How to Achieve & Sustain Success

Success can have many different meanings depending on who is defining it. For the purpose of this blog I am going to use John C. Maxwell’s three-tier definition of success. Maxwell states, “Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.” The feeling of success is one that many of us strive to obtain; through hard work and dedication one day we will reach new heights. But how can we stay there?             
 As I began developing this topic many ideas came to mind of how I would define my own personal success. Success is doing what makes you happy and contributes to ones personal fulfillment and growth. In short success is doing what you love. Personally, success career wise would mean to have a firm grasp on all management and creative processes, while maintaining an optimistic outlook, seeking further personal growth and development, for myself, my team and my artistic cliental. I also believe that success bares a resemblance as to how we view life; it is a continual journey and when the journey is lead by purposeful vision, success is sure to be obtained.
            My research on the topic took me to TED.com; a very informative website that’s tagline is “Ideas worth Spreading.” One individual on the site really caught my attention; his name is Richard St. John. Many of St. John’s ideas come from credible and valuable sources and truly make you think. Richard spent over seven years conducting more than 500 interviews with ‘successful’ individuals from Rupert Murdoch to Bill Gates, asking for their keys to success.            St. John states that “success is not a one way street” and that it “takes hard work and attention to your passion” to achieve. This video was captivating to me because it aligned with one of my fundamental principals of life, which is ‘constant growth.’ Richard continued his talk by cautioning his listeners to not fall into the same trap as he once did. Often times when we reach a successful milestone we stop doing everything that allowed us to get to that point, we forget about our growth and become stagnant.  It is vital to always self-evaluate after a rewarding milestone, to ensure oneself that on this journey there is always more work to be done.            Richard St. John was able to compile all the information that he gathered over the years and turn his model of success into eight simple words.  Passion, Work, Focus, Push, Ideas, Improve, Serve, Persist.  1.    Passion – Driven by passion, do it for love not money
2.    Work – All hard work, nothing comes easy, but have fun
3.    Focus  - Focus self on one thing
4.    Push – Push yourself, physically and mentally. Combating shyness and self-doubt
5.    Ideas – Listen, Observe, Be Curious, Ask Questions, Problem Solve, & Make Connections
6.    Improve – Get damn good at what you do.
7.    Serve – Serve others, giving something of value
8.  Persist - #1 reason for success. Persist through failure and CRAP (Criticism, Rejection, Assholes, Pressure)
  
Richard St. John's 8 secrets of success
Richard St. John: "Success is a continuous journey"Remember Education is for LIFE! Go out and achievePeace & Blessing,     -RB

Future Planning

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

         (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

Planning is key when one is trying to reach a new height greater than self. All of us have a unique set of goals and dreams; both personal and professional, that is tailored to our own desires and needs. Some people are creatively inclined and can instantly transform the vision they have in their head and turn it into a masterful piece of artwork or the latest hit record. But it takes a little more work for the majority of us.

         As I previously stated planning is a vital aspect of all professional and personal decision making, many powerful individuals attribute it to their success. The first step with planning is to access self and start where you currently are. This process of self-evaluation requires pure honestly and humility as you will be examining the strengths, weakness, talents, and drawbacks of the one most important individual, YOU! Once a good assessment of self has been taken, one must being developing a road map to get through your journey. A road map to success can include career goals with designated timeline, personal improvement goals, and strategies for achieving ones goals.

         The planning stage should be a sobering process that allows you to take a good hard look at self. What’s required of you next is to take action. Action means attempting new activities that will lead to achieving goals and dreams, as well as doing the required self-development that is needed.  Action means to step out on faith and challenge yourself past your limits. It can be a very risky process at times but if it doesn’t challenge you then it doesn’t change you. The only person who has the ability to hold you back is you!

Another significant aspect of action is your developmental team. Who are the people you surround yourself with? Are they assisting you on achieving your goals or holding you back? By asking yourself these simple but honest questions will allow you to gain better understanding of which outside influences are holding you back from your potential success.

Strategic and detailed planning is an ongoing process and requires constant attention. The self-development process commands pure self-discipline, honest self-evaluation, and knowledge. The only way one can grow and allow their vision to become a reality is by, pushing yourself to the limit while taking time to learn from every experience that occurred along the way. Knowledge is power, and is one proven way to obtain pure happiness and self-gratifying success.

Planning is an individual tool used to ensure that one is always on the right path to making their dreams a reality. 

       Peace & Blessings        

       

       -RB 

The Art of Deal Making

The Art of Deal Making

There is an art to deal making. Many of the greats in the entertainment industry are at the top of their game due to the masterful negotiation skills. The purpose of this post is to explore the characteristics of an expert negotiator; whether he or she is an artist manager, event planner or sport agent, they all have the capacity to close major deals.

When I began preparation for this post and interview a few significant entertainment professionals came to mind, but do to tragic unforeseen circumstances I was unable to conduct this interview with said individuals. Although I was able to conducted my interview with a woman who wears many hats in the industry. Whether she is wearing her Artist Manager, Production Manager, or even CEO hat, Rebekah Foster of Ujima Sound Productions is always down to business.

Foster, has over thirty years of experience within the music industry and many of her peers and counterparts would consider her to be a music industry expert.  I asked Rebekah several questions concerning dealing making and negotiations but a few significant points from our conversation stood out.

Mutual Benefit happens in a negotiation when both parties are committed to producing a Win / Win situation.  I asked Foster, “How is mutual benefit achieved?” She stated that it “truly depends on the nature of the project, event, or artist.” “Each situation is different but it’s important to eliminate the negatives while focusing on the positive aspects of a negotiation. “ In many instances within the entertainment industry the artist is always considered to be right, “therefore one must be able to compromise.” Proper research is always expected before you enter any deal; “when you know your stuff, you are able to guide them in the direction that best suits their career.”

Foster has been able to work with some of the most influential voices ever, from Whitney Houston to Marcus Miller to Busta Rhymes.  Over the course of her impressive career, Foster had had to learn how to always be the bigger person. During a negotiation it is imperative to ‘separate the person from the problem.’ When asked what methods she utilizes to eliminate emotions Foster stated, “you must always have a positive attitude.” “The music industry is a thankless job, so you must have a will power and attitude that will sustain you through the difficult circumstances.” “Break their negativity with your positivity,” it demonstrates professionalism and focuses negotiators on issues.

I’ve had the pleasure of shadowing Foster on a few occasions, and have taken away life long lessons. Over the years that I’ve known her, she always taught by example, using objective criteria and industry norms to get significant points across.  I’ve always taken heed to her valuable advice because I understand her significant impact on the industry. During our conversation, Foster made reference to superstar Artist Manager and Brand Developer, Chris Lighty.  Foster and Lighty have had a business relationship and friendship for many years, and personally Chris Lighty would have been both of our first choice to gain information on deal –making from.

I include information about Darrell “Chris” Lighty due to his unexpected and tragic death last Thursday, August 30^th, 2012. Lighty committed suicide last week outside of his Bronx, NY home. As this is a very sad situation I just want to shine light on some of his amazing accomplishments and accolades.  Lighty was a prominent figure in the music industry, by building his empire, Violator Management, from the ground up, to serving as longtime manager for 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Diddy, and Mariah Carey, Chris Lighty was the man.

Lighty was an exceptional dealmaker! He is noted as being the architect behind 50 Cent’s Vitamin Water deal that grossed the artist over 100 million dollars, as well as many other deals with Gap, Mountain Dew, and Sprite. Chris also guided and empowered some of music’s most inspirational artists, and after many years of experience he founded Brand Asset Group because he believed in the power of branding. His expertise ensured that all of his artists were creatively well rounded with each obtaining many endorsement and record deals.

Chris Lighty was an inspiration to me. He fought, taught, and helped construct the Hip-Hop industry we now know and love. Ever since the first time I heard of Violator or Chris Lighty, I’ve tired to embody the strong positive characteristics which he did. I was fortune enough to intern with Violator Management in the summer of 2008, and remember feeling pride and joy being in his presence. He will always be a mentor to me; Chris Lighty is the artist manager I strive to be.

Much respect, Mr. Lighty, I’m grateful to have your career be an inspiration for my future! Gone to soon, but I pray you Rest in Peace and Paradise!

Russell Simmons said it best “So here's to Chris: a man perfected by God and freed from struggle long before we were ready to say goodbye." 

Peace & Blessings        

       

       -RB