Every year, millions of Americans take this time to sit down and think about the things for which they're truly grateful.
I'm not to be left in the dust here. But I didn't want to be like everyone else.
God says that we are to praise hime and be grateful for even our troubles. So I'm starting my own tradtion - things that wouldn't appear on a "normal" gratitude list. can you think of a few to add?
This year, I am grateful for:
Having to yell at my oldest to stop playing around every time he takes a shower - because it means he can hear me, we have running water, and the time in which to enjoy it - maybe even a little more than he should.
Burning the macaroni and cheese - because it means we can cook our dinner in the comfort of our home and not over a campfire - although my oldest would think that's cool.
For having no door on my office - because it means when my baby wants to come bug - I mean visit - me while I'm working, he can just climb up in my lap and say "come on, Mommy!"
For having a quiet, shy husband - because it means I can do all the talking sometimes - okay, most of the time.
For the check engine light that keeps coming on in my car - because that means there's still hope for this one!
For my teeny weeny itty bitty office - because it means I get to work from home every day, and enjoy the perks of being a mom and a business owner.
For the deaths of my Mom and Grandfather in the same week - because all my family was able to be there, and I know that Grandpa didn't have to wait long for a Euchre partner up in Heaven that can keep up with him.
For having serious issues with the leadership team of one of my party plan companies - because it gave methe gumption to find a new home party company.
Honestly this list could go on for a while. What are YOU grateful for this year?
Real Life Strikes Again: How NOT To Brand Yourself
My oldest is a handful.
That's being polite.
He's struggled with ADHD and behavioral issues since he was small. Until last year, his issues were somewhat controlled with medication, although I never felt convinced that his Psych was really conerned about his well being, and more concerned with the drug mill he was pushing people through.
I think my suspicions were confirmed today.
I'll skip the intervening time and many personal details, but since my Mother's death in March, my son has not been the usual cantankerous kid we've grown to love. He's been more voilent, reclusive, explosive and difficult to manage. Add to that a request to return to regular school (I homeschooled last year), and it's been a combustible year, to say the least.
A school incident got us involved with our local Community Mental Health department in an effort to get him expedted service and treatment for what is looking more and mor like it might be high functional autism or a form of Asperger's, due to some new symptoms now presenting. So an appointment was made for a "full psych eval" to be held today.
Here's where I scratch my head in disbelief. the exact same psychiatrist that had been seeing him once a month for 3 years walked out, called him by the wrong name (again), and ushered us into an office.
Once in the office, my oldest said "Hey, I Know you!" and the Doctor put his oot in it royally.
"No, I don't think we've ever met before."
"Oh yes, you have!" I corrected him. "You were his psych for 3 years at a different facility!"
"Oh. Well, what brings you in today?"
Other than that inane question, he listened to my tale of increasing violence and disturbing symptoms, copied down a few notes, then asked me the following EVEN MORE STUPID question
"If we could give a magic pill, what would you want it to do?"
Are you kidding me? You saw this kid for 3 years and have no recollection of him, and you want me to diagnose him?
I said, "frankly, I see medication as a last resort, and would like to find out what the underlying issues are before we stuff drugs down his throat. I mean, if he needs drugs, fine, but if the drugs end up masking what the real issue is, then that's not fine."
He asked my son 4 questions, handed me 2 scrips and recommended I schedule an appointment with the child psychiatrist at his next available opening.
"He has more symptoms than I feel comfortable with. I'm calling in the specialist."
My question is, why wasn't I seeing the child psych in the first place?
At that moment, his NP came around the corner, and my son said "Hey! I know you too!"
The NP said "No, I don't think you do."
"UGH! Yes you do! You work with that Doctor and he was my kid's doc for 3 frickin' years!"
Can you tell I wasn't too happy?
Let us break this down so that you NEVER EVER have this happen in your business.
1. Know your client's name. Maybe he read it wrong, but once I corrected him, the doctor STILL called my child by his last name, instead of his first name. Come on! This is common courtesy, folks.
2. Make eye contact. This sounds like a no brainer, but for the entire time we were in the office, I counted a whopping 1:22 of total eye contact, give ot take a few seconds. If he had an intensive questionnaire or computer form he needed to complete, I would have been a touch more understanding. I've had more compassionate, friendly service at WalMart's self-service lane!
3. Spend time understanding your customer. You don't diagnose in 15 minutes, when one of the 4 questions you ask is botu a magic pill! That shows you're not trying to understand anything - you want them to do the work for you. In business, you need to make connections with your customers. In this country, medicine is very obviously a business. this guy didn't even try to make a connection with either of us.
4. Solve the client's problem - or get out of the way so someone else can. He knew immediately that my son didn't belong under his care - yet instead of taking charge to ge me set up right away with the proper doctor, he pushed us out the door to seek help from the receptionist - who was conveniently not at her desk for 10 minutes. I stood in the hallway waiting patiently and silently for someone to return until that NP rounded the corner. Even HE didn't get me any help.
Perhaps I'm just a grumbling bumbling mom. But I was sore when I realized the very doctor I took issue with for 3 years was back as co-pilot of my child's psychiatric care.
You can bet my son's case manager will be hearing from me.
The real life marketing lesson? Take the time to care. Even within that small 15 minute window, there were plenty of opportunitied for that Doctor - or anyone in that office - to turn that situation around. And yet, NO ONE took the time to care. Don't let that be you. One good thing could have made this a POSTIVITE memorable experience.
Instead of a horrifyingly negative one.
That's being polite.
He's struggled with ADHD and behavioral issues since he was small. Until last year, his issues were somewhat controlled with medication, although I never felt convinced that his Psych was really conerned about his well being, and more concerned with the drug mill he was pushing people through.
I think my suspicions were confirmed today.
I'll skip the intervening time and many personal details, but since my Mother's death in March, my son has not been the usual cantankerous kid we've grown to love. He's been more voilent, reclusive, explosive and difficult to manage. Add to that a request to return to regular school (I homeschooled last year), and it's been a combustible year, to say the least.
A school incident got us involved with our local Community Mental Health department in an effort to get him expedted service and treatment for what is looking more and mor like it might be high functional autism or a form of Asperger's, due to some new symptoms now presenting. So an appointment was made for a "full psych eval" to be held today.
Here's where I scratch my head in disbelief. the exact same psychiatrist that had been seeing him once a month for 3 years walked out, called him by the wrong name (again), and ushered us into an office.
Once in the office, my oldest said "Hey, I Know you!" and the Doctor put his oot in it royally.
"No, I don't think we've ever met before."
"Oh yes, you have!" I corrected him. "You were his psych for 3 years at a different facility!"
"Oh. Well, what brings you in today?"
Other than that inane question, he listened to my tale of increasing violence and disturbing symptoms, copied down a few notes, then asked me the following EVEN MORE STUPID question
"If we could give a magic pill, what would you want it to do?"
Are you kidding me? You saw this kid for 3 years and have no recollection of him, and you want me to diagnose him?
I said, "frankly, I see medication as a last resort, and would like to find out what the underlying issues are before we stuff drugs down his throat. I mean, if he needs drugs, fine, but if the drugs end up masking what the real issue is, then that's not fine."
He asked my son 4 questions, handed me 2 scrips and recommended I schedule an appointment with the child psychiatrist at his next available opening.
"He has more symptoms than I feel comfortable with. I'm calling in the specialist."
My question is, why wasn't I seeing the child psych in the first place?
At that moment, his NP came around the corner, and my son said "Hey! I know you too!"
The NP said "No, I don't think you do."
"UGH! Yes you do! You work with that Doctor and he was my kid's doc for 3 frickin' years!"
Can you tell I wasn't too happy?
Let us break this down so that you NEVER EVER have this happen in your business.
1. Know your client's name. Maybe he read it wrong, but once I corrected him, the doctor STILL called my child by his last name, instead of his first name. Come on! This is common courtesy, folks.
2. Make eye contact. This sounds like a no brainer, but for the entire time we were in the office, I counted a whopping 1:22 of total eye contact, give ot take a few seconds. If he had an intensive questionnaire or computer form he needed to complete, I would have been a touch more understanding. I've had more compassionate, friendly service at WalMart's self-service lane!
3. Spend time understanding your customer. You don't diagnose in 15 minutes, when one of the 4 questions you ask is botu a magic pill! That shows you're not trying to understand anything - you want them to do the work for you. In business, you need to make connections with your customers. In this country, medicine is very obviously a business. this guy didn't even try to make a connection with either of us.
4. Solve the client's problem - or get out of the way so someone else can. He knew immediately that my son didn't belong under his care - yet instead of taking charge to ge me set up right away with the proper doctor, he pushed us out the door to seek help from the receptionist - who was conveniently not at her desk for 10 minutes. I stood in the hallway waiting patiently and silently for someone to return until that NP rounded the corner. Even HE didn't get me any help.
Perhaps I'm just a grumbling bumbling mom. But I was sore when I realized the very doctor I took issue with for 3 years was back as co-pilot of my child's psychiatric care.
You can bet my son's case manager will be hearing from me.
The real life marketing lesson? Take the time to care. Even within that small 15 minute window, there were plenty of opportunitied for that Doctor - or anyone in that office - to turn that situation around. And yet, NO ONE took the time to care. Don't let that be you. One good thing could have made this a POSTIVITE memorable experience.
Instead of a horrifyingly negative one.
Dave Lakhani, Small Business, The BIG "R"
It must be that time of year, where I have time to read ther's blogs and think hard about them. Here's another post, this time, in respnse to Dave Lakhani's post regarding the current economic trends - you know, the recession - and how it affects small business.
This is the revised, expanded edition:
Bravo Dave!
It is true that you can set yourself up for failure by creating a failure oriented mindset - that is, believing that you're doomed to fail just because the economy sucks.
But you are essentially sticking your head in the sand - leaving your butt ripe for kickin' - if you put all your eggs in the "mindset" basket.
And I teach on mindset, so this is critical.
Whether you think you can or can't is only part of the equation. If you think you can't, you've given up before you've even seen the equation. Thinking you can, is the first step - but not the only step.
The Little Engine that Could (i.e. small business) can't just say "I Think I Can". You have to keep moving down the track. Heck, you have to be ON the track in the first place. You also have to know where that track is heading, or you could end up on a one-way path to nowhere fast.
You can't just think positive thoughts, or wish something away. YOU MUST TAKE ACTION, PLAN AND PREPARE for success.
To do otherwise is what got us in this mess in the first place.
The people that are taking action now are the Carnegies and Rockefellers of this century. Thse are people that saw the recession of their day for what it was, and capitalized on it, by making a plan and taking action - when others around them were wallowing in self-defeatism and failure oriented mindset. But these movers and shakers aren't ignoring the fact that there's a recession going on in full swing - they're taking advantage of it, and making swift plans for massive action NOW.
So yeah, you can do something about the recession by looking forward, and even by creating a positive oriented mindset - but mindset alone doesn't change what's REALLY happening in the world around us.
The Physics scholars of yore got it right: and object at rest tends to stay at rest, and object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force.
It's action that makes all the difference - regardless of your mindset.
This is the revised, expanded edition:
Bravo Dave!
It is true that you can set yourself up for failure by creating a failure oriented mindset - that is, believing that you're doomed to fail just because the economy sucks.
But you are essentially sticking your head in the sand - leaving your butt ripe for kickin' - if you put all your eggs in the "mindset" basket.
And I teach on mindset, so this is critical.
Whether you think you can or can't is only part of the equation. If you think you can't, you've given up before you've even seen the equation. Thinking you can, is the first step - but not the only step.
The Little Engine that Could (i.e. small business) can't just say "I Think I Can". You have to keep moving down the track. Heck, you have to be ON the track in the first place. You also have to know where that track is heading, or you could end up on a one-way path to nowhere fast.
You can't just think positive thoughts, or wish something away. YOU MUST TAKE ACTION, PLAN AND PREPARE for success.
To do otherwise is what got us in this mess in the first place.
The people that are taking action now are the Carnegies and Rockefellers of this century. Thse are people that saw the recession of their day for what it was, and capitalized on it, by making a plan and taking action - when others around them were wallowing in self-defeatism and failure oriented mindset. But these movers and shakers aren't ignoring the fact that there's a recession going on in full swing - they're taking advantage of it, and making swift plans for massive action NOW.
So yeah, you can do something about the recession by looking forward, and even by creating a positive oriented mindset - but mindset alone doesn't change what's REALLY happening in the world around us.
The Physics scholars of yore got it right: and object at rest tends to stay at rest, and object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force.
It's action that makes all the difference - regardless of your mindset.
Brand Yourself First: The Promo Video
So this is how I spent the last few hours of work yesterday and today. My new laptop comes stocked with Windows Movie Maker, so I thought I'd try my hand at it.
I still needed to convert the final video with Camtasia, but it turned out pretty spiffy. I'm working on a second, very similar version for my new website: brandyourselffirst.com. The idea is to take viral video to the home party market.
We'll see how it goes. Consider this the first draft!
I still needed to convert the final video with Camtasia, but it turned out pretty spiffy. I'm working on a second, very similar version for my new website: brandyourselffirst.com. The idea is to take viral video to the home party market.
We'll see how it goes. Consider this the first draft!
Personal Brand=Reputation
Thanks to twitter pal @emailcopywriter for leading me this blog post on personal branding.
I posted a response, but I also wanted to expand on it here:
Why do we have to extricate brand from reputation? A lot of what I teach is about establishing yourself as a value provider, hence your reputation is PART and PARCEL to your brand identity.
There are some great points in this post. I also believe strongly that throwing out the baby with the bath water, as it were, only makes the situation more problematic.
People who make themselves indespensible are not losing their jobs - they're making their own way. Even if companies collapse, they have other options they can pursue - thanks in part to positioning themseleves and having a great reputation for results.
Reputation=Brand=Reputation
You can't have one without the other.
In real life, when a person knows you by your reputation, that's how you are percieved. It is, in essence your brand. Do you want to be known as a self-centered egoist? That's your brand. You want to be known as a kind-hearted marshmallow? That's your brand.
Don't want to be known at all?
That's your brand
Trust me. The people who have developed a reputation for excellence and delivering results are rarely out of a job - and if they are it's by choice.
Employers clamor for people like that. People who are known for delivering the goods on time, under budget, with an amazing WOW factor.
In my opinion, your reputation is NOT separate from your brand, indeed it is the CORE of your brand. Everything I teach about personal branding centers on who you are, and what you're all about at the core of your being.
Reputation is not the only component of building a solid brand, but my mother ALWAYS equated McDonald's with a clean restroom and cheap eats when we were travelling as kids. It was part of their reputation. It was a core component of what endeared the brand to my mom.
Personal Branding isn't just about your smile, what you wear or having your face on a magazine. It's not just about your message. It's about CONGRUENCE between your reputation and your message, your image and your demeanor.
You can put on a great dress and have a great smile, but an airhead by any other name will be just as useless at a networking event as the one dressed in rags.
Personal Branding is NOT about creating a facade. It's about celebrating the best parts of the real you in a way that makes you marketable, in demand, and gives you back control over your business.
When I talk with Direct Sales reps, so often they focus so heavily on the product. I think in light of the recent company closures, it's safe to say that had those reps been focusing on building their own reputation in the market place (their brand), they would not be in the mad scramble they find themselves in today.
I'm so passionate about this, I've started compiling my thoughts into a new book. It's not just about Direct Sales Reps anymore. Personal Branding is necessary for anyone trying to "be known" in the world. When I think of all the personal brands in high school, I believe even more that there should be a required course on building reputations.
Branding=reputation=branding
Need I say more?
I posted a response, but I also wanted to expand on it here:
Why do we have to extricate brand from reputation? A lot of what I teach is about establishing yourself as a value provider, hence your reputation is PART and PARCEL to your brand identity.
There are some great points in this post. I also believe strongly that throwing out the baby with the bath water, as it were, only makes the situation more problematic.
People who make themselves indespensible are not losing their jobs - they're making their own way. Even if companies collapse, they have other options they can pursue - thanks in part to positioning themseleves and having a great reputation for results.
Reputation=Brand=Reputation
You can't have one without the other.
In real life, when a person knows you by your reputation, that's how you are percieved. It is, in essence your brand. Do you want to be known as a self-centered egoist? That's your brand. You want to be known as a kind-hearted marshmallow? That's your brand.
Don't want to be known at all?
That's your brand
Trust me. The people who have developed a reputation for excellence and delivering results are rarely out of a job - and if they are it's by choice.
Employers clamor for people like that. People who are known for delivering the goods on time, under budget, with an amazing WOW factor.
In my opinion, your reputation is NOT separate from your brand, indeed it is the CORE of your brand. Everything I teach about personal branding centers on who you are, and what you're all about at the core of your being.
Reputation is not the only component of building a solid brand, but my mother ALWAYS equated McDonald's with a clean restroom and cheap eats when we were travelling as kids. It was part of their reputation. It was a core component of what endeared the brand to my mom.
Personal Branding isn't just about your smile, what you wear or having your face on a magazine. It's not just about your message. It's about CONGRUENCE between your reputation and your message, your image and your demeanor.
You can put on a great dress and have a great smile, but an airhead by any other name will be just as useless at a networking event as the one dressed in rags.
Personal Branding is NOT about creating a facade. It's about celebrating the best parts of the real you in a way that makes you marketable, in demand, and gives you back control over your business.
When I talk with Direct Sales reps, so often they focus so heavily on the product. I think in light of the recent company closures, it's safe to say that had those reps been focusing on building their own reputation in the market place (their brand), they would not be in the mad scramble they find themselves in today.
I'm so passionate about this, I've started compiling my thoughts into a new book. It's not just about Direct Sales Reps anymore. Personal Branding is necessary for anyone trying to "be known" in the world. When I think of all the personal brands in high school, I believe even more that there should be a required course on building reputations.
Branding=reputation=branding
Need I say more?
Obama Camp Got It Wrong: Last Minute Marketing Mistakes
Regardless of how you vote (or if you vote) today, I have a "real life marketing" story about the campaign that demonstrates what COULD have been a great last minute push for a presidential candidate, but instead turned into just so much litter on the streets.
As I sat in my office working on my ezine yesterday, a strange looking, ball cap wearing gentleman approached my home. He walked up to the door, never rang the bell and walked away.
Nervous, I went to the door and saw him descending the stairs and heading down the street. It was not my mail carrier, but I knew that the mail carrier had just delivered, so I opened the door to get the mail out of my box, thinking this weirdo might have tried to swipe my mail.
No such luck. All the bills, letters and magazines were still tucked safely inside my mailbox.
But as I collected the mail and turned around I noticed two things: first, another gentleman was on the other side of the street, pacing this nut job, going from house to house. Second, there was an annoying blue hang tag attached to my door asking me to "Vote Tuesday Nov. 4th for Change".
With no concern as to who or how I'm voting, what matters to me or why, these yahoos are going door to door leaving their yard waste on the front doors of my neighbors, without so much as a knock.
It reminded me of when the kids used to play ring and run. Only not as much fun.
Here's where the Obama Camp got it wrong. First, they're just plastering. I call this "the shotgun approach" to doing business - and say what you want political campaigns are business. They're just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something will stick.
Never mind looking in the yard to see if there is a political sign or anything. Just hang a tag on every door (there are at LEAST 3 McCain supporters on my street - they've got signs - and these yahoos put hang tags on their doors anyway).
There's a difference between "never pre-judge" and "don't take no for an answer". I would think a yard sign would be a fair indicator of how a person feels.
This morning, there are a handful of these hang tags blowing down the street - several of the houses they posted are vacant.
How could this have been solved?
Ring the bell, folks. Knock on a door. Say HELLO, for pity's sake. You'll have better luck encouraging someone to get out the vote if you take the time to connect with them.
The same holds true in business. CONNECT with your constituents (customers). Build a relationship - at least say HELLO and ring the dang bell.
Otherwise, don't be surprised if they choose your competitor IN SPITE of your actions.
As I sat in my office working on my ezine yesterday, a strange looking, ball cap wearing gentleman approached my home. He walked up to the door, never rang the bell and walked away.
Nervous, I went to the door and saw him descending the stairs and heading down the street. It was not my mail carrier, but I knew that the mail carrier had just delivered, so I opened the door to get the mail out of my box, thinking this weirdo might have tried to swipe my mail.
No such luck. All the bills, letters and magazines were still tucked safely inside my mailbox.
But as I collected the mail and turned around I noticed two things: first, another gentleman was on the other side of the street, pacing this nut job, going from house to house. Second, there was an annoying blue hang tag attached to my door asking me to "Vote Tuesday Nov. 4th for Change".
With no concern as to who or how I'm voting, what matters to me or why, these yahoos are going door to door leaving their yard waste on the front doors of my neighbors, without so much as a knock.
It reminded me of when the kids used to play ring and run. Only not as much fun.
Here's where the Obama Camp got it wrong. First, they're just plastering. I call this "the shotgun approach" to doing business - and say what you want political campaigns are business. They're just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something will stick.
Never mind looking in the yard to see if there is a political sign or anything. Just hang a tag on every door (there are at LEAST 3 McCain supporters on my street - they've got signs - and these yahoos put hang tags on their doors anyway).
There's a difference between "never pre-judge" and "don't take no for an answer". I would think a yard sign would be a fair indicator of how a person feels.
This morning, there are a handful of these hang tags blowing down the street - several of the houses they posted are vacant.
How could this have been solved?
Ring the bell, folks. Knock on a door. Say HELLO, for pity's sake. You'll have better luck encouraging someone to get out the vote if you take the time to connect with them.
The same holds true in business. CONNECT with your constituents (customers). Build a relationship - at least say HELLO and ring the dang bell.
Otherwise, don't be surprised if they choose your competitor IN SPITE of your actions.
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