What a 19th century British orphan can teach us about business

Do you have a good book to read that you can’t put down? I do.

This is the kind of book series you think, talk and dream about constantly. Every day, I can’t wait to finish all my personal and professional work so I can pick up the Bloody Jack Adventures written by L. A. Meyer. This is a teen book series my teen-age daughter and I are both reading about a poor British orphan in the early 1800’s, filled with practical lessons for everyone in pursuit of passionate purpose. The 15-year-old heroine, Jacky Faber, does not remain poor for long; through her adventures she becomes, among other things, the owner of Faber Shipping Worldwide.

Practical Pointers Learned from Jacky Faber:

Wouldn’t it be great if your customers couldn’t stop thinking, dreaming and talking about your firm and your service?  Jacky Faber, the entertainer, makes sure her customers are content by providing great service; they spread the word and keep coming back. Your customers are your most important asset – without them you would have no revenue and no business. If you make sure your customers are happy, they will keep coming back and make sure you are happy. How often do you ask your customers and prospects what their pain is and how you can best resolve it? Do you have a customer advisory council to provide you input? You should. (http://www.tmsworld.com/customers.html).

What’s Your Plan?

Jacky Faber finds all kinds of trouble — from being arrested for showing her ankle in public, to being kidnapped along with 30 of her schoolmates so they can be sold as slaves in North Africa, to being charged with being a pirate and having a bounty on her head, and much more. Jacky assesses the situation and what resources are available to her. She discerns her values and core competencies, and thereby clarifies her passion. Then she aligns that passion with a purpose and puts together a plan.

Next she finds the courage to pursue it. Do you have a plan? Is it working for you and your firm? If not, come to my upcoming May 26th three-hour program at the Small Business Development Center in Denver on how to “Master the Rockefeller Habits to Reach New Heights.” If you do have a plan and want to take it to the next level, come to my program. It is a real steal (http://www.denversbdc.org/training/calendar.php?mode=view&id=292).

Are You Thinking BIG Enough?

Jacky was not even 15 when she embraced the vision of her firm, Faber Worldwide Shipping. She thinks big and holds a broad intention. Use the Attraction Strategy to power the pull (as explained in Chapter 8 of Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, www.PursuitofPassioatePurpose.com . I often find my clients are not thinking big enough. It doesn’t take that much more time, talent and treasury to build a BIG firm; however you have to start out with a BIG vision and then take appropriate action to make it happen.

Are You Having Fun Yet?

Jacky combines a strong worth ethic and clarity of her values of helping the rich give to the poor with a feminine charm, deep intelligence gained from the classroom and from the street, creativity and love of adventure. While not everyone would agree with some of her values, she knows how she is and lives true to them. Besides being a midshipman and business person, she sings, dances and plays various instruments to help people experience joy. People are attracted to her because she knows how to have fun along the way. This is the secret to avoiding burn out and accomplishing great goals – Enjoy the Journey!

With Whom Are You Surrounding Yourself?

Jacky attracts a good lawyer, Erza Pickering, to help get her out of jail. She hires that same lawyer to help her structure her firm. She attracts a mature, highly competent man of integrity, John Higgins, as her second in command. John finds a trustworthy bank for her savings, provides good suggestions, is a loyal supporter and manages the books.

She starts a fishing business on the side and hires a young coxswain to run it for her while she is attending to other matters, thereby making her money work for her. She is a loyal friend to many who bend over backwards to help her when the going gets tough. Jacky is generous and shares her wealth with her crew and the disadvantaged; even at a young age, she becomes a philanthropist and starts an orphanage for needy children in her old neighborhood. Use the Connections Strategy – surround yourself with the proper people and decrease the impact of improper people.

There are many, many more lessons. You will just have to pick up this book series yourself. And come to my 5/26 Small Business Development Center seminar to learn why Ryan Martens, co-founder of Rally Software, stresses one of their success factors, “We use the Rockefeller Habits.”

Event: ‘Mastering The Rockefeller Habits To Reach New Heights Of Profit, Productivity, And Passion’
Seminar Leader: Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D., CMC
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 At 09:00 AM, Duration: 3 Hours
Discounted Special Price: $35 for non-members of Metro Denver Chamber
Location: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market St., Denver, CO 80202
Register today!
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