Resources

5 Important Books to Create Your Best Success on Every Level

Kelli Richards August 11, 2014

ID-10016159Attention, book lovers – and CEOs – and artists – and entrepreneurs….  Here are five books I absolutely think you should read, and why.  Yes, some of them have been out a while, but if you haven’t read them, give yourself an early birthday gift and order all five.  (Then share them with someone you mentor.  Remember, trusted advisors don’t just give advice and make powerful connections, they share the good stuff out there that inspires change and action.)

1. Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek

If you’ve ever dreamed of more meaning and fulfillment in your work, or if you’ve ever wondered how to inspire others to rally around your cause, this book is absolutely necessary for you. After taking the world by storm with his captivating message about purpose in his book, “Start With Why,” Simon Sinek has turned his attention to the other critical question: How. What does it take for leaders to transform paranoia and cynicism into safety and trust? Is a common enemy necessary for true collaboration and cooperation?  Sinek illustrates his ideas with fascinating true stories from a wide range of examples, from the military to manufacturing, from government to investment banking.

2. Every Monday Matters: 52 Ways to Make a Difference, by Matt Emerzian and Kelly Bozza 

How often have you had a project or a plan and a year later, it’s still there, on the shelf, untouched?  Finding the motivation to create the most meaningful things, and avoid the to-do list is not easy.  If you need a little help seeing the promise and inspiration of a Monday morning, this book will help you get outside your normal routine and glimpse the world around you in a new light.  Authors Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza remake Monday from “the end of the weekend” into something poignant, meaningful and inspiring by taking 52 Mondays and matching them with 52 creative and practical activities that make a difference — one for each Monday of the year. It’s the perfect way to have a positive impact, get others involved, and be a positive influence in your life and the lives of others.

3. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, by Michael Singer

This is truly one of the most profound books I’ve read in a long time (and I’ve read many) on personal growth and transformation. Anyone interested in becoming your best self must invest in this book! By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, author and spiritual teacher Michael Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization. After all, a life well lived is a life we recognize, moment by moment.

4. Small Changes, Big Results: A Wellness Plan for a Healthy Balanced Life, by Ellie Krieger

I’ve tried to recommend five books that touch every aspect of our lives, and let’s face it, probably 80-90% of us could use a wellness plan – without that, the roadblocks to doing great work can be profound.  This book is a great investment for anyone trying to create healthy habits – it provides an easy-to-start, simple-to-maintain, scientifically sound, 12-week program of small steps -just three each week – such as starting a food journal, choosing healthy fats and proteins, and replacing refined grains with whole grains. Krieger also tells you what technology to use for tracking your fitness progress and finding others who share your interests so staying fit will be second nature.

5. Creativity, Inc: Overcoming the Unseen Forces that Stand in the Way of True Inspiration, by Ed Catmull

Do you want to give full expression to the best that lies within you? To the rescue comes this incisive book by Ed Catmull (co-founder with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter of Pixar Animation Studios) – an illuminating discussion of creativity in business that will be a welcome addition to your library – and your life. This is not just a book for managers; it is a must-read manual for anyone who strives for originality.

It is also the first-ever, all-access trip into the nerve center of Pixar Animation—into the meetings, postmortems, and “Braintrust” sessions where some of the most successful films in history are made. It is an invaluable discussion of how to build a creative culture – but it is also, as Pixar co-founder and President Ed Catmull writes, “An expression of the ideas that I believe make the best in us possible.”

Got a good book to recommend?  Facebook me and tell me why.  https://Facebook.com/AllAccessGroup

 

Until next time,

Kelli Richards
CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

PS, The right mentor will also have the right CONNECTIONS to move any effort forward.  Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisor ship, possible collaboration and even funding.

 

5 Conversation Tools For Nurturing Your Relationship With A Mentor

Kelli Richards July 29, 2014

Forbes-150x88July 29, 2014,

Forbes

We’ve all longed for a classic mentor-mentee relationship at some point in our careers. We want someone who is savvy and seasoned. We want her to provide the perfect insights and career advice that will help us reach our goals. We want someone who will guide us to our destination.

Read the entire article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/07/29/5-conversation-tools-for-nurturing-your-relationship-with-a-mentor/

How Technology Has Made Home Business Easier

Kelli Richards July 28, 2014

Entrepreneur working from home looking very relaxed in his sofa browsing the web in his laptop computerOf the 28 million small businesses in the United States, 52 percent of them are home-based. Maintaining and organizing your business from home is easier with the advancements in mobile technology. With the latest apps and services you can organize your business’ finances, organize your team, market your product, and provide your customers with top-notch customer service. These technologies have made it easy for home businesses to streamline processes and produce products that mimic larger organizations.

Managing Finances

Managing your business finances can be challenging, to say the least. While you may want to consider contracting this job out to a savvy accountant, programs and apps can help you manage the task yourself. With a great business data plan from T-Mobile on a tablet like the iPad Air, you can even enter invoices and payment in the field or on the go. Quickbooks: The cloud-based platform from Intuit has been a stalwart in tracking expenses for businesses both large and small. The all-encompassing account software allows you to send invoices to customers and accept payment for any sales as well as track any expenses towards you make for your business. Also, if you have employees, it has a payroll feature to cut checks to your employees. Paypal: Paypal also allows you to receive or send payments through your mobile device. If you are on the go you can make sales on the spot. For an extra $30 a month you can customize the experience for your shoppers and even receive payments via phone, fax, and mail.

Organizing Your Team

If your team works remotely, the latest technology enables you to communicate with your team and track milestones: DropBox: Share files with team members seamlessly and securely through DropBox. Share large files with important data with your team members without the need to physically hand it to them. Skype: The leader in video conferencing software, Skype enables your team to communicate face to face and discuss anything related to the business. Omnifocus: This multi-faceted app allows you to organize your team and yourself, as well. Omnifocus let’s you create tasks for your team to complete and provide them with any material to complete any goals you place for them.

Marketing Your Business

The advent of social media has made marketing easier for all types of businesses, but there are plenty of tools home-based businesses can leverage: Buffer: Buffer allows you to manage all your social media accounts on one platform through your iPad. It enables you to schedule your content to publish when you think the most interaction will occur. TweetDeck: This is a great app for you to directly engage with the followers of your business and track what your customers and potential customers are chatting about. This allows you to engage swiftly and produce content towards your target audience.

Customer Support through Mobile Applications

These mobile technologies have allowed home businesses to provide top-notch customer service to their customers. Zoho CRM: Zoho gives you access to to your customer’s data through its mobile app. It saves and tracks all communication and transactions with the customer so you have all the data in one place wherever you are. Zendesk: Zendesk is used by companies worldwide, large and small, and creates a platform for addressing the issues your customers face.

Until next time,

Kelli Richards CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

PS, The right mentor should also have the right CONNECTIONS to move you forward.

Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisorship, possible collaboration and even funding.

 

 

A Hard Day’s Night for Digital Legacy – The Lost Beatles Recordings

Kelli Richards July 5, 2014

Screen Shot 2014-07-14 at 3.50.14 PM

Great work will never die in today’s ever expanding online digital world. According to the IDC “The digital universe is growing 40% a year into the next decade. By 2020 it will contain nearly as many digital hits as there are stars in the universe.” In fact, according to Science Daily, 90% of all the world’s data has been written in the past 2 years. Wow. That is an incredibly daunting idea. Literally 90% of the information that is readily accessible to the world today was not available only 2 years ago.

While imagining the sheer magnitude of all this data is overwhelming, studying this information on a more local, individual level is far easier to wrap your head around.

Let’s take a look at the Beatles first Big Screen appearance in the film, A Hard Day’s Night, for example. In examining the 50th anniversary restoration process for the film, technicians needed to compensate for the original recordings (which had been lost) of what is now widely considered the most inspirational musical group ever. Imagine that, the original recordings were lost.

An incredibly foreign idea today in a day and age that with one quick internet search can find you thousands of Kids Pop covers of every song ever done. So how were these recordings lost in history? Well, despite Beatlemania, apparently some doubt still existed as to whether or not The Beatles would make a serious lasting impact; and who wants to track down and organize a possible “one hit wonders” second and third album? I’m 1960, the answer was no one; apparently not even for the Beatles. Today, this is routinely done for even small artists. It may have been a Hard Day’s Night to make a lasting footprint back then, but now, there’s almost no one left without an online footprint. The solid win for all of us is that great work never dies in today’s online digital world, and as a result, we are all, always building a digital legacy for lifetimes to come.

Let’s look at the Lennon legacy. Everyone is probably aware of John’s journey from Liverpool, his work with the Beatles, his marriage with Yoko Ono and his untimely death. But what about his children? Julian, John’s eldest son, has expanded his own musical career, fighting through adversity often faced by platinum artists children, attempting to get out of the shadow of their musical parents. (Luckily for humanity, in addition to his music, Julian has made great strides in his White Feather Foundation, raising funds for a more sustainable future for the planet.) And Sean, John’s youngest son is touring with bands like the Flaming Lips and Tame Impala while releasing his own albums and unique sound.

Our digital footprints go beyond music, of course, Paul McCartney’s daughter Stella need only be Googled to find pages and pages of images of her enormous impact on fashion. And of course, the remaining Beatles themselves continue to make great music and build their legacy, both online and off.

So while the early pieces of Beatles history have been lost, their legacy will not be forgotten and in fact, continues to grow and grow. Living on in their new accomplishments, their children, their fans, and in an online database for everyone to access, so no one will forget.

 

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter

PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionarieshttps://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries  (Priceless)

Annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference

Kelli Richards June 30, 2014

Every year since 1983, government officials, media moguls, journalists and technology buffs gather in Sun Valley for the Allen & Company Conference. This year was no difference, boasting names such as Zuckerberg, Buffett, Cook, Gates, Murdoch and Weinstein.

“Allen & Company is a private investment firm formed in 1922, located in New York and London. Allen & Company has advised, helped found and/or invested in numerous companies including BET, InterActiveCorp, Oxygen Media, Discovery Communications, News Corporation, the Coca-Cola Corporation and Google.”

The Allen & Company conference mixes thought-provoking presentations and a laid back mingling for industry leaders to foster relationships. CNBC dubbed the conference the “summer camp for moguls.”

The conference isn’t only fun for moguls though; local businesses thrive from the influx of people the conference brings each year. Sun Valley is known to attract many celebrities, but the Allen & Company Conference brings them in hundreds.

According to an article on MagicValley.com, the highlight of the afternoon was Tim Cook’s presence. Journalists spotted the Apple CEO buying a drink from a vending machine.

Meg Mazzocchi, a local working at The Toy Store was quoted in the MagicValley.com article saying, “You don’t ogle and you don’t intrude and you don’t ask for autographs,” she said. “Just let them enjoy their vacation. I think that’s why Sun Valley is popular.“

For more information about the conference, check out this article on MagicValley.com https://bit.ly/IgDde4

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter

PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries  (Priceless)

 

Kick-Finishing: The Next Big Thing in Promotion – from Linkedin Influencers

Kelli Richards June 29, 2014

To see this article in its entirety, please go to: https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140629221852-9638-kick-finishing-the-next-big-thing-in-promotion?published=t

…. It’s no surprise that artists and entrepreneurs alike frequently turn to crowdfunding — it works.

Crowdfunding campaigns raised more than $60,000 every hour in March. That’s a huge network recognizing and supporting individual projects and careers.

But it’s not just the initiation stage of a project that can benefit from a crowdfunding network. By using crowdfunding to spread the word after you’ve completed your project, you can turn your fans and partners into a massive marketing team and drastically increase the reach of your brand. This tactic is called kick-finishing, and it’s exactly what my musician friend Brent Bourgeois is doing with his new album.

Brent Bourgeois and the Origins of Kick-Finishing

Brent is a rock musician based in the San Francisco Bay Area with an extensive career in performing, songwriting, and producing. In the ’80s, he was a founding member of a fantastic band called Bourgeois Tagg and has since collaborated with numerous other talented artists.

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Discover Your Next Favorite Artist With Set.fm

Kelli Richards September 16, 2013

set-fm-logo-july-24-with-tag-reversedIn this age of digitalization, everything we once did, read, learned, heard, saw, a mere decade ago, has been coded, miniaturized (handheld accessible) or blown up to the big screen, putting a whole meaning to the Disney “it’s a small world after all,” jam.

In this ‘small’ world we can find receipts or reservations, read books, watch movies, and yes listen to music, without putting one device down. And as new ideas, inventions, applications surface one has to begin to wonder where the next advancement will come from? How revolutionary will it be? Who will think of it?

But the reality of the situation is that when most new inventions are described, they don’t seem that revolutionary, that incredible, rather pretty basic, intuitive notions. Everyone can admit the iPod and iTunes were groundbreaking inventions, being able to store and access your whole music library in one place. Being able to share this music? Seems like a pretty simple idea. So now that there is a seemingly never-ending advancement in the finding, sharing, and producing of music from iTunes to Spotify to Pandora to last.Fm, it seems difficult to imagine the next big step in the music industry.

Well, once again, that revolutionary idea may not be so crazy, so out of left field, instead it’s probably right in front of your face resulting in the proverbial: “why didn’t I think of that?” And it appears that set.fm has come up with an idea to share, almost immediately, live music performances. Now when I first read this, I didn’t quite see the scope of the idea, nor its implications.

The scope and implications of this advent both revolve around the new popular musical sounds of the generation and the festivals and live concerts that they foster. Bass, synthetic, and hi-hat heavy sounds have taken over the music industry in the form of “Trap” and “House Music.” But where is the connection between Trap music and set.fm‘s attempt to bring live shows to your home?

Well what sets House and Trap music apart from other genre’s is the live show artists put on. No longer does a musician stand idle in the middle of the stage eloquently annunciating, or pace back and forth across stage slamming guitars against the floor and kicking over amplifiers. Instead, concerts have turned into light shows- manipulating lights and laser to coordinate with bass heavy music, attempting to form a bridge between the visuals and acoustics.

Imagine basic star gazing, sitting in an open field with a telescope, admiring stars light years away; versus sitting in a massive planetarium, watching the light years fly by your face, feeling the heat emitted from the stars, and the massive empty space in front and behind you. Suc concerts have in turn fostered countless large music festivals all over the world- from England to Spain, Australia to Germany, and Los Angeles to New York. The set.fm will give you access to all these venues from the comfort of your home, minus the grossly expensive weekend pass…. I wish I thought of that.

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

 

Tim Quirk, Head of Global Content Programming for Google Play

Kelli Richards September 12, 2013

Tim Quirk is the Head of global Content Programming. Tim spent more than 10 years as the singer and lyricist for the punk-pop band Too Much Joy before easing his way into music journalism, contributing regularly to publications such as Raygun and The San Francisco Chronicle. His critical essays have been published by the Oxford University Press and the academic journal Popular Music.

Tim helped build the joint digital music venture Rhapsody in 2001, serving for many years as the VP of Music Programming as establishing himself as a pioneer in the digital music industry. In 2010 he left Rhapsody to help launch Google Play, where he is currently breathing musical life into the technology giant as the Head of Global Content Programming for Google Play. He leads the team responsible for music, books, apps, and video merchandising.

I recently welcomed Tim on my BlogTalkRadio show, All Access Radio. Visit my website to hear the entire interview https://allaccessgroup.comunder the Resources Tab/ Blog Talk Radio.

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

Music Therapy for Children With Autism?

Kelli Richards September 9, 2013

Most children with Autism have difficulty with performing eye contact; music therapy works to help this in miraculous and numerous ways. The therapist starts by evaluating the child’s current base level, and then strategizes the best methods to help the child. After many sessions, they measure where the child has arrived. “Eye contact” refers to an event where child looks at the therapist while playing. Using Music Therapy, the therapists increased “turn taking” and eye contact measurably more than play therapy. Eye Contact was even proved to be held longer when the child was participating in music therapy activities.

Acoustic_GuitarThe music therapist has to reach the child to be able to interact with them and help them. The British Colombian Music Therapy association says that when the child feels free and unthreatened, they get more out of the session. When children with autism were not being told “don’t do this or don’t do that” and “no” to everything they were doing; it did wonders on their ability to express themselves.

Music therapy gives them a way to express themselves without being yelled at and told “no.” The tempo and rhythm of the instruments is a way for the children to express themselves. The British Colombia MTA states that the tempo and rhythm gets the child to progress from the rocking motion when they were in the womb and as a baby. It gives them a new independent feeling. Music therapy is one of the cutting edge therapies according to Tony Lyons. It also helps develop motor skills for the child to interact with the instruments. What an innovation.

It is important to understand the term “Turn Taking” which refers (according to the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder) to an event involving a sequence of turns to play alternating between the child and therapist. The therapist will measure frequency and the duration of eye contact. Music Therapy is proving to be effective as both parents and music therapists are seeing results; both recorded many testimonials. Both therapists and mothers agree that they see more eye contact improvement in their children with autism after exposing them to music therapy. Music Therapy can help children with autism with relationship skills by helping them communicate through music.

Every instrument can be and is a tool to help children to want to communicate. The music the children with autism hear or produce pulls them farther out of their own world and helps create interactions with things, first as the instruments, and later people. Music Therapy gives children another way to communicate other than verbally. This helps them to want to communicate in general.

Many different toys and musical instruments are used in a therapy session. Instruments and toys look similar especially in color and number. The therapists found out that it made no difference to the child what instrument was used or what the color was. Connecting this to communication, they also point out that play therapy does not take as much working with others as music therapy does.

The parents are eager to see results in order to invest the money into music therapy for their child. Results are seen in a year but parents are impressed by the results that music therapy shows in their child’s behavior. Many therapists believe that Music Therapy may be an effective method for increasing joint attention skills in some children with autism. Most children with Autism have difficulty with performing eye contact; music therapy works to help this in miraculous and numerous ways.Undoubtedly Music Therapy can and had had a major impact on some children’s lives.

Kelli Richards,
CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

 

CEO of All Access Group Honored as One of The Top 10 Consultants on MO.com

Kelli Richards September 3, 2013

 

For Immediate Release

Cupertino, CA – September 2, 2013  — Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group LLC, a highly sought-after consultant, mentor, speaker, events producer, and #1 Amazon Bestselling author was recently honored by MO.com as one of the top 10 consultants across all industries.

On August 19th, MO.com shared the following statement: “We are excited to announce that we’ve found the consultants who have actively utilized their expertise, leadership, and talent to build companies that achieve success by helping their clients reach — and exceed — their goals. The “Top 10 Consultants” is a list of today’s leading consultants whose expertise spans from startups to big businesses across industries ranging from mobile to entertainment. They allow their passion to fuel their creativity and excitement, and their dedication to their industries makes each of the individuals some of the most sought-after experts in their respective fields.”

A true renaissance woman, Kelli is also a Certified Integrative Life Coach trained under best-selling authors and coaches Debbie Ford and Alan Cohen, and was recently named as one of Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “100 Women of Influence” honored at the Women of Influence Award. Earlier in 2013, Kelli was sent as a Liaison for the US State Department to the developing nations of Trinidad and Tobago to share her expertise on digital distribution for music, books and films.

“Kelli is an outstanding consultant, coach, expert, and thought leader. She is innovative and creative, and knows her field better than anyone else,” said Alan Weiss, PhD, author of Million Dollar Consulting

Prior to founding The All Access Group, Kelli served in senior roles at Fortune 100 entertainment and technology companies, including Apple Inc., where she launched Apple’s earliest focus on music and drove all music initiatives during her 10 years there. A frequent speaker and panel moderator at industry conferences globally, Kelli has also been an acclaimed talent producer of a wide range of award shows, epic concerts, and celebrity fundraiser events for nearly 30 years. She has co-authored several books, including the critically acclaimed “The Art of Digital Music:  56 Artists, Visionaries & Insiders Reveal Their Creative Secrets,”  “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry,” & “The Magic & Moxie of Apple: An Insider’s View”; the latter two have reached #1 on Amazon in several categories.

With a unique talent for connecting innovators in technology with creative leaders in entertainment, and more than twenty years of senior-level leadership experience, Richards quickly became a highly sought-after consultant and is probably most acclaimed for facilitating powerful strategic business opportunities in digital distribution involving tech companies, established artists and celebrities, film studios, record labels, and consumer brand companies to foster new revenue streams and deliver compelling consumer experiences.

“I’m truly honored to be recognized alongside the other highly accomplished colleagues on this list of The Top 10 Consultants,” said Kelli. To interview Kelli about this, and recent accomplishments, please email info@AllAccessGroup.com

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To read the full article: https://www.mo.com/top-10-consultants

Playground Sessions: The Untraditional Piano Teacher

Kelli Richards September 2, 2013

 

Playground_Sessions_QuincyJonesPlayground Sessions may be your opportunity to learn to sooth crowds with melodic sounds of the piano like Mozart or Chopin did before us. Co-created by the music legend Quincy Jones, Playground Sessions is an interactive music curriculum that allows users to learn to play the piano in the comfort of their own home, with no physical teachers present.

The program is unique in its take on traditional learning. The curriculum focuses on playing popular radio hits that the user already knows, “to demonstrate music theory as [he or she] goes,” states the program’s website.

So if there is no one sitting beside the user and teaching him or her how to play, then how do they learn? A virtual teacher, David Sides, a self-taught musician and composer and YouTube sensation, with his rendition of One Republic’s “Apologize” racking up over 10 million views. Through tutorial lessons David guides students through the songs step by step. He first shows the user how to play a song and then plays it along side him or her, providing feedback all the while.Playground_Sessions1

There are several play modes in which a user can practice. Practice mode allows users to play on their own with, “real-time visual feedback that’s clear and instantaneous.” Users can also play with a band, “with accompaniments arranged by David.” The Performance Mode is, “where the pieces come together,” states the program’s website. Students can play, compose, and record a song and then share it with friends.

The scoring and badging component of the program offers students a little motivation. The program gives the student badges when he or she achieves different levels of accuracy, rhythm, etc.

The interactivity of the curriculum is enhanced by the user’s ability to social network with other students. Students can, “create a network with other users around the world to practice with, support, chat to, or challenge.”

Rookie, Intermediate, and Advanced levels allow users to progress to more difficult songs at a faster pace. The program charts a user’s progression so he or she can visually see how they’ve done over a period of time.

Will the Playground Sessions change the dynamics of tradition piano lessons and allow students to bypass the car travel, scheduling issues, and excessive price that come along with a live teacher? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Want to hear more about Playground Sessions? Watch this short video with Quincy Jones:


Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

Tech’s Bringing Sexy Back: Taking Advantage of Technology’s New Image

Kelli Richards August 29, 2013

Hollywood exudes sex appeal, glamour, and stardom. Now, that glamour is spilling over into other industries — including the tech world. Hollywood stars are funding and branding startups. Celebrities are joining companies as CMOs or creative directors. And now, they’re developing their own brands on the side, too: think Jessica Alba’s eco-friendly baby business, The Honest Company.

This trend goes the other way as well. With late-night TV appearances and commercial cameos, tech stars are going mainstream. And shows like “Shark Tank” are giving entrepreneurship a new reputation.

Tech entrepreneurs — and the industry itself — need to take advantage of this newfound interest for pitches, funding, marketing, and more. Technology isn’t nerdy; it’s sexy. And it’s time for the tech industry to start acting like it.

Hitching to a Star

It’s a trend: Next-generation startups are collaborating with tech-savvy artists and celebrities for even more reach and influence. Why? These public figures have made careers of staying relevant, artistically and culturally — and they’ve often got great ideas for connecting with audiences that are tricky to engage.

Likewise, for celebrities and artists, embracing technologies that help them connect with their audience can only bring more money, engagement, and a cool factor of being cutting edge. When a tech company can partner with an artist with vision, an even more interesting, engaging product can result.

Here’s a great example: Last June, teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber landed on the front cover of Forbes as one of the most unlikely venture capitalists. But contrary to his bubblegum image, Bieber is actually a formidable investor: He has stakes in at least a dozen startups. This isn’t as unusual as people may think.

Often, specific kinds of startups draw the attention of celebrities. Social media is an obvious choice to invest in, culturally and financially. Lady Gaga and her manager, Troy Carter, even created Backplane, a Silicon Valley-based startup that helps celebrities and brands connect with fans and foster community.

Often, companies will recruit stars for creative consultation, innovation, and brainstorming. Alicia Keys was named Global Creative Director of Blackberry in January. And Lady Gaga was recently appointed as the Creative Director at Polaroid. These creative partnerships give tech companies broader exposure and relevance in pop culture. The artists benefit with forward-thinking endorsements — and the financial benefit of a successful investment.

Going Mainstream

Celebrities aren’t the only ones making headlines thanks to tech innovation. The entrepreneurs, thinkers, and creators behind the keyboard are becoming celebrities in their own right, too.

Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook and seized a generation’s attention. He’s been immortalized in pop culture and film. Steve Jobs has become a similar cultural force: His legacy at Apple and Pixar has created legions of loyal followers.

Why the interest in technology rock stars? Creative minds are fascinating, no matter what field they work in. And, as technology becomes more accessible and integrated with our daily lives, it becomes even more interesting to see who’s making the products that we live with every day — and what their life stories are.

New Image, New Future

When tech companies are looking to find funding, launch a product, or create marketing materials, taking this new cultural phenomenon into account can only help the companies and their brands. Here are a few ways to take advantage of this newfound interest:

Think about how your company fits into pop culture’s current moment. Can you make your company, product, or service even more relevant? How?

Remember, there are more ways to make money with media than ever before. Tools and services can now give customers the content they want on any device, anywhere in the world. And that’s changed content distribution and monetization — forever. Think about how new distribution avenues could work for your company.

Pave the way with a powerful partnership. Not every brand can afford the star power of a pop artist or a tech rock star — but a smart collaboration could double the power of your innovation. Don’t be afraid to partner with someone outside the tech industry. Think about how an outside perspective can make your company even more marketable. Make sure it’s a win-win.

Tech isn’t just for nerds anymore. And this isn’t just good for the industry — it’s good for everyone, from consumers to creative minds. It’s time to seize the moment, take advantage of this trend, and create something truly sexy as two very powerful industries converge.

View the Original posting on Steamfeed.com here.

Innovation: Goodyear married to Zeppelin; Boeing delivered “Sky Interior”

Kelli Richards August 26, 2013

Goodyear BlimpInnovation in the skies: Goodyear married to Zeppelin; Boeing delivered “Sky Interior”.  The Goodyear blimp is almost as recognizable as Shaq in kindergarten. The blue, silver, and yellow balloon looking like a floating football, periodically floats around during the summer and sticks out like sore thumb; offering an ingenious marketing play for the tire company. But what are the uses of Goodyear blimps besides causing an association between flying footballs and car tires? Well in truth not much.

Today blimps are used mainly for advertising purposes and occasionally work during sporting events, offering unique perspectives of venues. They are not so distant relatives of Zeppelins, which were pretty influential during the First World War, especially during the bombing of London, but soon proved to be inefficient. After the war, they continued in the skies as a popular form of transportation.

Zeppelins differ from Blimps in that they have hard outer shells- lizard versus turtle. Fast forward 20 some-odd years to the creation of, at the time, the largest airship ever built- the Hindenburg, a Zeppelin. Filled with hydrogen as opposed to Helium, the Hindenburg burst into flames. Needless to say that was quite a stain on the Zeppelin name… until now that is. It has been announced that Goodyear will install its first Zeppelin into its armada of flying contraptions in 2014.

Now that we’ve had a brief blimp history lesson lets examine Goodyear’s new marketing machine. The Zeppelin will stretch 55 feet longer than current blimps and will sport a massive “envelope”- the balloon that inflates, keeping the machine airborne. It will no doubt be a sight to behold- a marketing scheme. Is it a match made in heaven: a massive seemingly useless sack of air and a company simply improving its unique marketing niche?

All Access Group’s vision is related strongly to Innovative results that exceed wild image002expectations in technology. Now while were on the topic of flying, spacey, device, capsules let’s move on to Boeing’s newest invention. Boeing, the company that has brought the world massive luxury airplanes, has brought us, well NASA at least, a new commercial vehicle in order to transport astronauts back and forth from Earth and the International Space Station. The capsule looks like something out of a Spy Kids movie; it’s a 14.8 foot wide tear-drop shaped vehicle that fits five comfortably- however the capsule has two additional seats if necessary.

image003The Boeing CST-100 features state of the art touch control digital displays, a built in freezer, front and rear windows offering incredible views of space and awesome blue LED lighting, nicknamed the “Sky Interior.” While the capsule is an absolutely incredible engineering creation, the most glaring aspect of the machine is what it’s lacking. We will introduce humor to the outer space.  A lavatory; … somehow Boeing didn’t find it necessary to implement a bathroom into the “Sky Interior”. What are the astronauts supposed to do for 6 hours?

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

Matt Emerzian, Founder of Every Monday Matters

Kelli Richards August 22, 2013

I recently chatted with Matt Emerzian, founder of Every Monday Matters on my BlogTalkRadio show. Matt has an amazing and powerful story.  A few years ago, Matt was enjoying a successful career in the Los Angeles music industry as the Senior VP for a music-marketing firm run by Robert Kardashian.  He was managing promotional projects for artists like U2, Coldplay, Usher, and the Black Eyed Peas. Matt got an amazing gift.  One day he got a wake-up call.

On a Monday in 2007, Matt suffered a severe panic attack and was forced to re-evaluate his lifestyle. I’ll let Matt tell the rest of that story and how it inspired him to partner with Kelly Bozza and co-author the book Every Monday Matters.  One thing I do want to share is that the book struck a chord with tens of thousands of readers, launched a company and sparked a movement that is currently empowering people worldwide to make the most of their every day moments – and their lives.

Visit my website to hear the entire interview https://allaccessgroup.comunder the Resources Tab/ Blog Talk Radio.

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

Adobe Systems Marketing Cloud

Kelli Richards August 19, 2013

Adobe Systems recently completed their acquisition of Neolane- a company that specializes in integrating both online and offline marketing data, solidifying Adobe’s platform for their “Marketing Cloud.” But what is Adobe’s Marketing Cloud, and why is this $600 million purchase important?

Well, its not. Unless you own a company looking to efficiently analyze marketing information; or if you’re looking to by a new pair of shoes; or a great hamburger; or if you are a consumer. So, I guess it’s pretty relevant for all of us.

That being said, the Adobe Marketing Cloud is a one-stop shop for marketers looking to “get ahead and stay ahead,” by collecting and analyzing relevant consumer data. And the Marketing Cloud (I’ll refer to it as MC from now on, like the Hammer) does so with the use of Adobe Analytics, Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Media Optimizer, Adobe Social and Adobe Target- I know, really creative names, I guess the MC lacks an imagination- all of which work, analyzing data in their specific niches, whether it be “Analytics,” customer “experience,” “social” media, etc.

In the end, Adobe, promises to equip the user with the power to understand “Big Data;” declaring, “if you understand the meaning behind the numbers you can take actions based on facts not hunches.” Sounds pretty awesome, why have power, information, if you’re not using it, or not using it correctly?

But how does The MC target and analyze useful data? By focusing on and tracking “Key Performance Indicators” about the consumer in order to make their online experience both efficient and relevant. Relevant in that they find what they’re looking for, and efficient in their search- the shortest distance is a straight-line. The MC does this by recognizing where the customer is coming from. For instance, are they new or repeat visitors to your website? Did they arrive via a search engine, or a social media platform referral? If they’re new visitors do you approach them with location based experiences, or trending items? For return visitors, what have they purchased in the past, or previously viewed? The MC analyzes all this information for you, and provides the customer with a unique, personalized web experience. It can also analyze things that are purchased together, purchasing trends, etc. The MC also analyzes across social medias, determining who mentions your company on Facebook? Twitter? Are there positive or negative reactions? Likes? Comments? All organized and analyzed for you. This just keeps getting better. Sounds like Adobe is killing it, so where does Neolane fit in?

Like I said before, Neolane specializes in integrating online and offline marketing data. So it analyzes data across platforms like the internet, email, social media, mobile, call centers, direct mail, and points of sales. Neolane will complement The Marketing Cloud’s existing Analytics, Target Audience, Social Media, Experience Manager, and Media Optimizer teams, creating both an unparalleled costumer experience and marketing tool. 

Sounds like a company owners dream and an analyst’s nightmare; either way it’s a pretty impressive offer.

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

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David Butler: Investor, Advisor, Designer, Brand Strategist

David Butler brings over 25 years of experience as an investor, advisor, designer and brand strategist to his current role as Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Coca-Cola. Joining the company as its first global head of design, David successfully led the design-driven turnaround of an $80M brand, prompting Fast Company to name him a “Master of Design” and Forbes to elect him to their “Executive Dream Team.” Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-david-butler

My Favorite Book of 2015 for Entrepreneurs

December 14, 2015, Inc. These cutting-edge, scalable trends are attracting not only lots of investment, but also great talent — which are two of the key drivers behind any successful startup. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/my-favorite-book-of-2015-for-entrepreneurs.html

How to Pay Attention to the Whispers When Vetting a Connection?

kinds of distracting, time-consuming, and expensive legal dealings, which were a big drain on my business–and on me, personally.

Though it took a long time, I ultimately prevailed in that case, but it was a painful experience and one I’d like to help others avoid. Trust me, no small business owner needs that kind of angst.

Jay Samit: Disrupt You, Master Personal Transformation (Part II)

There are very few people who have worked as successfully across as many industries as Jay Samit has, and he wanted to share that knowledge and help people on their journey. That is why he wrote the bestseller Disrupt You, Master Personal Transformation, Seize Opportunity, and Thrive in the Era of Endless Innovations. Throughout this book, Jay explores the importance of personal disruption. “You really have to say, what is limiting you in this limitless world?

Jay Samit: Disrupt You, Master Personal Transformation (Part I)

Jay Samit is the CEO of See Change International, a leading multi-screen video services company. A dynamic entrepreneur, Jay is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on disruption and innovation. Described by Wired Magazine as having the coolest job in the industry, he’s raised hundreds of millions of dollars for startups, sold companies to fortune five hundred firms, and has transformed entire industries.

Gail Zappa: Tireless Champion, Wonderful Friend

Gail, the wife of musician Frank Zappa, was a role model and a tireless champion on behalf of her husband and children for many years and has been a protector of Frank’s estate. She was compassionate, extremely smart and creative advocate and champion, and over time, she became an outspoken advocate for artists to retain their rights and their masters.

Spotify Could Go Away Overnight And No One Would Care

November 9, 2015, Hypebot.com Although Spotify was able to get its foot in the door early, the presence of companies like Apple Music, Amazon Prime, and others means that the historically un-profitable streaming service either needs to find away to differentiate itself from the competition or risk crashing and burning. Read the entire article here: http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/11/spotify-could-go-away-overnight-and-no-one-would-care-.html?curator=MusicREDEF

Spotify Could Go Away Overnight And No One Would Care

Although Spotify was able to get its foot in the door early, the presence of companies like Apple Music, Amazon Prime, and others means that the historically un-profitable streaming service either needs to find away to differentiate itself from thecompetition or risk crashing and burning.

Cynthia Kersey, the Unstoppable Woman

So few people really take the risk to live their dreams, play full out with passion & commitment, and create true impact and legacy during their time on the planet. Cynthia Kersey is definitely one of those rare individuals. Cynthia is the Chief Humanitarian Officer of the Unstoppable Foundation (hyperlink?), whose mission is to ensure that every child on the planet receives access to the life-long gift of education. Just read that sentence a few times and stand in awe, right? That’s a mission worth getting out of bed for each morning!

Influencers on a Plane: 3 Ways to Strike Up Great Conversations

Whether you meet people who end up providing new business opportunities, find great new friends, connect with someone influential, or simply reconnect with established colleagues, with the right mindset, you can improve your business just by striking up a conversation on the road.

3 Signs It’s Time for a (Professional) Breakup

A leader is more likely to feel weighed down by professional negativity and anxiety, which can lead to a loss of self-confidence and reduced productivity–and can even bring the business to a grinding halt.

What’s the Difference Between a Coach and a Mentor?

October 15, 2015, Forbes Women We hear a lot about coaching and mentoring — for good reason. As Zig Ziglar famously said, “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” Read the entire article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2015/10/15/the-difference-between-a-coach-and-a-mentor/

Why It Pays to Identify and Approach Mentors in the Professional ‘Cafeteria’

October 7, 2015, Entrepreneur At times, the workplace “cafeteria” resembles a middle-school lunchroom, with heightened stakes and competitors striving for power in lieu of popularity. Who sits where, and why? Read the entire article here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/why-it-pays-to-identify-and-approach-mentors-in-the/249748

Rob Tercek: Speaker, Innovator, Strategist

  Robert Tercek’s unique views on managing innovation are sought by organizations around the world. His motto is “Inventing the Future.”  He is passionate about inspiring audiences to seize their own destiny by thinking creatively and taking decisive action. Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/category/Technology  

How Amazon Shows the Need for a Tech Industry Workforce Revolution

September 18, 2015, Inc. Business is not about being cutthroat anymore; it’s time for the tech industry to re-evaluate the perks being offered to workers. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/how-amazon-shows-the-need-for-a-tech-industry-workforce-revolution.html

4 Characteristics of Trailblazing Entrepreneurs

September 4, 2015, Inc. Trailblazers don’t just see a need in the market — they create new markets, and they forge their own paths to get where their outsized visions tell them they need to go. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/4-characteristics-of-trailblazing-entrepreneurs.html

The Art of Taking Vacation for Entrepreneurs

August 14, 2015, Inc. Although circumstances will understandably make it challenging to get away sometimes, the point is not just to get away physically, but to also distance yourself mentally.

4 Ways a Great Advisor Can Protect Your Investment

August 7, 2015, Huff Post Women Last year marked the highest annual total of venture capital funding since 2001, and with $47.3 billion in investments, this represents a 62 percent year-over-year growth. Read the entire article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/4-ways-a-great-advisor-ca_b_7957254/amp

Wearable Technology – Where Fashion & Fitness Converge

Think of the obvious first, like fashion electronics. Whether it’s FitBit or the Apple Watch that just hit the scene, or Jawbone, or any of these things that are now considered fashion accessories – but they are primarily fitness accessories that give you information in real time about what’s happening with your body and your activity level.

Why Advisors Are Worth Your Equity (and How to Find a Good One)

July 24, 2015 Inc Magazine Think of these advisors as business sherpas: People more experienced than you who help you navigate and climb the startup mountain. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/why-advisers-are-worth-your-equity-and-how-to-find-a-good-one.html

Jim Griffin

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-jim-griffin

Nick Adler

“This is a quote by Nick Adler” Nick Adler single handedly saved the Hollywood Sunset Strip and saved way more than The Roxy. Listen here for the story! Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-qa-nic-adler-of-sunset-strip-music-festival

Tom Keifer

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://jeeni.com/track/kelli-richards-interviews-tom-keifer-of-cinderella

Tom Silverman

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-tommy-boys-ceo-tom-silverman

5 Secrets to Building High-Yield Partnerships

Forming strategic partnerships not only creates a powerful reciprocal network, but also propels you toward your goals, exposes you to new insights and optimizes the time and energy you invest in relationships. And these advantages work both ways.

Michael Solomon

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-michael-solomon

Will Tidal Make Waves In The Music Industry Or Get Washed Out?

May 25, 2015 Tech Crunch In late March, when a group of A-list musicians gathered in Manhattan to show support for Jay Z’s new music streaming service, Tidal, expectations were sky-high. Read the entire article here: https://techcrunch.com/2015/05/25/will-tidal-make-waves-in-the-music-industry-or-get-washed-out/

Greg Estes

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-greg-estes

Wild Bill Stealy

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-interviews-jw-wild-bill-stealey

How to Make Money By Talking to Cool People

According to a survey KnowledgeStorm and Universal McCann conducted, 65% of business and IT professionals listen to podcasts for personal and business purposes, and 60 percent interviewees said whitepapers and analyst reports would be more attractive in podcast form.

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Mentor-Mentee Relationship

In a climate where there’s no free lunch, it’s easy to assume there’s a hidden catch. But if you feel this way, it’s because you don’t understand how mentorship helps your mentor. Did you know that training and advising mentees is a powerful way for your mentor to gain leadership skills and team-building experience? And that mentees often help their mentors understand things in new ways through feedback, communication, and interpersonal skills?

Streaming and Beyond: Apple Will Lead the Way to the Next Music Experience

Listeners now control the entire experience. We can listen to our favorite artists or songs at any time and on any device. Streaming has even made the listening experience social. Services such as Spotify are integrated with Facebook, allowing listeners to see what their friends are listening to in real time, making it easy to discover new music.

Peter Bregman

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-peter-bregman

Is It Time to Spring Clean Your Business? Here’s How to Do It

April 3, 2015, Inc. Spring cleaning is about starting fresh. By applying this mindset to your business, you can return your business to a healthier, livelier, and more profitable state in no time. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/is-it-time-to-spring-clean-your-business-here-s-how-to-do-it.html

Can Apple’s Interactive Digital Music Solution Refresh the Music Industry?

Few artists are likely to follow in U2’s footsteps with the same strategy after the backlash from iTunes users, but when a challenge emerges in the market, we can always look to Apple to lead with the most creative solutions. The “Songs of Innocence” maneuver was Apple showing its hand: The solution to diminishing music sales could be an interactive digital music approach.

Dr. Judith Orloff, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Transforming the face of psychiatry, Judith Orloff MD asserts that we are keepers of an innate intuitive intelligence so perceptive that it can tell us how to heal — and prevent — illness.Yet intuition and spirituality are the very aspects of our wisdom usually disenfranchised from traditional health care. Dr. Orloff is accomplishing for psychiatry what physicians like Dean Ornish and Mehmet Oz have done for mainstream medicine — she is proving that the links between physical, emotional, and spiritual health can’t be ignored. Dr. Orloff is a New York Times bestselling author and is on the UCLA psychiatric clinical faculty. She specializes in treating empaths and sensitive people in her Los Angeles based private practice. She has spoken at medical schools, hospitals, the American Psychiatric Association, Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Summit, and alternative and traditional health forums — venues where she presents practical intuitive tools to doctors, patients, and everyday people. In response to her work, The Los Angeles Times calls Dr. Orloff “a prominent energy-based healer.” Dr. Orloff’s latest book “The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People” (Sounds True, 2017) is an invaluable resource to help sensitive people of all kinds develop healthy coping mechanisms in our high-stimulus world without experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout. Then empaths can fully embody their gifts of intuition, creativity, and compassion. Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-dr-judith-orloff

Turn Up Your Volume: 5 Big Moves Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Music Moguls

When you think about it, there are multiple ways that the music industry reflects what you’re trying to accomplish as an entrepreneur. Music rewards innovation and originality–finding “the next big thing” is a mantra you both share–and you both aim to immerse customers in rich and compelling experiences, right?

Peter Dekom

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-peter-dekom-0

5 Critical Lessons in Mergers and Acquisitions From the Apple-Beats Deal

Mergers and acquisitions are notoriously complicated, clumsy, and fraught with bad feelings when they’re not executed carefully and strategically. Often, leaders fail to communicate, which derails productivity and leaves employees worried about their jobs. Companies also tend to struggle to manage customer integration, branding, and media relations during the transition.

Alan Weiss

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-alan-weiss

How to Harness Power Like a Celebrity

While there is such a thing as “overnight success,” most celebrities work hard over a long period of time to reach their powerful status. Here are three strategies of the stars that business professionals can use to make a difference in the world and do things that truly matter to them:

The Super Connector’s Guide to Making Powerful Business Introductions

As an entrepreneur, you understand the importance of having a strong network. What many people don’t understand is that it’s not always who you know, but what you do with those connections, that matters. Throughout my career, my extensive network in Silicon Valley has allowed me to create intros for startups seeking funding for their ventures and secure celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld for corporate events. But I haven’t done this by connecting with a bunch of random people on LinkedIn; I’ve nurtured these relationships through the power of reciprocal networking. If you aren’t actively looking for ways to make valuable introductions for your connections, your network isn’t as strong as it could be. Here are a few ways to make winning introductions that will lead to lucrative long-term opportunities for you and your connections. How to Make a Powerful Business Introduction When you start making business introductions in person, it can feel a bit awkward. But the key to a successful connection is a clear understanding of what each individual has to gain from the relationship. If your connections don’t see an advantage to meeting the people you suggest, they’ll be skeptical of your intent. A proper business introduction immediately erases confusion among mixed groups of people. It sets the stage for respectful interactions and eases the otherwise uncomfortable first conversation. Always introduce the person with more authority first. Adding explanatory statements after saying each person’s name will also get the conversation flowing naturally and provide context. These can be simple statements such as their job titles. When introducing one person to a group, announce that person’s name and identifier, and introduce each group member in the order they’re sitting or standing. Connecting people who offer complementary services is a great way to promote mutually beneficial relationships. You can also offer to let people you respect sift through your LinkedIn connections and facilitate these meetings to add value. Tips for Navigating the Uncomfortable Email Introduction Making introductions in person usually feels less forced than sending emails out of the blue, but it’s not always feasible to get the two people you want to connect in the same place at the same time. This is where email introductions come in. When emailing your connections to establish an introduction, make sure you always: Ask for permission first. Explain the value proposition for each party meeting the other, and ask if they’d feel comfortable with you making the connection. Mention whether they’ve met before. People often forget brief meetings, and the reminder can save them some embarrassment. Make haste slowly. Good introductions require careful preparation. Think through how both parties could benefit from each other, and spell it out in an email. Hurried, ill-planned emails can have a negative impact on these burgeoning relationships–and your reputation. Encourage the conversation. You never want to start an email thread, only to receive no response from either party. To avoid this social disaster, urge both people in the email to arrange a time to talk in the near future. Make action steps clear. Be straightforward in your email, and outline what the specific next steps should be. Solid introductions always come down to adding value for other people. When you set up a long-term cycle of promoting mutual wins, you position yourself as a credible and trustworthy business connection. Establishing a reputation for facilitating great relationships is the best way to increase your chances of success, no matter what field you’re in. And as this cycle of reciprocity continues throughout your career, the referrals, invitations, and unique experiences will start pouring in. This article was previously published in Inc.  To your best success,   Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC   PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter   PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)  

5 Unlikely Music Legends With Great Advice for Entrepreneurs

February 25, 2014, LinkedIn Articles As an entrepreneur, it’s important to keep your ears open for helpful advice — especially when you’re new to the game. Read the entire article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140225155053-9638-5-unlikely-music-legends-with-great-advice-for-entrepreneurs/

Know When to Hold ‘Em, Fold ‘Em, and Walk Away in a Business Deal

In high-stakes poker, managing your emotions is just as important as the hand you’ve been dealt. In order to emerge with your mortgage intact, it’s vital to have an effective poker face.

Business negotiations require a similar approach. Letting your emotions rule your decision-making process can be catastrophic, but failing to seek a win-win situation can be just as dangerous. With that in mind, how can you maintain your cool and, ultimately, your control of the situation?

In this article, Kelli Richards explains how to stay level-headed when the chips are down.

Jeet Singh

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-jeet-singh

How Writing a Book Can Advance Your Career

What’s more, writing a book is a great way to establish you as a credible industry expert. You can create a brand platform for yourself, increase your market value, differentiate yourself from competitors, and discover new ways to grow your authority in your field. But before you can add the title “published author” to your resume, you need to invest some time and energy in planning, crafting, and publishing your unique message–and understanding how the publishing world really works.

Steve Rubel

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-steve-rubel

Roberta Medina

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-roberta-medina

5 Simple Steps to Schedule Your Week for Business and Personal Success

As an entrepreneur, attending to your work is essential for building your business. But creating a balanced life is the key to sustained success in the office and at home. Aim to structure your time so you can meet both personal and professional obligations, then establish, communicate, and maintain healthy boundaries so you can actually live the lifestyle you desire. It’s doable!

6 Surefire Tactics That Will Ignite Client Referrals

January 15, 2015, Inc. Here are six strategic ways to ask for referrals and grow your business exponentially. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/6-surefire-tactics-that-will-ignite-client-referrals.html

5 Reasons Developing Confidence Is Critical to Your Success

Confidence is essential to your success and that of your business — in fact, it’s vital to everything you do in life. In my own career, confidence has been a pivotal skill and strength I’ve needed every step of the way, especially in the male-dominated tech and music industries.

Just Because You Have 500+ Connections Doesn’t Mean Your Network Is Healthy

January 9, 2015, Inc. The best way to build solid connections is to earn a reputation of being a person who adds value for others in virtually every interaction you have with them.  Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/just-because-you-have-500-connections-doesn-t-mean-your-network-is-healthy.html

12 Affirmations For The Struggling Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are an optimistic lot. Naysayers might say “naïve.” But they have to be. Odds are against their success, but those who do succeed will provide for their families, solve customers’ problems, and possibly change the world in a big way.The best entrepreneur, therefore, has a healthy confidence that “I’ll be the one person in a thousand who makes it big.”

4 Things You Can Do to Personalize Your Brand Like the Celebs

Between Google and social media, it’s become simultaneously easier and more difficult than ever to maintain your brand image. With a few keystrokes, anyone can learn just about anything about you. On the other hand, if you can cultivate what your audience will find, you can influence your brand image and how others perceive you.

How to Create Your Own Industry to Fit Your Strengths

By leveraging my core strengths and skills and combining my backgrounds in entertainment and tech, I’ve molded my own brand and carved a unique career path for myself. Having been a talent producer for award shows, cause concerts, and celebrity fundraising events for three decades, I’ve developed a very large network, connecting musicians, actors, comedians, and tech innovators with the corporate world to create performances and campaigns.

How Writing a Book Can Advance Your Career

December 12, 2014, Inc. A book can be a powerful tool for advancing your career and establishing yourself as a brand and as an industry leader. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/why-or-how-writing-a-book-can-advance-your-career.html

The 4 Most Important Reasons You Need to Become a Mentor

When you decide to mentor someone, you really have no way of knowing how far she’ll go. Whether you shape the next great entrepreneur of our time or help someone achieve her dreams, you’ll make a difference–and that’s all that matters.

Ann Wilson

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-ann-wilson-of-heart

5 Reasons Developing Confidence Is Critical to Your Success

December 5, 2014, The Huffington Post Confidence is essential to your success and that of your business — in fact, it’s vital to everything you do in life. Read the entire article here: https://www.ellevatenetwork.com/articles/5870-5-reasons-developing-confidence-is-critical-to-your-success

4 Things You Can Do to Personalize Your Brand Like the Celebs

December 4, 2014, The Huffington Post Between Google and social media, it’s become simultaneously easier and more difficult than ever to maintain your brand image. Read the entire article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/4-things-you-can-do-to-personalize-your-brand-like-the-celebs_b_6148030

5 Simple Steps to Schedule Your Week for Business and Personal Success

December 1,2014, Inc. As an entrepreneur, attending to your work is essential for building your business. But creating a balanced life is the key to sustained success in the office and at home. Read the entire article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-simple-steps-schedule-your-week-business-personal-success-richards/

5 Conversation Tools For Nurturing Your Relationship With A Mentor

We’ve all longed for a classic mentor-mentee relationship at some point in our careers. We want someone who is savvy and seasoned. We want her to provide the perfect insights and career advice that will help us reach our goals. We want someone who will guide us to our destination.

Cynthia Kersey

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-cynthia-kersey

Michael Van Himbergen

Listen to the entire podcast here: https://allaccessradio.libsyn.com/kelli-richards-interviews-michael-van-himbergen

The Secret Weapon of Billionaire CEOs and Wildly Successful People

If you’ve hit a wall, it might be time to hire a business coach. Sometimes no matter how passionate you are about your business, it takes an outsider’s perspective to see where the company is lacking and identify areas for growth. And that additional insight and shift in perspective can take moments but make a huge difference in your results and the outcome.

The 4 Most Important Reasons You Need to Become a Mentor

November 20, 2014, Inc. When you decide to mentor someone, you really have no way of knowing how far she’ll go. Whether you shape the next great entrepreneur of our time or help someone achieve her dreams, you’ll make a difference — and that’s all that matters. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-4-most-important-reasons-you-need-to-become-a-mentor.html

Become an Effective Delegator

Delegation doesn’t come naturally to everyone–especially workaholic entrepreneurs. Recognize your #strengths. Tackle the things you love or do very well yourself, and then #DELEGATE the duties that slow down your productivity or otherwise aren’t a good use of your talents and time. Acknowledge and reward others for their strengths. Delegating is not only a way to decrease your workload it’s a way to channel your productivity and expertise! To read https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-ultimate-guide-to-delegating-for-entrepreneurs-who-hate-delegating.html

How to Create Your Own Industry to Fit Your Strengths

November 7, 2014, Inc. Your new industry has to reflect you because whether you’re a “collaborator genie” or a “green-energy explorer,” you’ve got all the makings of becoming your own unique brand of superhero. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/how-to-create-your-own-industry-to-fit-your-strengths.html

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Delegating

Is your to-do list a mile long? Do you spend your day in meetings and bring your work home with you because there aren’t enough hours in the workday? Do you feel as though the weight of the entire company is resting on your shoulders?

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Mentor-Mentee Relationship

October 31, 2014, Inc. If you’re skeptical about why a mentor would want to partner with a mentee, it may be because you don’t have a plan in place to make it worth her while. Figure out what you have to offer your mentor, and do everything you can to provide that value. Read the entire article here: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/4-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-mentor-mentee-relationship.html

Do you have a strong network, or do you just think you have a strong network?

Do you have a strong network, or do you just think you have a strong network?

Many entrepreneurs believe it’s who you know that matters, but what’s even more important is what you do with the people you know. By working to introduce and connect your connections, you can build a more lucrative network that can lead to further opportunities for you. By establishing a reputation as an effective facilitator of great relationships, you increase your chances of success.

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