Rise at Nite #1: Uncensored fun with Sam Silverstein

Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

And…you requested it and you got it! Rise at Nite makes its debut online. One of our most requested features from all of you is some more interview “face” time with our guests. Rise at Nite features an extended interview with Sam in a live, anything goes, environment. Mix a drink, live audience….who knows what will happen. Leave a comment!

Sam Silverstein is in the house this week to help combat your fears on The Rise To The Top and Rise at Nite. A world renowned speaker and President of The National Speakers Association, we are happy to have Sam come and speak to you…for free. Sam’s program “No More Excuses” has been featured on numerous national media sources and his advice is direct, to the point, and powerful.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon – http://www.therisetothetop.com

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneur Tip #2 Take A Break: In-town mini vacations
A double dose of video served up for you piping hot:

Get away from the stupid office. You know what, I can see you have been working hard today and you need a little rest and relaxation. But maybe you just don’t have the time and energy to pack everything up and head out of town.

So, today’s key: Creating your own vacation without venturing too far from home.

Yes, vacation normally brings to mind sandy beaches, big mountains, or maybe hibernating like a bear, but as an entrepreneur it can be tricky to get out of town on a whim.

No matter how cool your business is, there are always points where you want to jump out a window. A little exaggeration, but any entrepreneur can certainly attest to that.

Wherever you live there are some options in your town to RELAX and REFRESH and come back to work ready to take on the world. We have some great ideas that keep you in town but make you feel like you are out of town. Hey and if you want to take me on your little urban vacation, I’m in, but trust me I won’t shut up the whole time.

Time to take a mini-vacation without leaving your city. Here are five ways to become relaxed and get energized and feel as though you have been a million miles away:

#1: Visit a Bed and Breakfast. Party like it is 1890. Put the tech away for a weekend. I know it is like taking a bottle from a baby but just relax. Bring a notepad. For the budget-minded entrepreneur, this is a great option as well because Bed and Breakfasts are usually family-owned and very reasonable. 

#2: 5th Friday Rule. Every fifth Friday, you don’t work. Seriously. Make it a habit and put it on your calendar. Take a “me” day, it’s cool.

#3: Get Rubbed. Get those dirty thoughts out of your head, I’m talking about a professional massage. Just one massage a month can have great health benefits and relieve that stress in your…well everywhere. The good news is the massage industry has become much more affordable over the past few years. That whole competition thing. Go for the deep tissue.

#4: Hotel it up. Ya it is a little cheesy, but going to a hotel for a weekend in your own hometown can really feel like you are on vacation. Perhaps there is a play, sporting event, or art show you can pair with it? Bring a loved one or just go by yourself. Changing your surroundings often leads to a breath of fresh air.
Ahhhhhhh….I feel relaxed already!

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon – http://www.therisetothetop.com

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Dinner and Discussions: Entrepreneur Speed Dating Redefines Networking

This past week we tried a new concept with Bank On This! The Rise To The Top Event Series presented by BancorpSouth Bank. When I started the event series I wanted to do something very different than anyone else. An event series that adds value, lacks stuffiness, and is tons

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur resources. Entrepreneur education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneur Tip #1: Start An Internship Program

So you want to start your very own internship program?

Here are a few reasons an internship could be rocking for your company:
1. You can attract the best college students who WANT to learn and gain experience FOR FREE. They earn college credit which is great for them.
2. The youngsters can bring high energy and a blank slate mindset to your company. You can help mold them.
3. How do you know you are good at what you do? Well, if you can TEACH it to college students, THAT is a very good sign! Experts not only know, they teach.
4. Even if you don’t have “real” employees, managing interns is great practice and a test of your managerial skills. Perhaps you will even hire one of your interns down the line!
5. Four words: More work gets done.

…and you can make them get you coffee, just kidding…but seriously coffee. Veronica, where is my coffee?

Why is this great for an intern?:
1. Gain valuable experience. Entrepreneurial companies are usually small which means you will get more quality work to do.
2. You won’t be bored. Start-ups and new companies have PLENTY for you to do. Trust me (although it may not always be pretty!).
3. Great for your resume and potential future employment. Valuable internships are great talking points in interviews, especially if you helped get something off the ground. Plus, you could end up working for the company you intern for. Cool!
4. Entrepreneurial companies put the “real” in “real world” experience. You won’t be filing papers all day. You will be doing and seeing everything firsthand. From extreme highs to brutal lows. You will learn the art of hustle you can’t learn in the classroom.
5. It beats the living crap out of sitting in a classroom all day and you are getting credit!

So, what do you need to do to start an internship program? Here are the simple steps:

1. Create an internship program description by answering your own questions:

-What you want to get done? What will the intern be doing all day? Write it down.
-Picture your perfect intern. What skills will they have? Any particular major? Hint: This is a good opportunity to think outside the box. Even if someone doesn’t have the “perfect” major, that could be a GOOD thing meaning they are much more of a blank slate and can learn to do things your way. What you want is someone that wants to learn quickly.
- What is the time commitment? Is it full or part time? How many interns are you looking for? Can they work from “Home” or will they be in your hous…err..office? Do they need to have a car and laptop? Are these interns by semester? Year? Summer?

2. Contact Universities:

Each University/College has a Career Center. I would recommend calling up or sending an email. Just go to the school’s website and send them your packet along with a short description of your company and a link to your website. Each college has a slightly different system but the important thing is to make sure the internship is posted online. Inquire about how to post it yourself or request that it be posted for you. Colleges are always looking for great opportunities for their students!

Also, make sure to check with the Entrepreneurial programs (if applicable). Here is a great entrepreneurial internship program at Washington University in St. Louis. Or you can email Chris Miller at clmiller@wustl.edu.

Of course make sure to post your internships on your website as well!

3. Conduct Interviews:

Each University will have options on how you want to be contacted. I just choose the simplest way which is just having your email posted at the bottom of the internship description online so applicants can directly email me their cover letter and resume. For you weird people who don’t want to give out your email, just make a new one such as resumes@mycompany.com or interns@whatever.com.

For the resumes and emails you like, setup an interview. If you don’t have a big office, try a coffee shop. Bring questions and get a feel for who you are hiring. Make sure to ask about all the requirements you have (i.e. laptop) so you don’t get burned later.

4. Chose your interns and you are off to the races:

Yippy, hooray! Let the fun begin. At the end of internships, if you loved your interns, ask for referrals to their college friends.

And just like that…you will have a caffeinated workforce!

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon- http://www.therisetothetop.com

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Become A Media Blender: What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Barack Obama’s Inauguration

In a historic day in American history, regardless of party affiliation, millions of Americans tuned in this morning to Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. 

I sat glued to the the television, with my laptop next to me on my right, and my cell phone buzzing on my left. I thought, “Wow I am media blender!” Welcome my friends to the future of media. Even just ten years ago, you could only get your news from a few different sources:

-Television
-Local Radio
-Newspapers
-Word-Of-Mouth: Calling friends on the phone, telling people in person, etc.

And now welcome to the new media game. You can now get your information from (deep breath):

-Blogs
-Social Networking Word-Of-Mouth (Facebook for example)
-Microblogging (Twitter)
-Live video streams on the Internet (CNN, Ustream, and many others)
-Internet video recaps and bonus footage
-Internet radio, satellite radio, XM radio, whatever radio
-Text messages via your phone

plus of course our deal old friends:
-Television
-Local Radio
-Word-Of-Mouth
….and newspapers…tomorrow (yikes!)

This is the era of instant and fragmented news. Remember when there was just one news station? (I don’t because I’m too young, haha) With more sources comes more information, more things to follow, and a new brand of instant news. If this seems a bit overwhelming, don’t fret.

We are in the middle of a media revolution. When Barack Obama proudly stood on the podium today, the same information that was once limited to just three media sources and word of mouth was broadcast everywhere by thousands of sources.

So, what the heck does this have to do with entrepreneurs? Here are a few media blending tidbits to take away:

1. Tools are changing. Are you updating your toolbox? You better be where your customers are. If your customers are watching streaming video, you better be streaming video. If your customers are tweetaholics on Twitter, you better get on there. Tools will change over time. Let your customers dictate where to go.

2. New ways to consume equals new rules. Are you blending media? Can your customers find your simply and easily online? Have you found out ways to incorporate interesting media into your site (audio, video, etc.)? If your customers are consuming, you better be there to feed their appetite or you could get left in the dust!

3. The barrier of entry is lowering. It used to be you had to have tons of money, power, and connections to get your message out to the world. Now with blogging, lower costs of video, and new technology you can be up in minutes. Create an online presence combining at least TWO of the media options listed above. Your customers and clients will thank you!

Media is becoming fragmented. Are you carving our your niche? Like Obama, you can be everywhere.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon
http://www.therisetothetop.com

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur resources. Entrepreneur education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

3 Tips on Mastering the Art of Relationship Building

Episode #4 of The Rise To The Top is all about relationship building. It is no secret that networking is a major key to success both in your business and your personal life. Here are some tips and tricks so you can become a master networker like our guest Dixie Gillaspie.

1. Be Authentic. This is the number one rule of building relationships. If you are a marketer you wouldn’t tell people you sell flowers, would you? Same thing is true of networking. Be yourself and relationships will naturally manifest themselves. If you are not authentic your relationships will be fake.

Example: Gary Vaynerchuk brings the thunder on his wine show: Wine Library TV. However, Gary’s style is self-described as over-the-top and 13% of viewers click off his show as soon as he opens his mouth. However, the 73% who stay are engaged, excited, and become passionate fans. Being authentic leads to authentic relationships.

2. Get involved on your computer: The Internet makes it fast and easy to join and form communities. Whether you are into social networking, blogging, or joining forums to share information (hint: you should be doing all three), getting involved online is a no-brainer.

Example: Cool blog: Guy Kawasaki’s “How To Change the World” Cool Forum: Recognized Expert Cool Social Bookmarking Site: StumbleUpon

3. Get involved off your computer: There really is no substitute for networking in real life.  Attending networking events, conferences, un-conferences, trade shows, etc. get you out into different communities, meeting different people, and forming relationships. This is one of the many reasons behind The Rise To The Top Event Series. Remember the event gets you in the door, it will be up to YOU to build relationships.

Example: I’m a fan of events like Yellow Tie, Missouri Venture Forum, and the Century Club at Washington University in St. Louis who have monthly or bi-monthly events that bring together a specific group of people. There are great events in EVERY city so make sure to do some research.

I will be bringing you many, many more resources and fun. Stay tuned!

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist
http://www.therisetothetop.com

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur resources. Entrepreneur education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Pleated Pants revolt against Episode #4


Pleated Pants, our cartoon unfashionable and unpleasant pair of pants, does not want you to watch Episode #4. Here are his reasons:

- Episode #4 is usefully packed with networking secrets and resources to get you out into the community and meeting awesome people. Pleated Pants would rather sit home and eat a bran muffin.

- Episode #4 teaches you how to become an expert in your field in less than 30 days. Pleated Pants doesn’t want to be an expert, he wants to blend in with the crowd.

- Adam Kreitman stops in on Episode #4 to teach everyone how to use the very cool web application Twitter. Pleated Pants uses a typewriter.

- Episode #4 features dynamic master networker Dixie Gillaspie teaching you how to become the COI (Center of Influence). Pleated Pants is threatened by women.

- Dr. Dembo stops in with some personal relationship secrets. Pleated Pants wrinkles at the thought of talking about relationships.

- Episode #4 features some ways to apply the popular book “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell to your real life. Pleated Pants hates real life.

- Episode #4 is packed with much more including ways to end awkward conversations, legal tips from Jeff Michelman, and a great business relationship resource: Yellow-Tie. Pleated Pants likes Jeff Michelman. The feeling is not mutual.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

You can try to be Superman, but don’t forget toilet paper!

This week was a wild one. As an entrepreneur entrenching your position, success or failure is largely up to you. This past week I was blogging, organizing, taking meetings, making sponsorship phone calls, writing a show, doing research on interesting entrepreneurs, getting new video equipment, setting up a production company, getting my intern set for her first day, conference calling with some cool media people throughout the country, consulting with our web team on new website features, finalizing plans for our exclusive dinner as part of the Event Series, booking a keynote speech, working with my video editor on the next episode, and of course Internet marketing.

Now the purpose of me stating all of the above is not to say “Hey, come see how good I look!” like Ron Burgundy in Anchorman (great movie by the way if you have a wacky personality) and trust me I enjoy EVERY moment of it because I’m passionate and love what I do.

BUT, I forgot to buy toilet paper this week. For very obvious reasons, this is a pretty important oversight.

It got me thinking, no matter how passionate you are about your business, how many hours you are logging, great things you are trying to accomplish, or fun you are having, sometimes you have to STOP and the smell the roses or you could be smelling something else (yes, I know, gross).

The point is take a breath. Relax for a minute. Call someone you love and tell them you love them. Do something special for your girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband or family member. Take control of your life and your loved one AND business will thank you.

Whew, deep breath!

Live Passionately! -David Siteman Garland- The Creative Opportunities Specialist – The Rise To The Top

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur resources. Entrepreneur education. Everything Entrepreneurship

Be Funny Or Be Out Of Business



The pleated pants days of no humor in business are over. If you are still stuck in the 50′s, here is a refresher course. There is nothing worse than the salesperson, entrepreneur, teacher, businessman or woman who approaches business like war. No fun, no games, no smiles. All work, no play.

Those who don’t use humor or at least a lighter attitude, lose business. It is a FACT. Now I’m not saying you walk into business meetings with a beanie and blow-horn. And of course you have to adapt to your environment (or maybe DO wear the beanie…let me know how that goes). Lots of humor may work with some, a little humor may work with others. That is up for you to judge.

Here are a few people who blend content and humor. I have learned from their delivery and attitude, and I bet you can too.

1. Gary Vaynerchuk: Irreverent and just being himself.
2. David Newman: Great speaker who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
3. Joel McHale: OK, so this one is a little bit of cheating because he is comedian; however, his style is great because he can make fun of anyone and still somehow be cool.
4. Julie Alexandria: Stocks and humor? You bet!
5. Cali Lewis: Making tech…fun? funny? Cali appeals to both men and women with her dynamic personalty.

How are you using humor to attract clients and make sales? Make it part of YOUR personal brand and you will see the laughter up along with profits.

Live Passionately! -David Siteman Garland- The Creative Opportunities Specialist

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur resources. Entrepreneur education. Everything Entrepreneurship

8 Amazing Resources For Creating Your Own Personal Brand

If you need an oxygen tank after watching the fast-moving, in-your-face Episode #3 of The Rise To The Top, then we have done our job! After the first airing ABC (and soon on therisetothetop.com) I’ve gotten some requests for links to the resources in the show and here you are. Remember, the Education Packet (FREE Interactive Workbook) will be up in the “Resources” section very shortly. In the meantime, here are 8 great resources to sink your teeth into to build your own personal brand and become an expert. Click to check them out!

#1: Recognized Expert
Why it rocks: Learn how to become an expert and market your own personal brand. Videos, forums, interviews, and more.

#2: Scott Ginsberg
Why he rocks: The ultimate self-brander who wears a nametag 24/7 (and my special guest on Episode #3). What can you learn from him? EVERYTHING.

#3:The 4-Hour work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Why it rocks: UNBELIEVABLE book that among many cool ideas, Tim Ferriss gives concrete tips on becoming an expert in less than 30 days.

#4: Ezine Articles
Why it rocks: Write great articles, publish them, and share them with others. FOR FREE.

#5: Adam Kreitman’s Swiss Money Blog
Why it rocks: Internet marketing tricks and how you can become an all-star online.

#6:Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
Why it rocks: Jeffrey Gitomer’s book that started it all. The master of self branding, simple, powerful writing, and oh so much more. If you haven’t read it, READ IT!

#7: Doc’s Relationship Corner and 1st Date STL
Why it rocks: Branding is not just about business. Dr. Dembo knows all about creating your own relationship brand for outside of the boardroom.

#8: mywifequitherjob.com
Why It rocks: Check out someone in the midst of becoming a great brand by keeping it simple with his website about creating wealth while your wife wants to stay at home with the kids

Bonus Resource: Food Outreach
Why it rocks: Food Outreach is a phenomenal charity providing for those who can’t help themselves including clients infected with HIV and cancer. Check it out.

See you on air!
Live Passionately – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist