Every morning, you are handed 24 hours – one of the few things in this world you will receive for free. Even if you had all the money in the world, you still couldn’t buy more time. The question each day is: what will you do with this treasure? This is a question that is relevant to anyone, but – on a professional level – especially relevant to professional service companies, such as a PR agency.

Retail stores, restaurants and any consumer-good front store invests major efforts and time into preventing theft and shoplifting. A responsible person wouldn’t consider eating at a restaurant without paying or pocketing electronics in a store; so, why is it that when it comes to service providers, people think its ok to steal our product – TIME?  We sell time, hours in the day, to produce client results and get paid for it.

Perhaps it’s a lack of awareness to the significant role of time to service-based businesses.  Unlike individuals or businesses in other industries, service-based businesses like my PR firm, 5WPR, make the most of two elements that create success: the human resource, and the time resource. Time is the platform on which we create, design and “manufacture” our invaluable goods; it is our “assembly line.”

If you ask us to spend time preparing a presentation, then have the courtesy to reply? If after numerous meetings we pitch your business, then at least have the decency to call us back.  Be constructive: take 5 minutes to explain why our services weren’t a match for you.

Time is something I’ve personally learned to manage systematically. The way meetings are run, the way I communicate, and the tools I use to maximize productivity during the day reflect my appreciation for and value of my time.  Time, in service businesses, is a component that determines the position of a business in its industry, its stake in a market. In turn, it determines how many of its leads will turn into business opportunities.

There are three business techniques I use to optimize my time: be assertive, be confident, and work on your communication skills. There is no need for elaborate explanations, no need for long meetings that go well outside the agenda, and certainly no need to waste a business provider’s time if you have no intention of ever engaging the service.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

Starting a business and being an entrepreneur requires a lot of energy. They also require the realization that you’re embarked on a long path with both ups and downs. One thing to remember – which I have learned only recently – is that while you expand your imagination to how successful you wish to become, do not neglect the small achievements.

I’ve been running my company for nearly eight years now – been in the business of PR even longer. And still, I find myself celebrating every piece of progress that we make at 5WPR, and that I make personally as I walk the path of self-made people. But, people have a tendency to look and, unfortunately, find what is missing in their personal and business lives, and all of us have experienced this:

What else can be done that hasn’t yet been done?

Why don’t I have the client that I want? Why am I still not holding a large share in the markets I want?

All of these untapped and under-accomplished areas are valid thoughts under every business term, sales, or strategy. But, as a main focus, they’re counterproductive when it comes to “success” – simply because they stem from negativity. We tend to see where we haven’t yet reached or haven’t made our mark. How many times, though, have you looked at what you ARE successful in?

Throughout the years it took us tremendous effort to get to where we are now, and it was crucial to appreciate every single uphill step. You don’t always start your way with a major client or a major account. And, if you’re in PR, you certainly don’t always get a first hit on national TV. But, every single day you do celebrate your independence – your freedom to pursue opportunity wherever your mind, skills, and talent can take you.

Here are 3 ways to change… TODAY. Practice them persistently, a few times a day. You will see the difference as you begin attracting more of what you already have and more of what you want to have.

1. Focus on all that you have and be grateful for it. This is key. Only through gratitude can you attract more of the same. It’s a two-way street, though; if you focus on negativity and what you don’t have… guess what? – You get more of it. Instead, start seeing even little things – like your writing skills, communication skills and other talents you have – and opportunity will soon present itself, so you can apply these skills for work and fulfilling purposes.

2. See your goals as a positive opportunity. As simple as it may sound, its not a natural things to do. A meeting, or an ongoing series of meetings, can be a dreadful reminder of how far you still have to go to reach your business or life goals. Instead, see the opportunity in every goal, and expand it in your imagination.

3. Practice daily celebrations. It actually begins in the morning. For example, I like to head out early for a swim, bike ride, or run. I’m talking 5 AM, before the day even begins early. It allows me to reflect on my daily goals, think gratefully of my life, and realize the privilege of where I am in life. Applying these techniques to your life will be a great beginning for new things to come, especially if you wish to change anything or improve your day-to-day experiences. In addition, celebrating the achievements can be done as follows:
a. Feedback: Congratulate or make a positive note to anyone around you that’s done something right. That includes yourself.
b. Sharing: Share a good accomplishment with someone who cares enough to be happy for you. This includes, family, friends, and colleagues. The more you express your happiness with a development, the more grateful you become, and the more attraction of the same you get…
c. Getting more: That’s your ultimate goal. In order to achieve it, you got to want it. Think about where you want to be in a day, month, year, or five years from now. The more you imagine yourself being there or obtaining your ideal wants, the faster it will materialize.

Onward and upward.

Through the years, we have represented a slew of celebrities, ranging from Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, to Pamela Anderson, hall of fame athletes, and others. Whether or a major mega-star, or up and coming celebrity, universally celebrity PR campaigns are very demanding, time consuming and hard work, for many reasons.  (And of course that’s before the “colorful” (and I can tell a ton of stories, but wont am sworn to secrecy).

Adrian Grenier’s recent comments to the WSJ that celebrities wont need Public Relations representatives in the future: “I don’t have a publicist and never have.  I’m no stranger to self promotion. I find it first of all more authentic when you put a bit of your creative touch to what you’re trying to share.”

Public Relations is more than self-promotion for celebrities, its shaping and positioning a brand, its filtering requests, and many other responsibilities.  I agree with a comment I read made by a CEO of a PR agency “Dollar for dollar publicity is one of the great bargains left in Hollywood. If a celebrity makes $6 million a year, for example, they probably pay a publicist give or take $5,000 or $6,000 a month, or one percent of their net. When you compare the hours a publicist puts in to the ten percent a manager or agent gets…I don’t think agents or managers are overpaid, but I think publicists are underpaid.” As he further stated, a good publicist will drive their client to be themselves.

I am just returning to work today from a week in the gorgeous French Riveria (visited Monaco, Nice, Cannes and other areas), and the amount of wealth and high profile people there was amazing.  Who would handle the many celebrity mistakes made in places like this, or false sightings which are reported ?

Nearly all CEO’s have Public Relations pros, or PR agencies handling their needs, and so too should celebrities. Celebrities need PR specialists, much as they need lawyers, accountants, doctors and others who know their fields the best way.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

I remember when my daughter was born I said to my wife, “I already have a baby.” In shock, she turned hurt, until I immediately told her – “Dont worry darling, its my business, 5WPR.” Of course, entrepreneurs feel that the business they founded, sweat and bleed for is like their baby. I say this writing from a “business center” in the South of France, on vacation, where people are on vacation, relaxing, but like many other entrepreneurs, the concern, care and passion for my business arent on vacation. An entrepreneur always is caring for and nurturing their business, much like a child.

Being away for the last week, in the beauty of the French Riveria has left me time to think about items which are often neglected day to day, but are vital. Entrepreneurs dont realize how much in fact they are brands – To their employees (who often watch their every move), clients, competitors, and others. Any business owner’s personality and character are part and parcel of the company’s very fabric and being.

In the honor of July 4th, I’d like to offer four easy and applicable “independence” tips for you to apply this weekend. They wouldn’t take long, but can impact your business and reputation.

1.       Who are you? Understand the important role of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) vis a vis your brand. ”Everyone is “Googled” often, and what comes up when someone does in fact google you ? (and the 1st few pages count a lot more than the last)… Tip #1: create your public Google profile. Google prompts you to do that once you type your name on their search. Include links to your website, social media accounts, blogs, or any other source of information about you

2.       What are you up to? Social media: you should, at the very least open a Facebook, LinkedIn and twitter account, for yourself and your business. Did you visit them lately to update your network? Twitter is like a pet: if you don’t feed it and give it attention – it dies. And it takes your social media presence with it. Once you have active social media accounts, they will influence google, and therefore you will contribute directly to your brands “google” reputation. This weekend make sure to go to your social media accounts and update them: are your links set in properly? Is your professional doings updated? Have you optimized your network by bringing in more friends, colleagues and business partners? Look up for potential clients and partners to your ventures.

3.       What can you tell me? The online arena has turned to be one huge social setting. People are there to share. I am certain you have a lot to share too. First and foremost – on yourself, your skills, your talents and strengths. State them clearly over your different online accounts. Sign up to forums that revolve around your business. One of the greatest goals you can set for yourself in this venture is for you to come up and be recognized as an expert in your field. In order to achieve that you must be active and share opinions, expertise and knowledge in professional forums, your own blog or two, and in the business and professional settings that are meant to meet this goal. One of them is the BusinessWeek business exchange forum found here.

So it’s the time of year when many new college graduates are looking for jobs…. Some will seek full-time employment in their respective fields while others will make do with whatever they can get.  I vividly recall graduating college in June 1995 and having no clue what to do for a living. I also remember how thrilled my mother was when I told her I would deliver pizza while I “figured it out.” Delivering pizza lasted little over one year (and I loved it), and then I went to a MBA program in Israel—which I dropped out of after less than a week.  I ended up working in politics in Israel, loved it, and stumbled upon a PR job.  Then, at the age of 25 I returned to the States for my first PR agency job.

Much like Today’s generation of blogging, micro-blogging, facebooking, spacing out on MySpace, digging in on Digg and mainly – relying entirely on information one gets on Google and Wiki means people don’t like going the slow way – Entrepreneurship allows people to do it how they see fit.  I realize today how competitive the job market is for everyone, and particularly for those seeking to enter the very difficult field of Public Relations. There are also those who will try to embark on a different path: the path of self employment. And for many, it’s a great option. I know it was very compelling to me less than 8 years ago, and I do not regret a minute of it since.

I am an entrepreneur; but not just any entrepreneur—rather one who chose a PR career through self-employment. PR is fast. PR entrepreneurship is WILD fast. And when you run fast you naturally focus on reaching your goal, which for me was and has been growth and success. You don’t see each and every stone that may trip you. And boy do they!

Growing quickly, I made many mistakes, said things I wish I hadn’t said, did things I wish I hadn’t done, but it has been my choice to ‘hit the ground running’ in PR and do amazing work for our clients through the years, which we have been blessed to do. At the age of 35, with a daughter at home, I am blessed to better understand my business and the world around me far more so than I did when we started. We are very proud to have been named the fastest-growing PR agency in the US 3 years in a row, and on the INC 500 list of fastest growing companies in the US.  Just this year, I was named a semi-finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. That’s been gratifying.

In recent weeks, I have held a series of meetings and meals with other PR agency owners to better understand the role of PR in business, and 5WPR’s role in the greater scheme of the PR world. This way of life has brought both rewards and obligations, commitments and prices to pay. Those happen, too, when you choose to run your own business.

Some personal reflections (offered twitter-friendly and in 140-character max – Follow me @Rtorossian5wpr)

1. With email and the Internet the world moves very very fast.  Know the values and consequences of that.
2. Focus on what you want to achieve and not on possible obstacles. It is guaranteed that whatever you focus on will materialize faster
3. Care about your staff and your clients.  Treat people as you’d treat your own family.
4. Run tactically but think strategically. Just running won’t get you far. You’ll hit the wall. Strategically you’ll find a way around it. But don’t over plan without doing.
5. KNOW you will make mistakes on the way and don’t be afraid to make them.
6. Put past mistakes behind you, and just try and grow from them.
7. Do what makes you happy. YOU. Not your environment, social circle, or external surroundings. You will never regret doing it your own way
8. Stop to reflect on daily, weekly, monthly and periodically actions of yours. Sometimes even a 1 day trip can allow clarity.
9. Be a good listener. Take advice and don’t feel you’re too smart to apply it to your business
10. When someone criticizes ask yourself does this person care about me (or my business), and if they do then listen.  If not, then don’t.