February 2013

It’s How You Decide2Look at Things 

On two different days last week – Monday and Thursday – the temperatures in the middle of the day here in the Greater Roanoke Valley reached 38 degrees.

When I left the snowy land of Northwestern Ohio on Sunday it was 9 degrees, the snow was blowing and based on the weather that day, it seemed like a good place to be leaving.  As I drove south the snow (mostly) stopped and the warmth (mostly) arrived.  By Monday it was a “balmy” 38 degrees and I think it actually felt somewhat comfortable.

The middle of the week brought a warming trend – jet stream, winds from the south, or something.  I actually have no idea what brought the shift.  I just know that one of those days I left my winter coat at home and, in general, it almost felt like spring (while I am pretty sure the cold and snow continued straight through back in Ohio).  By Thursday afternoon another cold snap hit and it was back to 38 degrees again.  This isn’t a weather blog – so why all the talk about hot and cold?

Something4You to Consider

Both days were 38 degrees in Roanoke.  One day felt comfortable, even refreshing.  Later in the week, the same exact temperature felt cold, slightly bitter.  How can the same surroundings bring such different feelings?

The answer is in how you look at things.  The wisdom is in your approach to the challenging boss, tough problem or insurmountable prospect.  Are you coming off of a cold spell into the warmth of 38 degrees, or are you adjusting to the “warmth” of the 50’s & 60’s then dealing with 38 degrees.  It’s a simple reminder that you determine the climate of your workplace.

January 2013

How2Block and Tackle

It’s the time of year for planning and strategizing. In your personal life, you may be figuring how to break bad eating habits or get into better exercise patterns. While you’re at it, consider some new approaches to continuing issues you face at work.

Block out time on your calendar to take care of those tasks that always seem to get pushed back. Then actually take the time you’ve set aside and tackle that project you have already prioritized. Everyone has their little tricks – mine is just one way. It works really well for me, and I am confident you’ll find it helpful if you apply it.

In the “old days” I used an index card box with days of the month and months of the year and handwritten notes to stay on top of client work or projects that had deadlines. Today Microsoft Outlook does most of the work for us. When I have something cluttering my mind, I just open an appointment in Outlook and write it down to ensure the task doesn’t “slip away”.

A Practical Example4You

Each month – for three years now - I have sent out this monthly e-newsletter. Some months ideas come quicker than others. Since it is a priority for me, but something I don’t always have the time for, I decided to block time in my calendar to ensure it gets done. In a way you are benefitting from this same technique I am presenting (at least I hope you are). My big shift for 2013 with the B2Seed is to remind myself on the 5th of the month instead of the 11th.

You can look for yourself and see whether I get it out earlier in the month. No matter when it comes, you’ll know it was because I blocked out the time to tackle something that is important for me.

December 2012

Talk2Whom You Need

Throughout the years I have written a lot about your message and how to craft what you want to say in your marketing, business development and advertising. Here’s a simple B2Seed reminder for your ongoing consideration…

The right message – built and honed – but sent to the wrong audience, will not accomplish the goal.

It’s not enough to be creative or pretty or even “remarkable” if you do not know exactly who you want to receive the advertisement or marketing piece. So much energy by so many people (many in the advertising community) is spent getting the outreach just so. Without the accompanying target work much of it goes to waste.

Help4You

There are many ways to figure out who needs to receive the messages you are sending. I’d start with the first and simplest way --- look around. Take a break from the chaos of commerce and note who you are already doing business with on a regular basis. Begin to identify who they are and what they have in common – it’s the key to taking that first step OR reminding yourself of who your target really is.

Next, try to find more of those people. Most research and advertising firms can help you access information you can use to customize your approach. In the old days people in advertising grouped potential patients, customers and clients as ages --- 25-54, 50+, 18-34, etc. Go ahead and pay attention to that data, but let that start your target discovery not end it.

There is more information at your disposal than ever before. It’s time for you to start using it.

November 2012

Went West2Be Reminded

A combination of personal and business reasons took me to California recently. While out there I had two experiences on either end of the “expense” spectrum that drove home a “how you go to market” basic I have long advised my clients to follow.

I spent $5 (or so) to eat an In & Out Burger, fries and a vanilla milkshake. I spent considerably more to stay at a really nice resort as a small part of the visit to LA. Both were amazing encounters and each destination knew exactly how to create the right experience.

The line at the drive through for the world famous burger was around the corner – really – all the way around the block. It was worth it. The people were friendly, the food amazing and the experience everything I had heard it would be. Shutters created an oasis on the ocean in Santa Monica and they thought of everything. There was even a stamped envelope with custom stationery to send your own comments to the CEO. Not one element was left to chance at this incredible hotel.

Lessons4Your Business

Determine why you stand out. Execute your plan – know what you are. Be the best at what you do.

Whether you run a $5 burger stand or a 5-Star resort, the key is identifying how you are unique.

Too many organizations try to be too many things to too many people. Figure out what you are, pay attention to caring for your customers, patients or clients, then find ways to do those things even better. Again, it’s simple – that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy.

October 2012

Simple2Be Creative

Notice I said simple – not easy.

Through the years I have kept a series of folders and files labeled “ideas” or “creative concepts”. Whether it was for a talk, a sales concept or a creative idea, when I came across something that really caught my eye or grabbed my attention, I filed it away – never knowing when it might become useful. Those recycled ideas – often rebuilt for a different purpose have served me well.

Earlier this year, I met a man from Minnesota named Jim Link. Jim has written a book Idea-Links: The New Creativity. He has perfected this creative process and is helping Fortune 500 and small organizations alike figure new ways to solve problems.

Creative Solutions4Your Business

His approach capitalizes on experience. According to him, creativity isn’t produced through wacky off-the-wall brainstorming sessions, but through observing experiences to arrive at new solutions to some of these old and troubling problems.

Bolstered by your inner-curiosity and assisted by this fresh approach, you have many more tools at your disposal for solving that troubling issue or finding a new path to deal with that challenge you are facing. While motivational speeches are fun, the impact rarely lasts. The disciplines used in applying Jim’s principles are lasting and relevant to all types of situations. Check out his book and see for yourself – or better yet look into having him come present his ideas in person to your leadership or sales team.

What you need could already be around you – ready to be discovered by observing and then following the New Crea

September 2012

2In a Row?

There was an internal battle I had to work through. Last month I wrote about Nick Saban and his approach to changing a culture. A few weeks back I read a very interesting article about him in the Wall Street Journal that once again caught my eye. A different publication, but a similar thought starter…

While I was uncomfortable referring to a football coach two months in a row, it was such a revelation and a great example, I decided to push forward regardless. Football fan or not, everyone can appreciate how much our time spent reflect the priorities we set.

Each day Coach Saban and his assistants set aside one hour for recruiting high school football players. They write hand written notes, send texts, make phone calls and do other tasks, according to this article, that help them build the talent base of the program in future years. It’s an investment – of time.

What It Means4You

We talk about how busy we are. Most of us really do have crowded schedules.

Few operate at a more hectic pace than a college football coach…let alone the coach of the defending national champs. Yet, there is Nick Saban, with one of the most talented programs in America, investing an hour of his workday – alongside the rest of his coaches – in development. It is not an accident he’s perennially a top recruiter in his industry.

It takes a strategy, structure, a plan and most of all discipline to break away and focus forward. No one said it was easy, but can you see how a similar approach would work wonders for you?