Becky Robinson's Blog, page 72

Featured on Friday: Our #WITeam Core Values

When I started working with Becky in 2012, the work we did, and the team we had, looked quite a bit different than it does today.

However, from the very beginning Becky has been focused on discovering and applying core values to the work we do, and the service that we provide. She’s always been passionate about defining what “making a difference” looks like, both for clients and for our team of contractors.

It took us two years, but 2014 has been the year of really clarifying and defining what those core values look like.

Core Value #1: Partnership

Our values guide our behavior, decisions, and choices. They highlight our differentiation from others. They are both actual and aspirational, describing how we operate as well as how we most aspire to operate.

One of our values is to partnership.

When we first started, we were more of a mix of individuals, using our skills to help Becky build her start-up company. Today, we are partners in a team, working together for the good of our clients, and each other. READ MORE

Core Value #2: Generosity

Our value of generosity stems from an abundance mentality: there is more than enough work, more than enough time, more than enough energy, more than enough of everything we need.

I also want to weave the value of generosity into everything we do as a company, so that as a team we live this value daily, without question.

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of Becky is the word generosity. She is easily one of the most generous people I know, so it’s no surprise that this would be the second core value in her company. READ MORE

Core Value #3: Responsiveness

The challenge with responsiveness comes down to balance. We have to balance our days so we respond in a timely manner, while taking the necessary time to offer a thorough, positive response.

Responsiveness is the core value that is teaching me the most right now.

This core value has become more important as our team has grown. With people scattered across multiple time zones and states, the importance of quick and accurate communication is vital, and team member Christy Kirk captured that perfectly in her post. READ MORE

Core Value #4: Integrity

When focused on integrity, we cannot buy into the myth that the ends always justify the means. Integrity asks us to acknowledge our interconnectivity with one another and our responsibility to interact with honesty at all times.

To truly have integrity, we must transcend strategic kindness and embrace radical authenticity.

Radical authenticity – two words that don’t automatically spring to mind when I think about social media. And yet that’s all the more reason for us, as a social media team, to have integrity in all that we do – both online and off. Team member Sara Reinis shares more in her post. READ MORE

Core Value #5: Growth

At Weaving Influence, we know growth won’t be easy. We know we will be standing at the precipice of breakthroughs at times, reluctant to do the hard stuff. But we know the hard stuff will get our authors and clients where they need to be.

And as a team we have faith that we may end up astonishing ourselves.

I love the fact that even though Becky came up with our core values (with help from the team), she only wrote about the first two on the blog. The fact that core values 3, 4, 5, and 6 were all written about by the four newest members of our team (this one by Paula Kiger) shows just how far we have grown! READ MORE

Core Value #6: Flexibility

Not having an office I need to arrive at everyday, and not requiring a conference room to meet with my co-workers has opened up a world of flexibility in the workplace I could not have wrapped my head around without having lived it first.

The flexibility to choose what works best for me proves that the way we work doesn’t have to be one size fits all.

It’s a pretty safe bet that if you asked any member of our team what they like most about their work with Weaving Influence, the answer that you would hear the most would be, “the flexibility” of the job. I know I’ve said it – and I know I mean it. Great post from team member Kylah Frazier. READ MORE

You Tell Me! You don’t have to be a business or a team to have core values – what would make YOUR list?

The Secret: Standing the Test of Time

Our world moves so quickly now. Think back 10 years ago. What’s changed in your life?  Do you have the same hairstyle? Probably not.  Drive the same car? Unlikely.  Same phone? There’s no way, right? (After all, the iPhone didn’t come along until 2007.)  In this turbo-charged world very few things stand the test of time.  The Secret by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller is one of those things.  Serving others and becoming the kind of leader people want to follow never goes out of style.

Ken and Mark introduced the SERVE model in The Secret and it’s a model that I refer to often in my daily work.  SERVE as a word  reminds us to put service first.  Service to our co-workers, our clients, our families, people we encounter in our daily lives.   When we think others first we change how we approach those relationships.  It’s a powerful shift.  It can also be very difficult.

SERVE as an acronym helps us break service down into workable parts.  For me, an inspiring element of the SERVE model is the very first tenet: See the Future.  Ten years ago did you envision the life you have today? I didn’t.  In fact, the work I do didn’t really exist 10 years ago.  I manage and develop strategy on social platforms.  I didn’t even have a MySpace page in 2004!  So while none of us can predict the future, we can plan for the kind of people we want to be.  The kind of companies we want to create.  We can “envision a compelling picture of a preferred future” as Mark and Ken encourage us in The Secret.   To do that we have to be intentional.  We have to ask questions.  Mark and Ken suggest starting here:  “What do I want our organization to accomplish? How do we measure our success?  What do I want to be true in the future that isn’t true today?”

Take a moment and give these questions some thought.  They really trigger some deep thinking about your work, don’t they?  That’s the real value you’ll find in The Secret.  It’s a business fable that sparks your thinking at a deeper level.  Once you start thinking in this way, there’s a shift in how you approach your work and your life.  These principles work in business, but they have just as much value in your family life.  Imagine what you could accomplish – at home and at work – if you started really seeing what the future can be and started crafting it now.

Are you ready to start creating your future?

 

Featured on Friday: TBB Member @JaneAnderson

We do a lot of book launching around here. And while many of our processes and tools have changed over the years, there’s one aspect of our book launch work that has been steadfast – the important role that the volunteer members of Team Buzz Builder (TBB) play in our book launch success.

Without them, we would be one megaphone, shouting our news to the world. Instead, the members of Team Buzz Builder help us amplify the message of our clients, and spread the word in the U.S., Canada, Kenya, Australia, and beyond.

One of our most faithful members lives a relatively quiet life in Michigan, but uses the power of the internet to support our authors and their books.

Meet Jane Anderson

Jane graciously agreed to answer some questions I sent her this week (very last minute) about why she enjoys being a part of TBB and what keeps her occupied when she’s not promoting our newest book. Thanks, Jane!

How did you connect with Weaving Influence?

In early 2013 I had the opportunity to meet Becky Robinson and a few of the Weaving Influence team members. My takeaway from that meeting was, “Wow! I want to be on the inside circle of that team.” It was obvious from our conversations that this team shared my values: faith, integrity, discernment, compassion, family priorities, and encouragement.

Why do you like being a part of TBB?

Even though I don’t have the necessary skills to work with other Weaving Influence business segments, I am a full-on devotee to Team Buzz Builder. I am inside the circle of every book promotion. I get to communicate though social media and email with individuals who are consistently positive and a source of encouragement.

I love that through TBB I have the privilege of supporting authors who put their soul into writing a book.

What benefit do you receive from being a part of TBB?

When I first signed up to be a Buzz Builder I thought it was to get a free book now and then, but it is so much more than the free book. I am not a leader, but I am a student of leadership. I am not an aspiring author, but through TBB I am introduced to awesome men and women who are authors of excellent books that align with my interests and field of study. Being a Buzz Builder, I have a steady stream of books to read on important topics, plus I get to listen in on author chats and have even gotten personal emails from them.

I get to surround myself with people I consider probably the most positive members of the human race.

If someone asked you why they should join TBB, what would you tell them?

If I don’t believe in something I won’t promote it, but I often promote joining Team Buzz Builder. I love reading and through TBB I get free books, often signed by the author. Being a member of TBB also means I receive an email that has ready-made tweets for easy book promotion. I get a letter inside each book from Becky Robinson, the CEO of Weaving Influence, and each letter is an encouragement in some way, as well as informative about the book I just received.

The books promoted by TBB are all relevant to current business culture.

If you are a lifelong learner, these books will feed your intellect because they are written from experience and impeccable research. This is why I joined TBB and why I encourage others to join too.

Tell us a little bit about your life outside of TBB…

My family is everything to me. I have a husband, two married children, and 5 grandchildren.

Though we like the convenience of living near a larger city, our getaway cabin on 20 secluded acres in Northern Michican feeds our passion for nature and a simpler lifestyle. Cabin life is also conducive to enjoying my favorite hobbies: reading, writing, walking, and card making.

When I was in school my favorite assignments were book reports, and as an adult, I love blogging. If there is one skill I know I have it is to help and support others. Neither encouraging nor helping are marketable business skills, but I use them daily to make a difference.

As a result of the book reviews I’ve been writing I was invited to publish them on bizcatalyst360.com which will be an advantage for the authors, too.

I edit newsletters and curate articles for a local non-profit, and write business procedures for internal training at organizations. I’m currently helping an organization transform instructor led training materials into online courseware, which has been a rewarding challenge.

Connect with Jane Online

Bookmark her blog, as well as her posts on BizCatalyst360. Follow her on Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.

Interested in becoming a member of Team Buzz Builder? Join us today!

Twenty Confidence Quotes from Katty Kay and Claire Shipman from #INGC14

Claire Shipman and Katty Kay’s lunchtime keynote at the Indiana Governor’s Conference for women sparked fantastic social sharing. For me, it was one of the highlights of this year’s event. Claire and Katty are the authors of The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know.

The topic resonated well with the audience; women feel and experience the gap. We want to be more confident than we are!

The two presented flawlessly, taking turns sharing their ideas with ease, back and forth with no awkwardness, like a game of ping pong with no dropped balls.

Here are a few tweetable ideas from their talk. I dare you to share them!

Confidence matters to your success. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

If you are aiming to be perfect, you will never be confident. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Having slightly more confidence than confidence increases the likelihood that you will act. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Recognizing your accomplishments in a real way will make a big difference for younger women. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

When we are eager to be shy and humble about our accomplishments, we lose confidence in our abilities. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Self-compassion = treating yourself as you would treat a friend. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Use nerves as a fuel for action. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Confidence does not have to be cookie-cutter. it can come from your core. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

If you take a risk and do something hard, doing hard things becomes easier. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

By taking action, we create confidence. We feel confidence based on what we’ve done.@ClaireShipman Click to tweet now!

Confidence should work as a barometer in our lives, helping guide our decisions . @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

We have control over our confidence. We change change our brains and rewire to be more confident. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Confidence is essentially a kind of energy that allows us to move forward wholeheartedly without holding back.@ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Women routinely underestimate their abilities. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Confidence matters more than competence in many cases. @ClaireShipman #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

The pursuit of perfection is a confidence killer. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

People fail. They have setbacks. It is not all about you. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Small steps can build confidence. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Act more, think less, and be authentic. Confidence advice for women. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Life, on confidence, is an extraordinary and powerful thing. @KattyKayBBC #INGC14 Click to tweet now!

Which of these resonates most with you? Learn more from Katty Kay and Claire Shipman on their website or buy their book!

Living Our Core Values: Growth

When I think of growth many images parade through my mind. I often go back to the hours spent at the gym, watching as my young daughter was coached through hours upon hours of incremental skills.

Skills that didn’t look like much to the untrained eye but coalesced years later into maneuvers even a layperson could identify as cartwheels and handsprings.

I am relatively new to the Weaving Influence Team, but I have been a Team Buzz Builder contributor for years and do not feel like I am coming onto the team as a complete newbie. 

I am looking forward to growing with the team, and am already energized by the commitment I see to the Weaving Influence core value of growth. This commitment plays out in several ways.

We constantly seek to define our goals

When my daughter was a 6-year-old recreational gymnast, she wanted to be on pre-team. When she was on pre-team she wanted to make the competitive team.

Once she was on the competitive team, there were 10 levels to which she could aspire, each one with specific skills to be mastered and milestones to reach before moving on.

In an organization like Weaving Influence, we know we want to grow but we are constantly defining what that means. 

With each success, we identify something even greater to achieve.

I am sure of one thing: although we are a business, we are as much about relationships as we are about profits.

We do not try to be all things to all people

Weaving Influence helps authors and thought leaders build their online presence. We don’t write the books themselves; we won’t be building brick and mortar stores. That would detract from what we do best: partnering with people who have already created great content to help that content vault into wider exposure than they have time to cultivate on their own.

We take risks.

Although we refuse to dilute our impact by trying to be all things to all people we insist on being innovative and taking risks for our clients. By embracing resources such as the Aha Amplifier, we are enhancing traditional promotional methods with the capacity afforded by technology. An author may not have time to dabble with the newest options out there, but we can and we will.

We are honest with one another

At Weaving Influence, we swim in a flood of leadership-related content minute by minute. Most leadership content espouses transparency, authenticity, and honesty among coworkers.

These qualities look so easy in print but in reality can be among the biggest challenges to internal communication. The Weaving Influence team relies on trusting one another enough to be honest; it makes for a better and more productive team.

We know growth is not easy

With a name like “Weaving Influence” constant activity is implied. Or else it would be “Woven Influence” right?. Back in my gym mom days, I watched an advanced gymnast who was trying to master a very difficult move – a back flip on the balance beam – in tears, for extended periods of time.

As a parent, I wanted the coach to comfort her, to do anything besides what she was doing (just standing there). Turns out that’s why she was the coach and I was the parent. She knew that gymnast had to fight the mental battle alone.

At Weaving Influence, we know growth won’t be easy. We know we will be standing at the precipice of breakthroughs at times, reluctant to do the hard stuff. But we know the hard stuff will get our authors and clients where they need to be. And as a team we have faith that we may end up astonishing ourselves.

What is the most astonishing growth experience you have had? What made it incredible?

Featured on Friday: Frank Sonnenberg

Last week I shared some of the highlights from our fall book launch season. It was a busy time for us, but also full of great books, wonderful authors, and a talented and generous team of promoters from Team Buzz Builder who made the launch weeks successful for so many. Thank you!

We’re already looking ahead to the launches of 2015, but before we get there we have one more launch this fall, and it’s one that we are quite excited to be supporting.

Though it’s officially launching in November, we’re planning to spread the buzz out through December and on into the new year, so there’s plenty of time to get involved. Want to be a part of the team? Sign up now!

Meet Frank Sonnenberg

I first “met” Frank on Pinterest a couple of years ago. I kept seeing these images pop up that would catch my eye, but more than that, would cause me to think. Frank Sonnenberg is an award-winning author, having written five books and over 300 articles. He was nominated as one of “America’s Most Influential Small Business Experts” and was recently named on of “America’s Top 100 Thought Leaders” – which, if you follow him online, should come as no surprise. In fact, FrankSonnenbergOnline (his blog) was also named among the “Best 21st Century Leadership Blogs.”

His new book (the one you’re invited to help promote), Follow Your Conscience, answers questions such as: How do you achieve better balance in life? How can you spot a counterfeit leader? How do you build a solid foundation for your kids? And what’s the most important lesson in life? Follow Your Conscience has the potential to make a big difference in your life, and in the lives of others.

Connect with Frank Online

Find him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.

Don’t forget to bookmark his website for Follow Your Conscience.  There you can find graphics from Frank to share, tweets to send, and special bulk order offers, including a special offer for non-profit organizations. Save this site for quick reference if you plan to help Frank spread the word about his book over the next few months.

What are you doing November 17 – 21 (and beyond)? We hope you’ll join with us in building the buzz for this great man and his inspiring new book, Follow Your Conscience.

Living Our Core Values: Flexibility

My life is very different today than it was a couple months ago, and next month it will be even more different still. Turned on its head different, actually. This is because in just a few weeks time, I will be getting on an airplane and temporarily moving to China.

Earlier this year I threw off the bonds of the traditional nine to five, and left my job at a publishing house in San Francisco to join the Weaving Influence team remotely from Los Angeles. The move and new job have been so much more than a change of place and pace, but have resulted in fundamental change of lifestyle. Not having an office I need to arrive at everyday, and not requiring a conference room to meet with my co-workers has opened up a world of flexibility in the workplace I could not have wrapped my head around without having lived it first.

I can do my job from literally anywhere. Granted, living in Shanghai (where I fully intend to take and post selfies with Beau Sides’, Lessons From China, all over the place) will come with its own set of challenges, but it’s this company’s commitment to flexibility that is allowing me to live and work all over the world, as well as being the reason I will cheerfully wake up at odd hours to make myself available to my team members. To reap the benefit of flexibility, one must equally be able to exercise self regulation.

I can balance my life in a way that makes me feel incredibly sane. The success of my clients is very important to me, and I’ve burned the midnight oil more than once to ensure they get what they need, but my personal life and relationships are also a very high priority. Having the ability to put work on hold for a moment to help a friend in need, or to rearrange my work week to fit in activities that make me feel fulfilled on a personal level, has transformed the way I live.

I can wear all my hats at once. I am no longer a sometimes runner, sometimes girlfriend, sometimes artist, sometimes sister, trying to squeeze in time for these different facets of my life between commutes. My role as a Project Manager is now occupying the same space as my role as a friend. I am flexing a new mental muscle as I draw my own lines between where work ends and my life outside it begins–now that I no longer have the sharp line of an office wall to distinguish it for me. Though making the distinction is not always inherent or particularly easy, the flexibility to choose what works best for me proves that the way we work doesn’t have to be one size fits all.

Tell me something! How are you seeking flexibility in your life? What are you doing to better serve others without forgetting to serve yourself?

Featured on Friday: A Book Launch Festival

If you are a part of Team Buzz Builder, if you follow Weaving Influence on Facebook or Twitter, if you’ve connected with us on LinkedIn or Google+, or even if you only know us because of this blog, there’s no way that you have failed to notice that we have been launching a lot of books lately.

Whew! In the last six weeks we have been a part of seven book launch and relaunch teams. It has been an exciting, invigorating experience that so many of you have been a part of, and we want to share some of the highlights from each launch with you today. I’m only sorry we don’t have the time or space to share all the links from each launch, as so many of you were generous with your time and efforts.

 The Secret: 10th Anniversary Edition (Sept. 1 -5)

This 10-year best-selling leadership book isn’t showing any signs of slowing down! Find it on Amazon and leave a review.
Read Jane Anderson’s review of The Secret.
Check out Stan Phelps post on Forbes about The Secret.

Overcoming Fake Talk (Sept. 8 – 12)

This book is still ranking on Amazon (for Kindle) a month past the relaunch – a huge triumph! Find it on Amazon and leave a review.
Check out Dan Rockwell’s thoughts about Overcoming Fake Talk.
John Smith (our favorite “Strategic Learner”) wrote a great post about this book.

Hello, My Name Is Awesome (Sept. 15 – 19)

Although our team only joined with Alexandra shortly before the launch, we still celebrated her best-seller status! Find it on Amazon and leave a review.
Find Christopher Lewis (a.k.a. Dad of Divas) talking about Hello, My Name Is Awesome in .
Whitney Johnson (one of our first clients) opened her blog up to host this guest post from Alexandra during the launch week.

A World Gone Social (Sept. 22 – 26)

We were part of a larger team for this launch, but honored to support Ted and Mark. Find this book on Amazon and leave your review.
Our mutual friend, Deborah Mills-Scofield, wrote a post in support of the launch that you won’t want to miss.
Kate Nasser shares her interview with Ted and Mark.

The Culture Engine (Sept. 29 – Oct. 3)

September 29 – October 3 we launched two books, with book #1 written by S. Chris Edmonds. Find it on Amazon and leave a review.
This is just one of the many posts that Jennifer Miller wrote in support of Chris and his book launch.
Shawn Murphy did a great interview with Chris which was then shared on Switch & Shift.

Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work… And What Does (Sept. 29 – Oct. 3)

Book #2 of our 2-book week comes from Susan Fowler. Find her book on Amazon and leave a review.
Dan Rockwell came through again with a giveaway for Susan and a post based on his interview with her (leave a comment on that post to enter).
Chantal Bechervaise opened her blog up again (she’s always generous in that way) to host this guest post from Susan.

Leaders Open Doors: Second Edition (Oct. 6 – 10)

All this week we’ve been supporting the launch of the second edition of Leaders Open Doors from ATD Press. Find it on Amazon and leave a review.
Chip Bell, another client we love, showed his support of Bill and Leaders Open Doors in this post (and by sharing a store in the second edition).
A tried and true member of Team Buzz Builder, Andy Uskavitch wrote a great post about Bill and his book.

You tell me! Did you read any of our fall books? Have you left your review yet? Would you be interested in learning more about our upcoming launches (we still have one more this November – sign up now)? The spring launch season is filling up, so sign up today!

The Thing About Open Doors…

Bill Treasurer’s son Ian inspired his book Leaders Open Doors. Talking about being the leader at school, he shared “I got to open doors for people.”

For the 2nd time, my team is launching this amazing book. The 2nd edition, published by ATD, is available this month.

The idea of leaders opening doors is both a powerful and simple one, and one which we can all relate to.

While in San Francisco last month, I had the opportunity to have dinner with a woman who opened doors for me that led me into a future I could not have imagined, the one I am now living as an entrepreneur. Jesse Stoner referred our first client (Whitney Johnson) and her endorsement of me and my work also opened a door to a strong partnership/collaboration with Berrett-Koehler Publishers, which has resulted in more tremendous opportunities.

When I thanked Jesse for opening those doors, her humble response was this: “I have opened a lot of doors, but not everyone walks through them the way you have.”

As a leader, this sentence gives me hope. While I can make a big difference by opening doors for people, and supporting them through the journey, what people ultimately do when we open doors for them is beyond our control, ultimately.

When we open doors for people, some people will take advantage of what we’ve offered and enjoy the benefits of our door opening.

When we open doors for people, some people will not even walk through the door at all. Or they will walk through, stumble through, or lose their way.

When we open doors for people, a rare few will maximize the opportunities we offer. They will learn, grow, accomplish, succeed, and go on to open doors and create opportunities for others.

They will take up the legacy of open-door leadership and pay forward the gift we gave when we opened a door for them.

I want to live my life each day in a way that honors the leaders who have opened doors to make a way for me. When I open doors for others, I am continuing the legacy Jesse and others started when they opened doors for me.

Will you take up the legacy of open-door leadership?

To learn more about the importance of opening doors for others, buy Bill Treasurer’s book — today! Or buy it as a thank you for someone who opened a door for you. 

Living Our Core Values: Integrity

I don’t want to intimidate you, but I think you have the right to know — I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Granted, I received my black belt when I was twelve, and nowadays I would likely topple over trying to do a roundhouse kick… however, my time spent sparring and breaking plastic boards still taught me some valuable lessons.

Everyday at the start of class, we had to recite the tenants of Tae Kwon Do. Standing at attention, we earnestly listed the foundational principles, one of which (and the only one I remember, honestly) was integrity. In simple terms, we were taught that integrity was “doing the right thing, no matter what, even when nobody is watching.”

A reputation of integrity is built through shared experiences. Though integrity might be doing right “even when nobody is watching,” these days it seems that someone is always watching. With the advent of social media, our principles are always on display. It is more important than ever to consistently seek the ethical path, even when we think nobody is looking. As Frank Sonnenberg so wonderfully puts it, “trust is built through a series of experiences shared with others.” Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and LinkedIn are all about sharing experiences. Through honest and authentic interactions across all platforms, our team at Weaving Influence strives to continually build a reputation of integrity for both our clients and ourselves.

Integrity is in the small things. At Weaving Influence, we strive toward integrity in everything we do — whether it is in interactions between coworkers or hosting webinars with clients. Integrity should be central not only to keynote speeches, but also to daily emails and phone calls. It takes a diligent and concentrated effort to maintain integrity, and we are committed to this effort.

When focused on integrity, we cannot buy into the myth that the ends always justify the means. Integrity asks us to acknowledge our interconnectivity with one another and our responsibility to interact with honesty at all times. A person with integrity must acknowledge that everything they do, no matter how small or how private, should be held to the same ethical standard.

To truly have integrity, we must transcend strategic kindness and embrace radical authenticity.

Tell me something! How do you pursue integrity? What are the pitfalls of neglecting it?