What Winter Is Doing

It seems the Farmers Almanac was right!

In the last month or so, talking about the weather has become more than small talk.  With the un-yielding winter we have been facing (all over the country it seems), it is affecting life.  Schools have been closed.  Businesses have been forced into shorter hours.

Twice yesterday I found myself discussing how the weather had been affecting business.  I reasoned that (from a sales perspective) it had been harder to get to see people.  In addition, I also suggested that when I did get to see them, clients were not always in a great mood!  My position was of course that business had been adversely affected by the weather.

But this article says productivity might be up.  I am not sure if I buy this.

And if "productivity" is up, does that mean it translates into sales?  I don't think so.

What is your experience so far this winter?

The Last 5 Minutes

A couple of nights ago my daughter and I spent the evening discussing a paper she was working on.  She needed to write an essay on her "Laws of Life."  So we spent the later part of the evening discussing things that would make her world (and frankly the world in general) a better place.

First, thanks to the teacher for assigning this!  It was a productive discussion that every parent would love to have with a teenager.  But the fact is, most of the time she doesn't want to have it.  That night, not only was she open to listening to ideas from me...she wanted them!  She was asking me to repeat "remember that time you told me about...tell me that again."  Then she took her thoughts and my "lessons" and had to put them in a paper in her own words.  Such a fantastic exercise. 

Second, I noticed as I was heading to bed that I was in a great mood.  Partially, I'm sure, because I just spent some quality time with my daughter.  But also because I had just spent time actively talking and thinking about the way the world works.

The last law we discussed was: 

"If you really want to feel good, make someone else feel good."  We discussed the spiritual, emotional and even biological reasons this is true.  And she got it. 

I don't know how she will do on the paper.  But in some ways I don't care.  I already learned MY lesson. 

I have read many times that spending the last 5 minutes of the day thinking about what you want is powerful.  And it is. 

But I spent the last 30 minutes of my day discussing what I wanted for my daughter.  And that, my friends, was even better yet.

Give Your Way To Success

Breaking news:  An historical change is upon us.

No it is not the Rise of the Planet of the Apes (wow that movie was bad).  It is a cultural shift in the way business is done.  It is happening now.  And if you are a fan of doing things "the right way" then you should be excited for the future!

The change has been coming for some time.  For years, companies have worked to automate all of their "service" services.  They have consistently tried to cut costs with outsourcing phone centers, one size fits all websites or even getting rid of human contact all together.  We have all experienced it at one time or another.  We have spent endless time on hold coming to the realization that customer service really had nothing to do with the customer at all.

Maddening.

From a marketing standpoint, the change has been coming as well.  We have lived in an age of "push" marketing forever...since the beginning of time.  But the internet--and social networks--are changing that.  Right now.  Now, more than ever, the customer has a voice.  The customer has clout and power.

And the customer wants better.  We want better.

So the shift is beginning.  Companies are beginning to understand that they need to humanize.  They need to engage.  They need to provide value.  They need to GIVE before they ask.

What this means is that this large world is becoming small again.  Each customer needs to be treated as if we are business owners in a small town!  We might see them again in the grocery store.  If we treat them badly, they can tell their friends.  So as businesses we need to re-visit service and marketing.

We need to GIVE first.  We need to work at providing value to our customers so they trust us.  We need to think "small" things first. We need to "Give Our Way To Success."

Great news...if you want to do things the right way to begin with!  Who's in?

Minding the Routine

One of the reasons I was excited to get the kids back to school after the holiday break, was to get back into routines.  Breaks are always welcome, but when you have established a routine that allows you to be productive (consistently) the break in routine can be down right disruptive. 

Of course the challenge right now is the weather in Ohio has made it downright difficult to have any routine.

So for me, since there is no school for the kids, I might sleep just a little later.  By getting the "extra sleep" I have less time to wake up before I work out.  Then I simply don't work out.  The lack of a workout gives me less time to prepare for the day, gives me less energy, and increases stress.  I have not had the same creativity.

So this morning the alarm went off at "school" time for me.  The family is still all nestled in their bed.  But I am up and at em.  I am getting back into the routine.

I am sure the day will be more productive because of it!

Where Leaders Come From

I tell clients all the time that they want to keep their video short in order to get potential customers to watch.  I used to say 3 to 7 minutes but even that is too long in the ADD world in which we live.  So 45 minutes is way too long right?  No.

This video (I think) is worth the watch if you want to gain some perspective on leadership.  In this talk, Simon Sinek (author of Start with Why) gives some perspective about where leaders come from.

So my advice is spend the time on this one.  You most likely will learn something! 

Why The Idea Has No Value

Ideas have no value.  Ok maybe not "NO value."  But very little value then.

Every day, in every place in the world, someone is saying (or just thinking of) they have a great idea.  Sometimes they tell their friends over drinks that they have this brilliant scheme that would make the world a better place...or make them money.  I even find that I have an UN-ending supply of people that have ideas they think I should do!

The world doesn't have a shortage of good ideas.  The world has a shortage of people that are willing to take action!

As Seth Godin points out all the time, since the economy has changed, we need people that are brave enough to "choose themselves." 

The bad news, for those waiting for someone to choose them, is life has gotten a lot harder.  The economy has changed and there are fewer jobs like that.  The good news is--in today's economy--it is much simpler to choose yourself! 

It's much easier, more cost efficient and accessible to take the "idea" and make it happen.

So if you have an idea that you have always wanted to try...try it.  If you have a business that you have always wanted to start...start it.  If you are waiting for someone to give you a job...create it yourself. 

The REALLY good news is, there has never been a better time.

Know Who You Are

One thing I love to do is meet with and discuss new businesses.  I love the enthusiasm and potential that I see in the eyes of those about to embark on the journey.  I like to help them brainstorm and consider different ideas and opportunities.  But there are challenges too.

I had the chance to meet with a new business recently and the big challenge was choosing a direction.  You see, at the beginning of the entrepreneurship journey, you see ALL of the opportunities.  That's great.  But it can really take away focus from the thing you can do to make money today. 

Before you can decide a marketing strategy (or anything really) you need to know exactly what you are selling.  As the old saying goes, "If you think everyone is  your customer, then no one is your customer."

And this goes for not so new businesses too!  Sometimes we try to do everything and do nothing really well.  So find the thing you are really great at...and do that better than anyone! 

By knowing who you are, it will be much easier to tell customers!