Blog

August 21 2019 It's all about change ~ https://conta.cc/31JUHZV
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and how well you adapt to it.

So how do you get the word out about your business or career?

Change is inevitable, adjustment is important.

For instance once upon a time to advertise your business there was a telephone directory called The Yellow Pages.

And to go out and meet other people for business development or career advancement there were chambers of commerce and various professional organizations.

There's still radio, TV and newspapers for advertising or promotion as well as fund-raising functions where you can dress up, go meet people and make contributions to a good cause.

You've no doubt noticed social media is robust and networking groups are multiplying.

Meetups abound and they're everywhere on every subject.

August 14 2019 Fix The Problem Not The Blame ~ https://conta.cc/2yVOUnF
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Have you noticed all the finger pointing that's going on in Washington by the politicians.

These people remind me of very badly behaving, very spoiled children.

Total clowns without the makeup.

How do we get those who are "duly elected" to focus on fixing the problems and not the blame so that our country continues to be a world leader? How do we impress upon them that arguing is not a solution to even the most complex issues facing our great nation?

Come share your ideas and opinions with us at breakfast Wednesday morning.

I need not remind you that you will please leave your arguments, pointing fingers and any negative attitudes at the door.

We'll make a list of items to be fixed and send it to Washington from "we, the people."To have your issues be included, just show up on the 14th.

Fix the problem, not the blame.

Opportunity presents itself.

Sometimes when you're not even looking.

So what do you do?

Choice one: ignore it.

Choice two: act on it.

Now we've met some folks who are totally, absolutely completely content with whatever they have going and any change is simply not a consideration, thank you very much!

Their life - their choice - certainly ok with us.

For those others who want to pursue an opportunity, oh boy, hooray, let's do it, eh?

We've been in this active support mode for a goodly number of years and some of the individuals we've worked with are brand names in Houston now!

Come have breakfast with us any Wednesday morning and discover how we can very effectively guide you in developing your opportunity.

Breakfast not convenient?

Then call or click to chat.

We're here for you and we love what we're doing to speed new ideas along.

Webster's Dictionary: ardently desiring; strong wish; high desire.

It's a simple process to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

It's not magic and it produces a predictable result: accomplishment.

Start with the attitude that it can be done and you're going to discover how to do it.

Make sure the little voice in your head is offering positive suggestions in moving you forward and not doubts that hold you back.

Devise some action steps that you can achieve. Create an empowerment team that you can count on to offer constructive input.

Come have breakfast with us any Wednesday and discover how we can assist you in successfully fulfilling your vision for creating your future.

July 24 2019 Teamwork ~ https://conta.cc/2Y0BBMM
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Team playing skills.
What are they?

Do you have them?

Are they important?

Why are they important?

In my youth I was on several teams; football, baseball, basketball.

I remember practice, practice, practice and more practice.

Yes, we won championships.

In band it was the same thing: practice, practice, practice.

We had to march right and we had to sound right.

Maybe "right" is too lame.

More like "perfect!"

Yes, we won competitions.

Now what about career?

Co-Op Associates have held positions of leadership in too many organizations to list here.

Now what about business?

Co-Op Associates have won virtually every award for business growth in Houston, some nationally and some even internationally.

Do you have to have team playing skills?

You betcha if you want satisfaction and success!

And do you practice?

Of course you do.

Right?

Want to learn more about team playing skills and perfect practice producing perfect results?

Come have breakfast with us Wednesday and see team playing in action.

July 17 2019 Houston's Greatest Energy Resource ~ https://conta.cc/2NRBP9m
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We describe "success" as having fun, making money and doing good!

Our clients do what they love and are well paid for it.

Their passion is demonstrated in the results they produce which makes for very happy customers!

Our special thanks to all the Houston Entrepreneurlal Heroes who came out for the celebration lunch at Gallery Furniture last week.

These are the people who are responsible for organizations that keep Houston, Texas "The Entrepreneurial Capital of the World!"

What's next for you or your business, career, company or organization?

Make it something worthy of you and should you need assistance, join us for breakfast Wednesday to meet some of the exceptional people we're working with.

July 10 2019 Making It Happen ~ https://conta.cc/2JnWoG3
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You've heard there are three types of people:

1) Those that make things happen.

2) Those who watch things happen.

3) Those that say "what happened?"

Should you be in that top tier, let's get you booked as the Featured Speaker at one of our meetings so you can share those skills with a receptive audience.

In the event you're not that top level, come have lunch with us this Wednesday and we'll get you started on the path of motivating, inspiring and leading others into changes that make them happier and the world a better place to live, work and play.

Alas, should you be that bottom rung, we'll introduce you into the political world, where you will be surrounded by people who will gleefully point out what's happening from their very biased and selective point of view.

Do you remember days gone by when:

You wanted to buy something, you went to a store?

You wanted a hot meal you didn't prepare yourself, you went to a restaurant?

You needed information, you went to a library?

These days, whatever you want is only a click away.

Business incubation, career development and mentoring also just a click away.

If you want it, click it!

June 26 2019 Hope vs. Faith ~ https://conta.cc/2RoGb5X
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Over the years we've been asked many times: "What is it you do?"

Our direct response is: "We grow companies, build careers and advance ideas.

"Most often the next question is: "How do you do that?"

And while the first question (the what) has an easy answer the second question (the how) is not so easy.

You see each person, idea and situation is different.

One size does not fit all.

And an effective development methodology is determined by the resources, attributes and aptitude of the person we're working with.

As pioneers in the incubator industry we discovered an accurate way to take the individual from where they were at the moment to where they wanted to be in the future.

We had our clients abandon "hope," for instance, and substitute "faith" instead.

Think about those two words for just a moment.

What's the difference between hope and faith?

If you had to select one or the other to work with, which would you choose?

Come share your thoughts with us any Wednesday morning at breakfast.

June 19 2019 Entrepreneurship ~ https://conta.cc/2IbIUg2
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You've noticed that some people have the amazing capability of turning defeat into victory.

And of overcoming any and all obstacles in their path to victory.

It's interesting to me that sometimes our government seems to miss such simple facts that are so obvious and compelling.

Take "entrepreneurship" for instance.

Entrepreneurship is absolutely, totally, completely color-blind and gender neutral.

Yet there are those who continually say that being a minority or female or gay requires special set-asides because these people are disadvantaged.

What!?!

Why?

Glad you asked!

So they can go get tax-payer money to set up special programs to "help" these "disadvantaged" business owners.

Have you any idea, by the way, of how much these people actually pay themselves for their "noble" cause.

Wow!

You'll find it shocking!

Talk about "gaming the system!"

And the largest such group in the United States, originally funded on a temporary basis to ease those negatively impacted in the great recession to become self-employed has no oversight leadership to monitor top level salaries.

Now I'm not talking about such groups as SCORE, who are essentially volunteers and don't draw a salary.

And I am speaking out about those other groups who set up charity programs (AKA programs funded by tax dollars) for those who don't want or need charity.

Let's talk about women business owners, for instance.

We surveyed thousands of women business owners and women business owners-to-be before setting up our Womens Business Center Incubator (first in the United States).

These thousands of women we talked with gave us their priorities in a very clear manner: "a level playing field" and "a hand up."

They emphatically did not want a "hand-out" or "charity."

They did not consider themselves disadvantaged and in the process of forming their own companies began starting businesses at a faster rate than men.

They objected, vigorously, when individuals or organizations said they needed charity to get started or be successful.

Methinks those organizations out there still "gaming" the system, having no oversight controls or monitoring should be shut-down.

And let's get them to publish their salaries, all the way to the top, since it's "public funding" and you'll see what I mean.

We see chambers of commerce, networking groups and other self-funded organizations doing just fine, thank you, in developing Houston small businesses.

If and when you ever decide you want to start a business please heed this suggestion: make sure whomever you may be speaking with seeking advice has hand-on business ownership experience.

Also be aware the most progressive organizations have the convenience of you connecting via phone, chat or Skype for business assistance or career guidance.

Have you thoughts or opinions?

Come share them any Wednesday morning at breakfast.

June 12 2019 Pondering? ~ https://conta.cc/2QPWo3L
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Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!

Oh my!

So many considerations.

So much to ponder.

So many options, alternatives and possibilities.

You can think the situation to death!

Or, you can stop thinking and start doing!

Uh huh - just do it!

And if it doesn't work the first time, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and proceed with the knowledge you've gained!

Still stuck?

Get yourself a mentor.

Want to know more?

Come have breakfast any Wednesday morning.

June 5 2019 Politics, good or bad? ~ https://conta.cc/2EHrhCA

Many years ago, I was taught the duty and privilege of voting.
I think it was during the 6th grade.

Grammar School is what that used to be called - grades 1 to 6.

I have no idea what that's called now, just as I have no idea of what's going on within our political system.

It appears to me that there is a lot of name calling, high intensity arguments and varying levels of facts in this system these days.

I don't recall this from previous years in elected representatives responsible to move our nation forward.

I do, however, recall a conversation I had with my father, God rest his soul.

My dad was career military and his term regarding politicians was "a necessary evil."

These days I'm wondering how necessary, why evil and what can be done about it?

Our focus remains on growing companies, building careers and advancing ideas.

We are independent and self-funded, operating entirely without gifts, grants, donations, contributions or the whims and disagreements of tax funding.

Have some opinions?

Come share them over breakfast any Wednesday morning.

May 29 2019 About Investors ~ https://conta.cc/2HMSepc
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Should you be considering obtaining an investment for your startup idea, please remember the 6 "P"s the investor will be evaluating.
They are:

1. Person
(That's you bright eyes. Come across as confident and answer any questions presented to you with honesty.)

2. Product
(That's the industry, product or service. Should your intended investor typically invest only in real estate, they probably won't be a good investment prospect if you are inventing a widget.)

3. Process
(What's their investment money to be used for. If it's to pay you a salary to get the idea off the ground, the investor will most likely decline the opportunity.)

4. Progress
(How do you intend to monitor and report on your project?)

5. Performance
(What benchmarks will you be using for implementation?)

6. Payback
(What amount and when will the investor receive their return on investment?)

May 22 2019 Oops ~ https://conta.cc/2HxFPp1
Oops1.gif (36630 bytes) In our next life we can be perfect.

In this one we get to be human.

Humans make mistakes.

Sometimes the most serious consequence is the "oops moment."

It's when we embarrass ourselves and maybe those around us.

It's often very difficult not to laugh with the oops.

When it happens, we clean up any corresponding mess, cut ourselves some slack and learn from the experience.

Of course any friends, staff, clients or co-workers who witnessed our moment will continue to enjoy our "oops" for many years to come.

See more "Oops Moments here.

May 15 2019 Making Progress? ~ https://conta.cc/2Vrtywa
0515AnimatedQuestionMark.gif (33842 bytes) Should you not know where you're going, how will you know when you get there?
Heard that before?

As a kid growing up I certainly did.

And later in life, when I would do cross-country sports car rallies, it made "lotsa" sense.

So the simple answer to where you're going is decide where you want that to be when you get there.

That's also called success.

AKA as havin' fun, makin' money an' doin' good.

AKA high quality of life - high standard of living and high return to the community.

Now if your goal is to win one of the "lotto" jackpots, please keep me posted on your progress, eh?

Otherwise, come have breakfast with us any Wednesday morning and I'll share with you the process of getting from where you are now to where you want to be in the future.

It's not magic, it's a methodology that produces a predictable result.

AKA "success."

May 8 2019 Sales ~ https://conta.cc/2GPF3Dk
0508sales.gif (237823 bytes) Should you be a business owner or otherwise involved in the selling process, let me share some of our discoveries.

Answer four simple questions in this process.
1. What are you selling? Besides yourself, of course. Is it better, cheaper, innovative and how so.
2. Who will buy? Identifying your intended customer. They have to have the money, need and confidence you can provide what they want.
3. How do you access? Informing your target market about your product or service.
4. At what cost? The costs for you to define and notify your target market and the costs your customers incur in making the purchase.

Have questions or need assistance, bring your idea to breakfast with us any Wednesday and we'll tailor a selling model that works for you.

Can we really do that?

You betcha!

Please remember that our companies have won virtually ever award for business growth in
Houston, some nationally and some even internationally.

April 24 2019 Take the Chance ~ https://conta.cc/2Xlj8dW

How well do you understand and operate at risk?

As you may know, some people are totally, absolutely, completely risk averse.

If it's not a sure thing they avoid it entirely.

These types of people are not bad, wrong or deficient.

They just, by nature, avoid risks.

Others like the excitement of venturing into the unknown, especially if they have the opportunity to do something previously undiscovered.

They thrive on making these discoveries, achieving new things, and accomplishing what's never been done before.

Should you be a risk taker, come have breakfast with us any Wednesday and share your vision of a creation.

Many others have.

April 17 2019 Creating Success ~ https://conta.cc/2UtkGW5
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You don't need anyone's permission to be successful!

It's your life.

Live it so you're having fun, making money and doing good.

Make sure that little voice in your head (that only you can hear) keeps you focused on the "what" you want to do and the "how" to do it.

Please remember that little voice works for you and not the other way around.

Give yourself some goals, targets, aspirations or ambitions to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

Believe in yourself and your abilities to achieve your future.

Keep a positive mental attitude.

Never give up and make your accomplishments worthy of you.

Should your interests involve growing a company, building a career or advancing an idea, come have breakfast with us any Wednesday.

April 10 2019 Time is Money ~ https://conta.cc/2Ke4pjs
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Some say it's all about time.
60 seconds to the minute.

60 minutes to the hour.

24 hours to the day.

7 days to the week.

Time is fixed.

Just for fun, go lookup all the quotes about time.

What we do with it, ah, not so fixed, eh?

Here's my take on it.

You decide how to pass through your time.

Your life.

Your choices.

Enjoy! And should your interests involve growing a company, building a career or advancing an idea, come have breakfast with us any Wednesday.

Chances are excellent that we can show you how to use your time having fun and making money in the process.

April 3 2019 What's Your Target? ~ https://conta.cc/2JKcJqC

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What is it you want to accomplish?

Does it keep changing?

Kinda like a moving target, eh?

Let's see if we can make it more stationary.

And let's have it consist of such things as financial freedom doing something you love that there is a excellent demand for.

Some very simple rules to follow.

First you decide "what."

Then you decide "how."

We've been assisting people in this process for years now.

Let's see if it would also work for you. Come have breakfast with us Wednesday and share your target.

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