12 enterprising CEO secrets to launch and grow your CLNC business.

To reach the top, personally and professionally, you must act like the people who are already at the top. Top CEOs like Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump, no matter how different their approaches, have one key quality in common: they are enterprising. Enterprising CEOs manage life from the driver's seat. They choose their destination, make their own road rules and cash the big checks.

Reward doesn't have to appear as dollars in the bank, but an enterprising CEO does expect a payoff. What ultimate reward will you receive from rising to the top as a Certified Legal Nurse ConsultantCM? A new Porsche? An Italian villa? An exotic vacation to Poughkeepsie? A promotion? Or simply making a difference in the world? Getting in touch with that payoff, knowing the "why" in the "want" sustains your commitment to follow through, rise to the top and reap the payoff you desire.

When you think about it, life is the grandest enterprise of all--and you're in charge. Top CEOs know they are not only CEOs of their companies, but enterprising CEOs of their lives. You manage your personal development, finances, public relations, transportation, commissary, entertainment, janitorial services and even human resources. You're already the CEO of the business of running your life, fully vested in the payoff, so why not act the part and take on your next exhilarating enterprise as a CLNC[R] consultant?

I bellied up to this concept in 1982 when I decided it was time to act like the CEO of my life and career instead of acting like an employee. I discovered the enterprising secrets of top CEOs, left my hospital job as a registered nurse earning $28,000/yr, and launched what is today a multimillion-dollar business.

I used my 12 CEO Secrets of Enterprise to launch my business and grow it annually for 26 years. These same secrets will help you rise to the top as CEO of your CLNC[R] practice.

CEO Secret 1: Everything Is Marketing

The old saying among entrepreneurs, that nothing happens in business until "somebody sells something," is equally true in life. From the moment you were old enough to realize that a smile could "sell" your parents on giving you another cookie, you've been marketing your ideas.

Getting a promotion or pay raise means selling your supervisor on your abilities, attitude and experience. That's marketing.

Convincing your spouse it's okay to leave the dishes and cuddle up for some intimacy may require charm and persuasion. That's marketing.

Convincing your property owners' association to resurface the tennis courts might require a benefit analysis and presentation. That's marketing.

Corralling a widely separated extended family for a reunion will mean selling the idea, date and place to all family members. That's marketing.

When I received my master's degree in nursing, I learned the hard way that this valuable asset had no value unless I marketed it. No one at the hospital said, "Thank you for pursuing higher education, Vickie. Here's the pay raise you deserve." I attempted to market that idea to my manager, but she didn't buy in, so I marched my asset out the door to start my own business.

I had a new idea, legal nurse consulting. I learned very quickly the best idea goes nowhere without strong, innovative marketing behind it. Starting your CLNC[R] business means selling you and your expertise.

Marketing has three simple parts: First, find a need. Second, fill that need. Third, convince people to buy in. As CEO, start viewing everything you do from this three-part marketing perspective.

Envision your bold enterprise. Visualize your venture and answer the question, "What will this do for me?" Write down in detail the payoff you desire--more money, more free time, more happiness or all three.

Embellish your vision with sensory detail. See, hear, taste and feel it. The more real it is to you, the more you'll believe in your ability to make it happen.

Communicate your enterprising idea with energy and confidence. You have a story to tell about your new CLNC[R] business, and you have to make it interesting, believable and irresistible. Is your story intriguing? Does it highlight your nursing knowledge and expertise?

Be authentic. Your message must be not only interesting but also real. "Own" your message. Build the core of your presentation around the concept of filling a need. Demonstrate how your expertise will benefit attorneys, then prove why you're the right match for that attorney. Connect with your attorney audience. Companies we call "super brands" make customers feel special just for buying their product and smart for owning it. Make sure you connect with attorney-prospects in a way that allows them to trust you and your expertise. Reinforce your message in everything you do. More than "service with a smile," give "service with bold competency." Make attorneys want to seek you out to work with you again.

Repeat your story often. Not everyone will get it, not everyone will buy in. But every aspect of your life is a marketing opportunity. Keep polishing your presentation and spreading the word.

CEO Secret 2: Be Your Own Number One Fan

CEOs promote their company and their achievements. They know that buyers don't want to purchase from losers. Announcing your achievements may feel boastful, but can you imagine Oprah or Donald being shy about broadcasting their triumphs?

With humility, let attorneys know any time you score--whether it's finishing a high-profile case, winning a relevant award or expanding your CLNC[R] services. Who you know is important, but even more important is who knows you. Achievements are your resume and expand your credibility.

Announcing your achievements also validates the choices people have made on your behalf--the attorney who hired you or the attorney who recommended you wants to know he bet on a winner.

Write a note. Send newsworthy communications to your clients, friends, family, CLNC[R] colleagues and acquaintances. Be concise, stir in a little humor, and people will look forward to receiving your news.

Roll out a news flash. Craft a short, punchy message and tack it onto your voice mail message or place a hyperlinked tagline under your email signature to take recipients to your website.

CEO Secret 3: Expect Icebergs

No enterprise is unsinkable; the Titanic* sank its first time out. Plenty of entrepreneurs have made and lost millions on their rise to the top. But when you act like a CEO, you'll create such a solid foundation and framework for your CLNC[R] enterprise that only an enormous iceberg could knock you off course.

Assess your strengths and challenges. The stability of your CLNC[R] enterprise comes not only from...