Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

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What Will Be Your Best Business Decision for 2013?

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Make 2013 your best business year yet! Purchase a $1000 Small Business Advisory Package with Kevin W. McCarthy and get 50% more one-on-one time by phone, email, or in person. (Use coupon code: 50%More) That's 6 hours instead of 4 hours of insights, ideas, and advice to grow you and your business. You set the agenda and time frame. Break up your package into hour long segments, one long stretch, or something in between. Get Kevin to review a business plan, presentation, or help you write your on-purpose statements of purpose, vision, mission, and values. 

This is a double bonus value worth $1,130 in savings compared to Kevin's normal hourly rate of $350. It must be purchased before Christmas and used in full by March 2013. Your investment is guaranteed. If after the first hour you're not satisfied, we'll end it there and give you your money back. Limited to only 5 clients on a first come, first served basis. Act now!

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Entrepreneurs start businesses, but they tend not to grow them. There's a variety of reasons but mostly it is their mindset and aloneness. Reach out for help!

You want to mature out of your start-up stage as soon as possible and move into a growth stage. There aren't but about 10,000 ways to get tripped up. You don't have sufficient knowledge and experience to go it so alone, yet chances are that you are too isolated for your or your business's benefit. 

OK, so here we are in mid-December. The Christmas season is upon us, but if you're a small business owner the chances are you're reflecting on 2012 and thinking about 2013.

What will you do differently in 2013 from 2012 to improve your business performance? What will work and what won't work? Do you feel like your wheels are turning but you risk spinning versus gaining traction for the New Year? Are you feeling "tripped up" or stuck?

As a business advisor over the decades, my clients are primarily CEOs and Presidents of mid-sized companies, say businesses with $5 million in sales or larger. At one time, I used to do work with the CEOs and Founders of some Fortune 1000 companies. In time, however, I found that the mid-market and small businesses were more to my liking. Give me companies with revenues less than $100 million and I'm in my sweet spot.

That said, I have this deep love for the start-up person, the entrepreneur, the freelancer, the 100% commissioned sales person, the solo owner, or as some call them "The Little Guy." Perhaps the proper term in 2012 is "The Little Person." 

Truth is, if you're one of them, there's nothing little about you. You are the people who are standing tall, being bold, starting and building a business, pursuing a dream, aiming to change the world, seeking to provide for the family, serving your community, and deciding to kick Corporate America aside and give it go. You are the dreamers and the doers. 

Here at On-Purpose Partners, we've developed options for you solo owners to grow your business:

  • ONPURPOSE@WORK is a six-week online program that rocks. Anyone in the world can participate if you have an internet connection and understand English.
  • Are you a Christian small business owner living in the Orlando, FL area? (Or do you know someone who is?) Check out www.myceogroup.com. Groups are forming now north, south, and east of Orlando. 
  • Small Business Advisory Package (see above for Christmas special): 4 hours of one-on-one advisory services for the small business owner. You'll be blown away by what you learn and how you can improve your life and business.
  • The On-Purpose Business Person: See insert below for the Kindle edition. A print version in paperback will be forthcoming soon.

Make your best business decision for 2013 in 2012.  You'll be glad you went into with a plan, even a simple plan and some people to help you can make all the difference.

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin



 

 

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“To Lead is to Serve” by Shar McBee

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I just posted this review on Amazon.com about To Lead is to Serve by Shar McBee.   I figured, Why not share Shar here? So here goes.  It follows the link below to go to amazon.   It is a free Kindle download today.


Over the decades, I've been the board chair or a board member for
numerous Not-For-Profit (NFP)organizations. To Lead is to Serve nails
the realities of servant leadership by heightening awareness for those
easy-to-miss courtesies every person, let alone leader, needs to live.

One
doesn't need to be a leader by title to gain from this book. We're
surrounded by "volunteers" at home, at work, and in NFPs. Civility,
graciousness, and authentic caring never go out of style, yet, for most
of us, they are learned manners. Who is your mentor?

Shar McBee, a
mentor and the author, begins chapters with a story from her extensive
background and experience. This format plus her writing style makes for
a swift and enjoyable read plus memorable impact. Key takeaways are
distilled for the reader along with practical "Gems" and "Exercises" to
meaningfully solidify the everyday application and adoption of this
serving orientation.

Another element that makes this message
remarkable is its do-ability factor today. She's asking us, the
reader/leader, to make a shift in perspective and posture from running
something to serving someone. Then again, that's what servant-leadership
is all about – the people. Rarely, however, have I seen the concept
and principles brought to life in such actionable terms for anyone for
any given moment starting where ever you are.

To Lead is to
Serve is a leadership book that invites a high touch approach to doing
life. Some "leaders" may be tempted to use this content as a means to
manipulate volunteers to do their bidding. If that's you, then please
read the book and discover a healthier and happier way for all of us to
interact with you. Serving is a lifestyle before it is a leadership
style but it begins with you deciding to lead is to serve (to borrow a
phrase).

Thank you Shar McBee for this powerful, easy to read, and precious message of leading by serving.

Kevin W. McCarthy
Author, The On-Purpose Person

PS: Here is Shar's website: http://www.JoyofLeadership.com


 

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Am I A Natural Born Leader?
Are You A Leader?

Great Quotes From Great Leaders

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I’ve always been a fan of great quotes. They are a thing of beauty in both prose and provocation to reflect on the matter at hand. Enjoy this brief movie from my friends at Simple Truths:

Are You A Leader?

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Yes, you are a leader! There is no question that you are a leader and that you are called to be improving as a leader. Over the years, however, truly talented people hold themselves back simply because of their attitude toward leaders and being a leader. Take a look at the headlines below in yellow. Ask yourself, “Which am I?” Then read the appropriate section for you.

“I am not a leader.”

If so, now is the time to change that misperception! That, by the way, is exactly what it is—a mistaken identity or view of yourself.  

This classic On-Purpose Minute addresses the fallacy of “I’m not a leader.” It is just that: a lie and label which you neither need to carry nor wear any longer. Remarkably, you have leadership skills and qualities that are dormant and underdeveloped waiting to be brought forward. You two-word purpose statement begins the process of being on-purpose.

“I am a leader.”

Leaders are learners and readers. Not only do you step up to the responsibilities of being a leader, you welcome the chance to learn and improve. It may have taken you years to get to this place in your life, but you found you’re making progress.

The On-Purpose Leader Experience will accelerate your leadership development and growth unlike any leadership program or course you’ve ever attended. By starting at the heart of your heart—your purpose—you will have a solid core and confidence to know who you are.  

Who is bringing out the leader in you? 

May I? Today, we’re starting another 6-week cycle of The On-Purpose Leader Experience. There’s a money back guarantee so all you have to invest is your time. We’ve never had an unsatisfied participant in 20 years of offering this content in a classroom or online.

Please visit The On-Purpose Leader Experience website and learn more about becoming a stronger personal leader of your life. Do this and you will more readily develop and improve in every area of life. 

The On-Purpose Leader Experience: $197 per person / $297 per couple

Be my guest to preview webcast 1 on Oct. 30 at 3:05 P.M. Eastern USA.

Click here to be taken to the 45-minute Preview Webcast

The On-Purpose Leader Experience

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Starts October 30 — December 11. Learn more at: www.onpurposeleading.com or click the logo below:

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Raise the Trajectory of Your Life in Six Power-Packed Weeks

 

What Are Core Values?

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Purpose and values are strongly related. Purpose precedes values. Purpose is by definition good. Values without purpose being inherently good can be easily abused. Values, you'll discover, will often be in conflict.

How does one resolve a values conflict? Your purpose provides the swing vote or trump card if needed.
For example, most people would say that a value such as "Family first" makes a lot of sense. Now consider that if that family is the mob and you as a family member happen to cross the family. Another value kicks in—you cross the family, you die. Murder, even an "honor killing" is still murder.

The values came in conflict! A purpose statement that is by definition "good"—a rather biblical concept from Genesis or "of God"—has a higher probability of engaging our deeper spirit or consciousness that murder is absolutely wrong regardless of the circumstances.


I'm sharing with you this brief Simple Truths movie about core values. It offers a solid "core" reasoning for investing in knowing your values and better knowing yourself.

Are you ready to clarify and write your purpose and values plus vision and mission? Enroll today in The On-Purpose Leader Experience. The next six-week cycle begins October 23. Watch a free one-hour preview and enroll at this same site—discount prices currently show in the shopping cart, too, so you can save $50 or $70 on your enrollment for one or two persons.

The On-Purpose® Pal

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Meet The On-Purpose® Pal! He’s here to help you better differentiate purpose, vision, mission, and values.

Regardless of whether you are writing a purpose, vision, or mission statement(s) for your life or your business, having a clear understanding of each of these essential words and related concepts is likely the difference between being just good or truly great.

Life begins at your purpose. It is the heart of your heart. When your heart, head, and hands are aligned (in that order) within your values, then you are on-purpose. There is an order and relationship here that provides structural integrity.

Confusion around the very meaning of these words creates a muddled strategy. Unclear thinking undermines confidence and performance.

Yet few people or organizations really give the meaning of these core words of strategy a passing thought. What a costly mistake!

In organizations, imagine the bewilderment when each word carries different meaning to each person. Is it any wonder why a team can’t get on the same page?

By the way, on the personal side, you are not a purpose-driven person. You are a called person. Called by your purpose which is inherent to who you are. Think of purpose as your spiritual DNA. It just is! Therefore, your purpose is not dependent upon externals for value or validation. Are you getting a sense for the internal strength found in knowing your 2-word purpose statement?

Your natural desire to make a difference is really your purpose wanting to come into expression. This longing of the heart works to inform your mind and move you into action so your purpose comes to fruition. Your values guide your course for right and wrong while you are being and doing life (or work).

Attaching each strategic word/concept to a tangible body part makes the words take on a visceral and very real power. Regardless of whether your heart longs, breaks or sings, what’s happening is a meaningful matter. That’s because purpose lives at the heart of the heart. It is at the core of your identity.

If your head hurts, chances are you’re confused and conflicted and don’t have a clear vision for where you are headed. When you don’t know what to do, your mission is messed up. When your stomach turns, then your values are being compromised. Your body is talking if you’re listening. Pay attention!

“What should I do with my life?” Here is a mission or hands and feet question seeking an actionable answer. It is actually a surface question, however. Dig a bit deeper and the odds are high you may have a vision and/or purpose matter that precedes the mission question.

Values are essential governors of right and wrong. Violate your values and you gag and your stomach turns. This gut reaction is your body telling you you’ve made a bad decision.

Purpose, vision, mission, and values are meant to provide inner strength from above. Yet the incorrect use of these words rots the root of our growth and results in the challenges of modern life. Align your heart, head, and hands (and feet) within your highest values and you are On-Purpose! Get these concepts clearly articulated and you have given yourself a huge strategic advantage in life, business, or other endeavors.

Want to learn more? Click each cover to buy the book.

 

 

What is the Upside to a Down Economy?

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Financial challenges rip at a misplaced sense of security. These can be very challenging and humbling times. My business has been hurting this year because I allowed myself to be in a position where a client could stiff me for a large sum of money. The ripple effects touch every aspect of my life and business. 

Because we're working as a team and as a family, good is coming out of the hardship. How about you? Please share your comments or story of the upside of a down economy. Your thoughts may inspire, comfort, or encourage someone in a similar situation to see things in a more positive and productive light. Hope need never be lost.

Subscribe to The On-Purpose® Minute.