In your search for business success, or any success for that matter...

There Will Be Blood, mostly in the figurative sense, although sometimes, in the literal sense too.

If you've ever seen the movie There Will Be Blood, you are familiar with the opening twenty minutes and the journey of the main character as he builds and defines his success; cumulating in the movie's dramatic finale. My intent is not to critique the movie but look at the movie's opening as an analogy, reminder, and motivator for success in anything you do. 

For those who have never seen the opening scene of There Will Be Blood, I have attached it for your viewing pleasure.

Anyone who is trying to achieve something can't help but identify with the imagery and struggles of the man in the mine... both literally of figuratively. It is a stark reminder of the trials and tribulations on the road to success.

• Building on an idea, and the search for success, can be a very lonely venture.
• Hard work is the only way; day after day, after day...
• Things will go wrong and no one will be there to help you fix it. It is yours to figure out.
• There will be times when willpower and conviction are the only two friends you have to keep you going.
• The road to success is hard, painful and difficult.
• Over time, and little by little, the momentum of success builds and the trials and tribulations continue.
• You decide the type of person you will be as your success builds.
• There is no success unless you try.

And finally, I don't remember anyone saying it would be easy.

iamgpe

An impressive new social media platform... and a T-shirt too.

Like a note in a bottle on the tide, you really don't know where any particular blog post will end up...

In the case of a post entitled "I put out a call for blog ideas and this is what I got...", it washed up on the shore to be found by a woman named Sara Jacobovici who complimented me on my post, and then suggested I check out a wonderful new social media platform called  beBee because it had so much to offer.

Being the inquisitive type, I did check it out; Sara was spot on when she said it had much to offer.

In the almost five months I have been involved with beBee I have...

"expanded my professional network by over 400 people".

"expanded my blog readership; in many cases engaging in great discussion with a wide variety of very skilled and knowledgeable people".

"been exposed to blog posts and commentary that have made me think and helped me grow professionally".

"developed a number of trusted relationships where I know I will receive candid, respectful feedback".

"developed at least one business collaboration".

"become a beBee Brand Ambassador".

"been given a platform to begin developing my proficiency at vlogging".

"uncovered and developed professional opportunities".

"been reminded that this is a big, beautiful world... with amazing people in it".

And just last week, I received my very own beBee T-shirt... very cool; it came all the way from Spain.

Thank you beBee for what you are building.

Thank you beBee for giving me an opportunity to engage with so many wonderful people. 

And thank you beBee very much for the T-Shirt.

iamgpe

TTBTSG... if you manage a team, you should have one.

As I got to the bottom of the "Thank you" email for a meeting I participated in the other day, I found the signature was simply TTBTSG.

Knowing that somebody would surely ask about it... and knowing the sender as I do (and that the answer would be a good one)... I just waited. Sure enough someone asked, and sure enough the response was a good one; brilliant in fact.

Think Tank Brain Trust Support Group... TTBTSG

Think Tank: a group or institution organized for intensive research and solving of problems...

Brain Trust: a group of experts who act as unofficial consultants on matters of policy and strategy...

Support Group: a group of people who meet regularly to support or sustain each other by discussing problems affecting them... 

As I consider how lucky I am to have a TTBTSG, I couldn't help but focus on the fundamental building blocks that make up these six letters...

The TTB (Think Tank Brain): The "smarts and abilities" portion of the acronym; the knowledge, intelligence, candid perspective, and experience that is available in the group to tackle ideas, situations, opportunities and problems.  

and

The TSG (Trust Support Group): The "working environment " portion of the acronym; the mutual respect, non-judgement, personality, understanding and "code of conduct" that define all discussions that take place.

It was also apparent to me that TTBTSG acts as a great "first blush" consideration for anyone who wants to build (and manage) a highly functional team...

1. Are you hiring the best people possible and developing them to their fullest potential? (TTB)
2. Are you developing a team environment of trust, support and mutual success? (TSG)

If you can honestly say "yes" to both of these points you are on your way to being part of an amazing team... if not, don't be surprised with ongoing turnover, poor engagement, a lack of good ideas, and poor commitment to making anything happen. 

Just saying!

In the end, the email reminded me how great people in the right environment can do amazing things, and how very lucky I am to have a TTBTSG.

iamgpe