SmarterComics Blog

SmarterComics in Entrepreneur's 100 BRILLIANT COMPANIES

In Entrepreneur's annual look of 2012 at the brightest ideas, the hottest industries and the most insightful innovators, SmarterComics was one of the 100 selected companies to be chosen from.

We're honored.

Thank you to our customers, agents, artists, authors, publicist, sales, domestic retailers, partners in Asia/Europe/South America... and of course, Entrepeneur.com

Link to Entrepreneur's 100 of 2012:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/100brilliantcompanies

Link to the article about SmarterComics:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223612

The 3 Most Important Questions You Need to Ask Yourself

 

1. What are my highest value activities?
2. What can I and only I do that will make a real difference?
3.What is the most valuable use of my time?

This isn’t a quiz…this is a test. If you can answer the above three questions with accuracy and speed, you will be a success in both life and business. If, on the other hand, you don’t know the answers, you need to spend some time re-evaluating your life.

The key to success is not only knowing the answers to these questions, but taking action on them. Learning how to schedule your time is a big part of it, too. By saying “no” to anything that is not a high-value use of your time and your life, you clear out a lot of distractions, hassles, and other useless time-wasters. You can start focusing on doing those activities which result in either more money, happiness, or personal success. Understanding what your strengths are and how to apply those strengths in the most efficient manner possible will put you ahead of everyone else. Once you start reaping the rewards of your work, you’ll discover that you have more energy than ever to keep yourself motivated.

Let Brian Tracy help you getting MORE DONE IN LESS TIME. Start TODAY! Available as paperback on Amazon.com

The Four Ways of Living (Samurai Philosophy)

According to master samurai Miyamoto Musashi, there are four ways in which you can make your way through life: either as a gentleman warrior, a farmer, an artisan, or a merchant. A farmer tills the soil seasonally to produce crops. He is never able to build on his previous achievements, because they are ephemeral. A merchant makes his living by profiting off others. A gentleman warrior carries his own weapons and lives in his own particular style, but he must have an appreciation for strategy if he is to be successful.

Similarly, the artisan masters a particular craft or skill not only by becoming proficient in the details, but by being able to conceptualize of a much larger strategy. Whether you are attempting to build a house or lead an army to victory, the underlying principles of strategy, meticulousness, and practice must be studied and carried out.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to a truly meaningful life. Even a prefabricated house must first be planned out, engineered, disassembled and then reassembled. Becoming an artisan allows you to understand how all the components of your life can be manipulated to produce different results, leading to success and prosperity.

Miyamoto Musahi's masterpice "The Book of Five Rings from SmarterComics" is now available on Amazon (paperback and Kindle Edition).

Click here to get more info!

Learn How to Cut Through the BS

People are rarely what they seem. Unfortunately, people often attempt to disguise their true motivations in order to be able to manipulate the situation to their advantage. However, there’s no reason that you should fall for this trap. All you have to do is train yourself to see past the manipulation and BS. Once you’ve converted to a realistic view, nobody will ever be able to fool you again.

Luckily, learning to see a person’s true nature doesn’t require a 4-year degree from an Ivy League university. Instead, it requires that you learn to face down the harsh circumstances of life without flinching. Ask yourself: What does a person have to gain from a particular scenario? What do you offer them, if anything? Once you understand what’s really going on, make a commitment to upholding a realistic vision.

It may be difficult sometimes to admit that people’s motivations are darker and more complex than we would like them to be, but it’s much better to see the truth than be stabbed in the back by an artfully constructed lie. As 50 Cent says, you can convert to a realistic view at any time. All it takes is courage.

From the upcoming book by rapper 50 Cent and Robert Greene (author of The 48 Laws of Power) "The 50th Law from SmarterComics".

Now avaialable for pre-orders on Amazon!

 

 

CASH IS KING!

We often hear that “cash is king,” and in the business world, there is nothing more important than understanding that cash is the king of all operations.  Although companies shut down for a wide variety of reasons, the most universal reason is, quite simply, they ran out of cash.

In the SmarterComics adaptation of Financial Intelligence, Karen Berman, PhD. and Joe Knight use a comic book format to illustrate some important about accounting. The first, and most important lesson that they offer is that although accounting and finance are as much art as they are science, this is not the case with cash, which is the least affected by the “art of finance.”

They utilize illustrations of a juggling to provide insight into the juggling act that a company does as they wait for customers to pay their bills while the company’s come due.  They also assert that it is important to remember that it is possible to have cash without profit; although the company could be taking in a lot of cash through sales, its bills might not be due until later, leading into an easy path of spending money that doesn’t exist.

Berman and Knight leave their readers with the empowering message that their actions directly affect cash flow and that they can have a positive impact by asking themselves a few key questions: In accounts receivable, are customers paying their bills on time?  Are they satisfied with their products?  In inventory, are you stocking more than you expect to sell?  Are expenses being kept in-check?

Financial Intelligence offers this and other important lessons about finances in a format that is approachable and understandable.  For anyone who has ever been eluded by finance, SmarterComics provides them with an invaluable tool.

"Financial Intelligence from SmarerComics" will be pulished on June 4, 2012. The book is already available for pre-order on Amazon (click here for more details).

 

 

Sun Tzu and the Importance of Self-Knowledge

Sun Tzu says that once you know who you are, you become invincible. Oddly enough, self-knowledge can be exceedingly difficult to acquire. Rarely do we know ourselves by introspection; it is only through action that we learn who we truly are.

Although few of us initially enjoy competition, it is nearly impossible to avoid, especially in an age of global interconnectivity. In order to thrive, we must learn from each confrontation. The more we understand our own limits and the limits of our opponents, the better prepared we are for each challenge. Self-knowledge helps us approach each scenario with a clearer notion of our likely success. By understanding our strengths and weaknesses, we can prepare for each competition in a manner that allows us to win.

This mastery of the self as a way to prosper in a competitive environment forms one of the basic tenets of Sun Tzu’s "The Art of War from SmarterComics". Learning about yourself — and understanding how best to apply that knowledge to life, school, and work — is the key to success.

To read more of Sun Tzu's incredible insights, click on The Art of War from SmarterComics.

The Art of War now in Full-Color

“The Art of War from SmarterComics” is a step-by-step guide to becoming powerful, influential, and masterful in every area of your life.

As a wise man once noted, life isn’t easy. But that’s because no one ever taught you how to get ahead. Once you learn how to conquer life’s challenges, you become unstoppable.

Master general Sun Tzu cracked the code for winning any competition over 2,000 years ago. His insights have been updated for the 21st century into a fully illustrated masterpiece that will have you blazing past obstacles into your kick-ass new future.

Forget slogging through dense text. Whip through these gorgeous illustrated panels so you can start using Sun Tzu’s wisdom in your own life.

Click here to get access to the free eBook (online).

 

3 Classic Ways To Psych Out Your Opponent

Classic samurai strategy dictates that there are three ways to forestall your opponent:

1. Attack him.

2. Forestall him as he attacks.

3. Attack simultaneously.

Each of these methods requires a different attitude and focus. When attacking your opponent, you need to approach the situation with measured calm. Suddenly changing your speed at the last instant will unnerve him, especially if you appear very settled and steady initially.

When your opponent is attacking you, let him get fairly close to you on the pretext that you’re weak. As he gets near, jump away as if you’re giving up. As soon as your opponent relaxes, go for the kill stroke and reveal your hidden strength. He won’t anticipate your sudden reversal.

Finally, when you both attack at the same time, gain the upper hand by remaining calm but focused on his weak point. Don’t waste effort on anything else. By honing in on his weakness, you will quickly bring him to his knees and win the altercation, whether you’re fighting with broad swords or verbal puns. Remember, manipulating the psychology of your opponent to your advantage results in triumph. Always understand the kind of battle you’re fighting to select the appropriate strategy.

Wanna learn samurai strategies? Check out Musashi's comic book version.

5 Steps to Mastering the Universe (Samurai Philosophy)

  Houses, bodies, and enemies collapse when their rhythm becomes deranged. Sometimes, all you have to do to win a conflict is disrupt your opponent’s rhythm. But how is that done?

Classic strategy says that in order to disrupt the rhythm of our opponents, we must first understand our own rhythms, and the rhythms of nature. It is only when you appreciate the power of nature and know the rhythm of any situation that you will be able to strike in an appropriate way and unbalance your opponent.

This takes a lot of practice, and the development of a sense of timing. Timing is crucial in any situation, trade, or industry. You have to know when to move, when to stop, and when to change tactics. No one develops a sense of timing overnight. Only by constantly working at broadening your perception will you be able to start to detect the rhythms that are responsible for life.

To master rhythm, be sure that you:
1. Never think dishonestly.
2. Become acquainted with every art.
3. Know the ways of all professions.
4. Perceive things which can’t be seen.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.

The world will be yours.

From Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings"

Sun Tzu: THE BEST WARS ARE NEVER FOUGHT!

The best wars are never fought. Preventing conflict is the mark of a master general, at least according to renowned general and philosopher Sun Tzu. Although there are many techniques you can use to win a battle, the truly talented individual will never have to even raise a hand to his opponent. But how does this strategy apply to daily life? Answer: you should enter every conversation, every argument, and every competition with the intent to win.

SmarterComics is pleased to present soon a full color version Sun Tzu’s masterpiece. From the machinations of a down and dirty senate race to the dimly lit parlor of a gangster kingpin, Sun Tzu’s insights have as much resonance now as they did twenty five hundred years ago.

If you enjoy winning, learning from the undisputed master is the fastest route to success. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent along with your own skills will enable you to seize desirable opportunities and avoid the pitfalls. Winning isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset and a lifelong discipline. Start winning today.