Last year two film-makers asked me to work with David, one of thousands of gifted Britons made redundant due to the global economic downturn. My job; to get his career back on track- here’s what happened. Top Tips below:

Throughout the UK and indeed across the world many people are losing their jobs. One of these people may be you or a loved one. In the past redundancy was rare. Now it’s common place - it may not just happen once but two to five times in your career. Whilst redundancy can be devastating it can be the birthplace of you finding a life and career that you really feel happy with. When I run my workshops over 90% say it proved to be a blessing. However it takes time. And if you or a loved one has, is or may face redundancy then a few tips will help you to use this opportunity to create a profession from your passion.

1. Give yourself time and space to be, breathe, reflect and even grieve. It is a major event and taking this time will help you move forward for more happily.

2. Find out exactly what the redundancy will mean: and your options / entitlements. Now is not a time to be shy and retiring and you need to get what you’re entitled. Once you do this list and identify your monthly budget and outgoings and set a ‘survival budget’. If you get a redundancy sum budget and use it wisely it may take months to settle into your next role.

3. Seek support and start to network: from friends and loved ones - and professionals in / beyond work who can help you. Above all share it with those you trust and love. You may also find that there are professionals in your circle who can help you move forward. Don’t suffer in silence

4. Take time: to consider what you really want to do next in your life and career and follow your heart. Redundancy is your opportunity for you to really identify what you are passionate about and to make a profession out of it.

5. Practicals: Brush up your CV and your interview skills, identify all your strengths and skills. Ensure you stand out. Include a powerful personal statement at the top. Make sure that it highlights your accomplishments and keep it to two pages maximum.

6. Get hold of my ‘Moving ahead in your career free guide’ - visit my resources page on my website www.rasaru.com . It will help you focus on what you want in a job

7. Write a list of all the people you know who can help you (inc contacts, friends, former colleagues and who they know). Call or make appointments to meet and chat with anyone who may be able to help you. Less than 50% of jobs are advertised. Increasing numbers of people find their new careers throughout networking. Explore how you can help them too, life is merely changing and exchanging energy.

8. When applying for jobs: keep spoken/ written correspondence clear, crisp, concise and captivating. Be personal, professional, passionate and prompt. Always shine and smile. These elements will help you stand out from the crowd. Being you is key.

9. Spread the net: include internet, networking, agencies, contacts as well as newspapers for your job search.

10. Tell people: You probably know 200 people or more tell them what you’re looking for…together you may find it… It’s a small world.

Finally take it in steady steps. Know when to work and when to rest. Learn from setbacks and disappointments and know that these will make you even sharper and stronger over time. You may find, like myself, that redundancy actually becomes the moment that you move from a job to the very reason that you are here – utilising all your skills and talents.

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

It’s been an interesting week in which a couple of people and an organisation have asked me to coach them for public speaking.

Speaking publicly is in my bones: I left school at 18 and started my professional life in media which included training people to speak to the press and to appear on TV and radio. And before becoming a speaker / coach I was a singer and performer… so I understand what a performer, audience and the various ‘agents’ in between want.

Some people who may train you to speak and present overcomplicate matters - or worse try to get you to be someone else or bind you to rules which are at best guidelines. Speaking is an art. It is a dance between you, your audience and your message and objectives. It is, like all things, a relationship. The more rich and honest the relationship, the more engaging a effective a speaker you will become. Here my simple tips:

You & your story

• Who are you? What’s your story? What’s your style? What’s your purpose?
• Your biog, website etc need to reflect this
• Be, breathe, be rooted. Use your voice, passion, body, strengths and fears

Your audience

• Who are they? What do they want?
• What’s the brief and who is the customer? (build strong rapport with all )
• How can you win (often multiple audiences) over and be true to you?

Your message

• Clear, crisp, compelling: and relevant
• Start, middle, end (sandwich: strong start & end with a tasty / healthy filling)
• Sweet, seductive and simple… what outcome do you want?

The space

• View it, visit it, connect with it, change / re-arrange it
• Use it and own it
• Respect it and be at one with it

The tools / technology

• Which are right for you, the audience and the occasion?
• Use it, don’t, let it use you – be-friend it, learn how to use
• Have a back-up – be able to deliver without it

Tips
• Interact, invite, engage and involve
• Facts, figures, stories, examples, props, Q&A
• Plan, prepare and perform
• What works for you: some plan/prep/ rehearse/visualise endlessly, some never do
• Know when to embrace and break the rules

Above all: be you and honour, empower and entertain your audience. If you do this you will flourish.

Rasheed Ogunlaru: is a leading coach & speaker. He is author of The Gift of Inner Success and A Zest for Business. His clients include entertainers, entrepreneurs, healers and teachers. He is the business coach partner of the British Library and often appears in the media, including appearances on BBC Breakfast and ITN News. He helps people of all backgrounds find lasting fulfilment in all areas of their lives, relationships and careers.

About three and a half years ago I met Val Hood who was keen to leave behind her secretarial business to focus purely on her work as a medium. I’d never met a medium before, and as with everyone I work with, my job is simply to help them to find and be themselves. We worked together for a couple of months on Val’s goals and dreams and I was thrilled to catch up with her recently to hear about her success, tour or Australia and New Zealand and her forthcoming book. Here’s her story in her words.

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.

I’m mindful that some of you may not know what I do so here’s a short summary and video:

Personal coaching (life coaching): I help you look at who you are, what’s important to you, your strengths, where you’d like to be and the steps/resources/support you need to move ahead.

Coaching for organisations: I help managers and teams become more motivated, mindful and effective (usually coaching on site sometimes with/via associates like Pinnacle Proactive.

Coaching for business: If you’re a sole trader / business owner I help you manage yourself and your strategy so you can manage and grow your business.

Motivational workshops and seminars: My clients include corporates, learning institutions, government agencies, exhibition agencies. I help people to become re-inspired and more fulfilled and effective in their life, career and relationships.

Coach yourself books, CDs and MP3s: products to help you with your life, goals, self confidence, business and inner fulfilment.

Coaching for high achievers: Fame, fortune and high profile has its own challenges and opportunities. I provide personal coaching for entertainers, high achievers and those in the public eye.

For more info take a look at the relevant pages here on the website or call my office on 020 7207 1082. While I have a busy diary and sometimes there’ll be a short waiting or a few weeks before I can offer you an appointment, I’m passionate about helping you wherever I can in a way that’s meaningful to you.

Sometimes in life there are no solutions.

Sometimes - when we are still enough - we realise there are no real problems, merely situations, stimulations and sensations that we through conditioning label ‘good’, ‘bad’ and ‘indifferent’.

Sometimes we get to a point in life where we are ready to stop fighting and embrace ourselves, life and everybody else. Sometimes we are keen to move from being caught up in the mind to mindfulness and peace of mind.

If this is true for you then you may find my new ‘Mindfulness Sessions’ very useful. The one-to-one sessions at my studio - or by phone - begin and end in 3 minutes silence and provide the space for us to look at life wholly rather from a perspective.

For more information or to book a session call me on 020 7207 1082 or email me rasheed@rasaru.com

I touch on some of these issues in the interview clip below at the launch of my book The Gift of Inner Success

Keen to explore mindfulness further, then also visit MarcusFellowes.Com

On New Years eve I was on Radio 5 Live speaking about the year ahead. I was one of a few contributors and they seemed very split on what life coaching is and whether it works or is new-age nonsense.

Like all things in life, life coaching and all the other types (corporate, executive, performance and business coaching) can be good, bad or indifferent. The key in life is that you take responsibility for your life, actions and progress. This is what coaching is about.

The myth is that a coach tells you what to do. In fact the purpose of coaching is that it provides a space where you can look at your life, where you are, what’s important, what your goals / options are, what action you will take, what the implications may be, what support and resources you need. We may never ask ourselves these questions (objectively) or create the space, time and mindset to achieve these without support.

A coach provides the facilitation, support and questions. It’s much like having a personal fitness trainer: you show up, you put in the work, you get the results - they provide the tools and motivation. If you are looking for a coach - or any professional - check that they are qualified, insured, and ask for testimonials. Above all see if they seem right for you. A chat on the phone will usually establish this in a few minutes. Your instincts will guide you. There more info right here on my website www.rasaru.com

Rasheed describes life coaching in 40 seconds.



Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading 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

It’s National Entreprise Week, a week is aimed at supporting and encouraging those wishing to run their own business.

But whether you are in business or not you need to be enterprising in life. Long before business reached it’s moden height, Charles Darwin made the point that it was not the most intelligent that would survive; but those most recourceful and adaptable to change. And this resourceful creativity is the essence of being enterprising of moving forward in life.

So what is your scenario: perhpas you dream of being your own boss. Maybe you’re work an organisation or manage a team and want to be more organised and effective. Maybe you face redundancy or your unemployed and want to move forward. The starting place is to spot your strengths, celebrate and highlight your skills. Identify who can help you. Present yourself at your best and be engaging with customers, potentially employers, staff/managers or whomever it may be.

Enterprise starts with You. Meanwhile for those planning / starting a business, this short interview may be of interest. Here i’m chatting with Cally Robson , founder of Invention Intelligence on the importance of being yourself.

Rasheed is a leading life coach/ business coach and motivational speaker. He’s also the business coach partner of the British Library and runs it’s popular Making it as an Entrepreneur workshop. Next dates Dec 2 and Jan 27.