Jim Axelrad’s Post

One of my clients sent me this note about the value of having a mentor. She added: "Couldn't agree more." The message: Mentors can be an invaluable help as you ascend life’s thorny ladder. Many successful people will freely admit that they never could have accomplished so much without the guidance and wisdom offered by others who encouraged them along their paths to success. If you don’t have a mentor, take steps to cultivate a new relationship. Find someone you know and respect who has achieved a level of success that offers a model for you. Get in touch with that person and see if he or she is willing to discuss a specific issue that’s on your mind. Nothing asked, nothing gained. https://lnkd.in/gn825Btz

Is ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) for you? Starting a business from scratch can be exciting; but also full of risk. Perhaps a more prudent way to become a business owner is to take over an existing business and take it to the next level. Whether buying an independent business or a franchise, as mentors we've helped countless people enter the world of entrepreneurship. Check it out https://lnkd.in/gMrB5Hdt SCORE Mentors North Cook and Lake Counties

To all our Score Small Business clients we thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. To all our colleagues we salute you for all you do to share your experiences and expertise. SCORE Mentors North Cook and Lake Counties

I just heard from a client who bought a business and a franchise - separate deals - in the last couple months. He says he is excited but feeling nervous and anxious. Totally natural. Wouldn't you feel the same? The role of a mentor is help the client relieve what is causing those feelings. Uncertainty about the future is completely natural for a new business owner. The first step is to review his business plan and make sure he is executing to the plan. Business plans are organic. They need to be monitored regularly and adjusted to market conditions. Sometimes a mentor's biggest contribution is to listen without judgement. Other times it's to ask questions to get the client to think differently about what they are doing. Or it may be to think through options. In all cases a mentor works to help the client succeed. SCORE Mentors North Cook and Lake Counties

Consider "...exposure to genius has the power to expand your consciousness. If you spend a lot of time with genius, your mind will end up bigger and broader than if you spend your time only with run-of-the-mill stuff." - David Brooks Who do you hang with in your free time at work? https://fs.blog/

In my work with aspiring entrepreneurs once they clarify their business idea and value proposition, I encourage them to validate their idea. As Jamesclear says: "For any idea to succeed, you must release it into the world, submit it to criticism, and adapt it as needed." The best feedback comes not from friends and family but from strangers. Once easy way to get to those people who don't know you and might not provide objective feedback is to ask friends and family for names; making this task far less ardous than approaching strangers on the street. https://lnkd.in/ejtFJpM3

What's it take to be a sales champion? Maybe we can all learn from one of the greatest tennis players. Insights-“Perfection is impossible. In the 1526 singles matches I played in my career, I won almost 80% of those matches. Now, I have a question for you. What percentage of points do you think I won in those matches? Only 54%. In other words, even top-ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play. When you lose every second point on average, you learn not to dwell on every shot. You teach yourself to think, okay, I double-faulted ... it's only a point. Okay, I came to the net, then I got passed again; it's only a point. Even a great shot, an overhead backhand smash that ends up on ESPN's top 10 playlist. That, too, is just a point. And here's why I'm telling you this. When you're playing a point, it has to be the most important thing in the world, and it is. But when it's behind you, It's behind you. This mindset is really crucial because it frees you to fully commit to the next point and the next point after that, with intensity, clarity, and focus. You want to become a master at overcoming hard moments. That is, to me, the sign of a champion. The best in the world are not the best because they win every point. It's because they lose again and again and have learned how to deal with it. You accept it. Cry it out if you need to and force a smile.” — Roger Federer https://fs.blog/ What are some of your best tips for coming back from a bad sales call?

I hear from my clients all the time: "there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done." If this sounds like you, check out these tips to increase your personal productivity.