Quantum Results Coaching

I'm Still Knocked Out by this Fabulous Review

2010-05-09T02:40:00.001-07:00

Wow! A triple-scoop serving of gratitude for Clif Bridger's review of my 31 Days5/4/10 book series. When I forwarded the review to our publisher, Alfred Poor of Desktop Wings, Alfred shot back, "Wow! And WOW! That’s great! That’s an amazing review by someone who clearly “gets” the books and what you’re trying to do with them."

So, all humility aside and with the upfront disclaimers that Clif is a friend and that he owns a local bookstore, RBR Books in Leland, NC, where my books are on sale (he also sells them via Amazon), here's the review, reprinted in full:

31 Days To.....
In the great range of self-improvement, professional development, career coaching advice that is available on the market today, there are only a few that stand out from the teeming hordes. Trump, Iacocca, Thiagi, Kiyosaki, are but a few of the luminaries who, over the years, have offered career advice based on real-life experiences. On the whole, their efforts are genuine and aimed at making your a better person, and perhaps a better business person.

There is a new player making inroads in the career coaching market who is distinctive from so many others. Bruce Brown has unleashed his boundless energy on a new endeavor; to help you make a 'quantum leap' in your personal and professional life. His first entre´ into developing a practical set of tools that can be used by anyone in any business, was 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery, first released in 2009. That was quickly followed by 31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery, and then, 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery in early 2010.

Networking Event Mastery is now in its second, expanded edition. The 2nd edition offers a much richer guidebook to understanding how an individual can optimize business networking events without feeling pushy or out-of-place. Laid out in an easy-to-follow, thirty one day format, Bruce introduces the reader to the concept of how networking isn't really about handing out business cards to everyone at an event. It is really more about establishing and building personal relationships with clients, business partners, and friends.

The approach is very practical. Each chapter is very short. They follow the 31 days of a month (any month). Each day of the month presents simple advice followed by work pages. The readers can take inventory of resources they might leverage in their own efforts to build an effective network. Some might argue that the 31 day format is too didactic, too shallow. It is, however, the right format for Bruce's highly concentrated, fast-moving method. Readers who are moving at the 'speed of Bruce' don't need more than the essential elements being offered and the chance to reflect and write down what they can do to take the next step toward improving their networking skills.

This is not a book based on years of scientific research and endless studies. This is a book based on years of practical experience and drive to engage others in finding mutually beneficial business relationships. Bruce distills his years in marketing, real estate and a wide variety of other relationship-dependent jobs into the 31 Days... series. Bruce's skills as a seasoned writer make the the entire 31 Days... series enjoyable and easy to read.

To add the essential touch for readers in the Wilmington, NC area, Bruce also offers associated seminars and talks on relationship and networking marketing around the area. He can be found every morning (early morning) on Twitter (www.twitter.com/BruceBrownNC) checking in with pointers to daily events in the region and motivational quotations.

The entire 31 Days To... series by Bruce Brown (DesktopWings, $17.95) is available at RBR Books. RBR Books at the Waterford Village Shoppes, Leland's Only Bookstore.

So thanks, Clif, your review of the series and your continued support are much appreciated. Beyond the individual volumes, more of which are in progress, you also really do, as Alfred said, "get" the books and what we’re trying to do with them. - Bruce

So, You Want to Write a Book? - Part 1

2010-04-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

Marge and I have been writing series of books recently and are planning to complete at least several more this year and each of the next few years. We each have a whole list of topics we want to write about and we now have a process for getting them published, printed, and marketed that works for us.

Since we published the first in this series, just last December (we've since published four more and have a total of five more in various stages), I've been amazed at the number of people who want to write books who've approached me to discover how we are "getting it done" and asking me for advice or guidance.

First off, I should be very clear that I don't publish books myself, nor do I print them. I do market and promote our books and occasionally books other people write that we find very useful, inspiring, or just plain fun. Mostly, though, I'm a writer who likes to use the book format as a means to capture and communicate what I'd like to share with others.

I am, however, highly motivated to help other people succeed in life (it's one of my top 5 Passions, but that's another story). Therefore, I figured if so many people are interested in getting their book or books published, I can probably help some. And if I can help, my value system is such that I choose to do so if it doesn't conflict with other interests and responsibilities.

So I've decided to blog a few times about the various ways you can get your book published today. I emphasized "today" because technology continues to change the way we can do many things, including publishing books, and since there's clearly a market for regular printed books (paperback and hardcover), chances are pretty good that new developments will pop up regularly. For now, however, I've found a process, or, better stated, a combination of processes that works very well for Marge and I. There are, however, different ways to get your book published - some are easier than others, some are cheaper, and some have a better chance of actually getting sales (if that matters to you - which isn't a facetitious statement, BTW, there are many, many people who want books published for personal or family use or "just to get it done").

In following posts in this series, I'm going to cover:

traditional book publishing (I've done that)
vanity publishing (I've not done that)
print on demand - done by yourself with an online service (I've done that)
print on demand - using a publisher who handles formatting, makes sure it all looks good and gets everything registered and in distribution channels (This is the process we use now)
print on demand - using a full service book production service that will help you get a book written, edited, formatted, help with graphics, registered, and in distribution channels (Haven't done that but we know someone who totally rocks it)
Group or individual coaching for book writers - this can be a combination of vanity and print on demand publishing under the encouragement and guidance of an established expert in this process (Haven't done it, know of two people who do it big time)

So those are the six channels for book publishing I know something about. I don't claim to be an expert in any of them, but I know enough to know what works for Marge and I and if you're interested, this series of posts may be enough to get you started.

Disclaimer - In some cases I may recommend (in fact I fully intend to) people and services with whom I have some level of financial arrangement - meaning I might get a referral fee or commission or something like that. It's in my best interest, therefore, to be sure only to recommend said people and services that I either have firsthand great experience with or that I have enough knowledge or second hand info about to recommend. I won't keep repeating this, because most people expect it, but I do want to be transparent that I'm not concerned that I might make a little money by helping you - especially if it doesn't cost you any more than if you found the person or service on your own.

The covers below are the books Marge and I separately and together have written and had published. See if you can tell which books (just by their covers) were produced by which of the above modes.

One last point. I'm only going to focus on physically printed books in these posts. there are other ways to get your books published that can be faster and cheaper - just go fully digital. We've done that, too, publishing audio books, PDF-format ebooks, and (so far) one book in a Kindle version on Amazon. Digital book publishing is another area of interest, but this series of blog posts will be solely about processes to use to get regular old printed books on paper - that's what most people still seem to want help with.

I'm looking forward to writing this series, I hope you'll enjoy it. Who knows, if enough people like it and if I find more to write about the topic, like producing ebooks and audio books, maybe I'll even write a book about it . . . LOL.

Passions Lead to Profit - the Movie!

2010-03-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

Are YOU passionate about YOUR business?

I would love the opportunity to speak with you about our Passions Lead to Profit 3-Stage Coaching Program. Call or email.

And right now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate some quick feedback on this short video. Please just click on the word "comments" below this blog post and let me know what you think? Or ask questions. Thanks in advance,

QRC Relationship Marketing Events

2010-03-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

We recently ran three short seminars on topics from new Quantum Results Coaching 31 Days to Business Mastery books.

In North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kerry Kasotsky of Health Choice One gathered a room full of people at California Dreaming restaurant to hear a presentation based on 31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery.

Nolan Formalarie with Plantation Properties and Lauren Formalarie of Coastal Carolina Concepts hosted a group in Southport on the same topic, relationship marketing mastery.

At the end of the seminar one of the attendees, Mike Canu, with Chews4Health offered to do a quick video testimonial.

And in Leland Marge and I held a luncheon seminar based on 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery.

With our focus on networking and relationship marketing, Quantum Results Coaching helps small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals get the most for their marketing efforts and budget by maximizing the effectiveness of state of edge relationship marketing techniques and strategies.

Our elite Passions Lead to Profit 3-stage coaching program focuses on the personal power and business strength as the cornerstones of efficient, effective long lasting business relationship building.

Guest Post - "Debunking 3 Social Media Myths" by Christine Gallagher

2010-03-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

Debunking 3 Social Media Myths" by Christine Gallagher

I get the question "will social media work for my business?" a lot. For the purposes of this post, I should clarify that the term "social media" doesn't just refer to the big sites like Facebook or Twitter. It applies to anything interactive that takes place online-including blogs, message boards, video and more. Not every business will benefit from the same exact sites and tools.

Head in the sand.

That being said, it seems there is still a lot of S.M.S. disease going around. Social Media Skepticism, that is. The most insidious form of this disease just happens to be

Myth #1:

"My clients/customers/people who pay my mortgage every month aren't using social media."

(Or the even more aggressive form, "My prospects aren't online." Really?!)

Maybe your clients and customers aren't on Twitter or aren't reading blogs regularly. You'll need to explore exactly where YOUR market is spending their time. But I guarantee that they're using the web to search for products and services, or book speakers for conferences, or to look for referrals, or....you get the idea.

What I teach my students and clients is how to build a web presence, create a fan base and get their business (no matter what kind of business it is) in front of their target audience. After all, they are already there just looking for business owners like you. Yes, really! (When's the last time you cracked open a phonebook? They do make pretty good doorstops...)

Myth #2 is one that kind of makes me giggle:

"But it takes too much time to build relationships..."

That sounds kind of silly, don't you think? We all know and accept that building relationships offline takes time and effort. However, when small business owners decide not to bother with social media because they see it as being too time-consuming, then that is exactly what they are saying. (And I don't know about you, but some days I'm more than thrilled to stay in my yoga pants and bunny slippers and virtually "press the flesh" rather than have to hit the road.)

The truth is, social media does take time, just like traditional networking does. The key is to select which sites you'll actively participate in and make it a part of your weekly or even daily habit. Just as with other forms of marketing, consistency is what leads to results.

To use myself as an example, I have bookmarked in my web browser all the links to the social networking sites I use. Every day, I pull them up and accept friend requests, answer questions, start conversations, etc. on each one. This takes less than 15 minutes and has become a part of my regular marketing routine.

As your list of friends, followers and contacts grows, you might find it difficult to keep up with all of the updates, links and information coming your way. However, don't despair-you are certainly not expected to take in and process every single bit of information that enters your radar. (Phew!)

Finally, with so much focus on the online world, it's easy for people with very locally focused or storefront businesses to believe that social media can't help them. Which brings me to

Myth #3:

"Social media doesn't work for local businesses."

Ah, my favorite.

If you are already using and benefiting from social media in your biz, then you know there are some really good search capabilities available on most of the bigger social media sites that can allow you to access local users. (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube all give you the ability to search locally.) Think about it-would it be helpful to find a couple hundred social media users who are living and working right in your town or zip code? Also, sites like Facebook and LinkedIn each have Groups, some of which revolve around local topics. Can't find one for your town? Why not create one?

In addition, gatherings of local Twitter users (called "tweetups") are becoming more and more popular-and you can use a site like Meetup or Twtvite to find or create tweetups near you. (Think of it as local networking for the social media age.)

There are even sites that allow you to search for local bloggers-Placeblogger and outside.in being two. Bloggers you find there are good social media contacts to have-you never know when they might be looking to highlight local businesses, and this could be a great way to get some exposure.

In addition, your business can benefit by being listed on several social review and Internet "yellow pages" type-sites. Check out MerchantCircle and Google Local to start, and don't be shy about asking former and current customers to write up reviews there if they've been happy with your services.

So there you have it. Now, am I naïve enough to think that every single business out there can get fantastic results with social media? No, but if you happen to be one of those who still has some of these doubts, I encourage you to at least give it a try. You never know where those "social" relationships may end up leading, right?

For more information about Christine Gallagher's her wealth of social media knowledge, tools, and products click here: "Six Steps to Kick Start Your Social Media Success System."

Dinner with John Formica

2010-03-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of having dinner with John Formica, the Ex-Disney Guy at Elijah's Restaurant in downtown Wilmington, the evening before his presentation at Brunswick Community College Small Business Center on March 16th.

Run Your Small Business Like Disney - Free Seminar

2010-03-15T06:47:00.001-07:00

Important details:

Free seminar sponsored by the Brunswick Community College Small Business Center.

John Formica, "the Ex-Disney Guy" presents Small Business the Disney Way

Tuesday March 16, 2010
Networking Breakfast 7:30-8:00AM
Seminar 8:00-10:00AM

Held at the Odell Williamson Events Center, BCC Supply Campus
Register by phone (910)755-7380 - call now, operators are standing by!

Guest Post by Shannon Cherry - "Build Your List with Promotions"

2010-03-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Whether you sell coaching services or info products... Whether you sell copywriting or social media consulting... Whether you're a floral designer or IT consultant... whatever you sell, you need a list. After all, a list allows you to continue to stay on 'top-of-mind' with people who have already expressed an interest in what you do.

But if you're just starting out, how are you going to get your target market to give you their contact details?

There are a lot of Internet marketing techniques that can help. From article marketing to ezines, from free special reports to adword campaigns - every one of them can add people to your list. They are great as a long-term system consistent process, but often times, quite slow in generating leads.

The key to creating a list quickly - and effectively - is to create a specific promotion that your target market wants to be a part of.

A promotion is publicity technique that uses a special event or special circumstances that creates a buzz both online and offline to motivate your target market to do something, in this case, willingly become part of your email list.

Here are some creative ways to use promotion in your list building activities:

Hop on a holiday. Offer a special freebie as part of a holiday celebration. There's always a holiday around the corner, so don't miss this opportunity to create a list-generating promotion around it.

I won! Create different contests for different niche markets and provide a much-wanted prize for the winner. Of course, part of the entry requirement would be signing up to your list!

Membership has its privileges. Allow your potential customer to become a part of an exclusive club, with freebies, coupons and other membership benefits.

The survey says. Asking your target market to take a survey to measure their own results compared to others can be extremely effective. A great example of this is Karner Blue Marketing's The Website Checkup at http://www.TheWebsitecheckup.com

Birthday Bonanza! Give a birthday gift/coupon to anyone who signs up to your special 'birthday' list.

You should always send out a few press releases about your promotion to the media, who will spread the word even further to build your list. After all, the media love a celebration, just like your target market!
------
Shannon Cherry is known as The Power Publicist. With more than 20 years experience as PR pro and a former TV anchor, she helps business owners create a powerful presence by making them the recognized expert in their field. If you need more help building a profitable list, visit http://www.discovereasylistbuilding.com for a free ecourse and ebook.

For more information about Shannon Cherry and her wealth of PR knowledge, tools and products click here.

Why I Think You Should Read "Crush It!"

2010-03-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a book!

As I said in the video, Bruce Henderson of Hanover Center was the guy who first told me about "Crush It!"

A few weeks later Buddy Blake, a fellow Realtor at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty in Wilmington, NC sent me a copy as an unexpected gift! Thanks, Buddy!

So now I've read the book and "Whoa, what a powerful book!"

The basic message is: with the new media available thanks to the Internet, anyone can create their own, personal brand and "crush it", but only if they work hard and focus on something they're very passionate about.

My quick take is there are six parts to the book. I like 'em all, but I like the fourth part best.

Part One - Sell 'em - Get people pumped, get out the messages about loving family, working hard, living passions and combining the last two. Makes the points about social media, personal branding.

Part Two - Teach 'em - Major social media and new media Internet platforms, why and how, gives examples.

Part Three - Make it personal - More about branding. Why you should, how you can, and what it will mean personally.

Part Four - Bigger messages - What it really means on this planet and to you!

Part Five - Blueprint - Take it and do this on your own. You can and you should, but if you don't, don't come crying.

Part Six - Gifts - Some examples of possible fields in which to "crush it" that if you don't at least check them out a little, you really don't get it (cuz subject doesn't matter, it's the medium and the method, silly).

OK, so that's my read on this book (first time thru anyway). Here's a link where you can buy "Crush It! it from Amazon (and btw, that's not an affiliate link because they're not allowed in North Carolina with Amazon - so I won't make any money if you buy it). You should also be able to get it soon at RBR Books in Leland because last week we warned our buddy Clif Bridgers who owns that bookstore that we were going to blog about it so he better get in a few copies.

So yes, I like the book. A lot. And I really like the major message and the message behind the message, which is that it's OK to be "you". And in fact, you can become a brand! If you have no clue what I'm talking about, and especially if you're in business, or want to be, you probably better read the book.

And if you want to check my books on Amazon (and, oh yeah, I make money on these), please go to my Amazon Bruce Brown Author Page.

And I'd love it if you subscribed to my newsletter, Bruce Brown at the Edge. It's easy, just fill in the box below and hit Enter.

Bruce Brown at the Edge Subscription Invitation

2010-03-12T03:35:00.001-08:00

Manifesting Your Ideal Life - Meetup Group

2010-03-07T00:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight's the night we have our first meeting of the Manifesting Your Ideal Life Meetup Group. We're meeting at 4PM at the Pacifia Senior Living Center at 2744 South 17th Street in Wilmington, NC.

Meetup Groups are quite popular because they're available nationwide and it's easy to find a group that fits your interest.

The Manifesting Your Ideal Life Meetup Group will focus on evidence, teachings, process and personal experience of people who take responsibility for creating their own lives and their own inner realities. That's a pretty lofty way of saying it's made up of folks who totally buy into the Law of Attraction and other natural laws.

My experience and understanding from others who attend Meetup groups is a lot more people show up than actually sign up publically on the group page, so if that's true in this case as well, we could have 30+ people. We'll see. And I'll let you know here.

Marge and I are both going and are looking forward to seeing some people we already know, a few we've spoken or exchanged email with but never met and others who we don't even know about yet!

If you'd like to join us, here are the meeting details for the Manifesting Your Ideal Life Meetup Group.

Maybe I Should Listen to My Own Advice - A Personal Post

2010-03-01T05:41:00.001-08:00

I often talk with business people about the importance of focus, market niches and ideal clients, but have managed to avoid taking my own advice. I decided during this past weekend with Marge at Bob Jenkins' SIMPLE 10K program in Wilmington that it's time for a switch.

My story isn't unlike that of many of my clients, friends and people with whom I discuss business and life with on a casual basis. I enjoy many interests. Often I find myself thinking of new activities, hobbies, causes and, yes, businesses to add to my already full life. It's fun and it's exciting to be open to newness and learn new knowldge and skills, but frankly it can get a bit confusing to me at times and recently I've had a few signals "from the universe" that others can be confused, too.

In the past month or two people have asked, "How many businesses do you have?", "Are you still selling real estate?" and "Exactly what are you focusing on in your business; SendOutCards, the Passion Test, coaching, writing books, networking or what?" At times I've asked myself those same questions, so clearly it's time to draw lines and narrow the niche and all that good stuff I coach others to do.

The fact is, I've known my niche and have been testing it and working and "living with it" for over a year now.

My niche, my business, my focus is Relationship Marketing. Probably not much of a secret or a suprise, right?

And you know, it's funny, or maybe just obvious, but all my life, I've been focused on making and building relationships. To a great extent, of course, we all work on relationships, but I've always been drawn to knowing and helping lots of people. I firmly believe in the essential goodness of people and start with an expectation of trust. I enjoy people, just as I enjoy life and firmly believe that the way to success in business is to:

have a product or service you are proud of
look for ways to help people
enjoy and celebrate the people work with and do business with.

My business structure is shaping in directions I find personally fulfilling and gratifying. Thanks to training Marge and I took with Klemmer & Associates several years ago, I'm convinced of the power of groups and of individuals, including the only one I can change and over whom I have any control, which is myself. Thanks to working with Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood in their Passion Test Facilitator Certification program, again along with Marge, I'm ever more clear on what I get the greatest kick out of doing (another way of describing one's passions).

During the past year I've gotten back into coaching and writing. I've been coaching people in person and by phone and writing online as well as in published articles and books. The general subject area of both activities has been personal and business development with the emphasis in business on relationship marketing.

As I continue to develop and create my own products and publications, I'll also be on the lookout for the very best tools for relationship marketing I can find. Of course, if along the way I find great products, books, movies, courses, teachers, mentors or coaches, I'll mention them, too if appropriate, but my focus is on relationship marketing.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Including what those who know me and have worked with me think about this business focus for me as well the thoughts or suggestions from anyone else who may know of extemely valuable tools you think I should check out.

Thanks for listening,

Free Email Newsletter Sign Up Form

2010-01-25T02:09:00.000-08:00

Are you on the list? Sign up today!

We've just upgraded to a more powerful email newletter service, the industry-standard Constant Contact. Our list is growing fast and I'm excited about the opportunity to present tested tools and resources for people who are taking charge of their lives.

If you're not on the subscription list for Bruce Brown at the Edge, sign up today. You can always unsubscribe and we promise never to sell or distribute your email address.

Three New Titles in "31 Days to .... Mastery" Series Coming Very Soon

2010-01-20T03:05:00.000-08:00

I am excited to announce that the next three titles in Quantum Results Coaching "31 Days to ..." Business Mastery Series will be available soon, probably by mid-February at the latest.

We're making some changes to add value to the new titles in the series and I'll hold off on exactly what they are until the books are released. However, three elements are staying the same (all of which met approval by buyers of 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery.

The first book is available via this link on Amazon.com and in three bookstores in the Wilmington area: Pomegranate Book and Two Sisters Bookery in Wilmington and RBR Books in Leland.

The three elements that will not change are:

One tip per page - we aren't going longer on the text per tip. These books are for busy business people. No fluff, no 0ver-explanation. Note the italics, however, we are adding something which we think will be very useful and of significant value - but I'm not talking about it here, at least not now. Also, note, that there is one exception to the one page per tip - in one volume, noted below, we felt the interest in and need for more detail and explanation demanded greater length - but we still don't exceed three pages for any tip. Some are one page, most are two pages long.
The tips and books are written for beginners and pros. I do my best to make it personal and positive. None of it is rocket science; my goal is to break it down into easy steps for novices and to still give value to the pros.
The selling price stays at $9.95. This price has worked well - it's not a barrier. We'd rather sell a lot of books and make less in order to help as many people as possible, than to charge more and make more per book but help fewer folks. One nice result is we've had people buy copies for co-workers or employees and in some cases for students and mentees.

Okay, so that's what doesn't change. One obvious element that does change is the cover color. The design is almost the same, but the colors now 'pop' with energy -- I hope you like them.

The new titles are:

31 Days to Marketing Relationship Mastery. This book is done and out for comment and review.

31 Days to Business Social Media Mastery. This is the book where the tips go longer. This book is not yet out for review because it's still in editing - I hope to get to our select group of reviewers by this coming Monday at the latest. When I speak in public at seminars and workshops this topic is the one that gets the most interest so we felt it warranted a bit more content per tip because, even with the explosion in interest social media over the past two years, and especially in business use of social media, most people still need a lot of help understanding the what's, why's and how's of social media. It's still a strategy book with tips and techniques, not a tutorial, but it needed to be longer.

And here's Volume IV, 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery. Did you know there are 31 ways (or more) to use greeting cards in business relationship marketing? Well, there are. And this book outlines them.

So there you have it, folks. Three new titles, coming soon. I'm also working on Volume 5, and will soon reveal the title/topic of that book. I'm really pumped about it but need to keep it quiet for a few weeks.

Thanks again for all have shown interest in, given support of, and purchased 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery.

Free "5 Business Mastery Tools" e-book when you subscribe to 'Bruce Brown at the Edge'

2010-01-17T02:11:00.000-08:00

I invite you to subscribe to 'Bruce Brown at the Edge', a free weekly e-zine. The content includes short pieces with tips, advice, tools, techniques, insights and lots of resources - all focused on your success. Emailed to subscribers only each Sunday evening.

This week, anyone who subscribes will have immediate access to "5 Business Mastery Tools", an e-book with discussion and worksheets on five topics:

Narrow Your Market Niche
Business Social Media
Five Client Types
What Are You Really Selling - Hint, it's NOT the Features OR the Benefits
The 10/10/10 model for quick business financial assessment

A link to the PDF download of "A Life on Fire" also will be included in this week's issue of "Bruce Brown at the Edge."

Subscribe to "Bruce Brown at the Edge" with the form below:

Free "A Life on Fire" e-book when you subscribe to Bruce Brown at the Edge

2010-01-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

I invite you to subscribe to 'Bruce Brown at the Edge', a free weekly e-zine (aka an email newsletter). The content will include short pieces with tips, advice, tools, techniques, insights and resources - all focused on your success.

This week, I'm excited to offer "A Life on Fire" as a free download e-book to anyone who subscribes to "Bruce Brown at the Edge". "A Life on Fire" contains transcripts of interviews with nine transformational leaders including Marianne Williamson, Brian Tracy, T. Harv Ecker, Jack Canfield, Jay Abraham, Dr. Stephen Covey, Janet Attwood, Robert Allen and more. Each of the leaders and teachers talks about their life work and how they live their lives following their passions. A link to the PDF download of "A Life on Fire" will be included in this week's issue of "Bruce Brown at the Edge."

Subscribe to "Bruce Brown at the Edge" with the form below:

Audio Version Now Available for "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery"

2010-01-04T06:14:00.000-08:00

As of this morning, an audio version of my new book, 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery is available.

The book is doing well on Amazon (see this link)and is also now available in three bookstores in the greater Wilmington area:

Pomegranate Books on Park Avenue in Wilmington
RBR Books in Leland in the Waterford Shoppes
Two Sisters Bookery in The Cotton Exchange

We also now have an audio version, recorded by the author (that would be me). It's in MP3 format and available for download for $9.97. We'll also sell it on CD in either MP3 or CD-Audio format for $14.97 including mailing for one disc (add an additional $9.97 for each additional CD).

Eventually we'll have a third party handling the transactions and a real on-line shopping cart and filling orders, but for now we'll do it ourselves.

If you'd like to buy a download copy of the book, or have us ship you one or more copies of the CD (please be sure to specify the format - CD audio or MP3), send me an email at Bruce@QuantumResultsCoaching.com. I'll send you back an email invoice with a link to pay by PayPal and as soon as we get confirmation that you've paid into the PayPal account (you don't need a PayPal account but can use Credit Cards), then I'll send you a confirmation of payment received with the link to download the audio copy or shipping info.

The audio version of the book is exactly the same as the print version, with each tip in a separate track so it's easy to navigate.

It's fun working on this project and I hope you enjoy the book and find it valuable in building and maintaining your business relationships.

New Web Site Video for Quantum Results Coaching

2010-01-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Shortly our full web site for Quantum Results Coaching will be going live (right now it's a landing page for my new book 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery and a sign up page for my free newsletter Bruce Brown at the Edge.

Today I made this video to put on the web site home page and I thought you might like a sneak preview.

As you can hear from the video, QuantumResultsCoaching.com will have information about our:

Ready, Set, Leap! Coaching services
Passion Test Workshops and One-on-One Courses
Sports Performance Mental Edge Training
Quantum Results Business and Personal Mastery Series books
Fat City Cards relationship marketing company

Plus there will be links to our success partners and while I'm being transparent here I want to be clear that we do have financial relationships with the success partners.

Marge and I are very excited about fully launching Quantum Results Coaching in 2010 and look forward to your questions, your feedback, and information on any way in which we can help.

Thanks,

Bruce

Subscribe to my FREE e-newsletter, Bruce Brown at the Edge

2010-01-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

I invite you to subscribe to 'Bruce Brown at the Edge', a free weekly e-zine (aka an email newsletter). The content will include short (I promise) pieces with tips, advice, tools, techniques, insights and resources - all focused on your success.

(If you'd rather not read the rest but just want to subscribe just fill out the form below)

The consistent theme of the newsletter pieces will be about your success. We're calling it 'Bruce Brown at the Edge' because there will be two perspectives:

Getting ready to make your next big business or personal leap
Actually making the leap into great success and your life purpose

As you know (or will soon find out), I believe we are each here for a unique purpose. Our individual combination of skills and gifts suit us perfectly to attain our purpose. As we learn about or realize our purpose, it's helpful to be sure we're ready to make the leap. Also, if we are truly aligned with our purpose and committed to it, sometimes it's a bit scary to "jump off the edge". And that's why I'm writing this newsletter. It's also why I founded Quantum Results Coaching.

You see, I know my purpose. My purpose is to help as many people as possible become fully successful in life following their passions to achieve their own purpose.

'Bruce Brown at the Edge' will be focused on providing the best information I can to help you get ready to make the leap and then to actually make the leap into the best life you've ever imagined - your personal, unique purpose.

We've recently found and subscribed ourselves or purchased the rights to provide two powerful sources of success inspiration. One is a series of short inspirational videos that are free to watch (and can be forwarded to anyone else to watch) and are also available in book form - so at the end of the video you'll go to a different site where beautiful book versions of the video can be purchased - great as business gifts or awards. But watching the videos themselves is free and they're very well done.

The second is the "Real Life Legends Club". We have purchased the rights to distribute and sell interviews (audio and transcripts)of some of the most powerful, most successful transformational leaders in the world in health, spirtuality, wealth and business, and inspiration and motivation. Each of these interviews is about an hour in length. We'll be giving one as a gift or promotion often, but they're also available for individual purchase or you can join a monthly club where you get access to all the past interviews (there are approximately 100) and plus two new interviews each month. More information on this will be in the newsletter.

So please subscribe to 'Bruce Brown at the Edge', if you're interested. You can always easily unsubscribe and don't worry, we won't do anything bad with your email address like sell it or share it with others - we promise.

It's easy to subscribe to 'Bruce Brown at the Edge'. Just fill in the form below. And please, feel free to forward this info to others.

Thank you,

Bruce

Three Local Bookstores Carry "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery"

2009-12-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

Well, it was just this morning that I posted about two bookstores, but during the day I was able to add a third local Wilmington, NC area bookstore that carries my new book, 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery.

So now locals can buy the book at:

Two Sisters Bookery in The Cotton Exchange in downtown Wilmington.

Pomegranate Books at 4418 Park Avenue near College

RBR Books in Leland in the Waterford Shoppes

I'm delighted that these three independent bookstores have each agreed to carry the book. Each bookstore is very different but what they share are warm, friendly people who know and love books and will help you find whatever you seek (after, of course, you buy at least one copy of 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery, LOL). So stop in, meet the people, peruse the books, and tell 'em I said hello.

New Book Now at Pomegranate Books and Another Awesome Review on Amazon

2009-12-31T04:01:00.000-08:00

As of yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, Wilmington, NC area residents have a second local place to purchase copies of 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery.

Now you can buy my book at Pomegranate Books, located at 4418 Park Avenue has the book in stock. Pomegranate Books, which describes itself as a "progressive, independent bookstore in Wilmington, North Carolina, run by avid readers", is a comfortable, friendly bookstore with knowledgeable staff. They are highly supportive of local authors and host author workshops and meetings often. Check out the Pomegranate Books website at pomegranate.booksense.com

31 Days to Networking Event Mastery is also available at RBR Books in Leland, NC, located in the Waterford Shoppes. RBR Books is another comfortable store owned and run by book lovers, in this case Clif and Laura Bridgers. RBR Books website is rarebargainreaders.com.

Of course you can buy 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery on Amazon.com with this link, but there's no deal buying it on Amazon, it's sold for $9.95 on Amazon and at the local bookstores. And even though Amazon ships quickly, you can get the book immediately at the local stores.

As time goes on we may place the book in a few other small local bookstores where you can buy it off the shelf, likely it will be available in one more local location very soon - I'll keep you apprised of that.

In the meantime, the book also got another strong review on Amazon. Here it is, quoted in full:

"With 20+ years of experience as a leader in a Direct Sales company, I'm always on the lookout for effective training tools for new recruits. Bruce Brown's "31 Days to Network Event Mastery" is a compact but complete instruction guide for maximizing networking opportunities - such a critical skill in today's business environment. Each tip presents a "nugget of wisdom" that might at first glance seem obvious to the experienced networker, but at close read is a clearly stated objective that not only tells you what to do, but why it's important to do it! We all have a lot to learn from this book.

It's my plan to provide new recruits with this awesome guide at the beginning of their careers, but I'm also going to use it to "re-kindle the fire" within my existing team. What a terrific new resource!" - Nancy Duetzmann, Ansonia, CT

Yesterday I had a great time recording the book for the audio version. We'll have that ready in a week or so, but it was fun doing the initial recordings. (Today we'll listen to them . . . that may be interesting.) Here's a shot of me getting ready to record (and btw, I had more queries about the microphone than about the book - so to head off more questions on that, it's an entry level Alesis brand microphone that I bought in a kit. And yes, James, it does have a USB plug).

So thank you sincerely to all of you who've already purchased one or more copies of the book (I think it's cool that already at least two small companies are buying copies for all their sales staff). Here's a way you can help, if you'd like: whether you buy 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery locally at Pomegranate Books in Wilmington or RBR Books in Leland OR on Amazon, you can still post a review on Amazon.com. I'd sure appreciate that because it helps sales to people who don't live in our area. Also, if you buy locally and like the book, please tell the people at the bookstores, because they'd like to know and that way they're likely to recommend it to others.

Of course, the book itself is all about making the most of live networking events, something I'm enthusiastic about because I know it helps my business and, if done correctly, can help many other business people as well. I love to speak about this topic and have already done radio interviews, with more scheduled. I'm also booked to speak at events from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach. If you'd like me to speak at your group, or know of a group where it might help to learn about strategic networking, please give me a call or pass my name on. I'd appreciate that, too.

Have a very happy and safe New Year.

I'm an A/V guy at heart

2009-12-30T05:45:00.000-08:00

I took this shot this morning as I was about to start recording a bunch of audio tracks for my new book, for our web site and blogs, and for clients. I was an A/V guy in high school for lots of reasons, and not just because it meant I had a permanent hall pass. Really.

Found a Cool Video on Change

2009-12-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

I've always been a 'believer' in change. Change for it's own sake isn't necessarily good, but the abilities to recognize change, adapt to change, make the best of change, and even anticipate change are invaluable in business and in life.

We're ramping up our coaching practice and gathering effective tools and resources to help people gain success. We recently found a source of inspirational short movies and books that we like a lot. The following short video, "Change Is Good ... You Go First" is very effective as well as entertaining.

You can click on the 'Play' button in the box below and the video will start in a new window - be sure your speakers are on.

How do you handle change?

One perspective I like is to "be the change". Rather than wait for change, why not be the changer?

Disclosure: The link to the movie above is an affiliate link.

First Book Reviews for "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery" Are In - Wow!

2009-12-24T02:55:00.000-08:00

I am honored and highly appreciative that the first three reader reviews on Amazon.com of my new book, 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery were so positive and strong. All three reviewers saw fit to give the book 5 stars!

Here are the reviews (each quoted in its entirety):

"Bruce Brown has created a true and easy step by step bite-size guide to "Networking Event Mastery." This is small enough to keep with you and meaty enough to make a real difference. Applying one action step daily will truly take your business networking to the next level and today business is all about relationships. This book is packed with nuggets from a master networker who knows that it can be intimidating to the uninitiated and overwhelming to those of us used to online networking. Real time, face to face is essential to every business person's success. Brown has assured your success when you follow his lead." - Melissa Galt "Prosper by Design", Atlanta, GA

"31 Days to Networking Event Mastery, by Bruce Brown, is a simple and straightforward guide to maximizing the networking experience. Each tip is practical and often obvious, but using this book as a complete guide, the obvious becomes masterful. He provides everything for you but a ride to the event! Although he gears the tips towards business, most apply to any networking you do. The author is gifted at having a pulse on the process. Brown lays out his tips with such a common sense and encouraging tone, you finish it feeling you have the tools to network your way through any crowd with ease." - Anne Levine, Westport, CT

" As a person with more than forty years of experience in owning and building small businesses, I have read and studied hundreds of self-help/how-to books. The ones I value most, get quickly to the point with a minimum of fluff and filler, thus conserving my most precious asset, time. It is my opinion that in today's business climate, effective networking may be the most cost efficient way to grow a business or profession. Bruce Brown has provided a small, concise, easy to read book about networking that reminded me of techniques and strategies that I already know, but sometimes forget and some new to me (social media/blogs etc.). But perhaps more importantly, he weaves throughout the book the "why" of networking that is crucial to understand, whether one is a novice or seasoned veteran in his or her chosen field. I can't think of another book that gave me so much hands-on value and yet required from me so little in time and money." - Doc Hamm, North Carolina

As most of my blog readers know, I wrote this book to provide newbies and old pros alike with an easy-to-read reference to tips and strategies for getting the most from live business networking events. Networking and relationships have always been a major part of business but in our present 'interesting' times, finding and building new trusted customers, clients, and referral sources has never been more important.

Networking isn't rocket science, which is good for me since I'm clearly not a rocket scientist. Networking is a great place to meet new people and touch base with folks you already know. And yeah, it is social, and can be fun, but when it's done within the context of making and building business relationships (and when the other attendess understand that as well), these events can be very effective for finding and keeping customers and clients.

You could just show up at one of these events and see what happens. I believe, however, that many if not all of us in business today don't have the luxury of random efforts and waiting to see what the results are. So that's why I wrote 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery, to give people tools, tips, strategies, and a system for making the most from these ever more important marketing opportunities.

The primary objectives were to keep it short and keep it affordable. Each tip needs just one page - I left out as best I could lengthy explanations, loads of examples, and theory and just give you the tip with no more insight or exposition than fits on one page. This book is for busy business people who are better off out networking than spending long hours reading yet another weighty exposition on simple points.

We've also priced the book at $9.95, so it's affordable. I make about $2 per book at this rate, but that's fine - I'd rather sell a lot of them and help a lot of business people than make a bundle on each book and only help a few people.

I also did my best to make each tip readable, human, and occasionally a bit humorous. I tried to have some of my own personality and love of networking and people come through.

You can network. You can do it successfully and it will bring you more business. I believe both of these statements fully. I also believe 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery can help you start right if you've never been to a business networking event or do it better even if you've been attending them for years.

So buy the book. Read it and pass it on to someone in your company,in your family, or among your friends so they can learn how to network better, too. (Or buy a bunch a pass them out, that would be pretty cool, too!)

Thanks. Oh, and one more time, here's the Amazon link:

31 Days to Networking Event Mastery

And if you live in or near Leland, NC, it's also available at RBR Books in Leland and soon will be in some other bookstores in Wilmington.

Bruce

Sports Performance Mental Edge Training(tm)

2009-12-19T03:07:00.000-08:00

Accomplished athletes understand that attitude, concentration, and positive imagery often make the difference between so-so performance and great performance. We call that the 'Mental Edge'.

In Sports Performance Mental Edge Training (tm), you are introduced to tools and techniques you can use to control and improve the 'mental' side of performing your sport.

The tools and techniques in Mental Edge training include:

Progressive Relaxation
Postive Self-Talk
Positive Imagery
Self-Hypnosis
Triggers

Sports Performance Mental Edge Training is appropriate for all sports. I focus on working with:

Runners
Swimmers
Cyclists
Triathletes

Sports Performance Mental Edge Training is available in clinics and individual sessions. On a very limited basis I am also available to train coaches to use Sports Performance Mental Edge Training with their athletes.

For information or to schedule a clinic or individual sessions, or to discuss coach training, e-mail Bruce@QuantumResultsCoaching.com. Speaking engagements are also available.

Sports Performance Mental Edge Training is a trademark of Quantum Results Coaching.

FREE Newsletter 'Bruce Brown at the Edge'

2009-12-18T03:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here grinning while I type. We're about to launch 'Bruce Brown at the Edge', a free weekly e-zine (aka an email newsletter). The content will include short (I promise) pieces with tips, advice, tools, techniques, insights and resources.

(If you'd rather not read the rest but want to subscribe to check it out just fill out the form below)

The consistent theme of the newsletter pieces will be about you being successful. We're calling it 'Bruce Brown at the Edge' because there will be two perspectives:

Getting ready to make your next big business or personal leap
Actually making the leap into great success and your life purpose

David Merrill's Wilmington Networking Events Calendar 2.0

2009-12-18T02:44:00.000-08:00

Want to build your business? How about relationship marketing? One of the best and fastest ways to grow a small to medium-sized business is to go to business networking events.

How to find and choose between networking events is often a concern. In the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area there's a great tool to help. David Merrill, who by day works for Hertz Local as an area manager, has created the Wilmington Networking Event Calendar, which you can find at WilmingtonNetworkingEvents.com.

David had an earlier version of Wilmington Networking Event Calendar that he produced with a Google calendar page, but the new web site has much more, including great descriptions of major area networking groups.

David calls the new release version 2.0 and is already working on 2.1 (I've seen it, it's very cool) but wanted to get 2.0 up and available to help people find where to go for networking in the greater Wilmington area.

So check out Wilmington Networking Event Calendar and if relationship marketing at networking events is in your 2010 business plan, make it a practice to check Wilmington Networking Event Calendar at the beginning of each week.

Networking Tips Book available on Amazon

2009-12-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a red letter day for me and for Quantum Results Coaching. My new book, "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery" is now available on for sale on Amazon for $9.95.

Here's how the book came into being:

Long an avid networker, in part because I just love to meet new people but also because it's a major part of my marketing, I started last August putting up tips on my Being Bruce Brown blog on how to effectively participate in live business networking events. I'd observed others networking successfully (or not) and also have found what works for me (and doesn't) in those same events. So I figured it could be helpful to others if I posted my best ideas on how to make the most of those events.

After posting a half dozen tips I got a call from my good friend and former business partner Alfred Poor, who has a cottage publishing company called Desktop Wings (which doesn't really run from a cottage, but rather from a barn in eastern Pennsylvania). Alfred suggested there could be a book project if I had more tips. At the time I had identified 26 tips but was only writing and posting one per day. Alfred suggested I get the number to 31 (which was easy) and we'd work together to create a book.

So that's where the book came from. Calling it Volume I. of the 31 Days to ... Series is another whole story.

The book is short. We intentionally kept each of the 31 tips to just one page, which meant a lot of cutting and editing from the original blog posts. The point is that this is a book that distills just the important value points for busy business people. It's not a scholarly study, it's not full of case studies, this is stuff that works. Or advice that should keep you from wasting your time at networking events and instead getting the greatest benefit.

In the process of writing and publishing "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery" we sent an early draft to 70+ people around the world, including other authors of business, networking, and marketing books as well as some business coaches and consultants we know or to whom I was introduced in the process.

I was elated by the response, not only the kind words that so many had, but also their generosity with their time and sharing. Many people made comments or suggestions to change or tweak the book that we were able to incorporate. We didn't choose to include case studies or anecdotes or add graphics, all of which would have been helpful, because I wanted to stick to the original idea of writing a short book that would actually be read by busy business people. I even considered just writing one sentence per tip, to get right to each point with less chance of confusion and to minimize the time, but in the end we decided to stick with one page per tip. I hope, if you buy the book, that length works for you.

Our various reviewers wrote that this little book would be a great time-saving value for networking beginners as well a good list of reminders for seasoned pros. We kept the price low so that shouldn't be a barrier for someone to buy it for themselves, for friends, or maybe for their employees.

The best way to buy one or a few copies is via Amazon, where you can find it with this link: "31 Days to Networking Event Mastery". If you want to buy 20 or more copies, let me know and we can probably work a bulk deal. Also, if you are interested in 20,000 copies or more, we can do private labelling and would be happy to talk with you about it.

Passion Test Workshop in Wilmington, December 12th

2009-12-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

We're pretty excited.

Today we finished setting up the details for the first Wilmington, North Carolina Passion Test Workshop, which will be held at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites on Van Campen Blvd, on Saturday, December 12th, from 9AM till noon.

Here's a link to more information and an easy registration process:

http://passiontestwilmingtondec1209.eventbrite.com

This is your chance to be one of the first in Wilmington to experience The Passion Test Workshop.

Come join us for this fun and illuminating workshop. Where you will learn . . .

Your top five passions -- the things that are most important to you in your life.
How to align your life with your passions to experience more joy and fulfillment.
The one secret that will guarantee you live a passionate life.
The formula for creating whatever you choose to have in your life.

http://passiontestwilmingtondec1209.eventbrite.com

For more info
call Bruce at 910-297-8753
email Bruce at Bruce@QuantumResultsCoaching.com
Or check out The Passion Test

Just Say GAR!!

2009-11-26T02:57:00.000-08:00

GAR stands for Gratitude, Attitude, and Readiness. GAR is Bruce Brown's formula for clearing confusion, turning around negative feelings, and being ready to make the most of life.

QRC Update - November 2009 - So Is This a Website, or a Blog?

2009-11-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

BLOG or Website?

As I write this post the QuantumResultsCoaching.com URL points to a blog. We have recently contracted for a full-blown website for QRC and as some time in the near future (when everything is set, and tested) the URL above will take you directly to the website, with links to the blog for those who wish to read more.

I also just set up a Facebook page for Quantum Results Coaching and am building fan base for it.

31 Days to . . . Mastery Series

The first piece of the web site to appear will be a landing page for our new book, 31 Days to Networking Event Mastery, which is being published by Desktop Wings and will sell for $9.95. The 31 Days to . . . Mastery series will have titles that address crucial topics for busy business people in an easy-to-digest tip format.

There will also be an audio version of this book for people who want to review the networking event tips while driving, walking, or working out. We're working on the audio version now and it should be available by the end of this year for $19.95.

This book is the first of a series. I don't want to say too much about it because all the titles aren't totally decided yet, but the first four are solid. I've written the second and third volumes 31 Days to Relationship Marketing Mastery and 31 Days to Business Social Media Mastery - but haven't started the editing stages. I'm currently writing 31 Days to Greeting Card Marketing Mastery.

Here's a tear sheet of the covers of the first four books:
As you can see the book series style will maintain the same design concept. I probably shouldn't let this out of the bag right now, but our plan is for a total of twelve titles in this series, with printed books, audio versions and possibly other materials.

Part of our plan for presenting the 31 Days to . . . . Mastery series is to take them on the road. Quantum Results Coaching is going to team up with Fat City Cards, our SendOutCards distributor team, and run monthly breakfast, lunch and after dinner seminars in four locations: Wilmington; Leland; Shallotte; and North Myrtle Beach. The plan is to develop interactive tools that we'll use during the seminars and then possibly bundle with the book and audio versions of each title.

As you can see we have big plans for this series for busy business people.

The Passion Test
Marge and I recently became Certified Passion Test Workshop Facilitators, which means we're now licensed to run 3-hour Passion Test Workshops and also to do the two session one-to-one Passion Test Course. For information on either or both of these powerful experiences, contact me at your convenience at Bruce@QuantumResultsCoaching.com. You can also find more information at The Passion Test website, which includes a free Passion Profile.

We'll be running two Passion Test Workshops in the Wilmington, NC area in December and our intention is to put them on regularly, perhaps monthly in Wilmington and in North Myrtle Beach, SC during 2010. So stay tuned for that.

I'm particularly excited about using The Passion Test as a tool to help coaching clients gain clarity on what's most important to them in their lives and as a system for shifting their lives into closer alignment with their passions. During the past 3 years I've been on a personal quest to get clear on my own passions and purpose in live and I can tell you it's not only help me discover what's most important to me in my life but also makes decision-making much easier than when I lacked the clarity.

Who Am I Anyway?

2009-10-25T02:58:00.000-07:00

[The following long bio is one I wrote for the back of a book. I knew it was too long but figured I'd just go for it and then cut it back. The original was written in the third person but I changed that, because it didn't feel right. There's really no reason for most people to read all this, but it is an encapsulated, mostly career-focused look at my life journey so far. - Bruce]

About Bruce Brown

I'm a serial entrepreneur with a chronic networking condition. From my earliest days of networking in kindergarten at Pettingill Elementary School in Lewiston, Maine to my present day visibility in social media and ubiquitous presence at business networking events in the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area, I've always been drawn to meeting and getting to know people.

Most of my schooling was in Connecticut, where I was graduated from Windsor Locks High School and voted Most Versatile by my classmates. I was President of his class at the University of Connecticut – where I majored in extracurricular activities (my transcript says I earned a B.A. degree with an English major and Sociology minor).

During my middle school, high school, and college years I held a variety of jobs. I worked on shade tobacco farms, in a library, in a machine shop, in a shipping department, as a waiter, and as a truck driver.

After college I taught high school English in Granby, CT for 14 years and during that time also earned an M.S. in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University (with a concentration on Group Dynamics) and an advanced graduate degree in counseling from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut.

During the years while I taught high school English my energy and varied interests led me to sample many other jobs and businesses on a part time basis, including clothing sales, appliance sales, a six year run as a leatherworker selling handmade goods throughout New England, and commercial travel sales. Concurrent with studying at Saint Joseph College I became an adjunct member of the graduate faculty. I also joined with five other faculty members to form a private counseling group called the West Hartford Counseling Service, which continues today with two of the original members. I had an active counseling practice until 1984.

In 1982 I was bit by the personal computer bug and studied at the prestigious Wesleyan University Computer Institute. I was particularly turned on by the personal computer's empowerment of people in all fields in research and writing. In 1982 I founded the Connecticut Computer Society, a non-profit corporation whose purpose was to help ordinary people gain mastery of personal computers for education and for their business and personal lives.

In 1983 I took a leave of absence from teaching at Granby and became Staff Computer Consultant at The Watkinson School in West Hartford, CT. During the summer of 1984 I was the Director of the Wesleyan Computer Institute and that year also started teaching graduate courses in Business Computer Applications at Wesleyan University. I also taught graduate course in Educational Administration Computer Applications at The University of Hartford. During this period I was still an active member of the Graduate Faculty at Saint Joseph College.

In 1984 Alfred Poor, Dick Ridington and I formed Soft Industries, Inc., a computer consulting firm that worked with clients throughout Southern New England and New York City. Each of the partners published books about personal computing and were active contributors to various national computer publications. My major functions for the company, in addition to consulting, training, teaching, and writing, were networking (with people), marketing, and negotiations.

In 1988 I left Soft Industries (which continues today under the name Warner Systems, Inc.) and for the next 16 years was a full-time freelance writer, eventually becoming a Contributing Editor to PC Magazine and Computer Shopper. During my years as a freelance writer my networking and relationship skills served my writing business and the magazines I represented well. One year I even received a Computer Press Association award.

In 2003 my wife Marge, who also at the time was a PC Magazine Contributing Editor, decided it was time to re-invent ourselves. I decided to enter real estate sales when concurrent with our move from Connecticut to Wilmington, North Carolina at the end of 2003.

From 2004 to 2007 I built a estate practice, forming a group called the Cape Fear Home Team working within Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty. Our unique team model was quickly successful and the team grew to 10 selling agents plus support staff – by 2006 the team was one of the top selling Coldwell Banker groups in North Carolina (ranked as high as #6 for the state).

With the shift in the real estate market, in 2007 the Cape Fear Home Team disbanded. Shortly after, I opened as managing broker a new office for Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty in Leland, NC, across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington. This office quickly became profitable despite the economic times.

Marge and I moved to Leland and together started the first successful BNI chapter in the town. We are very active in the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and in 2008 I was elected to the Board of Directors and am the current Executive Vice President.

In 2006 and 2007 Marge and I participated in the Klemmer Associates Leadership program, completing the program as Samurai, with swords that sit in a place of honor in our home. Through this program we identified and clarified our lives’ purposes. We also solidified our belief that anything is possible when you apply your mind, heart, and soul with focused attention and action.

While selling real estate in North Carolina I tracked every closed transaction to study what marketing and advertising efforts paid off. Although the team did extensive print advertising, talk radio and radio ads, television appearance, neighborhood-customized farm mailings, and pay per click web leads, all the usual stuff and all at great expense of time and money, personal relationships were consistently responsible for more than 70% of our business. Because of these results, we switched our focus to relationship marketing, specifically community involvement, using customized peronalized greeting cards with SendOutCards (Bruce and Marge are SendOutCards distributors also), and attending networking events.

Before long I started chronicling networking events on my personal blog www.beingbrucebrown.com and on various social media – especially Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. The fast notice I received and the widespread reputation for being the person to check with both about networking events and how to make the most of such events lead to this point.

Coincidentally (if you believe in coincidence) I was literally called to work with some coaching clients. As a result of clarifying my life purpose during his Klemmer training, I had opened to the opportunity to coach others to success, specifically in business change. I was also approached to work with tri-athletes, helping them with the mental side of their physical performance.

Marge and I started Quantum Results Coaching as a platform for business and sports performance training, for book projects and other works, and for future projects in the pursuit of my purpose and major passion, which is helping other people reach their life goals. In October 2009 Marge and I were both certified as Facilitators for The Passion Test Workshop, studying directly with Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood, authors of the New York Times best-seller The Passion Test and founders of The Passion Test Workshop.