Join me tomorrow evening 6.30-8.30pm for The Mind Spa at Molton House, private members club, London W1.
It’s an evening for professionals, business owners and those looking for peace and progress in all aspects of their lives.

It’s really an opportunity to connect to yourself: we have such busy minds and such busy lives. It will help you to relax, chill our and take stock. There’ll be a short relaxation meditation led by my guest and friend, yoga teacher to execs, Thierry Giunta. They’ll also be an opportunity to connect with others; many networking occasions can be soul-less. By connecting more deeply with ourselves we tend to be more open to others. The evening is an ideal space to make the kind of contacts that may be useful for us personally, professionally and business. I will also be doing a very short exercise to help you focus on personal and professional priorities.

Tomorrow is attracting a fair amount of media interest and the attendees also include a number of people from healing professions as well as some who are in corporate life or changing career. If that appeals then join me and our host Jessica Huie of JHPR for a lovely evening.

The Mind Spa

“Connect & progress”

@ Molton House,

43 South Molton Street | London W1K 5RS

6.30-8.30pm Tue 13 July 2010

Cost £15 RSVP: rasheed@rasaru.com

Hurry folks, it’s your last chance to book onto “3 Steps to Success to Business Success in 2010″ a free one day workshop I’m running this Wed 23rd June at Central Hall, Storey’s Gate, Westminster, SW1H 9NH for Business Link London.

The event is ideal for you if your a small business owner or sole trader keen to move further ahead. The event will help:
1) Develop clarity and a sharper focus on gaining and maintaining customers
2) Boost belief, confidence, efficiency and motivation
3) Develop a crisp, clear and practical plan of action to enhance your finance, marketing and operations.

To book simply click here onto Business Link’s site:

3 Steps to Business Success with Rasheed Ogunlaru

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading coach and motivational speaker. His clients include entertainers and entrepreneurs. He is Co-author of A Zest for Business and the Business Coach partner of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre

Be your own Brand - Wed 26 May 2010 British Library 10am-4.15pm

When I started in business I knew little about enterprise but lots about PR, promotion, presenting, customer service and connecting with people. Little did I know it but these are vital if you’re a sole trader / small business owner. As a result I appeared on national TV, as a speaker at the Business Start Up Show and attracted good clients and big opportunities within a year of setting up - all on a shoestring budget.

Are you a small business owner, sole trader or freelancer? Do you have little or no by way PR / marketing budget? If so then you too must ‘Be your own Brand’. Join me, Rasheed Ogunlaru and lawyer-turned-business adviser, Helen Parkins for this special workshop which will help you:

* Develop a strong brand and clear mission
* Become clear, crisp and compelling - to attract more of business
* Develop powerful links, partnerships and joint ventures
* Establish yourself as an expert in your field - inc tips on attracting media coverage
* Understand where your business is coming from and how to get more of it.

Be your own Brand Price £65 inc lunch and refreshments. To book email me rasheed@rasaru.com

Each year I meet thousands of entrepreneurs, sole traders and business owners - including many at my workshop Making it as an Entrepreneur. Their challenges are usually the same and so are the success factors:

Rasheed’s 5 Top Tips:

* 1. Clarity & focus: Who are you? What do you want to achieve personally and in business? What is you business about and can you communicate this in a way that anyone can understand? What are your values? Why are you in business?

* Passion, flair & courage: Without these you are unlikely to stay the course, or survive the ups and downs. It is these qualities that will often attract customers and supporters and these strengths will also give you the creativity and flexibility to find your own space in the market place and stand out.

* 2. Knowing your business and your market: Who are you customers exactly? What are all their different needs, problems, desires and fears? What exactly do they want and how do they want it? If we do not understand and incorporate this then you won’t have a business - merely a wish list. This is an ongoing process of listening to your, your customers and others. The more you listen the more you’ll learn and be in the loop.

* 3. Support: No entrepreneur is an Island. You can not achieve it alone. The quality of your real or virtual team will be a huge factor in your success. What skills and support do you have and do you need? Who can help you? You’re unlikely to win the Premiership with a third division team. And if you are to rise from the third division to the premiership you’ll need the right leadership, team and support.

* 4. Being organised, effective and motivated: I meet and coach many business owners who struggle with this. Simplicity and clarity are the key. Simple systems, priorities and messages. Do you have the right tools, systems and support in place to help you achieve your goals? Using the right technology and psychology is important. What are you spending your time and your energy on and what would be the most effective use of it? You also need time out for yourself, your health and to keep your business and life on track.

* 5. Excellent product & customer service: Ultimately if you don’t have a good product / service nobody’s likely to buy it - or keep buying it. Having a good product is not enough. You need to really care about your customers - not just their cash. I’m amazed at how many businesses actually do not care enough about their customers. if you don’t sooner or later it will be you, not they who pay the price.

One more thing: ultimately business - like all things - is about relationships. If you have a rich relationship with you, what you do, your customers, your suppliers, your peers and your prospects… then you, your business and those you meet will blossom. This is what I call the heart of business. Many people overlook it and many experts do not speak of it, but it is what will make people fall in love and stay in love with you and what you do. Business is after all about our inter-connectedness… if you remember this you will enjoy the journey.

Making it as an Entrepreneur an inspiring workshop for new and established business run by life / business / corporate coach, Rasheed Ogunlaru at / in partnership with the British Library’s Business & IP Centre.

Next dates 10am-12noon Apr 20, June 11, July 22
Cost only £25
To book email rasheed@rasaru.com

Thanks for the 100+ of you who came along to the British Library and made the Swap Skills for Success event just that.

There’s no question that for small businesses in particular building strong relationships, referring, working together and smart skills swapping can fast-track your business. There’s also no question that we need to keep doing it in order to survive and thrive.

During the evening contacts were made, cards-a-plenty were exchanged, future skills-swaps were planned and some potential other great opportunities were planted. We’d love to hear of any successes / links you made.

For those of you running online businesses of interested in social marketing, Suzanne our websites and branding ace has prepared a great tip sheet. For your copy simply send a blank email to sm@zestworks.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it And remember to that you can register for our free newsletter on the Zestworks website.

For more events check out the Business & IP Centre website. These include Be your own Brand …a whole day event on May 26 with Helen Parkins and Rasheed Ogunlaru from Zestworks to help you boost your promotion, profit and a limited PR/ marketing budget.

One last thing, so much potential business is ‘left on the table’ and not followed-up. So if you made a warm connection that you think could be really useful then follow-up before it goes cold.

With best wishes the Zestworks team: Rasheed, Helen, Heather, Suzanne and Mirtha.

If you’re a sole trader or a micro business owner then you are your business and your brand. The success or failure of your business depeneds on you and your ability to attract and customers, partners, suppliers and opportunities.

If this is the case Be your own Brand is the event for you will help you build you presence, profile and profitability.
It is ideal for you if you have little or nothing by way of a PR/ marketing budget.

Leading life/business coach, PR and media specialist, Rasheed Ogunlaru, shares insights into raising awareness of your business, promoting yourself, broadening your networks and boosting your business - and your success. He is joined by solicitor-turned-business advisor, Helen Parkins. Helen will show you how to develop powerful partnerships and when you’ll need to introduce the right legal agreements and abide by current rules and regulations to fast-track your success and avoid the pitfalls.

Benefits of attending / areas covered:

• Develop a powerful sense of purpose, personality and
your product
• Become clear about your vision, values and mission
• Personify your product - and be seen a specialist in
your field
• Become clear about your market, your customers and
their wants/needs
• Learn what works for you and work from your strengths
• Precise marketing: approaching the right customers
directly
• Build and develop your network and learn how to network
effectively
• Develop brand loyalty
• Promote yourself as an expert in your industry or
locality and in the media

Who should attend? Sole traders / small business owners looking to grow their businesses

Price: £10 (specially susidised from £35) Spaces limited book now.

Book now: Email: Rasheed@rasaru.com or call 020 7207 1082.

Venue: Business & IP Centre, British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1. Nearest train/ tube; Kings Cross or Euston.

Looking to to take your business to the next level of profit, performance and profile? Need to become re-focused and re-motivated to overcome your business challenges?

If so join leading life & business coach, Rasheed Ogunlaru for:

Boost your Business Masterclass
10am-4pm on Fri 6 Mar 2009
Business & IP Centre, British Library,
96 Euston Rd, London NW1
Special half price deal: only £45

This special event will help you take stock, build on your strength, identify opportunities. You will leave with a clear plan of action to boost your profit and performance. This is a tailored workshop designed for sole traders and small businesses. Numbers on this workshop have been specially capped so you can work on YOUR Business.

Special credit crunch Price: £45 inc lunch and refreshments
Book now spaces limited: email rasheed@rasaru.com

Boost your Buisness Masterclass - in partnership with British Library: Rasheed is a leading coach, speaker and co-author of A Zest for Business. He is also the Business coach partner of the British Library.

I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who attended The Gift of Inner Success book launch last night and made it such a success. The event was an evening of inspiration, celebration, connection and was attended by a rich range or spirit souls. I hope that if you attended it that you enjoyed it and made some valuable connections. I also hope that you enjoy the book - and would love to hear your comments.

Special thanks to:
* The British Library’s Business & IP Centre and especially Clare Harris for the fantastic launch itself.

* Steve Bryne - who designed the book - for selling copies on the night.

* The fantastic Abd Al-Rahman of Global Faction for filming…looking forward to our documentary.

* Paul of Floyd & Pheonix photography(who I highly recommend) for capturing the event.

* Cally Robson - of Invention Intelligence for our pre-event interview and all our conversations.

* Simon Corbett of Jargon PR - for doing such a great job in promoting the book to a rich blend of media

Get your copy: The Gift of Inner Success is published by Rasheed Ogunlaru books and is available here at www.rasaru.com in book,. e-book and audio book MP3 format.

More talks on The Gift of Inner Success: I will be giving a handful of talks on the book, as well as running other workshops. Click onto my events page for details.

With best wishes, Rasaru (Rasheed Ogunlaru)

This morning I appeared BBC Breakfast News on the topic of Charisma. The item was on the Charisma masterclass event that my colleague Richard Reid of Pinnacle Proactive and I are running on April 4-5.

But who has it? Can you create it, can you fake it? Clearly the likes of Barack Obama, Richard Branson, Helen Mirren, Oprah Winfrey, Mohammed Ali and Jack Nicholson have it. But so do millions of ordinary people - you may know many yourself and you may well have it.

I started my career in the media, training people to appear on TV and I have also been a singer. In both cases the secret is to be yourself. The Charisma Event will help you find and project their own magic. The benefits will pour into all areas of your life and work.

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a life coach, motivational speaker and author of The Gift of Inner Success

This Saturday I’ll be delivering a business & personal development masterclass at the Obama Ripple Effect Conference in Wembley (29 Nov 1-6pm). The event, with a keynote speech from Rev. Jesse Jackson, is on boosting the fortunes of UK black and ethnic minority communities in politics, business and in society in the light of the recent US election victory of Barack Obama. It includes a host of key name speakers and will be of value to anyone with an interest: in UK BAME and community development; positive role models; enterprise; community cohesion; and educational attainment. Click here for details / booking and see you there. For more events check out my events page.

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading coach and motivational speaker, and co-author of A Zest for Business