The recent passing of Steve Jobs got me wondering what the rest of us mere mortals could learn from such a visionary businessman and creative genius.

Carmine Gallo’s book The innovation secrets of Steve Jobs, distils Jobs’ philosophy down to seven principles. After thinking about how I can apply those ideas to a new venture a friend and I are planning, here’s what I came up with.

1. Do what you love: Think differently about your career

After a recent period of stress, I’m keen for the next phase of my business-life to be all about flow, fun and good vibes. As one of my mentors recently reminded me, “When you’re self-employed there is absolutely no reason to do anything you don’t want to do.” Amen to that.

2. Put a dent in the universe: Think differently about your vision

Steve Jobs was a universe-changer on a grand scale. Can a couple of humble small business owners from Sydney put a dent in the universe too? We’re going to give it a red hot go.

3. Kick-start your brain: Think differently about how you think

I’m so passionate and excited about the new business that I’ve noticed a huge burst in creative energy and I’m now actively looking out for ways to do things differently, just to see what unfolds. Watch this space.

4. Sell dreams, not products: Think differently about your customers

As a marketer and copywriter, I’ve long been familiar with the principle of selling in a way that solves a problem or relieves a pain.

5. Say ‘No’ to 1000 things: Think differently about design

Design applies to more than just the look and feel of a product or page. I’m applying this principle to our marketing plan to ensure we don’t try to be all things to all people with our new products.

6. Create insanely great experiences: Think differently about your brand experience

How awesome would it be for someone to describe their experience of our brand as ‘insanely great’? So far I’ve only got the tiniest inkling about how we’re going to achieve this, but I love the idea, and am going to try to weave it into everything we do.

7. Master the message: Think differently about your story

The way we tell the stories of our products, and the way people respond to those stories is what sets one business apart from another. Hopefully ours will be a page-turner!

“Steve Jobs” is synonymous with “innovation.” So it’s no wonder Fortune named Jobs CEO of the Decade. From company culture and customer service to products and marketing, Jobs does, indeed, think differently.

This new eBook by Carmine Gallo, columnist for BusinessWeek.com, explores the 7 guiding principles of Steve Jobs’ success and how you can use them to emerge from the recession stronger, more inspired and more innovative than ever.

Download the eBook to learn:

• Why mastering your message is what stands between you and success
• What it means to sell dreams, not products
• How to de-clutter the user experience with a simple two-letter word
• And more…

Download the eBook

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered:

“Man… Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.

Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;

the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;

he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Robyn Walker is one of those rare people who can bring out the best in others. She has dedicated her life to challenging the established ways of thinking and helping others develop themselves. Her process is to interview great thinkers, philsophers and sriitual leaders and get them to “spill the beans” on her Aurora TV program (Australia) called Conversations with Robyn.

Guests have so far included Neale Donald Walsch, Caroline Myss, Gregg Braden, Sonia Choquette, Bruce Lipton, Kim Fraser, Dr John Demartini, Dr Eric Pearl, Sacha Molitorisz, Ian Gawler, Howard Martin and Dr Joe Dispenza.

Robyn’s 4.5 min Showreel

Visit her Conversations with Robyn website at www.ConversationsWithRobyn.com.au

She can be seen on Aurora TV a few times a week. Most of her programs are also now on YouTube.

Robyn on Oprah?

From Robyn

I have taken the liberty of emailing you a link to the four and a half minute showreel of “Conversations with Robyn” I have put up on Youtube. This is for the specific outcome of it being brought to Oprah’s attention, given her new network “OWN” (Oprah Winfrey Network) commences in January next year and she is looking for content.

You may be aware that Oprah had a competition running recently, with the winner receiving their own show on her network. As it was only open to US citizens I was unable to submit an entry.

I awoke two weeks ago with the idea to put this showreel up on Youtube, addressing it to her. So I would love for you to click on, have a look, and forward it to your email list if it feels right to, as the more people that view it and pass it forward, the greater the chance of it finding its way to her.

The guests on it include Neale Donald Walsch, Caroline Myss, Gregg Braden, Sonia Choquette, Bruce Lipton, Kim Fraser, Dr John Demartini, Dr Eric Pearl, Sacha Molitorisz, Ian Gawler, Howard Martin and Dr Joe Dispenza.

So happy viewing and a heart felt thank you for being part of the shows next quantum leap.

Download the Personalities Colour Chart to read along with this post.

Thanks to Stephen Hemsley for putting this info together.

As the business of network marketing is all about relationships I thought the attached documents may help you understand a good way to approach people about your opportunity.

The personality types document refers to real state but it applies to ALL businesses where people are involved. For this to work you will have to know the person fairly well and help you be able to better serve them.

People will always be a rainbow of these colours or personalities, but you will see one that will probably be the dominant colour/type and be able to asses the way you speak to them, what you send them via e-mail and how they may potentially respond.

Keep it personal, tell your story so far via the phone or e-mail and with this knowledge of what makes them tick, you may be able to help them see the benefits that joining your opportunity has to offer.

1. Yellow/Nurturer personalities will want to know your story, what you think about your business and any results you may have had. Without many stories to share about the products, your best story is to share how many have joined your team, how long you have been in the team, the great help from your upline, how supportive the team is that they are joining and the giving part of the compensation plan. A lot of time spent on the phone is usual with these type but they are great talkers and an asset to your team. They are 35% of the population and good networkers. Maybe not so good on the computer.
2. Green/Analytical personalities will want to see your company website,  compensation plan and any other piece of information that is floating around. They will probably want to be on the conference calls but only to listen, and notes are always useful to share with them. Just give them the information and let them decide in their own time. You may think they need too much information but when they are in the system, they are very good networkers. They usually have great computer skills but people skills are a bit underdeveloped. They are 35% of the population.
3. Blue/Expressive personalities will want to have fun. They are very intuitive and will be very keen if they know you will help them with the details. They are interested in the BIG picture and will LOVE the GIVE/charity part of your website. Maybe take their details and put them into the system as they may not do it themselves. They are the life and energy of your team and make up 15% of the po pulation.
4. Red/Driver personalities will be impressed with the web site and see the professionalism. They will like the cars, the trips and the recognition. They will not need much more information than this and will run with it in their own style if the timing is right. They are very determined to succeed so do NOT get in their way. They are 15% of the population.

This is just a quick overview and may help you realise that there is much more to being successful than just “winging” it. The better you get at understanding people, the better results you will have in life, so do not just use it for your business.