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Dear Friend and Fellow Business Owner,

You’ve heard it said, “The meek shall inherit the earth,” and that modesty is a virtue. But in the business world, meekness and modesty won’t get you far. Dan Kennedy contends that confidence and assertiveness are crucial to making deals and standing out in a competitive market. Today, I want to talk about why being meek is a problem in business.

First, understand that business is a battlefield. It’s a place where competition is fierce, and only the strong survive. If you’re meek, you’ll get trampled. Meekness means you’re not standing up for yourself or your ideas. You’re letting others take the lead, and that’s a surefire way to blend into the background. In business, you need to be noticed. You need to make your presence felt. Kennedy believes that if you’re not confident in your value, why should anyone else be?

Topics: meekness and modesty, confidence and assertiveness, making deals and standing out, strong survive, competitive market, Confidence in negotiations, pitching your ideas, successful entrepreneurs, bold, confident, strong leadership, lead with authority, opportunities, and respect, leadership requires confidence, making decisions, taking responsibility, negotiating effectively, brave and strategic approach

We’ve all heard that Haste makes waste, the tortoise beats the hare, and slow and steady wins the race. These are familiar sayings, but if you’ve read Dan Kennedy’s recent book, The No B.S. Guide to Succeeding in Business By Breaking ALL The Rules, you’ll see why this is nonsense to the fifth degree.

In today’s fast-paced world, speed and agility are often more valuable than a slow, methodical approach. Taking decisive action can lead to quicker and better outcomes. It often takes swift and direct action to get good results, and even if you’re off the mark, you can readjust along the way. Sometimes, being 90 percent ready is good enough.

In business, speed is a competitive advantage. Waiting until everything is perfect can mean missed opportunities. Look at the tech industry. Companies like Google and Facebook launch products in beta, knowing they’re not perfect. They release quickly, gather user feedback, and make adjustments on the fly. This approach allows them to stay ahead of the competition and continuously improve their offerings. If they waited for perfection, they’d fall behind.

Topics: competitive advantage, perfect moment to launch, willingness to experiment, speed and decisiveness, Instead, take swift, valuable opportunities, capitalize on opportunities, speed and agility, decisive action, recklessness, learn and adapt quickly

The myth of the "born salesman" is one of the most pervasive and limiting beliefs in the world of business. People often say, "He’s a born salesman. You either are or you aren’t." But that’s pure nonsense. Selling is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, honed, and perfected. You don’t need to be born with a natural gift for sales. With the right training and practice, anyone can become a successful salesperson.

Think about this: What makes a great salesperson? It’s not about having a silver tongue or an irresistible charm. It’s about mastering the basics and applying them consistently. Let’s break down some of the core principles that can transform you into a great salesperson, drawing on Dan Kennedy’s techniques.

Topics: successful salesperson, great salesperson, build rapport and trust, learn to listen, product inside and out, master the art of persuasion, handle objections effectively, always follow up, principles and practicing

Positive thinking is touted as the magical cure-all for everything that ails you. Just think positive, they say, and life will be wonderful. If only it were that simple. Let’s cut through the fluff and get real: positive thinking is not a panacea. It’s not going to solve all your problems. You need more than just a sunny disposition to succeed in business.

Just like staring into the sun, positive thinking can give you blind spots. When you’re so focused on seeing the bright side, you might miss the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. You start ignoring the risks, the obstacles, the very real threats that can derail your plans. This kind of blind optimism can lead to poor decision-making. You become like the Titanic, steaming full speed ahead, oblivious to the iceberg in your path.

Topics: succeed in business, get real, ignoring the risks, guaranteed goldmine, skills, strategies, and a solid plan, strategy, planning, and hard work, relentless execution, honest reflection, transparency, sound judgment, relentless planner and executor, ventures successful, oversimplification, meticulous planning

Whenever I talk to a business owner about why they handle their business the way they do, I’m often told, “We do it that way because everyone else does it that way.”   Each time I hear this, the words of Earl Nightingale come to mind: "If you don't have a good model for success, just look at what everybody else is doing and do the opposite.”

It’s a sad truth that most business owners don’t have a clue how to successfully reach out to more prospects, retain happy customers, or reengage with those who’ve done business with them in the past.

The truth is that in the competitive world of business, following the herd often leads to mediocrity. If you wish to get ahead and be a trailblazer, you must dare to break away from the norm and forge a path others are too timid to explore.

Topics: attract more prospects, different path, achieve extraordinary success, greatest success, create unique value, attracting clients, mediocre services, high-performance, technical elite, good model for success, happy customers

Dan Kennedy, one of the greatest copywriters of all time, is not one to mince words. His unconventional, contrarian views often challenge the status quo. In his latest book, 'No B.S. Guide to Succeeding in Business By Breaking ALL THE RULES, 'he kicks off by debunking 13 common myths and lies that many of us have come to accept as truths.

As I read through each of these, I remember thinking, this is really good stuff! So many of us have bought into this universally accepted B.S., and so many suffer because of it.

In today’s blog, we’ll review all 13, and I’ll share my thoughts on why Dan added them to the list. Enjoy!

1. Think positive, and life will be wonderful. Attitude is everything. While a positive attitude is great, it's not a magic bullet. You need skills, strategies, and action to achieve success. Just thinking positively won't get you anywhere without effort and the right tactics.

Topics: Budgeting and Financial Planning, Think positive, Be creative. Invent. Innovate, practice makes perfect, Succeeding in Business, Breaking ALL THE RULES, myths and lies, skills, strategies, Attitude is everything, Winners never quit, quitters never win, focused effort, Creativity, networking, No B.S. Myth Busting

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from experts in business, finance, psychology, and philosophy. One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that discipline is not just a key to success but a cornerstone. Over and over again, I've witnessed a disciplined and diligent leader catapult their business to unprecedented levels of growth and prosperity.

Japanese culture is rich with wisdom and philosophy, including techniques for cultivating discipline. Today, I'm thrilled to share practical insights into six Japanese techniques for cultivating discipline. When applied, these techniques can truly revolutionize your approach to entrepreneurship.

1. Kaizen 改善 (Continuous Improvement): At eLaunchers, we believe in the power of continuous improvement. Small, incremental changes lead to significant advancements over time. Embracing kaizen means constantly seeking ways to refine processes, innovate products, and enhance customer experiences. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, you can stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in ever-evolving markets.

Topics: drive growth, continuous optimization, attract more prospects, cultivating discipline, strategic initiatives effectively, Pomodoro Technique, Path to Business, Lessons in Discipline, business, finance, psychology, and philosophy, growth and prosperity, Organization and Decluttering, clarity and focus, Orderliness and arrangement, Visual management, Budgeting and Financial Planning

Dear friend and fellow entrepreneur,

Is your marketing message connecting with your ideal prospects?   Does it resonate with them and compel them to call you, cash in hand?

The effectiveness of your marketing message can mean the difference between successfully reaching your target market and fading into obscurity. A powerful marketing message is not just about conveying information—it's about captivating your audience, addressing their needs, and compelling them to take action.

Your marketing message must:

Topics: ideal prospects, product or service, credibility and authority, time-sensitive offers, discrediting alternatives, Art of Crafting, Marketing Mastery, catchy headline, compelling visuals, current strategies, testimonials, reviews, goals faster, careful planning, strategic thinking, persuasive communication

What if I told you that you have the power to break free from preconceived constraints and let your desires guide you toward unprecedented success?

In the business world, it’s easy to find yourself boxed in by preconceived constraints—limitations we impose on ourselves based on past experiences, societal norms, or perceived barriers.

Before we dive into the subject of today’s blog, I want to acknowledge the incredible achievements you've already made in your life. Your drive, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit have propelled you to where you are today, and you're light years ahead of most simply because you've dared to dream and take action.

Topics: entrepreneurial spirit, Business Success, attract prospects, continuous optimization, assumptions and beliefs, heights of success, think creatively, brainstorm freely, groundbreaking innovations, Growth and success, communities and resources, growth and achievement

What causes people to act? What motivates them? Inspires them? Entices them to pull out their credit cards, call the number on the screen, and say yes?

The answers are wrapped up in human psychology. And, if you want to craft a marketing message that resonates with your target audience, you need to understand what makes people tick.

Crafting a compelling message is both an art and a science. It's about understanding what motivates people to take action and leveraging those insights to create messages that resonate deeply with your audience. There are seven key drivers—fear, greed, guilt, anger, exclusivity, salvation, and flattery—that can be harnessed to create truly compelling marketing messages.

Topics: attract more prospects, potential risks, wealth, success, material possessions, societal expectations, feel special or unique, problems or challenges, validation and recognition, attributes or achievements, compelling marketing messages, motivates, powerful motivator, unique features, brand or product, transformative effects