Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I read some interesting stuff, recently, about emotional intelligence. And one of the interesting points I saw was how resilient people “crave feedback and constructive criticism.” They know they don’t have all the answers. So, they look to people they trust to give them objective input.

One person wrote how resilient people practice what he called “Kaizen.” That’s a Japanese word for continuous improvement. So, they don’t just accept feedback. They actually crave it.

I know I don’t have all the answers either.

I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say I “crave feedback.” I do believe that constructive “criticism” from people you know you can trust can help you over a lot of obstacles. But it’s important to remember that even your most trusted family members, friends, and business associates don’t have all the answers either.

But the key thing is, they might have exactly the right answer to your problem. Because they might have already been through what you’re going through. So, they can help you avoid the worst pitfalls and save you lots of time.

I read an article about a former reality TV series called “Stars Earn Stripes.” It was written by a former military special operations professional who was paired withworld famous Olympic gold medal skier, Picabo Street, to compete in various mission scenarios. The military guy said he was “astonished at how intensely she desired constructive feedback, constantly pursuing perfection. I guess that’s how you win gold medals!”

Yes, I’d say that, AND a strong desire to follow through on your Vision and your dreams, is gold medal performance.

And that’s why the very first lessons in RondaReady YOUniversity are designed to help you discover your Vision. And they can help you focus your energy in the direction you’d actually like to go. Your Vision is probably the total opposite of a celebrity skier.

But you still need strategies to help you know how to get there.

YOUniversity could be just what you’re looking for. I don’t guarantee that because, as I said, I don’t have ALL the answers. But how about we talk about it some more? Book a free call with me, with that handy calendar below. And give me a chance to see where you wanna go in life. I’d love to help YOU if I can. Let’s talk soon.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

You don’t have to look very far to find an F bomb these days. Social media. Videos. Movies. It’s become about as common as blockbuster car chases and explosions. So, if you wanna be different, leave ’em out of your business.

But I’m gonna drop an F bomb on you and STILL be different.

No, you don’t have to cover your kids’ eyes and ears. Because the F bomb I’m talking about stands for Fire.

And no, not a forest fire. But something you have to do, sometimes, as a business owner. Yeah, firing an employee is the dreaded F bomb nobody enjoys. And for good reason. Because real lives are affected. If you’ve never had to fire anyone, consider yourself fortunate. But if you have, you know what I’m talkin’ about.

I remember an article that shared 10 things to keep in mind so you can do the deed “nicely.” And I think they’re certainly some things to think about. But I have another take on it I’ll share with you after I share those 10 things.

  • Address performance early: And give your employee time to change. Don’t just make firing the first option.
  • Make personal time for it: Whatever time you decide on, do it in person. Difficult, but more human.
  • Rehearse what you’ll say: It helps to know ahead of time, so you don’t fumble and sound unprofessional.
  • Don’t do it alone: Include a neutral third party in case the conversation gets heated or legal sounding.
  • Clarify: Stick to the point, from the start. And make sure they know why you’re firing them.
  • Stand firm: Because they need to understand your decision is final, based on YOUR criteria, not theirs.
  • Leave out the emotions: So they can see you can’t be manipulated by feelings.
  • Give them time. Maybe up to 48 hours to think things over and get back to you with questions.
  • Allow a goodbye. Or at least consider it if the termination has gone well.
  • Think it over afterwards: Ask yourself why the employee didn’t work out. But don’t be too hard on yourself.

OK, those are 10 points to definitely think about.

And I think there’s something else even better to consider.

Set up a better hiring system. I mean, think about it. If you do a better job at hiring better people, it’s less likely you’ll have to drop an F bomb on somebody.

And as fate would have it (well, me actually, and not fate) I set up a System to help ease the burdens. And that’s what I’m going over in the lesson for my UNversity students in August (2023). Maybe you’re a business owner who has to hire (and sometimes fire) people. Or maybe you’re on your way to that point. Either way, you’d like to do it better.

In that case, I recommend you enroll in RondaReady UNversity before midnight July 31st. That’s the deadline to enroll and still be in time for the lesson on setting up your hiring system. That lesson is this week, August 3 (1st Thursday) to be precise.

Monthly tuition is $15. And you get how-to lessons that help you run a business, not just have one. Click or tap the link below before the deadline. And I’ll see you this Thursday.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.

Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

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I read something called “The Willing and Able Matrix.” Yeah, I didn’t know that sort of matrix existed either. But it makes a lot of sense. At least if you’re someone who’ll be responsible for hiring and firing people. Here’s how it goes.

People fall into two categories as new employees. Willing and able.

And this is how I saw it explained.

“When someone is able to do their job, it means they have the necessary skills, competence, and expertise to perform their responsibilities.

When someone is willing to do their job, it means that they are aligned with the company’s mission and values. And are enthusiastic about their role.

So, people will fall into one of the following four categories. And if you can pinpoint where they are, you can figure out whether to let them go or give them the opportunity to improve.

Willing and Able

This is where you want everyone. Bought into your culture, reflecting your values and mission, and able to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. These are your A-players.

Unwilling but Able

This person knows how to get the job done. But it doesn’t seem like it’s a priority to them. And they’re not invested in the mission or invigorated about the work. When this happens, there’s some underlying reason. So, ask questions to find out what’s going on. Stephen Covey said, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “Seek first to understand.” You need to have a frank conversation with this employee to figure out why this is happening. Because they might have legitimate concerns that reflect problems in your business, personal problems. Or they may just not be aligned with your mission. Whatever the case, you need to find out the underlying issue before casting judgment.

Willing but Unable

This is a really enthusiastic person who is on board with everything you give them. But they just aren’t competent. So, the question here is, Can you get them where they need to be? If you are dealing with this person, approach them with honesty. Ask them what can be done to close the gap between expectations and reality. Again, listen. Because, sometimes you can get them where they need to be, with additional training and resources. But sometimes they just are not the right fit for the role.

Unwilling and Unable

If an employee doesn’t have the skills to do the job well and they aren’t willing to get better, it’s time to let them go.”

Well, that might be more information than you even ever imagined you’d need on the subject of hiring and firing. Or maybe you’d like to know more about how to set up a System to help ease the burdens.

In that case, I recommend you enroll in RondaReady UNversity before midnight July 31st. That’s the deadline to enroll and still be in time for the lesson on hiring and firing next month. August 3 (1st Thursday) to be precise.

Monthly tuition is $15. And you get how-to lessons that help you run a business, not just have one. Click or tap the link below before the deadline. And I’ll see you in less than a week.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.

Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I wanna talk about expanding faster. And this isn’t about a new fad diet. And, you know what? I think I’ll let someone else talk first. Here’s what Alan shared after I took him through a total business system setup:

“We first started our business only doing computer repair. And shortly thereafter, we were asked to do some other tech stuff like installing security cameras and wired networking in residences and small businesses.

We realized that business was expanding faster than we could keep up with.

AND we had no real idea of how to manage and run this growing entity. Then, I attended a networking group of business professionals and met Ronda. And after meeting with Ronda for a consultation we decided it was time to get help. We had no idea of what a business coach was.

For 12 months, we met on a regular basis to discuss, plan, and execute our ideas.

She took us from an empty 3 ring binder to a binder full of business processes, plans and training that we can use to continue with our growth. And we began to understand, very quickly, that running a business is not as easy as it seems to be. But, if you spend the time with Ronda to develop a plan on how you want your business to run, you will see your work at the end of the 12 months come to fruition and you know have a plan that you can take and grow with.

So, I learned really fast that this “development” is almost, if not more, important than actually doing “jobs” to bring in money. Why? Because anyone can go out and perform labor. To make a business successful, it requires a whole lot of labor back in the office.

And without this plan, it’s just mass confusion and no organization.

We learned to manage our time. Create customer lists and keep track of customer jobs. Create newsletter for our customers and how to communicate with them more effectively.

And our business has now taken the next step in its evolution and we look forward to working with Ronda again to help us to continue to move forward in our endeavor. Without Ronda’s help and professionalism, we would have failed, like most businesses without a plan do.

So, we owe our growing business success to Ronda and can recommend without any hesitation and doubts. If a business coach is on your radar, then Ronda is the coach you need. Success!”
Alan G. – Owner Mountain Stream Technologies Colorado Springs, CO

Just so you get the down-n-dirty full picture, you have to understand Alan’s story is the exception rather than the rule. Because Alan (and his team) actually did the work I showed them to do. And they discovered the importance and awesome financial benefit of follow-through.

Most business owners or entrepreneur wannabes don’t do that. So, for them, my system won’t work. And neither will any other system.

But, for a person who’s willing to do the work, set up the system, and plan and execute, it’s basically fail-proof. Years, and my many successful clients, have shown the RondaReady System to be tried and true.

And I understand how someone who isn’t expanding faster, or at all, might not be ready to dive into the full system.

So, I’ve made an incredibly affordable way for you to get business training. And I’m talking about training that helps you RUN a business. Not just have one.

Enroll in RondaReady UNversity.

It’s a monthly business training class. And when you enroll you’ll receive the video classes in your email. You can even send me questions and comments which will come directly to me. And these classes teach you HOW to do what I’ve done to create (and help others create) and RUN 6 and 7 figure businesses.

But, the deadline to enroll in RondaReady UNversity, and be in time for the next one on August 3rd, is midnight July 31st. After that, you’ll be too late for the August session. You could still enroll, but you’d have to wait for the next class in September.

And the hands-on how-to coaching, in August, will be a lesson that’s especially valuable when you’re expanding faster than you can keep up with. The topic is on hiring and firing.

Monthly tuition is still only $15. I’m holding it at that level as long as possible. But don’t put it off too long. Click or tap that link, below, to enroll today:

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.

Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

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Happy All or Nothing day. Yeah, according to some calendars, that’s one of the “national” things for July 26. It reminds me of a song the older generations used to listen to, from Frank Sinatra:

All Or Nothing At All

All or nothing at all.
Half a love never appealed to me.
If your heart never could yield to me,
Then I’d rather have nothing at all

All or nothing at all.
If it’s love, there is no in between.
Why begin and cry for something that might have been?
No, I’d rather have nothing at all.

Wow, those torch song singers sure could go all in on love.

But, isn’t that the best way to do something worthwhile? Go all in. Because if your heart’s not into it, you’re not likely to commit. And if you don’t commit, whatever it was fades away or disintegrates.

Especially relationships.

I can speak from experience, on a personal level. But that’s not the level I’m talking about right now. Because it’s getting close to the end of July. So, that means, the first Thursday of August is next week. Hard to believe. But a quick glance at the calendar and I see it’s a week from tomorrow.

But what’s so important about the first Thursday of the month? Well, that’s when I serve up my monthly lesson for my UNversity students. How-to lessons to help you run a business better and grow it more effectively.

And the lesson for August 2023 deals with a particular kind of relationship. The employee/employer relationship. I’ll be sharing some valuable tips for the hiring and firing parts. Not always fun to talk about. But always necessary to know. Because, unfortunately, not all new employees go all in on a new job. Gasp! Yes, it’s true.

They probably never heard “All Or Nothing At All”

But I can show you how to make those issues less of a problem.

If you’re already enrolled, this lesson contains key things that could save you a ton of time and headaches, too.

But if you’re not already enrolled in UNversity, do that today. Because the deadline is midnight July 31st. Don’t be one of those procrastinators who misses out. My students get how-to-improve-your-business lessons, for $15 a month. Here’s the link to enroll:

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Responsive Organized Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Someone sent me an article about how to run a web design business remotely. And the person who wrote the article shared 6 key things to keep in mind if you think that’s something you’d like to do. Of course, those kinds of things are pretty much true for other business categories. And I thought one of the bullet points was particularly relevant to what I’ll be talking about in next month’s UNversity lesson.

And this is one of the key things to know when you expand.

You might think you’ll never want to own and run a business that’s too big for you handle all alone. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I know a couple of people who do VERY well for themselves with that business model. But, just in case you think you might like to grow something way bigger, you’ll have to hire people eventually.

And that’s one of those key things so many business owners don’t do so well. Here’s a snippet, from that article I read, that includes some helpful tips.

“Find self-motivated people who are team players and can thrive in a remote work environment. And that requires the establishment of an effective remote hiring procedure. It’s crucial to implement a recruiting strategy that enables you to find and pick the best talent for your remote team. Because the success of any organization depends on having the right people in place.

Start by using internet resources like Flexjobs, Upwork, WeWorkRemotely, and AngelList Jobs to find suitable remote employees. And those are people with the talents you need. Additionally, think about publicizing your remote job positions on well-known job search websites like Indeed. And professional networking websites like LinkedIn.

Before you choose a candidate for a remote role, it’s crucial to carefully investigate their work history. Carefully investigate their prior positions and duties. And pay attention to the endorsements, assessments, and rankings made by their most recent customers or employers.”

Those are some very good pointers.

But even after you do ALL that, you can still hire someone and have problems. Because then you gotta train them. Maybe you don’t have to train them for the skills you hired them to use. But they’ll still need to know how to get around in your business. And they’ll need to know what’s required. And a variety of other key points.

There are ways to get that done that don’t make the best use of your time. Or your newbie’s time. And there are ways that can save you a ton of time and headaches.

And making the best use of your time is one of my super powers. Matter of fact, I’ve used my super powers to help business owners and entrepreneurs build 6 and 7 figures businesses. Lots of them. And one of the ways I do that is to help them with their hiring and firing procedures.

That’s the subject of next month’s UNversity lesson.

If you’re already enrolled, this lesson contains key things that could save you a ton of time and headaches, too.

But if you’re not already enrolled in UNversity, do that today. Because the deadline is midnight July 31st. Don’t be one of those procrastinators who misses out. My students get how-to-improve-your-business lessons, for $15 a month. Here’s the link to enroll:

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Responsive Organized Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Of course it’s way before my time. But apparently Neil Sedaka, a popular singer from the 1960’s had a hit song called “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.” And then some duo who called themselves “The Carpenters” had a remake hit with the same song.

So, breaking up is obviously a popular song theme.

And it makes sense. Because when you invest your time and emotions into a relationship, it’s tough, to say the least, to think about ending it. Especially when you know how difficult it’s gonna be to start up with someone new.

I hope you’re not going through something like that. If you are, I feel for you. Believe me. I know how awful it is.

Sadly, the same kind of thing can happen to you if you’re a business owner. Because, despite what some of those YouTube commercials show you, owning and running a business is not all big houses, fancy cars, and vacations. Sure, those things might come into play when you’re successful enough. But that’s only after you tend to

  • office space
  • office supplies
  • phone lines and lots of phone calls
  • internet service and office network
  • computer and printer upgrades
  • all the bills

And that’s not all. You also have to…

  • brainstorm
  • work on your ideas
  • learn new software
  • design business cards and marketing brochures
  • build an optimized e-commerce website

Yeah, we’re just gettin’ warmed up.

You also need to set up your pipeline for repeat and referral business. And figure out how to automate your marketing and plug in social media. And some way to track and measure your performance. Then there’s one of the most dreaded parts of all: hiring and firing.

Yeah, that last one is maybe the toughest thing for any business owner to do. Because, as Neil and The Carpenters sang, “breaking up is hard to do.”

And let’s face it. When you fire someone, that’s a tough breakup.

That’s what I’ll be talking about in next month’s UNversity lesson.

If you’re already enrolled, this lesson could help you the deal with this the same way it’s helped so many business owners and entrepreneurs.

But if you’re not already enrolled in UNversity, do that today. Because the deadline is midnight July 31st. Don’t be one of those procrastinators who misses out. My students get how-to-improve-your-business lessons, for $15 a month. Here’s the link to enroll:

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Responsive Organized Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

You’ve seen me mention Kevin O’leary a couple of times recently. And I’m gonna do that again. Because he said something I think it’s SO important. An interviewer asked him, “What is success?” And his main answer was, “Having control over your own time.

Then, he added, “Pursuing money just for the sake of having it, you’ll never get there. That’s the trouble, you never have enough. But in life you don’t need that much.” I definitely agree.

And yet having control over your own time IS huge.

Mr. O’Leary acknowledged that most entrepreneurs want to be good providers for their families. But he emphasized that doesn’t mean flashy cars and diamonds and gold. He said, “That’s greed. Nothing to do with [success].”

So, what do you think? Is having control over your time your definition of success?

Because that’s entrepreneurship and being your own boss in a nutshell. And everybody likes to talk about insurance benefits that come with a job. But how about the benefits of working for yourself, like getting to set your own hours, following YOUR own vision, or working from home to be with your family? Those benefits are priceless.

I read an article where a successful entrepreneur shared his journey to having control of his own time. He had seen that interview with Kevin O’leary. And he said he “discovered the truth of O’Leary’s words.”

But he also said he “never aspired to be a business owner.”

I’ll just share what he said in that article:

“But after being unemployed for several months (and even living on welfare), I began working for myself. Even though the business has gone well and has provided my family a measure of financial security, I often tell people it’s a completely different reason that would likely prevent me from ever going back to work for someone else.

Having control over my own time.

My wife and I now have four kids, and the list of things to do is endless. Cooking, cleaning up, taking kids to school, picking kids up from school, laundry, sports, spending time together. I honestly don’t know how I’d manage it as an employee. Of course, your situation may be different from mine. And business ownership brings its own set of headaches, in the form of pressure and risk.”

Well, that’s where I come in. My RondaReady System has helped ease a lot of those headaches over the years. Because I’ve been able to show my clients and customers the huge advantages of automation and delegation.

But before the automation and delegation part, I created lessons on how to discover and clarify your vision. Because you’ve got to know who you are, what your skills and talents are, and where you wanna go. Otherwise, how will you know where to start?

How about we talk about it some more? Book a free call with me, with that handy calendar below. And give me a chance to see where you wanna go in life. I might have a business solution option right for YOU. Let’s talk soon.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

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Imagine getting paid to Tweet out something on Twitter. Now imagine getting paid close to a million dollars to do that. Total fantasy world, right? Yeah, except for one thing. That’s what Kim Kardashian does.

It’s true. She gets paid to Tweet for brands.

From what I’ve read, those paid tweets bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Of course, she probably doesn’t just mention the brand name. I’m sure (even though I don’t follow her) that she says something nice about them. But they pay her that much because she has 75 million followers. So, if even a small fraction of them go buy what she talks about, ka-ching! (Or is that cha-ching?)

I’ve heard a couple of people say Kim’s tweets have actually created million-dollar brands. I haven’t confirmed that, but it makes sense. Because, well, 75 million followers. Wow!

You and I might never reach that status. In fact, without a solid brand, it’s not likely that you and I would ever get more than a few “likes” or retweets or thumbs up. And we almost certainly won’t get paid to tweet anything. Even if you’re the tip-top expert in your business or industry. Without a recognizable brand, almost no one will care.

I don’t think you could say Kim Kardashian is the most talented celebrity out there. At least if “talent” means more than just looking good and being seen in the right places. Plus, when it comes to business, I doubt she could hold a candle to Mr. Wonderful, Kevin O’leary.

But these days that obviously doesn’t matter.

Take the royal family, in England, for example. They have status. They’re easily and quickly recognized all around the world. But what do they build, what business do they run, that serves their fellow human beings. And yet, many people seek their advice, follow them all around, and watch their every move.

Ms Kardashian has status almost that high. She’s even had talks with presidents. And her millions of followers, who follow her every move, notice those things.

OK, that’s all well and good. But what does any of it mean to you?

Well, my recommendation is that you find a way to build YOUR brand. Develop YOUR style. And find your audience. Then, you keep them entertained with your dazzling (or even super dull) persona.

And here’s the thing. Kim Kardashian started somewhere. She wasn’t always a high profile celebrity. But she had a Vision of where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do. So, that’s the place to start. Your Vision. That’s why I included lessons on how to discover your Vision in my business-building book.

You can get a copy of the book, for $115 ($100 for the Kindle version), on Amazon. And it’s the kind of book that can pay for itself over and over and over. At least for someone who’s willing to implement the business-building strategies my high-paying, one-on-one clients have used with tons of success.

As I keep saying, this book is only for the very few who will do the work to reap the rewards.

If that’s you, get yourself a copy on Amazon and use it to help you get where you want and need to go much faster. When that happens, share your story with me. And I’ll share it with others to hopefully inspire them, too.

Of course, if you’re someone who learns better working with someone instead of reading a book, let’s talk about it. Put down your vacation planner, for a minute, and book a free call with me, with that handy calendar below. And give me a chance to see where you wanna go in life. I’d love to help YOU if I can. Let’s talk soon.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Don’t you just love it when you can put on your vacation planner hat? It’s July of 2023. So I know a lot of people are already out there in vacay mode.

Maybe you’re like me and you prefer to hit the beach. Or maybe you prefer to hit the slopes (not really my choice). Either way, I’ll bet you love to get away from the routine. Right? But do you get to go when you want? Or not?

Does your vacation planner include scheduling time off with your boss?

When I think of how that works, it reminds me of those commercials where a spill happens and somebody yells “NO” in slow motion. Yeah, when you wanna vacate the grind, it’s no fun to see your plans grind to a halt as you wait for the “Ok” from the boss or manager.

And maybe you’ve been waiting for and looking forward to that week or two weeks off all year. But what if somebody else already claimed those days? Well, in that case, the company probably can’t let you take off. Because, then, they’d be short-staffed or something like that. Has that ever happened to you?

Well, if you’re an entrepreneur, self-employed, or business owner, there’s a better way.

You can schedule your own vacation dates, and you don’t have to hope the boss will OK it.

But there IS a catch.

But don’t worry. It’s a good catch.

You gotta have a system in place to help keep your business running smoothly while you’re away. And that’s the catch. Because systems don’t set themselves up. And almost nobody enjoys setting them up either.

But I’m one who does. And I even wrote a book on how to build your business better and faster. And I made it especially for go-getters and risk takers who prefer a vacation planner over a day planner.

It’s available on Amazon.

You should know, up front, it’s not cheapest business-building book you’ll find. In fact, it’s $115 ($100 for the Kindle version). But it’s the kind of book that can pay for itself over and over and over. At least for someone who’s willing to implement the business-building strategies my high-paying, one-on-one clients have used with tons of success.

You should know, this book is only for the very few who will do the work to reap the rewards.

If that’s you, awesome. And in that case, get yourself a copy on Amazon and use it to help you get where you want and need to go much faster. When that happens, share your story with me. And I’ll share it with others to hopefully inspire them, too.

Of course, if you’re someone who learns better working with someone instead of reading a book, let’s talk about it. Put down your vacation planner, for a minute, and book a free call with me, with that handy calendar below. And give me a chance to see where you wanna go in life. I’d love to help YOU if I can. Let’s talk soon.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant