As the chairman of OE Design – The Web Designers, can I please ask you to forgive me for a moment….

I want to brag about three members of my organization.

But before I brag, the facts are, that I’m not so smart when it comes to websites. But I am smart enough to surround myself with very smart people, while I take copious notes.

As a direct result of that, I’m not only getting older with every passing day, but because of the ‘young’ company I keep, I’m getting to know a few things in this ever changing online world that we live in. And the other bonus I get is that I share in the tremendous success of my fabulous team that is now having an impact nationally and globally as a direct result of being part of the OE Design vision and success story.

So here is my brag – as promised….

1. Daniel Dyson

We here at OE Design do a lot of blogging and this year Daniel – our web designer and project coordinator extraordinaire, created his own Blog on February 8 of this year called The Daily Guitar and this week was awarded 1st prize in the New & Upcoming category in the 2010 Guitar Blog Awards.

Comments by the award organizers were that ‘The Daily Guitar’s got a great vibe about it. Daniel’s posts are fun and engaging.’

They also added that, ‘The Daily Guitar has two main goals: inspiration to practice your guitar daily, and then, to grow a community of guitarists. The Blog is filled with quirky, but inspiring news about guitars and guitar players, and then, gear reviews and tutorials.’

2. Sarah Schelbach

In September 2009 Sarah began the process of creating a brand new website called Wedding House .  It’s an online wedding planner for 21st century brides.

With the launch date of June this year it’s taking the wedding industry by storm and growing at an extremely rapid rate. The New Zealand version of the website is in the wings, ready to be launched before the end of the year and following in hot pursuit are the Canadian, UK and ultimately the USA version of the same concept.

Ably supported by the team here at OE Design and family, its success is assured.

3. Ben Sinclair

Ben was asked in 2005 to assist his local church with the construction of websites that could assist them with the organisation and co-ordination of their volunteers.

Ben has taken that original idea and is already receiving rave reviews from around the world for his website called Elvanto – a rostering system for churches, and with many churches already signing up for their free trial we know that churches all over the world are soon to be better organised than ever because of this globally impacting product produced under the OE Design roof.

Oh and Ben and a few of us are working on another great online directory soon to hit Australia called Fitness House.

Within the culture of OE Design we have always encouraged personal growth and personal product and service production. So what can I say – but watch this space into the future.

Let The Chairman Brag is a post from: OE Design Blog

Richard Duszczak ( www.cartoonmotivators.com ),

Bryan Hall ( www.BryanHall.net ) and

Gary Simpson ( www.motivationselfesteem.com ).

The chat was scheduled for one hour and the subject was:

“THE AWESOME POWER OF GOAL SETTING”

Gary Simpson : Hi all. I’m ready to go.

Peter Sinclair : Richard, Bryan and Gary. In your own words, what would you say a goal is?

Richard Duszczak : Hi Peter, my idea of a goal is something to aim for which presently seems out of reach. It is something that will keep us moving forward.

Bryan Hall : I would say a goal is a level of achievement we strive for. Something we wish to attain, backed with intention.

Gary Simpson : To answer the question, I’d say it is something you aspire to.

Peter Sinclair : What is so important about goal setting? Is it really necessary? Or is it just a lot of hype that keeps us motivational speakers paid?

Gary Simpson : Having goals will prevent you from being one of life’s drifters or what I call a “gunner”. “One day I’m gunner do this and I’m gunner do that.”

Bryan Hall : It’s absolutely necessary. We need them to have a sense of direction, for one thing. If it keeps you paid, that’s probably an achievement of one of your own goals, Peter.

Peter Sinclair : So Gary, when you set a goal, how do you go about it?

Gary Simpson : I usually write things down. I’m a big writer. When I have it on paper it becomes real.

Peter Sinclair : And Bryan, do you have a particular method that has helped you in the area of personal goal setting?

Bryan Hall : I lean towards writing things down, too. I’ve been an aspiring writer since before I could walk, I think. I decided in the second grade that’s what I would be. Writing things down and visualizing myself having already achieved that goal. There’s a lot of power in writing it down. Visualization then acts as reinforcement.

Peter Sinclair : Richard, from talking to you in the past I know you had to overcome a lot to become a motivational cartoonist. How did goal setting help you? Do you have any tricks that you can share?

Richard Duszczak : I write out goals and illustrate them with simple little cartoon drawings. I am a visual man, I suppose.

Peter Sinclair : Gary, what is the difference between having goals in your mind and writing them down?

Gary Simpson : It is so easy to forget things. We are all so busy these days. Putting it in writing is like a promise to myself. I don’t break promises, so when it is on paper it is set in stone, so to speak.

Peter Sinclair : Is it really that necessary Gary?

Gary Simpson : In my opinion, yes.

Peter Sinclair : Richard, just getting back to your previous answer, you’re an artist. How do us humble writers create pictures for ourselves?

Richard Duszczak : Peter, I draw little stick figures! Sometimes, I cut out photos. I did that with the BMW I always wanted. And I did get it eventually! I visualized myself driving that car!

Peter Sinclair : Gary, when you write your goals down, what are the main features of a goal that empowers you to pursue it?

Gary Simpson : I write in the active voice and I ascribe a date to it. I have goals for all sorts of things. My little pet at the moment is building my website. I am committed to doing something to enhance it every day. I have not missed a single day in 106 consecutive days. No exception. No break. No holiday.

Peter Sinclair : Gary, can you elaborate what you mean by active voice. Could you give us an example?

Gary Simpson : Sure Peter. The moon was jumped over by the cow is passive voice. The cow jumped over the moon is active voice. Action!

Peter Sinclair : Bryan, you’re a coach, how do you instruct your clients when it comes to setting goals?

Bryan Hall : Typically, I dig deep enough to find what it is they truly want to achieve. From there, a lot of it is based on intuition, visualization, etc.

Peter Sinclair : Hey Richard, getting back to what you said about stick figures, a stick drawing of a BMW would look interesting!

Richard Duszczak : Mmm! I don’t think a stick figure of a BMW would motivate you to want one! So I recommend that you cut a picture of your dream car from a magazine and have this as a goal. Peter, I suppose my method is a bit like goal-mapping.

Peter Sinclair : Goal mapping Richard. Hmm, that’s a new one to me. Can you explain in a little more detail the idea behind this?

Richard Duszczak : I have my main goal in the centre with smaller goals branching off, but all connected in some way.

Peter Sinclair : But is it important to put a date with your goals when you draw them?

Richard Duszczak : I definitely put dates on smaller short term goals. But it’s harder to put an exact date on when I will complete my major goal. Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you have to move the date forward on your ultimate goal!

Peter Sinclair : Bryan, I had someone ask me today how they should find their passion? That would have a lot to do with goal setting. How would you advise on this?

Bryan Hall : Peter, I think finding your passion is based very much in the deeper things – spiritually speaking. It’s more intuitive than anything else, in my opinion.

Peter Sinclair : But how do we find our individual passion?

Bryan Hall : Many people don’t find their passion. They’re cluttered and covered and buried by the world. But it isn’t hard to find it, either. You have to dig and realize what you love to do.

Peter Sinclair : That’s fantastic Bryan. I really believe that you have hit the nail on the head when you say that!

Bryan Hall : Thanks Peter.

Peter Sinclair : Would you have a strategy to help people to find what they love to do?

Bryan Hall : You know, a lot of it, for me and in my work, is just getting to know the person, really. You have to get into their hearts – especially if they need guidance to do so themselves.

Peter Sinclair : Thanks Bryan. So Gary, when it comes to goal setting, how important is action?

Gary Simpson : Peter, I believe action begets action. Doing something gives you more energy to keep going.

Peter Sinclair : So for someone who has hit a roadblock – how would you advise them to get kick started again with respect to goal setting, Gary?

Gary Simpson : It’s like writer’s block. To overcome it – just write. Write anything. Do something. There is nothing worse than idleness to make you even more idle.

Richard Duszczak : Gary, I agree on the writer’s block thing. In my line of work I just tend to start doodling to get me in the mood. You might be interested to know that my initial passion was to be a sculptor which my school teacher said I was very good at. Maybe he was a motivational expert?

Peter Sinclair : The power of doodling Richard. Can you explain how that helps?

Richard Duszczak : Peter, Everybody loves to doodle, don’t they? It’s relaxing, and what happens when you relax? You get ideas! I leave something half finished at the end of the day. A half-drawn cartoon, a half-finished paragraph! This helps me to get back into the swing.

Peter Sinclair : Bryan, are you into short-term or long-term goals? And is there an importance in defining the two?

Bryan Hall : Absolutely an importance. And I think you have to utilize both.

Peter Sinclair : Richard, you mentioned a few moments ago that you wanted to be a sculptor. How did your passion for sculpting get transferred into cartoons?

Richard Duszczak : Good question Peter. Well everyone I knew said I’d never make a living at that, so I had to try something else. At that point in my life I had no idea of goal setting or maybe I wouldn’t have given up so easy!

Peter Sinclair : Gary, if someone has hit a road block in their life, how do they refocus and start over?

Gary Simpson : If you miss a goal you just reset the date. Achieve it a bit later. Better later than never. Just keep hammering away. Keep going for it. Bryan Hall : I agree with that, too, Gary. Do something! Action affirms your direction and your belief in yourself. If you don’t have that, then goals are nearly pointless.

Peter Sinclair : What would you say to those who have set goals and yet have not achieved them in a reasonable timeframe?

Bryan Hall : Well, what’s considered reasonable by someone may not always be so realistic as it needs to be in achieving those goals. Try breaking them down into shorter term goals and keep moving forward.

Peter Sinclair : So writing goals only is not enough?

Bryan Hall : The focus has to be on the forward motion. Action. Do something and believe in yourself.

Richard Duszczak : Bryan and Gary, I totally agree with what you guys have said. You’ve got to keep going. If you get knocked down get back up.

Bryan Hall : Exactly, Richard! And I think people get too wrapped up in those dates, too. It’s more seeing the gifts you have in your life and focusing on your true ability to achieve those goals. Just my opinion.

Gary Simpson : “I get knocked down, but I get up again…” Remember that song?

Richard Duszczak : I can’t remember the number of times editors told me my work was rubbish. I took it as constructive criticism and worked at my style and sent them more and more stuff until they published it!

Ben Sinclair : I love your cartoons Richard!

Peter Sinclair : So persistence is the key Richard…more than anything else?

Gary Simpson : Richard, when people say that, you should wear it as a badge of honor. You too, Peter. I read your comments on your website about getting knocked back by all those editors.

Peter Sinclair : So the million dollar question is… how many goals should I have?

Richard Duszczak : Peter, I had one main goal – to become a successful cartoonist. I also had lots of little goals – like being published in a variety of magazines.

Gary Simpson : That’s what I do too Richard. I have little measuring sticks along the way – to monitor my progress.

Peter Sinclair : Can you explain the measuring stick idea Gary?

Gary Simpson : Sure Peter. They’re little indicators. Things to check your journey. It’s a bit like road mapping. You go to town A, then town B and town C and so on. Eventually you reach town Z, which, of course, is your final destination.

Peter Sinclair : So Gary is that like what I heard someone once say – how do you eat an elephant? One small piece at a time?

Gary Simpson : Only if you like eating elephants! Personally, I’d rather ride on one.

Richard Duszczak : Gary and Peter, I have to say that I agree totally!

Peter Sinclair : How do you know that a goal is a real goal? Is there a time limit that one should give? What if a goal is just not happening? What is a reasonable timeframe? Do you want to answer this one Richard?

Richard Duszczak : I never had any certain time limits, first I just wanted to make a living. Then I started to improve on this.

Peter Sinclair : So while you are alive your goals could come to pass hey Richard? How can success evade someone with that sort of determination? I suppose there is another thing I would like to ask. How important is accountability when it comes to goal setting and who should we be accountable to? Bryan, perhaps you would like to take the lead on this question.

Bryan Hall : Accountability? I believe we are accountable to ourselves, and to God.

Peter Sinclair : I am really having a blast! You guys are really giving some great ideas about goal setting, action, indicators, persistence. Gary, would you like to add anything to what Bryan said?

Gary Simpson : The only person that matters is yourself. Your goals are personal. It is a contract with yourself. I often make a pledge and sign it.

Bryan Hall : That’s awesome, Gary! I agree with you there.

Richard Duszczak : Gary – pledge and sign it! Now that’s a good idea.

Peter Sinclair : So it’s about commitment?

Gary Simpson : I believe in total commitment!

Peter Sinclair : There is power in the signature – just like signing a cheque (check). Now that’s commitment.

Gary Simpson : Bryan and Richard, I’m really solid on signing things. It’s my word to myself.

Bryan Hall : Yes, Peter. Commitment is probably the number one key in setting goals. Gary makes an excellent point here.

Gary Simpson : Thanks Bryan. I am in very good company this evening with you guys!

Peter Sinclair : So in order to write goals and then apply action to those goals and then pursue them it takes a whole lot of courage. How would you encourage people to tap into that inner courage to do what 95% of the populous don’t do. Most people don’t write goals.

Bryan Hall : Peter, I believe the key to that is bringing people to believe in themselves. I truly believe this.

Richard Duszczak : Maybe children should be encouraged to write goals at school by their teachers!

Gary Simpson : That’s a good point Richard. I would also like to mention goal cards. I’m going to send you guys some that I have had printed for my website.

Peter Sinclair : Thank you Gary. Any tools to assist would be great.

Bryan Hall : That was a most excellent point you made Richard – about school children! There certainly isn’t enough of that going on in the classrooms. And thank you, Gary, those goal cards sound awesome!

Richard Duszczak : Gary, I really like your idea of goal cards. I have a business card in my wallet that describes me as the World’s Greatest Cartoonist! On it there are contact details and everything! I can’t miss seeing it every time I open my wallet.

Gary Simpson : Richard, are they the cards I sent you a while back?

Richard Duszczak : Yes, Gary, it was one of your goal cards that gave me the idea!

Gary Simpson : Excellent Richard. I am very honored that it has assisted you! Bryan, send me an email with your street address and I will send you some goal cards. Peter and Ben, I already know where you guys are. I’ll get ‘em off to you next week.

Bryan Hall : Excellent, my friend! I can’t wait! Thank you!

Peter Sinclair : I believe that without a vision the people perish. What do you think Gary?

Gary Simpson : I think a person can get mighty miserable without goals. They think their life is going nowhere – and basically I guess it is.

Bryan Hall : Life is always going somewhere, Gary. It’s when we know where it’s going and where we want it to go that makes a difference. You’re right, Peter – you have to have a vision.

Peter Sinclair : Without a goal you’ll end up in a hole, or is that, a whole lot of trouble?

Richard Duszczak : I certainly had a period recently (for a few years, in fact) where I’d stopped growing, but now I’m back on track with a big goal!

Peter Sinclair : And a guy with a big goal will live a big life. You’ve certainly inspired me tonight Richard.

Melissa (forum observer) : Yes, it’s been very inspiring!

Peter Sinclair : I suppose that is why it is so great to be in the company of such winners as yourselves. We have the privilege to teach other the art of goal setting and achievement. It really is a privilege and an honor to be speaking with you all tonight. OK. It’s time to wrap up our hour, but before we do that, Richard, could you just leave us one final thought about goal setting. Then I’ll ask Gary and then Bryan.

Richard Duszczak : Thanks Peter. First, find something you love to do and that you’re passionate about, then give it 110%!

Peter Sinclair : Richard, that advice was brilliant. Thank you so much.

Richard Duszczak : It’s 2:00pm here in the UK and my lovely wife says it’s now time to go and do some Christmas shopping! This has been great. Let’s do it again!

Peter Sinclair : Thanks Richard. It’s been an absolute pleasure. I will talk to you again this week. Now Gary. Let’s have your final thoughts.

Gary Simpson : Thanks Peter. I’d like to quote some words from my book, in fact. You may be miserable or listless if : 1 – something is preventing you from moving towards a goal, 2 – you have just reached a goal and do not have another goal to shoot for, or 3 – you don’t have goals. Is there anything that you are doing that is taking you away from any of your goals? If so, why are you doing it? Finally, if you do not currently have a goal or goals, make it your goal to find a goal!

Peter Sinclair : Thanks Gary. And Bryan, your final thoughts on goal setting?

Bryan Hall : Maybe a quote here from Gandhi would be appropriate. “You must BE the change you wish to see in the world.”

Ben Sinclair : Merry Christmas Richard, Gary and Bryan and everyone else sitting in on this discussion chat line.

Bryan Hall : Thanks, Ben! And, yes, Richard and Gary and Peter – it’s been AWESOME! Thank You!

Peter Sinclair : Well I think we’ll wrap it up here. If there is anyone with questions they’d like to ask I will be online to help. Also feel free to ask the other fantastic participants.

Gary Simpson : My thanks to all you guys. I really enjoyed this.

Peter Sinclair : We have certainly heard many wise words from my friends.

Bryan Hall : Thank you Peter! Excellence, as always!

Peter Sinclair : Well, we will officially end this chat forum. But I will stick around if anyone has further questions. Thanks guys. I will talk to you all further this week. You’re the BEST!

Bryan Hall : Thank you again Peter. It’s been a GREAT pleasure and an honor. Thanks to Richard and Gary, too! You guy did an awesome job!

Peter Sinclair : I just thought I would let everybody know that I’m going to print off this chat. There is so much in it. OK. With that I will close the forum. Thanks again Gary, Bryan, Richard and Ben.

Biographies of the LIVE CHAT Participants:

Richard Duszczak – Richard is a Motivational Cartoonist. Everyone laughed – ‘You’ll never make it as a cartoonist’ ‘You don’t have any experience’, ‘You can’t make a living drawing funny pictures!’ Well, that was 22 years ago and I am still here making a living from doing something I love. I could have listened to them and carried on working in a job that I hated. But with self-belief, determination and persistence I realized my boyhood DREAM to produce cartoons that helped others achieve theirs. You can do it too! Visit Richard’s Website and be motivated at: www.cartoonmotivators.com

Bryan Hall – Bryan is a widely recognized Success Coach and Motivational Expert with a strong background in the Internet Marketing arena since 1995. He focuses his time and energies on coaching people for what he calls “Peak Performance … Peak LIFE”, and is a “student” of such masters as Richard Bach, Anthony Robbins, Shakti Gawain, and others. Bryan is a renowned author and “deal maker”, while also being considered by those in the Internet Marketing arena as a major “player”, associated with some of the biggest “names” on the ‘Net as his closest friends. He is a founding member of iCop (the International Council of Online Professionals) and holds the Motivational Expert position on a highly-esteemed panel of experts for Dr Neil Shearing’s private members’ site. You can visit Bryan’s website at: www.BryanHall.net.

Gary Simpson – Gary is the author of eight books. He is a prolific writer who has been published in many magazines and newspapers across Australia. Gary became involved in several network marketing companies in the late 80′s which led him into a deep research of personal development. He is an avid reader with hundreds of self help books in an ever growing library. Gary lives in Perth, Western Australia and is a Company Director. He has professional experience in many diverse areas such as the public service, retail, private investigation, insurance and franchising. He is also a senior karate instructor with more than 33 years of continuous training. Gary’s “Motivation & Self Esteem for Success” Website is located at www.motivationselfesteem.com

Peter G. James Sinclair – Peter is a student of success and an entrepreneur. His vision is to help others reach their full potential, and the driving force of his life and his work is to lift people. Peter is renowned and respected as a dynamic writer & speaker, having his articles already featured in hundreds of ezines and magazines internationally. Thousands of people every week receive his Motivational Memos as Peter loves to impart wisdom into the lives of people all around the world. He is constantly creating and researching new methods to achieve that goal. Peter’s website can be found at: www.motivationalmemo.com

Ben Sinclair – Ben is the webmaster of www.motivationalmemo.com. He administrated the chat session and is the mastermind behind the forum and the chat forum. Check out some of his work at www.webmaster-resources101.com

The Awesome Power Of Goal Setting is a post from: OE Design Blog

This is the edited transcript of the LIVE CHAT conducted by:

Peter G. James Sinclair ( http://www.motivationalmemo.com ) with:

Brad Sugars ( http://www.bradsugars.com/ )

The chat was scheduled for one hour and the subject was:

“THE AWESOME POWER OF THE ENTREPRENEUR”

Peter Sinclair : Hi Brad. Welcome to our live chat.

Brad Sugars : Hi Peter. Thank you. It’s great to be here.

Peter Sinclair : Brad, just to inform our guests I think we should give them a little bit of background on you.

Brad Sugars : Sure.

Peter Sinclair : Brad Sugars is the International Chairman of one of the fastest growing businesses on the globe. He started out with absolutely no capital and had his first business at age 15. Brad retired financially as a millionaire when he was just 26. Today he calls himself a “Billionaire in Training.” He is well on his way to that first billion. Welcome Brad, it’s a pleasure to be able to share this next hour with you at this month’s MotivationalMemo Live Chat.

Brad Sugars : Thanks Peter and thanks for the introduction.

Peter Sinclair : My pleasure. Brad, to commence today’s Live Chat can I ask you for your definition of an entrepreneur?

Brad Sugars : Perhaps I could answer your question in three parts. First, an entrepreneur is a visionary. Second, an entrepreneur remembers that profit is the goal. Third, an entrepreneur is what I call a “can do” type person. What I mean by that is a person who makes the vision become real whilst at the same time returning a profit on that vision.

Peter Sinclair : In your view, what would be the major reason for anyone to want to become an entrepreneur?

Brad Sugars : I think we are all born with a little bit of the entrepreneurial spirit in us. The major driving force behind most entrepreneurs that I have met is a desire to do something that no one else has done before. That may be a desire to achieve more than others thought possible and a desire to play the game they love – the game of business.

Peter Sinclair : Would you say it’s the pioneer spirit that makes up the entrepreneur?

Brad Sugars : Indeed, but it doesn’t always have to be in a new field. It could be a way of doing something new in an old field. Most entrepreneurs are the ones who see an opportunity and have the gumption to step up and do something about it.

Peter Sinclair : Like spotting the gold in a previously mined gold mine? Doing things better, using better technology, better ideas?

Brad Sugars : Or even simply better service, better sales or better marketing.

Peter Sinclair : Brad, what strategies can the entrepreneur use to come up with these things that are better?

Brad Sugars : One of the best ways is just to look around and find the frustrations. Everyday when we go shopping we get frustrated by something. It’s just a matter of finding something that many people are frustrated with and finding a solution to it. Obviously serious entrepreneurs find a global problem and aim to provide a global solution. What I am saying is the bigger the problem the more you’ll make when you provide a solution.

Peter Sinclair : You would advocate then that becoming a problem solver is the major key to building a successful business?

Brad Sugars : Yes and no. Problem solving is one thing, having the ability to come up with a new and innovative idea to solve that problem that can be delivered at a profit is also vital. But you also have to remember that true entrepreneurs build teams and thus leadership is another key skill.

Peter Sinclair : In addition to questioning skills, observational skills and leadership skills, what would an entrepreneur also require to become successful?

Brad Sugars : Many things Peter. Determination, commitment, integrity and the ability to learn are just some. Essentially, an entrepreneur needs to be a generalist. An entrepreneur needs to be good enough at every area of business to be able to ask the right questions from the right specialists.

Peter Sinclair : I love the word “generalist” in this day and age when everybody is using the word “specialist.” Your use of the word generalist is intriguing. Can you explain what you mean by this?

Brad Sugars : Certainly Peter. We go to school and we get taught to specialize. This qualifies us for a great job. The more specialized we get, the more we’re trapped by a job. The idea of a generalist is to train ourselves in all areas of business, success and money.

Peter Sinclair : Now Brad, in your brilliant book “Billionaire In Training” you take us through from Level 0 right up to Level 5 as you unveil the key characteristics of a true entrepreneur. Can you briefly outline those 6 categories?

Brad Sugars : OK. The “Billionaire in Training” Level 0 is the employee. It’s where you should start. This is where you should gain both capital and knowledge. Having many different jobs is a great start for an entrepreneur.

Peter Sinclair : We all need to start somewhere.

Brad Sugars : Yes. Level 1 is where you move up to becoming self-employed. This is the most important step. It is also the toughest. Here you have to learn so much. I hope people are prepared to take my advice and have a lot of jobs in a lot of fields when they first start. That way they will generally have less to learn.

Peter Sinclair : What you are promoting at this level is a good general spread of knowledge and experience.

Brad Sugars : Precisely. Level 2 is the “Manager Level.” This is where you start employing people. It is still tough because you need to learn about people and not just the basics of running a business. I think at this point, I should give my definition of a business. It’s a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without you being there.

Peter Sinclair : That in itself is a very important characteristic. The most successful businesses should be able to operate without the owner having to be there one hundred percent of the time.

Brad Sugars : Correct. Level 3 occurs when you reach the situation that you just mentioned Peter. You become a “Business Owner.” You have systems, a team and a General Manager to run it all for you. Essentially you have reached passive income by this stage.

Peter Sinclair : And there are still two more levels to go!

Brad Sugars : There are indeed. Level 4 is “The Investor.” At this level you now start to use these skills to buy wholesale deals. You’re still learning by the way. But now you’re learning how to buy, build and sell companies. This is also the level where you learn how to buy, renovate and refinance properties. And once you learn to become a sophisticated investor then you start buying and trading stocks and options.

Peter Sinclair : And the final level?

Brad Sugars : Level 5 is where we stop buying deals and, as an entrepreneur, we start selling deals. Here we go from dealing in and buying physical assets to creating and selling paper assets.

Peter Sinclair : Brad, that was fantastic. Now I just want to take a quick look at self-employment. Can I just take you back to Level 1 for a moment?

Brad Sugars : Go right ahead.

Peter Sinclair : For someone to break out of the boundaries of self-employment into a higher level, in what you call “the entrepreneurial game,” what would be some keys that you could suggest that could help somebody to progress?

Brad Sugars : Level 1 is like a see-saw. You have to chase the work in sales and then do the work, the operations. To progress to Level 2, first start with the fundamentals of growing a business. You need to create a vision, a mission statement, a company culture, goals and then an organization chart. Employ someone to take over the most basic functions first, but not before:

# 1 – you have written down how to do their job – exactly, and
# 2 – you can afford half their wage before they start.

Peter Sinclair : Brad, if our readers wanted to fast track through those levels, from your experience, how would you suggest they could do so?

Brad Sugars : Progressing through the levels quickly is all about gaining knowledge. Someone who doesn’t learn from their mistakes will either stay where they are or go backwards. The second law of thermonuclear dynamics, to use a lot of big words, basically says that you are either growing or you are dying. You cannot stand still.

Peter Sinclair : I gather from you Brad that the whole idea of entrepreneurship and business in general is a game. Can you explain how this has come about in your life?

Brad Sugars : I believe that when you use the analogy of a game most things are easily explained. Like keeping score, training, an umpire and sets of rules – just to name a few. Also, if you are going to be doing something for most of your life then you might as well enjoy it.

Peter Sinclair : Plus it sounds like fun and not drudgery…

Brad Sugars : And you know the aim of the game is to win!

Peter Sinclair : What makes it fun for you Brad? Is it the money, the lifestyle or more?

Brad Sugars : All of the above but most of all the people and the challenges and opportunities.

Peter Sinclair : Brad, taking a closer look at the entrepreneur, can you explain what the entrepreneurial mindset is? I’m talking here of the true entrepreneur.

Brad Sugars : A true entrepreneur is a creator of wealth. We create opportunities for people to buy or invest in.

Peter Sinclair : Can you elaborate on that a little?

Brad Sugars : Sure Peter. People buy from us or invest with us because of our track record and reputation. That is why it is always good to remember that we live in an invisible age where an entrepreneur’s word is really all they have.

Peter Sinclair : And their word is their honour? Integrity?

Brad Sugars : As Bucky Fuller said: “Integrity is the essence.”

Peter Sinclair : Now Brad, you say that: “the entrepreneur’s dream is to own nothing but control everything.” Can you explain this further?

Brad Sugars : Let’s take a franchise for example. All of my franchisees own their own business and yet ultimately I control the system and the way we work. One other thing to remember is that corporate structuring means that you, as a human being, own very little and that companies and trusts own a lot.

Peter Sinclair : And that provides security?

Brad Sugars : Possibly. Security is simply a feeling. Thus, security can’t really be delivered by anything external.

Peter Sinclair : Brad I want to look quickly at this next subject: I love your four entrepreneurial secrets: leverage, sell pans, knowledge and profit is king. Let’s take a look at leverage. How does that impact the lifestyle of the entrepreneur?

Brad Sugars : Leverage – apart from being a great board game I invented – is the essence of all wealth in business. If you truly understand the formula of divide to multiply – or by its simpler definition – ever more with ever less, then entrepreneurial success will always be yours.

Peter Sinclair : And what do you mean by sell pans?

Brad Sugars : That reference goes back to the “Gold Rush” days when everyone just ran in and started digging for gold. And yet the people that made the most money were the ones who sold a tool or service to the gold miners. It’s the same today. The ISP’s (Internet Service Providers), Microsoft and courier delivery companies make most of the money out of the internet.

Peter Sinclair : Then, to add to what you have just said, how important is the knowledge factor and what priority should that play in the life of a growing entrepreneur?

Brad Sugars : I’ll put it simply. If you think knowledge is expensive, try ignorance.

Peter Sinclair : Touché! You say that profit is KING. That’s pretty self explanatory, but can you add to that?

Brad Sugars : Peter, it’s not your mistakes that cost you a fortune, it’s actually the unwillingness to make mistakes, then learn from them. Too many business-owners focus on their total revenue or how many employees they have or how many offices they have opened. Really there is only one thing that counts in business…

Peter Sinclair : And that thing is…

Brad Sugars : PROFIT!

Peter Sinclair : Brad, before we start to wind up this Live Chat, I want to thank you for sharing your time and wisdom with us today. I also want to ask this question. For budding millionaires, what advice would you give them in their pursuit of their first million?

Brad Sugars : Business is not a game of egos, moreover it’s a game of dollars in the bank. Your first million is the toughest because you have to learn how to make it along the way. The second, third and fourth million is just repeating what you did the first time. One last piece of advice – massive results require massive action. So jump in the deep end.

Peter Sinclair : Well Brad, unfortunately it is now time to wind up this Live Chat. You are AWESOME and the information you have shared with us has been equally awesome. Remember everyone that if you want to learn more about Brad then go to http://www.bradsugars.com. Brad, is there anywhere else that you can point them to on the Internet?

Brad Sugars : They can also check out www.actioncoach.com if they want more info about getting one of my business coaches to help them in their businesses.

Peter Sinclair : Thanks again Brad. This is Peter Sinclair from MotivationalMemo.com signing off. Thank you to all those who joined us here today for this very enlightening interview with the inimitable Brad Sugars.

Brad Sugars : Thanks for the opportunity Peter. I really enjoyed it.

Peter Sinclair : I did too. We will talk again.

Brad Sugars : Indeed we will. Until then, goodbye Peter and Ben and all the visitors.

Peter Sinclair : I’m now declaring this live chat officially closed.

Biographies of the LIVE CHAT Participants:

Brad Sugars : http://www.bradsugars.com

Brad Sugars is the International Chairman of one of the fastest growing businesses on the globe. He started out with absolutely no capital, had his first business at age 15, and financially retired as a millionaire when he was 26. Today he calls himself a Billionaire in Training, and is well on his way to his first Billion.

Peter G. James Sinclair: http://www.motivationalmemo.com

Peter G. James Sinclair is a student of success and an entrepreneur. His vision is to help others reach their full potential, and the driving force of his life and his work is to lift people. Peter is renowned and respected as a dynamic writer & speaker, having his articles already featured in hundreds of ezines and magazines internationally. Thousands of people every week receive his Motivational Memos as Peter loves to impart wisdom into the lives of people all around the world. He is constantly creating and researching new methods to achieve that goal.

Ben Sinclair: http://www.webmaster-resources101.com

Ben Sinclair is the webmaster for Peter Sinclair’s Website http://www.motivationalmemo.com and the technician behind the chat session and the mastermind behind the forum and the chat forum.

This LIVE CHAT was edited by:

Gary Simpson: http://www.motivationselfesteem.com

Gary Simpson is the author of eight books. He is a prolific writer who has for many years been published in many magazines and newspapers across Australia and now rapidly around the world. Gary became involved in several network marketing companies in the late 80′s which led him into a deep research of personal development. He is an avid reader with hundreds of self help books in an ever growing library. Gary lives in Perth, Western Australia and is a Company Director. He has professional experience in many diverse areas such as the public service, retail, private investigation, insurance and franchising. He is also a senior karate instructor with more than 35 years of continuous training. Gary’s “Motivation & Self Esteem for Success” Website is located at www.motivationselfesteem.com

The Awesome Power Of The Entrepreneur is a post from: OE Design Blog