I can't believe it's been over 15 months since I last wrote something here. There have been a lot of changes in my life since then. The biggest change was having to return to work as I was struggling to pay the bills. I put ideas of self-employment into the background while I settled in to my new position.
The trouble is I ended up back in the same old rut. I like my Job, I like the people I work with and I earn enough to keep the wolf from the door. Despite this I am not really happy with my working life. I don't get a sense of achievement and I don't really feel that I am making an impact on the world.
I have therefore decided to start a business on a part time basis. My passion is public speaking and this is an area where I know I can make a difference to other people's lives.
I tried to make a living as a public speaker and discovered it is not that easy. After much research and development I have come up with a plan that will help others to earn money from public speaking. If you are interested in or know any coaches, trainers, consultants, etc. that you think would benefit from, learning how public speaking will help them make more money then please visit, or ask them to visit, https://www.superiorseminars.co.uk
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Moving On
I have been working quite hard on my website (http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ ) and have finally got my membership programme (http://www.bespeak.co.uk/membership/membership.htm) up and running. It's not perfect yet, but based on the premise that "imperfect action is better than perfect inaction" I have decided to go ahead with the launch.
I have also added some public speaking tips which can be accessed from my resources page http://www.bespeak.co.uk/resources/resources.htm I plan to add several more tips pages in the not too distant future and will also be adding a series of articles.
While doing all of the above, I have felt myself become drawn into the technical side of things and neglecting my core business which is to help people improve their public speaking skills and make some money from it.
As a small business, I can't yet afford to outsource my IT so I will be doing my own for the near future. This means that I will need to manage my time better. Trouble is I only realise these needs from reading books, watching videos and listening to audio recordings, all of which takes up time and moves me away from my core business.
On the upside I am learning a lot of new material that I can speak about and this will ultimately enhance my business. I will undoubtedly include some of this material in my next book, which I will have published before summer is out.
James McGinty
http://www.bespeak.co.uk/
I have also added some public speaking tips which can be accessed from my resources page http://www.bespeak.co.uk/resources/resources.htm I plan to add several more tips pages in the not too distant future and will also be adding a series of articles.
While doing all of the above, I have felt myself become drawn into the technical side of things and neglecting my core business which is to help people improve their public speaking skills and make some money from it.
As a small business, I can't yet afford to outsource my IT so I will be doing my own for the near future. This means that I will need to manage my time better. Trouble is I only realise these needs from reading books, watching videos and listening to audio recordings, all of which takes up time and moves me away from my core business.
On the upside I am learning a lot of new material that I can speak about and this will ultimately enhance my business. I will undoubtedly include some of this material in my next book, which I will have published before summer is out.
James McGinty
http://www.bespeak.co.uk/
Thursday, 20 May 2010
A New Challenge
I have been appointed as PR Officer for the Association of Speakers Clubs. This is quite an honour, but also a huge challenge. Most of all it is an opportunity for growth. I don't really do PR for my own business - http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ that is more of a marketing exercise.
Perhaps in taking on this role, I will develop the appropriate skills to use in my own business.
I have a fairly sound idea of how to tackle this role, but if anyone would like to comment with any suggestions, I would be most grateful.
Perhaps in taking on this role, I will develop the appropriate skills to use in my own business.
I have a fairly sound idea of how to tackle this role, but if anyone would like to comment with any suggestions, I would be most grateful.
Sunday, 16 May 2010
A True Dilemma
What to do?
Here I am a budding entrepreneur on the cusp of great success. My web site needs about 6 hours work and it will be ready for re-launch, my book, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751, has been published and I have the bare bones of a marketing campaign planned.
I also have a commitment to delivering 3 free speeches this week, a mentoring to call to attend and the garden looks like it belongs to a derelict building in an abandoned dockyard.
Conventional wisdom says, ditch the free stuff, skip the mentoring call and leave the garden a little longer.
Apparently you can't start a business unless you are consistently putting in 18 hour work days and being totally driven.
Perhaps I have got to the stage I am at, in a longer time than necessary, because I am not putting in these hours, and am not as driven as I should be.
I value my health, both mental and physical, so I try to fit in some time for relaxing, some time for family, some time for friends and some time for me. Working every hour possible would simply alienate me from family and friends, and from the me that I know and love. Too many working hours will lead to physical health problems. Neglecting responsibilities can lead to mental health issues, like stress and depression.
I think I have got the balance slightly wrong and don't focus enough on the business, So I am going to sort the garden, attend my mentoring call and do those 3 speeches. After that I will be more careful about volunteering my services, so that I don't have to give as many speeches (at least not free ones). The garden will be re-planned, so that it takes less work. The mentoring call will stay, because it is only through being accountable for your progress, that you will succeed.
Please follow my lead if you are in a start up business. Work hard, but work smart. Work long hours when you have to but programme in leisure time. Above all make sure your whole life balance leads to health, because without that you can't run a business.
James McGinty
www.bespeak.co.uk
Here I am a budding entrepreneur on the cusp of great success. My web site needs about 6 hours work and it will be ready for re-launch, my book, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751, has been published and I have the bare bones of a marketing campaign planned.
I also have a commitment to delivering 3 free speeches this week, a mentoring to call to attend and the garden looks like it belongs to a derelict building in an abandoned dockyard.
Conventional wisdom says, ditch the free stuff, skip the mentoring call and leave the garden a little longer.
Apparently you can't start a business unless you are consistently putting in 18 hour work days and being totally driven.
Perhaps I have got to the stage I am at, in a longer time than necessary, because I am not putting in these hours, and am not as driven as I should be.
I value my health, both mental and physical, so I try to fit in some time for relaxing, some time for family, some time for friends and some time for me. Working every hour possible would simply alienate me from family and friends, and from the me that I know and love. Too many working hours will lead to physical health problems. Neglecting responsibilities can lead to mental health issues, like stress and depression.
I think I have got the balance slightly wrong and don't focus enough on the business, So I am going to sort the garden, attend my mentoring call and do those 3 speeches. After that I will be more careful about volunteering my services, so that I don't have to give as many speeches (at least not free ones). The garden will be re-planned, so that it takes less work. The mentoring call will stay, because it is only through being accountable for your progress, that you will succeed.
Please follow my lead if you are in a start up business. Work hard, but work smart. Work long hours when you have to but programme in leisure time. Above all make sure your whole life balance leads to health, because without that you can't run a business.
James McGinty
www.bespeak.co.uk
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