Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I haven’t read the book. But I’ve read a couple of blurbs about the book, “Cod.” Yes, there’s actually a book called “Cod.” And would you believe it’s a biography of that particular species of fish? But this isn’t just another fish story. Because the author, Mark Kurlansky, apparently shares the history of cod and what might not have happened without it.

And what would any good fish story be without sailing ships?

You might already know how Europeans sailed across the Atlantic to discover the North American continent. And maybe you’ve heard how the Vikings were known for their sea-faring ways from Greenland and Iceland to America (or what would become America).

But did you know that maybe the only reason all those long trips by ships could occur was because of cod?

Yeah, the Vikings basically freeze-dried cod, in the cold air. And the blurb I read said they ate it “like hardtack.” The short article also said  cod was a “staple of the medieval diet.” Apparently it was salted and sold by the Basques, “an enigmatic people with an endless supply of cod.”

But let’s get back to those trips across the Atlantic.

Imagine having to figure out how much cod to bring on such a long ocean trip. And would it even be possible during the warmer seasons? Because you certainly don’t wanna be trapped on board a wooden ship with a bunch of rotting fish. Ew!

So, my guess is somebody was good at planning.

Somebody figured out a system that worked. Something they could depend on. Because their lives, literally, depended on ample food and water supplies on those long trips.

Fortunately, you and I don’t have to freeze dry cod in order to stay alive during long trips. And I’m thankful about that for multiple reasons. But if you’re like me, you DO need a System to help you keep track of your business. Or your daily self-employed duties.

And just in case you don’t already have a proven System in place, there’s no need to start from scratch. In fact, scores of past and present clients of mine will tell you how glad they are they didn’t have to start from scratch. Because they saw the huge amount of time and effort they saved by plugging into the System I already built.

You can too. And that time and effort you save will pay for my System. Over and over. So, if you’re serious about getting true control over your business or self-employed daily to-do’s, your link is below.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://www.RondaReady.com

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I talked, a couple of years ago, about how free advice can cost you way too much. And I stand by that. Free is bad. At least when it comes to business advice and business choices. Because it could lead to you just answering a lot of questions with a potential client. And that’s not free. Because it’s you who pays. But I have a couple of pointers I’ll share with you again.

Here’s an example of when free is bad.

I helped a client build a system with processes to avoid this situation. But like we’ve probably all done, he fell back into an old habit. He’s a nice guy, and he wants to help. So, he started answering a couple more questions with potential clients. Those couple of questions turned into a few more. And before he knew it, his whole consultation calls were turning into Q and A sessions. Lots of questions and lots of answers.

Not a good position to be in.

And that’s when (and why) I say free advice is bad. Because it costs you way too much of your most valuable asset…time. It’s so important to work on building relationships before you start giving out much of your knowledge. Sure, you need to show your potential client or customer you care. But you can do that much more effectively by asking questions instead of answering them.

And when it’s YOU asking the questions, it does two things right away. It shows the other person you’re truly interested in learning more about their business, their needs, their life. And it helps you develop and prepare better solutions for them.

Another thing…and this is even more important…

It helps you stay in control of your precious time.

You could maybe think of it like it’s giving away all the milk before they’ve invested in your cow.

My RondaReady System if full of ways to avoid falling into the free trap. And it’s already helped scores of business owners stop giving away all the milk. And it’s available to serious entrepreneurs and business owners who click or tap the link below.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

Get your not-free RondaReady System today

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Sometimes I look at my calendar and wonder if I’ll be able to keep up with my busy day. And, you might not believe this, but sometimes I don’t. (Gasp!) I’ll bet that happens to your busy day, too, sometimes. But you and I have it pretty easy when compared to Leo.

I took some time out of my busy day to read about this guy.

Yeah, I’m talkin’ about Leonardo da Vinci. Have you ever heard or read about him? Oh, my goodness. Apparently he started out as an artist. But that actually motivated him to study building designs, engineering, math, music, and science. And today, many people consider him to be one of the greatest thinkers of all time. And a lot of his work was way, way, way ahead of its time.

You’ve probably seen his famous “Vitruvian Man” drawing. Even if you didn’t know it. That’s the drawing of a man, with outstretched arms, in the middle of a circle and a square. Well, that wasn’t just a random doodle. Far from it.

Because Leonardo had a strong desire to connect art and math and science. The “Vitruvian Man” showed a man’s range of motion. And da Vinci wanted to illustrate the human body’s relationship to geometry. Hmm…sort of like he was thinking INSIDE the box…and circle. (sorry, couldn’t help it)

I read a quote, attributed to Leonardo, where he shared the best way to develop a complete mind. And he said, “Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses, especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

And speaking of connecting.

According to historians, Leonardo was one of the most skillful lyre players in all of Italy. So, he not only thought art and music and math and science were connected, he personally connected them. And that’s in addition to designing engines, different kinds of machines, and even robots, and weapons.

I could give you lots more examples. But you get the idea. Leo was one busy dude.

And I get the impression Leonardo da Vinci was organized and focused. Because he didn’t just have ideas. He had purpose.

And that’s why I’m always talking about how important it is to get a clear vision for your future. Plus, it’s crucial to figure out what you’re good at…or what you can get good at. And then you gotta line up some strategies. So you know where you’re going. And you have a reasonable idea of how to get there.

For people just starting out in the “real world” or for people who are starting over, my RondaReady YOUniversity can help you focus. I don’t promise Leonardo da Vinci results. But you’ll definitely find your range of motion and how you can connect to everything else.

If that Vitruvian sort of experience sounds like you, click or tap on that link below to learn more about YOUniversity and how to enroll.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://www.rondaready.com/youniversity

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I’ve talked about Heidi before. She’s a client of mine and a professional photographer in Colorado Springs. And, like I’ve said before, her eye for good photography is second to none. You can tell she invested her time and energy and figured out what she wanted to do and how she wanted to do it.

And she knew her time and energy are limited resources.

So, she knew she needed to get the right tools and know-how to grow her business. When I first met her, she was in a class I gave on how to build business relationships. After the class she approached me about working together. And I could see she was concerned about the price.

So, we talked about it some more. And I discovered Heidi had been taking photos for a few years. But she wanted to figure out how to take it from a hobby to a real business. And a business that would pay her well enough to afford my services AND make a profit.

And that’s what I want for anyone who works with me or enrolls in my classes or System. After all, if you wanna work with me or invest in my System, but you can’t make enough to pay me, something’s not right. Right?

But here’s the thing.

Everyone who’s ever worked with me or invested in my System AND actually did the work, has gotten results far beyond just paying me.

For example…Heidi

She grew her photography hobby into a solopreneur home-based business. And then she expanded into a full-fledged studio. And she continues to exceed the goals she sets for herself. So, she’s the perfect picture of a success story. (see what I did there?)

But remember, Heidi knew what she wanted to do when she started.

Maybe you’re not even to that point yet. Or maybe you’re just starting out in the world. And maybe you don’t know where to begin. Well, don’t panic. And don’t let it overwhelm you. Because I’ve got something to help you figure out what you wanna do…and how to get started.

I call it RondaReady YOUniversity. It’s focused on YOU. And it’ll help YOU get your mind focused on YOU, too. You might say it’s a way to be more self-ish without being selfish. And if you’re the kind of person who’ll do what I show you how to do, you’ll reap the benefits. The link to find out more and get started, today, is below.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://www.rondaready.com/youniversity

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Whether you like it or not, obstacles are inevitable in life and in business. There’s a scene in the movie, O Brother Where Art Thou, where the main characters, 3 escaped convicts, meet up with a “blind seer” on a railroad track. They jump on the push cart, on the rails, and ask the seer a couple of questions. And he tells them…

“You seek a great fortune, you three who are now in chains. You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek. But first… first you must travel a long and difficult road, a road fraught with peril. Mm-hmm. You shall see thangs, wonderful to tell. You shall see a… a cow… on the roof of a cotton house, ha. And, oh, so many startlements. I cannot tell you how long this road shall be, but fear not the obstacles in your path, for fate has vouchsafed your reward. Though the road may wind, yea, your hearts grow weary, still shall ye follow them, even unto your salvation.”

Then, a little later, the 3 convicts argue about something as they’re walking along a dirt road. And one of them mentions those obstacles. One of the funny parts is how they keep saying that word like ob-stack-ulls. I laugh when I think about the way they said it. But it also makes me think of how…

Obstacles are inevitable.

But inevitable doesn’t mean they can’t be overcome. In fact, they can help become a better decision maker. I shared a story a couple of years ago about a friend who faced a wall, literally, and here’s what I said.

“He said he used to get his morning coffee, sit in his favorite leather chair, and read some news. AND every few minutes he’d look up at a very large empty wall on the other side of the living room. He and his wife knew they didn’t want to fill up the wall with a hundred pictures. So, he started to envision some custom cabinetry to cover the whole wall.

Fortunately, he has professional carpenter skills. And one of those mornings he stared at the wall and Boom! He could SEE the entire finished project in his head. Didn’t even have to draw up any plans. He told me it was like a high definition picture in his mind.

And a couple of months later, there was a finished cabinet for books, an enclosed media/TV center, and built-in surround sound.”

Yeah, my friend was able to overcome that obstacle of what to do with the wall by getting a clear vision of a solution. And basically that’s how you accomplish any goals in life.

That’s why the first stage of my RondaReady System focuses on your vision.

And that first stage is now a more comprehensive course called RondaReady YOUniversity. It’s designed to help YOU discover (and BE) the best YOU.

It’s not free. And, for some, it might not even seem inexpensive. But it’s only a fraction of the cost of my entire System. And it can truly help you clarify what you want to do with your life. Whether it’s to own and operate a business, get a better job, or continue your education after high school.

Remember, maybe obstacles are inevitable. But you’re not incapable.

When you’re Ready to find out more and get some help to envision your future, your link is waiting for you, below.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://www.rondaready.com/youniversity/

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I watched a video of a group of successful business owners in a roundtable discussion. And, in one way or another, each one of them talked about how business is a gamble. And I enjoyed some of the stories they shared that showed how true that is.

Since business is a gamble, you might think no one would want to play.

But you’d be wrong. Because most of the things you enjoy so much in this life probably wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for somebody willing to gamble.

For example, do you like your computer or smartphone? Sure. Who doesn’t, right? But just think if people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates hadn’t taken some big risks. Where would the world be right now without their ideas and inventions?

Or how about the early pioneers in the auto industry? Just imagine what a gamble it must’ve been for someone to come up with loud, smelly automobile and try to sell it to people who were used to nice, quiet horses.

For sure it’s risky to go all in on your dreams, your ideas, your passion. But this is the best time in all of history to do that. Because, even though starting a business is a gamble, nowadays you get to hold AND deal the cards. And that’s an advantage basically no one had back in the so-called “good ol’ days.”

These days, you don’t even have to own a brick and mortar store. And you can pitch and sell your goods and services to a potential audience of millions. Not just a few people who walk or drive by.

Sure, there are no guarantees.

But guess what? There never were. And there never will be. So, the best you can do (and it’s really great) is get a clear picture of where you wanna go. Then, develop strategies to help you take action steps to build steady income. And then, build Your System to be the hands-free CEO of your own business.

And I’ve got a System you can plug into and get all that going a lot faster.

But maybe you’re not ready to jump into the whole thing yet. Maybe you still need to just get a clear picture of where you wanna go. Or maybe you’re a young person just starting out and wants to see if there are options besides college.

Well, I’ve got you covered there, too. I call it RondaReady YOUniversity. It’s the first stage of my bigger RondaReady System. And it can help you figure out who you are, what you wanna do with your life, and how to set yourself up to get there. All for a smaller investment than the bigger System.

And if you’re not sure if you wanna own a business, get a job, or go to college, RondaReady YOUniversity is a great place to figure it out. If that sounds like the sort of option you’ve been looking for, your link to learn more and enroll is below.

Stay Ready,

https://www.rondaready.com/youniversity/

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

When you wake up in the morning, do you feel like making the perfect cup of coffee from scratch? And, by that, I mean, are you ready to freshly grind the properly roasted beans to just the right grind? Then, infuse those beans with pure, filtered water…not too filtered. Because you want the healthful minerals, too. Then, do you gently pour your exacting brew into the cup designed specifically for such a drink? Or, do you simply toss the water and pre-ground beans into your coffee maker and flip the switch?

If you’re like most people, you probably go for the coffee maker option.

Somebody sent me a link to an old Ronco commercial. And it was one of many commercials made by Ron Popeil who started Ronco. His famous line, from a lot of those commercials, was “Set it and forget it.” Because, back in the 70’s and 80’s people loved their automatic devices.

And that’s part of why Mr. Coffee became so popular. And why so many other companies, from economy to luxury brands, came out with their own automatic drip coffee makers.

Just set it and forget it. Sort of. Because you still gotta keep your eye on it.

A couple of years ago I shared how when you first start a new business, you’re probably the only decision maker. And you might play all the other parts, too.

Grunt. I.T. troubleshooter. Supplies manager. Office cleanup crew. Even the coffee maker.

Yeah, that might be where you are. But you sure don’t want to set it there and forget it there. At least, not if you wanna have more freedom and make more money.

And that’s where the right kind of automation comes in.

My past week, as I spent time on a nice seaside vacation with my kids, I felt that freedom. And I was so grateful for the System I put in place, years ago, that helped me enjoy the experience. Hard to believe it’s already over.

If you’re still in the grunt, I.T. person, supplies manager, cleanup crew, and coffee maker phase, I’d love to help you out of it. Unless that’s what you prefer, in which case, I can’t help. But if you DO like the idea of building your business better and faster, my not-so-cheap System can help.

It’s only expensive to someone who won’t commit to do the work. Go-getters make sure more profits pay for it.

And if you’re not Ready to commit to that kind of investment, I urge you to get Ready as soon as possible. One way you can do that is to sign up for my emails so you can get to know me and how I’ve helped so many other business owners. The link to subscribe is below.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

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Not the only one, but it wouldn’t matter if you were

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Does it make you feel better to know you’re not the only one when it comes to figuring things out? As I drove to a client meeting the other day, I had my radio on scan. And I heard an oldie song by Bonnie Raitt that sort of relates to that. She sang, “I was in a daze, movin’ in the wrong direction. Feelin’ that I’d always be the lonely one. Then I saw your face, on the edge of my horizon. Whisperin’ that I wasn’t the only one. The lonely one.

And you see commercials all the time that say, “You’re not the only one.”

As if being part of a miserable crowd is supposed to make you feel better. But when you’re not sure which direction to take, it’s frustrating. Or worse, if you think you’re “movin’ in the wrong direction,” that’s beyond frustrating. But, to a high school graduate, things like that can seem like obstacles you’ll never get over.

You remember the motivational speeches. How the world is “out there waiting for you.” And how your life is “all in front of you.” And how you can and should go pursue your dreams. Great talk. But reality is slightly different.

Because reality is…well…real.

And real life is where real choices have real consequences. So, you wanna make good, maybe even great, choices. Trouble is, some people will tell you college is the next step. Others will say trade school. Still others will say “Get a job.” And none of those choices is wrong. At least not necessarily. But one or all of them might be wrong. For YOU.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just figure out how to figure it out? And then, go for it? Yeah, that’d be great. And there IS a way to do it. But it requires the kind of thinking you probably didn’t learn in school.

System Thinking.

Because when you System Think, you can develop your vision, your mission, and your plan. It’s the way to help you prepare to own and operate a business, if that’s your dream. Or be able to move through the ranks of cutting edge businesses, if that’s what you prefer. Or just plain figure out how to figure things out.

If that sounds like the kind of help you’d like to get you prepared for the real world, click or tap the link, below. And you’ll be able to find out more and enroll. Remember, you’re not the only one to face the future. But you ARE the only YOU.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://www.rondaready.com/youniversity

Ready for you probably isn’t the same for someone else

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There’s no shortage of opportunities, in life, to discover that what’s ready for you isn’t necessarily what’s ready for someone else. And I know, from raising kids for the past umpteenth years, readiness can be very relative. Have you noticed anything like that in your life?

Let’s take college, for example. A lot of young people grow up knowing they’ll be going to college. And either they or their parents make decisions in life based on that knowledge. Because they wanna be as ready as possible when they get there.

But maybe college preparation isn’t the right way to get ready, for you.

Because maybe…just maybe…you’re not ready for college. And maybe you never will be. And that’s a great thing to know ahead of time. That way you don’t end up wasting your time and lots of money (or your parents’ money…even worse) on something that’s just not you.

Or here’s another maybe. You’re just not sure what direction you’d prefer to go as you transition from a high school student into the “real world.” Because you’ve been on the internet. And you know there are lots more options these days. Right? Sure you could choose to…

  • Do an apprenticeship for a trade or industry
  • Turn your hobby into a business
  • Get a job
  • Join an accelerator program with a mentor
  • Use your digital skills and become a content creator

 

And that’s just scratching surface.

But every one of those options require something from you that you probably didn’t learn in high school. Something you’ll need no matter what you choose to do with your life.

System Thinking

And System Think is how you develop your vision and your mission and your plan. A System to help you prepare to own and operate a business, if that’s your dream. Or make money from your hobby. Or be able to move through the ranks of cutting edge companies, if that’s what you prefer.

Without a vision, and a system to see it through, it’s so easy to get stressed out and overwhelmed. I’m sure you’ve felt that at some point in your life. Right? Just about everyone has. And it’s no fun, to say the least.

That’s why I created RondaReady YOUniversity. I believe it could be the missing link you’re after. At least, it could be if you’re not ready to commit to four more years of school. And, in that case, maybe college isn’t ready for you either.

For less than just the books you’d need for one semester at college, you can develop your vision. And you can determine your mission. And you can personalize your plan. If that sounds like a great alternative, it is. So, all you do is click or tap the link below. And within a few minutes you could start building your System Thinking skills.

Then, within a few weeks at the most, you’ll have Real Skills for Real Life. I think you’ll be amazed at the sense of freedom and creativity you’ll start to feel. So, what are you waiting for?

Your link to find out more and enroll today awaits, below.

And, by the way, if you’re a parent or guardian of a young person like I described, give them this Real Skills, System Think gift today.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://www.rondaready.com/youniversity/

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Do you know how much you know? Or how much you don’t know? Well…uh…no. You don’t. Because your brain stores tons of information. So, technically, you “know” probably way more than you even think you do (see what I did there?). But even if you DO know a lot, a lot of people…probably most…don’t care. And that’s because…

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

I don’t know, for sure, if that quote came from Teddy Roosevelt or John Maxwell or even Earl Nightingale. Apparently there are different opinions about the source. But, it doesn’t really matter. Because the point is, people wanna know you care. And here’s the good news…

You DO know how much you care. Right now, you might be reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I don’t care to read any more of this.” But at least you KNOW it. Right?

So, if you wanna show your customers or clients or patients how much you care, ask questions. Because that’s the best way to show them you want to know more about them and their problems. And their answers give you tons more information to work with. Then, you can provide better solutions.

But here’s an insider tip…

When they give you those answers, don’t try to memorize them all. Write ’em down. Keep track. And keep track of your ideas for solutions AND your actual solutions.

Keep track!

So you can measure what works. And what doesn’t. And you can figure out how and where to do better and get better with your solutions.

Of course, you might be able to memorize questions and answers with one or two clients or customers. Maybe even three or four. Some particularly gifted business owners might go as high as seven. But it starts to get mighty complicated and complex after that.

And why not make it easier on yourself? Easier to repeat and even automate.

But how do do that? Is there a template you can plug into so you can get it going faster? Some sort of System you don’t have to spend years on as you start from scratch?

Of course there is. It’s my RondaReady System I’m always talking about.

And it can help you grow your business better and faster.

If that’s not true, then I need to get in touch with all my current clients. And all my clients from the past 20 years who’ve told me how the RondaReady System helped them do that.

One thing I know they all have (and had) in common is their willingness to do the work. They worked through all 3 stages of the System. And they set up their automation, delegation, and CRM so they could measure and track their performance and keep in close touch with their customers and clients. And that worked paid off. Big time.

Paid off so well that they found out how their increased sales and profits paid for the RondaReady System. You could do that too, if you plug your business into the System with the link below.

Stay Ready,
Ronda

https://coaching.rondaready.com/collections