A friend sent me an email asking about filling in speakers for our business support group on June 8th and June 19th. He sent the message on June 18th. He meant July in his message.
I keep writing dates in my journal beginning with 3/__. Somehow my mind thinks we are still in March.
Continue reading “Six Questions for Reinvigorating 2021”Birds are singing, the sun is shining, and everything outside is green and beautiful. Who else wants to get out there and enjoy it all?
Especially here in the northern states, we’ve been pretty well closed up between both winter’s cold/spring’s wet weather and an ages-long pandemic. The itch is on to get outside and play.
But – we have businesses to run. Clients and customers to support. Marketing to be continued. Operations to run smoothly. Who has the time?
Continue reading “I Want to Play!!!”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
Continue reading “ALL OF MARKETING IS A FORMULA”
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:
Continue reading “UB Men’s Basketball Provides a Clear Game Plan for Business Success”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?
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.
Continue reading “It’s Still International Networking Week! Part 2: Traditional Networking”
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)
Continue reading “International Networking Week Starts February 1! Does That Make You Smile or Cringe?”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.
Continue reading “Top 10 S2S Favorites I’ll be Bringing from 2020 into 2021!”
Refer back to Part 1 of 3 and the assessment you created for the 5 key categories for your business:
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
Continue reading “Streamline Your Business for 2021! Part 3 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?
Continue reading “Streamline Your Business for 2021! Part 2 of 3”