In 1998, Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling was a single mother on welfare. Today, her net worth is more than $1 billion – making her richer than the Queen of England.

Rowling’s secret to success is content – she owned an idea that other people wanted to be part of. Other mainstream content mavens include Oprah ($1.5 billion) and Martha Stewart ($6oo+ million).

Becoming a content provider is not only easier but also more important in today’s increasingly connected, wired world. Anyone with a laptop and a broadband connection can start a global conversation (and sometimes a revolution). Here’s how to become a content provider:

• Create a core idea. Writers talk about finding their “voice” – something about which they are both passionate and curious. Everybody has a core belief or idea. Finding your own voice means translating that core idea into words that you can share with others.
• Find and attract people who share your beliefs. You don’t have to change people’s minds. It’s easier (literally and technologically) to find people with common views and attract them into your conversation. You can attract similarly minded people by publishing frequently on your website; sending emails to friends and peers; participating in social networking sites; writing a blog; and reading and responding on other blogs.
• Be consistent and persistent. Every meaningful conversation has a tipping point. You have to be consistent in your content and patient enough for the audience to develop. Keep in mind that, at the start of her career, J. K. Rowling was rejected by almost every publishing house in London.

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Most great organizations have a set of core values. These are often simple, pithy statements drawn from company tradition.

Nike is no exception to this rule. The following are the company’s 11 maxims.

1. It is our nature to innovate.
2. Nike is a company.
3. Nike is a brand.
4. Simplify and go.
5. The consumer decides.
6. Be a sponge.
7. Evolve immediately.
8. Do the right thing.
9. Master the fundamentals.
10. We are on the offense. Always.
11. Remember the man.

Nike integrates the maxims throughout its internal communications. All new employees receive a book about the maxims during orientation. Its weekly employee email is called The Sponge after Maxim #6. Leaders frequently cite the maxims when discussing company strategy.

Read more about Nike’s 11 Maxims.

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Next time you get an email that requires a future action, try setting a reminder as you would for a calendar item. The reminder will appear when it’s time to work on that email. Setting the reminder is easy. When the email is open, click the follow up flag (the red flag) on the menu bar. Set the “Due By” row to the date and time that you want the reminder to appear.

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The Chief Executive magazine's CEO Confidence Index rose for a second straight month in July, jumping by 8.5 points, or five percent, to 169.3 points. The index measures the confidence of chief executives in five specific areas of the economy:

• Current Confidence Index
• Future Confidence Index
• Business Condition Index
• Invest Confidence Index
• Employment Confidence Index

Read more about July’s results.

Read more about the CEO Confidence Index and see past results.

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www.lifehack.org

The term life hack originally referred to productivity tricks that computer programmers used to cut through information overload and organize their data. The term now refers to tips and tools that help anyone be more productive in work and life. Lifehack.org is one of the top websites featuring life hacks for everyone. Recent topics include “Is your business card really you?” and “8 ways to Microsoft Outlook happiness.” Life hacks are especially popular for people who follow David Allen’s Getting Things Done method for personal productivity.

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The Hamster Revolution: How to Manage Email Before It Manages You
by Mike Song, Vicki Halsey, Tim Burress, and Ken Blanchard

The Hamster Revolution tells of the story of Harold, an HR director who is so overwhelmed by email he feels like a hamster on wheel. An efficiency coach teaches Harold a simple system for email management that helps him reclaim his life and boost his productivity.

Harold learns easy-to-implement tactics for eliminating needless emails, writing better messages, and quickly filing and finding information. The tactics included:

• Block out 30-minute periods to answer emails in batches
• Disable email notifications (the sound or visual image your computer generates when new emails arrive)
• Consider a meeting or conference call instead of sending an email that’s likely to result in a long back-and-forth discussion
• Begin using NRN (No Reply Needed) and/or NTN (No Thanks Needed) in the subject line – just be sure your team understands what NRN and NTN mean

The Hamster Revolution includes a case study that shows how 2,000 Capital One employees reduced their email time by 23 percent. This quick and engaging read will help you manage your email before it manages you.

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