Honoring Lady Thatcher

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Formidable. Dominant. Revered. Stern. Divisive.

So many adjectives come to mind whenever Margaret Thatcher’s name comes up, many of which have earned her the nickname, The Iron Lady.

Agree or disagree with her politics, we all recognize her extraordinary achievements as the first and only female prime minister of Great Britain (1979-1990). She has demonstrated to all of us there isn’t a glass ceiling that cannot be shattered.

My favorite Lady Thatcher quotes…

If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. (1965 speech)

You don’t win by just being against things, you only win by being for things and making your message perfectly clear. (February 1975)

Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope. (May 1979)

Pennies don’t fall from heaven—they have to be earned here on Earth. (November 1979)

To those waiting with bated breath for the favourite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say. You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning. (October 1980)

Defeat? I do not recognize the meaning of the word. (April 1982)

No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions. He had money as well. (January 1986)

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end. (April 1989)

If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time and you would achieve nothing. (May 1989)

Do you have a favorite Lady Thatcher quote?

Tabletop Tradeshow in Guelph

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Yesterday, I proudly represented GWIN (Guelph Women in Networking) at the annual Guelph Chamber of Commerce Tabletop Tradeshow held at the Cutten Club. Over eighty local businesses set up booths in the Trophy and Commonwealth Rooms. There was a tremendous amount of positive energy generated as vendors and visitors chatted and networked.

While I didn’t get around to all the booths, I was able to get an excellent feel for the Guelph business community. I was impressed by Regina Scott and the Big Wish Marketing Group display. We chatted briefly about the advertising campaign for my upcoming novel.

I’m looking forward to the Regional Tabletop Tradeshow at Bingeman’s in the fall.

Impressed by Mr. Bob

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Engaging and entertaining, Mr. Bob Cassels is an expert at referral marketing.

At last evening’s GWIN (Guelph Women in Networking) meeting, Mr. Bob challenged us with several provocative questions:

• What do you do with your client list?

• Are your customers referring you to new customers?

• How much time do you spend with existing customers?

• Do advertising companies guarantee increased sales?

• Do you have a system that promotes customer retention and rejuvenation?

Mr. Bob has a clear mission.

Using his unique Cassels Opinionnaire, he can help small businesses flourish in a crowded marketplace. Throughout the seminar, he stressed that present customers are a goldmine for repeat sales and new referrals.

I was surprised by the statistics he shared from Fabled Services by Betsy Sanders. In response to the question, “Why Do Companies Lose Customers?”

Sanders discovered that…

• 1% died.

• 3% moved away.

• 5% were influenced by friends.

• 14% were dissatisfied with the product.

• 68% were turned away by an attitude of indifference on the part of a company.

Mr. Bob’s Bottom Line…

“I recommend you spend a little less on new sales and retain more customers by spending more on the 68% you could potentially lose from indifference. At a fraction of the cost of obtaining new customers, you can show your existing ones that they are appreciated. Customers who are appreciated spend more.”

Visiting MindBodyGreen

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Last January, I was on the verge of abandoning my writing dream. I was letting it die a slow death because I was consumed by negative thoughts.

Was I good enough?

Would anyone want to read the two novels that were languishing in a drawer?

If I let this dream go, what would take its place?

Continue reading on MindBodyGreen

Dealing with the Monster Moon

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Usually, I skim over my horoscope, smiling or frowning at the message and then promptly forget the specifics. But this past week has been different. Each day, the message has referred to the potent “monster moon” that is passing through this evening.

What is a monster moon?

It is the full moon that occurs when several planets meet at hard angles. Tonight, as the moon grows full, Venus, Mars and Uranus will form an approximate right angle to Pluto. While all of this is invisible to the naked eye, there is concern about the potent tug of war between these feisty planets.

What does that mean?

The annual full moon in Libra signals an increase in proposals and handshakes. That may not be not the case today. Some astrologers are predicting more shouting than listening, especially in circumstances involving weak relationships and unclear goals. Several horoscopes have hinted that the impact of this powerful moon could be felt over a longer period, four days before and four days after March 27^th.

What can we do?

Strengthen those weak relationships…Firm up those goals…Don’t go looking for trouble.

Namaste

Honoring Gloria Steinem

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Yesterday, feminist icon Gloria Steinem celebrated her 79^th birthday. Still beautiful and wiser than ever, she is an inspiration to all women. Her name will be forever associated with the women’s rights movement.

Whenever I need a pick-me-upper, I pick up one of her books and, if I’m in a hurry, I recall her famous quotes.

Some of us are becoming the men we want to marry.

We’ve begun to raise daughters more like sons…but few have the courage to raise our sons more like daughters.

Most women are one man away from welfare.

God may be in the details, but the goddess is in the questions. Once we begin to ask them, there’s no turning back.

A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.

A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined place.

If the shoe doesn’t fit, must we change the foot?

Hope is a very unruly emotion.

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.

What is your favorite Gloria Steinem quote?

Oprah and Dr. Brené Brown–Part II

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m glad Oprah decided to spend another Super Soul Sunday with Dr. Brené Brown. Yesterday’s show focused on shame and fear and how they rule our existence. A joy-filled hour packed with aha moments, so many that I will probably watch the telecast several times to make sure I haven’t missed one.

When Dr. Brown started to study shame, she discovered that the decision to study shame had led to the death of many academic careers. No one wants to talk about the most human and primitive of emotions, one that Dr. Brown so aptly described as an intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging.

She also differentiated between shame and guilt, demonstrating the power of our words.

I’m bad vs I did something bad.

I’m a mistake vs I made a mistake.

I was particularly impressed by the response Dr. Brown’s daughter gave the teacher who commented: “You’re messy.” Displaying a healthy dose of self confidence, the child replied, “I may be making a mess, but I’m not messy.”

As I listened to the telecast, I thought back to my own cancer experience. During those ten months, I discovered who could and who could not bear the weight of my new story. I will always be grateful to the five angels who called me that first weekend and offered specific help. No pity parties or flying debris from those wonderful friends. Thankfully, I did not have to endure too many insufferable comments: “Oh, you poor thing!”; “Bless your heart.” I was moved by the friend who approached me a year later and apologized for not being there for me.

Quotable Quotes…

Unused creativity is not benign. It gets metastasized as rage, judgment, shame…

Calm people are breathers. They breathe and ask questions.

Cultivate laughter, song and dance. We need to let go of control and cool.

Cool is an emotional strait-jacket.

If there is secrecy, silence and judgment, shame grows exponentially and creeps into every corner and crevice of life.

Shame is the #1 classroom management tool.

Shame can’t survive empathy.

Shame depends upon us buying into the belief that we are unworthy.

Keep the shadow up front because it can only take you down from behind.

Share with people who have earned the right to your story.

Some people confuse connection with the opportunity to one-up you.

Love and belonging are irreducible needs.

Inspired by Intrigue Media

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Community building.

An unexpected perk from the workshop, “Attract and Engage Customers with Social Media,” offered by Intrigue Media.

In addition to delivering an excellent presentation chock-full of information about Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, Online Marketing Specialist Vanessa Young succeeded in creating a sense of community among the four participants.

Photographer. Lawyer. Furniture Store Manager. Writer. Under normal circumstances, we would never have connected, let alone supported each other on our respective journeys. But that’s exactly what happened yesterday evening in the warm, inviting house at the corner of Westmount and Speedvale in Guelph, Ontario.

As Vanessa outlined fifteen key points to social media success, she included personal anecdotes and examples. We also shared and felt comfortable enough to ask questions and solicit advice throughout the presentation. So much so, that we went thirty minutes overtime!

My favorite nuggets…

Diversify and connect the different social media tools.
Use contests, deals and giveaways to create more buzz. Several examples were shared, among them Amazon and Starbucks gift cards, free e-readers and book donations to a charity of choice. Contests centered on creating captions and slogans were highly recommended.
Post and share relevant content, with the emphasis on quality.
Less is definitely more. Don’t annoy followers with too many posts. Vanessa recommends no more than three Facebook posts a day. Keep the messages short and sweet. Twitter has a built-in limit of 140 characters. For Facebook, keep the posts under 180 characters.
Keep the hashtags down to two per tweet.
Most important of all—Interact and engage with your friends and followers.

Driving home, so many possibilities whirled through my mind.

A Facebook contest to celebrate the launch of the book cover.
Caption contests for Isabella, the protagonist of Between Land and Sea.
Joining LinkedIn.
Revamping my website.

Molte grazie Vanessa Young & Intrigue Media!

Oprah and Dr. Brené Brown

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

Kindred spirits.

It was obvious on yesterday’s Super Soul Sunday that Oprah and Dr. Brené Brown were forging a long-term relationship as they discussed the most uncomfortable of topics: vulnerability.

The fifth generation Texan had her own issues with vulnerability. A bit surprising for the academic who had devoted many years of research to vulnerability, courage and shame. In 2007, she realized that she wasn’t walking the talk and had a full-on breakdown. After intense therapy, she had a spiritual awakening and revealed her deepest fears at a 2010 TED talk on vulnerability. She became an internet celebrity, reaching over eight million people with that talk.

But the story doesn’t end there.

As Dr. Brown become more popular, the critics came out of the woodwork. She ignored her husband’s advice and read the anonymous negative comments. Devastated, she retreated and spent ten hours watching Downton Abbey reruns. She researched the period and rediscovered the famous Theodore Roosevelt quote:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.

Dr. Brown decided she wanted to be the man in the arena and came up with her own personal mantra:

If you’re not in the arena getting your butt occasionally kicked, I am not interested in your feedback.

Throughout the telecast, she offered wonderful insights on the scarcity culture, imperfection, and living wholeheartedly. I am looking forward to reading her third book, Daring Greatly.

Quotable Quotes…

You can’t get courage without walking through vulnerability.

#1 casualty of the scarcity culture is vulnerability.

There is no innovation or creativity without failure. Period.

God is the diving reminder of our inherent worthiness.

There is no joy without gratitude.

When we lose our tolerance for vulnerability, joy becomes foreboding.

Faith – (Vulnerability + Mystery) = Extremism

Authenticity is a choice we make every day, sometimes every hour.

The ego is the hustler and the message is “hustle for your worth.”