1. Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject or accomplishment.
2. The action or process of mastering a subject or accomplishment

Mastery, why don’t we spend more time learning about it? I have always been convinces that it is not how many tools you have in your bag but how many tools you use well. The old saying is that if all you have is a hammer then everything looks like a nail is not always a bad thing. If you are a wizard with a hammer, it may be amazing how creative you may be in fixing problems outside of a nail because of your ability to adapt and modify. In the long run you may have arrived at a solution while others are still contemplating HOW!

Michael Gerber states in the E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company that “knowing how to do the work of a business has nothing to do with building a business that works”; that entrepreneurs learn their skills through practice, practice, practice; and that anyone willing to adopt that same kind of discipline can be successful too.

Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers: The Story of Success discusses the need to have 10,000 hours of practice before they become a master of their art, profession, etc. That amounts to  3 hours a day for 10 years.

When companies are looking at implementing Continuous Improvement efforts such as Lean or Six Sigma or even a Marketing System are they really considering the commitment that they are making. In today’s world most improvement efforts have to show short term results, less than a year to be continued.  Management is usually blamed for lack of commitment for most failures. I believe that the expectations of a quick fix may be the number reason for failure. Let’s face it, is anyone telling a company that it will take 10 years to master Lean or Six Sigma? You can probably accelerate this process by  proper coaching or having you own Sensei, we know they have 10,000 hours and it  is the best way to improve your chances. You also have to have talent and experience on your side. However, it does take a little luck to be successful as described in this light-hearted look at Talent. Now, there are a couple of fowl words in the video, so you have been forewarned.

An old book, Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment ( a list in the Amazon  review section of questions is outstanding) describes 5 keys to long-term success and fulfillment as:

1. Instruction
2. Practice
3. Surrender
4. Intentionality
5. The Edge – Push the envelop

Michael Gerber made a point in his book cited above that left an ever lasting impression on me. Laying in bed one morning my wife asked me what I was thinking about it and I replied: Gerber made this comment if I really did not feel like going to work today, do you think anyone else does ( meaning my employees). That morning I decided to sell that business and pursue what I enjoy, what I really love because if you do not, seldom will you ever have the patience to develop those skills.

As an organization, are you willing to take a path of continuous improvement? Can you develop the mastery of your profession or product without it?

Related Posts:
Has Technology Killed Time?
Who is your Lean Rock star?
Marketing your Black Belt

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John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing and founder of the Duct Tape Marketing organization developed this initiative and established levels of Duct Tape Marketing Coaching accreditation in an effort to place heavy emphasis on the success factors of the Duct Tape Marketing system and reward those who establish pre-defined levels of success using the Duct Tape Marketing approach, tools and point of view. To obtain this advanced level, there were twelve additional requirements above and beyond the initial level. At this time, it is the highest achievable level within the organization.

It is a honor to be recognized with such an outstanding group and would like to thank John Jantsch, the Duct Tape Marketing organization and recognize the other ten coaches that achieved this level; Jeff Bishop, Troy Braithwaite, Scott Campbell, Joe Costantino, Bill Doerr, Fiona Friesen, Adrianne Machina, Cidnee Stephen, Michael Thompson, Liz Walker. I firmly believe in the Duct Tape Marketing Process and to use an old cliché, I not only talk the talk but walk the walk. As you may know there are few people that believe in a marketing system as much as I do.

The Duct Tape Marketing system allows business owners to create and build their very own marketing system complimented by a coaching system that has proven effective with small businesses for over 20 years. The system is perfect for those who already own a business, but want to make it soar. It’s also designed for those who want to start a business but don’t know how to get it off the ground.” This system will help entrepreneurs build the perfect business establishing a proven marketing system to their growing company. “Why reinvent the wheel? Take a proven process, a package of tools, a trained coach and run with it.

Related Post: I believe in a Marketing System

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It was derived from a Duct Tape Marketing Post but holds very true today. I had originally re-worded it to use it in nonprofit presentation.

Technorati : Consultant, Duct Tape Marketing, Fish Story, Marketing Coach, Small Business

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In all fairness, the question would be, Can I see yours? I wrote it, made a couples of relatively minor changes by not revealing present customers but I have exposed it for the entire world to see on the Marketing Plan Pro website .

An excerpt from the Goal section of the plan:

1.1 Goals

Personal Goals:

• Finish my book by the end of the year
• Become more efficient at storytelling
• Take time off this year

Business Goals:

• Increase consulting engagements from three to six by year’s end
• Have minimum of five year-long engagements ongoing by August
• Have 50 attendees per month in webinars

Strategic Goals:

• Increase speaking engagements by the end of year
• Create smooth transition between the steps of the marketing funnel

Tactical Goals:

• Call five people a day, period
• Use social media to promote our expertise with past clients
• Develop cross-promotions for the book with key expert partners

Why I am being so transparent, a quote that I saw the other day pretty much sums it all up:

"Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless." — Mary Kay Ash

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I am going to try something new. Instead of uploading the video I just used a hyperlink to my YouTube page. I though that would allow my blog to load quicker. We will see.

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Two-Thirds of Small Businesses Go it Alone for Marketing

More than half of small business owners say that generating new customers is a challenge for them, yet nearly two-thirds say they do not use outside support for marketing assistance, according to a survey of US small businesses from the Yellow Pages Association (YPA)….

What are some other items that are commonly outsourced?

Accounting,Payroll, Manufacturing, Printing, Engineering, Janitorial, Machining, Fabrication, Service, Food, Secretarial duties, Answering, and many, many more? 

But not marketing? HMMM!

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Ok, I am a Duct Tape Marketing Coach . Does John have to be nice to me ?  Actually, he is a very generous person and I am fortunate to be associated with his organization and him. Thanks John for the plug. Don’t know much about Duct Tape Marketing ?

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The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is specifically designed for entrepreneurs and business owners that want to take their revenues to the next level as soon as possible, but don’t have an in-house marketing department to help make that happen.The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is designed to fulfill all the needs you require from a part-time marketing department.

Monthly marketing tele-classes to fast-track your business

One of the biggest pitfalls business owners encounter is wearing blinders when it comes to their marketing.  The sector changes rapidly, and it should be the responsibility of your marketing department to ensure you stay on top of new, innovative approaches.  One-dimensional marketing approaches are high risk and usually ineffective.  You need to consistently take a multi-pronged approach to your marketing.

Once a month, your duct tape marketing coach will be leading a private training call on a variety of powerful marketing tools.  These detailed how-to calls will outline, step-by-step, proven strategies and action steps to help guarantee your marketing success!

Calls would be held and recorded every month so that you can:
train your partners and employees space-space.  You’re welcome to invite your business partner, spouse or key employee by the call, or have them attended in your absence.  What better way to educate others on your team on various aspects of?

Create your own Bible resource Library space-space may be the initiative covered.  One month won’t come in handy for another year.  No problem.  You will receive CDs of the training calls in the mail each month, at North surcharge so you can curry your own marketing resource Library.

Listen to them, what is most convenient time for you-we know you’re busy and may not have time to make all of your move live marketing Excelerator calls are you.  That’s why we record each call, and the audio is quickly posted online–usually within 24 hours.  You can download the MP3 file at your convenience, and listen at your leisure on your iPod, computer or any other MP3 player.

Upcoming marketing sessions:

1. Develop your marketing hourglass.
2. Great lead generating two-step advertising campaigns.
3. Get in front of years prospect of powerful direct mail techniques.
4. Buying strategic partners to sell for you.
5. Build your credibility by attracting media attention.
6. Develop an online moneymaking machine.
7. Make it to the front page of Google.
8. Generate $$$ through speaking engagements.
9. Price for profits-increase the amount your customers spend export instantly
10. Automate and optimize your marketing with technology

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The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is specifically designed for  entrepreneurs and business owners that want to take their revenues to the next level as soon as possible, but don’t have an in-house marketing department to help make that happen.The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is designed to fulfill all the needs you require from a part-time marketing department.

Personal access to leading North American small-business experts

Who has time to read every leading marketing book out there?  Now you don’t have to.  As your part-time marketing department, we have access to leading experts and can give you an opportunity to hear what they have to say LIVE as well ask them questions.  You will be kept abreast of these additio nal sessions and just like your ongoing monthly program.

You can invite your employees, partners, or spouse to join in on the call.

Calls are recorded so that you can download and listen to them at your convenience.

Past, experts have included:

• Michael Gerber
• Guy Kowasaki
• Stephen Covey
• Tim Ferris
• Michael Port
• John Batelle
• David Mearman Scott
• David Allen

Technorati Tags: Marketing Excelerator ,Duct Tape Marketing ,Markting Excel-erator ,Marketing Accelerator ,Manufacturer Marketing ,Marketing Coach

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The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is specifically designed for entrepreneurs and business owners that want to take their revenues to the next level as soon as possible, but don’t have an in-house marketing department to help make that happen.The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is designed to fulfill all the needs you require from a part-time marketing department.

Annual enrollment in the Duct Tape University.

You want to get the step-by-step process to set up a referral program?
Perhaps you would like to learn more about online marketing?

The Duct Tape University is an online learning Center chart bowl of marketing classes and workbooks to help you build and execute the perfect marketing system.

Think about it:
    No more searching all over the Internet for marketing how-to courses.
    No more purchasing marketing courses for additional fees.
    Now you can learn at your own speed, any time, space-space Day or night.

Sample courses in the Duct Tape University:
    Referral flood marketing -space how to create a flood of new business without spending one dime on advertising.
    Blog lightning space-space, how to create and promote your small business blog in a flash, a step-by-step blogging success to a role.

…  And much, much more!

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The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is specifically designed for entrepreneurs and business owners that want to take their revenues to the next level as soon as possible, but don’t have an in-house marketing department to help make that happen.The Duct Tape Marketing® EXCELerator Program is designed to fulfill all the needs you require from a part-time marketing department.

Part 3 of 5:

Your own authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach

The key to the success of the Duct Tape Marketing Excelerator program is the access you receive to a marketing professional, has received extensive training in the application of the duct tape marketing system.  Your part-time marketing professional will provide you with the advice you need, when you need it.

Unlimited e-mail support -you have a question or want to get input from a marketing professional?  Simply e-mail your marketing coach.  Now you can get the feedback you need, quickly and guilt free.

Quarterly one-on-one sessions-in person or over the phone-once per quarter , you can and should schedule a one-hour meeting to sit down with your coach to reviews those areas you’re struggling with on your marketing.  These are great opportunities for you to not only get the ongoing input into your marketing that you need, but also to hold yourself accountable to your marketing commitments.

Special rate for additional one-on-one support -as is typical part-time help, there are times of the year when you may require additional assistance.  That is why all duct tape marketing Excelerator clients receive a special contract rate of additional hours.  You can receive the additional help, you need from your Duct Tape Marketing Coach, time permitting, at the special rate.

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The Ultimate Marketing System is a collection of 12 workbooks and 12 audio CDs that make a complete small business marketing program. Each workbook contains a thorough explanation of one critical small business marketing topic, real-life small business examples and worksheets, forms and tools needed to help you implement the information presented.

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A simple idea on how to have a good one is to look at the people that use them to be successful. No, I am not talking Franklin Covey, I am talking someone that is using them for marketing and living by them, PUBLICATIONS. Go look at some media kits you have and evaluate what you like about them.

Here is why, they are simple and easy to read and they answer these questions:
1. Theme for each month = what
2. Material due dates = when
3. Mail dates = when
4. Types of material = how
5. Publication being used = where
6. Recipient = who

Oh yeah, it sounds like that Rudyard Kipling thing: “I keep six honest men. They taught me all I knew. Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who.” I urge you to use these six men.

My Calendar is being updated continuously and is on my web page, take a look.

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