Dismal Rotherham

Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know I had a dismal morning in Rotherham today...

I took a walk around town on foot trying to find a coffee shop to kill a couple of hours in,and was shocked at just how many retail units were either empty or in use as Charity shops. Not a Starbucks or Costa to be found! I finally arrived at a dismal little greasy spoon cafe in the arcade along the walkway across the river from Tesco, just opposite Wilkinson's.

I ordered a milky coffee (in London we call that a latte :-) plus a toasted tea cake (which arrived liberally spread with what seemed like marge) and proceeded to open my laptop to work on the manuscript for my next book.

After a while I noticed the woman (not sure if she was the cafe owner) leave the shop and gossip something to the fruit and veg man who was selling bananas outside the shop who then looked at me - not difficult to establish she had gone outside to have a moan about me using her juice for my computer.

So I took my plate and cup up to the counter and ordered a hot chocolate plus a packet of bourbon biscuits - just to show goodwill.

After a little while longer, the woman came up to me and said 'You've had enough time on that love, we don't normally allow it' meaning my laptop. As the pensioner who sat across with his 75p cup of tea looked on. I was incredulous!

There must have been 12 tables in the coffee shop; only three of them were occupied; I was about to buy some mineral water and invite the person I had been waiting for to join me there for another coffee.

Needless to say, I packed up and walked out, but not before giving said woman my business card and telling her if she needed any advice to help improve her customer service be sure to call me.

It's a ridiculously small incident but to me it sums up everything that is wrong with this country - the lack of entrepreneurial spirit, the view that customers are a nuisance rather than a business opportunity and the 'let's go on strike rather than try to add value' mentality that we are seeing hammer the last nail in the Royal Mail's coffin.

I am so passionate about empowerment through enterprise that I could cry at the dismal way most people approach business. If we want to rebuild our tattered and bankrupt economy the starting point is a sea change in the attitude of our people.

Oh and by the way, when I got back to my car I had received a parking ticket.

Rotherham, I won't be visiting you again any time soon.

The Wealth Wizards Trailer

The Amazing Warren Buffett

If you didn't see BBC's one hour documentary 'The World's Greatest Money Maker' with Evan Davis interviewing Warren Buffett last night then I urge you to do so at the BBC iPlayer.

It was not just the most engaging hour's television I have seen in a long time, it was completely fascinating not just to understand Buffett's money making style but also to understand his thriftiness, lack of ego and the simplicity of his life.

He has promised his children they will get nothing of his inheritance and they are totally cool with that; he since given most of his £billions to Bill Gates' charity.

The most poignant part was an interview with his son (who had been given some Berkshire Hathaway shares by an Uncle some years before, and sold them to fund his musical career) saying 'I would rather have my music than $60million in the bank'.

And I just loved the way that Evan ended the show to say he had met many multi-millionaires in his time but that Warren Buffett was the only one he had met who was truly rich. Just brilliant TV!

Congratulations Evan.

How to Monetise (and improve) Twitter

Simply create a charge for each tweet.

And if people had to pay they wouldn't send out so much rubbish!!!

One step better, send ALL the money to good causes, in fact that would be the USP for a platform that wanted to compete.

50 billion tweets @ 5p each = £2.5billion

Have a lovely Sunday, I'm cooking Roast Chicken - you're welcome to come over (but please call first!!!)

R

Is it my imagination or...

...is Simon Cowell in love with Cheryl Cole?

Did you notice how he kissed her in last night's show?

Will you be one of my 12?

In January 2010 I am commencing a completely new mentoring programme exclusively for a small group of entrepreneurs who will work together under my leadership and guidance.

The intention is to help you achieve personal fulfilment and success, not just in your business but in every area of your life.

The programme will commence with an intensive three day residential workshop running from the evening of Monday 18 January to the morning of Thursday 21 January 2010. During this workshop we will explore your business proposition, marketing, business model and ambitions for the business. We'll also explore the issues and blocks you currently face.

You'll leave this workshop with clarity and focus, as well as an action plan for the following 12 months.

I then provide you with unlimited one-to-one mentoring support by email and telephone, as and when you need it.

In addition, I'll be hosting a monthly webinar for members of the Inner Circle to touch base and communicate both your triumphs as well as the challenges you face as you implement your plan.

I'll also be hosting an all-expenses paid quarterly networking dinner exclusively for the Inner Circle group which will take place on a weekday evening at the Royal Exchange in the City of London.

Here's what other entrepreneurs have said about the mentoring support I have given them:

"I contacted Rachel after reading her book Business Nightmares. I was impressed with the book as I am a strong believer that we learn the most at our lowest points and mistakes are a natural part of life which help us learn and understand far more than any success. Rachel suggested her mentoring service, after talking with her about my business requirements (high growth) I agreed this was the best option. Rachel helps mentor me on another level compared to other business coaches and mentors I have come across, she helps me with my vision of the bigger picture not just the current business issues at hand, although she frequently helps me with any question and can be a beacon of light when it seems there is no one else to turn to.

She is interested in the long term business relationship and not just a making a quick buck, proof of this is her ability to always return my calls, business book gifts, providing great business contacts (which you cannot put a price on ) and even opening our new offices giving her time for FREE.

I would recommend Rachel to any budding entrepreneur - successful or failing - she has the ability to cut through the crap and get down to real business advice, and the most important thing is you know it's genuine as she has walked the walk."
Simon Stokes - Founder and MD Assured Fire & Security

"On behalf of everyone here at PhotoArtistry, I am writing to say a heartfelt .Thank You' for your continued mentoring and support. As I reflect over the last couple of years it is amazing to see how far we have come in such a short space of time. I find it remarkable that your assessment of our business and its potential after your first visit was spot on, your advice sound and your support tremendous particularly as we were going through a rather rocky patch at the time.

In addition, you were able to provide us with a range of ideas and solutions some of which we were able to implement immediately, others in the medium term and others still have taken longer and are ongoing. I am particularly pleased that you helped us see the importance of moving out of our premises and moving to a larger, more purpose designed facility. We are very, very happy here and you know how happy people are productive people. There is so much energy in the place. Our turnover increased the month we moved which was a bit of a surprise considering we had to take time out to move.

Rachel, you have an understanding of what being in business is really like having been through the roller coaster yourself and for that reason you are able to offer practical solutions and yet understand and appreciate that things aren't always plain sailing but with perseverance, courage and determination the chance of success is higher.

It is wonderful that we can draw inspiration from a number of entrepreneurs and I really look forward to your webinars and seminars. At the end of each session I like to make a short summary and to document any lessons or action plans to help me move forward.

I do really want to thank you. For me it is a great and wonderful privilege. I hope you are getting as much from this relationship as I am. If you ever need me to speak with anyone about our experience, I would feel very privileged to do so. Without a doubt the story could have been a different one if I had listened to my naysayers two years ago.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!"
Anne Herbert - Founder and MD Photoartistry


"I cannot emphasise enough the exceptional positive impact that Rachel has had on my business. As a .start up' in the baby products industry, Rachel has helped me create a brand that is now holding its own against the .big boys' in the market place. Her input on sales and marketing has been invaluable; always constructive, positively focussed and offered with such overwhelming energy. She is a catalyst for new ideas and her enthusiasm for helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals is incredible. Rachel has helped me immeasurably and I consider it a privilege to be one of her clients; she is without a doubt THE business mentor to have on your team."
Lynda Harding - Founder and MD Easidream

There will be a maximum of just 12 entrepreneurs in the 'Inner Circle' programme.

For full details visit the business mentoring area of my website.

I do hope that you will decide to join me.


Rachel

The Wonderful Wealth Wizards

Yesterday's Wealth Wizards proved to be the most amazing day.

The feedback afterwards was overwhelming, in particular people were blown away by Jeffrey Archer and David Gold who were so charming, entertaining and charismatic. Both stayed afterwards to do a book signing - here I am with my hero Jeffrey Archer.

The show opened with the brilliant 'Something About The Beatles' session by Mike Southon, we had numbers advice from Johnny Martin and lots of food for the soul from Nick Williams and Marie-Claire Carlyle.

And Paul Avins' 90+ minute workshop was packed with practical tips on how to leverage sales and profit.

All in all the most brilliant day - my thanks to all our speakers, my event team plus the British Library for allowing me to hold the event there, and to our event sponsors Vantis, Harrods, Hani O'Keefe, Giraffe Press, Creative Pond and PaloAlto Software.

If you'd like to get your hands on the 4 x DVD set of the event with over 6 hours' of footage you can pre-order at the special 50% off price of £37.50 + £2.50 P&P, simply click here:

I am now busily planning my next event!

Regards

Rachel

Wealth Wizards - Your Last Chance to Come!

We still have some seats available for Monday's Wealth Wizards event, so here's details of a very special last minute deal which I've created especially to help you if you'd love to come, but if cashflow is difficult for you at the current time...

- Pay just £49 now (this helps cover the extra catering of having you at the event, plus your goody bag)

- Pay the balance (£238.50 inc VAT) at any time in the future when you feel the event has helped you manifest wealth

And if that day never comes you will owe me nothing.

Along with all the money-making inspiration and hard nosed advice on how to drive sales and profits, in our more 'esoteric' sessions on Monday we'll be exploring further the power of 'Karmic Debt', and how giving before receiving can be a magical way to attract abundance into your life.

If you'd like to take advantage of this very special last minute offer simply visit www.rachelelnaugh.com/wealth_wizards and enter the discount code WaitList at the payment screen.

Please be assured I will never chase you for payment of the balance of the monies. It will be entirely up to you if and when you decide to pay any further amount. When I've made a similar offer to help people attend my Masterclasses and other training workshops in the past I've found that the value has always been returned in some way. Sometimes in cash, sometimes in gifts - and in one case through a referral which proved to be worth £000's to me!

This is going to be one amazing event which I know you are just going to love, and I would like as many people as possible to be there to benefit from the wisdom and inspiration which will be on offer from our brilliant speakers.

I hope to see you Monday.

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend.

Regards,

Rachel

PS If you don't see this post until Monday, you can always call our Event Team on 07545 395228 to check there are still places - and then pay on the door either by cash or credit card. Doors open at 9am for a 9.15am start - although if you only want to attend the later sessions you can arrive anytime during the day. Here's the full itinerary:

9.15am Beermat Entrepreneur Mike Southon - entrepreneurial inspiration through the story of The Beatles
10.30am Business Numbers Man Johnny Martin - ways to raise the finance you need and create a profitable business model
11.30am Inspired Entrepreneur Nick Williams - how to put your passion at the heart of your business
12.15pm Intenational best-selling author Jeffrey Archer - wit and wisdom on money and wealth
2.00pm Wealth Coach Paul Avins - a 90 minute workshop on simple and instant ways to drive sales, profit and cashflow
3.45pm Business Coach and Feng Shui Guru Marie-Claire Carlyle - how to create a positive money mindset
4.30pm £300m Rich-List Entrepreneur David Gold - sharing his rags to riches story
5.30pm Champagne Networking Reception

Thank You Singapore!

Back in July I set the energy in motion to embark on an International Speaking career by going to the National Speakers Convention in Phoenix. A week after I got back, quite randomly I received an email inviting me to go speak in Singapore!

The event happened this week and it was just the most amazing trip - here I am in the 'pod' at the top of the fabulous National Library building, which has panoramic views over the city, with a group of students who came to hear me speak about my entrepreneurial journey.

My thanks to Johnny Lau and Wee Pin Wan at the National Library Singapore for inviting me!