In "Think and Grow Rich," Napoleon Hill wrote of the importance of creating a Mastermind Group. The names sounds ominous, particularly in today's hypersensitive world, but the idea has merit.
A Mastermind Group is a group of individuals who meet regularly to help each other solve problems. It is a peer-to-peer mentoring concept. Call it what you will. It works.
I have participated in many Mastermind Groups. Often as a facilitator, but that just means I send out the emails and move the conversation along. I benefit from these meetings as much as anyone else in attendance.
I run a weekly book club that often spends half its time on the book we're reading and the other half helping each other with challenges we are facing in our businesses. We didn't plan on the book club becoming a Mastermind Group, it just did.
I've facilitated Masterminds through conference calls. I've broken off into one-on-one sessions from these Masterminds. I have helped others and others have helped me.
The idea is that our collective knowledge can be shared to the benefit of all. None of us is as smart as all of us.
That being said, it's important to not allow your Mastermind group to engage in Groupthink, where everyone is agreeing with everyone. No one person should dominate the conversation. It isn't even about trying to convince people to see things your way. It's opening minds and sharing points of view. It's kinda like leading a horse to water... and then leaving him there. He'll figure it out.
I'm always interested in new perspectives and challenges. If you'd like to join or start a Mastermind group, let me know.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Am I My Competitor's Keeper?
I have a hard time walking into a business and just being a customer and enjoying myself. It's something in my nature. After 15 years in the hotel business, I still walk into a room I'm supposed to be sleeping in as if I'm a housekeeping manager performing a room inspection. Some things become part of your DNA, I guess.
As a business owner, I often check out my competition. I want to visit their websites or walk into their place and wee what's going on. I act on the impulse to snoop. I check them out and unless they're idiots, they're checking me out, too.
I don't do this to copy them, though I am not above learning from a competitor. I do it because I need to know where my industry is headed. I need real time intelligence to determine if I am keeping up, left behind, ahead of the pack, or just plain clueless. Not knowing is not an option.
Now, this is not to say you should emulate your competition. Chances are, they're screwing something up. Think of any company you deal with on a regular basis or any company you've worked for. I bet you can think of lots of things you'd change. You're not wrong about those tweaks. Them not noticing doesn't mean there's something wrong with them or that they don't care. They're just too close to see their own warts.
You may be missing opportunities in your business for the same reason.
Don't be shy about getting an outside opinion. Whether it's for your business or your life, there is always room for improvement. Find a coach, a mentor, or a consultant who will be brutally honest with you. Your mom and your best friend will be too nice. Or they'll tear you down. Either way, their advice may come from a good place, but it will likely lead you to a bad one.
When my son was in college in New York and working in theater, he asked me if I would represent him, like an agent. I was flattered, and I said no. I would have too much invested in his feelings to be confident in the decisions I was making regarding his success. I told him I would help him find someone who would represent him as well as, and probably better than, I ever could.
It turns out he enjoyed the behind-the-scenes part of the business better so it worked itself out. Maybe I should still hit him up for the 10% commission.
If you're stuck and need an honest opinion and guidance, don't go to family or friends. This is one case where you're better off in the company of strangers.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.
As a business owner, I often check out my competition. I want to visit their websites or walk into their place and wee what's going on. I act on the impulse to snoop. I check them out and unless they're idiots, they're checking me out, too.
I don't do this to copy them, though I am not above learning from a competitor. I do it because I need to know where my industry is headed. I need real time intelligence to determine if I am keeping up, left behind, ahead of the pack, or just plain clueless. Not knowing is not an option.
Now, this is not to say you should emulate your competition. Chances are, they're screwing something up. Think of any company you deal with on a regular basis or any company you've worked for. I bet you can think of lots of things you'd change. You're not wrong about those tweaks. Them not noticing doesn't mean there's something wrong with them or that they don't care. They're just too close to see their own warts.
You may be missing opportunities in your business for the same reason.
Don't be shy about getting an outside opinion. Whether it's for your business or your life, there is always room for improvement. Find a coach, a mentor, or a consultant who will be brutally honest with you. Your mom and your best friend will be too nice. Or they'll tear you down. Either way, their advice may come from a good place, but it will likely lead you to a bad one.
When my son was in college in New York and working in theater, he asked me if I would represent him, like an agent. I was flattered, and I said no. I would have too much invested in his feelings to be confident in the decisions I was making regarding his success. I told him I would help him find someone who would represent him as well as, and probably better than, I ever could.
It turns out he enjoyed the behind-the-scenes part of the business better so it worked itself out. Maybe I should still hit him up for the 10% commission.
If you're stuck and need an honest opinion and guidance, don't go to family or friends. This is one case where you're better off in the company of strangers.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Know The Game You're Playing
What's your business? How's it going? Do you have customers? Lots of them? Want more customers? Of course you do. Who doesn't? The only enterprise that complains about more customers is the government and if that's who you work for, I have nothing for you. Unless you're looking for a way out of that life, in which case, we should talk.
I speak to business owners every day and I have never had one complain that they have too many customers. If one did, they look for ways to service and profit from those customers, not get rid of them.
Do you know what game you're playing? You're in the customer acquisition game. No matter the business you're in. You're playing to get more customers.
Do you know your customer acquisition cost? Do you know how much each customer is worth?Do you know how to make your customers happy? Do you know how to make sure they don't leave? Do your employees know how to keep your customers happy? Do they care?
To make sure you have enough customers to grow your business and stay in business, you need to know who your customers are. where they are looking, what they are looking for, and how to get them in and keep them loyal to you.
If you can't answer those (and other) questions, you have no chance of making it long-term. You're just biding your time.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.
I speak to business owners every day and I have never had one complain that they have too many customers. If one did, they look for ways to service and profit from those customers, not get rid of them.
Do you know what game you're playing? You're in the customer acquisition game. No matter the business you're in. You're playing to get more customers.
Do you know your customer acquisition cost? Do you know how much each customer is worth?Do you know how to make your customers happy? Do you know how to make sure they don't leave? Do your employees know how to keep your customers happy? Do they care?
To make sure you have enough customers to grow your business and stay in business, you need to know who your customers are. where they are looking, what they are looking for, and how to get them in and keep them loyal to you.
If you can't answer those (and other) questions, you have no chance of making it long-term. You're just biding your time.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron and other businesses.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
A Roaming Eye
Last night was date night. After 18 years and with two teenage daughters in the house, full-time jobs, businesses, and other commitments, Abby and I have to make a real effort to find time to just be a couple. We went to Downtown Hollywood for dinner and as always, our conversation drifted to business.
This is not to say it wasn't a romantic evening. I'm a smooth dude! Drove with the top down (for about five minutes because it rained, but still) and all that jazz.
Each business we visited, one for dinner and another for dessert, filled our heads with ideas which led to conversations and a visit to yet another dessert spot for more discussion.
It was a nice date. I'm not some kind of stiff who only thinks about work. Well, maybe I am, but I know a few jokes and I give a mean foot massage! See, I have redeeming qualities as a husband!
As we walked and looked in store windows, I saw opportunities. I saw what makes America great. The American entrepreneur. I saw people willing to risk everything for a shot at the American Dream. I saw families working hard and working together toward a common goal.
I also saw a lot of mistakes being made. I saw lost opportunities. I saw those beautiful dreams eroding into bankruptcy. I saw people with good intentions and bad business plans. I saw businesses in 2018 being run like it was 1918. I saw half-hearted attempts at marketing and a whisper of social media, which would do more harm than good.
I love entrepreneurs. I really do. I want them to succeed, though I know many will fail. I would be lying if I didn't see opportunity in picking up the pieces of someone else's dream - at a steep discount.
It is the responsibility of the player to know the rules of the game. If you don't know the game you're playing, you will lose every time. Learn the business, sure, but learn all the things you have to do to get customers in the door. Otherwise, you just have an expensive, depressing hobby. And someone else will be paying you to work on their dream while yours fades away.
So while I only have eyes for my wife. Those eyes occasionally roam and see opportunities to learn, to help, to coach, and to profit.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
This is not to say it wasn't a romantic evening. I'm a smooth dude! Drove with the top down (for about five minutes because it rained, but still) and all that jazz.
Each business we visited, one for dinner and another for dessert, filled our heads with ideas which led to conversations and a visit to yet another dessert spot for more discussion.
It was a nice date. I'm not some kind of stiff who only thinks about work. Well, maybe I am, but I know a few jokes and I give a mean foot massage! See, I have redeeming qualities as a husband!
As we walked and looked in store windows, I saw opportunities. I saw what makes America great. The American entrepreneur. I saw people willing to risk everything for a shot at the American Dream. I saw families working hard and working together toward a common goal.
I also saw a lot of mistakes being made. I saw lost opportunities. I saw those beautiful dreams eroding into bankruptcy. I saw people with good intentions and bad business plans. I saw businesses in 2018 being run like it was 1918. I saw half-hearted attempts at marketing and a whisper of social media, which would do more harm than good.
I love entrepreneurs. I really do. I want them to succeed, though I know many will fail. I would be lying if I didn't see opportunity in picking up the pieces of someone else's dream - at a steep discount.
It is the responsibility of the player to know the rules of the game. If you don't know the game you're playing, you will lose every time. Learn the business, sure, but learn all the things you have to do to get customers in the door. Otherwise, you just have an expensive, depressing hobby. And someone else will be paying you to work on their dream while yours fades away.
So while I only have eyes for my wife. Those eyes occasionally roam and see opportunities to learn, to help, to coach, and to profit.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
Friday, September 7, 2018
The Importance of Having a Dog
I love my dog. His name is Baxter. He's a good boy, yes he is. Sorry. I get carried away. Baxter is a silky terrier. He's a happy hyper little guy and he's a great source of exercise. I walk him in the morning and in the evening. It's good for him and it's good for me.
My doctor told me a couple of years ago that I'm allergic to dogs but Baxter was already in my life and he wasn't going anywhere. You never leave a man behind. It's funny because I would never call myself an animal lover. But I do love this little dog of mine,
I didn't write this to encourage people to adopt dogs although it's a nice thing to do. The point is that it's good to get out and do something distracting now and then. I take about 60-90 minutes a day to walk with my buddy. It's time well spent. I walk, which is healthy, and I listen to audiobooks on my iPhone, which is increasing my skills, my knowledge, and my value.
All because of this little dog, who by the way is a crimefighter. He goes out at night and defends Gotham City from the forces of evil. Oops! I wasn't supposed to tell you that. Pretend you didn't hear me!
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
My doctor told me a couple of years ago that I'm allergic to dogs but Baxter was already in my life and he wasn't going anywhere. You never leave a man behind. It's funny because I would never call myself an animal lover. But I do love this little dog of mine,
I didn't write this to encourage people to adopt dogs although it's a nice thing to do. The point is that it's good to get out and do something distracting now and then. I take about 60-90 minutes a day to walk with my buddy. It's time well spent. I walk, which is healthy, and I listen to audiobooks on my iPhone, which is increasing my skills, my knowledge, and my value.
All because of this little dog, who by the way is a crimefighter. He goes out at night and defends Gotham City from the forces of evil. Oops! I wasn't supposed to tell you that. Pretend you didn't hear me!
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Kiss Me First
It happens every day. Either it happens to you or you're doing it to someone else, in which case, you should stop immediately.
You make a contact on LinkedIn or some other platform and the person immediately sends you a pre-written diatribe on how their business can help you. Help me? You don't even know me? Have you asked me what I need? Have you asked me if I even need help?
These individuals are the digital equivalent of the handsy guy who takes a smile from a pretty girl to mean, "yes, by all means, reach up my skirt!"
Let's be honest, if I wanted your help, I would have asked.
This is not to say you shouldn't prospect, you should, I believe it's a great use of your time... if you do it properly. It shouldn't be, "Hi. Nice to meet you. Buy my shit!" and then move on to the next.
Tell me how pretty I am, buy me a drink. Win a stuffed animal for me at the carnival. Find out what my needs and wants are. You'll have a much better chance of scoring.
At the very least, if I don't need what you're offering, I will know what you are offering. I may know someone who does.
NOTE: In the time it took me to write this post, someone on LinkedIn "connected" with me and told me what they wanted to sell me. I replied "No thanks" and he responded "Okay. Have a nice day."
He didn't want to work to earn my business. He wanted me to hand it to him. You can guess how many times that's happened.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
You make a contact on LinkedIn or some other platform and the person immediately sends you a pre-written diatribe on how their business can help you. Help me? You don't even know me? Have you asked me what I need? Have you asked me if I even need help?
These individuals are the digital equivalent of the handsy guy who takes a smile from a pretty girl to mean, "yes, by all means, reach up my skirt!"
Let's be honest, if I wanted your help, I would have asked.
This is not to say you shouldn't prospect, you should, I believe it's a great use of your time... if you do it properly. It shouldn't be, "Hi. Nice to meet you. Buy my shit!" and then move on to the next.
Tell me how pretty I am, buy me a drink. Win a stuffed animal for me at the carnival. Find out what my needs and wants are. You'll have a much better chance of scoring.
At the very least, if I don't need what you're offering, I will know what you are offering. I may know someone who does.
NOTE: In the time it took me to write this post, someone on LinkedIn "connected" with me and told me what they wanted to sell me. I replied "No thanks" and he responded "Okay. Have a nice day."
He didn't want to work to earn my business. He wanted me to hand it to him. You can guess how many times that's happened.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
The Small Hours
Sleep is important. I will not deny that. I've never been a good sleeper. Even as a baby. My mother still complains that she barely slept at all the first five years of my life. She doesn't say the same thing about my sister. I'm a terrible person to vacation with because I don't sleep in. I'm the guy sounding the bugle at dawn (maybe earlier.) I want to get on with life.
If you need sleep, then sleep. I'm not advocating against it. But if you're like me, and you are blessed with the ability to function on less sleep than most people, you should not waste that gift. Yes, I believe getting by on less sleep is a blessing. I also believe it is a gift, because more time to live your life is a wonderful thing,
I spend that time as best I can, although sometimes I'm a little too foggy to be productive. It's a good time to meditate, walk your dog, get a little extra reading done, or just get a jump on work.
My point is that this extra time is a gift and it should be used. Don't waste it on news or other negativity that'll set a negative tone for the rest of your day. Get the ball rolling in the right direction by using those small hours wisely.
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
Adolfo Jimenez is an executive coach, entrepreneur, book club nerd, and family man living in Hollywood, FL. He is the owner of Le Velo Macaron
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