Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs Jailbreak Your Life Not Just Your Phone

Imagine you have this great new phone, with all kinds of wonderful applications. There is just one little problem, there is one important application that you need and your phone doesn't support it. Do you learn to just live with what the manufacturer gives you? Or do you have options? For many, the solution is to “Jailbreak your phone”.

Though I am very proud of my degree as an electrical engineer from Purdue University, I don't know much about jailbreaking your phone. However, there is a very interesting blog called “What Do You Know” that recently spoke to the topic. It got me to thinking about us baby boomers who want to become entrepreneurs but haven't taken the step yet. What Do You Know...about Jailbreaking Your Life?

The Pwnage Tool & Jailbreaking an IPhone is the title of the post by Robert Bockenkamp. In all fairness, I need to start out by saying that Robert does not advocate jailbreaking your phone. He points out clearly that he is only explaining to you what it is.

I, on the other hand, not only want to explain to you what jailbreaking your life is, I want to encourage and possibly even help you in taking the step. But let's begin with Robert's definitions:

Pwnage Tools is a program that facilitates the jailbreaking of an IPhone or Ipod Touch.

Technical Definition of Jailbreak: The iPhone and iPod touch hack that allow users to gain access to the entire Unix file system. In Unix terms, this refers to changing the root of the directory tree to /.

Understandable Definition of Jailbreak: A hack that gains access to areas of the iPhone or iPod Touch that users aren’t supposed to mess with. Typically, this is an immediate prelude to either installing cool programs, unlocking the handset for use with another cellular network, or both.

Through jailbreaking, you are able to add additional applications to your iPhone or iPod Touch. It allows you to do so by adding an application called Cydia (firmware 2.x) or Installer (firmware 1.1.4 and below) to your iPhone or iPod Touch. It also also modding (changing) of your iPhone/iPod Touch application icons, wallpaper, dock, status bar, chat bubbles, weather backgrounds, keyboard

On to Jailbreaking your life

So, do words like the following interest you:

• Ending the pawn age (pwnage)

• Controlling parts of your life that you aren't supposed to mess with

• Installing really cool programs into your life

• Are you tired of having to accept what is given to you?
  

Then it is probably time to begin thinking about how to Jailbreak Your Life. Many people us entrepreneurship as the tool to bring freedom into their lives.

Among baby boomers, entrepreneurship is fast becoming an alternative to the traditional retirement path. Americans aged 55 to 64 are starting businesses at a higher rate than any other age group.

But mooding, as in changing the mood of your cell phone, is also necessary for jailbreaking your life.

• You have to change your thinking, your mindset, from that of an employee to that of a business owner.

• You also have to learn new skills that might not have been used in your last job description. One of those key skills that you must introduce is how to master marketing. You can have the best product or service in the universe but you can't sell it if people don't know about it.

Plan Your Jailbreak

You can consume many resources in the process of starting your business. Let me recommend to you that you use the many free and low cost resources that are available on the Internet. I have become particularly interested in social media marketing as a free tool to help with marketing. You can find more about that at: The Secret Recipe...

http://businessrebirth.blogspot.com/2009/04/baby-boomer-entrepreneurs-use-twitter.html

I have also created for you a free resource directory at:

Join The Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs

and a video for you Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs You Need A Guide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzSVLQUTxYs

Now - Click the links and check out the resources I have for you. Make a good plan to Jailbreak Your Life!

Shallie Bey

follow me on twitter

Business Networking: The Advocacy Model

I mentioned the Advocacy Model in a recent post on 'How to build trust in business relationships'. I have also made reference to the various steps in many of the recent posts so thought it worth summarising the model again here.

1. Make contact
Usually a conversation at an event or networking group meeting
2. Follow up
Often a One2One interaction or smaller group to decide whether to move forward and how.
3. Form relationships
The next stage after having done something for the other person in the follow up to help them or their business. Or when they have done that for you.
4. Develop Advocates
Provide ongoing value to the relationship by continuing to make connections and using your expertise to provide information to them. Regular feedback and thanks to the ones doing this for you.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

What happens next? Part 2

A couple of days ago in my post on 'What happens next?' I shared the loose agenda structure that I use in One2One meetings to build towards a mutually beneficial and positive business relationship. The ultimate purpose being to develop networking advocates.

Neil Denny commented that the model is mostly easy to grasp and implement, except for the last one. "The next steps (typically connections to people & information) that you will undertake before meeting again."

He rightly points out that this calls for action and accountability and demonstrates credibility and commitment. Relationship building in networking this way requires that you give an increasing level of trust at each stage. It is very difficult to commit yourself to this and to making those connections to people & information unless you are wholeheartedly committed.

If you are committed to building trusted relationships where you give first and receive later then try & go a little deeper with your questions on the other person's background & business. Find out about their goals, the real challenges in their business and its development, their other interests and the people and businesses they know. See if you can establish the person or information that would make a real difference and make that connection.

Then you have the next steps in place. The action followed by the next session to get feedback and decide the next stage. With this approach you develop the relationship in the way that Neil described in his comment;

"We start to share commercial intimacy and build relationships that work, as opposed to more passive, and probably easier but less fruitful relationships."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

How much time do you get for conversations whilst networking?

A couple of days ago I blogged about a question that is often asked, 'How many people will be at the event?'. There were some great insights shared in the comments.

The underlying theme was that context, philosophy and actions were far more important than just the number of attendees. This brings us on to another issue. You need to have meaningful conversations to really connect with someone before going on to follow up and build a relationship.

So when you are thinking about attending an event or joining a group it might be important to ask a different question.

'How much time is dedicated to genuine 2 way conversation and is the meeting facilitated in any way to assist with those conversations?'

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

What happens next?

At an event last week someone asked if he could have a private mentoring session. He said he was making good connections at networking events and was having a number of One2One meetings, but that was usually as far as it went. He said "I think my One2Ones are a bit woolly".

Meetings with no agenda or agreed outcome can often be woolly! That does not mean you have to always work to a rigid agenda or be too attached to a specific outcome. It is, however, worth taking a minute or so to agree some ground rules and set the right expectations for both parties.

The purpose of a first One2One in a networking context is often to decide whether you will both invest some time in building a relationship. If that is the case then share that with the other person. If you are taking the lead in the meeting you could open with a reminder of how you connected originally and why you thought there may be synergy between you. Then add the time the meeting will take together with what you would like to cover:
* What you would like to find out about the other person and their business.
* What they would like to find out about you and your business.
* Agreement of any continuing fit between your respective businesses.
* The next steps (typically connections to people & information) that you will undertake before meeting again.
* The date of the next meeting or catch up.



As I develop networking advocates with further interactions I always keep this loose agenda structure in mind.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

How many people will be there at your networking event?

People often ask me "How many people will be at the event?". I usually ask them what they consider to be a good number. That can prove to be a difficult question to answer. Many people will start with a fairly high number.

The question came up in a conversation yesterday so I asked the person for an example of an event with a good number. He mentioned an open Chamber of Commerce event with 150 people there. I asked him how many people he had really good conversations with during that evening and he said 2 or 3.

Then he said "I guess what I really mean is that I consider a great event to be where I can have good quality conversations with up to 6 people. More than that & I can't do the follow up".

My own experience is that the knowledge sharing and relationship building takes place much faster in a smaller group. I know from our own NRG groups that the format works very well for between 8 & 40 people. At the upper level the dynamics change and then it's probably time to open another group.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

Are you an expert?

At a seminar this week before the NRG-networks Lunch in the City of London the speaker, Sue Richardson, was presenting 'Be seen as the expert, publish a book'.

She opened by asking if everyone considered themselves to be an expert. The dictionary definition of an expert is 'a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field'.

The learning that came out of the session for many people was that we actually know far more than we think we do. We have a tendency to assume that everyone else knows what we do. This can mean that we undervalue our knowledge and insights. These have great value to our respective networks. As we share them in conversations and by presenting we build our reputation as experts.

The help we give to those others motivates them to help and advocate us. So it is vital to communicate how they can do that whilst continuing to give generously.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs - The Story Lady Has A Story About You

In the beginning, you were not having the life you wanted, but in the end you lived happily ever after.

If you like that story, you want to read some of the work of The Story Lady.

Quoting from her bio on Amazon:

Ronda Del Boccio unknowingly began her path to becoming The Story Lady as a tot when she invented skits and stories with her stuffed toys. She was born with an eye conditions that mean she will never drive or see "normally," so she lives every day with added challenges that she calls "speed bumps."



All her life people have opened up to her and shared their lives in the safe space she innately offers. Recognized globally as The Story Lady, she teaches authors, business owners, entrepreneurs, and visionary individuals just like you to reach your ideal customers, readers, and associates through the power of your story.



Along with Bonnie Tesh, she co-authored the inspirational book I'll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On.



Her new book The Geometry of Success comes out soon. She is an award-winning author, transformational speaker and mentor who teaches you how to connect with anyone through the power of storytelling and live from your power.



"When you share facts, you touch a mind, but when you share your story, you touch a life. And when you touch one life, you touch at least a thousand lives." -- Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady.

Ronda Del Boccio tells us to serve before we sell. And that is exactly what she does on her blog

http://profitablestorytelling.com/blog/2009/03/15/the-story-lady-shares-guarded-twitter-tactics-for-business-success/

Please check her out to get the story of your happy ending.

Follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/thestorylady

Shallie Bey

Do you do much cold calling?

In a previous post, 'In a world of thousands of suppliers Word of Mouth is essential' I mentioned a recent NRG-networks seminar from author Grant Leboff on how sales & marketing have changed.

One of the things that Grant discussed was the value placed on a cold call by the recipient. Before the Internet a cold call could be a very useful way of gaining information on a subject as part of a purchasing process. A relationship would often be built in this way. A quick straw poll indicated that none of the seminar audience saw that value any more and did not take cold calls.

I mentioned this to a couple of people today. One said that networking was his best route to market, but he still had some success with cold calling. He has a very clear idea of his target market, his proposition and the value he adds. He demonstrates his expertise and value with great questions and the connections he makes. The kind of actions that show a genuine desire to help and not just the let me help you buy my stuff kind!

Great lessons for all kinds of business development activity.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

A great way to help the people you meet business networking

Whether you are at a structured or unstructured event you will often meet someone who presents their business and leaves you with no idea what they are talking about.

I recall meeting someone regularly and getting to know him quite well. Over time I got to like and trust him & would definitely have referred him if I knew what he did. At one event we were chatting over a coffee and someone else joined us. Neither of us knew the other and eventually she turned to my friend and said "so what do you do?".

"This will be interesting" I said.

He explained what he did very vaguely to start with and then in ever more complicated fashion! That's not unusual. To her credit our new acquaintance said.

"It's probably me, but I don't really understand what you mean".
He then tried to explain again, but what came out was even more complex. He noticed her puzzled expression and said

"That's meaningless to you isn't it?"

Her face said it all, and he said, "Have you ever experienced situations at work where people need the equivalent of their heads knocking together?"

"Yes" she said.

"Well, I help teams resolve those situations."

Crystal clear all around!

So the next time someone you like isn't explaining themselves very well could you ask some questions to help give them some clarity?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---