Up and At Em

This is a society where we have now cocooned ourselves into "me me me me"....sad to say but it's true. We feel sorry for ourselves for whatever reason... and yes some of it may be valid....so we post it on Facebook, tweet about it and now we even Instagram it and let the ALL of our inner circle know how badly we've been treated or how no one loves us....oh come on admit it we've all been guilty of reading/posting them....lol.....
A few month back I was sitting in on some skating lessons and a little fellow caught my eye. He was on his rump more than he was on his skates the ENTIRE lesson. Not once did he complain "It's to hard. I can't do it" He got off is hiney, stood up.......and instantly fell back down again....no really he did....face first..right on his bum, you name it he landed on it...........BUT he kept GOING.
SOOOOOO we as adults who are older and wiser have the POWER to keep going. Sure we can't control some things, it's all in how we respond
Let's think before we post our woes on social media....yes life can be tough/disappointing and the list goes on....we ALL have our issues in life....BUT we all have the power to Master our own Ships... (You can thank my cousin for the Master our own ship part, she kicked my bum with that phrase a couple weeks ago)

The Personal Touch

As a kid I was brought up in a very “personable” home. My parents taught me the value of being personable. If I received any form of gift, a Thank –you note was sent. I was taught, if you receive a letter, you reply.

I carried that on into adulthood personally and professionally. Any e mail I receive through my full time job or my part time side businesses I run, every e mail gets a reply. Same goes for social media messages.

Recently I started to wonder if I was wasting my time with that philosophy.  A few weeks ago I decided to use my transferrable skills and eventually expand with freelance work for audio production and social media consulting. After talking to Chantal from Enterprise Temiskaming we discussed the lack of "personality" and interest business owners/employers have in general. I know myself I have had a few negative experiences with a couple companies wanting my services but had no interest in talking to you personally or even researching what I did, but rather push their years of experience or direct me to a poorly constructed webpage with a list of their rates. The "I don't have time to answer your questions but you need my service" is a big turn off to any client or employee.

This wasn't the case however when I was re searching music production companies.  Zach from First Com called me personally.  Right off the bat he mentioned where I worked, what I did part time and even mentioned a few hobbies. He had taken the time to check out my webpage and catered his conversation to benefitting me, not just the company he worked for. Throughout several conversations and e mails and thanks to his personal touch I felt like an induvial not a number, which made me want to work with his company. I’m using some of Zach’s approach when potential clients contact me, by responding with a comment about their job/company.

I had a similar experience with Jennifer from Mossop Media. I remember watching Jennifer as a news anchor on t.v when I was a teen. I stumbled across an article that was posted on Facebook written by herself about "Life After Job Loss" I shot off a quick e mail telling her I enjoyed the article and to my surprise I received a very personal e mail back with some great tips on how I can improve my future. She didn't push her company or her philosophy on life but rather challenged and encouraged me to better myself. 

Now I see how important the personal touch really is for networking and sales in any business. Those positive experience make me want do business with those individuals at the same time bettering myself and improve my businesses so my clients will have positive experiences themselves.  

There are many benefits to taking a few minutes out of our busy schedules to connect with potential clients or individuals. It may not generate business, but it says a lot about your character, which is important for any one in sales or the public eye or an induvial branching out on their own with personal projects.

There's always a TON of negative situations that sour us to stop doing what we stand for, but there is ALWAYS someone who reminds us, to keep doing what we know is right.

The Working Routine Makes you Seen

Lately I have been working on my side businesses a lot more and I have discovered the importance of a “working routine/schedule”.  

Here’s a few tips:

1. Get dressed. Believe it or not getting dressed and brushing your teeth and hair can make you more productive. You don’t need to wear business attire, but working in clothes other the PJ’s can make you more focused.
2. Schedule a time you start your business and keep too it. Schedule it in your daily to do list.
3. Inform family and friends of your scheduled time for your job so you have minimal disturbances.
4. Schedule your “ coffee breaks” and set a specific time to it (10 to 20 min)….and stick to it.
5. Keep the distractions to a minimal. Music can help but try and avoid t.v/netfilx or anything that may visually distracting in the background.
6. Set your cell phone to an emergency ring only and set important contacts to a specific text sound, it helps ignore the unimportant texts.

Treat the time you are working on your side business as a JOB. The more you treat your venture as a JOB the more successful it will be.  If you don’t cruise Facebook or social media or webpages at your full time jobs, don’t do it for your side/home based business.

Get rid of the “I need to make a quick buck” mentality.  I’ve discovered part time entrepreneurs who are successful have followed the formula investing time and treating it as a job have gone far.

Dedicated Time and Space Brings Higher Customer Data Base

Over the past couple of years I’ve been running a side business from home and I’ve been expanding with other side ventures.  So often people want to run something on the side to make a quick buck to supplement their income.

Many people don’t realize side business don’t grow without two important things, invested time, and a proper home office.

During the weekday I work my full time job, on my off hours I set aside specific times for business activities.

Before my full time job I have a scheduled time I check e mails (including social media accounts), source out contacts and reach potential clients. 

In the evening I block out a certain time to work on my side business. At that time, I’m not logged on to any social messaging apps and my cell is set to an emergency only ring. Texts are sent to my computer so only important texts are answered.

With the nature of my one side business, I don’t plan any unnecessary evening activities from Sunday through Thursday. However, if there is someone who needs my time for something important I’m not rigid.

A functioning home office is a must. Entrepreneurs can run a highly functioning home office at a minimal expense. I live in a small living quarter, but I have a section of my place dedicated to a small home office. My organizational supplies didn’t cost a lot, many fashionable yet functional items were bought on sale  or at discounted prices…even garage sales and local artisans can offer what you  need for a highly functional yet professional looking home office.

Small home run businesses can be successful if you devote the proper time and dedicate a proper working space.  Like anything, when you put dedicated time and effort into your small business it will eventually grow.

The “Little Engine That Could” for 2016

Instead of “I’d love to do that,” how about “I’m going to do that”

When you say “I have no time”, try “I’ll make the time”

When you think “I don’t have the skills for that”, think “How can I acquire the skills for that”

And “If the opportunity came up I’d love to…..” say “This year I’m making the opportunity come up”

It’s never “I think I can” it’s “I know I can” 

Tic Tock

So I said my next blog would be on name calling, however I came across a couple things recently that prompted me to write about time management and making time for things. 

Time management is a BIG factor for any business owner, whether you are the CEO, manager or worker.

My side business is now in its second year, and I’m currently working on setting up a consulting/maintenance service for social media/on line postings. Sure it’s a lot on my plate however 

I always make time for some important things.

1. Answering my e mails. It can be my LinkedIn, my business e mail, work e mail or personal. If people take the time to contact me, I take the time to acknowledge it. I remember what accounts I have and check them. There is nothing worse than getting an important e mail and you didn’t acknowledge it until months later. That’s bad for your credibility. Most social media accounts can now send you a notice or text that you’ve received a direct message.

2. Newtworking! That is a must in any business, big or small. Making contacts through Twitter/Facebook and LinkedIn are great but anyone I meet I take a few minutes and get to know them on a personal level. I find out about THEM and take an interest in what THEY do. I don’t make it about me and how I can benefit them. However I make sure to have a business card on hand and ask if they’d like one.

3. Follow up with those contacts. I make it a habit once or twice a year to send my contacts an email just to say “hi”. I don’t push my side work on them, rather send them a friendly “Hello hope all is well.”  It’s a great way to say “Hey I’m still around” and not to overbearing or pushy.

4. Taking a few minutes to read interesting articles. It does in fact broaden your horizons and views.

5. Spend time with someone and NOT talk about work! You become a very boring person if all you do is talk about yourself and work.

We all have busy lives, and if you have kids, the balancing act can be tricky. Over the past year I have relied heavily on lists, and my date book. Apps are good too and there are several out there that are handy for your cell/tablet, etc.

They key is prioritizing.

 I now prioritize and make the time to do what is needed. If I made contacts one day, I’ll read some article the next, and so on.

If you want to make it work, you’ll make the time!

The Blogs are Coming! The Blogs are Coimg

So I've been told I can write, so why hide that talent??? Coming in the very NEAR future some new blogs, my take on social media and how public figures can help shape our community. Right now I'm currently writing my thoughts on name calling......BUT......it's not what you think.

Keep Checking! It'll be posted very soon

Enjoy your new week.....

And a quote from "Anne of Green Gables" ..."Tomorrow is Fresh with no Mistakes"