In 1989 our company had a great idea for a completely new product.  Not only did we have an idea for a completely new product, but also a new business model that was going to allow us to build at a quality higher than anything on the market. We introduced both...and got nothing. No support. We had designed and engineered a completely new way of yachting in a product unlike anything else.  We took that new design to several dealers assuming they would be as excited about the new product as we were.  They weren't. In fact they said it would never sell. Faced with a product we were confident in and without a sales channel to sell it through we decided to create our own distribution network.  So that's what we did and in the process ushered in direct selling from manufacturer to customer. Now selling direct surely isn't something we invented there were even other boat companies doing it at the time.  However it was a business model that we had not initially wanted to explore.  We never thought we would be selling direct and be successful. That's the reality of being an entrepreneur.  Where you start isn't where you end up.  That's the beauty of creating something and having the courage to change it as you move along. Look at flickr, originally developed as a way to share screenshots for a game, now it's one of the largest consumer photo sharing sites. Look at Twitter, originally developed as an texting tool only, now a computer integrated communication platform. Look at Post It notes, originally a failed experiment by 3M researchers to find a stronger glue turned into one of their most successful products ever. It's not where you start that matters, its the fact you start. Speaking of start, download "10 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Start Your Business" photo credit

As an entrepreneur when it comes to sharing your ideas there are three types of people you will encounter...negative, positive or indifferent. Here's the scenario, you schedule a meeting, everyone arrives and you commence with your presentation. The presentation comes to an end and now it's time for some feedback. (You can exchange meeting for product launch, new service offering, etc) As you go around the room everyone you hear from falls into one of these three categories -negative, positive and indifferent. The question you should be asking yourself is how do you deal with them and what's your response. Dealing With Negative People At first glance, you would think these are the types that you should try an avoid. It seems like no matter how great of an idea you bring forward these people always have a reason it can't, shouldn't or won't be done. The problem is we tend to immediately discount the criticism based on the negative attitude that comes with it. What you need to know is that out of the three types this one can be of the most benefit to you and your idea. Sounds crazy? Here's why it isn't. First, the negative types are going to bring you objections that others will also bring. Preparing yourself to deal with those is something that will help you make your presentation and idea better. Now the objections may not be warranted, but it will help you prepare an answer to why it's not.  In addition many time the negative comments can be used to improve your idea. Second, if you can explain to a negative person why the idea will work, then you are preparing yourself to sell the idea, product, service down the road.  Handling objections is part of sales and this will help you develop that skill.  Oh and typically if you can change a negative persons perspective to see your idea is a good one, you have a champion for your idea.

What motivates you? Money? Recognition? Fear? Self? Others? As an entrepreneur finding a source of motivation is something you will routinely do.  In fact if you aren't then most likely you're stuck in park, unable to move forward. So what or who do you look to for motivation? Other People Looking to others for motivation is a good place to start.  In fact it's a likely source to helping you get over that hump, or moving to the next level. Learning from others that have been where you're trying to go is a helpful way to help spur you on. Personally I look for stories where people have overcome adversity or great odds to achieve something.  People that have started with just an idea and grown it into a movement. I also don't look to just people in business, I find inspiration and motivation from a variety of areas. However I want to warn you, if you're  motivation continually comes from those around you then you are going to have a difficult time.  The truth is most of the time the road is lonely and learning how to be self motivated is something you must develop.

By most peoples fears I live in a very dangerous place. Its the lightning capital of North America and leads all other locations around the world in shark attacks. However living in Tampa, FL really isn't all that dangerous. In fact where you currently are is much more dangerous.  The odds of dying from choking on food, drowning in your bathtub or being killed crossing the street are far greater than being killed by lightning or a shark. (On a positive note the odds of dating a supermodel or writing a New York Times best seller are way better than all of the above. Click here for more interesting odds) Fear Makes Cowards Of Us All I forgot who said that but it's so true.  Fear can cripple us instantly. My three girls, all under the age of 10, come running to me anytime we have a bad lightning storm. The loud noise, the bright flashes, the instant and startling way in which it all happens culminate to make for a very terrifying experience.  Unless you've been through it many times before like I have. My girls always ask me "how come you don't get scared?".  One word - experience. Right now you may be paralyzed with a great idea, a dream of starting a business and your left parked at inaction because of fear.  Fear of the what if and the unknown. Fear of how to get started, fear of the cost, fear of the outcome,  all of which stem from lack of experience.

What happens when good customer service becomes the norm? Good customer service the norm?  Have I lost my mind? Within the last week I have dealt with the customer service departments at five major companies: Apple, Dell, Verizon, At&t and Cadillac. Not one of them was a bad experience.  In fact, it's not the first time I have had to deal with the customer service departments of those companies and I can't recall one bad experience with any of them. So it got me thinking about what happens when good customer service becomes the norm and not the exception. We Have Come To Expect Good Service There has been such a push over the last decade by companies to focus on good customer service that I have seen a real difference in the way they approach this opportunity.  Yes it's an opportunity. More and more companies have a primary focus on creating an experience that is more than just the product.  For decades the products were the differentiators.  Then as the competition increased we started to see customer service become a differentiating factor. Today we expect good service and when we don't receive it the negative response on our part can be amplified greater than ever before.