--- title: Transforming your business and yourself in 2011 image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601513798-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ec19970c-250wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2011/01/transforming-your-business-and-yourself-in-2011.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # Transforming your business and yourself in 2011 January 3rd, 2011 2 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601513798-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ec19970c-250wi.jpg?width=250&height=178&name=6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ec19970c-250wi.jpg) With the New Year comes an opportunity to transform your business. This is especially true if you run a small business or are a sole proprietor. You don't have to accept the label others have put on you. You don't have to limit your company by a label like "B2B" or "auto industry." Forget terms like lawyer, consultant, writer, singer, graphic designer. **What interests you? What do you love to do? Why not make that part of your work too!** Maybe you can generate a new revenue source. Maybe you can spruce up your personal brand. Certainly you can have more fun! **I've morphed many times.** I worked on a bond trading desk. I [acted in Japanese television commercials](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/documents/Writing_With_Conflict.pdf). I was Asia Marketing Director for Knight-Ridder, at the time one of the largest newspaper companies in the world. I was a VP marketing at several technology companies. I was a marketing consultant. Now I [write books](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/books_dms.htm) and am a [marketing speaker](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/marketing-speaker.html) and run full-day seminars on marketing. **Cliff Pollan** transformed a company that used to offer a video channel by creating a new company name and a new business focus. Now [VisibleGains](http://www.visiblegains.com/) provides marketers an easy way to create engaging and interactive video as a lead generation tool. **Doug Eymer** is a [terrific designer](http://www.eymer.com). He created my ebooks, site, blog masthead and much more. Doug recently transformed into a comedy writer by publishing the hilarious [Tiny Mind Gazette](http://www.tinymindgazette.com/). *"Suburban Legends: Defined, Debunked + DeMythtified."* **Grant Griffiths** is a former Kansas lawyer. His blog was so instrumental in driving business his way that he now focuses on helping people [Blog for Profit](http://blogforprofit.com/about/) and become [Home Office Warriors](http://www.homeofficewarrior.com/). [![Billy Dean](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601513798-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ec19970c-250wi.jpg "Billy Dean")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ec19970c-popup) One of my favorite examples of transformation is country music artist [Billy Dean](http://billydean.com/). With twelve albums and eleven top 10 Billboard country chart singles over his eighteen-year career, [Billy is a star](http://www.facebook.com/countrysingerbillydean). **Billy has transformed himself many times. ** He started [Billy Dean Writers Block Professional Songwriting Collaborative](http://billydeanwritersblock.ning.com/) where, along with other award winning songwriters, he will critique songs and share inside tips on how to write a hit. His [Song Sessions](http://billydean.com/index.htm?id=16074) is an interactive workshop designed to transform a staff of any size into a creative and powerful songwriting team. The goal of the Song Session is to capture what the company does and why it exists in a song. He accepts [song commissions](http://billydean.com/index.htm?id=16074) to help organizations build a brand image. Here's a [Ryder Cup](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkQtHMxrRkc&feature=player_embedded) example. I had an opportunity to meet Billy backstage at a Boston area concert in late December. He was touring with Kenny Rogers and my friend [John DiPietro](http://www.perfecttogreat.com/) introduced us. (John is also a man who has transformed many times. For example, here is his [Motorhome blog](http://www.motorhomemayhem.blogspot.com/).) I spoke with Billy about [Agritainment](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agritourism), a way for family farmers to find new revenue as tourist attractions. [Direct link to Billy Dean video.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PgI2hIKkW0) [![Shutterstock_cornmaze](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601513823-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ed6d970c-320wi.jpg "Shutterstock_cornmaze")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c746ed6d970c-pi) **With the New Year comes opportunity for you. How can you get out of your rut and create something new and interesting? ** *Corn Maze image Shutterstock / Alita Bobrov* [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Case Studies ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/case-studies) [ Personal branding ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/personal-branding) [ Best Practices ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/best-practices) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HubSpot%2020th.jpeg?width=800&height=448&name=HubSpot%2020th.jpeg) ### Congratulations Team HubSpot for 20 Years of Helping Organizations Grow June 12th, 2026|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/congratulations-team-hubspot-for-20-years-of-helping-organizations-grow) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Pryor.jpg?width=1500&height=771&name=Scott%20Pryor.jpg) ### How Filmmaking and Fronting a Rock Band Make Scott Pryor a Better Lawyer May 27th, 2026|2 min read 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