20 Management Tips That Will Transform You Into An Amazing Leader

A successful career doesn't just require great ideas and a good work ethic -- it also takes the right people. In order to work well with others, you'll need to become a pro at leadership and management.

In my 18 years of professional experience, I've had to learn a lot of things the hard way. As an entrepreneur, I'm still learning day by day. And while I've had a blast learning with my peers, I can't deny that it would have been helpful to know everything ahead of time. Instead, all I can do is share the knowledge I've built over nearly two decades of business ownership and management.

I'm putting these tips right into the palms of your hands, so you don't take 20 years to learn them!

1. Never give up.

It's cliché, but it's the best tip I can provide. Entrepreneurship isn't for the weak-willed and the giver-uppers. Rather, it's for those who believe enough in their abilities, their ideas and the people they're proud to call their team. Giving up on a project, no matter how big or small, isn't just a disservice to yourself -- it's also a disservice to those you lead. 

2. The people around you are everything.

An idea is a hundred times harder to execute when you don't have the right people by your side. Find the best people possible for your project, and once you do, do anything and everything in your power to keep them.

3. Be both a mentor and a protégé.

The best professional relationships are ones that consist of mutual respect and learning. As a leader, it may be your job to expand on your team's abilities and knowledge; however, you likely have just as much to learn from them as they do from you.

4. Be strong, not meek.

People have a hard time believing in leaders who don't quite seem to believe in themselves. Even in times of instability, remain confident and positive. Second-guessing your choices and actions won't just negatively affect your own attitude, but also those of your team.

5. A growing business requires growing people.

Nearly everyone is a work in progress. A positive professional experience not only involves development, but also a positive attitude on growth and learning. Forgive minor mistakes and strive to teach your team, not to shame them for messing up. Offer opportunities for your followers to learn and become better people. Acknowledge that while you may already be a good leader, you can always become a better one.

6. Failing is a reality -- get comfortable with it.

I've never heard of a business that didn't fail at something. Rather than dreading failure, learn to view it as a learning experience and an opportunity for -- yes, you guessed it -- growth. At the very least, don't let yourself give up on a project (or even an entire business) just because you've faced a couple of failures.

7. Managing people through change is the hardest job you'll have.

Whether it's through personal change or environmental change, those you lead are going to struggle to adjust. Be patient and understanding, yet firm in your business's needs. Be flexible, not a doormat. Finding and maintaining this balance will be one of the hardest jobs you'll ever have.

8. Being a big fish in a small pond is the best chance for success.

You can't manage the population of a giant pond as a small fish. Instead, reverse the circumstances. Don't take on a team you can't manage, and maintain overall authority in a respectful and non-domineering manner.

9. Focus your business on being the best at one thing, then expand.

Would you rather be great at one thing, or mediocre at a lot of things? Probably the former. When you're first starting out, focus on making your business no.1 in a specific area. Once you master that, you can move on to bigger and better things.

10. To compete nationally, you must build a major-league team.

The national stage is packed with competition and talent. With a second-rate team, you might as well compete on your own. Instead, put a good amount of energy into building the ideal major-league team -- one with a variety of skills, personalities and passions, but with a common goal.

11. Move quickly on people and operations that drag you down.

There's no sense in holding on to people and projects that drag you or your business down. If someone's attitude or skill level is sub-par and unfixable, let them go -- even if it tugs at your heartstrings a bit. The same goes for operations that don't quite seem to be working out.

12. Stay humble.

Don't confuse ego with leadership. Strength is key, but power is not. Be the kind of leader you'd happily follow.

13. Sharp leaders are among the easiest to trust.

Being a great leader isn't about sitting back and barking orders. Instead, it's about getting your hands dirty and keeping your mind sharp. As a matter of fact, you should be the hardest worker at your company. This gives you a realistic idea of what it's like to work at your company, which helps you lead more efficiently and build better relationships with your team.

14. Think hard about the operations you start -- before you start them.

When you plunge blindly into an operation, you pull your team along with you. Make sure you aren't getting yourself and your team into a giant mess before taking first steps. It's better to be safe than sorry, here.

15. Don't be greedy.

This one seems obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many leaders let greed overtake them. Don't become gluttonous when it comes to money, power or resources -- this includes taking on a larger team than you can handle. It's unattractive in a professional setting, and it generally harms you and your business long-term. Instead, strive to share what your business takes in, and use what you have to better your community.

16. Don't let others fail for you.

Take responsibility for both your successes and your failures. When you falter, let it be your fault. Don't blame failures on someone else. Instead, hold yourself accountable.

17. If you think someone is taking advantage of you, they probably are.

This is simple. If someone is asking for favors with nothing given in return, not holding up their end of a deal, or refusing to maintain mutual respect, they probably view you as someone to be taken advantage of. Don't be afraid to put a stop to it if it will help you, your team or your company.

18. The concept of being a good CEO is subjective.

Different types of companies require different types of CEOs. The way you lead will depend on your company size, team, goals and industry. Don't worry if you see a great CEO who leads differently from you; you likely work within entirely different circumstances. 

19. Crafting, evolving and sharing your vision is increasingly important.

As your company grows, your vision's need for visibility grows, too. Don't let yourself or your team get too comfortable with stagnant goals that may have already been met. Let your vision evolve and share it with those who need to hear it.

20. Remain positive.

The road ahead is paved with bumps and cracks. No one wants to follow a grouchy leader, so slap on a smiley face and stay positive, no matter the obstacles you encounter.

You may have begun as an excellent leader or an outstanding manager, but probably not both. As you build entrepreneurial experience, you'll learn how to lead and manage teams. But you don't have to wait so long to build your skills -- just take 18 years worth of tips from me.

10 New Ideas for Making Money on the Side

1. Join the sharing economy.

"The sharing economy is growing at an exponential rate," says Nigel Wilson, managing director at Hitwise. "Thousands of sharing economy companies have sprouted up around the world, and consumers are actively engaging in collaborative consumption.

According to PwC, 44 percent of all adults in the U.S. are aware of the sharing economy and 19 percent have engaged in a sharing economy transaction. It is imperative for brands to consider how to support and participate in collaborative consumption, rather than compete against it."

The sharing economy is exploding and the largest demographic in the country, millennials, have embraced it. For 2017, look beyond Uber, Lyft and AirBnb when looking to tap into this market. You can rent out your car on Turo, camera equipment on Cameralends, snowboard or bike on Spinlister and, if you own one, your sailboat on Sailo. Besides renting out the stuff that you already own, you can deliver home-cooked meals with Umi-Kitchen. 

2. Launch a box subscription service.

If you want to tap your local or niche market then a box subscription service is the place to start. Over the last couple of years we've seen an explosion of box subscription services in niches ranging from beauty to food to gaming to novelty gifts. Since the goods or services are delivered to the customer each month, and it has a recurring billing model, it can quickly become a lucrative and passive source of income. Here's a list of possible box service ideas to get you started.

3. Take over a mobile food truck.

More and more people, especially those between the ages of 18 to 34, are patronizing food trucks and that's why the food truck industry is expected to surpass $985 million by 2019. For savvy entrepreneurs, food trucks are an appealing business because it's inexpensive to start, isn't strapped down to a one location, can be a part-time side gig and you don't have to start from scratch. Every day thousands of baby boomers retire. If you know any baby boomer looking to get out of the food industry, consider purchasing their established business, which should include customers, recipes, and equipment at the very least.

My friend Keith Crossley was able to purchase several food trucks and recently opened several restaurants. It took him almost four years but over that time he was able to build a thriving business for himself. It all started trying to make money on the side and turned into his full time thriving business. It's possible for you to do the same. His original investment was less than $35,000.

4. Earn cash by downloading apps.

I'll be honest, you aren't going to make a fortune downloading the following apps but you can make some extra cash each month by doing very little. Here's some of my personal favorites:

• The Swagbucks app pays you for answering simple survey questions.
• Media Insiders pays you for watching television.
• Stash gives you $5 to start investing.
• Clink will give you $5 to start saving
• When you walk, Bitwalking will pay you in a virtual currency called Bitwalking Dollars.
• Nielsen Homescan gives you cash for scanning your grocery receipts.
• Achievement pays you for completing healthy activities.
• MobileXpression will give you cash, gift cards, and merchandise for surfing online.
• The Ibotta app pays you for taking pics of your receipts.
• Paribus scans your emails for receipts and will issue a refund if there's a price drop. 

5 Write to Congress.

Writing has long been a favorite side-gig for people. However, with the 2016 presidential election, don't be surprised to see an influx of letters to Congress. And, you may be able cash-in on this trend. DDC Public Affairs and NextWave are bipartisan advocacy groups that launch grassroots political campaigns on issues ranging from energy, healthcare, taxes, and defense.

All of these hire people to call all constituents or advocates and then transfer their opinions into written letters. You're assigned campaigns, but you can reject them if you want. They expect you to work 20-25 hours per week and you start-off at $12 to $15 per hour.

6. Invest in real estate.

If you aren't working full-time or are already strapped for cash, then becoming a landlord probably isn't the wisest decision. But, if you're looking to make some extra cash, then you could consider invest in real estate. The reason? The housing market is looking strong for the foreseeable future.

Best of all, sites like Realty Mogul allow you to invest in commercial real estate for as little as $5,000.

7. Become an Instagram consultant.

Instagram had an incredible 2016. And, expect 2017 to be even better. Thanks to the Facebook-owned platform getting serious about attracting businesses, and launching exciting features like live video and Instagram Stories, a lot of brands are going to start promoting themselves on 'the gram.' If you're a frequent Instagram user, have a passion for photography, and are a social media whiz, then you can start your own Instagram consulting business on-the-side.

8. EMV security consultant.

There are now around 300 million chip-card in-use by consumers with 1.2 million merchants accepting chip cards. Even though the transition to EMV is in full-swing, it's expected that there will be an increase in fraud.

If you have security experience, or are knowledgeable in EMV, then you could start your own EMV security consulting business where you can instruct small business owners and their employees how to properly use EMV readers and inform them on the latest security measures. 

9. Invest in bitcoin.

Bitcoin had a very good 2016. That should carry over into 2017 and beyond. In fact, some experts believe that the price for bitcoin will reach $1,000 within the next year, which would be a 40 percent increase. This is because of an increase in usage, more adoption, an increase in investments, and remittance in emerging markets like India.

10. Go green.

Millennials are extremely conscious about the environment. For example, 61 percent of millennials want to sign up for a digital application which can allow them to track their energy usage and control their household climate. That means that there's a huge demand for "green" businesses in the near future.

Best Regards

 

JAYARAMAN UMASHANKAR 

Trainer & Consultant 

t +91 9626282000  | m amarjay@gmail.com |  

 

8 Ways to Upgrade Your Life and Business in 2017

1. Examine your relationships.

The first thing to upgrade in your life or business is your relationships. There is nothing that will hold you back more strongly than hosting parasitic, nonproductive, toxic relationships in your life. If you're in a place where you have no choice, such as a boss or a colleague, then do what you can to give them very little power. Focus on your tasks, rather than on the toxic person you work with or for. Let your work be about performance rather than approval. With this shift in focus, the quality of your work will speak for itself.

If your personal life is congested with toxic people, do what you can to terminate these relationship or, at the very least, set firm boundaries around not tolerating their negativity, by going low contact. It is very difficult to upgrade your life with toxic people holing you hostage. To upgrade you need the freedom to do it, and the positive attitude to make it happen. 

2. Choose your mood.

For most of us it doesn't cross our minds, in the midst of our daily grind, to consider the idea of being mindful over our internal experience and our outward expression of it. Upgrade your life in 2017 by making a commitment to think about your thinking. When you become more conscious of how and where your thoughts go, and how those thoughts determine your overall mood, you will see that your mood is 100 percent up to you.

You do have a choice in how you express your mood in response to negative triggers. Choose composure. If you're upset, take a moment and let yourself feel and process before choosing to act or react. If you think about it, the resistance you have experienced in life is exactly what has made you into the person you are today.

3. Ignite your creativity.                                                                  

No idea is a bad idea. To upgrade in this upcoming year, think of the ways you can add touches of innovation to each day, in each meeting, to each deal and in every relationship. Dare yourself to think slightly more out of the box. Spend time alone, hold brainstorming meetings, hire a coach, go to seminars, read daily and keep blank paper on hand to write down all ideas without judgement. Most of us live unconsciously or by habit, rather than living our lives on purpose with minds which actively seek change. We tend to be more comfortable in what we know, yet our lives and businesses can only grow as much as we grow ourselves. 

4.  Add value to your relationships.

Upgrade your relationships in this upcoming year by focusing on what you can put into them instead of looking for what you can get out of them. There is nothing more fulfilling then operating as the cause in our relationships, rather than at the effect of them. Think about who you want to be as a boss, as a leader, a team member, as a manager, a sales rep, a friend, a wife, husband, mother or father. Don't worry about or focus on who other people are at your expense. Be someone you can like and respect in the relationships you're in, especially when you're in the company of someone you really can't stand.

5. Improve your attitude.

Your attitude is perceived, not just by what comes out of your mouth, but by the experience others have of your entire persona. To upgrade, take a moment to envision the experience of you that you want others to have of you. Start activating that vision through your posture, your tone of voice, the level of interest you show, your capacity to listen, the way and how you speak, and the quality, warmth and authenticity you generate. People will be drawn to you when your attitude carries a warm, quiet strength. An improved attitude will increase the quality of your work, your connections and your overall capacity as a human being. Others will admire and want to emulate you. 

6. Increase you sense of adventure.

Upgrade your life in 2017 by making slightly riskier decisions. These shifts will stretch you beyond your rote, regimented, predictable daily routine. Having things to look forward to is proven to increase a sense of vitality and happiness. There will always be fear-based reasons which can hold you back from increasing your sense of adventure, but how can you grow and become the well-rounded person you need to be without getting out of your box and doing things, going places and meeting new people? If you live in a box, that's as big as your life will get. You cannot upgrade with walls all around you. Get out, do what you would normally shy away from, and let life's adventures mature, culture and educate you.

7. Better your health.

What physique do you dream of having? We all have an ideal body image and health status we desire, yet many of us never make either a priority. Think of how improving your sleep, diet and physical exercise would improve your life and how others view you. Instead of focusing rigidly on diet, taking on a rigid exercise program or sleep schedule, choose to simply upgrade these areas of your life from where you currently are, until you need to upgrade again. We often fail when we take on change aggressively or drastically. Start from wherever you are right now, and upgrade one level higher. Little improvements every day lead to lasting change because the consequences aren't so severe that we set ourselves up for failure. 

8. Increase your finances.

When we stress over finances, we block prosperity because we're focused on lack. An attitude of lack doesn't wear well on anyone. Others unconsciously pick up on your stress, which will most definitely block people from wanting to connect with you. The first upgrade needed to increase your finances has everything to do with your mental attitude and nothing to do with money. Start focusing on all the good that comes into your daily life, even it is something as simple as a compliment. Do not allow your mind to give you a, "yea, but things would be better if…" Focus  and be thankful for it every single good thing, big or small, that you have. When you see all of the positive increases in your life, you will feel more prosperous, your attitude will express this, and you will experience more and more increase.

Upgrades are little increases. When we master one level, we are naturally curious about the next; making it time for another upgrade. Just as new updates show up in our technology, we must add this principle to our daily existence. To live the word "upgrade'' for one year will make improvements to your life, one level at a time, until you're in an exciting new place, having achieved much more then you thought possible when you started.

Best Regards

 

JAYARAMAN UMASHANKAR 

Trainer & Consultant 

t +91 9626282000  | m amarjay@gmail.com |  

 

5 Steps to Seriously Improve Your Networking Skills

Stage 1: Mindset

Before you think about networking, remove the word "working" from your system. We hear people talking about putting on their "networking game," and I can't help but wonder how many showers they'll need to take afterward to rid themselves of the inauthenticity. It's likely that the people you're trying to reach get approached by dozens, if not hundreds, of people just like you; and it's not difficult for them to weed out the people who are "putting on a face."

The best networking comes from genuine relationships, not a business card exchange. No matter whom you're trying to build a relationship with, treating that person as a friend rather than a business contact will take you much further with the relationship. So, think about how you would approach a potential friend. Find something you have in common with, keep it light, make jokes, and above all, show that you care.

Stage 2: The destination

Doing something for the sake of doing it is rarely a good idea, nor is it a good use of your time. It's the old analogy of having a fully gassed car without a final destination to head toward.

As many of you may already know, I'm a big believer in goal setting and focusing on pouring energy into accomplishing the stated goal. What is your dream job? How do you envision your future? What do you need to be doing to be the most fulfilled, happy and driven version of you? Write down what your goal is for five years from now. Then write down what goal you need to hit one year from now in order to get you closer to your five-year goal. Finally, write down what goal you need to hit 90 days from now in order to get you closer to your one-year goal.

For example: Let's say your goal is to make $1 million in five years. You would need a vehicle, whether that is your own business, investments or something financially viable to get you to your destination. In this case, your goal one year from now might be to have your business launched and to hit $5,000 per month in sales. 

So, what would you need to do in the next 90 days in order to hit $5,000 per month in your new business, one year from now? It might be finding the right partner with a complementary skill sets, or acquiring your first paying customer in the next 90 days.

5-year goal: Make $1 million
1-year goal: Hit $5,000/month ($60,000 per year) in sales with new business
90-day goal: Get your first paying customer

Now, it's time to write down your goals. Yes, physically write them! 

Stage 3: The map

Now that you have your final destination for five years from now, including focused, short-term goals to get you there, design your map. Keith Ferrazzi has a powerful strategy called the Networking Action Plan (NAP), which he explains in Never Eat Alone, to connect your networking strategy with your goals. 

Step 1 is to write down your goals and final destination (which you completed in Stage 2). Step 2 is to look at the three goals you have written down. Then, next to each of your goals, write down three people who will either kickstart or accelerate your goal. These could be people you are already connected with, who are second-degree connections from you, or people you have no connections to.

Examples of who your top 3 could be include mentors or advisors, clients who will advocate for you, investors who believe in your vision, team members who may be co-founders or key hires, a boss or manager who could propel you to a raise or strategic position within your organization or superconnectors that will connect you with any of the above, to build your network. 

If you're looking to start a company, the three people could be a potential partner, an investor and a potential client. For a best-selling book, the three could be your agent, promotional partners or editor.

It's important to invest some time doing thorough research to be confident that the three people are essential in helping you accomplish your goals faster.

Stage 4: Building a human connection

Hw do you foster a real connection when you speak with someone -- whether it's on Skype or on the phone or in-person? Personally, I think it boils down to these factors:

• Ask insightful questions (to get the other person thinking). You can know a lot about a person by the quality of the questions he or she asks. Tony Robbins often shares that the quality of your questions correlates to the quality of your life.
• Ask better questions, receive better answers. Peter Thiel challenges us to ask ourselves: "How do we accomplish our 10-year goals in six months?" By asking better questions when you're speaking with someone, you not only put yourself in a category of someone that thinks differently, but you force the other person to think in a new way that helps him or her grow.
• Pay attention (as if your life depended on it). This may come naturally for some people, or be extremely difficult for others. In our smartphone era, paying attention is a demanded "skill" many of us lack. How many times have you spoken with someone who is constantly fidgeting, looking around or interrupting your every sentence? By simplying maintaining eye contact, listening attentively and responding with relevant questions, you're separating yourself from the rest of the pack and are well on your way to fostering a genuine relationship.

Listen. Ask good questions. Repeat.

Stage 5: Superconnecting

The fastest way to grow your own network is to introduce two people who can benefit from each another. As simple as this strategy sounds, it's one you hardly see most people do. When's the last time someone deliberately went out of his or her way to introduce you to someone after listening to your struggles? If you're the rare breed that has experienced this, you've met a superconnector. 

With over three billion people online today, it's increasingly difficult to separate the fog from the light, and the role of superconnectors will become increasingly important to make that distinction. Here are few of the most powerful ways to become a superconnector yourself.

• Don't keep score. This is by far the key difference between superconnectors and everyone else. Superconnectors have an abundance mentality, and they're always willing to give, connect and share.
• Make friends, not "contacts." In other words, value quality over quantity. Put away your business cards, and form genuine friendships with people you meet. I force myself to never talk about business in the first encounter with someone, unless I have to. It's 10 times more valuable to develop connections with five quality people at an event than 50 "contacts" whose names you won't remember.
• Connect other superconnectors. Do you know two connectors who could benefit from meeting? Have they already met? Introducing two superconnectors will be the easiest connection you make because: They are naturally friendly and most likely will have friends in common. And you'll not only help others further their goals, but will come to mind for them, for future potential connections that will benefit you.
• Interview people. This may be one of the fastest ways to grow your network, if done strategically. You could do this in the context of a research paper, book or, my personal favorite, a podcast. I've been fortunate enough to connect with the likes of Eric Ries, Adam Braun, Jason Fried, Gary Vaynerchuk and others who would have been difficult to connect with had I not started #SKIM Live. 
• Follow-up. This is the missing step we all forget to do. But following up to see how the introduction went, or randomly following up a few months later with no agenda will not only help you maintain your connections, but foster the relationship to a different level. In a world of take take take, being able to show that you care about someone as a friend will put you in a whole different category with any of your connections.

05 People You Need to Meet If You Want to Start a Business

Why other people are fundamental to your success

There are actually several ways that meeting new people can help you become more successful:

• Partnership. For starters, you may find people whom you can work with directly, in the business overall or in one specific dimension of the business. For example, you may find someone to start a business with, someone to hire or a vendor or supplier to make your business run smoother.
• Resources. You may also get to meet people who have connections to major resources, like publishers at media establishments. This can give you new opportunities you would otherwise miss out on.
• Knowledge. New people always know things that you don't know. Talk to them for a little while, and you may be able to learn a new skill or concept, or just flesh out an idea you've had in the past. There's always new information to gain.
• Connections. Every new person you meet will have his/her own network of contacts, increasing your range of potential connections many times over. Those networks give you more potential ways to achieve any of the benefits listed above, with even more new people in your extended range of contacts.

Those five people to meet

These are the best types of people to meet, for any of the above functions:

1. The mentor

The mentor is someone who has done what you're doing -- sometimes many times over. He or she will have a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience that you don't have, and will be able to help you out of a number of problems with advice, resources and new insights.

As an added benefit, most people in a mentor position already have their own extended network of different contacts, which you'll be able to tap into for your needs. There are many key places to find mentors, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

2. The community maven

One of the best ways to build a reputation and tap into your local market is to meet people who already have a reputation in your local area. There are two main benefits to this. First, you'll gain the secondary reputation advantage of being associated with this community influencer -- who could share your material and give it a huge boost, or send new social media followers your way.

Second, this person will be able to recommend resources, opportunities and contacts for your needs.

3. Peers

Peers are also good to meet, though they won't have as much experience as mentors or as much influence as mavens. These are other business owners and professionals in your area trying to do the same things you're trying to do.

Since they occupy a similar niche, their network of contacts is likely to be highly valuable to you (and in turn, yours will be valuable to them). They'll also be facing most of the same problems and opportunities as you, so you'll be able to work together to find solutions and new directions.

4. Local talent

The benefit of local talent is that you'll find people already skilled in one key area (or more) who are already connected into your region. You can find these people fresh out of college, starting businesses of their own or even working under other entrepreneurs.

5. The investor

Your business needs working capital to get moving, even if you have a frugal business model. Unless you have a sum of capital to work with on your own, you'll need to find an investor to build momentum or bail you out of tough problems.

Many key areas to find investors abound, including dedicated platforms and opportunities, but none are strictly better than others. Investors are also valuable sources of wisdom and connections -- especially if they end up holding equity in your business.

The problem with trying to meet these types of people is that nobody has a sign around his neck advertising what type of person he or she is. The solution to the problem? Meet as many people as possible, in as many contexts as possible.

You never know what someone is going to be able to offer you, or what you'll be able to offer other people, so it's in your best interest to diversify your new meetings as much as you can.

07 Steps to Achieving Any Goal in Life

1 (S) -- Get (S)pecific about your goals

The first step in the SMARTER method of goal setting is to get highly specific about what you intend to achieve. You have to ensure that it's measurable so that it can be tracked, but you also have to put a great deal of detail into what it is you intend to achieve. You can't just say you want to be rich. It doesn't work that way. 

If you have money goals, they need to involve a specific amount of money. For example, you intend to have a one million dollar net worth in the next 24 months, you plan to be earning $20,000 per month in the next 12 months by building up a service business, or anything else for that matter. But you need to be acutely specific about it. 

When you get specific about a goal, it materializes. It moves from the abstract into reality. To do that, it must be written down. It must move from your mind to a piece of paper or a screen. What do you want to achieve? What does your life look like at that point when you reach that goal? Who are your friends? What are you doing during the day? What habits do you have? What time are you waking up? 

You quite literally have to describe the goal and your life in a great deal of detail. If you plan to lose 50 pounds in the next 12 months, describe what your day looks like by the time you reach that goal. What's your waist size? What kinds of clothes are you wearing? What time are you waking up to work out? What types of foods are you eating or avoiding? The more specific you get, the better. 

2 (M) -- Ensure that your goals are (M)eaningful

Goals can't just be specific. The second step for achieving your goals is to ensure that they're meaningful. We will always do more to achieve a goal that has a deep-rooted meaning to us than we will to achieve something that's superficial. So, if you want to have a million dollar net worth because of the status it affords, you can forget about your chances for success. 

Instead, if you have money goals, and you associate a deep enough meaning to them, then they're more likely to be achieved. You can't just want things for the sake of wanting them. You can't just want to lose weight or make more money because those are goals you've always wanted. Why have you always wanted them? 

We will always do more to achieve things that are deeply meaningful to us. When those meanings involve things like family, freedom, security, country and love, we'll go out of our way to see things through. We won't throw in that proverbial towel and give up after we hit a few stumbling blocks or fail repeatedly. 

Take a moment to write down the meaning that you're associating with your goals. Dig deep. It has to be a profound meaning. It has to be something that you're willing to sacrifice everything for. Write this down on a piece of paper or a screen. This is one of the most important steps in the process.  

3 (A) -- Pick goals that are (A)chievable. 

I'm all for picking lofty long-term goals. Ten years down the road, we can achieve anything as long as we work hard during that entire period. But, when it comes to your one, two and even three-year goals, ensure that they're achievable. Don't say that you're going to make a billion dollars in 12 months if you're currently heavily in debt. 

When you pick goals that are achievable, not only are you more likely to achieve them, but you can also develop some momentum in the process. It's exciting to accomplish a goal that is currently out of reach, no matter what that goal is. Once you get there, you're fueled by the zeal and enthusiasm of reaching your goal. 

Find goals that are big, but not impossible to achieve, at least for your shorter-term goals. Plan your 12-month goals so that they act as milestones or markers towards the longer-term, much bigger goals. Then, be sure to create a massive action plan that will help you see things through. 

4 (R) -- The goals must be (R)elevant. 

How relevant are the goals that you've selected for your life and your future? Are they aligned with who you are? Do they resonate with your core values and beliefs? Or, do they go contrary to everything that you believe in? When we pick goals that go against the grain of who we are, we find it much more difficult to follow through. 

So how do you pick relevant goals for your life? One way is to take a moment to jot down everything that you value and believe in. For example, if you value honesty, yet you think that all rich people are crooked and somehow got that way through some stealthy or underhanded methods, you might find it difficult to achieve big-money goals. 

What we believe in are also the product of things we've heard while growing up. Things like "money doesn't grow on trees," or "more money, more problems," and "all men cheat and lie," and so on, become ingrained in our minds, influencing our every thought, emotion and resultant behavior. 

Take the time to jot down the things that make you into who you are. Then, pick relevant goals that are in harmony with what you believe in and value. You'll find your goal-setting journey to be much more harmonious and fluid when you pick relevant goals to your life and who you are deep down inside. 

5 (T) -- Make sure the goals are (T)ime-bound.

Goals must be time-bound in order to be achievable. When do you plan on achieving this goal? Don't just say you want to get rich in the future or make a million dollars in the next few years. You have to pick a date on the calendar if you're serious about achieving that goal. 

Select an actual date on the calendar for your specific goal own to the very day of the week. When your goal is specific and measurable, it's trackable. When you give it a real date on the calendar, you can break it down into monthly and weekly goals. This way, you can chart your progress to determine how far or close you are to achieving that goal. 

For example, if the goal is to lose 50 pounds by June 1 of next year, and you have 12 months to achieve that goal, you could easily break it down into 4.16 pounds of weight loss per month. Per week, you're looking at roughly 1.04 pounds to lose. Go even further to a daily basis, and you'll notice how this seems more and more achievable. 

However, you can't do this unless the goals are time-bound. Pick the date on the calendar, and write it down as part of your goal. Circle the date and setup reminders with your phone on a weekly or monthly basis. Then, do whatever it takes to achieve it. 

6 (E) -- You have to (E)valuate your progress along the way.

When goals are time-bound, they can be evaluated, allowing you to track your progress along the way. The more meticulous you track your goals, the more likely you'll be to follow through. Pick a system for tracking your goals, and do it every single day. This will give you a barometer towards success. 

For example, when a plane takes off from LAX, traveling to JFK, it evaluates its progress along the way. It knows, at any given moment of its journey, just how far it's come, where it is and what's left to go. It knows the direction to travel in, the wind speed, the plane's speed, potential disruptions with air-traffic congestion or storms, and much more.  

When you evaluate, you get a better lay of the land. When you fail to chart your progress, it's easier to ignore things and you're more likely to revert back to detrimental patterns and bad habits. Chart your progress every single day if you want to achieve your goals in the long term. 

7 (R) -- Always (R)e-adjust your approach to reach your goals.

If you evaluate your progress, and you realize that you're getting further away from your goals rather than closer to them, you can re-adjust your approach. This gives you a moment to correct things. You might not notice this if you fail to evaluate your progress on a daily basis. 

When a plane sees that there's a storm or air-traffic congestion, it can adjust its approach to reach its intended target on time. If there's major turbulence ahead and it needs to veer slightly off course, it knows what to do in order to correct that so it can make up for the time lost and to ultimately reach its destination. 

Our goals are very much like an airplane's journey. We're trying to reach our final destination, and in order to do that, we need to be clear about what that destination is and when we'll reach it. Then, all we need to do is plan, take action and to modify our approach along the way in order to get to where we're going in the long term. Simple sounding, but clearly far harder to implement. 

06 Skills You Can Learn Online for a Lucrative and Productive 2017

1. Web design and development.

Web design and development is a highly sought-after skill. This is because we are in a digital transformation age where every business -- small, medium and large scale -- is extremely interested in showcasing their products and services to the world through their websites.

There are lots of sites that can teach you how to design and develop a website. By acquiring these skills, one is adequately positioned to scramble for millions of small, medium and large scale businesses who are contemplating launching or updating their websites.

2. Statistical data analysis.

Statistical data analysis is another vital skill that is in high demand by companies, entrepreneurs and students. The knowledge of Mini-tab,  Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and E-view, just to name a few, makes a person highly desirable. 

As a researcher, I have smiled all the way to the bank numerous times because I have some knowledge of statistical data analytical software. Most students in tertiary institutions need an expert data analyst -- companies too, especially when sophisticated software is needed for forecasting market shares, profit and other vital results that will aid managerial decision making.

You can learn these data analytical tools online, and consult an expert for clarification should you encounter some difficulties trying to grasp the calculations and interpretation of results. 

3. Fashion designing.

Humans are always in need of food, clothes and shelter. These are three basic necessities of life. Both rich and poor are in need of clothes. In our contemporary world where fashion is always a trending issue, everybody wants to look classic and beautiful. This has made fashion designers kings and queens in their profession.

There are sites that can teach you how to draw fashion or make fashion sketches, and there are lots of online videos that can teach you make dresses. The beauty of having this skill lies in the way customers flock around fashion designers within few hours of setting up an office.

Fashion designing is synonymous to a football match; there is never a dull moment from the blast of the whistle. What do I mean? Even at the apprentice stage, customers are already flocking around you.

4. Make-up.

Believe it or not, the makeup business is growing at an incredible rate. There are lots of online videos that can teach you the rudiment of make up. An interview with Ifeoma Agu, the CEO of Ivonmelda Makeova, shocked me. She is an expert in hairstyle but felt she needed a makeup skill to enhance her business growth.

However, since she couldn't afford the training fees, she decided to download lots of YouTube videos on makeup. The rest is history. She is one of the most sought-after makeup artists in her state as a result of her quality service delivery. Remember, she learned this skill for free. You can do same.

5. Business research.

Many people want to venture into business while those who are already in business are seeking other businesses to invest in. Many companies and investors are actually seeking well-researched business ideas to invest in.

As a business researcher, you can work on your own terms. You decide whether to sell your business ideas or become a partner in the businesses. At the end of the day, you will be surprised to see that you are a co-owner of chains of businesses.

Acquiring this skill is not as difficult as you think. I am saying this because most people are indifferent when it comes to research. All you need is to be patient, focus and determined. Read online articles and journals or watch videos on business research. It's also a good idea to consult an expert.

6. Own a blog.

You can actually learn how to create and run a blog online. By systematically following the step-by-step instructions on creating a blog, you'll be acquiring the skill to create more blogs for prospective clients. You can create a blog for your web design and development business, statistical data analysis, fashion designing, makeup and business research businesses.

Successful bloggers today started by simply creating a blog. The rest is history. You too can join the leagues of successful bloggers by meticulously following their footsteps.

There is so much to be gained by acquiring one or more skills online. Big organizations looked for people with the talents and skills discussed above in 2016. And 2017 will not be different. Learn a skill online today for a productive year.

Best Regards

 

JAYARAMAN UMASHANKAR 

Trainer & Consultant 

t +91 9626282000  | m amarjay@gmail.com |  

 

8 Steps to Hire Best Freelance App Developer

1. Trainee barber can cut your Nose: Don't hire New

When looking for app developers for hire, you should look for a professional. Someone who takes care of the development and also gives input to make product better. Ask whether he has worked on similar domain? any previous experience. If he is new to the development industry then don't take risk. Old is Gold and New is silver.

2. Nothing comes easy in life, even Santa comes with clauses: Get NDA Signed

It is important to choose someone you can trust and build  long-term business relationship. Get NDA signed before sharing your idea, you can find NDA format in Google or Ask developer to share his NDA Template.

NDA terms are;

1. Not to share your code,
2. Reuse your code,
3. Can't work on similar domain or idea for 2 years,
4. Can't work with your competitor,
5. Company or his employees cannot start company using your idea or it's piece.

3. Customer is King and Kings choose best: Don't look for cheap

All companies have a development budget, and it is understandable to work within that budget. However, you should never let price alone drive your choice of an app developer. Let the product and the quality of the developer's work determine who you hire. In some cases, the cheaper option may turn out to be a waste of money, and they could become more expensive in the long run. The extra costs may apply if the app does not turn out the way you expected it to, and you have to pay another developer to build a new one for you.

4. Geeks don't lie; Show me portfolio

There are many talented developers out there, but their style may be different from what you want for your app. It is important to ask for portfolio before hiring him. When going through his samples, check out the type of user interfaces and their expertise. The portfolio can always help you to determine who is best according to your need.

5. When I write a code, only God and I can understand it

Ask the developer to give you the contact information of some of his past clients. Contact his previous customers to get feedback on the quality of his work. Talking to former customers can help you understand the app developer's work ethics, his time management skills, and his communication skills. Tell him your future plan like setting in-house team after funding or doing in-house development later. Does he write proper comment and help previous clients to handover code?

6. If you do it right, it will last forever; Poor Design doesn't last

While the functionality of an app is critical, businesses should not ignore the design. It is important for the app to serve its purpose while being easy to use.

Work with developers who put an effort in making the app more interactive and easy to use. It is also important to hire a designer or team with designer who considers the whole package and not just the coding aspect of the app development.

1. Write your idea in doc, use "Requirement Docs" sample format,
2. Do some rough design, it's ok to have pencil sketch than nothing,
3. Share samples type of design or look for competitive app,
4. Do a bit of research and share the links of the website/App that you like. So that your designers can have better understanding of your likes and dislikes.

7. Communication is key and Lock too

How well the developer communicates with you during the hiring process can give you a glimpse of future. If they do not return your emails on time or respond to your calls or messages, look for someone else. It is important for the developer to give you weekly work progress report. You should have frequent calls initially, later weekly meetings are enough.

8. Multitasking improves productivity and slows Delivery

Some app developers are very talented in what they do, but they may have many orders on their plate. Such developers may not be able to deliver your work on time. They may also not have the time to update or tweak your app in future. Before hiring the developer, have an honest conversation with him about your expectations. Ask them about their schedule, the number of projects they are currently working on, and how available they are to concentrate on your project. Give them your timeline and deadlines, and ask them whether they can be able to deliver within the set time. No one can give you exact time, approx. estimates are ok.

Best Regards

 

JAYARAMAN UMASHANKAR 

Trainer & Consultant 

t +91 9626282000  | m amarjay@gmail.com |