Best Practices « BLANKSPACES

Archive for the ‘Best Practices’ Category

Are you leaving your biggest advantage behind you?

Monday, February 8th, 2010

“Hindsight is 20/20,” and yet few people take advantage of this wisdom systematically. How often do we take the time to do a thorough debrief of an event? Yet, so much of our work is cyclical, with yearly conferences, quarterly workshops and weekly meetings.
The immediate value disappears if it is not documented in a timely manner. Research shows the lesser details are forgotten after just 3-6 days. Many people don’t do a debrief session because they are already busy working on the next big thing.

The purpose of the debrief is to find better ways of doing things by identifying mistakes and clarifying objectives. Two important outcomes of this process are to (1) learn and hold onto what works and to (2) share and teach best practices.

Here are 4 topics to address during your debrief session:

1. What worked especially well? What were the highlights?
2. What aspects did not work? What assumptions did we make? What areas needed more support?
3. What were the big(gest) risks we took? Did we take enough risks? How could we better prepare for “surprise factor?”
4. If money, time and resources were not a factor, what would we do differently? What features, benefits or “goodies” would we add to the event? Describe in vivid detail this ideal scene in terms of wild success and flawless execution.

Most crises can be anticipated with the right planning and attention. If you’re shaking your head and saying, “No, I’m always in crisis mode,” then implement this immediately and build it into your culture. You don’t have the luxury of not requiring this essential aspect of productivity management. By making the debrief session part of the complete process, you’ll add an effective planning tool to your management ability and to your organization’s future. Take advantage of all you can learn from the past to make your future even better.

Jason W. Womack, MEd, MA, and Jodi Womack, MA, help busy professionals up level their organizational performance through maximizing time, energy, focus, and technology. www.WomackCompany.com

Visit www.ThePromiseDoctrine.com to read a free chapter of Jason’s new book, on the advantage of keeping your word.

Tags: business development, business organization, business process
Posted in Best Practices | No Comments »

What to do when you just can’t write

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Whether you find yourself grappling with a wicked case of writer’s block or are just wildly unhappy with what’s coming out of your keyboard, there are tried and true methods that will help you get that piece of writing out of your head and onto the page. Here are my three favorites:

1. Do a “vomit draft”

99 times out of 100, what gets me stuck are visions of a perfect final draft dancing in my head as I sit down to the keyboard. While writing a lot makes it easier to get to that draft faster, no one gets it in one shot (and if you do, email me immediately: I want you on emergency speed-dial). Give yourself permission to write one horrid version of the email/proposal/what-have-you. Then give yourself a break–the longer the better, but at least a cup of coffee or walk’s worth–before tackling Draft #2.

2. Write it for a five-year-old or the clean-up crew

In other words (haha), step out of your own fancy way and explain what you mean in terms so simple that a child (or a random adult with no knowledge of your field) could understand. Alternatively, spew all of your ideas as bullet points on a page without regard to how they line up. You’ll have to move stuff around later, but at least you’ll have stuff.

3. If all else fails, talk it

Some people are great in the room and not so hot at the computer. If that’s you, save yourself some anguish and talk your piece into voice mail or a digital capture device. Yes, you’ll have to go back and transcribe, but better that than banging your head against your MacBook for a morning.

Getting stuck is an inevitable part of the act of creation at times, and writing is no different. But slowing down, taking a breath and applying one of the above tools can go a long way towards unsticking you, and making your writing stronger, to boot.

Colleen Wainwright is a writer/speaker/consultant who helps other creative types figure out what they want to say and learn to say it more effectively.

You can see for yourself by subscribing to her free newsletter. She’s been a fan of Los Angeles, Jerome and BLANKSPACES since before she knew of them.

Tags: business writing
Posted in Best Practices | No Comments »

Review, reflect and plan ahead.

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

The best teacher is a teacher called life. And when we reflect on the past we are capturing the valuable lessons that our life has to offer. So while it’s always good to look forward, set goals and plan for the future, it’s equally valuable to review the year just past. I find a place where I can be still, and write down obstacles I overcame, lessons I’ve learned, what I accomplished and what I celebrated. I take a look not only at my business but at my personal life as well.

This holiday season, think about taking some time to review 2009 and create your 2010. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself to help you on this journey.

Write down the answers to the following questions:
1. What were my successes?
2. What did I accomplish?
3. What did I accomplish that I am most proud of?
4. What experiences touched me the most?
5. When did I have the most fun?
6. What experiences were the most powerful?
7. What were my major breakthroughs of the year?
8. What major obstacles did I overcome?

Now create 2010 with these intentions in mind:
1. For my body/soul/spirit?
2. My relationships?
3. My home environment?
4. My work/service?
5. My finances?
6. My growth/development?
7. My fun, adventure, expression?
8. In which areas of my life do I plan to move forward in 2010?

If you take the time to pause, review where you’ve been and set intentions to where you are going, you’ll find that both your life and your business will be richer and more fulfilling.

Love to you,
PELEG TOP

Peleg Top is a business development and marketing mentor helping creative entreprentues grow their business and become better leaders. Sign up for Peleg’s monthly newlstter here.

On January 8th and 14th, Peleg will be leading two separate, full-day group retreats in Los Angeles designed to help you map out your goals and intentions for 2010. For more information or to sign up, click here.

Tags: lesson, peleg top, resolution, teacher
Posted in Best Practices | No Comments »

Ready to Say Bye-Bye to Your Boring Bio? Here’s How

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

[from Biznik, written by Nancy Juetten]

Tough economic times have created opportunities for people to exit corporate life to start businesses of their own.

That means the timing is perfect to stand out and attract more of the right clients by creating a winning bio that makes ideal customers stand up and take notice. Now that social networking plays a powerful role in how people seek new clients, new jobs, and new ways to be of service, telling one’s story so others will listen is essential.

Many people struggle with this challenge. Whether they are overcome with humility, find it difficult to put pen to paper to say what needs to be said, or can’t seem to find the right, well chosen words to make the most of the web page assigned to their executive photo, the fact remains that telling a winning story about how you contribute to the marketplace is crucial in today’s marketplace.

…Once you write your bio, ask yourself an important question. If your ideal customer were to land on your bio page first before meeting you in person, shaking your hand, or having any experience with your company, product, or service, would he/she like what was said enough to click to other pages of your website, pick up the phone, send you an email, or request a meeting? If the answer is “no,” go back to the drawing board and try again.

Read the entire article

Tags: bio
Posted in Best Practices | No Comments »

What recession? How to land great new tech sector gig — today.

Friday, July 17th, 2009

[ok, from CNN/Money, a little upbeat news today for those of you/us who are demoralized about the jobless economy.]

By Christopher Lochhead, strategy advisor and former chief marketing officer, Mercury Interactive

Do you love your work? Are you at a winning company? Are you part of an ass-kicking team?

Does your company have a real technology competitive advantage? Are you making the money you want? Is your company handling the economic downturn well? If the answer to these questions is no, it’s time to quit.

Most people think that an economic crisis is a time for keeping their heads down and hoping they won’t be in the the next round of lay-offs.

Wrong.

Legendary people have legendary jobs at legendary companies. Most of us spend more time working than we do with the people we love. So, if you’re going to invest so much of your life working, shouldn’t i be great?

Now, if you’re out of work and need to put food on the table you may be forced to grab the first decent offer that comes along. And there’s no question that in this recession jobs are scarce. But don’t sell yourself short, or deny your talents. You deserve a great job.

The key is to find companies that are using the recession to upgrade their teams. Adds Paul Daversa, CEO of executive recruiters Daversa Partners: “While it may take longer – and be harder – in this environnment, there are still good jobs for good people in this economy.”

From my perch in the Sierra Mountains above Silicon Valley, I’m seeing signs of recovery and new business creation, which should translate into new career opportunities.

In the last six to nine months, for example, I’ve been surprised by the uptick in promising new software and hardware categories. I get the impression that corporations, hungry for ways to cut costs or stay ahead of their competitors, are exploring breakthrough technologies more aggressively today than they were two years ago.

They’re willing to take chances on a new software, service or device developed by relatively small players. These small fry, in turn, need seasoned talent to help lead them.

Regardless of the type of new ship you jump to, taking smart risks now can pay-off in big ways, especially when everyone else is playing safe. Now may be the perfect time for a bold personal move.

If you do make the leap, here are 10 things to look for in a new job, in no particular order.

A company in a growing market, with a strong brand and leading position
A company with products/services that customers view as aspirin (read: essential), not a vitamin (in other words, a supplement). In bad economies, nobody takes their vitamins
A strong balance sheet, with lots of cash
A legendary executive team (legendary people build companies that are, well, you get the idea)
A company that is investing in the future (new products, new technology, and new sales & marketing campaigns).
A relationship with someone inside who can be a solid reference for you (the best jobs come through relationships)
A great role (something that really turns you on)
A great boss you can learn from
A winning team of people you really like to work with
An opportunity to make great money
Many people make the mistake of choosing the compensation package and title first. While those things matter, what matters most is the market opportunity, the company, the exec team, your role, and your direct boss. If you get those right, you’ll have fun, learn a lot, and make good money.

Tags: job, jobless economy
Posted in Best Practices | No Comments »

Perils of the Home Office (And How the Unintentional Entrepreneur Overcomes Them)

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

If you are an “unintentional entrepreneur” – someone who has had to strike out on your own because of the economy rather than because of a concerted effort to start a business – chances are you will start out working at home. And while working at home is often touted as a dream lifestyle, chances are that the dream will start to fade into reality as early as day one.

For starters, if you have kids, they may not understand the concept of “working at home” and think that you available for playing, and ice-cream serving and story reading. And your spouse, even though he or she knows you are working, may find it just a little too easy to peek into your office several times a day to discuss non-work related matters. Even friends have been known to get in on the action and think that just because you are working from home means you are available for lunch, a long chat, or an afternoon watching their sick child.

So how do you manage when the “life” part of your work/life balance seems to be taking over?

Forget the “home” part of “home office” (and make sure everyone else does, too)

Continue…

Tags: network solutions, unintentional entrepreneur
Posted in Best Practices | 1 Comment »

Shoring Up Trademark Rights in a Down Economy

Monday, February 16th, 2009

SHORING UP TRADEMARK RIGHTS IN A DOWN ECONOMY

The economy is sluggish, to say the least, and as small business owner, you are probably not only trimming or cutting, but slashing and burning when it comes to expenses. However, skimping on researching and protecting your valuable intellectual property rights can be a mistake that could dog you for years.

Think you’ve got a great product or service that, even in these challenging times, is a sure fire winner?

And do you absolutely love the name you’ve come up with over a few brews in a late night Scrabble session with your buds? Well, before you rush off to print out fliers, post signs on every lamp post from the Palisades to Playa del Rey and haul up your flashy new neon sign, you might want to find out if someone has thought of that terrific name first. And not only thought of it, but registered it as an exclusive Federal trademark for goods or services similar to the ones you are offering for sale. That means it’s enforceable anywhere in the United States, and in certain cases, even beyond. How could this impact on your new or existing business?

Starting with a nasty letter from the registered trademark owner’s attorneys, you could find yourself, red-faced, taking down that brilliant neon sign, canceling your advertising, and turning over (what we in the legal business describe by the lovely term “disgorging”) your profits from the sale of your goods or services under your beloved name, now called an “infringing trademark.”

Other problems can arise with your new trademark. It might be what is called “descriptive.” APPLE® is a great trademark for computers; not so hot for… well, apples. Any seller of apples is entitled to tell the public what he or she sells; in this example, apples. The strongest trademarks start out as meaningless words, what we in the business call “coined” words. Hear that clink of hard cold cash? That’s what a great coined word, plus loads of time and effort spent in promoting it, can bring in. With this in mind, think XEROX®, IKEA® and COSTCO®.

Then there are the in-betweeners: words or phrases that suggest, but don’t actually describe, the goods or services you are offering. HOME DEPOT®, CRATE & BARREL® and yes, LEGAL GRIND® come to mind as good examples. These are probably the most effective for those lacking the marketing budget of the consumer marketplace giants. They generally get the idea of what you are selling across, or suggest it, to your target market, without being merely descriptive. Distinguishing your business from a similar one around the corner (yours is better, of course!) is the goal with any trademark.

Coming up with a great business name and/or trademark is not as easy as it seems. Competition is tough, and battles over an appealing mark that can grab the consumer’s attention, especially in these tough economic times, can get ugly. If you don’t want to incur the costs of registering your new trademark (which may be less than you think), at least obtain a legal opinion as to whether it is functionable, registrable, and does not already belong to someone else. Be sure to get your ducks in a row before you parade them off to market.

- Sylvia Mulholland (BLANKSPACES member)

Tags: sylvia mulholland, trademark
Posted in Best Practices | 8 Comments »

Work at home to increase your business transportation deduction!

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

I just came across this great tax deduction that I just couldn’t NOT tell you all: work at home to increase your business transportation deduction!

When you work from home and treat that as your primary workplace, commuting to any other workplace is tax deductible! So, continue to work from home, and deduct the miles you’d use to commute to your other office at BLANKSPACES!

Here’s why: The IRS does not allow a deduction from commuting from home to work and back. That’s your primary, and necessary commute. But it does allow a deduction from getting from one workplace to another, no matter if one of those is at home. If you work in your home office, and then drive to, say, BLANKSPACES (hmmm…), you are now driving “from one workplace to another.” That commute can be by car, train, subway, or bus. Nice.

Thanks Colleen Rice for this tidbit! www.FreelancerForum.net

Tags: mileage deduction, tax
Posted in Best Practices | 1 Comment »

Top 10 Resources for Freelancers

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

Check out our article on the top 10 resources for freelancers.

Posted in Best Practices, Resources | 2 Comments »

BLANKSPACES