Money is one of the fastest moving things on this planet.  Often spent before it’s earned, it definitely holds a fragile existence in many lives.  To too many, it is the all-consuming god and to others, it’s a tool (the latter is a much healthier perspective.)

In either case, one cannot be too careful with it.  As a business owner, you have to constantly ask yourself  “what is the return on this investment?”  Advertising, marketing, promotions, p.r. and appearances, networking, memberships, and so on all create a formidable wrestling match for the dollars.  We’re torn between what is good business and what is good relationship building.  Too often, the latter is the winner.

Specifically in the area of promotions and networking, it comes down to knowing your market, knowing who to talk with about future business, and generating relationships with those key people. Cold calling is a waste of time – referrals are what you want to generate.

So is the networking group filled with those people or just people-who-may-know-someone-who-knows-someone?  (Don’t be afraid to ask them!)

And is the convention filled with people who are looking for you?  Or is it filled with people who may-or-may-not-someday-need-someone-like-you?  In which case they won’t “save your information” because they won’t even remember why they saved it in the first place.

And what about that great advertising spot in the yellow pages/directory/t-shirt?  Who will see the ad?  Would you look for your business in those spaces?

You may answer “yes” or “no” to each of these questions, but all too often dollars are thrown away for the naming rights to a stadium instead of just giving customers a good deal.  Too many times you’ve been “everywhere” and it’s sensory overload.  Your message is lost.

When in doubt, ask your leads and customers where they found you in the first place.  You may be surprised at just how affordable marketing can be.

Tags: advice, business, career, direction, experience, reflection

Have you heard the adage, “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me!” and ever thought a little more about it?

It’s not just applicable to your dealings with a single individual.  It also applies to your dealings with similar situations.

The incompetent, the apathetic, the clueless, the excuse-makers – all have similar personalities, tell-tale signs and m.o.’s that you should watch out for, recognize and change your tactics appropriately.

This applies to many areas.  “How many times must I tell you….?”  your parents would say and you, in your youth and blissful ignorance would try to answer – only to find that the count rolls on (and would for many years, right?) 

One definition of insanity is to do things the same way and expect different results.  While in your youth, it was probably your parents who were driven insane by your repetitive behavior, my message today also speaks to our ignoring our instincts.  Nature honed our survival “gut reactions” over millions of years – if we had ignored them, it’s arguable that our species would be extinct today.

So the next time you’re heard saying something like “you’re right, you’re right, I KNOW you’re right” (whether out loud to someone “telling you so” or to your own screaming conscience)  Make a resolution to stop the cycle of gullibility and step up to the next level in your own evolution.

Unless you’d be interested in a bridge I have for sale….

Tags: advice, business, direction, endurance, ethics, experience, help, Life, morals, professional, reflection, Teaching

I’m writing this one from a creative’s perspective, but it could apply to anyone who works hard and believes in the work that they do.

When you’re “living the dream”, whatever that dream may be, it’s very easy to trade off the important things in your life (health, personal growth, fitness, loved ones, etc.) as a price.  The saddest part is that you don’t have to.  It’s all about balance and maintaining a sense of mortality.

When we’re young, we’re unconscious. We’re limited only by our imagination.  Reckless abandon and an invulnerable sense blind us to the big picture.  It’s why we equate age with wisdom.  Slowing down causes us to reflect more (have you ever seen a memoir by a 20-year old?)

The trouble is that the momentum of youth can often carry over into the rest of our life – and along with it high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease, and all other sorts of nasty.

Ironically, the good habits and achieving balance also follow the same advice and direction of an efficiency expert.  If you work hard but also play hard (or rest hard) then you’re going to be sharper, stronger, healthier, more productive AND have all the other priorities in your life maintained (loved ones, your faith, smelling the roses, etc.)

In the grand scheme of things, you’re just a blip on the timeline.  Recognize that life was here before you and will carry on (”some how”) without you.  Savor your time and make it last because you’ll be judged by how you lived (and eternity is a loooooong time)

 

Tags: advice, Art, balance, business, experience, health, Life