Inside Out!

What is YOUR Backup Plan??

Remember when you were still fully enrolled in the Rat Race --- when you rushed to your assigned position in Corporate America every morning? When The Daily Grind was more than just a reference to the place where you grabbed a latte on the way to work?

Now be honest . . . . how many mornings did you wake up and hit that alarm reset button --- rollover and dream about not going to work? How many mental health days did you take --- come on --- be honest about it!

In talking with other solopreneurs, one of the first things that always comes up is being able to make your own schedule and set your own hours. As a night owl I must admit it was one HUGE attraction to me. After decades of dragging myself out of bed at 5am in order to be in my appointed spot at 8:30am, one of the true joys in my life is being able to wake up naturally – minus the mechanical squawking from some form of alarm device. Letting the dogs out; grabbing a good up of coffee; checking e-mails; planning my day in peace and quiet.

Each of the last 3 years I worked in an office full-time, I ended up with pneumonia. My job was stressful and doctors said all the stress in my life was killing me. Every year I’d get sick and fight my way to work morning after morning. My co-workers hated having me there as much as I hated being there. The bosses? Well, not so much. It’s easy to say “stay home so you don’t make the rest of us sick” but in the end, the top brass wants you there unless you’re in a coffin. They have no patience for the 7-10 days it may take for meds to kick in and the worst of something to disappear.

Heaven help you if you are in an accident or experience a death in your immediate family. Most bereavement leaves are measured in days, not weeks. I spent more than 3 days grieving my beloved Giant Schnauzer, Ms. Madie. But most law firms I worked for considered 3 days bereavement normal for the death of even the closest family member!

So off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder --- we start our own businesses and we live the good life. All is well with the world. Year 1 is fine. Year 2 is OK. Year 3 is well under way. Suddenly --- disaster strikes. A loved one dies; you have an accident; you get sick and just can’t drag yourself out of bed. Now what?

A friend recently had open heart surgery – they cracked his chest open. He runs his own high-end auto restoration business. Following surgery he couldn’t lift, pull, push --- couldn’t even be around his dogs because they might jump on him. How many months would pass before he could work again? How would he pay the bills? How many clients would disappear over the hill during that time?

How do you talk with clients when you sound like Kermit the Frog? Of course you COULD pretend to be the new receptionist. But what about that client meeting scheduled for 3:00 this afternoon? That ratty old bathrobe and those fuzzy pink bunny slippers won’t exactly add confidence to your latest recommendations. And that luncheon meeting you scheduled to introduce a new vendor to your favorite client? Kind of hard to handle when the flowers on the table remind you of the casket blanket you just picked out for your Mom’s funeral.

Solopreneurs really need a backup plan. Calling a temp service just won’t get the job done for the majority of us. The majority of us work in highly specialized areas. Which means we need a backup system equal to the job we would be doing if not for the emergency.

Do you network heavily in your business? I do. I call it the poor man’s marketing, but that’s really a misnomer because networking produces referrals and referrals are the best marketing any business can wish for. But I also network with other Virtual Assistants. Talking with other Virtual Assistants gives me a way of sharing ideas and letting off steam with folks doing work similar to mine.

Networking also brings me in contact with others working in specialties similar to mine. Cultivating these contacts is more than just a means of staying on top of the competition. Familiarizing myself with these contacts, how they work, what kinds of clients they have, how busy they are, the professionalism (or lack thereof) they display in different arenas –all of this allows me to assess how well we might work together if the need arose.

Once you find someone who feels like a good fit in terms of skills, knowledge and personality, it’s time to find out if there is a mutual interest in exploring a little work together. Most people are flattered when approached with the idea of collaborating on a project. In my experience, the idea that you think highly enough of me to share a work project is the equivalent of high praise from the front office. Sharing a job – or subcontracting out extra work when you are busy --- gives you first hand experience with how this person actually works when a deadline is involved. You get to see the quality of the finished project and now have a handle on how the person paces him/herself to get the work done.

If this experiment works well, it’s time to approach the emergency backup concept. The idea being that if you became incapacitated at some point, this person would be amenable to stepping in and handling things until you were once again able to handle things yourself.

One caution, however – before you arrange a sit-down meeting to discuss this option, you need to work through the plan very carefully in your mind. You will need to know exactly what you expect and how you want to implement the plan. Keep it simple, but ask yourself the following questions:

1. How will I expect this person to step in? Will I determine client priorities and assign them individually to the backup person (“BP”)? Will I provide the BP with a copy of my calendar and expect him/her to carry forward with as little input from me as possible? Will I give this person access to my computer or a special disk where I keep client matters stored or will I provide everything required via e﷓mail or CD transfer?
2. Do I want this person to be in direct contact with my clients? If so, how do I protect myself from client loss? If not, how do I want the BP to proceed?
3. Will I make the initial contact with my client and explain I have arranged for BP coverage? Or will I advise the client of this when I provide the actual work product to the client?
4. What kind of payment arrangements are acceptable to me? If I plan to essentially subcontract the work out to the BP will I pay the BP my full rate or a lower rate and keep some for myself? If the BP is dealing directly with the client, will the client pay the BP directly? What rate of pay is acceptable to the BP?
5. What kind of accountability do I expect from the BP?

When you meet with your BP choice, be prepared to lay your cards on the table and be up front in your discussions. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, back off as it is unlikely this relationship will work in an emergency. During an emergency everyone’s emotions are stressed out --- the purpose of having a good backup system in place is to relieve some of the stress by taking care of your clients and keeping your business running.

If all goes well at the meeting, follow-up with an email or letter outlining what you discussed and any agreements you reached. Ask the person to confirm the understanding as spelled out. Less formal then a contract, but at least you have the basics in writing.

Once you have your backup arrangements in place, remember to keep the lines of communication flowing --- you may never need this arrangement. But if you ever need this person’s help, you don’t want to find out he/she moved 2 weeks after the last time you talked --- which happened to be 2 years ago! Stay in touch; share ideas; keep each other updated on the trials and tribulations of your businesses. After all is said and done, the best backup is someone you know well and feel comfortable with. While some may already have a close professional acquaintance who can fill the bill, for others it might be a great opportunity to make a new friend.
 

 What happened to my friend, you ask? Well, he decided maybe it was time to take life a bit easier. He called professionals he respected in related businesses and got a line on 2 young men with great reputations who needed work. He is now teaching them the tricks of his trade while observing from his perch on a stool in the shop. Once he’s up to doing the work himself, he’ll resume work on specialty items like a restoration that arrived last fall in boxes, while using these industrious young men to maintain the daily work flow.

So save that frog voice for blowing off telemarketers. And remember – like the annual fire drills we all grew up with, the important thing is to have the plan in place BEFORE you need it.

 

Y'all Come Back Now!

As my regular readers know, I’m now living and working full-time in my RV.  My intention, as an RVing Virtual Assistant, is not to spend a lot of time on the road. Rather --- to immerse myself in the local culture of various communities and give myself time to really learn about places I’ve never visited before. Having spent the last 30 years “out West,” I’ve been rediscovering my Midwestern roots while in Springfield, Missouri. Springfield has taught me one BIG lesson --- each area of this country is unique --- and each area has a great deal to offer in terms of business styles.

Frankly, had anyone asked me --- I’d never have considered Springfield, Missouri, a “Southern” city. But it’s as Southern as they come. Once I got used to designating “unsweetened” iced tea in restaurants, I quickly learned that the pleasant ways of the Old South are alive and well in Springfield.   People speak, wave, nod their head when they pass. They let you go first down the aisle in the grocery store. They still carry your bags to the car. Bank tellers notice when you appear in their line for the second time in a month. And they’ll actually stop and ask if they can help when they see you struggling with something heavy.

As a small business owner this is of particular interest to me. Why? Because it makes me want to return to a business when I’ve been treated unusually well. I will drive a few blocks more to visit the best health store in Springfield (Mama Jean’s Natural Market - http://www.mamajeansmarket.net/) because of the lady who took time to help me find a special product I was hungering for. Last fall we repeatedly bought sodas and gas at a small store down in Rockaway Beach because the clerk took time to explain what bait the trout bite on down there (unlike what we’d been told at the sporting goods store up here in the “City”) and after following her advice we actually CAUGHT enough trout to have a good mess of fish for dinner that night. And the librarian who responded to my email and helped me get a library card really made my day. As an avid reader and researcher, I love Springfield’s library system and have taken full advantage of the opportunity to use it --- thanks to this lovely and gracious woman who took additional time to explain some of Springfield’s history to me.

All this Southern kindness made me stop and think about my own business policies. I have always tried to go the extra mile with my clients. Good service has become increasingly rare in this age of computers and speed. The rat race has overcome many. One of my reasons for leaving the conventional office environment behind was my desire to give my clients more personal attention. My clients are used to calling me with questions on everything from filing deadlines to help fixing footers in WORD. They know I’ll take care of them – if the software question is tricky, I’ll have them send me the document so I can fix it myself and return it immediately – generally without charge. And I know the next time they have a paying project that’s appropriate for my involvement, I’ll hear from them. In other words --- I give them a reason to come back!

One of the local news broadcasters likes to remind folks here that the Ozarks is where you can still find “Mom and Pop operations.” To some that would be a derogatory statement. To me it pretty much summarizes what I want my business to be – a place where people know they will be served well by me and where they know their business is appreciated. 

My friend’s husband has his own auto restoration business and he just had open heart surgery. Recently I drove him to his bank --- a small, locally owned operation where he’s banked for more than 10 years. The teller at the drive-through window not only recognized him (way over in the passenger seat), but knew he’d had surgery and asked how he was doing. We then hit my favorite grocery store (Harter House) and his usual cashier and several other staff members greeted him warmly, with genuine concern for his well-being. This was the same store that shocked me on my first visit when one of the managers insisted on carrying the grocery bags to my car. When you buy meat from their marvelous meat counter the butchers ask if you want items broken down into separate packages --- a real blessing for a single person like me!

Take a little time and think about YOUR business practices. Are you doing all you can to encourage customers to return? Do you know enough about their businesses to offer helpful suggestions? Are you going the extra mile to make sure they get what they need from your projects? Do you add that little dollop of cream with a cherry on top? When they approach you about a new project, do you let them know how glad you are they have come to you and not that big box store down the freeway? When you haven’t heard from them in a while, are you checking to see how they are doing?

Much has been said about the economic downturn. My personal feeling is it works to the advantage of small businesses like mine. Large corporate businesses are locked into rules and regulations imposed by a “front office.” We, on the other hand, can adjust to our client’s needs and keep that sale from going down the street. Last night’s news broadcast contained an interview with businesses in a small community near Springfield (Ozark, MO). Several business owners repeated the same mantra: We go out of our way to be friendly and give visitors something extra. After all, why else would they come back? 

Businesses large or small could certainly benefit from a large dose of Southern hospitality. It’s more than cornbread and fried chicken. It’s that sense that these folks are your friends and neighbors and – good or bad – you are all in this together! Let your clients know you really care about them. And bless your heart, ya’ll come back now!!

The Difference Between Ordinary & Extraordinary!

What sets you apart from your counterparts?  Why should a client hire you instead of your next door neighbor?  Do you provide a truly quality product?  Do you offer something extraordinaryry or just something ordinary?  Do you know the difference?

Right now the media is truly manic.  We go from the highs of the inauguration and the concept of "change" to the lows of a repeat of the Great Depression.  If you listen to the pundits long enough you will be ready for a barrel ride over Niagara Falls. 

Don't let all this hype drag you down.  Take a good deep breath and remind yourself that the difference between success and failure is one small step.  As independents we have a strong advantage right now.  Businesses are pulling in their wheels, laying-off employees, reducing inventories, closing offices.  But what remains of these businesses still needs our services.  It just needs SMARTER services --- less waste, better performance, quicker responses, an extraordinary product.

We can provide those services and at a better price.  We can do what large corporations cannot do --- we can individualize our services and nurture each client down the road to success.

When I compare my services to those of other virtual assistants I often think of heirloom tomatoes. 

What are heirloom tomatoes? 

Heirloom-tomato expert Darrell Merrell is quoted as saying 

". . . an heirloom is a plant that's been handed down from one family member to another for several generations. Darrell considers a plant 50 years old or more an heirloom tomato. A lot of open-pollinated tomatoes have come along since then that will someday be heirlooms. An heirloom is generally a plant that's survived the test of time and produced an abundance of tomatoes with great flavor."

"Each heirloom variety has its own story, handed down from one generation to another. Some go back hundreds of years. The oldest tomato is called 'Moneymaker', an English variety between 250 and 300 years old. It was the first English variety grown for market sale -- hence its name."  See DYI Network on Heirloom Tomatoes.

 

Why Are Heirloom Tomatoes Important?

Because the seeds for those tomatoes were carefully saved from each year's harvest, then dried and kept safe until the next planting season.  They were handed down from generation to generation,  lovingly planted and nurtured until they grew a new crop of luscious-tasting tomatoes.  Today's hardy tomatoes owe their sheer existence to these heirloom varieties.  But the joy, to me, is having the ability to grow wonderfully tasty tomatoes of a variety someone grew 100 years ago.  This tells me someone cared enough to nurture the plants and their progeny through the ages.

If we nurtured our clients with the same diligence as these gardeners tended their plants, we would have healthy vibrant clients --- clients durable enough to succeed in today's failing market.  Clients strong enough to grow and expand.  Clients strong enough to refer clients to give us great referrals. With their success comes OUR success.

So what IS the difference between ordinary and extraordinary?  One extra step -- the willingness to nurture what may be little more than a client's frail idea into a robust and thriving business.  In giving more than we take, we truly reap benefits in the end.  In these days of financial woe, paying it forward will provide its own rewards. 

What Do You REALLY Want?

One of the buzz words you hear often in small business circles is "business plan."  Those words are akin to "making a budget" in my book!  If you want to turn me off quickly, ask me to put together a business plan.  But reality dictates some things in life are necessary.  You don't get in the car to go somewhere if you don't know where you are going, do you?  Well, you can't get very far with your business either if you don't know where you want to end up.

My departure from SoCal last summer was an orchestrated madness that demonstrates what business plans are meant to do.  For more on my trip planning, check out my Squidoo Lens on the right.  I planned and replanned that trip.  Nothing seemed to work.  Finally it hit me --- the problem was I was starting in the wrong place.  I was starting in San Diego and working forward.  What I really needed to do was START WITH MY DESTINATION and work backwards.  Once I did that, things fell in place --- granted it scared me to death when I realized how tight the planning needed to be and what was really involved with getting from Point A to Point B by the target date, but in the end it gave me the roadmap I needed to successfully acquire the coach and tow it back to Missouri, where all my personal things were waiting for me.

You Can't Succeed If You Don't Know What You Want!

Reality Check:  What do you really want from your business?  If you don't know what you want, how will you know when you are successful?  You can't get there from here if you don't know where you are going.

It's easy to lose our direction when we are slogging in the trenches everyday.  We work and work and work --- we work so hard that surely we must be succeeding, right?  WRONG!  If you are working at the wrong things, YOU WILL NOT SUCCEED.

Time for another list: 

• How much income do you need each month in order to survive?

• What market do you want to be serving in  6 months?

• What product do you want to be providing in 6 months?

• What is your ultimate DREAM for this business?  One year from today, what do you want to be able to say about your business?

Now take each item on your list and work backwards. 

1. Divide the monthly amount by 30 to find out how much income you need to bring in each day of each month.  Granted, you will have days where you will bring in nothing and days when you will bring in the equivalent of one week's work.  But if you break it down into days, it will seem more manageable in terms of planning. 
   1. What must you do each day to accomplish this?  Make phone calls; drop off brochures; make product to sell? 
   2. Based on your hourly rate (if you sell product vs. services, you should know your hourly rate based on the price of your product and how long it takes you to produce it) how much time must you devote to this endeavor each day?  Block that time on your calendar as your first job each day.  Once you have done what you MUST do each day, you may move on to other projects.
2. This requires a bit more thought.  Your current market may not be your desired market.  It may not be your BEST market.  Perhaps you could do better in a market nobody has currently approached with your products or services.  Think outside the box.
   1. How are you going to approach that market?  What/who is the key to unlocking that avenue?
   2. Who do you know who can help you become more visible to prospective clients in arena?
   3. What groups could you join which might give you access to that market?
   4. Working backwards on your calendar, plot out time slots for appropriate meetings and events which will help you make this transition 
3. Are you a one trick pony?  Are there additional services/products you could add which would open new avenues of revenue? 
   
   1. Do you need more training?  Where will you get that training?  How soon is that training available?  How long will it take?  When can you reasonably foresee being qualified in that new arena?  Plug that training into your calendar and highlight the completion date.
   2. Do you need to make a product prototype?  Who will make the prototype?  How long will it take?  What equipment/materials/skills are necessary.  Are they readily available or must you order them?  Plug these dates and time-frames into your calendar. 
4. And finally, your DREAM.  A dream is a star you reach for.  Think big --- aim for something that seems beyond reach.  If you miss, you are still ahead of the game.  If you could wave a magic wand and turn your business into anything --- what would that be? 
   
   1. What separates your business today from your business in that dream?
   2. What will it take to accomplish that dream?  Break it down in baby steps --- we have to walk before we can run. 
      1. If your dream involves a move, start by researching the new location on the web; send for information and brochures; make contact with a related professional group in that area and see if you can open lines of communication.
      2. If your dream involves expansion of your current situation or working less time and delegating more work to others, figure out what manpower will be necessary to support that dream.  Start planning to build your current business to the point where it will sustain the necessary manpower.
   3. If your dream involves adding products to your line, how will you get those products? 
      
      1. Will you make them?  Will someone else make them? 
      2. Are you or others skilled enough to provide the necessary product stream on a consistent basis?
      3. Build time into your calendar to research any of these applicable issues and the time/moves necessary to accomplish each goal.

Look At That Calendar!

Once you have gone through the above steps, stand back and look at your calendar for the next year.  That is your business plan.  You may need to flesh out the entries a bit.  But at the very least, you have an idea where you are headed.  You have a road map.  Without such a map, you are headed nowhere fast.  You can't get where you are going if you don't know where that is!

Planning backwards is truly the key to moving forward.

Don't Throw Away Tomorrow!

OK -- 2009 has arrived.  In all it's glory.  And, as usual, we are faced with a host of predictions for this new year.  Some are wonderful; most are filled with doom and gloom. Well, here's what I have to say about that:

"DON'T THROW AWAY TOMORROW!"

Several folks I know committed suicide during the final months of 2008.  Their reasons for doing so were varied.  But the outcome was the same.  Family and friends left dealing with fear, pain, remorse, and more.  Perhaps worse then that --- the loss of opportunity!

The Shelf Life of Problems!

Problems have a short shelf-life in the scheme of things.  The problems we are facing right now are fleeting.  They say history repeats itself and even a cursory look at the past reveals the truth of that statement.  My Mother's favorite response was "This too shall pass."  A friend's Mother used to say "In 100 years it won't even be remembered."  How true those statements are. 

The only problems you cannot solve are the problems you decide to ignore.  I love Mary Kay's comment on that:  ". . . over, under, around or through."  Ain't it the truth.  If you ignore the elephant in the room, eventually it will become all-consuming.

As a child my grandparents lived with us.  My grandmother had a wicked tongue.  Back then we called it senility.  Today we'd view it as dementia or Alzheimer's.  Grandma's bedroom was the former front parlor on the first floor of our old Victorian house.  The stairway leading to the second floor was just outside her doorway.  If you went up the center of the stairwell she could see you from her chair.  If you shimmied along the left wall, she could not.  As a teen I spent several years "inching" quietly along that side wall to avoid dealing with my grandmother.  Over time I became obsessed with it.  Did it change anything?  Nope.  Grandma continued to yell and scream at us --- even if we were upstairs.  All it did was keep me from confronting her and dealing with her "problems" face-to face.  Instead of being pro-active I spent those years being reactive.

Reactive vs. Creative!

As a friend pointed out recently, the words "reactive" and "creative" use the same letters.  Good point --- one I never thought about.  Instead off wasting time feeling trapped by problems, why not get creative and face those problems directly?  The sooner we do this, the sooner we can move beyond the roadblock to something more productive.

What is the greatest problem you are currently facing with your business? 

1. Take a piece of paper and make a list of those items you feel present true roadblocks to your success at the moment.
2. Rearrange them in order of importance.
3. Now take a slip of paper and cover all but the first entry on the list.  Look at that entry and ask yourself the following questions:

        (a)  Is it REALLY a problem or just an irritation?
        (b)  If it is a problem, realistically, how soon must you deal with it?
        (c)  Now list 5 ways in which you could deal with it.

Why do I say 5 ways?  Because that will force you to think outside the box.  There are nearly always alternatives --- some better then others.  When I start looking for 5 ways to solve a problem I often come up with some really funny ideas that make me laugh.  However, after looking at those off-the-wall ideas long enough, they often contain the seeds for a real solution to the problem.  Such innovation is where TRUE problem solving exists.  It's what inventors and scientists and mathematicians use to solve problems.  It's the difference between ignoring something and finding a workable solution.

Put Together A Creative Game Plan

Work your way through the list --- then reorganize the entries based on the new insight you gained from your careful examination of each issue.  Now you have a game plan.  You know which problems are the most needy and you have 5 creative ways of dealing with each issue. 

If --- like many of us --- you work better with vizualization --- get out the yellow post-its and use a blank wall or closet door to create your "Problem Tree."  Tackle your tree one problem at a time.  As you try or discard a potential solution, remove/update the yellow stickies.  When you solve a problem, remove all the stickies related to that problem.  You'll be amazed at how good you will feel watching the problems "shrink" from your wall.

The important thing is this:  You can only solve problems if you engage them.  Why do you think theater groups have dress rehearsals?  Because it brings to the forefront problems which have not yet been identified.  Dress rehearsals are where problems are addressed and the show REALLY comes together.

Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal!

Dress rehearsals work well for problem solving --- as long as we stay around for the show.  In these tough economic times don't give up before your show hits the stage.  Do what needs to be done to move your business forward.  Make your list, set your goals and move forward. 

Everyone has problems.  Everyone face obstacles that feel overwhelming at times.  You are unique in what you offer your clients.  This market allows all of us a great opportunity to streamline our product and help others survive in difficult times.  As small businesses, we are uniquely positioned to provide clients with tools that are both productive and cost-effective.  Let them see what we bring to the table -- the value of perserverance and innovation.  If WE can do it, surely they can rely on us to help THEM do it.  Don't throw away tomorrow.  Work at making it better for you and your clients!  Lead to succeed! 

What's Next?

OK -- we've made it through the first 2 days of 2009.  Hopefully it's been a relatively painless transition for you.  I confined myself to popcorn and tea on New Year's Eve so I felt great yesterday.  I've spent 2 days reviewing my systems, reading blogs, posting on social networks, and wrapping up loose ends.

Now what?  That's always the question, isn't it?  Now what?

Well --- I think it's about time to hear from all of you out there.  What are YOU doing differently for your business this year?  What kinds of changes hold the key to your personal success and how do you feel they will improve your business? 

You may comment here, or send me an email.  If we get enough responses, I'll gather them into a document and make it available for download to those who are interested.

Come on now --- this is your chance.  Be creative --- share your ideas and thoughts.  I look forward to hearing from you all.  Let's start this year with a BANG!  2009 is young and together we can make it a successful year.

Are You Using The Wrong Measuring Stick?

A new year lays before us.  All bright and shiny.  Full of promise and hope.  A chance to re-assess our lives and, perhaps, set off in a new direction.

If we are to move forward with assurance, we must first evaluate what has passed before.  I find small business owners are often extremely hard on themselves.  As a Virtual Assistant, I have a tendency to feel I've not done enough.  I think this is a problem common to most solo entrepreneurs.  We grow restless in our self-evaluations and often focus on our mistakes rather then our successes.   

How Do You Measure YOUR Success?

However, I feel a different problem is far more problematic.  Most small business owners spent their formative years in a corporate environment.  That environment set forth annually (and often even monthly) certain milestones which had to be met in order for the company to succeed.  These measurements generally revolved around large numbers of billable hours, numbers of new clients and the monetary value of each of those clients, and perhaps even quantities of inventory sold.  Goals and benchmarks were imposed.  You either met (or exceeded) those stated milestones, or you found a different job.

As a solopreneur, those benchmarks hold little value.  They are useless measurements in a business where the one and only commodity is you!  Corporations measure in miles; solopreneurs measure in inches.  To confuse the two is to set yourself up for failure.

This is not to say there is no value in the types of goals and numbers used by our corporate brothers and sisters.  Whatever our product, if we do not put it in the hands of consumers, we have lost the battle.  But we must recognize the differences in what we do and how we do it if we are to evaluate our efforts in a meaningful way.

What Is Unique About YOUR Business?

Most of our businesses are based on 1:1 relationships with our clients. For many of us, that is the very reason we left the corporate environment.  As a small business, we provide clients a level of service and personal needs response which the corporate environment cannot offer.  THIS is what we should be evaluating when we seek to determine our success in a prior year.  Were we able to accommodate the needs of our clients in a reasonable amount of time?  Were we able to meet their emergency requests?  Were we available to trouble-shoot when they needed an answer right now? 

Similarly, did we interact socially and professionally in a manner that produced positive new relationships?  Did we follow-up earnestly on referrals.  Did we exchange ideas with other solo professionals and willingly assist other struggling to succeed on their own? 

It is so easy to view our success only in terms of the bottom line on a balance sheet.  Dollars and cents success is always socially acceptable.  However, for solopreneurs it is a false success and often leads to despair.  I am convinced it is the largest reason many fail in their solo business attempts. 

Granted, we must pay the bills --- which means earning money.  I would be the last one to fault making money.  But the true measure of our success as solopreneurs is not monetary.  For each of us the benchmark of success will be different.  Only you can determine what truly produces movement in your business.  But until you make that determination, setting new goals is pointless.  Just as wearing another's clothing often results in an ill fitting wardrobe, using a corporate measuring stick in evaluating the success of your business will result in inaccurate results.

Use The Right Measuring Stick!

Take time now to determine what is truly important to your business.  Why did you start this business?  What did you hope to accomplish when you headed down this path?  Once you have those in front of you, you can establish a realistic game plan and goals for 2009.  You will be more successful and far happier if you do your homework first.  In the end, this is YOUR business.  Run it on YOUR terms.  And above all else --- use the right measuring stick!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

     The last week has been difficult, to put it lightly.  But with the help and support of marvelous friends, I survived!  I know I am not alone in that regard.  But more about that in another blog.

     Today I just want to wish one and all the happiest of Holiday Seasons.  Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, I hope you and your loved ones have a joyous time. 

I have been truly blessed.  In the last year I have made so many wonderful new friends via my transition to working and living full-time in my vintage 1978 Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer, this blog, clients, friends in the Giant Schnauzer and RVing communities, as well as my family and good friends of many years.  As I think back over the last year, faces drift by like the scenery outside my window.  What a year it has been.  Full of celebrations of high and low moments and tears of happiness and sadness.

     As so many face critical decisions during this holiday time, I wish for all one small moment of peace, love and tranquility.  Reach out to those around you --- a kind word, a pat on the back, a smile --- you never know when such a simple gesture may mean the world to someone quietly struggling alone.  Now is the time to come together as a community.  Alone we are a small circle of life. Together are a springboard for hope.

 

     Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."  My hope is that we can all live that life well.  

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL

 

LEAD TO SUCCEED!

  Life is tough these days.  Many have received lay-off notices and are facing truly tough times.  The world around us is careening out of control --- we seek some sense of direction -- what's the next step??

  My son reminded me of a rough patch we hit when he was in the 10th grade.  I was a single parent and sometimes money just wasn’t there when it needed to be.  We were in the middle of a downward spiral and it appeared we’d be living without any electricity for a few days.  As my son was going to bed that night he asked me how we could survive. He recently recalled my answer: 

“I don’t know what is going to happen.  But I DO know this much: I will continue to put one foot in front of the other and something will happen to fix this mess.  If I do nothing, all I am doing is digging us in deeper.  As long as I  keep moving forward -- sooner or later something will have to change -- hopefully for the better.  We WILL get through this.” 

  Within a week I was offered some additional work which allowed us to resolve the matter." 

  My son is now the 37 year old father of a beautiful little girl --- and going through tough times of his own.  He said many a morning he has wanted to stay in bed rather than face their financial woes.  But he replays that conversation in his head and knows he has to continue moving forward.   

  I have a friend who reminds me periodically to “turn the boat around.”  If getting to Point A is just too hard, maybe you   should turn around and head for Point B.  As every salmon  knows, swimming upstream may serve a purpose, but one must decide if it’s really worth losing one’s life over.  Sometimes it’s better to turn around and head in a new direction. 

  When I first moved to Denver from Michigan I used to look out the windows of my high-rise office at the Rocky Mountains.  I could not imagine how people crossed those mountains in covered wagons.  Off East Colfax there are statues commemorating the Frontier Women whose strength helped settled the Old West.  They were a tough breed.  How many ended up raising families without husbands or men-folk to help?  What options did they have?  After coming this far and leaving so much behind --- giving up was just not an option.

  Now is the time to take a very honest inventory of your skills  and abilities.  I used to say I could pump gas (back when we had gas station attendants who did that) if necessary to put food on the table.  It wasn’t what I was trained for.  But then I had spent a summer packing pickles in a factory in Michigan.  And at one point in my life I emptied bedpans for a living. Pumping gas didn't sound so bad in the grand scheme.

Once you have taken inventory of your knowledge, abilities and experiences, look around to see what jobs need doing in today’s world.  Carve out a niche for yourself and move forward.  There are a million “small” jobs out there just waiting for someone to discover them.  Our aging society will present new challenges and opportunities for many.   And companies will go without necessary services in order to cut overhead costs.

• Can you go shopping for folks who are homebound?  I have an elderly friend who lives in a neighborhood that has been heavily burglarized.  She’s afraid to leave her home to go grocery shopping for fear she’ll come back to find things missing.
• Doctor’s offices tell me a big problem for their elderly patients is getting reasonably priced rides to medical appointments.  The price of gas has come down.  Maybe you could fill in a few hours driving people to appointments.
• Dreamt for years of going off on your own as a consultant in your chosen field?  This might be the time to do it.  As a freelancer you provide a cost-savings to your clients.  Think about it --- they don’t pay you benefits and you use your own office space and equipment.  This is an immediate savings to your clients which you can market appropriately.

  The key to survival lies in being flexible and in succeeding.  The key to flexibility and success is in being a leader.  Turn your boat around --- view this change as an opportunity --- as a challenge --- a mountain to be climbed.  While others fall by the wayside, find new methods – new strategies – and keep marching forward.  Set your goals and reach them. 

  And when you plant your flag atop that mountain you will know you have earned the respect of your peers --- this country was BUILT on the backs of individuals who were daring enough to follow their dreams.  And that is what will get you and the rest of the country through these tough financial times now.

LEAD TO SUCCEED!

HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR!!

~~Happy Hour Specials~~

Transcription Work ~ $10.00 Per Hour
Mailings ~ $10.00 Per Hour

Mon. - Friday
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Central Time)

    Have you delayed trying a Virtual Assistant?  Are you looking for ways to save on overhead costs during this difficult economy?  Then HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR is just what you need!! 

    On orders placed during HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR, I will provide you with my regular transcription services at less then half my regular hourly rate.  I specialize in legal transcription and also have a medical background which is invaluable to those preparing cases involving legal/medical materials.  Whatever your transcription needs, I can provide you with speedy, accurate, professional service. 

    With the holidays approaching, I have chosen to include mailings in this HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR offering.  Let me prepare your holiday mailings for you.  This will save you time and energy as we ll as money.  My HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR rate is 50% of my normal rate on computer generated labels and hand-addressed mailings.   

Have You Tried Digital Dictation/Transcription?

    Many years ago I started researching digital dictation and transcription.  As a result, my clients were well ahead of the curve when digital became popular.  I am frequently called upon to educate clients on the concept of digital transcription work.  And I have prepared and presented digital transcription training materials to many lawyers and their staff. 

    Digital Transcription saves you time and money:  No more broken/damaged tapes; no more lost tapes; sound quality is incredible; reduced equipment costs; and if a file is damaged in transference to your transcriptionist, you still have your original file to work from.  Why not take this opportunity to try my services.  You can't beat the rates!

    Remember:  To take advantage of these HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS you must contact me between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM Central Time.  If you know in advance that you will have work late in the day, email me early in the day and let me know.  Or call me at 760-494-7099.

Holiday Happy Hour is a limited time offer.

YOU NEED ME!

This won’t be the usual entry for me.  Why?  Because times are tough and I’ve decided to put my cards on the table!

 

YOU NEED MY TRANSCRIPTION AND EDITING SERVICES! 

You need me!!

Why do you need my services?  Simply put --- I can save you money and make you look like a million bucks!

 

 

My transcription work is speedy, accurate, and to quote a long-time client --– I can turn your pig’s ear into a silk purse!

 

 

CONSIDER THIS:

 

CUTS YOUR OVERHEAD:  I use my own equipment – no scrambling for equipment for a temp you only need a few times a year.   No empty desks; no unused computers collecting dust.

 

 

REDUCES YOUR PAYROLL:  My rates are reasonable.  You pay ONLY for the time I work on your project.  No healthcare benefits, no vacation or sick time, no 401k.  No paying for someone to keep a chair warm 8 hours a day when you only need her services once a week. 

 

 

WE FORM A TEAM:  We develop a good working relationship – I learn about your business, your clients, the way you work.  You learn to depend on me.  No reinventing the wheel with a new temp every time you need help. 

 

 

AVAILABILITY:  My hours are your hours.  Frankly, I work pretty much 24/7.  If you need something overnight, I can generally accomplish it for you.  I am currently in the Central Time Zone which, in many cases, increases our ability to coordinate your needs with my ability to produce. 

 

 

In today’s tightening financial market, you need every advantage you can get.  YOU NEED ME!!  I have more than 30 years of experience --- mostly in law firms.  I have the ability to assist you with everything from drafting documents to coddling clients.  But most of all, I HAVE WHAT YOU NEED MOST --- great skills and a passion for the work I do!!