Rasheed Ogunlaru's Blog, page 32

The internet: friend or foe? – how to get the best out of the Web

Over the last 15 years or so our lives have been revolutionised by the Internet; some might say for the better and some may say also for worse. In the last few years especially it’s remarkable how social media  such as Facebook, YouTube, Linked In,  Skype, Twitter and other social media have changed how we connect.  These tools and the Internet, and various online site and companies have changed the way we work, shop, connect with friends, do business, meet people, entertain ourselves and engage with the world.

So last week the theme we chose for the latest Live Chat over on Evolved Heart was The Internet -Here for Good which you can view below. During the talk internet marketing expert and my fellow Co-Founder of Evolved Heart, Tum Kazunga and I discussed this topic with our special guest, international internet marketing consultant Miss Krizia.Aptly we used Google Hangouts and YouTube for the live chat.  It includes tips on everything from  personal online security and safety for you and the family, what to share online, how to get the best out of tools like Facebook, Skype and Linked In, through to discussing how to build your career or business by utilising these kinds of tools.  It’s well worth a watch if you’re looking to utilise the internet more effectively personally or professionally.

I hope you found the above Live Chat useful and remember we run a free Live Chat on Evolved Heart every month – each one is archived so you an watch it back or share it at any time. Likewise Evolved Heart is full of free articles, videos, tips that I’ve produced to help you in all areas of your life, self and career.

Black History Month – Time to Shape the Future

Leading life coach, speaker and business coach Rasheed Ogunlaru, author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business highlights that we must use Black History Month we must use it move forward not just to look back.

Black History Month must be used as a platform to build bright futures ‘now in the present not just to learn about the past’ if we are truly progress and individually and collectively.

 Every year Black History Month provides a powerful opportunity to not just to rightly learn, celebrate our remarkable achievements, understand historical lessons that should never be repeated and honour some of the most influential characters in history. It is also an opportunity to inspire current generations of us to make powerful leaps forward.

The invitation of the past is learn from it, be inspired by those who have positively shaped it and changed it and to apply that inspiration and mind-set and take charge of our own lives, careers, relationships and possibilities to create a brighter future for one and all.

I often speak and run workshops across the UK for organisations and for many black and ethnic minority staff groups. The challenges over the last few years since the economic down-turn on top of decades of slow progress to see greater minority representation at senior levels in our organisations against sectors highlights how now is the time to use Black History Month even more shrewdly, strategically to the benefit of all.

Where do we start? 

We have already started; there are some amazing Black History Month programmes run across the UK that are used to help motivate as well as provide a view down memory lane. There are many working within this sector have done, and continue to do amazing work putting on exhibitions, events and programmes for many years.

As a coach and speaker who helps Chief Executives, entrepreneurs, entertainers right through to the public to develop the vision, self belief and action to move forward I’d also like to see more organisations, agencies and groups incorporate more self, career, professional and business development workshops into such programmes. Black History Month is the obvious place to start. Some organisations have some element of this by inviting motivational speakers like myself in to give uplifting talks but we could go further still by seeking to run more practical seminars, workshops and programmes. Resources, finance, organisational culture and commitment will be a huge factor and often a barrier but shrewd programming can provide a good base.

 To me there is a direct link between Black History Month and the overall diversity and equality agenda – and also the importance of every organisation to spot and nurture its talent across the board.

 Change begins within

But there is another angle to this that is just as important – perhaps even more important. I speak at many events where there is an expectation that somehow our own personal and professional development should be addressed by someone else: our manager, employer, council, trade body, government and so on. Clearly any organisation should have the interest of its ‘constituency’ at heart but if there is one thing to be learned from but it is risky strategy to wait for someone to lead you forward. One must always light ones own beacon. Someone else can help provide a spark but you must light the beacon and run with it.

History is shaped by individuals who have changed and raised our consciousness. It has rarely come from an employer, organisation or even a political party. Let’s look closely at Black History Month: If you look at any inspirational figure be it a Seacole, King, Mandela, Winfrey, Obama they tend to share three key qualities vision, self belief and action. They learn from the past but shape the future by being proactive in the present, not passive and stuck in backward-thinking.

 Learn from your life history

 I remember two very clear moments in my own journey where I took responsibility for my life and future. The first I was aged about 15 I was sat in an Economics lesson and realised that the teacher had us write out page after page of notes from what he wrote on the backboard. I realised that lots of what was given to me parrot fashion I did not understand so I vowed to never write down anything I did not understand again, I have kept that vow. The second was when I was about to turn 18 and I decided that I would not go to university. I somehow knew this was a significant decision. I knew that my mother and stepfather might have a different view. But in that moment I recognised that I might have to work harder because of m background, because of the fact that I was different to others. Rather than seeing these things as a weakness I used these things to ensure I was focused, engaged, engaging and the best person for the job.

This kind of inner wisdom is within each and every one of us.  It is about being on your own side. It is about knowing your own worth.

What have been the moments in your life history that have shaped you? How can you use these to inspire you further? History is not just about someone else – so great historical figure. It is about a key current figure. It is about the most important person in the world and that is you. For you will shape your future.

Rasheed’s Top 3 Tips for Progress and Happiness

Here are some simple steps that will help you to shape your future by embracing your own magic. These are simple universal principles

1)    Mind-set: appreciate life, believe in yourself, respect others and foster a strong, open mind. This will change your outlook and broaden your horizons. Identify your skills, talents and passions and use them to set your purpose / direction in your life, career and relationships.

 2)    Skill-set: success / progress require the ‘attitude of an athlete’: study your field, master your craft, plan, prepare, gather a great team, break goals into small steps, review, improve celebrate. Know you’ll learn more from races you lose than those you win – this creates champions.

 3)    Co-operation and compassion – if the world’s great nations cannot succeed alone then what makes you think you can? But go one step further; build strong relationships at home, at work, in business. Build a personal and professional network, which will help you and others to grow. Play your part on this planet while you have time.

So this Black History Month as we celebrate the 50 Anniversary of Dr King’s famous I have a Dream Speech’ the best thing we can do is to take up his call to dream – and to dream new dreams, take responsibility and to work individually and collectively to bring them to reality for all of humanity.

 

 

 

Rasheed Ogunlaru a leading life coach, motivational speaker and business / corporate coach.  His clients include entrepreneurs, entertainers, Chief Executives and organsiations. He is author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business and is the business coach partner of The British Library. For further information visit www.rasaru.com

 

 

 

 

Happy 1st Birthday Soul Trader

A huge thanks to all of you who have bought the book, supported the book and attended the workshop. Happy birthday, best wishes, Rasheed

Black History Month: Must be used to shape bright futures

PRESS RELEASE                                                     

Black History Month “Must be used to build bright futures”

says leading life coach 

Black History Month must be used as a platform to build bright futures ‘now in the present not just to learn about the past’ if we are truly progress and individually and collectively, says leading UK based life coach and motivational speaker Rasheed Ogunlaru, today. 

 “The invitation of the past – and Black History Month – is learn from it, be inspired by those who have positively shaped it and changed it and to apply that inspiration and mind-set and take charge of our own lives, careers, relationships and possibilities to create a brighter future for one and all,” says Rasheed author whose clients include Chief Executives, entrepreneurs, entertainers and the public highlights that self-responsibility, mind-set and working collaboratively is the key to progress.

“If you look at any inspirational figure be it a Seacole, King, Mandela, Winfrey, Obama they tend to share three key qualities vision, self belief and action. Theylearn from the past but shape the future by being proactive in the present, not passive and stuck in backward-thinking.”

“This Black History Month as we celebrate the 50 Anniversary of Dr King’s famous I have a Dream Speech’ the best thing we can do is to take up his call to dream – and to dream new dreams, take responsibility and to work individually and collectively to bring them to reality for all of humanity.”  says Mr Ogunlaru whose books include  Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business.

 Rasheed’s Top 3 Tips for Progress and Happiness

1)    Mind-set: appreciate life, believe in yourself, respect others and foster a strong, open mind. This will change your outlook and broaden your horizons. Identify your skills, talents and passions and use them to set your purpose / direction in your life, career and relationships. 

2)    Skill-set: success / progress require the ‘attitude of an athlete’: study your field, master your craft, plan, prepare, gather a great team, break goals into small steps, review, improve celebrate. Know you’ll learn more from races you lose than those you win – this creates champions.

3)    Co-operation and compassion – if the world’s great nations cannot succeed alone then what makes you think you can? But go one step further; build strong relationships at home, at work, in business. Build a personal and professional network which will help you and others togrow. Play your part on this planet while you have time.

Note to editors: Rasheed Ogunlaru a leading life coach, motivational speaker and business / corporate coach.  His clients include entrepreneurs, entertainers, Chief Executives and organsiations. He is author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back intoYour Business and is the business coach partner of The British Library. For further information contact Rasheed Ogunlaru on 07961 953599, visit his website www.rasaru.com or visit his free self develop resourcewww.evolvedheart.com

Your career: stuck in a rut & keen to move up?

Have you recently returned to work after the summer holiday feeling somewhat uninspired? Perhaps you’ve feel that for some time.

It’s very easy to arrive at a point where you feel unmotivated, stuck, disheartened, under-appreciated and even out-and-out lost. This can happen for all sorts of reasons: you’ve been in your current job for too long, you’ve reached a ceiling in your current role/organisation and it’s time to move up or move on. Or perhaps it’s a case that you’re seeking a completely new challenge or are keen to change career completely.

If this is where you’re at do join us over at over at Evolved Heart for ‘Back to Work: Move on, Move up, Move out at 7-8pm UK time on  Thurs 19 September (don’t worry if you can’t make it or have missed it, just follow the link and it will be available on archive). 

 

About this special live chat

This special live chat takes place as millions  - perhaps yourself  included – have recently headed back to work after the sumer break. Are you dreading it or looking forward to what lies ahead? Have you been stuck in your current job or workplace for too long?  Are you starting in a new job or a role – or would you love to? Do you feel you’ve reached a ceiling in your career either of yours or others making?  Are you keen to advance in your career – perhaps you’re keen to stepping into a more senior  role, a management or leadership role?  Or are you even thinking of becoming your own boss.  This talk will give you  practical tips, guidance, inspiration and pointers to help you make that actions and move thats right for you.

Expert guidance  / expert guest

For this special talk we’ll have not one expert but two: our leading life coach, speaker, corporate / business coach,Rasheed Ogunlaru whose clients include Chief Executives, entrepreneurs and the public, will be joined by our special guest Rita Bailey (pictured right). A friend and fellow coaching colleague of Rasheed’s, Rita is a highly accomplished international executive coach, facilitator and consultant.

Rita was among the first coach’s in the UK and works with teams, professionals executives and senior management across private, public and commercial sectors. her clients have included PriceWaterHouseCoopers, Microsoft and the NHS. Rita has helped scores of professionals, managers and senior managers move on up in their careers. Her powerfully professional, practical, yet warmly personable approach has made her a leader in the field in the UK.

This live chat will help you…

1) Move on: Keep to progress? We’ll explore ways that you can develop and stand out in your job or as you consider what’s next.

2) Move up: Looking for a promotion or stepping into a senior role? We’ll discuss tips, hurdles, how to build your network and how to seek / create opportunities.

3) Move out: Is it time to move on? We’ll help you spot the signs and give tips whether you’re looking for a new career or to become your own boss.

As always our very own Tum Kazunga, Co-Founder of Evolved Heart will be our host on the controls. He’ll be asking the questions of Rita and Rasheed and putting through any questions that you may have to them. See how to take part below.

To watch / take part:

1. Book mark this page – and you can also post comments and questions on this page on or for the day

2.  Tune in here at 7pm UK time (2pm EST) on Thurs 19 September 2013

3. Email any advance questions or points to admin @ evolved heart.com mark your questions ‘Back to work – Move on up live chat’.

Can’t make it? Don’t worry the video will be here live from when broadcast and will remain archived here so just bookmark and when you’re free.

Meanwhile Rasheed caught up to chat with Rita about being stuck and moving on up in your career in a busy cafe in London. You can see their chat below – it will give you a rich taster of what’s in store and may well give you some useful pointers if you’re feeling like it’s time to make a change, progression or move.

 Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, speaker and business corporate coach. His clients include entrepreneurs, entertainers, Chief Executives, the public and organisations. He is author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business and is the life/ business coach partner to the British Library’s Business & IP Centre where he runs the inspiring Soul Trader; your life, your business workshop for those thinking about, starting out or moving ahead in life as their own boss. 

 

 

 

Your feedback – by Andrea of Unglue You

 

I found out about Rasheed in November 2012 through an article in the Voice magazine. The article mentioned his workshop at the British Library, so I visited their website and saw that there was a workshop on the next day.

I’d literally only started my business two weeks previously but from the workshop description felt that I needed to attend, seeing it as an investment in me and the business; a way of helping me clarify my values and start out as I meant to go on. I wasn’t disappointed. Rasheed’s facilitation skills were excellent, enabling us to feel at ease from the outset. He actively encourages networking and because you are with like-minded people.

Besides the networking, the workshop content influenced the foundation on which I built my business UnglueYou, where I use collage art and storytelling to help people express, connect and communicate with themselves and others.
 
The most important lesson was about my core values and how these affect how I do business; emotionally and practically. The guidance from Rasheed included having a balanced approach to work and rest, and tips for managing your time by segmenting it into operations, finance and marketing. I find myself doing this habitually now and it stops me getting side-tracked or focussing only on one area.
 
I know I will attend another workshop one day, simply because it provides excellent networking opportunities and is applicable whatever stage you’re at in your business. It’s also excellent value for money.

Thanks Rasheed,

Andréa Watts UnglueYou

 

 

Back to business – 7 top tips

 Have you recently returned to business following the summer break? 

If you’re your own boss being focused, efficient and effective is especially important – and it can be particularly important in this season where for many business the lion chunk of a years trade is generated / made at . Here are 7 tips to help you based on the 7 principles of my Soul Trader book.

 1. Clarity: Step back, take stock and then move ahead. Check where you are at and identify your key overall, financial, marketing and operational goals for the last quarter of year. Put in regular progress meetings/ sessions. 

2.Customers: Use this opportunity to get back in touch with, thank and reconnect with customers. Where are they at? What do they need? How can you help them? Ask for feedback. Get them involved.

3.Courage – Believe in you and what you do. Do something courageous to help you grow. It may be going on a course, pursuing an award, reaching out to new customers or pitching for new business. What could help you grow?

4.Co-operation: Even solo athletes need a time. Identify the help, support and expertise you need. Build a network with other entrepreneurs. Look at ways to collaborate, cross-refer, work and benefit from other to help you all grow.

5.Conversations: Review and fine tune your website, promo materials & social media interactions – and identify a handful of key clients, contacts and potential customers you should be talking to and get in touch with them  

6. Creativity: Mix it up, make it fun. What inspires you and what makes you feel alive –act on it. What one thing would elevate your business – act on it. Identify the blend of framework and freedom that works for you.

7. Compassion:  Ensure you stay in love with our business.  Take care of yourself: book in some free time, family time. Take care of customers, suppliers and staff. Thank them, involve them and give them positive feedback.                                            

       + Plus finally change: What’s hot and what’s not? List what’s working for you how you can build on it. List what’s not working and identify how in small steps you can improve it and what help you might need to do it.

Get inspired and organised with Rasheed for his Soul Trader; your life, your business workshop /networking held each month. Next dates 27 Sept, 23 Oct, 14 Nov. BOOK NOW. Take a look and see how it’s helped other entrepreneurs.

From personal & professional development to self realisation

I just posted a blog over on Evolved Heart about this journey from personal and professional development to self discovery and self realisation. Here’s the video below. If you’re on this journey you may be interested in the full article here on Evolved Heart.

Living life or a list ticking exercise?

Are you living life or merely going through a list-ticking exercise? It’s very easy for it to become a list-ticking exercise; at home, in your career, at work, in relationships, in business, socially – in all departments. It can become very empty and tiring (much like the image left).  This way of living often happens in the space between childhood and adulthood: all of a sudden there are a list of expectations and aspirations that others have for you, hand to you and that you run with or reject.

Goal setting, list-writing, having aspirations is all well and good and can be useful, motivating, encouraging, focusing, valuable and so on in all areas of your personal, career and business progression (and of course I help people with many of those things in my work as a life coach, business coach and corporate coach) but I’m very well aware that goals are not the be all and end all. What’s more sometimes your goals – and your relationship/emotions around them, what they mean – can be where the real difficulty resides. (More below video)

(Above: Rasheed Ogunlaru – Living life or a list ticking exercise video)

So has your life become a list ticking exercise? What might it be like without the ticking? What might it be like without the list? What might it be like without the judging? Does the list writing and ticking work for you? Who wrote the list: you, your boss, your customers, your partner, your parents, your newspaper, your peers? Who influenced the list? Perhaps those who you aspire to or who you’ve had around you? Do your ‘to do list’, plans, goals and strategies work for you personally, professionally and socially? 

Knowing yourself is key to this. Sometimes list-ticking can work for some people. But often it can stilt and stifle the very progress and happiness it is that you seek. Especially if you do not approach them mindfully and  if you are not deeply aware of what is actually sought by the goal ticking exercise ultimately. It’s easy for the enjoyment, fun, flexibility, creativity, serendipity and possibility can injured of killed off completely. If so living life to the full has been compromised by this list ticking exercise.

If this topic interest you you may well enjoy my ‘Goals; to have, to hold or to let go’ video on my YouTube Channel. It will help you explore your relationships to goals and goal setting and when it can be valuable to set them, when it’s important to hold on to them and when it’s important to be flexible around them, change them or let go of them completely. 

 Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life, business and corporate coach. He is a specialist on inner fulfilment and is author of a range of inspiring books, audio talks and videos including Soul trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business. He is also the life / business coach partner to the British Library’s Business & IP Centre where he runs the ‘Soul Trader; your life your business’ workshop.

 

Could crowd funding help you & your business?

Yesterday I attended one of the funding for growth workshops of Paul Grant of The Funding Game. Like myself Paul is one of the partners of the British Library Business & IP Centre delivering workshops each month to help new and established entrepreneurs. I was there to learn more about Angel, Venture Capital and Crowd Funding in order to help those business clients of mine who need or seek to raise finance. I’ve always been a fan of Paul and his work as I was impressed, from the word go, with the fact the genuinely cares about helping emerging entrepreneurs.

Given the rise in Crowd Funding – where essentially the public and /or the ‘crowd’ of people that you know – fund your business I suggested that we record a short interview chat to talk about Crowd Funding including a quick overview, tips, potential pitfalls and other pointers. You can see that video above. It’s well worth a watch if you’re starting or growing a business and are looking at options on how to fund it.

The workshop that Paul delivered after gave a rich overview of the main funding options and some of the pros and cons attached to each. Of all these types of funding Crowd Funding is the new entrant to the market. It has emerged partly because of the extreme difficulty that may people have faced with getting funding from a bank – which used to be the first place that people would think about going to. It has arisen at a time where social media has been on the rise and at a time where people have become increasing interested in business, social enterprise, the nature and purpose of the businesses that we run and the contribution (if any) that they make to society. It seems that it is putting the power to start and grow a business in the hands of the many rather than the few.

Paul pointed out three main types of Crowd Funding:

Equity  - where funders get a share in your business
Reward / gift - where funders gift you the money (for no stake or return) and or where they may get a gift/reward/ product for their contribution
Loan - as it sounds where you are given the money as a loan – a bank / traditional business loan alternative if you like.

For more check out the video above and if you’re keen to understand more about how to make your way through the funding maze I highly recommend Paul’s workshop and his one to one coaching via The Funding Game.