Maybe you've waited for a while for this day.
Today, ENCHANTMENT hits the bookstores - and Amazon.com
Go, order your copy now!
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Sunday, 27 February 2011
What To Do If They DON'T Want To Be Enchanted ?
No one's looking around for stuff to be enchanted by. Indeed, we are all resistant to being enchanted. And Guy Kawasaki's book, ENCHANTED, has a chapter devoted to overcoming resistance.
People resist enchantment for many reasons - inertia, fear of limiting their choices (or making the wrong ones), lack of role models or just because your mission doesn't resonate with them.
Guy suggests FOURTEEN different ways to go about fixing that situation.
I liked 2 of them very much.
1. Show People Your Magic - It's a story-telling approach to enchantment, like I've adopted with my mini-stories about the smiling little hearts we've helped. Donors love them, and share them with their friends and family, spreading the word and gaining new support.
2. Find One Example - What took me almost 8 YEARS to discover on my own is revealed in a simple sentence in ENCHANTED : "When you have a great example, one is not the loneliest number - it might be the most effective". Enchantment based on personal and unique examples is certainly impactful and lasting.
An eye-opener was reading about the impact you can make by assigning a label to a group (or even individuals) that can influence their future behavior. Powerful stuff. And there's also an anecdote from my favorite enchanter, Benjamin Franklin, as well as one about Charlie Wedemeyer that's inspirational and passionate.
This is one of the best chapters of ENCHANTMENT I've read until now. Looking forward to more.
ENCHANTMENT - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions
People resist enchantment for many reasons - inertia, fear of limiting their choices (or making the wrong ones), lack of role models or just because your mission doesn't resonate with them.
Guy suggests FOURTEEN different ways to go about fixing that situation.
I liked 2 of them very much.
1. Show People Your Magic - It's a story-telling approach to enchantment, like I've adopted with my mini-stories about the smiling little hearts we've helped. Donors love them, and share them with their friends and family, spreading the word and gaining new support.
2. Find One Example - What took me almost 8 YEARS to discover on my own is revealed in a simple sentence in ENCHANTED : "When you have a great example, one is not the loneliest number - it might be the most effective". Enchantment based on personal and unique examples is certainly impactful and lasting.
An eye-opener was reading about the impact you can make by assigning a label to a group (or even individuals) that can influence their future behavior. Powerful stuff. And there's also an anecdote from my favorite enchanter, Benjamin Franklin, as well as one about Charlie Wedemeyer that's inspirational and passionate.
This is one of the best chapters of ENCHANTMENT I've read until now. Looking forward to more.
ENCHANTMENT - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and ActionsSaturday, 26 February 2011
A 'Weakness' in ENCHANTMENT
To be fair, it's a "weakness" only because of my (unrealistic) expectations!
Years ago, in one of our email exchanges, Guy Kawasaki said he couldn't help with my question about non-profit work because most of his work was in the VC and business sectors.
Though I run an information business in addition to my non-profit Foundation (plus being a heart surgeon!), I've never viewed business as needing 'enchantment' (and with my professional work, just doing my job well is enough to make me fabulously enchanting to my patients and their families!) :-)
So I *assumed* that ENCHANTMENT would have to do with stuff I could implement in my non-profit efforts, too.
This was enhanced by seeing the word "Cause" used as often, if not more, than "product" or "service".
However, the chapter on "How to Launch" that I read today was more relevant to a business launch than to enchanting a non-profit following. At least, that's my opinion, based on a decade and a half of wooing people to join my work with CHD awareness.
The use of the word "cause" throughout this chapter seems strained and artificial, and trying to apply this approach to marketing or showcasing a "cause" would very likely backfire and brand the "enchanter" as being manipulative (again, this is MY opinion).
One bit I liked was about "telling a story". And the bit that was most powerful wasn't in Guy's words, but those of Annette Simmons:
Wow!
That seemed to put into words my thoughts, feelings and dream when I set out to write my book, "47 HEARTS - How to live your dreams, with passion, purpose and persistence".
So the "weakest" section I've come across so far in ENCHANTMENT is still powerful in its impact on me as a reader.
Get the book and read it when it's published!
Years ago, in one of our email exchanges, Guy Kawasaki said he couldn't help with my question about non-profit work because most of his work was in the VC and business sectors.
Though I run an information business in addition to my non-profit Foundation (plus being a heart surgeon!), I've never viewed business as needing 'enchantment' (and with my professional work, just doing my job well is enough to make me fabulously enchanting to my patients and their families!) :-)
So I *assumed* that ENCHANTMENT would have to do with stuff I could implement in my non-profit efforts, too.
This was enhanced by seeing the word "Cause" used as often, if not more, than "product" or "service".
However, the chapter on "How to Launch" that I read today was more relevant to a business launch than to enchanting a non-profit following. At least, that's my opinion, based on a decade and a half of wooing people to join my work with CHD awareness.
The use of the word "cause" throughout this chapter seems strained and artificial, and trying to apply this approach to marketing or showcasing a "cause" would very likely backfire and brand the "enchanter" as being manipulative (again, this is MY opinion).
One bit I liked was about "telling a story". And the bit that was most powerful wasn't in Guy's words, but those of Annette Simmons:
"It is faith that moves mountains, not facts. Facts do not give birth to faith. Faith needs a story to sustain it - a meaningful story that inspires belief in you and renews hope that your ideas do indeed offer what you promise. Genuine influence goes deeper than getting people to do what you want them to do. It means people pick up where you left off because they BELIEVE."
Wow!
That seemed to put into words my thoughts, feelings and dream when I set out to write my book, "47 HEARTS - How to live your dreams, with passion, purpose and persistence".
So the "weakest" section I've come across so far in ENCHANTMENT is still powerful in its impact on me as a reader.
Get the book and read it when it's published!
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
ENCHANTMENT is... branding?
No 'A-ha' moments in what I read today. The chapter was "How To Prepare" - and I'm half-way through it... wondering what this has to do with ENCHANTMENT, anyway.
Branding, positioning and marketing, yes. But enchantment?
Maybe the "dots will connect somewhere in the future". I trust Guy to connect them up.
Onwards!
Branding, positioning and marketing, yes. But enchantment?
Maybe the "dots will connect somewhere in the future". I trust Guy to connect them up.
Onwards!
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Enchantment and Trustworthiness
And the magic begins!
Today, I read the chapter about 'Likability's twin - Trustworthiness.
And so much that Guy shares in it touched me deeply, resonated with what I already knew and believed in - and changed my mood. That's the hallmark of great writing, imho.
I especially enjoyed learning about how to be a mensch (Yiddish for an honest, fair, kind and transparent human being), and the bit that mentions 3 levels of 'giving'.
The highest kind of 'giving' is doing something for intrinsic reasons - even when the recipient cannot repay you in any way. ('Akua sabe' - the Gods know - is a new phrase I'll grow to love and share with people!)
Conceptually, other things like seeking solutions where everyone wins and the way to go about creating a rising tide that lifts all ships are appealing to anyone seeking to learn the secrets of ENCHANTMENT.
And what Guy tells about 'positioning' I've heard before in his book, "Art of the Start". In just 10 words, you describe what you are all about.
Try it. It isn't as easy as you might imagine. After many months, I came up with these mantras:
"I don't accept a child dying!"
and
"I write, sell ebooks, and raise funds to help under-privileged kids with heart defects live"
A bit over the recommended 10 words, but not by much :-)
If you want to learn how to be a hero, enchant people on their own terms and engender trust, read ENCHANTMENT.
Later, when you write to tell me "Thank you", I'll reply with my new favorite phrase from this book:
Don't menschion it!
(click to see what it means - to me!)
ENCHANTMENT - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions
Today, I read the chapter about 'Likability's twin - Trustworthiness.
And so much that Guy shares in it touched me deeply, resonated with what I already knew and believed in - and changed my mood. That's the hallmark of great writing, imho.
I especially enjoyed learning about how to be a mensch (Yiddish for an honest, fair, kind and transparent human being), and the bit that mentions 3 levels of 'giving'.
The highest kind of 'giving' is doing something for intrinsic reasons - even when the recipient cannot repay you in any way. ('Akua sabe' - the Gods know - is a new phrase I'll grow to love and share with people!)
Conceptually, other things like seeking solutions where everyone wins and the way to go about creating a rising tide that lifts all ships are appealing to anyone seeking to learn the secrets of ENCHANTMENT.
And what Guy tells about 'positioning' I've heard before in his book, "Art of the Start". In just 10 words, you describe what you are all about.
Try it. It isn't as easy as you might imagine. After many months, I came up with these mantras:
"I don't accept a child dying!"
and
"I write, sell ebooks, and raise funds to help under-privileged kids with heart defects live"
A bit over the recommended 10 words, but not by much :-)
If you want to learn how to be a hero, enchant people on their own terms and engender trust, read ENCHANTMENT.
Later, when you write to tell me "Thank you", I'll reply with my new favorite phrase from this book:
Don't menschion it!
(click to see what it means - to me!)
ENCHANTMENT - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and ActionsMonday, 21 February 2011
ENCHANTMENT - Tell enchanting tales
A nice twist in the book, ENCHANTMENT by Guy Kawasaki, is the inclusion of PERSONAL ENCHANTMENT STORIES - by different people.
I was touched by how Eric Dawson's little boy was enchanted by an Apple computer - which led him to a career he's followed for 15 years... and inspired by how Fran Shea's "experiment with enchantment" got Howard Stern on her E! Entertainment TV channel.
I was touched by how Eric Dawson's little boy was enchanted by an Apple computer - which led him to a career he's followed for 15 years... and inspired by how Fran Shea's "experiment with enchantment" got Howard Stern on her E! Entertainment TV channel.
The Power of Shared Passions
Today I read about the remaining 5 out of 12 ways to achieve 'Likability'.
And one of them is to identify "shared passions" with your audience.
Remember that everyone has passions. Assume that you share some of them in common. And look for them. Doing your homework can foster close connections, even with those who were hitherto strangers.
Hmm... time to state my passions more explicitly on my social network profiles, I guess.
My passions are: Health and welfare of children, travel, and writing.
Yours?
And one of them is to identify "shared passions" with your audience.
Remember that everyone has passions. Assume that you share some of them in common. And look for them. Doing your homework can foster close connections, even with those who were hitherto strangers.
Hmm... time to state my passions more explicitly on my social network profiles, I guess.
My passions are: Health and welfare of children, travel, and writing.
Yours?
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