Seven Things About Me and How They Define My Business

I received this blogging meme from Martin Lindeskog of Egoist.  Since I’m putting in my blog, I thought it might be fun to run it as an exercise we can all do that will help you translate more of who you are into a magnetic marketing strategy.

1. When I first moved to the US in 1971 (from what is now Serbia), I dressed, talked and just WAS different from the kids I went to school with.  Everything about me was just different enough to stand out.  Of course, this was a bad thing – from the age of 7 until 17.  But then, when I went to college, I realized that this was a GOOD thing.  In fact, I started to see all these subtle, wonderful uniquenesses in people.  I got interested in the concept of individual magnetism and what it was about some people that drew people and opportunities to them.  And nearly 30 years later, I’m running a business that specializes in identifying profitable magnetic differences in companies.
2. I have a minor in quantitative business analysis.  That’s a lot of math for someone who doesn’t particularly have an affinity for numbers.  I decided that I would use the tuition money I was paying to Penn State to learn something I didn’t know and couldn’t learn on my own (Statistics).  Although I was never really good at it (these classes destroyed my GPA) I figured I didn’t have to be a statistician, but at the very least, I would know enough of it not to be stupid or fooled.  I learned that the energy you spend on fixing or improving a weakness takes away from the energy you could be spending on taking your strength to the NEXT level and being AMAZING.  So, now I work with companies to identify a natural strength where they could shine and attract customers who want to benefit from that strength,  I won’t lie – the math training helps.
3. I’m a trendwatcher.  I’m always taking in what’s happening today and wondering what impact it will have on the future.  I started planning for my Entrepreneurial effort in 1994 when I started graduate school.  I spent $4,000 on that first computer set up and internet connection.  I started my first blog in 1998 (even though I had no clue what it was about).  I’m building powerful marketing communities now.  Love the trend thing.  What I’ve learned so far is that the instant you think that something isn’t possible – start planning for it.
4. I believe in the magic of positivity.  You could call me Pollyana, and that’s ok.  Bad stuff happens, but the worse things get, the bigger the opportunity for those people who can step out of pity and into opportunity.  It’s like a law of the universe.  The clincher is being open enough to spot it, and brave enough to take it.
5. English is my second language.  I used to speak German too – years ago, but I didn’t get the opportunity to practice it and now it’s mostly gone.  I understand some, but speaking is a challenge.  But those aren’t the only languages out there.  Everyone in your life speaks a language of their own.  If you can learn the language of your customer  – they will be yours for life.  We tend to spend time with people who understand us.  That means that identifying the customers who speak your language (and you theirs) is key.  It also means that finding out what’s important to them is like trying to identify what language they are speaking.  I love that journey.
6. I love manufacturing and seeing how everyday objects are made.  It started with Mr. Rogers and his little video tours of factories.  There is something magical and comforting in developing a process that consistently and reliably delivers something useful.  I learned that if you are a manufacturer – you are in the service business and if you provide service, you are in the manufacturing business. 
7. I used to have blue streaks in my hair.  When I felt like I wanted turn things up a notch and have some fun — I would let the streaks show.  And when I decided that it was time to be serious, I’d hide the streaks.  I like to create the unexpected without sacrificing quality.