7 Horrible Ways to Lead a Team (and the 1 Mistake Everyone Makes)

Leadership is not, "Hey, you, go do this thing for me."

When we think about leadership, we tend to think in terms of hierarchy--those at "the top" are considered "the leaders" and those at the bottom are considered "the followers."

The problem with this sort of perspective is that, in all honesty, just because you hold a formal position on the ladder does not necessarily mean you are a "leader."However, lots and lots of people wear their title and their badge of honor proudly--while at the same time ignoring the fact that they are, in fact, horrible leaders.

Don't fall into the trap of doing any of the following, simply because you have a position of power--especially this first one.

1. You expect others to follow rules that you yourself do not follow.

This is, bar none, the most common mistake in leadership. 

You cannot, and should not expect others to follow rules, codes, processes, and all the rest if you cannot follow them yourself. If you're not showing up on time, don't expect others to as well. If you aren't diligent and organized, don't expect those beneath you to somehow cultivate better habits.

When you are a leader, you do not realize how much of an influence you have on your team--even down to the smallest habit. You are the leader for a reason. Everything you do must have a purpose so that those who look to you for guidance will do everything with purpose as well.

2. You do not keep your word.

The fastest way to lose respect (and earn resentment) as a leader is to say you're going to do something and then not do it.

First and foremost (going back to No. 1 here), it's because it encourages a very bad habit in those around you--"If he/she can slack off, so can I." As a leader, it is so crucial that you do the things you say you are going to do. And if you cannot do them, you need to communicate that openly to your team in advance.

For those looking to rise and become leaders, this is equally important advice. If you want to climb the ranks, this is one of the most effective ways to do it. Keep your word. That's it. Keep your word and people will soon learn that you can be trusted--they can count on you, no matter what. And that in itself will propel you to where you want to go.

3. You do not (genuinely) admit when you are wrong.

Some "leaders" believe that admitting when they're wrong is a sign of weakness.

It's not.

In fact, being wrong or having made a mistake and yet being incapable of owning up to it reveals an even bigger weakness--and makes your team question whether or not they can trust you. 

If you make a mistake or were incorrect about something, just say so. This will establish trust and an even playing field with you and your team, showing them that you embody the same traits you expect of them--a humility to be able to step back and take accountability.

4. You make promises you cannot keep.

This is a rabbit hole of disaster. There is no worse habit as a leader than making promises you know you can't keep.

All this does is welcome in feelings of being let down. And the next time you say you're going to do something for someone, they will not believe you--and even worse, they will become angry at you for thinking you can fool them again and again.

Where No. 2 is about following through with what you say you're going to do on your end, No. 4 here is about keeping promises that you make to someone else.

5. You want to be the star.

As a leader, it's your job to inspire, guide, direct, teach, motivate, and ultimately help others succeed. It's not to steal the spotlight.

The greatest leaders are the ones who, as Steve Jobs so eloquently put it, "play the orchestra." Fantastic leaders know how to step back and let others shine. They know how to put others in positions to succeed themselves--which benefits the whole orchestra. 

However, as long as you want to be the star, with the spotlight on you and no one else, you will squeeze the talent around you and keep it from ever unfolding. 

6. You criticize others but cannot take criticism yourself.

Healthy criticism is how teams members push each other to improve and get better--iron sharpens iron. Harsh criticism is what instills insecurity, fear, and an unwillingness to take chances.

If your style of leadership is healthy and positive, expect others to do the same with you--which means you too will continue growing and improving. But if your style of leadership is harsh, then expect the same to come back to you--or worse, cause your entire team to go silent.

7. You believe your way is the right (and only) way.

And finally, the oh-so-debated topic of what is "the right way" of doing something.

The truth is, there are very few things that have just one single "right" way of doing them. So much of life is subjective, and that goes for the work we do as well. "Creative" to one person might be "boring" to another. "Clean and sleek" to one is "dull and lackluster" to another.

If you are a leader looking to build and scale your team, it is important to learn and realize that your way is not necessarily "the right way." It may be "one of the" right ways, but it is not the "end all."

It's important that you acknowledge this; otherwise, you will cultivate a team of people who aren't searching for the best solution to the problem, but rather the best solution to appeal to your own unique subjective definition of what is "right."

 source : http://on.inc.com/2b5DIcy

10 Ways to Update Your Online Marketing Efforts

Marketing methods for small businesses are constantly changing. You need to be able to keep up with customers who are using technology that’s always evolving.

To update your online marketing efforts, take a look at the following tips from members of the online small business community.

Use These Tips for a Great Social Media Marketing Campaign

Social media marketing is more complicated than just posting the occasional Tweet or Facebook photo. If you’re going to use social media marketing campaigns as part of your online marketing strategy, take a look at these tips from Anita Campbell on the SBA blog.

Write Headlines That Catch Fire

Headlines are often the first impression that potential customers have of your online content. To make them as catchy as possible, you can learn from the songwriting techniques outlined in this post by Merrill Shane Jones on the Copyblock Creative Blog.

Use Blogging More Effectively

Whether you want to do it as a career or use it as a promotional method, blogging presents multiple upsides for your business. To learn how to be a professional blogger, take a look at this post and checklist by Ginny Dwyer on Modgility. Then see what BizSugar members are saying about the post.

Use These Best Practices for Pinterest A/B Testing

In order to get the most benefit out of Pinterest, you need to learn the best practices that will work for your business. That means you need to do some testing. This Blogworthy post by Sara Tetzloff includes some best practices for A/B testing on Pinterest.

Optimize for Ecommerce Sales with Information Bias

When selling online, it’s important to give customers enough information to make a decision. But more isn’t always better, as Jeremy Smith explains in this post on the JeremySaid blog. You can learn more in the post about how to optimize your selling strategy by using information bias.

Analyze Your LinkedIn Data

As the business social network du jour, LinkedIn can be a great place for you to connect with other professionals and potential clients or collaborators. The platform also lets you access data about who views and interacts with your profile. To learn how to best utilize that data, take a look at this post by Nancy A. Shenker on the Bad Girl, Good Business blog.

Follow These Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

When it comes to social media, there are some practices that can be beneficial for businesses and others that can be detrimental. For help deciphering between the two, check out this Dyer News post by Jonathan Dyer. Then you can read thediscussion on BizSugar.

Use Mobile Marketing to Reach Millennials

Millennials love their technology. If your business is one that you want to appeal to millennials, then you should probably be utilizing some form of mobile marketing in order to get your brand in front of your target customers. This post by Kristina Waters on the Candybox Marketing blog includes an infographic with some facts and statistics about millennials and technology.

Learn How to Promote a Podcast

If you’ve decided to take the leap into podcasting for your business, then you need to learn how to promote your podcast so that it gets heard by as many people as possible. This post by Lyndsay Phillips includes some tips for promoting podcasts online.

Make Sure Your Landing Page Forms Don’t Ask for Too Much

Landing pages can be a great way to catch the attention of potential customers and collect leads. But if you try to make them do too much, it can be detrimental to your business, as Elisa Silverman explains in this PageWiz post. 

Source: http://bit.ly/1oj75LT

10 companies with outstanding social media presences

Some can discount the importance of online marketing, especially when brand managers' efforts on social platforms become stale. Model your campaigns after these organizations instead.

There's been endless debate over the last few years as to whether or not social media marketing is dead.

Recently, the Content Marketing Institute finally put the debate to rest—or tried to—with a podcast arguing that social media isn't actually dead, we're just using it wrong. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that there are still plenty of companies that are rocking social media marketing and can inspire the masses to follow suit with their perfected strategies.

Here are 10 to start following today:

1. Old Spice

When Isaiah Mustafa stepped into the role of the ultimate Old Spice guy, the drugstore cologne-turned-viral sensation attracted a legion of followers across multiple social media channels.

The brand's managers keep exploring unexpected ideas, like having Mustafa answer tweets on YouTube. What Old Spice really gets right is the emotional element of marketing, making followers wish their man was as suave as that cologne guy.

2. TEDx

It’s not easy to take informational lectures and turn them into sensational content that everyone is talking about.

TEDx doesn’t just nail its medium, it also manages to turn authentic storytelling videos into bite-size, shareable content across social media. Check out the organization's Twitter page and you'll see everything from how asteroid mining can help us live in space to how loneliness scrambles our thinking.

All this is sandwiched in between awesome food pics from TEDx events around the world.

3. Newcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle pioneered self-aware advertising in a quest for "no bullocks" messaging, and got it right.

For starters, the brand took the genius concept of not having enough cash to put together a Super Bowl ad, and produced one anyway. Without the funds to broadcast it to millions, Newcastle instead spread the ad around social media to poke fun at itself, its budget and the Super Bowl.

Essentially, Newcastle called bollocks on the idea of needing millions to effectively earn global recognition.

4. Starbucks

Unlike Newcastle, Starbucks probably has the budget for Super Bowl-worthy ads. However, the coffee company's stand-out feature on social media is how it has taken the idea of engagement to a whole new level.

For a while, Starbucks even gave customers the option to manage and reload their coffee cards on social media. The company also makes it easy to find nearby locations, look up international Starbucks spots and apply for jobs at its stores.

5. Denny’s

This dining franchise has quickly earned the reputation of being deliciously weird on social media.

Denny’s has mostly ditched the idea of traditional promotional specials and asking diners how they like their burgers and omelets. Instead, Denny's has worked to stand out from its competitors and attract a younger crowd.

6. Staples

The office-supply juggernaut gets plenty right, like educating and informing its audience and offering gift card giveaways and product promotions. Staples also thrills followers by making fun of office culture and the doldrums of cubicle life.

The chain recognizes that its followers are into more than just paper clips and office furniture. Staples engages that audience by asking questions like, “Who is your favorite “Star Wars” character?” alongside offering quirky videos on office party etiquette.

7. NASA

It’s not just geeky space talk and shuttle news on NASA’s social media channels. The organization's Mars Curiosity channel on Twitter wows followers with the latest mission to explore that planet's surface.

Its Rover takes photos of everything from two-story Martian dunes to silica deposits. It also turns out that those nerds at NASA also have a great sense of humor. One of their recent Tweets simply said, "I'm on a road trip to Mars' Bagnold Dunes. What's new with you?"

8. Pampers

Pampers knows its target audience well and embraces that nurturing parent vibe accordingly.

The company regularly hosts photo contests to encourage moms to upload photos of their babies and offer information on their rewards program. Pampers' #BetterForBaby campaign tugged on heartstrings by showing struggling families trying to make their babies’ lives better.

By the time we see how Pampers transforms their lives, social media followers are wiping away tears in secret.

9. GoPro

YouTube turned GoPro into a viral sensation with its extraordinary videos created by users wearing the tiny camera. GoPro understood that user-generated videos and the value they created wasn't just a trend. Scores of GoPro converts are creating amazing videos, from pelicans flying to skydivers taking their first jump. The videos are contagious and widely shared.

GoPro videos have become more than just people watching shaky adventure footage on YouTube. There’s even a GoPro channel on Virgin America Airlines and a streaming option right from Xbox.

10. XBox

XBox’s Twitter page resembles a buttoned-up corporation sending out news, promotions and slick advertising photos. Meanwhile, over at its @XboxSupport handle, gamers can get near-instantaneous answers to their issues.

That may be their most powerful strategy in social media marketing. In between tweets assuring users that it's working hard to answer everyone's questions, Xbox also offers resources such as phone numbers and common topics addressed online.

What are your favorite companies that are still rocking social media marketing? 

Source : http://bit.ly/1P5QSnO

5 Ways Entrepreneurs Escape the Daily Grind

Even entrepreneurs have to take an occasional break.

While the life of an entrepreneur is anything but routine, sometimes we get caught in a nonstop cycle of work, work, and more work. It's exciting, important, and at times, all-consuming, and that's exactly why we have to take a step back on occasion and clear our minds. Let's step out of the norm and escape the daily grind.

1. Hone a Skill

It's true; entrepreneurs are learning every day. However, this typically means improving in one area or industry. Sure, we work in a lot if different fields, but that's no substitute for honing a skill that's independent of work. Activities like these can open an individual up to a more creative perspective and even boost entrepreneurial skills. Plus, creative activities give the mind a break from work, so this serves a way to relax and unwind.

There are a number of ways to find these opportunities. Organize a painting class with your friends or staff. Find a local dance class and invite a friend or partner. You can even sign up for an online writing or language course. Local class platform Dabble CEO Jay Swoboda suggests, "Drop your to-do list and pick up your bucket list. The opportunity to re-invent yourself and find creative inspiration can be found by supporting other entrepreneurs sharing and monetizing their skills. Go take a class." Whatever it may be, make sure it happens.

2. Get Out of the Office at the End of the Day

At some point each day, everyone needs to physically leave the office. If you're just heading home to eat and sleep before another day of work, your mind will have a hard time shutting down. There are plenty of ways to mentally leave the office and take a break from hard work. Attend a sporting event, meet friends for a happy hour at a new bar or restaurant - just get out and enjoy your evening. If you're concerned about still being productive, networking events are everywhere, and they're more entertaining than the stereotypically bad events we've heard about.

3. Cook Healthy Meals and Exercise

Take care of yourself! By getting regular exercise and eating healthy meals, professionals can accomplish more at work. Plus, client meetings over meals are rapidly becoming the norm for entrepreneurs. A home-cooked meal is a welcome break from this. "Cooking is therapeutic and the perfect solution for putting life's hectic challenges on hold," says Home Chef Founder and CEO Pat Vihtelic. "That's why we want our customers to focus on the fun part - cooking the actual dish."

Mix up your exercise routine. Try spinning if you're usually a distance runner. Take a cardio class instead of lifting alone. This shift in routine will keep you inspired and motivated without disrupting a healthy habit.

4. Collaborate and Network With Other Entrepreneurs

Invite business leaders and entrepreneurs to join you at lunch or industry events. Working with other leaders and motivators provides an opportunity to explore new ideas and get feedback on current projects or issues. There are plenty of conferences and workshops to learn new trends and meet new people in any industry, like TechWeek or Chicago Ideas Week. Block out time on your calendar each week (or even month) to attend events like these. Even easier, you can just grab coffee with a mentor or business partner to catch up and make new connections.

5. Take a Vacation--For Real 

It's difficult to put work aside and take a real vacation from a business that has become your heart and soul. However, a good leader should trust the talent of their team. Leave them to run the business for a week or two and truly remove yourself from the stress and chaos. A good vacation has benefits beyond the initial escape, and having faith in your team to hold down the fort will make them and the company that much stronger.

Source : http://bit.ly/1LUNeNW

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9 Lessons For Entrepreneurs From A Sales Expert

Most aspiring entrepreneurs believe that a great idea alone will assure business success. Experts argue that it’s more important to have a great plan, and personal business acumen. 

Hardly anyone mentions selling principles. Yet in this age when customers have a thousand alternatives, and are overwhelmed by a multitude of messages, sales efforts can make or break a business.

In fact, I believe modern entrepreneurs need to be super sales people, in the most positive sense, to their team as well as customers. 

Based on my many years of watching entrepreneurs struggle and too often fail, here are some of his key lessons for dedicated sales professionals that every entrepreneur should take to heart:

1. Focus on what customers want to buy, not what you want to sell. You can either find customers for your solution or you can find solutions for your customers. The smart answer is to find solutions your customers need. Putting all your effort into driving your favorite solution can lead to forgetting the problem being addressed in the first place.
2. Your first idea about where pain resides is nearly always wrong. Smart founders and smart salesmen look for customers with a painful problem, rather than pushing a nice-to-have solution. No pain usually means no sales. Then every startup has to learn to pivot, because their first understanding of the real problem is usually not quite right.
3. Your price and their value are not the same thing. Entrepreneurs set the price of their solution based on their costs, and their perception of value. Customers set value based on similar products found. For example, with smartphone apps, most are free. Thus, no matter what your value, it’s hard to build an app business that makes money today.
4. You and the customer have to be on the same side. Too many entrepreneurs, especially ones with work-at-home schemes and multi-level marketing, believe that someone has to lose to help them win. Like many salespeople, they see themselves as hunters. With the best solutions, the customer gets value which exceeds your revenue.
5. You are not the servant of your customer. At the same time, every customer isn’t always right. Entrepreneurs need to be customer advocates, but not a slave to their every whim. Businesses must part quickly with low-profit or abusive customers to focus on those who deliver greater return, and appreciate the value their solution provides.
6. Proactively look for problems, rather than react only. In every new business, as in every sales territory, problems happen. Reacting to a customer crisis is always more expensive to recover, than to view a problem brewing, and head it off with proper actions. That mentality has to be part of the culture of every startup team member from the start.
7. Make the tough decision rather than no decision. It’s easy for entrepreneurs to postpone decisions in tough situations, in favor of more study. Yet a startup image can be destroyed more quickly than a big auto company, by not taking action on a customer problem today. Sales people alike, who won’t face their fears, lose in the long run.
8. Telling isn’t selling. Having a snappy presentation on your solution or startup is great, but it’s only half the battle. Entrepreneurs need to actively listen to customers, investors, and other constituents, just like sales people need to listen before they talk. Push marketing doesn’t work well today, in the age of interactive networking and peer reviews.
9. People buy from people and companies they like. Entrepreneurs who fail to invest in establishing rapport with their customers will suffer the same consequences as sales people who don’t put themselves in the shoes of their prospects. Through social media and customer interaction, you must convince customers that your culture matches theirs.
   
Morrison espouses a selling success triangle of good techniques, behavior, and attitude, to turn prospecting opportunities into business success and personal value. Again, these same attributes are equally relevant for an entrepreneur turning an idea into a business. So before you conclude that your technology alone will catapult you to riches, take a success lesson from some super sales people who have learned the hard way.


Source : http://onforb.es/1Fcw9Mq