Last updated: 7/2009

Proven To Advance Your Career And Earnings 3 Times Faster With Minimal Effort. Learn How Fortune 500 Companies Really Work. Get Insider Secrets & Effective Advice For Powerful Personal Marketing & Motivation. Work Smarter Not Harder. Handholding Included.
Who else wants to make more money on the job with less effort and as fast as possible?"

FROM THE DESK OF:
Professor Linda M. Lopeke
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Monday, 4:05 pm

"Give me 5 minutes and I'll personally show you how to turn your college degree or new job into a corporate career worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your professional lifetime."

Dear potential fast tracker,

In my job, I meet a lot of young people who work hard to be the best in school. They dream of being hugely successful. They want high paying jobs and exciting careers.

I also work with a lot of people who have already started careers. They want to stand out from the herd and rise up the ranks quickly. But, they don't always know how to do that safely. They get upset when they see others, less qualified, snag promotions, recognition, and rewards they've worked their socks off for but aren't getting.

What do these people have in common? They are all people just like you ¡­

People with big dreams. Ambition. Goals. People driven to push their limits. People hungry for success and all that comes with it.

Does this sound like you? I'm sure you are not working your butt off just for fun. Or simply to fill up your days. You have a whole life ahead of you. Why put in all that time and effort just to be seen as ordinary¡ªwhere's the big payoff in that? And nobody wants to be a failure.

Of course, if you aren't interested in learning how you can be more successful with a whole lot less effort, you can stop reading right now. However, if you are¡­ please go on.

Unless you are very wealthy or extremely good at winning lotteries, you can expect to be working for 40 years of your life or more. And while not everyone has what it takes to become a top executive, YOU do have complete control over how much you earn in your career lifetime.

YOU can crack the corporate success code!

Even if you didn't have a chance to go to college, you can still earn way more and go further than all of your co-workers who did.

How do I know this?

Because I have done it myself. And, I know how to make it happen for YOU, no ifs, ands, or buts. (Not only that, I have shared my methods with hundreds of other people just like you who have experienced big success in their careers too.)

Now there are many successful people who NEVER went to college. Some people take extra courses to get ahead on the job. And several of the rest have made huge investments of time and money in a higher education.

Many have even studied at the best business schools in the world to earn an MBA degree. These are just some of the big schools we're talking about here...

In the United States: Harvard, Columbia, Wharton, Kellogg, and Stanford. In Canada, there's Schulich, Richard Ivy, and the Queen's School of Business (to name just a few). And don't forget Oxford, Cambridge and London Business School in England. Or Bocconi (Italy), Insead (France), and IMD (Switzerland).

(I'm leaving a lot of business schools out of the list but you get the idea!)

Sure, MBA grads get hired. And their starting salary is usually higher. But after that they face the same on-the-job challenges as anybody else. And sometimes with a bit of a handicap.

You see, today's MBA programs are under fire. For being so far removed from the reality of the business world that the value of an MBA degree is questioned in the media a lot. So that gets people asking some hard questions about the high cost of higher education. And whether or not it's worth the investment.

The Deans of these business schools, like Professor Glenn Hubbard, Dean of the Columbia Business School for example, have to work pretty darn hard to defend the value of their MBA programs. And not everybody is buying what they are selling! But none of this needs to affect YOU! Ever. Let me tell you why.

Once you get hired, and know what to do next and exactly how to do it, and do it with the right mindset, there is absolutely nothing that can hold you back!

Having an MBA degree is great but it's no guarantee of anything ¡ªexcept maybe having big debts from all the school loans that have to be paid off once you start working.

I meet people with college and MBA degrees all the time who don't do nearly as well as they expect to once they get hired! (Of course, my own students don't fall into this category but I'll get to them in a minute.)

More importantly, NOT having an MBA (or some other big college degree or professional designation) DOES NOT MEAN you can't have an absolutely amazing career. Because, once you snag the all-important first job, all bets are off!

Everything that happens to you from your first day on the job depends more on how well you play the game than on where or even how long you went to school. Or how many letters follow your name.

You might be tempted to believe successful people with great careers are just lucky. Let me tell you right now there is no such thing as luck. This is so important I'll say it again... there is no such thing as luck!

There is only preparation meeting opportunity.

Which brings me to a very important question for you¡­

What are YOU doing right now to guarantee you get the most bang for your buck having spent a lot of time and money on your education?

And, if you've already started working, what are YOU doing right now to get noticed, get rewarded, and get moving on up to making more money?

Working harder than anyone else? Spending long hours at the office? Praying for that big break? Hmmm?

I don't want to scare you but a lot of people are willing to work hard. Harder than anyone else. Maybe even harder than YOU! I believe in working hard myself when I'm going after something I really want.

But, do you know this critical fact (confirmed by a study at Yale)?

Only 3% of the people who are working hard ever experience success.

Shocking isn't it? Only 3%!

And I bet you there are a lot of hardworking folks in that other 97% too. If all this sounds really depressing, let me apologize. That's not my intention at all. Just giving you a reality check. Sometimes you need one. (And, to be honest, sometimes I need one too.)

What I want to do is pass along a very important message. One that can make a whole world of positive difference in your life.

If you can be patient long enough to listen to what I have to say, I promise you it will be well worth your time.

Maybe you are even asking yourself, "What does she know about the difficulties and challenges I am facing right now?" Well, here's what I know for sure (and Oprah and "the Donald" and a whole lot of other mega successful people back me up on this)...

With the right mentor, you can turbo-charge your career and leave friends and co-workers eating your dust while you take home bigger pay and snag rapid promotions!

Imagine having affordable, unlimited access to a recognized leading expert to guide you in fast tracking your success in a corporate career.

Imagine having somebody willing to take you under wing and secretly tell you the unspoken truth about how things really work inside the Fortune 500. (Your employer will NEVER tell you these things and you will not learn them in ANY business school.)

Somebody who knows how to set you up mentally for success on and off the job.

Somebody who shows you how to pump up the volume and get noticed. In ways that let you get twice as much done, in half the time, and with minimal effort.

(By the way, this is the same somebody the world's best companies routinely pay six figures to guarantee their own success. And the same somebody some of the world's brightest executives secretly rely on for personal coaching, professional advice, and leadership mentoring.)

Succeeding in business isn't about who YOU know, it is about who knows YOU.

And it's NOT about working HARDER, it is about working SMARTER.

So, if YOU only knew HOW to do that¡­

How much more would YOU be able to achieve?

How much faster would YOU be able to reap the rewards of reaching YOUR personal and professional goals?

How much further would YOU travel on the road to success and how much more would YOU enjoy your life, your work, your rewards, and all the personal growth, professional recognition, and lifestyle freedom that comes along the way?

Just how much would that be worth to YOU? The price of one movie pass? A concert ticket? Or how about less than the price of an iPod?

Well, here's the good news!

You don't have to spend years of your life learning the ropes on your own hoping you don't make any fatal career-killing mistakes along the way!

I will tell you what you need to do, show you exactly how to do it, and be there to coach you through it every step of the way if you qualify to join my new virtual mentoring program called SmartStart.

In this program you learn how to quickly create your own career success story inside any company or organization. I'm happy to tell you, after two years of waiting, the doors to the exclusive ASI virtual mentoring programs are now open!

You probably don't know this but since 2005 I've been working privately with the best and brightest students attending the world's top 50 business schools.

And also with people already working in the Fortune 500, who are seen as having high potential as emerging leaders.

I'm proud to say our innovative virtual mentoring program has been unbelievably successful!

In fact, interest was so high and competition so intense, we completely filled all seats in the ASI Insiders program within two weeks of the initial offering! (and we currently do not have any open seats in this mentoring program until September 2009!)

After two years, the waiting finally comes to an end but the new program is expected to sell out really fast too!

Something simply HAD to be done! Because, for the last two years, I've had to turn away every single person who wrote, called, and literally chased me down begging to be allowed into the ASI Insiders virtual mentoring program.

I couldn't accept any of their applications because we just didn't have a way of helping them all without compromising our commitment to professional excellence. As a result, we've had interested students on our "standby" and "wait" lists for a very long time.

Probably because we regularly receive letters like this from our current ASI mentoring program members¡­

RAVE REVIEW
Dear Professor Lopeke,

I am sincerely appreciative of your help and support over the last few months. The words I shared with the QLEAD delegates [at the Queen's School of Business conference] were the least I could do to thank you for your leadership and commitment.

When I spoke about the unparalleled opportunity and experience of being a part of the ASI Insiders mentoring program, it took a moment for me to realize just how lucky I was. You cannot imagine how many students came up to me trying to find out about this impressive "secret-society" called ASI...

I have derived a wealth of experience from the tips, hints, and guidance you have provided to me, as well as the rest of the ASI team! Indeed, I owe my improved leadership skills to you - ranging from improved networking skills, showing confidence in an interview, and making that first impression stand out.

A. Jivraj
[male, late teens, about to start college]

RAVE REVIEW
Dear Ms. Lopeke,

I am currently an MBA student at Wilfrid Laurier University and am pursuing my CMA [accounting designation] at the same time.

Everything you say makes so much sense. Your line "taking just a little bit more time and effort to provide something not expected" is one I will not soon forget. I often find in life sometimes the truth is directly in front of my eyes. It's my own blindness that prevents me from seeing it.

I wanted to take the opportunity to sincerely thank you. I would like to tell you how inspirational and intriguing I find you. What you've done with your life is an inspiration to people from all walks of life - not just women at [big company name]. I am looking forward to your book being released.

I. Hossu
[female, late twenties, working in Fortune 500 AND going to school]

RAVE REVIEW
Dear Professor Lopeke,

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak at Queen's School of Business this past weekend. The reason I wanted to be mentored by you was to become more like you in terms of your thought process in everyday life.

I want to learn how you deal with people in general, how you gain strategic direction for your life. And what I specifically want to be mentored about is in taking risks and visioning.

I am what you call "the average leader". I find that I need more to be able to "think outside the box". Thanks again for helping me get that something more by becoming my mentor.

S. Huen
[female, early twenties, Commerce student]

Here's an excerpt from another letter (this one's a program referral):

RAVE REVIEW
"Applying some of the Professor's rules helped me nail the promotion I was looking for in just a couple months' time!"

As one of the members of ASI, I can tell you the classes I've taken with Professor Lopeke are always interesting and exciting.

The material is current, relevant and a must-have for anyone aspiring to climb the ranks of today's Fortune 500 companies or have that critical and all-important competitive edge.

Whether you are just starting out and want to fast track, or have been working a long time and think you should be getting more recognition than you are, you will find the information covered extremely useful to achieving your professional goals.

A. Gomez
[female, thirties, employed by a Fortune 500 company]

And here are a couple more ASI member comments for good measure.

RAVE REVIEW
I learned how to recognize and make others aware of the value I bring to the table [without alienating anyone]¡ªit really pays to know how to harness the power of personal marketing!

RAVE REVIEW
Professor Lopeke explains in detail the secret code these companies operate by, but never share with their employees, and how you, by knowing this code, can avoid making fatal career-killing mistakes.

Can you tell if they are from a man or woman? A young person or someone older? A college student or seasoned Fortune 500 employee? Well, it doesn't really matter because the benefits gained from my virtual mentoring programs are genderless, ageless and, more importantly, timeless.

So what is this exclusive secret society called ASI that everybody wants to get into but has been shut out of for the last two years?

If you are not one of the ASI Insiders or haven't read about the program or attended any of the public events or on campus conferences where we've been a featured attraction, here's what you need to know¡­

The secret society called ASI delivers its members an unbeatable competitive advantage.

ASI is a secret society of people who were given a chance to work privately with Professor Lopeke to gain a competitive advantage so they can advance their careers. Most of them are 18-25 but we do have members ranging in age from 14 to 63.

All the ASI members share the common goal of wanting to fast track membership into the $100,000 Club and be earning six-figure salaries. Some have other career goals they are going after as well. Quite a few want to become successful entrepreneurs and don't see ever working for anyone but themselves.

Back in 2005, the current members applied for and won corporate sponsored seats in the ASI Insiders program. Their private coaching is expensive at $25,000 per seat. (Now, don't go getting all discouraged about the high price tag¡­ we've found a way around that for you!)

When the ASI members achieve their goals, they will learn the name of the company who sponsored them and covered the cost of their program fees. Meanwhile, they are having an awesome time and have been putting what they are learning to good use.

And their employers are rewarding them with raises and promotions beyond even their wildest dreams!

Great work can be very rewarding in unexpected ways...

Although the program has been more work for me than I could ever have imagined, they send me notes like this that make it all worthwhile... here's an extra special one I received a few weeks ago from a young male in the program:

RAVE REVIEW
Dear Professor Lopeke,

In our world today, there are leaders and there are mentors who train and support aspiring younger individuals to have that hope and dream of being successful.

Somehow, you manage to play both the role of a mentor to so many, and all the while, remain such a strong and prominent leader as you are.

You have my sincere respect. It is hard to earn, hard to show and even more difficult to see on paper -- your work [with ASI students] over the past eighteen months is seemingly only one example of your leadership and genuine interest in youth as well as those who share your ambitions.

I look forward to joining you in your network of success and ambition, and of course the $100K Club in the coming years!

Ok, now I'm getting all misty eyed.

And I still have lots I want to tell you. Starting with... the guy who wrote the note above is the one who inspired me to create the new mentoring program I'm going to tell you about now. He IS the reason your waiting to "get with the program" is finally over!

You can (and will want to) thank him later if you are allowed into the new program¡­

Hundreds of happy customers have already benefitted from my mentoring programs; don't miss your one-time chance to join them.

Now, as I've been writing this to you, I've shown the draft letter to a few people. And some of them have said: "aren't all those testimonials just made up?" Absolutely not! Get real!

In the first place, it's unethical (and even illegal). But beyond that, I've been working in the Fortune 500 longer than most of my readers will have been on the planet!

And, because I practice what I teach, my office and the garage are full with box after box of fabulous testimonials from clients, students, conference and seminar attendees, and various other people I've helped along the way during my own career.

(I always wondered why I was hanging on to all that paper all these years. But now I'm glad I did!)

Here are 5 really good reasons to apply to the SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Program.

Since there is all that history to work with and I've put the best of these materials into the new mentoring program, let's take a quick look at five really good reasons to hope your application is one of the ones accepted for admission.

1 The program is unlike any other career success coaching or training you may have seen or tried before for two reasons:

I'm not just going to give you the concepts and theory¡ªanybody can do that. And if you can read a book, you can do it for yourself. What I am going to do is teach you the success mindset plus give you the whys, whens and how tos (and how not tos) as they specifically apply to different situations and environments in a company. Nobody else does that! They leave that part up to you to figure out all on your own. And if you could really do it, you wouldn't need a mentor!

In the 25 years I've been in private practice, I've created a lot of systems, shortcuts and other stuff for myself and my Fortune 500 clients. I'm going to give you the actual tools, formulas and processes I've personally designed, sold to my clients, and use.

These gems are the main reason my teams produce better results than any other team. It's why they get written up in Harvard business publications as best practice role models. (Not many coaches like me are written up in Harvard! I've been written about twice and another story about my work is in development now.)

2 It's definitely NOT one-size-fits-all advice. Mentoring is personal. A mentor guides you towards growth and development and often becomes a trusted ally to guide your career advancement.

I've set the program up so you have lots of access to me (and other leading experts) using different channels. So you do not need to worry about not knowing where or how to get started when you go to apply your learning. Or what to do next and when.

Everything you need to succeed is included and explained in detail. It's all right there for you. You won't have to invent. You can simply improve on what I give you to make it your very own (or you can simply use it as is and stick your own name on it).

The only way your questions won't get answered is if you never ask them in the first place. (And that would be your fault, not a program shortfall.)

3 The students in the current mentoring program have been working with me since 2005. They've been taking my advice and it's been working great for them just like it has for me all these years. It will work for you too.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, I've been mentoring folks for about 25 years¡­ almost 40 years if you count my own management career prior to becoming a consultant. For those of you doing the math, let me assure you I am not some out-of-touch old schooler¡ªI'm actually only 52 (going on 53). Which means I've been working in my field since I was 13. Yes, you read that correctly. My first job was evaluating the operating systems for Burrough's mainframe computers (we didn't have pcs back in 1967). In fact, I completed my post-secondary education in information technology when I was 16 while simultaneously attending high school.

At 17 I set a world record for being the youngest person, in the history of banking, to lead a major technology implementation. So, if you don't like the way banks all over the world handle customer information and process financial transactions today, I guess you can blame me.

And it's not that I was young that was the big deal, it was the fact I was a woman. Back then it was a widely held view women did not have the intellectual capacity or aptitude to succeed in the world of technology or in management. Gosh, we've come a long way haven't we?

Since then I've had an incredible, fantastic career. I grew up in poverty and didn't have family connections to draw on. I don't have a university degree. But I did learn the success mindset and I had (and still have) great mentors myself. I had a lot of dreams. Dreams with deadlines. We call these goals. When opportunities came, I recognized them and I was prepared to take them on. Of course, some of these came disguised as obstacles.

In my career, I've mastered six professional management disciplines, winning awards in several of them. It's really been a blast. I can do anything I want. Work when I want. For any client I choose. And charge astronomical fees! I love my work; however, I love working with my students more. I hope you'll be able to be one of them. I guarantee you will learn a lot.

4 The work I'll be sharing with you has been recognized all over the world. I've been written up in Harvard business publications a few times (I mentioned that already, I know). But I am especially proud of it because back when I was a young newbie employee I read everything Harvard ever published as part of my own management education. And I never dreamed one day they would actually be writing about me! Too bad my dad isn't alive to see that. I remember how excited he got when Financial Post selected me as one of the top 5 entrepreneurs in the nation back when I was 29!

I've been featured as a leading expert in a variety of national magazines (likeFinancial Times, PM Network and others). I've created programs presented at conferences and at some of the top universities and business schools like Queen's for example. (And for these sessions the lecture halls are packed; ballrooms have been standing room only.)

And from all this work I've met thousands of talented, success-oriented, ambitious people like you. The main thing they all want to know is how can they get out there and do what I have done for themselves! That's what my mentoring program is really all about. Plus it's backed by my professional reputation and "real world" experience. (For decades now people have been taking and using my advice with great success.)

5 The SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Program comes with my personal "no hassle" guarantee.

If you are accepted for admission, participate in the program, and can't find a single thing you can do to improve yourself, advance your career, or that you didn't already know, I'll give you your money back¡ªthat's right ALL of it. No hassle. Period.

So if, for any reason, you feel you are not learning anything and are not satisfied with your decision to join the program, it's easy to request a refund. Just ask.

And by the way, I don't hide behind a PO Box (although I do have one). Also, I respond to emails and answer my own phone (when I'm in the office and not on a client site). All my students in the program and members of ASI know how to get in touch with me directly and so will you.

If you've read this far, I trust you are as excited to learn more as I am to tell you about the new SmartStart program.

Thanks to the wonders of technology and the help of our brilliant students in our current mentoring program, we've finally found a way to open it up and make it affordable so you can get in on it too, if you qualify.

Do YOU qualify for admission?

Let's take a minute and see if you've personally got what it takes to qualify for admission. Answer the following questions (and don't be kidding yourself¡­ just tell the truth):

Are you an ambitious, responsible person?
Are you highly motivated to realize your big dreams?
Are you comfortable with earning more than your coworkers?
Ok, so far so good. Keep going. Are you:

Ready to learn from leading experts and other professionals?
Willing to invest 2 to 3 hours a month preparing for success?
Able to keep your commitments?
Last one¡­ you're almost there!

Are you generous enough to share what you've learned for the benefit of others?
If you answered YES to at least 5 of the 7 questions read on.

ASI Program Participants¡ªDo YOU Fit the Mold?

Our current program participants are the best-of-the-best! They come from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Some are working two jobs to put themselves through school; others have parents paying the whole shot for them or are on scholarship.

We even have several who are working in their careers, some with families already, and yet they are also going to school to earn advanced degrees or additional professional designations.

Our members are committed to having the best life by being all they can be and making the most of their talents.

They study hard. They work hard. They play even harder.

(What's life without a party or two now and then? Surely you've heard of work/life balance?)

They are champions with a passion for excellence!

Some are destined to become the executive leaders of tomorrow. Others will become entrepreneurial legends in their own time. Most will achieve beyond their wildest dreams!

All of them are living life out loud!

Does it sound like you could be one of them, if only you could take part in the ASI mentoring program too?

Like I was saying earlier, we've had hundreds of requests from students like you asking to be let into the program. But we only had so many corporate sponsors and $25,000 a seat is a little pricey for the college crowd and people who are just starting out.

(Kidding. It's too pricey for just about everyone except the corporate sponsors! And they'd probably be in that camp too except, compared to what they pay me in consulting fees, the program cost saves them 90% which makes it a real bargain for them and a great opportunity for the ASI Insiders.)

Affordability is key. Accessibility too. You don't even have to leave home to participate.

So the BIG question left was... "HOW on earth was I going to make it possible for more people to have access to the best mentoring AND make it easily affordable?" In a way that could help a lot of people at once while still being interesting and interactive.

You see, while I enjoy working with my top students one-on-one, I simply don't have the time to do as much of it as I might like. So, except for the original ASI Insiders, I really don't do it much anymore. And once I finish up my commitment to them, I won't be doing any more private coaching. Period.

Again, don't be discouraged! I really have HEARD your requests for access to ASI. And, after several weeks of brainstorming with the ASI Insiders and seeking advice from my own mentors¡­ and then testing the best ideas with groups of all ages, I'm launching my brand new SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Program.

Because YOU asked for it!

Introducing the brand new SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Program!

Our brand new SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Program provides you with a competitive edge like no other success program out there.

If you are ready to:

experience superior self-motivation
get inside knowledge of how Fortune 500 companies really work
learn powerful personal marketing
have safe, ongoing access to support from a recognized leading expert, and
receive free tools that make it effortless for you to look like a superstar
you'll love this new program!

But I have to say this once again. As great as it is, the program isn't right for everybody. Check out this mini-list of what current students are learning to see a sample of what they know that you probably don't. (But maybe you'll wish you knew about it too.)

FYI: I'm only going to list a few things in each category because otherwise you'd be reading forever. And yesterday my 15-year old told me his teacher said to stick with the "rule of three" supporting statements per topic so let's see if that's good advice.

Here are just 36 secrets my students know that YOU probably don't!

Getting Hired

Why the typical advice about resumes is wrong and keeping you off the short list of candidates being selected for interviews. Not to mention that the resume is NOT even the most important thing that gets you the interview in the first place. (98% of all job candidates blow this because they believe what they've been told.)

The single, most important question you have to get the answer to at the start of any job interview, before you begin talking about yourself. If you really want the job, it's a must to know this. Miss this and odds are you'll just be wasting your time and theirs.

(I even teach you how and why to ask it and how to respond to the interviewer's questions depending on the answer.)

How to take control of your job interview. Did you know the hiring decision is made in the first 4 minutes of an interview? It's true. Everything they do after the first 4 minutes exists only to support their initial decision. Chances are you don't know what to do in this tiny window of opportunity to pass the secret tests. I'll show you what to do and explain why.
Starting a New Job

There are 3 critical things a new employee must do on Day 1 to set the stage for everything that happens from Day 2 forward. Most people don't know what they are. Do you? (My students do.)

Mastering 10 key behaviors is necessary to be successful in any company, in any environment. The rules for these behaviors are unspoken, so not knowing what they are is pretty much guaranteed to keep you from getting ahead in business. (You're probably violating at least some of these rules right now.)

The unwritten "code of conduct" has 4 rules that, if broken, permanently seal your fate. About 80% of your co-workers violate at least one of these things on a regular basis, so following their lead is definitely not a good success plan. (I'll tell you what is.)
Working (in general)

Why time management does NOT exist. You need to stop kidding yourself about this. You'll just be spinning your wheels if you buy into such insanity.

One thing to ALWAYS have on your desk and two things to NEVER have on your desk if you want to be seen as someone worthy of moving up the ranks.

The biggest mistake people make when meeting with the boss. You'll pay the price in more ways than one if you make it.
Communication

There are two little words that, when used to begin a certain type of email, help you create personal credibility, establish your professional reputation, and protect you from any potential disasters that may occur in future.

(I'll give you a hint, the first word has two letters, and the second has eight.)

One statement, commonly used to close email and end your telephone conversations when a "next action" is involved, has the opposite effect of what you intend because this innocent 3-letter word is mindlessly included.

(Chances are good you are guilty of this; your boss likely is too.)

How to avoid "death by meeting". (My students have the formula for always "meeting" with success.)
People Management (in general)

How to get anyone to do anything you want done or give you anything you need (this strategy works for family and friends too).

What to say when you want to squash another person's ideas or suggestions without making a lifetime enemy (actually, this one has a lot of off-the-job applications also).

How to go from invisible to indispensable. Secrets for getting noticed (and remembered) for the right things while steering clear of all the bad stuff without ticking people off.
Getting Promoted/Getting a Raise

The 3 times you have the most power and likelihood of getting what you want and deserve in your pay cheque.

Why you never discuss money or salary increases in your performance review (and when you do talk and what to say).

The one thing you need to do within 24 hours of being promoted or given a raise. (Hardly anyone knows this or does it (except for my students of course!) but I'll tell you what it is).
Giving Presentations

What foods you should never eat before entering any situation where you need to be mentally sharp and must be able to think fast on your feet.

Why PowerPoint sucks. And also what you can and need to do about it.

Two things you must never wear on the day you are giving your presentation and one thing that will get you through even the worst trial-by-fire.

Career Management (in general)

Your 1/3/10 success plan. How to set it up. What to put in it. When to update it. Where to keep it. Who (and who not) to tell about it and when. (Don't have one yet? It's never too late.)

How to tell if you are being well paid. And what to do and how to fix it if you find out you are not even close. (This one is bound to shock you! But once you know the formula, you'll know what to do to get and stay well paid.)

What you never put in writing in your personal performance plan (and what you always put in its place instead).
Networking

The top 10 mistakes people make that keep them from networking effectively. (If you are making any one of these, you are cheating yourself big time.)

How to socialize with the boss and higher ups when you don't travel in their professional circles or live in their neighborhood.

(It has to be done if you want to be a serious contender and most people are simply doing it wrong, wrong, wrong!)

Why volunteering for this event too often is the kiss-of-death for career advancement. On the other hand, certain events are critical for you to participate in¡ªnot doing so will also hold you back.

Project Management (in general)

5 never-fail strategies that take the pain out of project management.

(Poor project management is the norm in most companies; master this and you can practically write your own ticket to the top!)

How to best handle yourself when you have been assigned to the project team from hell (or worse are trying to lead them places nobody wants to go).

The early warning signs that scream your project is headed for failure (and what to do immediately to turn things around and save your butt).
Personal Productivity

The critical difference between getting things done and wasting time on busywork that makes you look like a total loser.

Must-have tools and resources vs the tools that are a complete waste of time and money. And the habits that make these tools work for you instead of against you. Plus, when to admit you have and are using these tools and when you absolutely must keep your mouth shut about it.

7 secrets for getting twice as much done in half the time. (Easy tricks? Yes. Well known and properly used? Not by a long shot.)

I'll stop now even though I could go on and on. I've really only scratched the surface of some of the general topics my students are covering.

If you've reached this point and didn't see at least one thing you didn't know the answer to, congratulations! You're already a professional through and through.

But I could probably still help you in the mentoring program because I'm not listing any of the specific topics and skills we cover in addition to the general material.

A few of my real-world credentials that make me an excellent mentor...

In my career, I've seen, analysed or designed the operational details for almost 300 of the world's best companies. I have worked for government and public institutions as well. Small business too.

Chances are you haven't had as many jobs for as many employers as I have (at least not yet) and possibly you never will. But that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of what I know and have learned.

And, if you are just starting out, you might have one field of specialty nailed down but are unlikely to have mastered six professional management disciplines as I have.

Prior to becoming an independent consultant (25 years ago), I had a fast-track executive management career in the finance industry. And, I've led local and remote teams all around the world. I run an international business and private consulting practice. I'm also an award-winning author with more than 100 books and publications to my credit. And I've served in elected executive leadership roles in professional associations.

I've acquired other significant skills like professional speaking (which scares the pants off most people), change management, and speed learning to name just a few.

Plus I've picked up some practical knowledge along the way like how to read body language, get past gatekeepers, and play corporate politics.

And I know secret stuff like why the HR department is not your friend, what the hidden test in expense reporting is, and why layoffs and restructurings are not what you've been told.

I even know how to look professional and keep the show running when the airline has lost your luggage, the meeting organizer did not bring in the audio-visual equipment needed for your presentation, and the materials they sent ahead to the hotel cannot be located until the afternoon of the 2nd day of your 3-day training program.

Ok, that was a whopper and it probably won't ever happen to you but this sure could¡­

You are sitting in the back row of an all-employee meeting, chilling, when the HR person tells the CEO your name. He calls you down to the stage to "help" him demonstrate the latest and greatest product your company is going to be flogging.

Did I mention you are not "dressed" for this occasion, didn't attend the "mandatory" training meeting offered daily for the last two weeks, and suffer paralyzing attacks of stage fright in groups larger than two people? Would you know what to do?

(Guess what? My mentoring program students know. The solution is actually very simple once you have the right information and know what to do and say.)

Let's be clear on why you should choose me...

And now that you've seen some of what the ASI members are learning in their program, here are a few facts about my mentoring I want you to be clear on...

First off, I'm not going to tell you to choose me as your mentor because I know it all. Nobody knows it all.

The mentor-prot¨¦g¨¦ relationship is a concept that originated in Homer's Odyssey. It was even discussed in an episode of Seinfeld. According to many experts, everyone should partake in it. That is anyone who hopes to have a successful career.

Your mentor should be more experienced than you are. And certainly I am. In fact, I have a lot of wisdom I can share with you that only experience can provide.

There are a lot of great mentors out there who can serve as your coach. Many of them are very good. In fact, some of them are even teaching me still (did I mention my lifelong commitment to excellence through education?)

However, what sets me apart from the rest is¡­

I don't just teach success.
I don't just cover theory.
I don't do the "one-size-fits-all solution".
That's what makes me so valuable to my clients. And, that's what makes my new SmartStart program a fantastic resource for you!

SmartStart is top quality all the way and set up to guide your success in many different and innovative ways...

Here's what you get as a member of the program:

Weekly audio coaching files sent by email. Listen to the advice while I tell you the unspoken truth about getting ahead in business. Then you can print out the transcript to build your personal collection of the secrert rules nobody else will tell you.
Our newsletter is sent out by email twice a month right around payday (on the 15th & 30th of the month).

In it you'll find easy-to-use strategies for working in the real world and all the latest and greatest information you need to succeed.

This is our monthly email bulletin on success tools for superior self-motivation and dynamic results. And this is our other monthly email bulletin on success tips for powerful personal marketing.
Our quarterly Best Practice bulletin features my proven golden rules for the ultimate in personal productivity and effectiveness. This bulletin is sent out by email in January, April, July, and October.

You'll have a VIP All-Access Pass to the monthly MBA Master Classes in my Fortune 500 Intelligence course held for the ASI Insiders. You'll hear everything they are learning, without the homework! You'll also have your own opportunity to join in the monthly Coach-on-Call sessions. This is a great chance to get your questions answered and talk to me live in an open conference call.

Prof...I want a seat in the program! Please take me to the signup!

The SmartStart program is easily accessible.

In our new SmartStart program, you have convenient access to all these channels of information made available to you. What you won't have is homework that has to be graded (unless you want some). You can participate from anywhere in the world! All you need is an email address and a telephone.

This program works for both students and employees. The material covered serves the self-employed and closet entrepreneurs well too.

To benefit from being a member, you need only be a person who really wants to know how to:

get wired for success
put a plan together
get things done efficiently
work effectively with others, and
measure positive results for effort
Face it. You just can't accomplish very much all by yourself, without a plan, without processes, without people to help you, and without promoting yourself and your work.

And even if you are already doing these things right, to really experience peak performance, you must also know how to:

take control of your mind
direct your brain consciously
develop the patterns of excellence, and
manage and transform any self-limiting beliefs

The SmartStart program not only helps you do better, it helps you be better.

The SmartStart mentoring program is not just about how to manage your career or how to have it all at work. Or get ahead. Or be wildly successful.

It's a comprehensive approach that opens your mind to endless possibilities. While preventing you from making mistakes you can only recover from by changing jobs and/or employers.

Sometimes those mistakes are so huge, even that won't help you much, if at all. And a lot of what you'll be taught can be used daily at home as well as at the office which enhances your personal life along with your professional one.

The SmartStart program is easily affordable. And don't forget about the no-hassle money back guarantee!

You won't need a corporate sponsor to cover massive program fees. You won't need to take out a personal loan. You might not even have to pay for it yourself. A lot of employers reimburse training expenses. Plus, you'll get bonus points from them for showing initiative.

And, if you are a college student, you probably have a lot of family members, relatives and friends who are always wondering what kind of useful gift to buy you for your birthday, holidays, graduation and so on. This could be the most important gift they'll ever get you! Tell them about it and see if they'll cover the cost of your subscription.

Prof...I want a seat in the program! Please take me to the signup!

The SmartStart program takes away the mystery and turns it into mastery.

You won't be in the land of the dazed and confused where so many of your coworkers are. The advice provided is not theoretical, it's tried-and-true, proven in my own professional consulting practice and long career to stand the test of time.

Now don't be thinking I did everything right along my own path. Nothing could be further from the truth! I had people who cared about my success enough to ream me out when I was screwing up and getting off track. I've made my share of mistakes. And, I share these with my students too. There's always a lot of learning there.

I never pretend to know something I don't. With clients or with students. But when I don't know the answer, I make it a priority to find out. And I get my information from some of the best and most reliable sources on the planet. (You can just imagine the size of my network after 40 years!)

There are plenty of things I am not good at. I'm very up front about those. Mentoring just doesn't happen to be on that list.

The SmartStart program is comprehensive, not a one-shot kind of deal.

Is there a lot to learn? You betcha! That's why I'm not promising I can help you in just one or two power sessions. It's a longer term commitment than that (but you control how long you want to stay in the program, if you are accepted).

The SmartStart program is not complicated.

I don't bother with a lot of mumbo jumbo. I teach common sense. Which, by the way, is not all that common as it turns out.

You'll have a lot of "aha" moments. The lights will go on. You might even be wondering why YOU didn't think of that. But when someone else puts all the pieces together for you and explains (honestly) what's going on, you see it more clearly and understand it all better. Then you'll know what to do. And can do it with confidence.

Prof...I want a seat in the program! Please take me to the signup!

The SmartStart program is truly one-of-a-kind (just like you)!

The SmartStart program is full of off-the-wall tips, unusual approaches, and psychological insights as well.

You don't lead as many people as I have without figuring out the importance of creativity. Being able to win friends and influence people takes a lot of on-the-job practice. But again, I know from firsthand experience my methods work¡ªand they tend to work better than the mainstream advice you get.

These teachings are somewhat less obvious but are equally useful and easy to learn.

The SmartStart program is practical.

If nothing else, I'd say our mentoring program is more practical than theoretical. But don't worry. I'm well educated in a boatload of conceptual theory and management practices. And, to your benefit, I know exactly how and when to apply this knowledge in the Fortune 500.

I've devoted my entire lifetime to this. I guess that makes me a professional business geek. (It probably also explains why I haven't been on many dates in my life either.)

The information I'm sharing through my mentoring program is 100% credible and based on my real-world experience and results.

The SmartStart program is about how to live as much as it is about how to work.

I teach you there are only 3 things you ever need to concern yourself with in life. Things you should start doing. Things you should stop doing. Things you should continue doing.

At work. At home. Anywhere. It all comes down to that. It really is simple. But elegant at the same time.

And there are only 3 questions you ever have to ask yourself to confirm you are on the right path to success. The productive path to success. But to find out what they are, you'll have to join the program.

I'm not just teaching you success. I'm teaching you how to speed it up for yourself. Why take the long road? Join us on the fast track! You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. We're having a lot of fun. The students are jazzed. (They do tend to keep me up too late though.)

(You did read their letters I showed you earlier didn't you?)

The SmartStart program is about effective and strategic positioning.

The SmartStart program does not guarantee you'll go from a low starting salary today to six figures by Sunday. That would be ridiculous.

What I do believe is it helps you position yourself more effectively so you can earn as much as is possible in any company or environment you choose to work in. And it teaches you how to do that more efficiently and how to do it consistently and predictably well.

Now, if you're already working in the corporate world you may have seen this. Companies appear to have a lot of barriers in place that limit your earnings: restrictive salary bands, job grading systems and so on. And they do serve a purpose.

But in my own experience, and for many of my students, these are not a barrier. Because when you're consistently adding value, the company can't afford to lose you. And they generally go out of their way to make sure you are happy and challenged.

Prof...I want a seat in the program! Please take me to the signup!

Here's my bottom-line promise...

What I promise is I will teach you everything you need to know to be put into the "exception" category.

(You, of course, then have to act on my advice at the right time, on a regular basis.

Success doesn't happen by accident. Don't be a dreamer. Be a doer!

There's no question. You can learn from a lot of people. I'm offering you a chance to join ASI's SmartStart Virtual Mentoring Program and learn directly from me.

Let me make this one thing clear. I don't work for free. Neither should you. It took me years of hard work to learn what I know. My Fortune 500 clients pay a lot of money to have me work with their employees on site. Even more than you can afford. I know that. So that's why the current students and I created a much more affordable program just for you.

A small number of SmartStart Charter Memberships are available for a limited time.

Here's the pricing info.

At $29.95 per month (or $299.50 annually), your membership in the SmartStart program still costs less than a dollar a day.

If you act now, you can snag a charter membership and save over $100 on your seat in the program!

A charter membership (if there are seats left) costs just $197.00 (if you pay in 1 lump sum)!

FAIR WARNING: The number of charter seats in the new program is strictly limited (no exceptions). These special seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. I'm expecting they'll sell out fast. Remember, our $25,000 program completely filled in 2 weeks!

As you can see, the regular program price isn't cheap but, at less than a $1.00 per day, I think it's fair. Flexible too. And don't forget what I said about the guarantee. If you are accepted, do participate, and aren't satisfied, you can ask for a no-hassle refund at any time. Period.

If that isn't cool, I don't know what is. What I do know is a lot of people will want in and I can only help so many. There's bound to be someone, somewhere who'd love to have your seat!

So, if you think you qualify, and want to join the program, apply now before all the charter membership seats are gone!

This is the point where a lot of people offer bribes for you to sign up. I don't. You're in or you're out at this point. You decide.

Here's How To Order Right Now!

To Pay By Credit Card Right Here, Right Now...

Your Order is 100%
Safe and Secure!

Just click on the "add to cart" button to place an order for your seat in the SmartStart program. If you do not see the "Sorry, We are Sold Out" message, we can still find a spot for you and you can continue with your order.

If you get the "sold out" message, it means we are completely sold out and there are no seats available in the SmartStart program at this time. However, if you still want into the program, you can write to me at and ask to be put on the "wait list" for the next available seat.

I want a Charter Membership Subscription
(for 1 year) for the lowest cost!

Please charge me 1 payment of $197.00
(I save more than $100 (compared to regular subscription fees) with this option!)

If you have a problem ordering via our secure server, you can send your request by email to and someone will follow up with you!

AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT NOTE:

I hate spam with a passion! Your personal information and privacy is safe with me. I do not and will not ever rent, sell or trade personal information about my students.

I do use it to send you things in the mail from time to time like unannounced bonus items and any prizes you win in our contests and challenges. And I need your real telephone number because we confirm your address with you before sending out prizes, just in case your member record is out of date.

If you have won something and I can't get in touch with to confirm where to send it, your prize will automatically be put back into the pool for another student to win.

I guarantee this is a real photo of me
LINDA M. LOPEKE

NOTE: ClickBank will, at its option, replace or repair any defective product within 8 weeks from the date of purchase. After 8 weeks all sales are final.

To YOUR success,

Professor Linda M. Lopeke

P.S. Still not convinced my SmartStart Mentoring Program is going to help you? Then please take a minute to read these comments I received from past students who have participated in my programs and used my advice with great success:

RAVE REVIEWS
"I learned how to take risks and anticipate them as well as how to achieve material and non-material success."¡ªC. Lee

"I found the most helpful advice was about how to set my mind to get where I want to go. Ms. Lopeke is brutally honest! (But I liked that.) She gives us a positive outlook and sends us down a determined path. Every doubtful thought on my mind was pushed out and replaced with more optimistic high self-esteem thoughts. Thank you! I definitely recommend this program to others. Linda lets you know every possible way to make it big and how to get there. She makes the bigger picture seem so much more beautiful by her inspirational quotes and powerful words of advice."¡ªE. Ibsen

"The 6 key "P"s vital to six-figure earnings helped me most. She's very real, gives facts, and inspires me."¡ªB. Brusin

"I like the worksheets best! All the information is really very useful."¡ªS. Diamond

"All my questions were well answered. And I liked seeing how different careers rank against each other for women and men. I definitely recommend this!"¡ªM. McGuire

"Having Ms. Lopeke explore all of the different possibilities with me as well as the success strategy was most helpful. Her personal stories make us feel more comfortable. She explained everything, just like she said she would. I feel empowered and more comfortable to do what I am passionate about in terms of job choices. She inspired me to go forward in my life with confidence."¡ªT. Kolesnik

"The giveaways were surprising and proved a point. The statistics as well as defining success were more helpful to me. I would say this is a great experience and it is well worth your time."¡ªE. Nanmov

"Ms. Lopeke is very reassuring and confident about her knowledge. The myth-busting is most helpful. I definitely recommend this program. Extremely inspiring!"¡ªM. Tay

"Very attention grabbing! I learned the core meaning of being successful while achieving a balance between work and life outside of work. Linda is very high spirited and inspiring and she gave me the confidence to reach for what I love and believe in my life."¡ªH. Cheuk

"This is perfect for up and coming students who strive for success as well as CEOs of multi-million dollar companies. Success is reachable! Anyone can benefit!"¡ªJ. Sinclair

"Linda is an inspirational and innovative thinker, leader, and speaker. Her program inspires me to think about my direction to success, and the synergies I need with people and goals to get there."¡ªK. Hoang

"I would definitely recommend this to others. To be honest, this was the most motivational, influential stuff I've ever heard. Linda made me want to stop sitting back and waiting for my life to be where I want it to be and actually do something about it. She showed me how and showed me I can be something great!"¡ªA. Mandel

"The six P lecture: passion, preparation, performance, persistence, people and purpose impacted me. It was just what I needed to fully structure my success plan. It was an epiphany for me. I liked that she's actually experienced what she's telling us about. All my questions were completely answered."¡ªS. Samuels

"She's a myth buster!"¡ªK. Cummings

"Refreshingly different from most speakers I've heard! Blunt. She really makes me believe I can do it! The program really engaged me and I can honestly say that I am now truly motivated. I am motivated to use my skills and experience and apply them to a marketing, high paying job. She really made me want to act on my thoughts and I definitely recommend her program. WOW!"¡ªR. Zimmer

"I absolutely recommend this to high school and university students. An effective balance between facts and anecdotal inspiration. Thank you Linda for making my choice of pursuing a Commerce degree feel 100% correct and a catalyst to entering your $100K Club."¡ªM. Price

"Ms. Lopeke's program is truly admirable with respect to its direct relevance. I would encourage anyone interested in the field of commerce to take her powerful program!"¡ªA. Jivraj