Powerfully potent

Ever said a word so often that it just becomes a mash of sounds and almost loses any resemblance to its meaning? I’ve been doing that today with the word “powerful”

The reason it’s crept into my head was after reading an article about David Geffen, referred to at a time as “the most powerful person in Hollywood”.

Powerful… pau-er-fel… the word was still repeating in my head when I went to a personal training session this morning.

My fabulous personal trainer Brett (www.jumpfitandpt.com.au) somehow tuned into my mood and started telling me about the difference between strength and power when it came to his line of work.

Strength, he said, could be represented by him walking outside and slowly but surely lifting a car above his head. On the other hand power, he mused, is a combination of not just strength but also of speed. So instead of slowly lifting the car, power would be shown by propelling the large object with both speed and strength.

Too often when I personally think of power or of someone being powerful I think of just in terms of strength (of will, of action, of thought, of achievement) but Brett’s conversation with me got me thinking about the key element of speed in the actions of some of the most powerful people out there in business today.

• Steve Jobs showed strength in coming back to Apple and showed speed in new product implementation with key design features (imacs, ipods, iphones).
• Martha Stewart showed strength in making her comeback from jail and speed to the market with new concepts immediately after her release.
• Larry & Sergey of Google didn’t build the first search engine (don’t mistake speed for needing to be first) but they are the strongest player in the market and are constantly speedy at improving and increasing their range of services (check out Google… analytics, earth, alerts, knoll, maps, scholar as examples). I know I don’t go more than 2 hours of any day at my desk without using a Google product. If they’d just stuck with their search engine this wouldn’t be the case.

All too often these days people shun the word “power” not wanting to be thought of as “power hungry” or having “let the power gone to their heads”!

For me however, I want power.

I want the power to:

• Do work I love
• Look after my family
• Live the life I want to
• Achieve my goals
• Do all of the above without harming others

Power shouldn’t have the negative connotations it’s been stigmatised with lately if we all remember the true meaning (not the over-hyped one). In fact one of my favourite dictionary definitions of powerful simply says that power is ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something. Now we all want that don’t we?

The 25 most powerful people in business:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0711/gallery.power_25.fortune/

The 100 most powerful people in sport 2007: http://www.businessweek.com/table/07/0926_power100.htm

Hollywood’s most influential infants

http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/13/hollywood-media-pitt-biz-media-cx_lr_1213celebbabies.html

C’mon – you know you’ve Googled yourself!

After reading the following article “Googling yourself is so hot right now” http://www.smartcompany.com.au/Free-Articles/Trends/20071218-Googling-yourself-is-so-hot-right-now-.html?source=cmailer I wanted to be one of the first to stand up and say – I google myself all the time! And I think anyone who trades off their name should do it at least every 3 months.

Why? For an ego pump up? To get the gossip? To find other people who have your name and have done crazy cool things you can now attribute to yourself? … er.. no, not for any of those reasons.

If you trade off your name, you want to Google yourself to find out:

1. What will the public see when they search for just your name? Is your website coming up first or perhaps have competitors bought keywords on your name?
2. What media articles there are out there about you.
3. Is your SEO (search engine optimisation) working (at all)
4. Do you perhaps need to include common misspellings of your name in your SEO strategy (like Kristy and Dunphy for me!)
5. And the easiest way to stay on top of what the web is saying about you is to set up a Google alert on yourself.

To find out what else I think you should do if you trade of your name, read my article here: 10 tech tips for anyone who trades off their name http://www.kirstydunphey.com/samplew.html#start

Kirsty Dunphey is one of Australia’s most publicised young entrepreneurs and is the founder of http://www.reallysold.com - the ultimate tool to help real estate agents write amazing advertisements. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books – Advance to Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can, or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: http://www.kirstydunphey.com

Top 10 tips for getting noticed and getting ahead in the workplace

1. Be an idea champion: Show initiative, suggest new ideas and offer to take charge in implementing them.

2. On time is late (10 minutes early is on time)

3. Go the extra centimetre: Don't worry about the extra mile, the extra tiny little bit is all you need to do to stand out, grab your boss a coffee without being asked, remember everyone's birthdays and be the first to wish them well or

4. Smile.

5. Keep it at home: Personal life is personal, business is business. The most outstanding people I've ever worked with know how to keep the two separate. So if your boyfriend has just dumped you or you had a fight with your best friend - deal with it outside of work hours and see point 4.

6. Never utter these words to a customer: That's not my job. Just see point 4 and be flexible and make it happen.

7. Follow up: Delegate, share and collaborate, but where your name is associated with a piece of work always go back and double check that your expectations have been met.

8. Keep your inbox to a minimum: I'm a big time management nut and this is my number one time management tip. Only keep in your inbox what you're currently working on that day. Shift everything else to folders to address at the appropriate time. My inbox usually has less than 10 items in it and works more like a to do list. Also check and sort your junk email often (there's nothing worse than an important email going unnoticed due to over-active spam protectors).

9. Read more books that will enable you to become better at your job (my goal is 1 per week, but if you're not reading any at the moment start with one per month or every 6 weeks and work up from there)

10. When you deserve a promotion or pay rise go to your boss with a list of reasons and proof of your achievements. Don't be afraid to show the progress you've made, the projects you've put together and the work that may otherwise go unnoticed. Sell yourself!

Kirsty Dunphey is one of Australia’s most publicised young entrepreneurs and is the founder of http://www.reallysold.com - the ultimate tool to help real estate agents write amazing advertisements. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books – Advance to Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can, or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: http://www.kirstydunphey.com

Real Estate Copywriting: The lighter side.

(WILL and GRACE are eating lunch, while reading the apartment ads.)

WILL: $2,900 for a loft in Noho. $2,300 for a loft in Soho.

GRACE: It's too much to pay for any... 'ho.

WILL: OK, here: "Charming one bedroom, Chelsea adjacent, well-maintained, $1,500." Sounds great.

GRACE: OK, let me decode: "Charming"? Tiny. "Chelsea adjacent"? New Jersey. "Well-maintained"? Super washes blood off sidewalk daily.

I giggled to myself as I watched this scene from television’s Will and Grace last night.

What does the public really think we mean when we write our advertisements?

Check out this “decoding” from: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/340482_listing20.html

Very quiet interior: You can barely hear the freeway with the windows shut.

Convenient to shopping: Next to a strip mall.

Convenient to freeway: Next to the onramp.

2+ bedrooms: The room in the basement isn't a legal bedroom but, well, you know.

Seller has left you to your own imagination: Hasn't been updated since 1940.

Great bones: You'll need to tear it down to the studs.

Build some sweat equity: See "great bones."

Charming: Small.

Cozy: Tiny.

Cute: Small and fussy.

Dollhouse, adorable: Nauseatingly cute.

Turnkey: Just overhauled, complete with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.

Unique: Remodeled by someone on acid.

Handyman special: Bring boots.

Walk to Fremont: Fremont's 20 blocks away.

Motivated seller: They need to sell before they default on their mortgage.

Dirty, ugly, smelly: Dirty, ugly, smelly.

And Barbara Corcoran has her say here about the most misleading words in real estate (and what they really mean)

1. Cozy (too small)
2. Charming (too old)
3. Original condition (appliances are 50 years old)
4. Needs TLC (it’s a dump)
5. Conveniently located (noisy)
6. Desirable neighborhood (this little house has been way overpriced because the neighborhood has some snob appeal)
7. Efficient kitchen (too small to fit two adults)
8. One-car garage (you can drive your Chevy in, but can’t get out)
9. Peek at the park/river/mountains (if you angle your mirror just so)
10. Useable land (no trees)
11. Beachfront steal (no hurricane insurance available at any price)
12. Country living (too far from anywhere to drive to work)
13. Must see inside (outside is ugly)
14. Unique (hard to sell)
15. Just available (previous owner just died on the premises, hope you don’t mind) 

New real estate copywriting website www.reallysold.com has some interesting alternatives to over-used clichés with heading suggestions such as:

• A better position than you’ll find in the karma sutra
• Dress Circle Locale (but with a mini skirt price!)
• Penguins love the cold – but you don’t have to!
• Grand Old Dame (the house, not the real estate agent)
• Yesterday, let me introduce you to today
• Very Viewtiful!
• Nature is your Neighbour
• Calling Winona Ryder (‘cos this one’s a steal!)

(To try out www.reallysold.com for yourself – head to the website, take the 3 minute tour and sign up for a free trial.)

The next time you go to put pen to paper, I invite you to take a moment to chuckle about what the public might think you really mean! Life’s too short to write bad advertisements!

Kirsty Dunphey is one of Australia’s most publicised young entrepreneurs and is the founder of http://www.reallysold.com - the ultimate tool to help real estate agents write amazing advertisements. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books – Advance to Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can, or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: http://www.kirstydunphey.com 

Can you remove the sticker?

Buying yet another pair of pink shoes this weekend (my name is Kirsty and I have a shoe problem) I was delighted to see something so simple and yet so nice.

As the young male salesperson packed up my shoes, he made sure he removed the price and sale stickers from underneath each one.

It took him less than 15 seconds and yet it was pure gold to me. He didn’t just remove a sticker, he removed potential embarrassment for me. If you’re anything like me – you’re more excited at wearing the shoes than thinking about the underside of them. I know I’ve walked out of the house numerous times with the price showing on my shoe (only marginally less embarrassing than leaving the price on a birthday gift!).

Well done gentleman from Betts, Hobart CBD. If it’s a company policy of Betts – even better.

I’ve bought (sadly, literally) hundreds of pairs of shoes (this week – ok not quite) but I can’t remember ever having this done for me in the past. How simple and easy was it for them to make my day just by anticipating a need I didn’t even know I had?

Before your business runs out and spends the big bucks on that new billboard, the new marketing campaign or on that new software system – take a little look at the basics and see if you can find a way to “remove the sticker” in your business.

Kirsty Dunphey is one of Australia’s most publicised young entrepreneurs and is the founder of http://www.reallysold.com - the ultimate tool to help real estate agents write amazing advertisements. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books – Advance to Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can, or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: http://www.kirstydunphey.com 

Take a Stand

Name your top 3 favourite movies of all time.

My list changes all the time, but right now I’d probably name The Princess Bride, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and ohhh… 50 First Dates. Are our lists the same? I doubt it.

With your list though, I want you to try and picture the very first scene, picture, opening in one of your favourite movies. I have a vague idea for the Princess Bride and no idea for 50 First Dates.

What about my other movie favourite – one of the Star Wars series. Like most people I instantly know what any of the Star Wars movies starts with. Black screen, scrolling text “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . and oh that music.

It’s iconic. It’s memorable.

It’s the pottery scene in Ghost. It’s Baby saying “I carried a watermelon” in Dirty Dancing. It’s “Hello my name is Inigo Montoya…” in the Princess Bride. It’s Arnold saying “I’ll be back”. It’s the “I’ll have what she’s having” moment in When Harry Met Sally. It’s Judd Nelson’s “Eat my shorts” in the Breakfast club (What? You thought that was Bart’s? Think again!) It’s LOTR’s Gollum wanting “the precious”. It’s the Sixth Senses “I see dead people”. It’s Mel’s cry of “Freedom” in Braveheart. And of course, it’s the hair gel in There’s Something About Mary.

Shall I go on? No need really, other than for me to relive some of my favourite Hollywood moments. (To experience more head to: http://www.filmsite.org/tvguidemoments1.html)

My point (and I’m sure I have one) is that the opening credits on Star Wars didn’t “make” the movies. I like millions of others would still love them regardless. But they sure as heck make the movies more memorable.

Did you know however that Star Wars creator George Lucas ended up resigning from the Directors Guild of America over his decision to run this scene instead of opening credits?

He took a stand. It paid off. What makes you or your business memorable? You may need to take a stand to maintain it – but if the payoff is like the Star Wars opening credits, it’ll be worth it.

Are you already blogging and you just don’t know it?

I recently returned from speaking at a huge real estate conference in Las Vegas. One of my favourite parts of speaking at big conferences like that is listening to the other speakers. The highlights of this conference for me included Seth Godin (one of my favourite bloggers and authors – www.sethgodin.com) and Lou Holtz (famed American college football coach at Notre Dame).

There was another speaker though, Dustin Luther, founder of www.raincityguide.com who said one thing that was an absolute gem for me. He spoke about blogging and some people’s reticence to start, thinking they don’t have time or don’t have anything to say!

The one main message that came through to me from his session was that most of us are already blogging (or at least doing the hard work, we just don’t know it yet!)

Every time a client asks you a question… be it about your industry, your company, your area… the answer you provide could usually be pretty easily tidied up and made a bit more generic and posted as a blog!

For example, a real estate agent who gets asked what are the best schools in a certain area or what a certain part of a contract means might as well blog the answer rather than just repeating it over and over again!

The accountant who emails a link to a specific website enabling a business name registration and some tips on how to fill the form out may as well just copy that email into a blog.

The public are becoming not only more accepting of corporate blogs, but are in some cases even demanding them!

Take this comment: “Well what else would you expect from a company where the CEO (Keith Teare), did not update his blog since September 6th.” posted about the demise of tech start up www.edgio.com who recently made the decision to shut down after exhausting $5 million worth of funding. (See more: http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/06/edgeio-to-shut-down-in-the-deadpool#comments)

So what are you waiting for? To set up your blog head to:

http://blogger.com – a very simple site owned by Google which I use, others include: http://MuseCrafters.com , http://Livejournal.com , http://JournalHome.com , http://WordPress.com , http://TheDiary.org , http://Mindsay.com , http://Blog.com , http://Blogagotchi.com , http://Diaryland.com , http://Blogdrive.com , or http://Xanga.com

To check out some other corporate blogs for inspiration head to:

http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/categories/3 - Best Corporate Blogs Nominees

http://kirstydunphey.com/blog/ - my blog

http://activerain.com/ - insanely well supported real estate blogging site in the states

http://csr.blogs.mcdonalds.com/ - McDonalds

http://zoodango.com/ - corporate social networking site with blogging

http://thatnametagguy.com/ - great blogging site from a guy who wears a name tag 24/7

http://www.myspace.com/kirstydunphey - my myspace page (another place I blog) which links to my “friends” with some amazing corporate blogs (people like Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump, Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield and more)

Kirsty Dunphey is one of Australia’s most publicised young entrepreneurs and is the founder of http://www.reallysold.com - the ultimate tool to help real estate agents write amazing advertisements. The youngest ever winner of the Australian Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award, Kirsty started her first business at 15, her own real estate agency at 21, was a self-made millionaire at 23 and a self-made multi-millionaire at 25. For more information on Kirsty or either of her books – Advance to Go, Collect $1 Million and Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can, or to sign up to her weekly newsletter head to: http://www.kirstydunphey.com