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.

I have 5 questions for you. Four of them came to me a couple of days ago and the last yesterday. I asked them of the professionals / entrepreneurs at my new event The Mind Spa yesterday at Molton House in central London. And I invite you to ask them of yourself.

The awareness, asking of and gently acting on what emerges may be enriching and enlightening:

1) One thing about you that’s already great: Too often we overlook the magic we already have. Too often we see the imperfections and overlook our strengths and thus miss our possibilities. So many people I coach struggle with this. They have been blinded by - and bought into - the lies that they have been told about themselves throughout their lives.

2)One thing thing to let go of to create space: Perhaps there are physical things that are cluttering your home/ work space and hampering your emotional space. Let them go. Perhaps there are other issues to let go of.

3) One thing to accept and embrace: Sometimes in life there is no problem and some times the is no solution. The gift of life is simply to embrace it. Spend some time with this question gently.

4) One thing to focus on on the the coming hours and days: Too often our minds are ineffective as our attention is spit into so many areas of concern and distraction. What one thing would make the most positive impact on your life - and based on that what should your attention, earnestness and action be focused on.

5) One person who can help you along the way: No-one is an island. No one or nation is completely independent without relationship to another. We are part of one whole. The more we fight that actually re-inforces that fact. What person can help you with the personal, professional or other concerns that face you. Sit with this. It may be someone you know by name or a type of person you need to seek. Who may be able to help you find this person - where might you begin.

Go about these questions with a light heart.

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.

Last week I was running a personal development workshop for teenagers set in the tranquility of the Lake District. This week I’m speaking to at The Vitality Show, Earls Court. If you’re one of the hundreds of Londoners who are seeking and facing change in their lives and careers - then join me for three inspiring talks

The Gift of Inner Success:Thurs 18 2.30pm & Sun 21 Mar 11.30am: find peace in yourself and all else
From Head to Heart.. Finding your Path: Sat 20 4.30pm how to find fulfilment in your career

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, corporate coach and motivational speaker. He is author of The Gift of Inner Success and Co-author of a Zest for Business. Rasheed is the life / business coach partner of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre. Full details or Rasheed’s talks at The Vitality Show

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.

Preparation is important in most areas of life to some degree or another. But in business it is crucial. If you’re thinking about, starting out or growing a business then one fundamental is to do your research. If you don’t then it may be you - not you’re hoped for customers - who’ll pay the price.

We’ve all heard the statistics and horror stories of businesses that fold within the first few years of trading. Whilst there can be a number of factors for this, a lack of adequate planning and research is one thing.

Very often this is a lesson that many entrepreneurs learn along the road. In my own case whilst I had all the training and I had done some market research and customer research, I could have gone into a lot more detail. And planning and research will remain important at various stages in your business’ growth and as your market changes.In fact I’ve been astounded how much the business landscape has changed in the years since since I’ve been running my coaching and motivational speaking business.

Whilst it can be a little dull and dry - it’s worth it in the long while. One of my clients has been spending ALL of his free days working at the British Library to get his new business venture right.

Some key factors

* Know what your strengths and weakness are
* Know what you want & need from your business; personally, financially and professionally
* Research your market, the competition and tastes and trends
* Ensure that you have the relevant qualifications, training and legal compliance
* Gather both qualitative (direct/ real people) and quantitative (stats & facts) research
* Spend time talking to people who’ve been there and done it - a mentor and coach may help
* Market segmentation: break down all your different customer types, their pains, problems, interests, location,
preferences and why and when they buy
* Gather a strong, skilled real or virtual team - perhaps set up an advisory board for example
* If you have innovative designs, products, ideas or name then look to have them protected
* Get in professionals to help you as and when you need it
* Keep your eye on the ball - the business world is continually changing
* Above all talk to your prospective and real customers… this is the best way to gain/ retain business.

Want help with research: Probably the best single place to help is the British Library’s Business & IP Centre. Not only can you access market data, reports and journals and databases for free - but there are also a range of inspiring events and additional support available. www.bl.uk/bipc

Work, work, work. If you’re not careful this will be the very nature of your existence from leaving education to retirement (if ever reach it). This is the case whether you’re employed, your own boss, freelance or indeed in the arts.

The fact is that rest is essential to your growth, goals, creativity, sanity and your health. Of course we all rest and relax and recharge in different ways… which is great. But it can be wise to avoid the temptation with filling your time out, holiday or breaks with too much activity. Very often it is the space that you need in order to attain clarity, perspective and focus for the road ahead.

You may feel that you are so busy you don’t have time to take out. But without the time out you’re productivity, clarity and energy levels will be greatly affected. I remember when I worked in the media - I had a full on job and worked crazy hours without a lunch-break. Sure I worked long hours but my productivity levels dipped so significantly after lunch I would have been far wiser and far more efficient had I given my self the lunch break and trimmed back the hours.

Time after time when I’m coaching clients the first thing we address is giving them down-time, social time, free time, family time, looking-forward time. The impact is often profound.

Have a wonderful day.

Rasheed is a leading coach and author of The Gift of Inner Success

2010 is underway which means back to work for billions worldwide. And that means back to work for you too - unless you’re one of the few who cannot, need not or choose not. But as you settle back at your desk, shop, factory or workplace do not forget play.

Whether you work for yourself or someone else it’s all too easy to get caught up in the serious stuff of work / business. It’s also easy to forget that lightheartedness, humour, fun, playfulness are also important aspects of not just your personal life, but your professional one too. Used aptly the spirit of fun can boost productivity, overcome negativity, help problem-solve, boost innovation … and beat off boredom. And very importantly it can charm, disarm and enchant bosses, customers, colleagues and suppliers.

But as you settle back to work and focus on your work / business objectives, do not forget your own. So here are my 3 Tips for success, progress and happiness in 2010…but ensure you build some fun into these too.

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

So here we are: New Year and new decade. Right now millions of people - perhaps yourself included - are setting goals for 2010. But too often those ‘well meant’ New Years Resolutions to get fit, stop smoking, shed weight etc dissolve in weeks. Why do we fail and how can you succeed? Well because too often those are the goals, dreams and resolutions you ‘think you should’ pursue based on social, peer, media and other pressures. And often because ‘your’ goals out of the holistic big picture of what will really bring the biggest impact in your life as a whole - and sometimes because you haven’t identified the right help, assistance and milestones to succeed.

So here are my 3 Top Tips that will help you achieve more peace, progress and happiness. They are based strategy, simplicity and support.

Rasheed’s Top Three Tips for Success, progress & happiness in 2010 :

1. Strategic:

• Identify the 3-5 overall priorities in your life (home, health, career and relationships).
• From this identify 3-5 actions that would have most positive impact your life overall
• Based on this set 3-7 goals over 1-3 year (be specific who, what, where, when, how much)
• Break all your goals into small manageable chunks – review progress. Celebrate each step.

2. Simplicity

• Clear your home / work space regularly: space helps you gain focus, clarity and control.
• Keep to-do lists short – (no more than 3 items per day – this will keep focus, priority)
• Avoid arguments and gossip. Be grateful. Keep in mind what is most important in life.
• Take regular breaks. Reduce time online/ watching TV.

3. Support

• Identify people who have the skills, style and experience to help you.
• Drop negative relationships and build positive ones.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – develop a strong personal / professional network.
• Be helpful and supportive of others – and see how they and you grow.