Starting tomorrow, the countdown to the opening of a new, exciting – and major – chapter in my entrepreneurial journey begins. I still can’t let the big cat out of the bag yet. That will happen via a scheduled post at midnight (Nigerian time) of Sunday 31st March 2013.

Most people who read that post the next morning will suspect it’s part of an April Fool’s prank. But it won’t be. And many will probably be shocked by the news

Anyway, enough of the digression. Here are previews and links to posts I read during the past week, that I consider to be potentially useful:

1. Humanity And Corruption Are Strange Bed Fellows – A Rejoinder By Emma Nwachukwu

I was born and raised in Nigeria. This is my country. I’m determined to continue BEING the positive change I want to see in her. Not just for myself, but also for the sake of my 5 (five) equally full blooded Nigerian children.

This is why Nwachukwu’s piece about President Jonathan’s act of granting state pardon to an unrepentant looter of public funds resonates strongly with me.

I still don’t know how to explain it to my soon-to-be 14year old son, who I’ve always told that people who steal and get caught, suffer for their crime.

We need more voices to join ours to denounce this shameful act. Emma Nwachukwu’s piece says it all. Read it here.

2. 5 Ways to Use Google+ to Improve Your Search Engine Optimization

If you still wonder why some website and blog owners/writers have their photos appearing in individual search engine results, you need to read this article.

It explains all you need to do to achieve that and a lot more SEO benefits using your Google plus account. Read the full article here.

3. Why Have Bulldog Blood? – By Burt Dubin

In last Monday’s issue of my weekly Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter, I referred to this piece authored by Burt Dubin.

NB: In the interest of full disclosure, and in case you didn’t know it, I get paid for any sales of Burt Dubin’s speaker mentoring products and services

that happen through my marketing efforts.

Click here to read the full article.

As a Performance Improvement Specialist, I diligently apply Continuous Improvement principles in my personal and work life, and have consistently achieved great progress as a result.

To this end I’m always keen on researching successful people in various areas of endeavour. I do this not just for myself, but also to improve the variety and depth of insights I can deliver to my personal improvement coaching/consulting clients.

This past week, my efforts yielded the following 3 articles that I thoroughly enjoyed reading:

1. The #1 Thing You Need to Be Successful in Life (That Nobody Talks About) – By Darwin

In this detailed article, Darwin highlights a fundamental ingredient (which he calls “Deferral Of Instant Gratification”) required for success, which too many people fail to identify.

As a result, they often end up sabotaging themselves in their pursuit of success. Interestingly, this ingredient is featured in Daniel Goleman’s bestselling book (titled “Emotional Intelligence”) as a key attribute of Emotionally Intelligent people – a group to which many successful entrepreneurs belong.

Goleman simply called it the habit of Delayed Gratification. Another little book titled “The Millionaire Next Door” by Stanley and Danko also identifies this willingness to put off instant gratification in service of an important future goal as a key strategy employed by majority of the wealthy Americans studied over 2 decades.

The above makes it obvious that what Darwin says in his article is known to work. And yet only few who aspire for success act like they understand that simple but powerful principle!

That’s why I believe this article is aptly titled. Too many people just don’t “get it”…that thrift, frugality and a generally conservative approach to doing things will greatly enhance their chances of success in any areas of endeavour.

Darwin’s article offers many useful examples and analogies…including an entertaining comments thread!

Click here to read it.

2. King of the Online Jungle: The Early Years of Jeff Bezos – By Evan Carmichael

Jeff Bezos needs no introduction. Everyone knows he created the modern day online book selling miracle known to us all as Amazon.com.

What many may not know however, is who he was/what he did BEFORE starting that company. And more importantly how he achieved his astounding success.

This is quite important when you consider the following famous quote credited to him about discouraging advice he received from those he turned to for guidance:

“Every well-intentioned, high-judgment person we asked told us not to do it,” – Jeff Bezos

This article offers very valuable lessons, and powerful insights. Most important being that if you are reasonably convinced of the workability of your ideas, don’t let anyone – no matter their qualifications, reputations or achievements – discourage you from following your instincts. Success may lie ahead of you, just waiting for you to act on your convictions!

Read the article here.

3. How A Guy With A Full Time Job Built A $2,000 A Month AdSense Income Niche Site And Then Sold It For $200,000 – Patrick Meninga Tells His Story (Interview By Yaro Starak)

The title says it all. And from listening to the podcast (available as an MP3 download from Yaro’s website, I can tell you there’s no hype in there.

If you’ve not heard or read Patrick Meninga‘s story before, THIS incisive and indepth interview conducted by Yaro delivers the most detailed insights anyone could ever hope to get, on the amazing success story of the “Skinny Ninja” (as Patrick is known in some Internet circles)

The most noteworthy takeaway for me was Patrick’s emphasis on the fact that his success was far from being overnight. He worked many long hours for months on end, to make little progress in traffic and income.
For 2 years he was still working to get the formula for success right. And there were times when his massive work rate (e.g 20 to 25 articles per day – each not less than 600 words long) yielded seemingly no significant results.

He did all this while working a 9 to 5 job. He kept at it. And eventually his persistence paid off.

Click here to read Yaro’s preview.

You’ll see the download link to the 28MB podcast MP3. Take it from me: you don’t want to leave that page without listening to that interview!

Below are brief previews and links to the full text of the above mentioned blog posts/articles I read online this week. Remember to apply due diligence before putting any ideas to use for yourself

1. A Summary and Review of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War for Thinking Executives – and Those Who Want To Be One – By William C. Bradley

(NB: When he wrote this piece in 2011, William Bradley, was a Business Administration student in Southeastern Louisiana University, USA.)

This is not the first time Sun Tzu’s ideas will be applied to business. Corporate executives have been doing it for decades. Entire books have been written on the subject. The popularity of Sun Tzu’s Art of War attests to the fact that it works.

Where I Disagreed With Him

There was one thing this author said in his review that I don’t agree with:

He opined that Sun Tzu would have done better NOT to have used so many proverbs in his book.

I’m African. In many ways we’re like Asians. Our language and culture have deep meanings to our everyday lives. And we know that many times the English language does not have the words to convey the full contextual meaning of all that we say in our languages.

In my language for instance (i.e. Yoruba) we have a saying that goes as follows:

“Owe l’esin oro. Oro l’esin owe.”

Literal translation: Proverbs are the vehicles through which words are communicated. And words equally act as the medium through which proverbs are communicated.

Contextual translation: One cannot exist without the other. To speak and be properly understood, proverbs must play an integeral part of the communication process. Otherwise there would be a lot of lost meaning!

Therefore when a book not originally written in English is to be translated, those involved must keep this in mind. Especally if such text is in an African or Asian language. This is why it is always advisable to secure the services of a native speaker of the language in which a book is written.

Languages evolve over time. Therefore the person chosen to translate, must have a deep understanding of the language as it was used during the period the book’s author must have lived. Only that way are you sure of getting the most accurate interpretation of the text as the author really intended to communicate it.

The late Afrobeat music legend – Fela Anikulapo Kuti – once told an interviewer (regarding his preference for communicating in his native tongue):

“English is not expression. Expression is in all other languages all over Nigeria.”

And to illustrate, he reportedly said:

“If you don’t believe me, translate ‘Eku ile‘ to English.”

That Yoruba phrase “Eku ile” is used by household members who have been out, to greet others – especially older persons – they meet in the home when they arrive.

There is no word or phrase in English that can accurately convey the same contextual meaning to a native speaker. Not one.

And that’s why only a native speaker (or a fluent, and culturally assimilated non-native) can help a foreigner/non-native speaker fully capture the intended meaning of text written in an African or Asian language.

Having said the above, Bradley’s review remains an interesting and compelling read, that I recommend you make out time for. Click here to begin.

2. Copying Web Content Isn’t Flattery – It’s Plagiarism – By Debra Gould

Also read an interesting piece on one of my pet peeves: Web Content Theft. So much of it is happening online these days, so it’s always great to see people speaking out against it like this author does. Click here to read the full article.

3. 6 Badass Ways to Walk Away from a Fight– By Steve Silverman

On Friday, I wrote a post in the “Parenting” category titled “I Fought ‘Iron Mike Tyson’ in School – And Paid the Price!“. To end it, I felt it would be good to provide a reference or two that reinforced the point I was making. Especially for the benefit of impressionable kids. An excerpt from Steve Silverman’s “6 Badass Ways to Walk Away from a Fight” proved to be just perfect).

4. A St. Valentine’s Day Card on the Occasion of Women’s March Against Connubial Corruption – By Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka wrote a “First Ever” Valentine Message to the wife of Nigeria’s President i.e. Patience Jonathan. In it, he added his voice to those of the women condemning the proposed outrageous use of public funds for functions by a president’s spouse, not covered in the nation’s constitution.

Especially in these austere times, when millions can barely get food to eat! Soyinka called on wives of the leaders of all African nations not to entertain attempts to involve them in any such projects. Very powerful message, delivered in his usual articulate and straight-to-the-point manner. Click here to read Soyinka’s full message.

5. African Moms: Be Patient With Your Unmarried Daughters – By China Okasi (founder of Daily Mocha, and director of Women of Media)

And on a lighter, yet serious note, I read a seeming appeal by a high flying career woman of African descent for “African Moms” to be patient with their unmarried daughters.

Her core message is that African mothers, after having pushed their daughters to excel in their vocations, cannot now ask them to “pretend” to be less “smart”, in order to attract husbands. It’s an irony of life that presents a real dilemma for many successful African women today. Thought provoking piece! Click here to read the full article.

Read My First List of Recommended Blog Posts + Do “Speed Read” ?

Click here to learn how speed reading helps me get volumes of useful reading done. You’ll also get to read my maiden list of recommended blog posts published on 9th February 2013.

It’s taken me a while, but I’ve finally settled on what I believe will be a sustainable way to share links to stuff I read and find useful online. So, every Saturday (starting today), I’ll publish a post that lists (and links) blog posts I’ve read, which I recommend to others.

Do You "Speed Read" ?

By way of interest, I do a lot of reading. Both online and off the net. It’s important to keep abreast of issues and developments in one’s areas of focus and interest. Thankfully, my use of speed reading techniques advocated by Tony Buzan helps me plough through many write ups daily, without sacrificing comprehension.

Which reminds me: Speed Reading can help you boost your personal productivity many times over – especially if you have to read a lot (like most writers/bloggers do). So if you don’t do it yet, you might want to learn: Googling "learn Speed Reading" could be a good way to get started!

My Recommended Blog Posts For Week Ending Saturday 9th Feb 2013

Below are brief previews and links to blog posts/articles I read online this week, and found compelling enough to recommend for others to read. Remember to apply due diligence before putting any ideas to use for yourself

1. Putting a Stop to Abusive Client Behaviour (7 Part Series) – By John Tabita

Like I always say, this is a subject I feel strongly about. Service providers are so prone to getting abused. And my personal experiences as a multi skilled service provider emphatically confirm it. After being subjected to a number of less-than-dignifying experiences, I began devising strategies to protect myself. And I succeeded.

Then I realised I needed to share my insights with others – because I kept running into colleagues who felt they had no choice but to accept the bad treatment. So, in 2006, I wrote my first piece on the above theme in form of an article titled "The Customer Will NOT Always Be Right: Don’t Be A Victim Of Entrepreneur Abuse™!"

Since then I’ve written a number of other pieces. 2 years ago or so, I discovered John Tabita’s comprehensive series on this theme. In them, I found validation for the opinions I’d expressed in my own articles, which not a few people out here had questioned (not that I’d listened to any of them!).

As you’ll find from reading John Tabita’s powerful series, it’s imperative that you stop letting clients walk all over you, if you want to earn their respect as a professional, and ultimately make tangible progress in your business.

2. Do You Refuse To Work for New Clients? – By James Chartrand

This piece about relating with clients also resonated with me – but in a different way from the one above. James reminds us of the need to act with honour and integrity in dealing with clients.

Even when there’s money to be made, we must ask ourselves if the client will get equivalent value for her investment. Some people feel they don’t owe a client the duty of telling her not to waste money on a project. I believe James is right: we do. Click here to read it.

3. This Deadly Mistake Cost Me a Five Figure Client – By Bamidele Oni

I think it’s safe to say that many people already know Bamidele Oni to be a teenage Guest Blogging expert. He’s proved his mettle by getting his guest posts repeatedly published on some of the most prominent blogs on the web.

That’s why when he writes a post about blogging, guest blogging or handling blogging clients, many people pay attention.

This young man, despite his success still remains humble enough to admit that he makes mistakes. In this article, he shares insights gained from one such instance that cost him a potentially profitable client project. Click here to read it.

4. The Guest Blogging Fails: Again (Video + Infographic) – By Ann Smarty

I’m preparing myself to give guest blogging outside the Farm Business industry another go. Last time out, I only tried three pitches (which were rejected) before I decided I still had a lot to learn.

I felt if I had to send anything to another blog owner’s mail box, I had to make sure I understood how to do it right. And this is why every time I see a write up that offers ideas on how to Guest Blog, I never fail to give it a good read (and re-read if need be).

The infographic created by Ann Smarty really helps to drive home the points she makes in her excellent article. Read it here.

5. The Top Ten Mistakes Writers Make When Self Publishing a Book – By Guy Kawasaki

Everybody knows Guy Kawasaki. In this article (written last month) published on Digital Book World, he offers "a list of Do’s and Don’t’s" for people like us, who (may) use self-publishing to get our books into the marketplace. Read it here.

A Lulu.com blog post (through which I actually found Guy’s article) also offers about 4 additional tips – following from Guy’s piece. Click here to read the Lulu.com blog post.

6. 3 Honest Ways to Raise Startup Money – Entrepreneur.com

During the week – on Tuesday to be exact – I published a post titled 3 Ways to Quickly Raise Money. When 2 days later I came across a post titled 3 Honest Ways to Raise Startup Money on Entrepeneur.com, I was naturally drawn to read it. And afterwards, I knew I wanted to share it

7. Outreach Letters for Link Building [Real Examples] – By Peter Attia

Like I said, I’m constantly looking to learn as much as I can about how to succeed with guest posting. The use of Outreach Letters as a means of pitching guest post ideas is discussed by Peter Attia in a post on the Daily SEO Blog. One thing I (and 80 others who commented on the post) liked about the post was his use of real life examples of letters he had sent out. He also discussed other strategies he employed to achieve success. Very informative and useful piece. Read it here.