Blog - Scattered to Streamlined

ALL OF MARKETING IS A FORMULA

Familiar with the Pareto Principle?

The Pareto Principle states that roughly 80% of outcomes come from 20% of inputs. In business, this natural principle often applies. In this case, 80% of business typically comes from 20% of marketing activities.

If you have been in business for a while, you’ll often see that there are one or two (occasionally three) marketing activities you perform that result in most of your business. Figure out what those activities are and focus your time, energy, and money here. It’s such a basic principle, yet I often see people spreading themselves way too thin.

How about the S2S Equation? 😄
(you know I’m all about Streamlining!)

The “Right” 1-2 Activities* + Consistent Application + Data Collection & Adjustment = Sales Success

UB Men’s Basketball Provides a Clear Game Plan for Business Success

Yes, I am going to shamelessly use my husband’s team (UB Men’s Basketball) tournament win last night to compare business with athletics. Often, I think there is no better example.

Here’s where I am coming from:

First Quarter 2021 Check In – Yes, Already!

March 1 – Officially on the home stretch of Q1, 2021, with one month left to complete what you planned for the first quarter of the year! I know you wanted to kick off your entire 2021 in the best way possible so let’s check in –

How are you feeling? Accomplished? Proud? Hopeful? Unsure? Disappointed? Frustrated?

It’s Still International Networking Week! Part 2: Traditional Networking

Maybe you think with the current pandemic and resulting limitations to in-person interactions that there is not much formal networking occurring these days. Think again!

There actually may be more networking occurring than ever before with virtual meetings allowing us to connect with anybody, anywhere. There truly is something for everyone when you are looking for a networking group.

International Networking Week Starts February 1! Does That Make You Smile or Cringe?

Networking Part 1 – Informal Networking

Have you ever walked into a room filled with strangers at a networking event with the intention of meeting just three people and then giving yourself permission to leave? That was me when I first started out in business. My introvert self wanted to be anywhere but in that room, but I could rev myself up to the task if I knew I could leave as soon as I met three new people. How effective do you think those connections were? First person, check! Second person, check! Third person, yes – I am OUT OF HERE! 😰 (not very effective, in case there was any doubt)

Top 10 S2S Favorites I’ll be Bringing from 2020 into 2021!

Favorite Focus Tool:

My (30 minute) hourglass! Whether you use a timer, a time tracking app, or something less techy like this hourglass, the point is to focus on one task or project for a set period of time without distraction. Turn off electronic notifications, put phone on airplane mode, close the office door, and focus on just ONE thing. It continues to amaze me how much I can accomplish in a day with just 3-4 turns of this tool.

Streamline Your Business for 2021! Part 3 of 3

Refer back to Part 1 of 3 and the assessment you created for the 5 key categories for your business:

Products & Services
Operations
Marketing & Sales
Finances
Personal Management

Remember that 1-10 rating you created for each?

It’s time now to consider what would bring each of these category’s ratings closer to a 10 and

SET OBJECTIVES

Streamline Your Business for 2021! Part 2 of 3

What is the VISION FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

When you see yourself and your business a little more than a year down the road, the end of 2021, what do you want to see?

A big office with a gorgeous view, a happy and engaged staff, doing important work changing the lives and/or businesses of your clients?

Traveling the world, working from anywhere, with clients who clamor for your work?

Working with a small but passionate-about-their-work group of solo business owners. Sitting on the deck of a cottage on a Lake Ontario, working with clients virtually, and near enough to a vibrant community to be able to network and work in person as well. (yep, that one’s me)

What about you?

Streamline Your Business for 2021! Part 1 of 3

The clocks changed last night, it’s a blustery Fall day, and the Buffalo Bills are leading the Patriots on TV (barely, gulp).

You know what all of that means? We are solidly into Q4 of 2020! And what a year it has been . . .

Regardless of your feelings for 2020, it’s time to put forth best efforts to wrap the year up strong and prepare to start 2021 raring to go.

In this first of a three part series, I’ll be leading you through process – starting with assessing 2020 for your business to date.

National Nonprofit Day – The G.R.O.W. Story (Chapter One)

In honor of National Nonprofit Day, I wanted to share the story of how, within four short months, a Facebook group started by three individuals with a few ideas for helping the local Buffalo, New York business community, grew to over 1000 members and became a nonprofit organization with big future plans to support the business community in Western NY and beyond. It’s just the beginning but is a unique story nonetheless and one I hope will inspire others to pursue their own nonprofit dreams.

The first quarter of 2020 started off business as usual for most business owners in Western NY and across the country. By mid-March, however, New York State had gone into pandemic lockdown, with only essential businesses remaining open. Small business owners and entrepreneurs were put into positions for which most would understandably not have thought they’d need to prepare.