Now What? Strategies

I was Global before it was IN.

A military brat. By the time I hit my teens my passport was a road map to far-flung places… Canada, France, England, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Africa, U.S.A. and Mexico. For me, ‘home’ is where the the heart is.

Along the way, I traced my ancestry. From Norway in the 870′s to the North of England means just one thing: Viking blood runs through my veins. Who knew? I wanted to know – beyond the horned helmets and serpent boats – who they were and what it means. Here’s the big picture: We were Poets and Pirates, it seems. Ship builders and Sailors. Far-sighted Navigators. Our villages raised our children. Our women had the vote. Our men drank the blood of their enemies from their skulls. Hence this quote…

Put the ‘berserkers’ at the front of the boat. NEVER let them steer!

Now we sell furniture in Ikea flat boxes. Make vodka Absolut. Build Lego toys that build empire builders. Drive Volvo smart, SAAB safe. Award Nobel Prizes. What does that mean in the grand scheme of things?

We’re back! And this time, we mean Business!

I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, but it takes time to find a niche and carve a path. In University I worked for temp agencies. I spent six years as an apprentice. Getting assigned to an established master to experience unique on-the-job training is Priceless, just like the commercial says.

I served my apprenticeship in three industries – writing and publishing; tourism and hospitality; and entertainment. I learned to connect with people in the ways they responded to best. I learned their languages, listened to their preferences, and made them laugh.

Today, as my own boss, my drive to enable and communicate has found its niche. I combine practical strategies with persuasive marketing. I blend team-building with comic delivery, shading philosophy with wit. When I launched my career, they called me a hybrid: part producer, writer/performer, career mentor. I produced events and productions. I wrote for newspapers, TV, radio and stage. I won awards, appeared in syndicated hits, set eager feet on chosen paths, and made people smile at my antics.

At the start I worked behind the scenes in Radio, print Journalism and on the small stage. My break-out gig was a one-woman show tracing the life of Dorothy Parker, America’s wittiest wit. This landed me my first TV show – a weekly entertainment series.  I began writing for Television around the same time too.

And then came the role no one expected, least of all me. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined  I’d be a household name as anyone’s mother, let alone as Mom on the worldwide phenom, You Can’t Do That On Television. We influenced a lot of changes in children’s programming over the years – our training model was cutting edge! – as hundreds of child actors come into our lives. Before she became a mega singing sensation, Alanis had a brief stint as one of our ‘daughters’. Before she became a force for good in Intelligence circles, Klea Scott was another. A young Vik Sahay lived in our home before he worked for Chuck. One of our ‘sons’ became a Harvard professor. Others went on to work with children behind the scenes as teachers, producers and social workers.

Gloves Off!

All good things end. When I hung up the gloves and yellow apron, it was time to start fresh. Career brands and strategies? Check. Screen plays? Bigger checks! Stage Plays? You bet. Works of fact, fantasy and fiction? Yes, yes and yes! Making my audience glad they came is what this redhead Viking is all about.

Here’s the Thing…

When you’re doing what’s right for you – as a team member or as the one-and-only – the hard work and high stakes can be full of joy and satisfaction if you know how to make the most of every moment and find your uniquely targeted niche.

I’ve lived that strategy and I’ve made it my mission to share it. If you’re ready, I am too.