Here is a great article that talks about how your habits, here in front of the computer, at work in your life can help you in a survival situation. AKA, Successful people have successful habits...
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2008/08/everyday-survival/laurence-gonzales-text
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
WHY RWANDA?
So I had a fun-packed weekend with guests from out of town. It included a bachelorette party, Pakistani food, manicures, and more. I wish I could say this is the norm for my weekends, but I am just not that cool.
While out and about there seems to be a common question about the trip, “Why Rwanda?”
I would like to tell you that I have had a life-long dream to work with entrepreneurs in Rwanda. However, I had to look for them on a map after deciding to go. What committed me to the project was a 5-minute conversation with Dave Ormesher, co-founder of Global Relief and Development Partners (GRDP) and identifying a possibility to be useful and create impact.
Our own country is in the process of change. My boss once pointed out that we are currently in the process of writing history for the United States and the world. And when history is being written it’s never a comfortable feeling since the implication is we don’t know what the outcome will be. He was referring to the current global market.
For Rwanda, the future pages of their history books are up in the air as well. Currently, there is a strong government force, a large labor market, minimal resources, a tiny upper class, and a fledgling middle class, yet a commitment from the population for a bigger future and change for the better. Also, U.S. entrepreneurs, through GRDP, have been working with the entrepreneurs to aide the growth of their middle class for years and this is where I saw an opportunity to sponsor growth and create impact.
The work GRDP has been doing has been both successful and challenging. They strive to systemize and build strategy that works, while eliminating anything that hinders growth. GRDP would like to create and replicate what works. A very simple strategy that I have seen successful entrepreneurs use to grow their business and create value.
Change, like much of the globe is currently experiencing, creates opportunity. The status quo comes into question and we have seen in the U.S., for example, that creates shifts in political strategy, changes in personal habits, and the rewriting of corporate doctrine. Due to the Rwandan genocide massacres they have been in a transition of change for many years, GRDP has been supporting growth within their system for three years. This means we can learn from their growth while they grow from our experience, hence the title of this blog…sponsoring growth.
While out and about there seems to be a common question about the trip, “Why Rwanda?”
I would like to tell you that I have had a life-long dream to work with entrepreneurs in Rwanda. However, I had to look for them on a map after deciding to go. What committed me to the project was a 5-minute conversation with Dave Ormesher, co-founder of Global Relief and Development Partners (GRDP) and identifying a possibility to be useful and create impact.
Our own country is in the process of change. My boss once pointed out that we are currently in the process of writing history for the United States and the world. And when history is being written it’s never a comfortable feeling since the implication is we don’t know what the outcome will be. He was referring to the current global market.
For Rwanda, the future pages of their history books are up in the air as well. Currently, there is a strong government force, a large labor market, minimal resources, a tiny upper class, and a fledgling middle class, yet a commitment from the population for a bigger future and change for the better. Also, U.S. entrepreneurs, through GRDP, have been working with the entrepreneurs to aide the growth of their middle class for years and this is where I saw an opportunity to sponsor growth and create impact.
The work GRDP has been doing has been both successful and challenging. They strive to systemize and build strategy that works, while eliminating anything that hinders growth. GRDP would like to create and replicate what works. A very simple strategy that I have seen successful entrepreneurs use to grow their business and create value.
Change, like much of the globe is currently experiencing, creates opportunity. The status quo comes into question and we have seen in the U.S., for example, that creates shifts in political strategy, changes in personal habits, and the rewriting of corporate doctrine. Due to the Rwandan genocide massacres they have been in a transition of change for many years, GRDP has been supporting growth within their system for three years. This means we can learn from their growth while they grow from our experience, hence the title of this blog…sponsoring growth.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
http://www.grdpartners.org/social_entrepreneurship/elizabeth_cox.php
So you may or may not have noticed but I had decided to get gidget widget fancy with my donate button and now it doesn't go to the foundation website (my implementer is a 3 for you Kolbe.com fans) so until Vince can come fix it, the website is http://www.grdpartners.org/social_entrepreneurship/elizabeth_cox.php
Happy trails...
Friday, September 4, 2009
Creating Value
Here is a common question that I have heard throughout my career. It always starts like this, "Elizabeth, you are so genuine [insert nice, pleasant, or other positive adjective] why are you a sales rep?" The answer is simply, I am not. I am a sales professional. Semantics you say?Absolutely!
Be honest with yourself, when you hear sales rep, does an image of a greasy, orange skinned, white toothed grin come to mind? Can anyone say, cheap suit and diamond stud? Does your pulse quicken when you think of the last time your movie night was interrupted because a telemarketer wanted to inform you about their great deal on aluminum siding? Never mind that you rent or have a brick home.
Don't worry, I have the same prejudices, but my actions are different when I am interrupted by someone else's idea of a job. I feel sorry for the telemarketer that calls me, I actually enjoy taking their calls. I received one at work a couple of weeks ago that went something like this,
"Is this Elizabeth Cox?" [He was put through by reception, so YES]
"Yes it is, how may I help you?"
"Well my name is Joe Schmo, and I work for Web Development company X, and I am calling today to invite you to a webinar that will help you grow your sales through Internet lead generation."
"Really Joe, well I am in the middle of something"
"Oh, it will only take a moment, we have a new and exciting way to drive business to you through lead generation and you will have so many new prospects you will have to turn business away."
"Alright, just a minute then, what do you have for me?"
You could hear the excitement and the slight flutter in Joe's voice as he felt the pull on the fish hook and started to reel me in. The next 2 minutes went "blah blah" as I don't understand the first thing about google hits or lead generation. What I did hear was that he was reading off a cue card or other teleprompter and that at this point in the discussion I was listening to a pitch Joe had given on the rare occasion someone gave him 2 minutes of their time. I cannot get that 2 minutes of my life back (although it did give me a break to respond to a couple of emails)
"Joe, that is very interesting, can I ask you a few questions?"
"Absolutely, anything!" Oh boy, did I just want to reach through the phone and pat Joe on the head.
"Do you have any idea what we sell here?"
"no, but it's a coaching business right? Like football?"
"Close enough Joe."
"Do you know what I was doing when I took your call or what my day entails?"
"no?"
"Do you know what I do for my company?" "No, I am sorry what do you do? Are you the owner?"
"Joe, I am a sales rep like yourself. I am close to computer illiterate, don't have a website, can barely google a map, and I don't sell via the Internet. However, I know people and have relationships with companies that could utilize your type of product. But would you like to talk about how to identify a REAL prospect and create value?"
"Oh, I am sorry well I have to go..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Once again, another telemarketer hangs up on me, so sad.
I like sales because I like people. It makes my day when I can identify a problem and help be part of the solution. I don't believe it's my job to "close the deal", it's my duty (Thanks to Darrin Mish) to identify a need and "create a solution". Where personality and creativity comes into play is getting a person's time and attention. I can't do this if I am thinking about MY commission or MY bank account or MY needs. But I do this with great success and personal growth when I think about a potential prospect's commission, THEIR bank account and THEIR needs. Then I can create value for others if I have a solution, or I can remove them from my database if I can't identify a need.
In Rwanda I would like to pass along my passion for sales and marketing. It's a selfish act as I tend to learn and grow when I am teaching someone else. Plus I become actually giddy talking about branding, marketing and networking. Yes I am a marketing geek and love it! In my conversation with Barb last week we were talking about a Rwandian village that has started a sunflower seed oil coop for revenue. She was telling me about how they had harvested and manufactured the product and bottled it, but when the discussion came up about marketing the product during a village meeting they realized that none of the tribe had taken the time to cook with the product (It's not a local delicacy, but grows well in the region and is a good revenue source). They had identified their need to sell the product to feed their families, but had no personal experience as to why someone would find the product desirable. Oooh do I dream that I have an opportunity to work with them in Rwanda! I only hope they have more than two minutes for me.
Be honest with yourself, when you hear sales rep, does an image of a greasy, orange skinned, white toothed grin come to mind? Can anyone say, cheap suit and diamond stud? Does your pulse quicken when you think of the last time your movie night was interrupted because a telemarketer wanted to inform you about their great deal on aluminum siding? Never mind that you rent or have a brick home.
Don't worry, I have the same prejudices, but my actions are different when I am interrupted by someone else's idea of a job. I feel sorry for the telemarketer that calls me, I actually enjoy taking their calls. I received one at work a couple of weeks ago that went something like this,
"Is this Elizabeth Cox?" [He was put through by reception, so YES]
"Yes it is, how may I help you?"
"Well my name is Joe Schmo, and I work for Web Development company X, and I am calling today to invite you to a webinar that will help you grow your sales through Internet lead generation."
"Really Joe, well I am in the middle of something"
"Oh, it will only take a moment, we have a new and exciting way to drive business to you through lead generation and you will have so many new prospects you will have to turn business away."
"Alright, just a minute then, what do you have for me?"
You could hear the excitement and the slight flutter in Joe's voice as he felt the pull on the fish hook and started to reel me in. The next 2 minutes went "blah blah" as I don't understand the first thing about google hits or lead generation. What I did hear was that he was reading off a cue card or other teleprompter and that at this point in the discussion I was listening to a pitch Joe had given on the rare occasion someone gave him 2 minutes of their time. I cannot get that 2 minutes of my life back (although it did give me a break to respond to a couple of emails)
"Joe, that is very interesting, can I ask you a few questions?"
"Absolutely, anything!" Oh boy, did I just want to reach through the phone and pat Joe on the head.
"Do you have any idea what we sell here?"
"no, but it's a coaching business right? Like football?"
"Close enough Joe."
"Do you know what I was doing when I took your call or what my day entails?"
"no?"
"Do you know what I do for my company?" "No, I am sorry what do you do? Are you the owner?"
"Joe, I am a sales rep like yourself. I am close to computer illiterate, don't have a website, can barely google a map, and I don't sell via the Internet. However, I know people and have relationships with companies that could utilize your type of product. But would you like to talk about how to identify a REAL prospect and create value?"
"Oh, I am sorry well I have to go..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Once again, another telemarketer hangs up on me, so sad.
I like sales because I like people. It makes my day when I can identify a problem and help be part of the solution. I don't believe it's my job to "close the deal", it's my duty (Thanks to Darrin Mish) to identify a need and "create a solution". Where personality and creativity comes into play is getting a person's time and attention. I can't do this if I am thinking about MY commission or MY bank account or MY needs. But I do this with great success and personal growth when I think about a potential prospect's commission, THEIR bank account and THEIR needs. Then I can create value for others if I have a solution, or I can remove them from my database if I can't identify a need.
In Rwanda I would like to pass along my passion for sales and marketing. It's a selfish act as I tend to learn and grow when I am teaching someone else. Plus I become actually giddy talking about branding, marketing and networking. Yes I am a marketing geek and love it! In my conversation with Barb last week we were talking about a Rwandian village that has started a sunflower seed oil coop for revenue. She was telling me about how they had harvested and manufactured the product and bottled it, but when the discussion came up about marketing the product during a village meeting they realized that none of the tribe had taken the time to cook with the product (It's not a local delicacy, but grows well in the region and is a good revenue source). They had identified their need to sell the product to feed their families, but had no personal experience as to why someone would find the product desirable. Oooh do I dream that I have an opportunity to work with them in Rwanda! I only hope they have more than two minutes for me.
Friday, August 28, 2009
"Every human emotion possible"
I connected with Barb Da Costa today who has been working with the Rwandan village of Rugeuero and the Twa people. Barb was born in Tanzania, and although she works and lives in Toronto Canada, spends much of her time with her boyfriend working on development projects in Africa.
Barb said that the emotional impact of the Rwandan genocide is still very raw. She told me I would see the "pink jumpsuiters" everywhere. These are people who have been convicted of genocide and are required to wear the jumpsuits as part of their punishment. The "orange jumpsuits" are reserved for those still on trial. She warned me that their "eyes will be very distant" and that signs of the genocide and aftermath will be everywhere I go. She said that I will, "feel every human emotion possible on my journey. Sometimes all of them at the same time." Her own experience was that her time and work in Rwanda has changed her forever.
But take hope, she said that I will meet amazing people and that the population is on a vision of rebuilding a better Rwanda today. President Kagame has a vision of a corruption-free progressive country and that they are working hard to make this a reality. Barb will be going back in early 2010 and we are brainstorming on how we can help each other and build on each other's work for more impact. More to come...
Barb said that the emotional impact of the Rwandan genocide is still very raw. She told me I would see the "pink jumpsuiters" everywhere. These are people who have been convicted of genocide and are required to wear the jumpsuits as part of their punishment. The "orange jumpsuits" are reserved for those still on trial. She warned me that their "eyes will be very distant" and that signs of the genocide and aftermath will be everywhere I go. She said that I will, "feel every human emotion possible on my journey. Sometimes all of them at the same time." Her own experience was that her time and work in Rwanda has changed her forever.
But take hope, she said that I will meet amazing people and that the population is on a vision of rebuilding a better Rwanda today. President Kagame has a vision of a corruption-free progressive country and that they are working hard to make this a reality. Barb will be going back in early 2010 and we are brainstorming on how we can help each other and build on each other's work for more impact. More to come...
Please visit Global Relief Development Partners and my site there at http://www.grdpartners.org/social_entrepreneurship/elizabeth_cox.php as well!
Elizabeth Goes to Africa
In December I will be traveling to Rwanda to work with local entrepreneurs. In my travels through many developing nations (including Costa Rica, Cuba, Thailand, former East Germany, D.R., Mexico and more) there is a glaring lack of a middle class, entrepreneurs, and trade routes. When a country is built on a social government system, a large lower class, and a small upper class there is a lack of democracy, taxable income, innovation, education and progress. My hope is that we can help Rwanda, who is rebuilding their government and country after the 1994 genocide, to become a stable and sustainable economy through the creation of a middle-class and eradication of mass poverty. My dream is that we create a succesful model that is replicable around the globe.
The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about fund raising initiatives, how you can be involved, and IS making a difference. I will also keep you up-to-date with how the trip progresses and introduce you to some of Rwanda's entrepreneurs.
Thank you, Elizabeth Cox
The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about fund raising initiatives, how you can be involved, and IS making a difference. I will also keep you up-to-date with how the trip progresses and introduce you to some of Rwanda's entrepreneurs.
Thank you, Elizabeth Cox
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