Tag Archives: good business practices

It’s All Good!

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“We immediately become more effective when we decide to change ourselves rather than asking things to change for us.” ~ Stephen Covey

You all must think that this blogsite only focuses on independent publishing. Not so! I will read any book or watch any film so long as it adds value to my life, independently published or not!

Although we all stop growing physically at a certain age in life, that does not mean our intellect and self improvement skills need to stop growing, too. Growth from that perspective should be never ending.  Our evolution as human beings should be ongoing, especially if we are to live the kind of life we want for ourselves.

Last week, I stopped by the library and picked up a book that I never expected to be as useful to my own life and business as it is. It is called “Daily Reflections for Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, published by Franklin Covey Company. What a treasure chest of writings this book contains for a values based business. If every business operated with the same synergy suggested in this book, we would all be living in a diamond mine.  Every company and organization would shine so brightly, we would all need blinders on! There is no “preachiness” in each short daily reflection in this book, only empowering principles for living life effectively and with great integrity.

We are all diamonds in the rough. This helpful book may add polish to your life, and contain the very things you have been searching for along your path to an enriched life. Check it out!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Being on Target

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“All great men are gifted with intuition. They know without reasoning or analysis what they need to know.” ~Alexis Carrel

Hah! I knew I should listen to my intuition or the big guy in the sky who has been telling me to press on, not to listen to all the doubters, to carry-on with what feels right and just! I am talking about social media marketing!

One of the most high of all feels the same way I do! The Pope just advised his people that they need to spread the word by responding to “today’s cultural shifts” and if that means messing about with electronic technology and the virtual world, so be it! The Pope is an advocate for the use of electronic images, blogs, websites and videos to communicate with the masses of people throughout the world.

I concur! This is also what I have prescribed for opening up doorways of opportunity for all of our independent publishing clients! See that, sometimes it really pays to listen to your intuition or whatever elevated “being” you listen to!

Are you paying attention?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Opportunities Lead to Choices

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“You just don’t luck into things as much as you’d like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it is friendships or opportunities.” ~ Barbara Bush

Over the past years, I have made a concerted effort to stop living in the “what if” frame of mind, at least from a negative point of view. I have decided we are all better off if we look at “what if” from a perspective of opportunity and possibility, instead.

Have you ever stopped to think how e-commerce (on-line, internet selling) has opened up a whole new world of possibilities?  Orders can be placed from all reaches of the globe. Such are the advantages of e-commerce.

Independent publishing lends itself quite naturally to  niche publishing and social media marketing provides great opportunities for reaching those niche markets. A war historian in the U.S. can publish a book on WWI or WWII and a history buff in Europe seeking out the lastest book to add to his collection, will order with little regard of where it is being shipped from.

You will need to figure out how to get the order to your customer, in far off reaches of the world, the most reliable and economical way possible. Global shipping means a conundrum of options with customs forms to match! Each country has it’s own regulations to deal with, too.

Don’t be caught unprepared! Knowing how to get the order across the globe so that it does not go astray, can be part of the battle, too. When contracting with an order fulfillment company, of all questions, ask whether they ship worldwide. It matters!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Order in the Court

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“Good order is the foundation of all good things.” ~ Edmund Burke

Before the holidays, I was feeling stuck in the snow. I had decisions to make, tasks to accomplish, unsolved business to attend to. All things that had me feeling bogged down.

It is difficult to move into a New Year with unfinished business, whether it is in your personal life or business life. Indecision only brings delays!

What a freeing feeling it is when we finally make decisions, right or wrong! What power we give to ourselves when we step out of indecision. Making a decision paves the way for movement, change and growth. It puts us one step closer to our goals!

You will notice, that as of today, we have put into place some changes in the appearance of our blogsite. It improves functionality of the site for our readers and positions us for exciting changes in the future. Stay tuned, as things develop!

For our independent publishing clients, if you are stopped in your tracks and unable to finish a project, no need to struggle. There are freelance publishing professionals that can help you with every step along the way. If there are decisions that you have put off making, be brave! It is all part of being independent – you can make your own decisions regarding what is best for your own publishing business. Use those freedoms to bring the results and outcome you have been striving for!

Clear the way for success – act now!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

New Beginnings

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“All time management begins with planning.” ~ Tom Greening

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? For alot of people, New Year’s resolutions are the same year after year. They include determination to loose weight, to stop smoking, to include a fitness regiment in their daily living. My New Year’s resolutions include things such as adjustments in attitude – choosing action vs. inaction, taking a new path rather than the same trampled route, focusing on forward motion rather than remaining static.

Determination to move into new territory is scary and uncertain, but the way I see it, it is better than quiet desparation. It involves a leap of faith. Without faith, there is no hope! What it really comes down to is, I would rather feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I have done all I can to succeed.

There is always something in all of our lives that can be done a little differently. Discard what is not working and pave the way for more efficient ways of doing things. It can make a world of difference in your publishing success.

What would you change that would allow you to focus better on your business at hand as an independent publisher? Let us hear from you!

Wishing you all a thoughtful, productive, prosperous and Happy New Year!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

A Gargantuan Gift

“Love is, above all, the gift of oneself ” ~ Jean Anouilh

For me, the greatest gift on this earth, is the gift of my family and our independent publishing clients, who allow us to serve them each and every day. They are the purpose of our work. I know blessings when I see them!

This blog will remain silent throughout the holidays so that I can give the best gift of all to my family – my time. If you have children, give them your undivided attention when they need it most. It is the best way to demonstrate how much you value their presence in your life. Unlike other things, nurturing children is not something that can wait.

We appreciate and value the feedback we have gotten from loyal followers of this blog site. In 2010, you will be able to post your comments on this site. Our aim is to provide a community of like-minded readers sharing our dreams, ideas, goals and needs as independent publishers. We want to hear from you and your comments will be a gift to us!

We look forward to sharing some exciting news with you, our loyal readers from around the globe, in 2010.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to All!

Worth the Wait

“Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting” ~ William Arthur Ward

Forgiveness comes easier to some than others. I do not get angry very often, but when I do, it passes as quickly as it comes. I have never been one to hold grudges. Life is too short, I have better things to do!

I am practicing forgiveness today and hopefully, there will be others that will join me! My holiday reunion with our son has been delayed from Sunday until Tuesday night due to weather in the East and airlines cancellations. We had gotten a permit to fresh-cut a Christmas tree, and my husband, son and I had planned to cut and decorate our tree on Tuesday. It will have to wait another day,  but, I am not going to spoil my good holiday cheer by getting angry about this uncontrollable snafu!

A few e-mails have arrived from customers who had ordered a certain book for holiday giving and had not yet received it. Hopefully, they will be joining me in forgiveness today, as I have to advise them that there have been delays at the bindery and we can not ship until we receive the product in stock. Although customer satisfaction is always at the top of my list, there are some things in life that we can do little about.

Rather than pout, I am dreaming  about what awaits  me when I finally have the gift of our son home for the holidays. All that really matters is that he arrives safely. Our Christmas tree will be just as beautiful, no matter what day it arrives!

Some things are worth waiting for!!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

It is Boxing Day!

“All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile” ~ Chris Hart

To an order fulfillment company, all days are boxing days! As the holidays roll around, the heat is on, as orders are being processed, packed and shipped at a feverish pace. Postal and delivery service carriers also have their work cut out for them. All loads are bigger and heavier to bear during this time of year.

To citizens in the United Kingdom and most areas settled by the British (Australia, Canada and New Zealand), December 26th is boxing day. Historians say the holiday came to be because servants typically worked on Christmas Day. The day after, those in the service industry usually took their holiday and visited their families.  The servant’s employers would present them with gift boxes as they went on their way. This tradition continues today in the UK and other countries, as people give presents to tradesman, mail carriers, doormen, porters and others in the service industry.

The postal service and delivery carriers have ramped up their staff to do their best to see to it that all gifts arrive in time for holiday giving. When a gift arrives at your door, make it “boxing” day, and give a tip, a gift of a smile or friendly thank you for their service. It may make the job all the more fulfilling!!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Publishing Success

“When a person really desires something, all the Universe conspires to help that person realize his dream” ~ Paul Coeho

For those of you that are beginning a new venture into becoming an independent publisher in 2010, you will need a checklist of things that will make you a publishing success. Here are some steps for your check list:

  • A good idea that is unique, inspirational or educational
  • Belief in yourself as a writer or publisher
  • Contact with those who can help you along the way
  • Determination that never quits! Check this twice!
  • Excellence in all you do – find a great editor
  • Freelance publishing professionals for help when needed
  • Good cover design that Pops with interest!
  • Honest opinions from others
  • Innovative way to market your publication
  • Joyful  Jubilation as you pass each hurdle
  • Kick in the Pants – when you get frustrated
  • Lots of good advice from experienced publishers
  • Masterful story line
  • Name/title of the publication that will attract buyers
  • Order Fulfillment Company – to process, pack and ship
  • Printer who is reliable and affordable
  • Question others for good advice
  • Return on Investment – Lots of Book/DVD Sales!
  • Software for Publishers that will ease the way
  • Time devoted to making sure every detail is covered
  • Unrelenting pursuit of your dream. Check it Twice!
  • Vision for your publication
  • Writers Group to help support and steer your efforts
  • Xtra pinch of good luck!
  • Yell – go ahead – do it when you are frustrated!
  • Zippy Shipping to get your On-line orders to readers fast!

Check the list, and check it twice. There are lots of steps, but don’t get discouraged. With a clear understanding of your project, your market, your expectations and an unfaultering “CAN DO ATTITUDE”, you can be a publishing success.

Best Wishes for Becoming an Independent Publishing Success!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Making Assessments

“Life is the sum of all your choices”~   Albert Camus

For those that are just getting started in independent publishing, there is a breaking point when your company has gained momentum enough to begin to outsource your order fulfillment. All independent publishers wonder when that time has come to seek help. If your  thoughts and feelings resemble this list, it is time to stop going it alone.

  • You are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done in a day.
  • Packing and shipping orders is not what you have set out to do in your career.
  • Your focus has been mired in details, such as how much it costs to get your independently published book or film from here to there and the best way to do it.
  • You are spending less time on your craft of writing or publishing, and more time on the business aspect of handling orders, recording payments and database upkeep.

Step back, assess how your life will be changed, if you could focus on the creative process and get back to what matters most. You are never alone. Use your favorite search engine and look for affordable order fulfillment for independent publishers. They are the folks who will lend you a hand. What a difference a day makes when you move forward with making a decision.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.