

-Follow up, follow up, follow up. Don't make a pest of yourself,
but remember that emails often don't get through. People lose
the slip of paper they put your number on. Health emergencies
happen. People leave jobs. You may think it's just because they
aren't interested in you or your product, but that may not be
it at all. You'll never know unless you follow up.

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7. THE GRAND FINALE
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-You receive this newsletter because you asked for it
-To recommend this newsletter, please forward it to others
-We will not distribute your contact info to third parties
-If you ever want out, just follow the directions at the bottom of each issue

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Laura Benjamin International Inc. | Colorado Springs CO USA
Phone: 719-266-8088 | Fax: 719-785-5768
http://www.laurabenjamin.com
Copyright(C)Pinehurst Press Ltd. 2007