Much like my in last post, I've become more aware of the benefits of asking for help when it comes to developing my business.
First of all, I needed to do some evaluation of how things are currently running and when I realized that I am dissatisfied with some elements of my business, I started the think about how I could improve. I also realized that I am not an expert in everything, so I decided to ask a friend, colleague and professional coach if she would be willing to coach me through some rough patches. To my delight, she agreed and we are having lunch today to discuss.
I couldn't believe how this small act of reaching out for help completely turned my attitude around. Ever since I spoke to her, I have been focussed and productive. I guess when you work for yourself you don't really have anyone to be accountable to and perhaps that was part of my problem. All I know for sure is that I have a renewed and refreshed perspective and feel extremely optimistic that things will continue to improve. I'm thankful for Wendy even before we get started!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Getting Virtual Help
I've been remiss in making my blog entries lately - even on a monthly basis. Well, no excuse other than I had a record April so I was working on paying jobs. Of course, this makes the free and fun stuff get pushed aside.
Although to be 'busy' is a lament that many would like to have, it really isn't a good excuse for letting your commitments fall to the wayside. What I think it means is that you should ask for help. Being a sole proprietor, however, I'm not exactly bursting with funds to hire an employee. Then I discovered the world of Virtual Assistants.
A Virtual Assistant is also a sole proprietor who happens to have various business skills that can prove quite valuable to your business. Whether in the areas of marketing, accounting, time management or communications, a Virtual Assistant can be hired on a 'project-by-project' basis to help you through the busy times. You don't pay her for vacation time. You don't buy her a computer or telephone or desk. You may buy her a coffee or lunch from time to time, but that's if you're courteous - it's not a business requirement. The great thing is that a Virtual Assistant is someone who can be called upon to keep your business moving at a healthy pace, especially during those days when you need to do two things at once.
I'm lucky to have found a skilled Virtual Assistant (with a great sense of humour - one of my hiring prerequisites) and her name is Mary Judge. Check out her website at www.virtuallyworkingforyou.com and find out more about what a Virtual Assistant can bring to your business.
Although to be 'busy' is a lament that many would like to have, it really isn't a good excuse for letting your commitments fall to the wayside. What I think it means is that you should ask for help. Being a sole proprietor, however, I'm not exactly bursting with funds to hire an employee. Then I discovered the world of Virtual Assistants.
A Virtual Assistant is also a sole proprietor who happens to have various business skills that can prove quite valuable to your business. Whether in the areas of marketing, accounting, time management or communications, a Virtual Assistant can be hired on a 'project-by-project' basis to help you through the busy times. You don't pay her for vacation time. You don't buy her a computer or telephone or desk. You may buy her a coffee or lunch from time to time, but that's if you're courteous - it's not a business requirement. The great thing is that a Virtual Assistant is someone who can be called upon to keep your business moving at a healthy pace, especially during those days when you need to do two things at once.
I'm lucky to have found a skilled Virtual Assistant (with a great sense of humour - one of my hiring prerequisites) and her name is Mary Judge. Check out her website at www.virtuallyworkingforyou.com and find out more about what a Virtual Assistant can bring to your business.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Countdown to Earth Hour
The buzz is everywhere on the subject of Earth Hour. I'm excited that this event brought the topic to the forefront of everyone's minds. Personally, we'll be having a gathering of friends for a celebration. I've sifted through storage to find candles to illuminate our hour of fun. We've pulled out the Twister game and there are other games to keep us interested.
Most likely we'll sit around and talk, much like we do when we get together. But maybe the topic of conversation will take a slight turn. Maybe we'll reflect, if only for an hour, on the fact that a small gesture like turning out the lights, can have a remarkable effect if we all do it. I'm hopeful that there will be many positive stories come out of this and that individuals, businesses and governments will decide that an Earth Hour every month, or even every week, would be a wonderful contribution to the greater good.
If nothing else, I would like to believe that something as simple as this will remind people that although they are one small voice, that together with others they become a chorus. Dare I hope that we develop, under the umbrella of saving our planet, some relationships that will be nurtured and developed rather than damaged and destroyed? This is my hope.
Most likely we'll sit around and talk, much like we do when we get together. But maybe the topic of conversation will take a slight turn. Maybe we'll reflect, if only for an hour, on the fact that a small gesture like turning out the lights, can have a remarkable effect if we all do it. I'm hopeful that there will be many positive stories come out of this and that individuals, businesses and governments will decide that an Earth Hour every month, or even every week, would be a wonderful contribution to the greater good.
If nothing else, I would like to believe that something as simple as this will remind people that although they are one small voice, that together with others they become a chorus. Dare I hope that we develop, under the umbrella of saving our planet, some relationships that will be nurtured and developed rather than damaged and destroyed? This is my hope.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Groups and Associates
As my business develops, I am becoming more and more aware of the value of groups and associations. I certainly wouldn't be sitting where I am if it weren't for the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce. They allowed me to start out as a volunteer on their newsletter committee, then offered me a one year membership in exchange for my participation on another committee. Once I started experiencing the benefits of membership, I was enamoured and determined to remain a Chamber member for as long as I can. I'm particularly happy with the arrangement because it's a two way street. I feel my skills and expertise have benefited them, and their networking opportunities and general business knowledge have helped me and my business. The fact that they are extremely friendly and have a great sense of humour is merely icing on the cake.
Another organization that I recently joined is the Halton Peel Communications Association and although I initially didn't know what I'd get for my membership fee, I have learned that the monthly presentations alone are well worth the money. This past Tuesday I met an engaging speaker who tilted some stale conventions and made them new for me. For example, she spoke of not 'Time Management' but 'Attention Management' which really spoke to me since I seem to always wonder where my time went. She said that there isn't anything to manage with time - it is always the same and moves at the same pace. It is what we do with that time, what engages our attention, that gives us the results we want. The other challenge was to the word 'goals'. Oh how we are beaten over the head with that word, particularly if you own a small business. But Elizabeth asked us to consider them not goals, but 'strategic intentions'. A simple, yet effective, paradigm shift. Being a lover of words, I am always thankful for an alternate way to express things and this made the concept of goals fresh for me.
So if you are considering joining a group or association, investigate what is out there that is relevant to your business or interest and go for it. Memberships are typically one year in length and prices range dramatically, but it is well worth your investment in both time and money.
Another organization that I recently joined is the Halton Peel Communications Association and although I initially didn't know what I'd get for my membership fee, I have learned that the monthly presentations alone are well worth the money. This past Tuesday I met an engaging speaker who tilted some stale conventions and made them new for me. For example, she spoke of not 'Time Management' but 'Attention Management' which really spoke to me since I seem to always wonder where my time went. She said that there isn't anything to manage with time - it is always the same and moves at the same pace. It is what we do with that time, what engages our attention, that gives us the results we want. The other challenge was to the word 'goals'. Oh how we are beaten over the head with that word, particularly if you own a small business. But Elizabeth asked us to consider them not goals, but 'strategic intentions'. A simple, yet effective, paradigm shift. Being a lover of words, I am always thankful for an alternate way to express things and this made the concept of goals fresh for me.
So if you are considering joining a group or association, investigate what is out there that is relevant to your business or interest and go for it. Memberships are typically one year in length and prices range dramatically, but it is well worth your investment in both time and money.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Keep it Current
For some reason this blog keeps getting shuffled down to the bottom of the to-do list. You'd think I'd be happy that I'm busy enough to have that problem, but to me it smacks of poor time management. Or perhaps prioritizing is what I need to work on. Whatever the challenge, I am reminded daily that I need to keep up to date with all elements of the business. Not just doing the work, but keeping the books updated, tackling the marketing, and making sure that my communication materials are fresh. Daunting, yes, but quite thrilling at the same time. Networking is going well, associate work is developing nicely and potential projects dot the horizon. Business is developing into something I'm proud of.
So here is my January blog entry. Short and sweet, with an eye to providing something more profound in February. For now, however, I have a brochure design to review and a website to rewrite. Perhaps February will be even sweeter!
So here is my January blog entry. Short and sweet, with an eye to providing something more profound in February. For now, however, I have a brochure design to review and a website to rewrite. Perhaps February will be even sweeter!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
No Pain, No Gain
It is very painful to say 'no' to new business. But sometimes you teeter on that edge between taking on one more assignment and potentially losing control of your house of cards, and gracefully declining so that you can give your best to your current projects. In all fairness, isn't that a position many small businesses would like to find themselves in? I suppose it is, but it doesn't make it any easier.
I am juggling a number of small jobs for a valued client and many of them seem to mushroom into more than I signed on for. This sends my precarious time management system into a tailspin. Just when I thought I was getting organized, the job that should have taken about 3 or 4 emails on an afternoon in late October, is STILL in progress because of one more screw up. I guess I'm choosing this venue to wail and lament because I signed on for the afternoon, not for two months. It's an example of how we can't predict when mistakes happen, and we can't control what others do. When all is said and done, the client will have a correct and updated version of a document for sharing with their distributors.
I need to remind myself that I am indeed in the customer service business, regardless of my illusion of being in the writing business. If the customer can walk away satisfied at the end of the day, I've done my job.
I am juggling a number of small jobs for a valued client and many of them seem to mushroom into more than I signed on for. This sends my precarious time management system into a tailspin. Just when I thought I was getting organized, the job that should have taken about 3 or 4 emails on an afternoon in late October, is STILL in progress because of one more screw up. I guess I'm choosing this venue to wail and lament because I signed on for the afternoon, not for two months. It's an example of how we can't predict when mistakes happen, and we can't control what others do. When all is said and done, the client will have a correct and updated version of a document for sharing with their distributors.
I need to remind myself that I am indeed in the customer service business, regardless of my illusion of being in the writing business. If the customer can walk away satisfied at the end of the day, I've done my job.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Email: Heaven or He**?
At the end of any given day I am amazed at how much was accomplished through the miracle of email. Final edits sent off to clients, quotes given, approval submitted, and happy stories shared with others. For the most part, email has provided us with a wonderful way to get the facts to and from each other with great speed and efficiency. We are getting more done than ever before.
Or are we? Because so much of what I do depends on people getting back to me before I can proceed, I need to check my email frequently. This is good and bad. I can get several things done at once and since sending an email only takes a minute or two, it is a minor disruption while I'm actually tucked into a writing project. The problem occurs when mingled in with the relevant emails I find a newsletter from my favourite writing guru. Oops, I find myself off reading and before I know it 15 minutes has passed by.
Although I am controlling myself much better these days, those little distractions disrupt my flow. In addition to the 'fun email' distractions, there are the myriad of back and forth emails when someone is trying to figure out a small detail of a job. When working out the details of a job, we could find ourselves going back and forth 20 times! Yesterday I decided to pick up the phone and within 10 minutes had three of the back and forth jobs figured out. As a bonus, it was pleasant actually chatting with someone and laughing about how much more efficient it is for us to have the conversation on the phone.
I guess I will continue my love/hate relationship with email. Now if only I could tame the demons that tempt me to click on that little envelope icon every 10 minutes or so!
Or are we? Because so much of what I do depends on people getting back to me before I can proceed, I need to check my email frequently. This is good and bad. I can get several things done at once and since sending an email only takes a minute or two, it is a minor disruption while I'm actually tucked into a writing project. The problem occurs when mingled in with the relevant emails I find a newsletter from my favourite writing guru. Oops, I find myself off reading and before I know it 15 minutes has passed by.
Although I am controlling myself much better these days, those little distractions disrupt my flow. In addition to the 'fun email' distractions, there are the myriad of back and forth emails when someone is trying to figure out a small detail of a job. When working out the details of a job, we could find ourselves going back and forth 20 times! Yesterday I decided to pick up the phone and within 10 minutes had three of the back and forth jobs figured out. As a bonus, it was pleasant actually chatting with someone and laughing about how much more efficient it is for us to have the conversation on the phone.
I guess I will continue my love/hate relationship with email. Now if only I could tame the demons that tempt me to click on that little envelope icon every 10 minutes or so!
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