Am I Still Brave?

When I was young, our family spent time at a secluded lake house.  I recall sneaking off to a hidden spot where someone had built a cool tree house. To get to the main part of this ingenious tree house, you had to cross a 30-foot rope bridge strung between two trees, about 25-feet off the ground.  I didn’t for an instant consider the danger it posed, and yet, today, I would never consider taking such a risk..

 

So how did I lose this daring bravado?  Why do I find myself steering clear of taking risks?  Isn’t it risk that got me into my own business? 

 

Recently, I asked my clients what more I could do to help them.  I wanted to find out what new challenges they might face in their businesses, to see if I couldn’t find some way to help them.

 

The common thread seemed to be that everyone feels downtrodden.  They’re taking on more of the workload, working longer hours, cutting back on expenses, and riding out the economic storm.

 

While I certainly understand and feel the economic pinch, maybe I haven’t lost that daring bravado after all.  I’m not waiting for the economy to bounce back; I’m getting creative about finding ways of reaching new clients, and developing new marketing strategies to educate potential clients on the benefits and value of working with a virtual professional.

 

I think I know a secret.   I might be one of a select few people who realizes that while everyone else is cutting back, this is probably the best time for me to jazz up and increase my marketing to stay top-of-mind.

 

So I challenge you to find that daring and take steps to keep your business going and growing.  Even if it’s just revamping your marketing materials or website, creating a new tag-line, attending a networking event, or starting that blog you’ve been wanting, now is the time to take action, get organized, consider options to increase productivity and workflow, and stay positive.  And should you need someone to discuss your challenges with, keep me in mind!

Both a Hoax and Hokey!

I recently received an E-mail from an associate, an elected official in a nearby community, offering me a $20 Applebee’s gift certificate if I forwarded this official, signed by the owner of Applebee’s, E-mail to nine of my friends and family.  It said that Applebee’s was looking to increase awareness in rural areas, so I immediately wondered how anyone would know I was in a rural area by my e-mail address.

 

I headed for my favorite hoax site, and forwarded information to the more than 80 E-mail addresses detailed in the message, that this was indeed a hoax and not to send it to anyone.

 

In response, the originator told me that he knew it was a hoax when he sent it.   Hoping to discourage him in the future, I asked him why he would knowingly perpetuate a hoax that could put the E-mail addresses of his friends and family in jeopardy of being harvested for spam, not to mention the reflection on him as an elected official who represents people on important issues.

 

I got an almost immediate response detailing that it had nothing to do with his being an alderman, and that this is how he prefers to communicate with friends and family on a regular basis.  We obviously have different ideas of communicating with friends and family.  In my mind, this is a reflection on his reputation, which I would think is important to the people he represents. My mistake!  

 

He didn’t take the time to consider what harm it would do to them (friends and family), or consider his reputation.  That’s what ethics are all about.  Thinking beyond the scope of your business, and making sure that what you’re doing is legal, fair to everyone (will it favor one party over another), and that you do no harm (How will it make me feel about myself?).

 

Sure is funny the way some people think.

 

Wishing you continued success and the wisdom to consider ethical decisions.

 

©Copyright Accurate Business Services 2009

Deep in Thought

One of the things I enjoy most about having my own business is the freedom to choose who I’ll do business with.  Not that I’ve always enjoyed that luxury, but my business is at a point where I can be a bit picky about who I decide to do business with.

 

I just spoke to one of my clients in Florida recently, and he reminded me how enjoyable it is to do business together.  He always seems to have fun projects that fit perfectly with my expertise and his positive outlook seems to extend from his business to his life!

 

This made me stop to think about my other clients, and they too have the same positive attitude, are fun to work with, and we share a mutual respect and appreciation for each other.

 

WOW, how cool is that?  This all makes me wonder, how did I get here?  How did this happen?  Could it be the law of attraction?

 

I think that has a lot to do with it, as does my attitude, and the fact that many of my new clients come to me as referrals.

 

But I think it’s also something else; I think it’s the brand I’ve created for myself.  I believe that along with the logo, website, tagline, etc., that creates my brand, so does my appearance, professional image and ethical standards .  And I want to do business with people who appreciate my expertise and with whom I can share a mutual respect.  Don’t we all?

 

I guess I’m not at all surprised that my clients share these same traits; hopefully, some of that comes from working together and sharing these common goals…that’s in essence what I do, help my clients market and brand themselves to establish that polished and professional image they’ve worked so hard to achieve, and help them to attract clients and prospects that share those traits.

 

After being in business more than 10-years, I’m grateful for all the clients and colleagues who have helped make Accurate Business Services such a great success; and helped me to establish such a professional and enjoyable brand.   I wish you all the same!

 

 

 

 

Remove Emotion from Ethical Decisions

At a recent speaking engagement on business ethics, one of the 100 or so participants voiced a differing opinion to my discussion revolving around whether or not you would tell a client, or prospect, that you had heard something negative about a competitor who was being asked to bid on the same project you were.

 

There was absolutely no way that they would not find a way to tell the client or prospect that they’d heard something bad about their competitor, all under the guise that they were looking to protect THEM.

 

While this could have been completely true, that’s not how someone would or could look at it, from the other side.  Although I’d gone through the process with them, mentioned a number of reasons why it’s not wise, and even gave them a response that wouldn’t be considered a ‘lie’ on their part, it was all to no avail.  They were looking too closely from an emotional position instead of trying to see someone else’s side, even how they might look to the client or prospect.

 

Not long after returning from the conference, I was speaking to one of the event organizers who called to let me know that she had just mailed me copies of the 70+ evaluations they’d received in response to my presentation.

 

When I received the evaluations I wasn’t at all surprised to see one that was negative.  I looked at their evaluation objectively to see if I could in any way improve my presentation, or the delivery, to better communicate the most positive and ethical response in any situation.

 

We shouldn’t expect that everyone is willing or able to act as ethically as possible, or will always understand both sides of a situation. It’s something we really have to work at, all the time.  It also doesn’t mean this person is unethical, just unknowledgeable and perhaps too emotional. For all we know they may never have faced this type of situation.

 

We do things for our physical well-being all the time.  We eat right, get plenty of sleep and exercise, or we at least know to try.  However, most of us don’t think to do anything regularly for our moral well-being. 

 

I look at ethics in this way; it takes constant reflection, being open to alternatives, removing any emotions from the equation, and doing what’s right, not easiest, in order to make the most ethical decision.  I hope you’ll incorporate some time into making better decisions to ethical situations as they arise.  It’s a great investment in your business.

 

Light A Fire

As an avid networker, both locally and in a number of online communities, I meet people in all career areas, and from many industries.  I’m always surprised at how much we all have in common, whether we are entrepreneurs, virtual assistants (VAs), work in the corporate world, or are just not working at all, for any number of reasons.

 

Like just about everyone I know, there’s always something they’d like to do, but never seem to accomplish.  These projects are sometimes considered to be on the ‘back burner’.

 

For me, it’s been trying to write my second book.  While I’ve gotten away from my set time to write (how did that happen?), I continue to do research and add content when I can.  Over the past month, I’ve been trying to figure out what it is that has kept me from staying focused on completing this project.

 

I think I’ve lost my passion or desire to move this project forward.  I’ve let the recent downturn of the economy keep me from staying positive about meeting and achieving my goals.

 

How could I possibly achieve my goals when the business forecast is so bleak?  Duh, why am I letting the media control my business?  I don’t for an instant care what they say, I have a strong and viable business helping entrepreneurs stay focused on their businesses, while providing them access to as needed, professional business support services to keep their businesses on track and growing.

 

I’d be the first one to say that when I did my marketing program for 2008, it was a big change from those in the past.  I’ve changed the entire direction of my marketing to develop more opportunities online and through E-mail, like this blog, to keep costs at bay.

 

Now I need to figure out how to ‘light a fire’ under myself, and my clients and prospects.  Let’s not let anything stand in the way of spreading the word about our products or services and how they can help others achieve their goals.  Let’s think outside the box and find new ways to share our insights and help each other be more successful.

 

 I hope to inspire you to light your own fire and regain your passion to expand and grow your business.  I know I’m reenergized, I’ve lit my fire to recapture my passion….can’t you smell something burning?

 

Hello world!

At Long Last!  I’ve finally done it; I’ve created my own blog.  I’ve done so many for clients and friends, I figured it MUST be time for me to give it a go.

I hope you enjoy and comment on all that I’ll be sharing in the coming days, weeks, months and years.  Don’t be shy, say ‘Hi”!