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1-day Mastermind & Branding Event w/Lunch w/Kelli Richards, Mike Koenigs and MaryAgnes Antonopoulos

Kelli Richards April 15, 2013

“An Introduction to All Access Inner Circle Mentorship”

Friday, April 19, 9:00am-2:00pm

Capital Club, San Jose, CA

Featuring: Mike Koenigs, Kelli Richards and Mary Agnes Antonopoulos on Branding, Social Media & Connections

Your Investment: $147.00

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In this 1-day Mastermind & Branding Event with Internet GIANT Mike Koenigs, and Social Strategist Mary Agnes Antonopoulos, Kelli Richards will focus on supporting attendees to leverage and create a powerful online presence and brand, build valuable connections, AND set achievable goals, blow past roadblocks and support other attendees. This exclusive group will work with Kelli Richards and her two valuable guest speakers – serious and respected mentors in their field – to accomplish powerful results. This event is perfect for Entrepreneurs, Creative Thinkers, Professionals, CEO’s, and Small Business Owners.

Kelli Richards will help you:

  • Create powerful alliances and strategic partnerships that will:
  • Gain empowering insights and feedback from kindred, like-minded peers that will propel you forward and help you overcome obstacles in your way;
  • Develop powerful connections in networking to create dynamic collaborations and accelerate success.
  • Identify the road blocks preventing you from achieving your goals and vision.

Internet Giant Mike Koenigs will share:

Guest Speaker #1: Mike Koenigs, The World’s Highest Paid Online Video Marketing Expert “How to be a Highly Paid Success Story with Cutting-Edge Mobile, Video and Social Media Tools”

  • Common threads and lessons learned working for over 20 years with clients such as Sony Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Paula Abdul, Tony Robbins, General Mills, BMW and tens of thousands of customers in over 60 countries
  • How to become a highly-paid online marketing consultant with today’s cutting edge mobile, video, and social media tools (#1 Bestselling author of “Author Expert Marketing Machines” and #1 Bestselling co-author of “Make, Market, Launch IT!”).
  • Develop a vibrant video and mobile marketing presence with his software tools, Traffic Geyser and Instant Customer.

Guest Speaker #2: Mary Agnes Antonopoulos, Social Media & Branding Expert, “How to Run Your Entire Social Marketing Campaign in Four Hours a Week”

Mary Agnes will share:

  • 45-minutes: from confusion to an easy, how-to toolkit to create an effective social media campaign in only 4 hours a week:
  • Easily populate your blog; turn it into a sought-after podcast and YouTube series;
  • Realistically reach over 80,000 people through Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, iTunes and BlogTalkRadio;
  • Build a brand that WORKS and attracts people to your website and your social presence;
  • Do’s and don’ts for newsletters and all things online. Learn how from Social Media Rock Star and Strategist, Mary Agnes Antonopoulos.

Your Investment: $147.00

sign-up

About Kelli Richards

Matt Swafford www.swaffordimaging.com San Mateo California 2010Kelli Richards is a recognized thought-leader in digital music and entertainment with deep expertise in digital distribution and branded content, as well as working with a plethora of luminaries and innovators. She drove music and entertainment initiatives at Apple for 10 years, and helped to birth a whole new consumer movement around disruptive technologies & emerging business models. As President of The All Access Group, she has worked closely with a the author of “Instant Customer Revolution,” which explains wide range of start-ups, Fortune 100 companies, and established artists and industry leaders alike as a sought-after strategic consultant for the past 15 years. www.allaccessgroup.com.

About Mike Koenigs

Mike KoenigsMike Koenigs is the “2009 Marketer of the Year” winner, entrepreneur, filmmaker, speaker, author and holds a patent in “Cross-Channel” Marketing Technology. He is the CEO, “Chief Disruptasaurus” and Founder of Traffic Geyser and Instant Customer. His products simplify marketing for tens of thousands of small businesses, authors, experts, speakers, coaches and consultants worldwide. His celebrity and bestselling author clients and friends include Paula Abdul, Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, Debbie Ford, John Assaraf from “The Secret”, Brian Tracy, Jorge Cruise, Dan Kennedy and Harvey MacKay.

About Mary Agnes Antonopoulos

Mary Agnes AntonopoulosMary Agnes Antonopoulos is a respected social media strategist with over 100 successful social branding and marketing campaigns for a variety of clients, including NY Times bestselling authors: Jack Canfield, JJ Virgin, Christine Comaford; plus a long list of entrepreneurs and corporations (including AT&T, Midas and Panera Bread). She has graduated hundreds of entrepreneurs from her 6-week course on social marketing. Mary Agnes speaks all over the country, teaching winning social media tactics and audience building techniques.

Leap Motion, Welcome to the Future

Kelli Richards April 15, 2013

Developers at Leap Motion may be in the process of creating the most revolutionary tool to hit computers in decades: the ability to control your computer using just your hands and simple finger movements. The Leap Motion device is a flash drive size gadget that connects to either your Mac or PC and instantly allows you to manipulate the three-dimensional model on your screen.

Inspired by the idea that it takes 10 seconds to mold clay in real life but 30 minutes using a computer, Leap Motion wanted a way to make “molding virtual clay as easy as molding clay in the real world.” And it seems that with the use of infrared LED’s and several cameras’ the Leap Motion controller has succeeded in revolutionizing the way people will interact with their computers; creating a virtual space above the cigarette sized device, tracking your movements in real time, accurate to 1/100th of a millimeter. What makes this invention so impressive is that the use of this virtual 3D space, allows the user to physically manipulate content rather than simply communicate with it in the form of gestures. (Swiping your hand to the left to change pages, or pinch your fingers to zoom in.)

Wired has declared that Leap Motion is, “the best gesture-control system we’ve ever tested;” and The Verge called the device, “the next big thing in computing.” But how will Leap Motion change the way you use your computer? Imagine surfing the Internet without the use of a mouse- clicking, scrolling, zooming in and out, and rotating images using only your hands. Editing excel sheets could be done with out tediously selecting and dragging data with a mouse and keyboard shortcuts, but instead by simply grabbing and dragging items with yours hands. Envision artists creating, drawing, molding, onscreen images in the most natural way possible- again, with their hands. Imagine doctors manipulating 3-Dimensional images of the human body to help patients pinpoint ailments; or surgeons practicing procedures in controlled environments.

Leap Motion’s cofounder David Holz believes that touch screen tablets are so incredibly popular because of their intuitive nature (in comparison to mice and keyboards), but such technology is limited. Holz has stated, “the fact is that you can’t really do anything with a tablet, with tap and swipe, but it feels natural… We have that same natural experience but we have more power.” And at a price of $69.99, the Leap Motion controller is reasonably priced, setting the stage for it to enter the homes of masses, revolutionizing our entire computing experience soon rather than later.

While currently the Leap Motion controller may be a computer gamer’s dream toy, allowing users to fire guns in a similar motion used by Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, Leap Motion has declared, “The possibilities are endless, really. Art. Healthcare. Engineering. Gaming. If you can imagine it, we’re pretty confident there’s a remarkable member of our developer community who’s already making it a reality… We know, it sounds too good to be true. But that’s what we specialize in around here.”

You can watch the Leap Motion device in action here: Introducing the Leap Motion

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

Celebrating 50 Years of Being Julian. A Lennon Legacy and a White Feather of Hope

Kelli Richards April 8, 2013

Today is my wonderful friend Julian Lennon’s 50th birthday. Happy Birthday Jules!

Julian Blog Photography Today is a great day to talk about legacy and connection. I first spotted Julian Lennon when I was a young girl. The Beatles were on TV – they were everywhere by then – this time, however, way on the left, on the side of the stage, sat a young boy, obviously just about my age.  To me, he looked lost, almost forlorn.  I didn’t know he was John’s son, but my connection to him was immediate and strong. While other friends would go crazy watching for Paul or John, I would closely scan all Beatles concerts and appearances, looking for that young man – who of course, turned out to be Julian.

While John Lennon made a huge effort to be there for his second son, Sean, it was a lesson learned by painfully not being present for Julian’s life after John’s divorce from Cynthia, Julian’s mother. Julian Blog with John Young

Several years after John’s passing, Julian’s debut album came out – and like many people did at the time, I actually thought it WAS John. The resemblance between the two was astounding.  Of course, it was not a lost John Lennon track – it was Julian singing Valotte – a massively talented artist in his own right. (Like so many children of rock stars, separating his own art from the shadow of his dad’s legacy would not be easy.)

Many years later again, I was lucky enough to meet Julian – to share some strategic ideas and talk about possibly collaborating down the road, should the opportunity arise.  We shared a deeply moving conversation that day about his life and his work – and we discussed the amazing (and diverse) body of work that Julian had created to that point – as a musician and as a photographer.  (You can see Julian talk about his photography in an interview with CBS Morning Show.)

At our meeting, after a warm greeting and a hug that spoke more of old friendship than new colleagues, I shared with Jules a two-page document filled with ideas and possible points of collaboration down the road, and I suggested that he start a foundation.  Not long after, Julian launched his charity, The White Feather Foundation.

Julian Blog White FeatherWhite Feather refers to Julian’s experience and belief that his dad reached out to him after he was killed – that if Julian ever saw a white feather, he should know John was present for him.  Time passes so quickly.  White Feather was started several years ago now.  Its work is huge.  It embraces environmental and humanitarian issues in conjunction with partners from all around the world, raising funds for a more sustainable world for every living being. White Feather has done everything from supporting artists to marching to end bullying to building an orphanage in Sri Lanka.  One project at a time, White Feather builds better lives and stronger communities.  In 2008, Julian was honored by the Better World Environmental Award by Prince Albert of Monaco.Julian Blog Single-1

And his legacy work doesn’t stop with White Feather – or his music – or his breathtaking photography. Julian has also invested his time, over the last several years, buying and gathering memorabilia of his father’s life and the Beatles’ long journey.  In 2011 he published a beautiful coffee table book entitled “Beatles Memorabilia: The Julian Lennon Collection” featuring many of these valuable artifacts.

Julian Blog AlbumToday Jules releases the single “Someday” from his newest CD “Everything Changes”; the CD is a breathtaking collection of some of the most beautiful tunes he has ever written – and he took his time with it.  It took several years before Jules was ready to release this latest compilation & it was well worth the wait.

Looking at his 50th year, you cannot miss that Julian has carved “legacy” everywhere in his life.  He has built careers as both a musician and a photographer – and now as a curator of his father’s memory.  One memory and memento at a time, Julian gathers the pieces, near and far, and builds on the memory and the journey, one feather – and one step at a time.  I can’t wait to see what Jules does next, but whatever it is it will have meaning and impact, and I’ll be there to support his efforts.

To Support the White Feather Foundation, please visit:  https://WhiteFeatherFoundation.com

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

“Indoor” Google Maps

Kelli Richards April 1, 2013

As revolutionary as Google Maps was, bringing instant, step by step directions straight to peoples smart phones; Google is in the process of once again releasing possibly the most game-changing technology to the maps industry since the invent of the sextant: indoor maps.

But before we explore the technology, its uses, and how it will change your day-to-day life, lets discuss the changes of the map-making industry, and how it grew with the development of new technology. The cartography industry grew in large part due to the intellectual expansion in Ancient Greece, and philosopher’s creation of basic mathematics, as well as geometry and calculus.

Surveyors used these new techniques to physically measure, plot, and illustrate landscapes by hand, without the use of some of today’s most fundamental tools. Map making became exponentially more accurate following the invention of the devices like the compass, sextant, and theodolite. The compass, of course providing the map maker with the essential cardinal directions; the sextant is a navigational instrument used to determine elevation above the horizon, in other words a sextant allows you to calculate a “line of position,” a path, along the surface of the earth. When used with other triangulation devices, individuals are able to determine latitude and longitude; and a theodolite is used to measure horizontal and vertical angles in relation to specific sites, allowing for greater measurements in surveying.

These devices, as well as countless others, allowed for greater world exploration and more accurate cartography of both “new” and inhabited lands. And while map making is dramatically different today in relation to ancient cartography in that the technology used is far more developed, the basic concepts remain. But in a time period in which rain forests are being destroyed, giving way for more urban living, where buildings scrape the sky, and people drive everywhere in their various automobiles- the need to efficiently maneuver around is incredibly vital.

Yes, we have had accurate maps for centuries now, but we still lack written, easily accessible indoor maps. And the “You are here” displays in malls don’t count, as they draw more of a parallel with mouse mazes than real usable maps. Rather, imagine being able to look up directions to a doctor’s office, classroom, or meeting location days before your actual appointment. Or running late to a job interview and being able to find the fastest step-by-step directions to places within a building. Google is currently making maneuvering around buildings far easier with their creation of indoor Google maps software.

This software, which is available on both iPhones and Android devices provides the user with a floor plan of the building they are in, allowing the users to figure out where they are, and orient themselves with their environment- even showing you what floor your on. Indoor Google maps will appear right through the Google maps app, allowing you to plan your entire trip from the comfort of your home to the room of your final destination. Talk about better than door-to-door service.

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

Google: Street View or Street Fight?

Kelli Richards March 25, 2013

The two-year investigation into Google’s “Street View” privacy violations from 2006 to 2010 culminated a few weeks ago, with a $7 million fine and Google’s promise to educate both their employees and the general public about protecting private data. The case, brought by 38 US states, against Google alleged that the internet giant collected private information including passwords, email addresses, and medical and financial records, when Google cars scoured roads across the nation, accumulating images for the Street View aspect of Google maps.

While the $7 million fine is pocket change for a company worth upwards of $200 billion, this settlement is significant, as Google is once again associated with privacy violations, hurting their public image. Previous privacy violations included the sharing of personal information and internet search queries of users to third parties; Google cookies working with Viacom to keep records of videos watched on Nick and NickJr.com; using security settings on Safari to track online activities of iPhone owners; and, automatically connecting all Gmail users in Google Buzz, making data public without permission.

So this lawsuit against Google for the collection of private data is just the most recent of numerous privacy infringements that are directly associated with the revolutionary business that is Google and certainly won’t be the last. The Google Glass Project, which I have already discussed, comes to mind immediately regarding the potential of privacy infractions that could be brought about by Google’s game changing technology. Google Glass offers a combination of wearable computing system, and introduces augmented reality (virtual reality which aims to duplicate real world environments on computers) for the first time in the form of glasses.

Hardware like this, which allows users to take videos of everything they are seeing and hearing with a simple tilt of the head or voice command already raises privacy concerns before taking into account the development of huge amounts of software, which you can be sure will be invented, in the not so distant future.

Google’s mission to, “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” has made the company a trailblazer, whose growth is only paralelled by the cyber laws, which its growth has created and in turn, broken.

Following the mantra, “better to seek forgiveness than permission,” Google has spearheaded the seeming exponential growth of the Internet (and its market dominance,) acting first and asking questions later. But what has made the privacy violations associated with Street View, and most likely Google Glass, so scary is its ambiguity.

The idea of a random car patrolling the streets, or an arbitrary person with glasses, having access to personal data ranging from medical forms to passwords is extremely worrisome. However, this is the life of an innovator, one pushing the limits – socially, economically, judicially and technologically, and Google is definitely one of the biggest innovators in recent memory.

So while Google Street Views’ privacy infringement is just the most recent of Google’s privacy violations, it is simply the result of Silicon Valley’s redefinition of both worldwide communication, the accessibility of information and the expansion of knowledge. For now, Google’s promise to educate its employees and its users on how to protect personal data, seems to be a step in the right direction, in protecting users’ private information.

Until next time,
Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group, LLC

From Rotary Phones to ??? – The Every Changing Market of Communications

Kelli Richards March 18, 2013

Snapping “selfies” (self-taken pictures) on the beach while drinking margarita’s and uploading them to social sites might be a good way to share the moment with friends, but the potential for bosses and professional colleagues to see the less-than-scandalous, but inappropriate-for-your-brand pictures is always lurking close behind. Snapchat, a currently trending app, has found a way for you to avoid awkward looks at the office, but still let your friends in on how your weekend getaway was spent.

Snapchat is for picture and video messaging only. For instance, it’s an easy and fun way to let your friends know what they missed out on when they turned down your concert tickets with a simple video message. You can control how many seconds the message is viewed (the limit is 10 seconds), and who sees it. Users can also add captions to their pictures and videos. Send a video of your baby’s first steps to your whole family in an instant, just remember to save the video (or picture) before you send it, because once it is sent, it is gone forever. Snapchat permanently deletes all of the pictures and videos that you send and receive after you’ve viewed them.

With the digital age exploding, communication is an ever-evolving market right now. It seems like a lifetime from rotary phones to smartphones, and the changes are coming at a faster and faster pace.

Some other apps changing the instant communication landscape are WhatsApp and Voxer. With these apps you can send a text message, voice clip, or video snippet with just a touch of a finger on your smartphone. The best part? They’re practically free.

WhatsApp costs $0.99 to download, but sending and receiving text messages and videos is free. After a simple download, users can enter their phone number, which the app software adopts as a username. WhatsApp syncs the contacts stored on the device and adds people –who also have the app. Once the app is set up, you can send unlimited texts, pictures, and videos. Another perk of this app is that you can use it internationally. Have a friend in England? Don’t worry, you can still send them pictures of your cat (Milo, in my case) or steamy mug of morning java. The app also makes chatting with a group easy; just add a subject line and people to the group to start messaging.

Similar to WhatsApp, Voxer also allows its users to text and send pictures, in addition to sending voices messages. Voxer yanks on your inner child’s desire to play because it is, in essence, a glorified walkie-talkie. The focal facet of this app is its push-to-talk feature. Want to remind your husband to pick up the kids from school? Send a verbal message in seconds.

There will always be a demand for a faster and better means of communicating. Who knows, one day soon we might even remember to go old school and communicate face to face. The invaluable power of a REAL connection, in real-time. Mind blowing, right?

What do you think will be next for communication technology?

Until next time,
Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

The Virtual Power of Eric Whitacre’s Choir: Involving the Masses in Music

Kelli Richards March 11, 2013

WhitacreNot since the supergroup “USA for Africa” sang, “We Are the World,” in 1985 has a song collaboration inspired such a global response. But this time, instead of celebrities contributing their part, from inside a studio in California, the contributors are average people, working in front of their computers, in the comfort of their own homes.

Just as Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson did before him, Eric Whitacre – minus the logistics – has created a musical sensation.

Jumping in the way back machine for a moment, Eric Whitacre’s interest in music began when a friend convinced him to join his college choir, primarily because of the pretty girls. It was the “Kyrie” from Mozart’s Requiem, however, that sparked his passion. In a recent TED Talk, Whitacre spoke of this experience saying it changed his life. He then felt as though he was part of something bigger than himself.

Whitacre went on to write pieces, which were published, got  Masters degree at the Juilliard School, and became a renowned composer and conductor. But it would not be Mozart or even an inspiring professor that would be Whitacre’s muse for his most recent project, it was a fan video submitted on YouTube.

The fan sang the soprano line of “Sleep,” a song Whitacre had composed, and it gave him an idea. If he could get 50 people to sing a part of one of his songs and post the video to YouTube, he could string the videos together to create a virtual choir. He decided to upload a conductor track of his song, “Lux Aurumque,” and waited for would-be artists to take an interest.

The project, when completed, received 1 million hits in its first month. You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs

With such a big response, Whitacre decided to do a second collaboration, this time using his song, “Sleep,” which inspired the project from the beginning. At the end of the submission process, 2051 videos from 58 countries were uploaded to YouTube. By working virtually, with technology at the fingertips of millions of people from all corners of the Earth, what used to take years to achieve, is now possible in months, weeks, and sometimes hours.

(View the, “Sleep” collaboration video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WhWDCw3Mng)

Similar to Eric Whitacre, I understand the power of global connectivity, networking …community. It is at the core of my All Access Radio show each week (which is approaching its one millionth download this month). In one form or another, it has always been in collaboration that human beings create our best works.  Even those who work in isolation will depend upon networks and colleagues to launch their projects once they’re completed.

So this blog comes with a question: What is YOUR legacy project?  Where are your communities?  Are you building a choir of support around you?  

Until next time,

Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC

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5 Unlikely Music Legends With Great Advice for Entrepreneurs

Kelli Richards March 3, 2014

1abcac6As an entrepreneur, it’s important to keep your ears open for helpful advice — especially when you’re new to the game.

We usually expect business wisdom to come from the likes of Mark Cuban, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffett — not Jimmy Buffett. But there are a few big names in entertainment who would surprise you with their entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.

1. Jimmy Buffett

The man behind boozy classics such as “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise” knows a little something about entrepreneurship.

Beyond his successful career in music, Buffett runs a record label, a merchandising company, the Margaritaville brand of chain stores, restaurants, blenders, tequila, and more.

He’s a successful entrepreneur because he hires talented people, can see the potential in important opportunities, and lives by solid values that go back to his roots.

Take it from Jimmy: “You’ve got to be able to take money out of the equation in order to enjoy life and make good decisions. Years ago, I went to Warren Buffett for advice about something, and that’s what he told me. He said, ‘Whether you make or don’t make this deal, is it going to affect your life? And if not, then do what you want to do, and be prepared for them to say no.’ I’ve used that quite a bit.”

2. Troy Carter

Troy Carter is the manager who helped build the careers of musical sensations including Lady Gaga and John Legend.

What you might not know is that he’s a tech investor in ventures like Spotify, Uber, and Dropbox, as well as the entrepreneur behind POPwater and several other companies.

Carter’s ability to stay present helps him make clear and logical decisions in the midst of chaos, keep the big picture in mind, and avoid getting flustered when things don’t go as planned.

Take it from Troy: “Money doesn’t make me tick. This definition of success doesn’t make me tick. Managing some of the biggest stars in the world doesn’t make me tick. Making my family proud makes me tick.”

3. Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams is a renowned hip-hop, R&B, and soul musician, but he also designs clothing and chairs, dabbles in sculpture and architecture, invests in tech startups, mentors kids, and is a philanthropist.

Williams is successful because he surrounds himself with people who recognize that they’re different, and he understands the importance of collaboration, learning from others, and taking constructive criticism.

Take it from Pharrell: “You are only as good as your team. When you envisage success, you should see all the people you work with, in addition to yourself…I used to hire 21-year-old monsters with a twinkle in their eye. I saw potential, but it was what I thought they could do, not what they could actually do…When you surround yourself with people with experience…A lot of them are gonna be older than you. When they vet people, they need to see more than twinkles; they need sparks.”

4. Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart is a musician best known for his work with the Eurythmics.

He now serves as an advisor to Visa and Nokia and is the CEO of the massively successful media company Weapons of Mass Entertainment. He’s also the co-founder of First Artist Ventures and the author of the entrepreneurial guidebook “Business Playground: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide.”

Stewart embraces and rewards creativity, understanding that it’s essential for a business to stand out in a crowded market. He also knows how to ask the right questions and when to seek different perspectives from trustworthy people.

Take it from Dave: “A creative culture is one in which people aren’t just rewarded for successes, but are allowed and actively encouraged to experiment and make mistakes.

“The perfect brainstorm removes the barriers to creativity by letting all ideas come out without the judgment and criticism that might otherwise kill them. It also involves having clear parameters, including a mix of people from different backgrounds, and setting high expectations for performance.”

5. Sammy Hagar

Also known as “The Red Rocker,” Sammy Hagar is a singer/songwriter and the musician best known as a member of Van Halen.

Hagar also owns a popular chain of nightclubs and restaurants called Cabo Wabo, a chain of airport restaurants, a restaurant with celeb chef Tyler Florence, and a tequila company.

While it might seem like a leap for a rocker to run a chain of restaurants, Hagar is successful because he follows his intuition, looks for new opportunities, finds the right people to run his businesses, and has fun.

Take it from Sammy: “Before I made it as a rocker, I had a lot of executives tell me what to do to make it, and I never listened to them. I did it my way…I like owning and operating a business. It’s as creative as stepping on stage or making a record. I’ve never started a business thinking, ‘Oh, I’m gonna make money off of this.’ All my ideas have come from sheer enthusiasm.”

While you probably shouldn’t take all your business advice from music legends, there are some common lessons that transcend industries:

  • Surround yourself with great people.
  • Explore potential opportunities that challenge you.
  • Don’t make money the first priority.
  • Always trust your gut.

Sometimes, the best advice comes from unexpected sources. Another lesson you can learn from these individuals is that you don’t necessarily have to start in business to build great companies. It’s just a matter of listening to your inner entrepreneur and seizing opportunities that excite you.

Which unlikely individuals have given you the best advice on entrepreneurship? What was their advice?

 

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)

 

4 Tech Dinosaurs That Will Finally Die in 2015

Kelli Richards February 27, 2014

Forbes-150x88February 27, 2014,

Forbes

In recent years, technology has changed the way we view work, entertainment, media, and even our workout habits. While most people are focused on what’s next for wearables, cloud computing, and syncing gadgets, few have taken the time to consider the tech we’re going to be sending into retirement in the coming years.

Read the entire article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/02/27/4-tech-dinosaurs-that-will-finally-die-in-2015/https://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/02/27/4-tech-dinosaurs-that-will-finally-die-in-2015/

Two Steps to Creating Collaborations and One to Surviving When they Go Wrong.

Kelli Richards February 24, 2014

Today I had the privilege of interviewing Ian Miller. Ian is an expert brand and marketing strategist with 30 years of experience building hugely competitive brands and the CEO and Founder of The Brand Practice, a business and brand strategy consultancy. A recognized expert / lecturer in Ingredient Branding, Ian Miller has led the creation and global launch of the ingredient brand, NutraSweet, and worked closely with over 50 partner brands, including Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi – creating great synergy and collaboration around the business world.

One of the most important questions I got to ask Ian was about the subject of collaboration – something near and dear to my heart, as a consultant in the music and digital arenas and as a coach.  Today, I wanted to go over the two largest pitfalls of being involved in collaborations that just don’t work and what we do to get out of them.

1. Imbalance. One of the greatest pitfalls of any collaboration is that it is not reciprocal.  There’s no win / win – just hard work for one party and limited rewards for the other. The truth is that any collaboration can only succeed if all the parties involved are givers AND takers. If any one party involved has nothing to offer, they’re simply a drain on the whole.  Be sure that all parties invited into any project are clear about their deliverables – even if it’s just to bring a creative edge to the process – and that nobody is “dead weight” in the group, just along for the ride.

2. End Game. Another pitfall to successfully working with other artists, mentors or business alliances is that we are simply NOT all cut from the same cloth. We don’t all have the same work ethic or goals – just ask Beyonce about the original Destiny’s Child members.  BEFORE any collaboration goes wrong, in fact, before it even gets started, you have to be very honest with everyone involved. Before you set out on any journey you must know that what is obvious to you may look like murky waters to the people you’re working with. In addition to making sure you have the right team (number one, above), definitely take the time to carefully go over the goals and endgame of the project.

3. What to do when it goes wrong? No matter how great the team, sometimes things start out fine but go way off course along the way. Before you jump overboard, step back and measure what you can do to salvage your part – to bring the best you can to the project.  It might not be great, but it’s possible that showing up for your part of the work – to preserve your future relationship with the other artists or parties involved – might be the best solution.

Collaborations are definitely NOT easy, but they are worth it. The bottom line is that we are in the people business, and tapping into that most important resource – the HUMAN resource is an important part of our industry.  So DO collaborate. Take the risk.  But no matter how “big” the names and other parties are, be sure to keep it simple, to keep your goals clear and to have definite accountability for every collaborator, every step of the way.  If you do, the rewards can be well worth it.

Kelli Richards
CEO of The All Access Group

You can sign up for an advance copy of my ebook at https://allaccessgroup.com/services/ (just click ebooks when you get the confirmation).

5 Tools Every Entrepreneur Needs in 2014

Kelli Richards February 17, 2014

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Entrepreneurs must be practical experts, according to author and leadership expert Simon Sinek. A new business owner needs to specialize in his craft, as well as marketing, graphic design, and plant maintenance. He sweeps, writes press releases, and keeps the books. An entrepreneur is everything to everyone. Juggling so many jobs can be a huge task, but happily there are new tools and tech to get you through it without losing your mind.

Getting Started

Most lenders and investors will not give you a second look without a business plan. It is the guide to your business. It is proof that the owner has thought out all of the opportunities and threats to the business and placed a monetary value on each. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers numerous resources for entrepreneurs to develop a business plan that will stand out to investors and put your business on the right track.

Working The Back Office

Intuit free accounting software helps a small business owner to do all of the necessary, but mundane, bookkeeping and financial reporting. Using Quickbooks is relatively simple, plus there are myriad instructional videos online. Quickbooks has all of the functions that a small business entrepreneur would need. At the front end of the software, the user can add receipts and expenses. This includes bank reconciliations and payroll, if your organization is big enough to have employees. At the back end, you can print financial reports that give either a point-in-time look at your business or an overview of your financial success.

Learning, Learning And More Learning

It would be great to know everything, but for those of us who do not, there is Google. Take a look at Google For Entrepreneurs, a collection of resources for any type of entrepreneur. Under the online learning tab there are educational videos by field experts and academics. The videos range from marketing to leadership development to Web analytics. Google also hosts various new business events, like its startup weekend, a 54-hour weekend seminar designed to put an entrepreneur through the paces. Google For Entrepreneurs also educates about some of the Google business development and marketing products like Adword and Adsense.

Staying Productive

When you are the chief multitask engineer, productivity is essential. Renting office space can be expensive, especially if it is only used occasionally. Meetings are more often held at the local coffee joint. Having your documents available to you everywhere you go is imperative for good productivity. Cloud-based file sharing is a good solution. Google Drive and Dropbox allow users to move files back and forth in the cloud. This allows you and your team the ability to share and update documents in real time, anywhere in the world.

Yelling From The Mountaintop

Internet-based marketing is one way to get the word out to your potential customers. Services like Buddy Media have cross platform marketing systems that allows you to create content and push it out via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks.

Until next time,

Dana Hudson, Blogger for the All Access Group, LLC

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

 

Step Away from the Smartphone

Kelli Richards February 10, 2014

Screen Shot 2013-11-20 at 10.57.12 AMOf the 93% of Americans that use cell phones or wireless devices, one-third of them are using “smartphones,” with which you can browse the Web and check e-mail. In other words, most of us are spending our days walking around with our eyes glued to our phone screens, as chillingly demonstrated in this telling YouTube short.

Some experts say it’s time to take a step back and reassess. They worry that kids won’t know what it’s like to have a conversation or actually look someone in the eyes when they tell a story.

In her powerful TED talk, Sherry Turkle claims that the little devices in our pockets are so psychologically powerful that they not only change what we do – they’re also changing who we are in our minds and our hearts, by allowing us three gratifying fantasies: that we can put our attention wherever we want it to be; that we will always be heard; and that we will never have to be alone.

But that’s just what they are – fantasies. And while we’re indulging in them, we’re tuning out the people who are physically present in the room with us. Some of the familiar things we now do with our devices – taking calls while out to dinner, checking Facebook during board meetings, texting while on a date – are things that only a few years ago we would have found odd or disturbing. Now it’s simply how we do things. Instead of never being alone, it seems we are getting accustomed to “a new way of being alone, together.”

“Parents text and do email at breakfast and at dinner. Their children complain about not having their parents’ full attention, but then these same children deny each other their full attention. We even text at funerals. I study this. We remove ourselves from our grief, or from our reverie, and we go into our smartphones.” If it’s true that attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity, then one could argue that smartphones are making us less generous human beings, unable to give each other the attention we crave.

Real conversations are unpredictable – and un-erase-able – and real relationships are engrossing and messy, but technology renders both neat and clean – keeping others at just the right distance: not too close to see the real you, and not too far that they can’t “hear” what you’re saying.

But having real conversations with each other is how we learn to have conversations with ourselves. Hiding from real, unscripted, unpredictable conversations with each other can compromise our capacity for self-reflection. And as smartphones burrow ever deeper into our lives, and Google Glass threatens to erode our personal space even further, finding ways to unplug is becoming more appealing – perhaps even more vital – than ever.

If you or someone you love is struggling with smart phone addiction, download Fast Company’s printable guide to unplugging and check out their collection of thought-provoking articles on the subject here.

Until next time,

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

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

The Benefits of BYOD Across Different Company Sizes

Kelli Richards January 27, 2014

Anyone connected to the business world has heard about the rampant popularity of bring-your-own-device policies, better known as BYOD. The trend will continue for the near future and likely beyond, with Gartner analysts claiming that 50 percent of companies will mandate a BYOD platform over the course of the next five years. The popularity and gains in morale aside, however, does a BYOD set of policies make sense to a company on a financial standpoint? In terms of dollars and cents, some businesses may get more out of BYOD than others.

Small Companies

Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 10.00.14 AMCould a BYOD platform benefit the larger conglomerates more than the small, home-based businesses that employ so many independent workers? The answer may be no, but not necessarily due to the basic revenue-expenses flowchart on your bookkeeping. The risk to small companies with a BYOD system lies in the security or lack thereof. V3 made headlines by proclaiming that a small business with BYOD is one cyber-attack away from bringing the company down. A small company may not be able to afford training or security to keep a BYOD network afloat, resulting in a far higher risk of a data breach. When that happens, the savings of a few hundred dollars per employee becomes trivial: The average data breach costs a company no less than $6.75 million dollars and an average of over $200 per compromised customer, Poneman research reports.

The Muddled Middle

Medium-sized businesses may have the resources to put a comprehensive BYOD platform in place to allow for security and increased safety, yet few end up doing so. CSO Online estimates that between 60 percent and 80 percent of businesses have no formal BYOD policies in place whatsoever. Businesses with the luxuries of modest resources and relative flexibility must think long and hard about the dollar value of each employee under its company umbrella. The advantages of cost savings and increased productivity often win out, since a medium-sized business rarely has to hire more than a handful of new staff members to police BYOD or train employees. When a medium-sized company has had limited success with safety, however, it may find a BYOD platform to be an unpalatable risk.

Corporate Policy

When your company employs hundreds or even thousands of workers, the solution becomes quite simple: Go big or go home. The math firmly stands in the BYOD camp, with Cisco reporting that a basic BYOD platform generates $350 per employee per year, while comprehensive policy boosts that figure up to $1,300 per employee per year. Risks remain, of course, and risks become more expensive as the size of a company grows, but when the benefits start climbing in to the millions of dollars, a corporation with a large workforce would greatly limit their growth potential by restricting BYOD policy in favor of uniform devices. There are also platforms that allow BYOD devices to switch from personal to business mode, keeping the two areas separate.

Until next time,

Keith Hart, Guest Blogger for 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)

 

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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

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Tom Silverman

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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

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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

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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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