Costco Connection - July 2009

FRESHviews
WALLY AMOS: BE POSITIVE

Wally Amos is the founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company. You can reach him at www.wallyamos.com.

There is no limit to what can be accomplished with enough enthusiasm.

R–Respect yourself, as well as others. When you begin to respect yourself, your whole world changes.

M–Make commitments, not excuses. There is is overwhelming power in the words “Yes I will!” E–Everyday can be a fun day. Fun is the lubricant that keeps life moving forward. Laugh a a lot.

L–Love is the answer. Whatever the questio n, Love is the answer. It”s the greatest force in the Universe.

O–One day at a time.How do you eat an el e-phant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.

N–Never give up or become a victim. You a re guaranteed to lose if you give up. Winston Churchill was right, “Never, never, never give up .” It works if you work it.

Watermelon is FUN, inspirational and a great reminder for us to always live life from our highe st self. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by events. Let watermelon remind you that you are larger than events. You have the power to create and change events by what you believe. C

Accelerate
your
s uccess

Watermelon is the answer

OF COURSE, I am known for cookies. However, I am also known for watermelon. In 1996 I wrote the book Watermelon Magic; Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life. In 2002 I wrote my Watermelon Credo that has become the structure for many of my talks. It has been a guide that has helped others and me through rough times. I share it with you in the hope it will help you through these rough times.

W–Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be.

A–Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. Be positive regardless.

T–Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. I am more than I am bu t less than we are.

E–Enthusiasm is t he wellspring of life.

More in archives
On Costco.com, enter “connection.”

At Online Edition, search “Wally Amos.”

Ancientw ordsof wisdomt oensure a future

of professional accomplish-

m entsand market acknowledgements that highlight

yourcompany”sreputationand

“character” (e.g., brand).

Emphasize these in your mar-

MANY BUSINESS OW NERS embrace mode rn technology for low-cost,

or free, marketing and adminis-

tration. Technology gives you

tools, but not wisdom. New Jersey Costco member and communications consultant Mark Clemente draws from the 2,300-year-old insight of Aristotle in his e-book Winning Through the Art of Words ( available on his Web site, www.clem enteonline.com).

Clemente offers these practical principles from Aristotle and explains how they apply today.

“He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.” Engage with employees and key stakeholders. Show empathy. Listen to them. The best business leaders make connections through their communications that facilitate inter-

keting strategies and cite

JUPI TER IMAGES/LIQUID LIBRAR Y

them, where appropriate, in other corporate and organiza-t ional communications.

personal influence and help “Wearewhatwerepeat- achieve organizational objectives. edly do. Excellence, then, is

“Persuasion is a form of not an act, but a habit.” Note demonstration, for we are the defining traits that drive most fully persuaded by your business and brand (i.e., something when we believe customer satisfaction, product it to have been clearly dem- quality, innovation). Then work onstrated.” Prove your points to actualize them through your in order to persuade. In propos- everyday interactions with als, sales and promotional com- employees, customers and other munications, highlight concrete stakeholders.

examples of outstanding work “Pleasure in the job puts you’ve done for customers that perfection in the work.” demonstrate—and substanti- Work is hard, and seemingly ate—your marketing claims. getting harder. Wherever possi-

“There are three things ble, communicate positivism. that inspire confidence in Always try to make business [one’s] character: common exciting and rewarding for sense; a polite, well-dis- employees. Reap the resultant posed attitude; and a sound rewards of your team’s commit- moral reputation.” Take stock ment and dedication. C

A T THE END of January, of January,

JUPI TER IMAGES/LIQUID LIBRARY

S CORE, a nonprofit
resource partner with the
U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) ded-
icated to the education of
entrepreneurs and the for-
mation, growth and suc-
cess of small businesses
nationwide, announced a
new initiative. The
Accelerate Your Success
Program, a campaign to
help small-business own-
ers focus on a plan for suc-
cess, manage and acquire
cash, and develop a sales
pipeline, was meant to
last only through the end
of April, but the organiza-
tion has extended it
through the end of 2009.
Each month a new
“tool kit” is added, offer-
ing online courses, pod-
casts, interactive tools and
additional resources. The
old kits remain available.
Topics covered
include: