Reinvent Yourself: Bringing Sexy Back, Second Time Around.

 Lionel Ritchie is back! So is Charlie (last name Wilson). Both veterans in the music business. 25-30 years ago they were hot on the charts. Then their careers went dark. How did they make a comeback? Maybe with help from Justin Timberlake (JT). By bringing sexy back. The second time around.

Looks like GM executives got the JT memo. The company is working on a makeover. Off-loading losing models. Uploading a new image. Buick’s Creative Design team made it clear. They described Buick’s new look as a sexy sedan. Say it this way. Reinvention that puts ‘sexy in the city’ on wheels.

Bringing sexy back? Good for career or business? Hold that thought. GM says Buick’s new look is more aerodynamic. Sleeker lines. Glitter and glam to the light panel. Nothing like Oldsmobile of the past. Before it had an older appeal. But now it’s more chic. Re-discovery made that possible.

GM knows it takes skill to be discovered again. You either got it or you don’t. Coming out of bankruptcy means what? They have to find new customers beyond their base. That’s what Ritchie and Charlie prove. They still got it. A sense of soul. The skill to thrill. Style that keeps them current.

Wanna bring sexy back to the workplace? Soul-search your way to stunning results. Look East, West, North and South. Before you’re dead and gone. Head to toe makeover. Go bald, natural or blonde. Re-discover the soul of your genius. Develop new skills. Be discovered again for your fresh style. (Working on bringing sexy back myself. Gotta run now. There goes my Baby. She lifts me up when I’m down!)

Reinvent Yourself: Old-school + New-school = A Hit

 The word is out. 100 years in the making. GM executives are getting jiggy with it. Retooling auto plants. Repositioning brands. Restarting engines. Reinventing business. Is it going to be a hit? Fitting question for Detroit. The Motown city. What’s the plan? Adding old-school and new-school to the mix.

Here’s how. Meet John Farmer. Grandson of sharecroppers. A country boy. Experienced with reinventing the farm. John works in seasons. Winter for tool sharpening. Spring for planting. Summer for nurturing. Fall for the harvest. Farmer says it’s a process. A reason for each season. A purpose and a point. A lesson behind the stressin’. Even Michelle Obama and the White House Chefs know old-school.

Here’s new school. GM launches a new beginning. The process started with bankruptcy. A kinda tool sharpening. They’re getting down to work. Customer and company are priority. The jury is still out on the results. GM is entering a new season of business. Their purpose is under review. What have they learned so far? You’re never too big to fail. You’re never too small to be great.

What does this mean as you reinvent your game? There’s nothing wrong with starting over. See it as a new season in your career/business. Build around purpose. It’s the reason why for enduring anyhow. And the point of it all? Go to the next level. Grow your success. Make a living. Live your making. See a difference.

The new you becomes a sure hit. Old-school plus new-school. Outdated to updated. Frustrated to fulfilled. Get jiggy with it. Add more rhythm and rhyme. More style and substance. Bring it. Live it. That’s right. “It’s all good” says John Farmer. Good for GM. For Joe Urban and Jane City. And for Suburban dealers and drivers everywhere.

Reinvent Yourself: Just Hired, Last Fired, Sick & Tired.

 Chapter 11! The legal term for bankruptcy. General Motors (GM). An automaker going broke. Even after receiving numerous bailouts. The CEO says it’s time to re-make the company. Is it too late? Is this a good time to buy? For those just hired, recently fired or sick and tired, listen up. Time for a reality check. Refresh your game.

GM will focus on four brands. Cadillac, GMC, Chevy and Buick. The others are doomed or for sale. Brand is just another word for ‘core competence.’ It’s about working with what makes you best. If brand is the ‘what’ then niche is the ‘who.’ GMs future lies in vehicles that fit their strengths. On those that feed their revenue streams.

Green is the new green. Technology plays a major role. GM plans to make smaller cars. More fuel-efficient and environment-friendly. An electric car is coming soon. They have to lower their cost structure. Why? In order to compete. They must use technology to spur innovation. They better build vehicles that are right for the time. With the latest bells and whistles.

How does GM come out of bankruptcy? Get employee and customer buy-in. The reinvention campaign is big on reaching both. Town meetings. Progress reports. Web chats. Part marketing and part networking. GMs bottom-line is at stake. They gotta make this work. So their makeover strategy is critical for success.

Can you relate? Reinventing yourself is about visioning a new you. Building from a new place. Leading with your brand. Networking with peers and peeps. Expanding biz/career success.  Use technology to work smarter. Join in on social multi-media. Take a page from GM. Get your skills, tools and team to work. Where? Pitch your niche in the new marketplace.

Part 10 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

 “A dream delayed is not a dream denied!” That’s what I was told. Maybe you can relate. It might even apply to Lebron James. In 2004 he made the USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Dream Team. It was a revamped team with some young NBA stars early in their careers. They had a disappointing finish. Taking home the bronze medal.

They had more losses than in prior Olympics. So this was a meltdown. Fast forward the story to 2008. James was again a member of the ‘new and approved’ Redeem Team. This time a gold medal was their prize and source of pride. What does this say about living your dreams? Well, chances are you’ll have a letdown or setback along the way. A defining moment for sure.

How did they turn things around? It started with a return to basics. A change in philosophy to build complete teams. In the past, USA Basketball had been putting together NBA superstars. They were good on paper but bad on the court. The change in philosophy resulted in better balance. The team had play-makers and game-changers. Players playing team-ball. Ballers making clutch plays.

It also produced a return to bliss. Webster’s dictionary defines bliss as a state of complete happiness.  Ever watched a child using playdoo? Or a senior citizen playing bingo? They are lost in time. No care in the world other than the moment. The USA Men’s team went from a losing record in 2004 to a winning record in 2008. Their mojo was back!   

So what about being on a dream team as the CEO of Me Inc? Hone the basics. Develop balance. Do more to educate. Watch how much you medicate. Got job dissatisfaction? Pursue your passion. Find bliss. Let it rip! You’ll be surprised what you can do when your butt’s on the line. And never let a disappointment prevent you from making a comeback. Keep rising to the top!

Part 9 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

 Ready to become an all-star? On the court or at the job. In business or life. Lebron James has done it. Each year since joining the NBA. The all-stars play during mid-season. They represent players from across the league. Best of the best in their positions. Two teams compete as East versus West. So how is all-star status achieved?

Well, the selection is fairly subjective. The fans vote. With great play you stand a shot. But all-star success in life is more than just chance. Consider this for starters. Life is like sailing on the open seas. Your career is like swimming in a fish bowl. Success as an all-star is about establishing your name, growing your game, and reaching higher acclaim. Life, career, success!

Sounds good, right? Let’s connect the dots. On the ocean you have access to vast resources. You can live for weeks if you’re resourceful. True, there is the possibility of a storm every now and then. It takes ship-smarts to navigate the open waters. A fish bowl is a great training pool. A fish learns to survive and thrive in a safe environment. Develops bowl-smarts. Builds upon its natural gifts and talents.

How does this relate to the CEO of Me Inc.? Becoming an all-star or expert takes practice. Working your craft over and over again. Until it becomes like magic. That’s how you free-up creativity. An expert takes time to teach others. Mentoring a co-worker or teammate is a good thing. You grow by teaching what you know. Also, find ways to give it away. Some write blogs or volunteer in the community. The rich choose philanthropy.

Expert status takes one more step. Connect the fish bowl to the high seas. Maybe even jump from the fish bowl into the ocean. On the job, in business or as the CEO of Me Inc. Raise your game and attract more fans.  Develop sea-smarts (better yet, street-smarts). Establish your name as a go-getter. Deliver beyond expectations. With higher acclaim you might hangout with the movers and shakers. Ok, go ahead. Hook that thing up!

Part 8 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

 Natural born winner! Is there such a thing? That’s the question being asked at sports bars and local taverns. Fans want to know. Does a team need a natural born winner to become champions? It’s a lot like the question, are leaders born or made? Here’s what I’ve learned from watching Lebron James. He’s developed an ‘inside-outside’ game.

He can beat you with the jump shot. He can score by driving to the hoop. This makes him tough to defend. The strong leader has a similar advantage. He (or she) develops the person alongside the person-ality. So what does this say about the CEO of Me Inc? Glad you asked. Their inside-outside game is nice too. They make the personal and professional work together like wrestling partners.

This tag-team approach is how you get paid to the max. Yes, an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. But there are other ways to cash flow. Royalties, Residuals, Refunds to name a few. The CEO of Me Inc. turns skill into dollars and value into a pipeline. This way money is not simply about punching a clock. It’s about meeting a need and attracting new streams. Sometimes by branding your pain.

Elizabeth Edwards’ book Resilience, recounts her battle with Cancer. It also talks about her husband’s infidelity. Two difficult and very personal subjects. Maybe a lesson in business and life. The CEO of Me Inc. combines the personal and professional by turning wounds into wisdom. Pain into Profit. Hurt into net-worth. Kirk Franklin, adopted at two. Now he’s a mega gospel artist. Oprah goes from abuse to Billionaire mogul.

In any business you’ll find strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The same is true for a sports team or individual. What do Lebron, Oprah and others have in common? A strong inside-outside game. They rock! They get the respect of peers. That’s a plus for the personal and professional. It works for a pro, the everyday Joe and Me Inc. CEO. Weaknesses are lowered. Strengths are raised. Opportunities are seized. And threats become assets.

Part 7 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

 More than 13 years ago I had a wake-up call. I was told “you’re not promotion material.” This experience was the start of something good. It caused me to ponder where my career was going. How would I climb the career ladder? Was it time to do something else? By now you heard First Lady Michelle Obama share her wake-up call. It prompted her to leave a high-paying job at a mega law firm to enter Public Service.

Most everybody has a wake-up call experience in their career or life itself. You get laid off. You miss out on a promotion. You feel disconnected, rejected or disrespected. Some people enter a mid-life transition. You look at reinventing or repositioning your skills. This happens in pro sports as well. A team loses a close game. A star player is traded. The coach says “shake it off and re-group.” Maybe someone retires after a career-ending injury. Then becomes an Entrepreneur or Broadcast Analyst.

Here’s what happened almost three years after my wake-up call. I left my job to pursue my dream. I became the CEO of Me Inc. I now have a built-in wake-up call. An internal alarm clock. Each day provides the opportunity to grow, excel, inspire. You have more focus of mind. Fire in the belly. Fun at work. Fighting spirit. Purpose in living. Why? Because you come ready to work. Ready to play. Ready to go to the next level.

That’s what Lebron James displays as a pro athlete. He takes more shots in practice. Works hard and plays smart. Puts it all on the line in the game. On the court he’s in the zone. On the bench he’s cheering his teammates with high-fives and a big smile. Some say they look unstoppable. Are they going to need a wake-up call? That’s what the TV Commentator asked of James after a game.

James’ response left a hint of the Me Inc.CEO experience.”Each game is a chance to grow as a team. The win is important but getting better is what matters.” James does the extra work of a champion. His play brings a lot of joy to the game. He comes ready to work, play and go to the next level. In the NBA and in life. He lives in the moment. In his words, “my time on the court feels like everlasting.”

Part 6 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

 Breaking News…Lebron James is being linked to miracle grow. Move over A-Rod! James has a step on you. But there’s more to this ‘hot news’ story. James was just named league MVP. His game is up in points, rebounds and assists. His value is up in leadership, sponsorship and showmanship. James is on track to surpass Shaq.

When you hear miracle grow you think ‘green thumb.’ Yards, gardens and flower beds. Some use it to stimulate growth. Others use a more conventional approach. Planting, Pruning or Priming. How does the Me Inc. CEO use miracle grow? To fire-up a new season of personal & professional growth.

First you have to nurture a new mindset. Get your mind right (so to speak). Then plant the seed. Water the seed. Watch it grow. So KFC has a new grilled chicken? The Colonel says “unthink what you thought about KFC.” That’s a new business seed. A new fast-food mindset. Original recipe with a gril-licious taste. When is your season of growth? Start by reviewing and renewing the ideas in your mind.

To stimulate growth you have to prune your skill-set. Pruning is a process of removing. Get rid of dead or dying branches. This makes resources more available. Pruning your skills means upgrading your abilities and capabilities.  Learn something new. Re-learn something you already knew. Increase your output and outcome. Your wattage and mileage. Bud new smarts. Flow new energy.

Just a little miracle grow and watch yourself glow. Prime the person on the inside. Bloom your personality on the outside. Deepen your roots. Increase your reach. Read books. Master your game. Reinvent yourself. Like James, you can sport a new ‘jet-set.’ Give your performance a boost. Raise your appeal to magnetic. Make your paycheck see more green. You’ll be flying high. Looking and feeling FABULOUS!

Part 5 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

The first round of the NBA playoffs is off and running. 40 games in 40 nights. There’s more excitement in the air. It’s like what happens after a job promotion or pending breakthrough. You experience the feeling of ‘access granted.’ You feel rewarded for your efforts. Recognized for your work. Blessed for giving your best. So do these players.

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers is the only team thus far to have done a sweep. They won four straight games in the kick-off series. Some say it’s a sign they mean business. But it might also be a sign of leadership. Just listen to Lebron James in his post game interviews. He’s always making his teammates feel appreciated.

 

This is a priceless practice as CEO of Me Inc. Turning Me Inc. to Team Inc. Turning Me Inc. to ‘wink wink.’ It allows others to play their role. Raise their game and bring it to the max. It makes them feel validated. We all seek a sense of belonging. The knowing that who we are and what we do matters. How do you feel when someone looks you in the eye and says “well done”? It gets you motivated.

 

With James on the court we see great play. What happens off the court is great leadership. The CEO of Me Inc. delivers both. Your example gives others a free pass to shine. I get this every time I speak, do an interview or book signing. The opportunity makes me feel appreciated, validated and even more motivated. Here’s why.

Ever parked your car and needed to get the ticket validated? You get it stamped by someone in authority. You depart with no charge (wink wink). That is your free pass (now ‘pay it forward’ or wave to ‘the haters’). As CEO of Me Inc. you can be first-class at the office. Top dog in business. No match for the competition. Leadership makes it happen. But the ultimate validation and inspiration is when ‘Big G-o-d’ comes through for you. There’s nothing like the stamp of approval from a Higher Authority.

Part 4 – Lebron James is the CEO of Me Inc.

 This year has seen more 50+ point games by James. The team has set new winning records for the season. Is James that much better? Does the team have that much fire power? Yes and Yes! I also think it’s because James has found the ‘sweet spot.’

 

There is a sweet spot in the bedroom, on the playground and in the workplace. They all involve performance. It’s about how passion rises. It’s about how you bring the heat. Can you dig? OK, so let’s go with what we know. Time to talk sex (yea baby!).

 

For the grown and sexy couple, here’s a thought. To keep the magic alive you have to re-invent the lovin’. You have to find new ways to keep it fresh. There is a time for ignition and a time for release. You gotta get fired-up. You gotta get in the flow. After ecstasy you think maybe that was a 10, or 8 or 5 on the good lovin’ scale.

 

The same is true as CEO of Me Inc. You’re not fired-up about what you do? Find a new line of work. Success in today’s job market means you have to reinvent yourself to remain competitive. Stop holding back on your dreams. Release your fears and let yourself go. Let yourself grow. Rate yourself but don’t inflate yourself. How? Test yourself against your own actions. This way you take pride without having to compare yourself to others.

The sweet spot. Welcome to performance heaven. Where passion and praise collide. It’s like genius on high. You get to work it. You get to prove it. You get to feel it. You get to love it. The sweet spot might be a place, a feeling, a showing or just a knowing. As the CEO of Me Inc. you experience it for yourself.