Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Are You a Zombie Salesperson?

Check out this article by one of our ZFactor Authors (Cindy Goldsberry) and download an excerpt of her book ZFactor Sales Accelerator.


Are YOU a ZOMBIE Salesperson?

Do you have these defining characteristics? 
  • You are technically shuffling forward, but your sales are dead?
  • Can’t quite talk the talk anymore and feel like you are mumbling and moaning your pitch day after day?
  • Are you rabid for the deal, and rotting in discontent and lack of support?
  • Are you stuck in one track thinking…brains…brains…brains…I need brains…
Okay. Maybe it is not that bad. But I think many of us get stuck…really stuck…and we stumble around looking for the brains we need to get out of our slump, situation, pigeon hole, bidding war or the frustration of knowing that everyone seems to be outrunning us. more...

Click here to download the book excerpt...


~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Social Media and Glowing Embers

If you consider yourself a Glowing Ember, then you must engage into social media. Why? If you have a pet project, want to communicate with family or you have something really big you want to make happen, getting into social media is the same as getting out and networking in the early days of networking.

If you think it's too much to learn, let me put it into perspective. If you could manage learning how to operate a personal computer, wade through the thousand page manual and then all the hundreds of pages of software manuals, social media will be a breeze for you. 

Learn to enjoy the simplicity. If you remember the "boot, whirl, whirl, whirl, loading, loading, loading, crash - darn, darn, darn..." then you will be amazed at the simplicity of today's social media. Sure, it's new information to learn. Just consider it a way to slow down the encroaching Alzheimers.

If you jumped into "networking" back in the days, shook hands, passed out your cards, put your name tag on the right side (instead of the left), then you'll love social media. People are waiting to meet you. I've made many new connections and renewed several others.

And, it's like anything else... you get out what you put into it!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing


Friday, October 26, 2012

From Fountain Pen to Twitter (a glowing ember)

My good friend and business partner loves his fountain pens and chose to join and be active in the social media world. Thomas shares his journey from fountain pen to twitter. He is a perfect example of a glowing ember becoming a raging forest fire.

Please take a "gander" at Tom's blog.

"Take if from me, do not reject the new but keep the best part of the old that has shaped who you are. Rejoice in life!" ~Thomas E. Ackerman

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Wordle Glowing Embers


If you've been wondering where those scattering of words come from on websites, here's the link - www.wordle.net. I just copied the url into the url text box and this was automatically generated from the article. You can then "randomize" the appearance of the wordle until you find the one you like.

Click on the image to enlarge it. Enjoy!


~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Glowing Embers Refreshed

Updating this blog post for folks in APE: Authors, Publishers, Entrepreneurs Community. I highly recommend you check it out if you have not joined the community and you are an aspiring or accomplished author.

I have noted several postings in the community about having a book in me or I know I want to write a book, someday. Maybe this will give you a little perspective and inspiration to get 'er done.

A Glowing Ember defines people who have genuinely lived with "fire in the belly" and have sustainable success to prove it. Their stories of success inspire others yet the challenges they have overcome astound and leave you in a sense of awe and wonder for how they did it. They have lived through those times when their "fire in the belly" consumed all of them - body, mind, heart, and soul. Many have endured a crucible life event, some medical, others physical and mental. In the midst of this time of "personal quest" or "crucible" they expanded their capacity and capabilities for doing good while pursuing their dreams and passions. And now, many of these once "fire in the bellies" driven to accomplish big goals have become glowing embers covered by a fine dust of ash. Whether by their choosing or a society slowly learning to honor and respect this vast wisdom, knowledge and expertise available for achieving greatness, only imagined. Herein lays a vast untapped human and spiritual potential never seen before and ready to become a roaring fire again.

A light breeze blowing across these glowing embers can ignite forest fires of possibilities for doing good, contributing to and serving others. The release of this potential has been longed for by all of humanity and imagined as possible throughout all history. It is no longer the dreams of prophets and writings of the philosophers. These possibilities for doing good for others have become the reality within every neighborhood, workplace, place of worship,  and school across the entire planet. Many of these Glowing Embers are fully engaged in this fast paced techno-mobile world and glowing ever brighter - attracting the attention of authentic leaders. Others may need an authentic leader to recognize them and be that light breeze of encouragement to bring forth their untapped potential.

Throughout all history, Glowing Embers are the mark of an aging and maturing population. The distinction today is the vast numbers of Glowing Embers who are healthy and highly capable with the wisdom and capacity to imagine the possibilities and take the necessary actions to make it happen. They envision and embody a sense of servant-hood, mentoring, and servant-leadership. All the traits, behaviors and characteristics truly recognized as essential for creating value. They expect to continue to be actively using knowledge, skills, and expertise they have acquired over a lifetime and they are continually learning. It is who they are, where they are, what they do and have always been.

This xy graph (ZMap) presents how a Glowing Ember is positioned for mastery to mentor others and be builders of other leaders and communities as they refine their skills to now apply their highly developed capabilities and match that with an expansive capacity for managing change and dealing with the uncertainties of life and organization.


Glowing Embers have achieved success, most often unnoticed and without acknowledgement as to the impact and results they produced for their organizations. They do what they do, not driven by the need for fame and fortune, but because it is who they are. They are Value Creators. They have developed and refined essential skills and behaviors with intensity and focus on excellence. Most of all they care deeply about making a difference in every situation they find themselves. They embody the core values of the organization without compromise to their personal values and consistently exceed expectations.

Glowing Embers desire to be part of making big things happen that make a difference for others, their neighborhoods, communities, and the planet. Take a moment to consider who the Glowing Embers are near you. You may be one yourself.

This topic will be explored more deeply in upcoming blog posts and XY Glowing Embers will be recognized and acknowledged in order to more clearly distinguish who they are and what they are doing today to make a difference. If you have any suggestions or want to share your Glowing Ember story, please feel welcome to provide your comments.

Are you a Glowing Ember? Interested in discussing a collaboration with ZFactor Group Publishing to publish a book related to your area of business expertise? Click here for more info on the ZFactor Group website.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing