subject: Break Out Of The Circle Of Mediocrity And Find Some High-flyers To Rub Shoulders With. [print this page] Its easier said than done, right? Its not likely that Bill Gates or any other big-name CEOs are going to ask you to join them for dinner any time soon. Lets face it, getting to know the icons of the business world will take extremely good luck, some wild ingenuity, or you might need to resort to the tried and true methods that hundreds of others have used to peek into the great minds of the business world.
1. Read a Book
Books written by or about successes are a lot easier to come by than a dinner invitation. There are literally hundreds of good books out there, and the good part is that you can read and analyze them anytime you want... as many times as you want.
Articles in trade magazines can be a bonanza of information as well. Subscribe to several different types to keep your mind well rounded and informed.
2. Attend a Seminar
Seminars are great places to get a chance to rub shoulders with well-known experts. Often you get a chance to ask a few questions or have a meaningful conversation with them.
Too busy, too broke, or dont have enough time to attend a seminar? Check out the latest Internet version of the traditional seminar - Webinars. The great thing about them is that they are interactive, unlike Web Conferences. Youll still be able to ask questions and get answers, but wont have to leave the house or the office to do it.
3. Enlist in a Business Boot Camp
Sometimes getting back to the basics (or even figuring out what the basics are) is just what the doctor ordered.
4. Sign up for Online Courses
Keep an eye open for courses offered by the business experts you admire the most. Youll be able to access the material at your convenience, and many offer one-on-one coaching as well.
5. Plug in a CD or DVD
Motivational CDs are a dime-a-dozen. Theres sure to be one floating around out there that will give you the spark youve been looking for.
The key is this... youve got to break out of your comfort zone and into the realm of the greats. It really doesnt matter how you do it, but the more you know about what worked for them the more likely you are to share in their success. Why? Youll discover the key that made them a success, and be able to cut your own copy of it.
So you want to be top-dog in the marketing world? My grandmothers advice comes to mind , Birds of a feather flock together. Maybe an old Indian I met said it better, Its hard to soar with the eagles when youre strutting with the turkeys.
What am I trying to say? If youre trying to be top-notch, youve got to surround yourself with top-notch people. Break out of the circle of mediocrity and find some high-flyers to rub shoulders with. Its the only way to really learn what makes them successful.
