The issue of being stuck in a rut is often the cause of confusion and lack of development for both individuals and businesses. Striving for clarity in this fog of confusion requires a set of disambiguation strategies that will lead you into the clear sky and back on track to progress. So what are some of these strategies that you can employ

One: Do something different to get a different result. Change something in your routine or how you are working. Do not implement wholesale changes, this will only get you more in trouble. Change one thing at a time and then look for results. These changes can range from simple activities like moving your desk around, change that way you travel to work, have a new hair cut. Often small simple physical changes will help trigger change in behaviour and thinking.

Two: Share with someone who cares. Sharing your situation with someone is just good therapy. We don’t necessarily need to pay huge bills for a therapist, just a friend or family member will do.  If it is a business issue then a coach or mentor may be able to shed some light on the situation for you by asking the right questions.

Three: Write things down. This simple effective activity allows our brains to place things in order. One of the common strategies amongst successful people is journaling. Taking time each day just to jot down things in a journal helps retrofit ideas into strategies. You could also just write a letter or email to someone sharing the situation, again sharing is therapy, even with yourself.

Four: Using one of the many thinking tools that are available. Mind mapping is one that has been great for me for many years. The simple exercise of mapping out a situation or new ideas gives clarity as the map develops. New online apps make this a very simple effective way to think in pictures linked to the way our brains work.

Five: Hire a consultant. This is often the first course of action for corporate and government, but could be costly for smaller businesses. But consultants have their place in a situation that requires specialist thinking and situations. If you are moving into areas that will find you way out of your depth in expertise, then the consultant route is the way to go.

Just some simple ways to work your way out from an ambiguous situation to clarity.

This insightful article on Entrepreneur.com this week gives us an insight into what signs to look out for that could mean you may be an Entrepreneur.

The 15 signs are:

1. You take action
2. You’re insecure
3. You’re crazy
4. You’re obsessed with Cash Flow
5. You get into hot water
6. You’re fearless
7. You can’t sit still
8. You’re malleable
9. You enjoy navel gazing
10. You’re motivated by challenges
11. You consider yourself an outsider
12. You recover quickly
13. You fulfil needs
14. You surround yourself with advisors
15. You work and play hard

Read the full article here

A business pitch is slightly different to the personal pitch. You get to expand this to 60 or 90 seconds, but the basic rules still apply.

If you can’t tell someone what you do in less than 60 seconds then you do not know yourself. The use of a well prepared elevator pitch is similar to an automatic weapon strapped to your waist. Always ready and well oiled ready for any situation.

The format of an elevator pitch is simple, if you get to know the format, you can adapt it for any situation and audience.

1. Introduction
2. Tell us you name
3. Tell us what business you are from
4. Tell us what your business does
5. Tell us who your clients are
6. Tell a Story
7. What makes you different
8. Share a specific example about your business
9. Ask for Business
10. Hone in on a specific need that your business is looking for
11. Call to Action
12. Give specific instructions
13. Memory Hook
14. Repeat your name
15. Repeat your business
16. Tell us your slogan

Your pitch should remain the same in respect to the format but be prepared to adjust the focus to become relative to your audience. Your story and call to action will be very different if you are speaking to a women’s convention or a businessmen’s breakfast. Learn beforehand who you are speaking to and be able and prepared to adjust this to capture the attention of your audience. Remember the six questions at the beginning of this document.

And once again practice, practice, practice, until you are confident.

Public Speaking is one of the most feared and avoided tasks among modern civilizations. Apparently people would rather run naked through a crowded room or die of drowning than speak in front of a group of people. The good news is that unlike drowning, speaking does get better and easier the more you prepare and practice, not sure about the being naked part.

We are going to look at some simple techniques and tools that will set you apart from others and get you to a point where you can walk into a room with confidence knowing that you are confident, capable and prepared to handle whatever is requested from you. Winston Churchill said, “The best unprepared speech I ever did, was the one I prepared the night before.”

As an Entrepreneur you will be required to be prepared to pitch yourself, your business and your ideas to people at the drop of a hat. This week we will take you through the preparation of the following presentations;

1. Personal Elevator pitch
2. Business Elevator pitch
3. Tips on Visual Aids
4. More tips on presenting

The rules of any presentation are simple: Keep it simple. Unless you are presenting a scientific notation to a bunch of PhD graduates at MIT, keep it simple. People do not enjoy getting bogged down by detail. They are never impressed by your ability to show off how clever you think you are by using big words and techno jargon. Simple wins every time.

At the end of your pitch there are six questions that, if you could ask your audience, would grade the success of your presentation;

1. Can they repeat your main points?
2. Could they visualise what you were saying?
3. Will they remember this tomorrow?
4. Could they relate it to their own lives?
5. Did they respect what you were saying?
6. Do they want to talk to you afterwards?

Wow, heavy questions, but worthy of keeping in mind as you prepare your presentation.

Let us know of some of your presentation ‘YES’ and ‘OH NO’ experiences.