The Natural Office

I arrived early for an appointment the other day. With time to spend, I decided to visit a park nearby. It was a bright sunny day but there were plenty of trees perfectly planted near the wooden benches, offering shade to those who wanted it.  It was the height of the afternoon so I sat under a large oak tree and out onto the clearing of green grass.  The parks department was mowing the lawn in a distinct pattern and I was mesmerized by the process in the moment.

Would you like to run your business in this setting?

Once I settled in, I was able to note the many people sitting quietly, reading, listening to music, or just chatting and enjoying each other's company.  The breeze from the leaves actually made the experience comfortable despite the heat. It was so relaxing I considered going to the park on a regular basis.  At first, my mind thought of every possible excuse as to why I couldn't.  'No time' 'The bench wasn't that comfortable' 'This park wasn't always convenient'. I started to let go of the idea of coming to the park on the regular. Sigh

Then a light bulb clicked on in my head. What if I went to a park, any park, brought a blanket or yoga mat, a hotspot, my notebook, lunch, etc.? I was carrying most of it with the exception of a blanket or yoga mat daily anyway. Surely I could find room for a throw blanket or a yoga mat to my bag essentials.

Instead of being cooped up indoors between appointments, I could turn any park into my "natural office". I could kick off my sandals and enjoy the coolness of the grass while following up on phone calls, emails, setting up appointments with clients, writing blog posts, updating my social media, etc. all from the peace and tranquility of a natural setting.

Feeling inspired, I was determined to give it a go. Hearing the birds, feeling gentle breeze on my cheek, breathing in the sweet smell of fresh cut grass really has a way of allowing me to decompress. I feared I would get lazy or spend too much time soaking up the sights and sounds but I found the exact opposite to be true.  I was quite productive. In fact, I felt so accomplished I was sorry I hadn't considered it sooner. Nature really has a way to put things in perspective for me and help me focus.

Would you like to turn nature into your home office? Look at what resonates most with you about nature. Is it the sights, smell, calmness? Is it the change of scenery or the need to get away from a typical office setting? Also, consider these options when making the switch.

1. Find a hotspot.  If you need to be connected to the internet all day, get a hotspot. You can connect several items to one hotspot and its better than tethering with your cell phone. If you use a smartphone for almost everything except the occasional upload from your laptop, your cell phone may be enough; especially if you have extended battery life.

2. Take the time. Your natural office does have to be a huge time investment. You may want to do this a few times a week or just a couple of hours a day. I found afternoons were best for me, right around the time when I might be considering a cup of coffee or walking away from my desk. I also like to bring my lunch with me and enjoy a meal al fresco and then dive into my afternoon tasks, if I have a couple of hours between appointments.

3. Consider outdoor meetings. Depending on the type of business you have, clients and colleagues might enjoy meeting with you out of doors. Outdoor settings are great for brainstorming sessions or health coaching.

4. Get comfortable. For me, one of the best perks of leaving corporate was I do not have to wear a suit again, unless I want to.  You can still look polished while dressing comfortably. Comfort is key if you plan on sitting on a yoga mat or blanket, even more so if you enjoy stretching or practicing yoga or meditation while at your "natural office".

5. Stick to the plan. Just to make sure you don't get distracted by the beautiful natural scenery or spent your time daydreaming, make a to-do list for the time you plan on spending outdoors. I like to work in 90 minute intervals so I start with 3 small items or 1 big project and I put my energy into just those tasks.

Although I thought it couldn't be done, assuming I would have to wait for weekends to enjoy the outdoors, I was proven wrong. Enjoying a natural office while running my business is possible ... and fun!

The Day I Found Out I Was A Terrible Boss

When I started my own business, I had a very specific vision of what I wanted my business to look like. No longer would I have to be forced into a regimented schedule, looking out the window on a sunny day, wishing I can work outdoors. I had the freedom to create a business that would reflect all the things I enjoyed. MY business would include the flexibility of a tech company, the creativity of a Food Network challenge and the satisfaction of a kick-ass workout.  My BUSINESS would have the solid foundation of any brick and mortar, the familiarity of a local business and the excitement of a unicorn start-up.  

All that changed when one day, while working on a project and becoming slightly annoyed by the grumbling stomach, I glanced at the clock on my laptop.  It was 3:45 PM and I haven't even had lunch! That's when it hit me.  "If I were an employee I'd really be pissed at my boss for making me work through lunch!", I thought.  "What If I were the boss (I am) who happened upon the employee (then just me) and realized I hadn't even asked if my employee had lunch?", I pondered.  How would I feel if I weren't both boss AND employee?  I would feel terrible!  And I did. For myself. It was official. I was a terrible boss ... to myself.

The realization that I had to be a better boss to myself led me to be a better employee and business owner.  As my boss, I gave myself (the employee) a long lunch and forced my employee (myself) to pack it in at a decent hour.  No good boss wants an overworked and under-productive employee.  It served me no purpose to slave over my computer into the wee hours of the night only to achieve lukewarm results, at best.  I was far more productive, both as employee and boss, when I had a good night's sleep and looked and felt refreshed.

The boss in me, I didn't mind going to the office a few minutes early to lay out an action plan for the employee in me.  As a small business owner, you wear so many hats and the lines between owner and staff can certainly become very blurred. I found the only way to keep focused on what tasks needed to get done was to put in all on paper. The enjoyment I got from crossing items off my list gave me the motivation to keep at it which made the person in charge (me) very happy.  My productivity was through the roof and my income climbed steadily.  What boss wouldn't be happy about that?!  Not me! I was thrilled!  My business was on track to sustaining my lifestyle and I was doing what I liked.

Being both boss and employee wasn't always easy in those early days but now I can say I relish the flexibility, creativity and satisfaction my business affords me.  I'm a better boss to my employees now than I was to myself then and learning that lesson early on kept me from burning out or giving up. Having your own business can be rewarding but it requires nurturing, protecting and loving it and yourself, as well as, your employees. No one likes a grumpy boss and no boss likes an unhappy employee. When you're in that situation you just end up fighting each other or canceling each other out and running the risk of letting your business become ineffective or worse ... close down.

Do you have a challenge in your business?  Are you trying NOT to be a terrible boss?  Let us help you create the business you've always wanted.  

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Your Sign May Be Giving Your Customer the Wrong Message

While stopped at a red light the other day, I looked across the street and noticed a lighting store.  It was brightly lit and filled with lamps, track lighting and chandeliers and I made a mental note to visit the store at a later date.  

I also noticed a sign in the window informing potential customers they also fix lamps, lights and chandeliers suggesting they are more than a store but experts in the lighting business.  I thought that was clever and it set them apart from a box store that just sold lighting products.  

And then I saw it.  In less than 60 seconds. Above the store was a neon sign with the name of the store.  A few of the letters were out.  From the design and wear of the sign, I could tell the business had been around for a while ... a long while.  The store itself didn't look dated in the least but that neon sign gave it little curb appeal.  And since the store fixes lighting, a broken neon sign offers little points in the consumer confidence area.

Now I'll probably still go into the store mainly because the store itself looked bright and I like supporting small businesses.  However, this is a cautionary tale to anyone whose business is lacking in curb appeal.  Whether it's your sign, business card or website, it is your calling card.  It may be the only chance you have to communicate with a potential customer.  This goes for your logo, flier or brochure, too.  Ask yourself these questions to avoid giving customers the wrong message.  

1. Does your sign, logo, business card, website, flier or brochure make your customers want to come in and stay or run away?
2. Does it convey your message easily and neatly?
3. Is your sign, logo, business card, website, flier or brochure too wordy?
4. Are the colors inviting?
5. Are you using fonts that are hard to read?
6. Are you offering value to your product or service?
7. Do you express what sets you apart from others businesses in your area or field?
8. Are you regularly updating your marketing tools - sign, logo, business card, website, flier or brochure?
9. Do all of your marketing tools complement each other?
10. Do you feel your marketing tools are a true reflection of who you are and what your business offers?

If you've answered these questions positively, your message is on point.  However, if you are having trouble answering these questions, it's time to review your marketing tools.  You can ask a friend or family member to offer their opinion, gather a focus group or ask loyal customers for feedback in the form of a survey.  You may also want to consider hiring a marketing expert or business coach for help in improving your curb appeal and getting the right message across to your customers.

 

NOT ANOTHER ADVERTISEMENT!

When I picked up my mail today, I received yet another letter inviting me to switch my cable company.  My first thought was, "Ugh.  Not again!" I get this letter at least once a month. Since I'm not in the market for a new cable company, I just throw the advertisement away.

As I threw out the ad, I had a second thought, "Wow.  What a waste of  paper.  I wonder how many other people just throw this away."  "Hmm, I hope they're all recycling".

The image of people recycling advertisements made me wonder how many potential customers are businesses losing a day.  Advertising is a very effective vehicle to gain a customer.  However, if the customer feels annoyed, offended or even overwhelmed by the amount of advertisements, you've probably lost the opportunity to do business with that customer.  What's a business owner to do?  How can you get your message to potential customers without bombarding them?  

Here are some tips:

• Have your message printed on seed paper.  Your prospect may plant it and remember  you when it sprouts.
• Email campaigns are a great way to get your message across without the use of paper.
• Offer a free item or service
• Existing customers love getting mail around their birthday - a card, discount, etc.
• Social Media Marketing - saves on postage and is more passive than getting another piece of junk mail for your customer to hate
• Get potential customers to "opt in". By opting in, prospects are telling you it's ok to send me your advertising.

SPELLCHECK: It Can Save Your Business

One of the most important things you can do for your business is to spell check or proofread all of your business text.  From your website to brochures, ads, newsletters, etc., a misspelled word or typographical error can lead to losing a potential customer.  Without new customers, your business can become stale and you risk hurting your business.

Have you ever looked at the bottom of a store flyer and it said "not responsible for typos?"  Incorrect sale prices are a common error on flyers and arguing with a customer over the price of your product can lead to a negative shopping experience.  A negative experience from the customer almost always ensures a lengthy discussion to the customer's friends and family.  Even worse, a negative review or post on the Internet, stuck in cyberspace for all the world to see.

A misspelling can seem harmless but to a potential customer it can also evoke a feeling of poor workmanship, lack of interest in the product or service, or just plain apathy for the business.  Many customers say, "In today's economy, why would I give my hard earned money to someone who doesn't seem to care?!"  It's not surprising that many consumers are becoming more aware than ever of their buying power and businesses need customers to have a positive experience in order for customers to keep coming back.  If a misspelling is keeping customers from walking in the door, your business is doomed.

For me, misspellings and typos are the equivalent of a disheveled appearance.  We are always told to 'look' the part in our manner of dress but our business text and correspondence should fit as well.  So, let's suit up and hit that spell check button!

Marketing the Whole You

Many people believe marketing in business is just about getting as much exposure as possible to make as much money as possible.  However, by doing so, we tend to lose focus or, even worse, it backfires.  Often I've sat down with clients who say they have lost sight of their vision or the business is doing OK but it doesn't reflect their personal goals or beliefs.  

For example, a client started a financial consulting firm but instead of getting clients looking for advice on personal income and investments, he's getting inquiries about taxes. He's thankful for the work but he could be doing so much more.  I asked to look at his current marketing instruments and he handed me a couple of brochures (one that said "Have Questions about Taxes?"), a print ads he placed and postcards.  In one print ad, he's sitting behind a desk with what looks like financial records and his computer is in the background with a spreadsheet on the screen.  Frankly, he looked more like an accountant than a financial consultant.  His accountant "look" coupled with the "taxes" brochure solidified an image in his customer's minds that he was good at tax advice.  

His marketing strategy did not reflect his whole business, just various aspects.  He also admitted that he never had a marketing plan, only bursts of ideas that he acted on, rather impulsively, I might add.

So how to you go from marketing fragments of your business to encapsulating your entire company?  First, make a list of all the various products and services your business offers. Second, make another list of your prospective customers.  Then ask the following questions:

• Does my website, advertising and dialogue demonstrate all aspects of my business?
• Am I conveying that message to the right customers?
• What are my marketing strengths?
• What are my weaknesses?
• Does my business, marketing strategy reflect my personality?

If you take a moment to answer these questions, you can narrow down your goals and deliver a marketing campaign that really gets results.