Words of Advice from the Founder of Sony

If you are in business, small, medium or large, and have never visited Addicted 2 Success, you are missing out on some excellent articles. On April 12th, Joel Brown, CEO and Founder of Addicted2Success.com, wrote a piece on Japanese businessman and co-founder of Sony Akio Morita. In 1966 Mr. Morita wrote a book titled Gakureki Muyō Ron, translated means “Never Mind School Records". How many times have we heard just how important getting good grades are, or getting a good college degree is however, Mr. Morita emphasizes that success or one’s business skills is not a direct result of one’s school record.

Akio Morita’s Success Advice? Here is Joel's breakdown for us:

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Why Akio Morita Believes Sony Succeeded:

1. "Established the rule that once we hire an employee, his schools records are a matter of the past, and are no longer used to evaluate his work or decide on his promotion.”
2. “My solution to the problem of unleashing creativity is always to set up a target.”
3. “I believe one of the reasons we went through such a remarkable growth period was that we had this atmosphere of free discussion. A company will get nowhere if all of the thinking is left to management.”
4. “I have always made it a point to know our employees, to visit every facility of our company, and to try to meet and know every single employee.”
5. “The company must not throw money away on huge bonuses for executives or other frivolities but must share its fate with the workers.”

Akio Morita’s Business Advice:

1. “Advertising and promotion alone will not sustain a bad product or a product that is not right for the times.”
2. “From a management standpoint, it is very important to know how to unleash people’s inborn creativity. My concept is that anybody has creative ability, but very few people know how to use it.”
3. “I believe people work for satisfaction. I believe it is a big mistake to think that money is the only way to compensate a person for his work. People need money, but they also want to be happy in their work and proud of it.”
4. “There is no secret ingredient or hidden formula responsible for the success of the best Japanese companies.”
5. “There are three creativities: creativity in technology, in product planning, and in marketing. To have any one of these without the others is self defeating in business.”

On Being Humble:

If you go through life convinced that your way is always best, all the new ideas in the world will pass you by.

Thoughts On Innovation:

Carefully watch how people live, get an intuitive sense as to what they might want and then go with it. Don’t do market research. I knew we needed a weapon to break through to the U.S. market, and it had to be something different, something that nobody else was making.

Do’s & Don’ts:

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. But make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice.

Thoughts On Success:

We all learn by imitating, as children, as students, as novices in the world of business. And then we grow up and learn to blend our innate abilities with the rules or principles we have learned.

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What are some takeaways? 

First, and probably the most obvious, a person’s scholastic abilities should not be used as “the” benchmark in determining their abilities. I personally have seen college students having extremely high grade averages lack common sense, unable to work autonomously at the simplest of tasks. And then I have experienced people who never even graduate high school run circles around college graduates. Creative abilities cannot be taught at any school; as a matter of fact schools often stifle creativity. Mr. Morita’s approach in identifying and encouraging this natural ability was certainly ahead of its time, and it is too bad it is not used by most companies.

Then there are the challenges in finding jobs. Why do so many focus only on finding a job? Why not take those years of experience in developing their own job or profession? I highly encourage people to take advantage of their natural capabilities however people often believe they either do not have creative abilities, or just don’t have the drive. For those who don’t believe they have abilities, simply plug into an organization or a business having intern programs in order to build confidence before going out on their own. Don’t look at the past, focus on the future, set goals and reach for the stars.

In the wisdom of Mr. Morita “Never Mind School Records”! 

You can achieve anything you put your mind and heart into. 

Creating Your Own Economy? What's That?

Surrendering to the Recession?

I recently read something that compelled me to write this post: "When the economy is doing poorly, people “cocoon” and turn to less expensive pleasures.  But rather than surrendering to the recession, what can we do to empower ourselves and create a better life?"

An NBC News Economy Watch story titled 'Discouraged' workers face tough road back to employment, white collar and blue collar workers, people from all levels of education levels and professions are facing difficulties in this grueling down economy. One person in the article spent five months chasing a job only to be disappointed and now he works odd jobs while trying to get the career he wants. Another person who lost her job has a degree in molecular biology, an MB and a master’s in accounting and spent 18 months working temporary jobs until landing a full-time position only to again be laid off after 11 months. Since then she’s had temporary jobs, but her search for full-time work has run into a major roadblock. “You can’t get the job you’re qualified for," she said. “But you can’t get a job you’re overqualified for because they think you’re going to quit as soon as you find something else.” She doubts she'll ever land full-time work and now focuses on just making enough money to pay the bills.

There is a great deal of concern about what to do, frustration in not being able to find a job, and as a result many have just given up even looking, surrendering rather than giving it a good fight. After all, our fathers, and their fathers fought for our country. Isn't that what made America great?

Stable Jobs in America - Gone!

Millions of Americans believe this is the worst economic recovery since World War II, leaving too many sidelined and unable to replace the job they lost. Gone are the stable jobs in America yet people seem paralyzed in doing anything other than looking for jobs which just aren't out there. So what are their options; what are people doing to save their family, their homes, their lifestyle?

• Some simply give up and live off the government, if they can, but how long will that last – how long can those who are working afford more people living off of them, the hard working Americans?
• Others are not giving up; they are the ones with their backs up against the wall who seek out and work the odd jobs and even attempt in starting up their own business. They know the risks are high yet they refuse to back down and give in. Harvard Business School estimates 95 percent of new businesses fail. And what causes failure? How many remember their first days and weeks on the job? I know I made many mistakes, and who was there to guide and train me on what to do and what not to do? Someone who had the experience, who had been working there for a long time. When starting a conventional business that safety net isn’t there and to make matters worse, the competition is doing everything they can to make sure the new business owner fails.

What about Retirement?

And what about the baby boomers who retired? According to NBC, “… relatively few boomers approaching the phase of life traditionally called “retirement” can look forward to the pension checks that helped past generations pay the bills in their "golden years." For many, the individual retirement accounts that were supposed to replace pension incomes have been severely damaged by the financial collapse and by the drain on savings from extended unemployment since.”

My recommendation is “Not” to give up. Yes, there are safety nets out there but do not give into relying solely on anyone other than yourself. What are some options?

So What can We Do? – What about Creating Your Own Economy?

If we know and understand what causes the 95% failure rate in start-up businesses, then what can be done to change the success rate? Search for and identify ways that will give you better odds in your success. Be diligent in your search, fully explore all the benefits, look for pitfalls, in other words, do your due diligence in finding a way to create your own economy. 

• What do you like to do? Identify what you enjoy doing and find a way to create a business around it.
• If you are unsure about starting a business without experience, find an internship program that mentors and teaches a profession or business which will expedite your development

The below video goes into great depth in explaining an alternative franchise business called the UnFranchise. A business model that has seen over 80 quarters (21 years) of continuous growth. But it is not the business model alone that has created this highly unusual success record during this grueling economy... it is also the incredible people, support, and professional training which has created thousands of highly successful business owners who successfully created their own economy.

Explore! Investigate! Do Your Due Diligence & Get Answers!

Once you have viewed the video, visit Explore Grow Online Now and view the many options available for development. Having so many diverse industries and professions to choose, we provide guidance based upon each individuals goals, needs, and requirements, customizing a solution that best their needs. When contacting us for a consultation to assist with the evaluation process, ask about our internship program designed to financially support and professorially training each person, removing all obstacles in starting a business and reducing risk of failure. Learn how to create your own economy. 

Free Web Services VS Proof-of-Concept

When searching for a "Free" service or software on the Internet: Is "Free" really free? 

What is Free?

Anytime I have searched the web for anything "Free", the results have been a mix of free and not so free. How often have we seen "free trial", or "15 day free trial", or "try it free for 30 days" – you get the picture. There are always sites that lure us in with the word "Free" when in fact the only thing free may be a trial period; in other words their services or product is "not" free. 

This is certainly the case when it comes to companies promoting “Free” Web sites. Yes, the company may have a free Web site but in every case free sites are limited in capabilities, scope of features available, and functionality. All too often it isn’t until the owner “Upgrades” does he/she gain access to features and functionalities specific to their particular needs and requirements. And what about ease of use? How "user friendly" is the software? And if the business owner needs assistance, how easy or accessible is a real person available in providing technical support quickly – not to mention easily understood?

With an Ultimate Online Marketing Solution – Is there Competition?

We often speak about not having any competition. In reality, we are referring to the fact there are no web site development company or person in the marketplace providing "All Inclusive" services for business owners with an “Ultimate Online Marketing Solution”. It’s not just a Web site… and at $50.00 per month it certainly isn’t “Free”, but there are certainly no hidden costs and the features, support and upgrades are all “Free”. Everything needed for a “robust” and “professional” internet presence is provided. 

Identifying Needs and Requirements = Identifying the “Correct” Solution! 

Accessing the needs first will identify if a simple “Free” site is best for your business. A free site like with Wix.com may be a good solution for some small-time businesses. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but is it the best choice based on the needs of the business? 

For an example, compare the first two plans with Wix, eCommerce and Unlimited. In the eCommerce plan there is a Shopping Cart with the Bandwidth limited to only 5 GB while in the Unlimited plan there is no Shopping Cart however the Bandwidth is Unlimited. What if the company has a hot product, sales are going through the roof and as a result of excess traffic, the site exceeds a preset Bandwidth limit?  Having limited Bandwidth means the business owner can be forced into paying more for additional Bandwidth if they exceed the allotted amount in their plan. That is a hidden cost.  

Recommendation we make for all business owners is to first identify requirements. Whether for a new Web site, or upgrading an existing site, identify what your needs are, what do you need to accomplish? What requirements are there for the site, does it need eCommerce, shopping cart, eMail, etc. And most definately establish a marketing budget if one isn’t already set up. If help is needed, identify a reputable company that will assist in identifying your needs and requirements. Any reputable Web Developer should do this at no up-front cost. Your business should come first!

Free is not always Free However…

Once requirements have been met the next step is in identifying who can provide the solution. Depending on how savvy the business owner is, he or she may opt to have several companies bid on the development and management of the new Web Site… however most small business owners don’t have time for, or even understand this process… so they opt out by shopping around. The downside to this is they never know for sure what they are going to get until after they have spent money. Most Web Developers require something upfront before even beginning to build a site. However, there is a way to get around that. 

Prove it to Me!

A “Proof-of-Concept” is an excellent way to find out if the company will be able to deliver by first proving they can meet all of YOUR "identified” requirements… and do it without charging any up-front fees… in other words, do it for “Free.” Why not make companies truly earn your business? Remember, Free Web sites have many hidden obstacles and fees, and if a business owner is unaware of these challenges, it can be costly... an that is certainly not free. 

Check out this video for information that could guide you in the right direction. 

Self-Hosting Videos VS YouTube Hosting

Everyone loves to post videos on YouTube, and there is quite a buzz about Video SEO. 

What's that?

Daniel Vassiliou recently posted a great piece called "Video SEO: Focus on Self-Hosted Videos Rather Than YouTube" where he discusses the differences between hosting your video on YouTube and posting them on your own site. To make it very simple, someone searches for your item (pick your particular product or service into this scenario) and as a result a video comes up in page one... and let's say just for discussion sake it is your video. If your video is hosted on YouTube and the person goes to YouTube to watch the video, what is the next step the visitor must take in order to go to your site? They have to look for and find the link back to your site which should be in the comments section. One would hope the visitor finds the link, click on it, and goes right to your web site right? But wait, other videos are off to the right side of the page and they are competing for your visitors, your potential customers or clients. Your video now has competition.

Creating a YouTube channel and posting videos for the purpose of attracting visitors to your site is easy to do; however if you are counting on the video to point quality traffic to your site there are others doing the exact same thing and YouTube is helping your competition find your viewers or… the visitor may get distracted by these other videos and poof, they’re gone… down that bunny trail, possibly never to find their way back. At the end of the day, your best content should be featured on your own domain, to be used for drive traffic to your site without any side tracks or tempting “bunny trails”.

What's the Alternative? Host Videos on Your Site!

The benefits can be stunning however, there could be some draw backs. For example:

1. Many providers set limits on the number of hits your site is able to receive
2. Many providers limit the bandwidth and charge for bandwidth. Bandwidth is the amount of data your site is passing across a network in a given period of time, usually measured by the month. Hosting providers are charged for an allocated amount of bandwidth from backbone providers and wholesale data centers and that cost can be passed on to the consumer in the form of web hosting plans.

Videos can eat up bandwidth and if popular could attract a larger audience which is what any online business is looking to achieve. If your hosting site places a limit on traffic and/or bandwidth, and charges extra for overages, one of two options are available... go with YouTube or, find a web site hosting provider that has unlimited bandwidth and visitor traffic.

Videos on your site for the purpose of sharing your product or services is huge in this day of social media mania... partnering up with the right Web site hosting and provider will cost you less in the long run. 

The below link takes you to Alecsy's latest tips for video SEO beginners.   

Finding the Perfect Name for Your Business or Web Site

Over ten years ago when I was starting up my Internet and Web site business, I took some time thinking about the best name for my 2 main Web sites. My Internet business, I am partnered with a product brokerage company that specializes in bringing big name and branded companies into one location in order to make it easy for consumers to find what they are looking for, keep prices down, and eventually to give Cashback. What domain name could I possibly use that would speak volumes in what we are. Then it hit me… my wife and I were at a mall one day and it was as if we both were reading each other’s mind – doesn’t our internet business resemble a virtual mall? One where anyone could shop from the comfort of their home? When we got home I checked out some names that could fit and the one that I liked the best happened to be free, and InYourHomeMall.com was born.

My second web site happened just about the same way… what could the name possibly say that would speak to what I do? In short, GrowOnlineNow.com was created for the simple idea of being able to help small and medium size business grow their business online, affordably and now.

I picked this article for the week because some of the information found within I actually did back in 2001. I brainstormed with my wife (dared not do it with anyone I did not know or trust less they beat me to it) and I thought through what the name would say to visitors.

If you are starting a business, Web site or even revamping a Web site, use this article "How to Find the Perfect Name for Your Business or Website" as a guideline and feel free in working with someone you “trust” to help you with your decision.

50 Business & Life Lessons for 2013

Have you ever heard of Robin Sharma and Sharma Leadership International Inc. (SLI)? Here is someone who quit his job as a lawyer, self-published a book at a Kinko's copy shop (his mother edited it), and stored 2000 copies in his kitchen. His second book "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" was also originally self-published until former Harper Collins president Ed Carson discovered Robin in a bookstore.

The book, and the series that followed, have become one of the world's most successful publishing franchises. Robin Sharma is now a globally celebrated author of 11 international bestselling books on leadership. An independent survey of over 22,000 businesspeople ranked Robin in "The Top 5" of the world's leadership gurus along with Jack Welch, Jim Collins and John Maxwell.

How incredible our world would be if people would spend less time being self-absorbed and looking for handouts and more time in self-improvement and becoming altruistic, becoming part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.

I would like to share 50 Businesses & Life lessons for 2013 that will serve entrepreneurs, business owners and everyone well for the rest of this year. Pay if forward whenever you can by helping others succeed. 

1. Hard work is a force multiplier.
2. Don’t participate in recessions.
3. Exercising for 20 minutes first thing in the morning is a game-changer.
4. If you’re not innovating daily, you’re on the path to obsolescence.
5. If you want an A-Level company, you can’t afford to hire B-Level players.
6. Procrastination is an escape mechanism for people scared to do their best work.
7. Give your customers 10X the value they expect and they’ll tell everyone they know about you.
8. Don’t do it if you’re not having fun.
9. If you’re not scared a lot you’re not growing very much.
10. Invest the time to create great social media content and your base will go global + viral.
11. There’s never been a better time to be a social entrepreneur.
12. It’s never been easier to be of service to a large amount of people (and few things are as rewarding).
13. When no one else believes in your vision, you absolutely must stay true to your vision. (Have the guts to stay in the game far longer than makes any sense).
14. The quickest way to build a superb business is to quickly develop the leadership potential of every teammate.
15. A job is only a job if you choose to see your work as a job. All work is a noble sport. (The reality is all work is a chance to express your genius–and to inspire the world).
16. People are craving transparency, authenticity and community. Give it to them.
17. Creativity comes in seasons. There’s a time to harvest your ideas. And there’s a time to let the field sit fallow. (I’ve been working on integrating this lesson for years).
18. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax (When you relax, your brain shifts into alpha state–the time when million-dollar ideas present themselves).
19. Change is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. (And without change, there is no progress).
20. Someone’s going to win in your space. Why not you?
21. 10X the size of your dreams because if you don’t, you’ll wish you did.
22. Pursue excellence versus chasing perfection.
23. Celebrate small wins and you’ll unleash a huge amount of momentum and positive energy.
24. Learn for an hour a day, no matter what. That’s not a waste of work time. It’s a brilliant use of your work time because you’re paid to know more than anyone who has ever done your job.
25. Why go for good at what you do when you can stand for iconic?
26. Transform your fitness and you’ll transform your business.
27. Delete victim-speak from your language. No more "I can’t" and "It’s not possible" and "It’s so hard." More "I will" and "This is awesome" and "What’s the opportunity here?"
28. If you inspire one person each day, you’re day hasn’t been a waste. It’s been a blessing.
29. Living in the past is disrespecting your future.
30. Build an amazing career but enjoy your lifestyle along the way. What’s the point of becoming a business legend but a failed human being?
31. Look people in the eyes when you talk to them. Smile at people when you see them. Say "please" to respect them. And "thank you" to appreciate them.
32. Don’t be on time–Be early.
33. The person who tries to do everything achieves nothing. Focus. Focus. Focus.
34. Spend the first 90 minutes of your work day on real work versus fake work. (Another game-changing tactic that served me so very well in 2012).
35. Spend time in silence each day. You’ll never do Jay-Z level work if you’re overstimulated by technology.
36. Goal-setting is mission-critical. (Review your Big 5, quarterly goals and daily goals constantly).
37. Your daily behavior broadcasts your truest beliefs.
38. To have the results only 5% of businesspeople have, have the guts to do what only 5% of businesspeople are willing to do.
39. World-class begins when you think you’ve done a great job but know you can do a better job.
40. Remember that your greatest gift is so much stronger than your deepest fear.
41. Everyone’s in Human Resources. And we are all paid to develop the talents of the people we work with.
42. Mediocrity is a mindset. Avoid the mental viruses of negative people.
43. Be the most honest person you know. It generally takes 30 years to build a fantastic reputation. And 30 seconds to lose it by a single silly move.
44. Become a lion–not a sheep.
45. People are always willing to pay for the best.
46. The more devoted you become to serving others, the more your career begins to build itself.
47. Problems come to test your commitment to your goals, hopes and dreams.
48. As you become more successful, get more hungry.
49. Join Traffic University. Use every possible moment in the car to upgrade your skills, polish your gifts and elevate your mindset.
50. Use your life to make the world a better place.

 For more information about Robin Sharma, visit his Web site RobinSharma.com.

E-commerce Shopping Experience across Mobile Reflects Cross-Platform Unification Challenges

Mobile vs Conventional Web Sites

In an article by Karen Hanna on Smarter Commerce, 25% of consumers shopping and purchasing online prefer using mobile devices over desktop. The article airs concern over the shopper bouncing back and forth between multiple platforms such as their mobile device(s) and laptop and/or desktop.

“The broad and varied retail experience brings to light the many critical issues related to bringing multiple platform consistency to the e-commerce domain.”  

When it comes to small- and mid-size businesses looking to leverage new technology, it can be a daunting task given most companies charge businesses extra for having two platforms for displaying their Web site, one for conventional platforms such as desktop and laptop computers - one for mobile devices.

Not many companies have developed their technology  in order to merge managing a Web site from one location rather than having one site for mobile devices, and one for conventional platforms; and when it comes to eCommerce the challenge becomes even greater.

Karen goes on to say

“There is no singular answer to how these challenges may be met, though it seems logical to presume that the winners will be those retailers that are able to create a seamless experience for the customer, whether that customer is shopping in store or online, from a mobile device or a desktop computer. It boils down to a trust issue; having a retail experience that is consistent and synchronized across platforms breeds trust, which is an important consideration for midsize companies.”

Mobile Web Site Integration with Conventional Web Sites

The good news is technology does exist that seamlessly integrates both conventional Web Sites with Mobile Web Sites. Business owners can reach their customers anywhere, anytime. These were questions asked of business owners:

What if there was a way that your sales messages could reach your prospects and customers no matter where they were? And in just seconds after you press the send button? Would you call that an edge? Perhaps an advantage over the competition?

The answers were obvious and so was the solution. It was called a Mobile Web Site. Advanced technology brings better and less expensive services and resources to business owners. We believe in passing on those savings so rather than charge extra for this technology and capability, the service was added at no extra cost with all of our 4.0 Web sites.

What's the benefit of having a mobile site? It means that as long as customers have their smartphones or other mobile devices, they not only are able to view the business’s Web site, but they can easily purchase products and services while on the go.

The mobile site includes the following great features:

• Update once and go. Mobile site instantly reflects changes made to main site.
• Easy editing. "Show/hide" toggles enable you to easily decide which content to display on your mobile site.
• All-platform friendly. Visitors' browsers are automatically detected, and the mobile site is reformatted accordingly.
• Dedicated look. You can choose specific colors and even upload your business' logo for increased brand awareness.

The bottom line, we knew what the business owner would need based upon technology used by their customers for searching and purchasing online… and we brought the solution for both the business owner and the consumer without any additional cost - a significant benefit for both businesses and consumers.

The “E-commerce Shopping Experience across Mobile Reflects Cross-Platform Unification Challenges” have been met and solved.

Bruce Swartz and GrowOnlineNow.com provides affordable business class Web site solutions for small- and mid-size businesses.