Question: I notice there is nothing to buy on your website. For a sales and marketing guy, you’re sure not very proactive.

Answer: Well, it’s not really a question, but…sure, I sell. I just don’t do it here. My company name is Bula Network, LLC. This site is not a selling platform for me. Maybe that’s a mistake, but it’s just not my objective with this site. I launched this site some months ago to provide a more public format where I could communicate a variety of ideas. Think of it as a “what’s on my mind” kind of a thing.

In spite of the video, audio and copy you see here – I’m really a very behind the scenes guy whose body of work is mostly done in very private, confidential settings. I suppose if I’m selling anything here, it’s myself. I would like to make some new friends, join a bigger community than the ones I’m currently part of and let people get to know me better. I’ll be quite happy if this site can accomplish those things.

I do private coaching and consulting work. Email me if you are interested in talking about what I might be able to do for you or your business. (There, that’s my one sales pitch on this site. Feel better?)

Question: What’s with the studio? Do you have a radio show?

Answer: No, I don’t have a radio show, but I have slept at the Holiday Inn Express before. Seriously, I do have a pretty professional studio. I deliver much of my content to clients via audio and video (including screen capture video). These files are on private servers and not available to the public. It makes it easier and more effective to convey information and clients really appreciate this method of ongoing help. It just makes sense to use the same methodology for free content.

Question: Why don’t you have a podcast on iTunes?

Answer: Because I’m foolish is the real answer! The correct answer is, I simply haven’t taken the time to accomplish that. I’m like the auto mechanic who fixes other people’s cars while his own sits broken down in his front yard. I do hope to address this by the end of 2009 though.

Question: What happened to all your hair?

Answer: My now-grown-son (when he was a child) asked that of an old, bald friend of ours. The answer he got back was, “It fell out.” To which my son replied, “That’s gross!” My hair was pushed out by the ever growing brain housed in my head.

Question: Are you a guru?

Answer: This is from Dictionary.com:

–noun
1. Hinduism. a preceptor giving personal religious instruction.
2. An intellectual or spiritual guide or leader.
3. Any person who counsels or advises; mentor.
4. A leader in a particular field

Here’s my answer, following the numbered definition given by Dictionary.com:

1. No. I’m not Hindu. I’m a Christian. I do teach the Gospel of Christ both publicly and privately.
2. Yes. See my answer above. I’m both intellectual and religious.
3. Yes, I counsel, advise and mentor.
4. I’ll leave others to decide my leadership in a particular field. Retailing, marketing, operational efficiencies, organization building, leadership, sales, strategy, management and implementing systems that work – those are just a few of my proficiencies. My business experience is vast and expansive served by the big brain that pushed the hair right out of my head.

The short answer is, “Yes. Yes I am.”

Question: What’s your specialty?

Answer: Many of today’s entrepreneurs (we old school guys just call them “business owners”) lack some of the basic training that is critical for long-term success. I’m finding some of my most rewarding work helping 20 and 30 somethings with their online enterprises. In every case I’m finding those interactions mutually beneficial.

My specialty is strategic thinking, leadership and building systems that work. “Problem solving in the real-world,” is how one person describes it. I’ll go with that.

Question: What do you consider your big strengths as a coach?

Answer: It’s not really important what I think my big strengths are. It’s more important what prospects or customers think. I hope my prospects and customers see me for who I really  am, and who I really want to be.

My experience gives me an insight and a calm confidence that comes with time and experience. The fact is, some things just take time. My natural inclination is to ferret out the real issue and work through to a solution by cutting to the chase. I’m not fond of rambling, time-consuming dialogue when it comes to problem-solving. One of my biggest strengths is to simply get on with it – figuring out what options are available, which course is best, and building some action steps to get things rolling. Another strength is my ability to stick with it and keep things moving along. Accountability is important to me. Without it, nothing happens! I’m results-oriented and not terribly concerned with excuses (on why it can’t be done, or why it’s not been done) or with who gets credit (when it is done). I’m not afraid of failing because I know the mere risk of failure encourages innovation. Wisdom, even when taking risks, is always a front-burner consideration for me.

Question: Do you ever do any public seminars?

Answer: Not any more. They have their place and I certainly love to attend them if the person is high on my list. But, I’m more of a roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty guy. The more personal interaction is appealing to me. Besides, I’m more attracted to the specific issues that face my customers. I’m sure public seminars can make a difference for some people, but for me – they were always more inspiring than anything else. That’s not a bad thing – in fact, inspiration is terrific. It’s not very long lived unfortunately. I’d much prefer to make a lasting difference. That’s always my objective.

Having said all that (and I just did), I’ve been speaking publicly for decades and continue to do that. I don’t do “public seminars” but I regularly am in front of targeted, specific groups presenting a variety of topics. More and more I’m creating interactive, collaborative public dialogue. Recently, I’m attracted to creating smaller (less than 30) meetings where there is open discussion and brain-storming. Larger group presentations certainly have their place and I still do those, too.

Question: Do you ever wear collared shirts?

Answer: I resent that. Yes, look at that picture of me with a pink collared shirt and a tie. I’m secure in my masculinity. How else could I wear a pink shirt without a coat. Well, actually I was wearing a coat, but took it off because I was hot (when that picture was taken; actually I’m still hot but in a different way).

One of my lifestyle goals is to work 100% of the time in my fleece Homer Simpson pants. It may take awhile, but I think it’s a very achievable goal.

Question: Do you ever JV (joint venture) with anybody?

Answer: I’ve collaborated with people all my life. Today, in the online world it’s often called a JV. Most of my “collaborations” have been far less formal than I suspect today’s JV are – or should be. I have to confess that I’ve never had a formal JV deal – so I guess my answer depends on your definition of a JV. I’m certainly not opposed to it, but I’m primarily interested in my prospects and customers. I have no interest in chasing business that isn’t consistent with who I am, or what I want to accomplish. I learned long ago that I cannot be all things to all people. Besides, I’m now too old to make that happen anyway.

Question: Who is the WE you refer to? Do you provide the coaching or do others do some of it?

Answer: Great question actually. I’m rather sensitive to pronouns. Having spent more than 30 years in leadership positions it always irked me to hear some business owner or leader describe people or a company with the pronoun MY. MY people. MY company. MY inventory. Old habits are hard to break – so I’ve tended to use inclusive pronouns like “we” and “our.” While I have no employees – that’s by choice and lifestyle design – I do rely on others for help. Call them contractors, virtual assistants or freelancers, but without the help of others I can’t do what I do. “We” is an appropriate pronoun, but when you do business with me – you get ME (and the fruits of the work accomplished by the folks who help me).

Question: Do you sign non-disclosure agreements with clients so they can discuss confidential projects?

Answer: Nothing matters more than a client’s comfort level. If customers aren’t able to really open up, nothing much gets accomplished. The answer is, “Yes.” The identity, issues, projects and concerns of my customers are strictly confidential and I never violate that confidence!

Question: Can you describe your experience? In other words, what do you consider your areas of accomplishment?

Answer: You can read more about my experience here – yes, it’s somewhat abbreviated, but this isn’t an autobiography I’m running here. It’s the same place where you can see me wearing a collared shirt.

Permit me to list my experience and areas of accomplishment in the form of a non-exhaustive list:

a. Writing
b. Reading
c. Listening
d. Talking
e. Problem solving
f. Organization building
g. Creating effective systems
h. Coaching
i. Hiring
j. Discipline, including corrective discipline (termination, if it’s necessary)
k. Workable WordPress skills
l. Workable audio production
m. Workable video production
n. Workable HTML skills
o. Student of Internet Marketing since 1996/1997 (still one of the most intriguing areas of study)
p. Student/teacher of marketing
q. Student/teacher of salesmanship
r. Student/teacher of leadership
s. Student/teacher of management
t. Personable, easily engaged in conversation
u. Mature, sober minded
v. Fun (this doesn’t contradict “u”; they are not mutually exclusive)
w. Accomplishment driven
x. Goal-oriented
y. Incredibly quick prioritization expert (I can put first things first faster than anybody)
z. Honest

Question: You use the word “dazzle” a lot. What if I hire you, but I’m not dazzled?

Answer: You get your money back, period. I won’t keep the money from anybody who isn’t dazzled. Your happiness is more important to me than having your money. Of course, the real goal is for me to keep your money because you ARE dazzled. The burden is on me. Doing business with me must be 100% RISK FREE – and it is!

Keep checking back. I keep adding new questions all the time. I’m fond of good questions. They ought to spark good answers. Feel free to contact me if you don’t like any of these answers, or if you need more clarification.

All the best,

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