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on a mission … in Life, in Work and with People

Apr
9

Working on a Virtual Team with No Face-to-Face Meetings

I am working with a B2C client who is organized as a virtual team with people located around the world.

Some virtual teams are in the same area and meet occasionally. Next blog, I will discuss a team that I work with who operates virtually, but all folks are local, so we have the occasional face-to-face meeting.

The team I am describing here is fully virtual and is amazingly efficient and successful.

Based on my experience with this team, here are some must-haves for successful virtual team implementation:

  • Mutual Respect - very important so that the communication is positive, supportive and respectful of differences in time zones, family and other obligations. We all bring different skill sets to the team and we have a high appreciation for each other’s expertise.
  • Honesty and Candor – the founder and business operations manager request and value the opinions of other team members, even outside their main area of expertise. This openness allows us to look at initiatives and challenges from many perspectives and move forward with innovation and confidence.
  • Communication & Cloud-based Tools - Google Docs, Skype, e-mail, Basecamp, Hootsuite, photo storage tools, large file transfer and social media are some tools that are an absolute necessity for our virtual team. Email can be overwhelming, so each team member has to find a way to keep e-mail organized. I copy key ‘to-dos’ from email into to a project Google Doc and chip away at the action items. Other times, I store and categorize key information on BaseCamp for easy search and access by all team members.
  • Gotcha Covered – when one is traveling or on vacation, other team members pick up tasks as needed — if someone needs assistance, the team is very well cross-trained to function in many roles.
  • Ability to Maintain Our Own Website – With this virtual team, the website is our main marketing tool, so the ability to update pages and add and change blog posts quickly and on our own is essential. Having access to a dependable webmaster who has FTP access is also essential to handle any technical hiccups.
  • Responsiveness – An absolute necessity — even if the response is … I will look into it and get back to you. Responding to email and social media inquiries from individuals and organizations is not something that can wait. Our audience’s impression of us is often based on a timely and personal reply.
  • Dedication to Social Media – building good content through our website pages, blog, Facebook, Twitter and video for web and YouTube is essential for this particular team as a key form of  promoting our services.
  • Acceptance of Mistakes and the Ability to Move Forward – mistakes will happen. We all make them. Can we forgive, learn from them and move on? For sure. Any virtual team that is going to last longer than a day better accept mistakes, look at the good intention behind it, and then use mistakes as growth opportunities.

Challenges on virtual teams? Sure. Misunderstanding through email may occur and differences in expectations may arise. Do I wish we could sometimes meet in person? Of course … because I really like everyone and it would be fun. Not sure we’d be more productive though. :)

Would I recommend working on a virtual team? Without hesitation, this is a great business model if there is an openness, friendship, and motivated individuals agree on the mission and have the ability to communicate well with each other .

What advice do you have for running or participating in a virtual team?


Posted in Business, Communication, virtual team, Written Impact | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Mar
26

A 50-Year-Old’s Reflection

Practicing MovNat (moving naturally)

I turned 50 recently and it still seems impossible to me that I could be a half century old.

In reflecting on life and business, I have a few thoughts to share:

  • Reaching outside of one’s comfort zone is necessary and I find it so more now that ever.
  • Saying no is possible, and often necessary, but doing that gracefully is not easy.
  • Moving around (physical exercise) of some type is important for good mental health, and it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you are consistent and have fun doing it.
  • Running a business requires, more than anything else, the knowledge of self and what you do well — and what you don’t — and finding good people to provide what you can’t.
  • Making business mistakes is necessary, and now having experienced it, I actually believe it, and have improved because of it.
  • Listening to your family is important; they know you better than anyone else and often provide the best business and life advice out there — customized just for you.
  • Looking at food as fuel is a new outlook for me and has changed the way I feel — I’m powered up to make the next half century even better than the first.
  • Appreciating the child-like qualities in people helps me not to judge them and to keep a more open mind about their views.
  • Running a business is about so much more than money. and if you don’t agree, you probably aren’t a small business owner.
  • Looking at just this moment matters most — and then peering into the future is very exciting; I can’t wait for whatever is around the corner.

Posted in Business, Business Passion, Entrepreneur, Written Impact | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
Mar
11

What does Your Brand Stand for in 3 Easy Steps

Each brand has a personality, an image and a way that they are viewed and described both internally and externally. The more consistent you are with this image, the easier it is for people to know, like and trust you — and refer people to you. This is perhaps the most important step in your business planning process.

An excellent exercise is a brand Discovery session is to really hone the words, mission, values, actions, and procedures that describe your company and your brand.

1. Describe the Key Attributes of Your Brand in a Discovery session.

Words like … trust, integrity, efficiency, personal, responsive, friendly, environmentally-focused, technically savvy … and so on.

The more specific you can be about describing the personality of your brand, the better. Check in with trusted collaborators and clients to ensure that your attributes are realistic.

2. Use the Key Attributes to Build Out the Story of your Brand.

If you state that being environmentally-focused is core to your brand, go to the next level and describe how you live that in your day-to-day business and why it’s important to selling your products and services.

If you say, you are responsive, what does that mean? Be specific and be honest. If you can’t describe how an attribute adds a benefit for your clients, remove it from the list.

3. Match the Brand Story to the Needs of Target Audience.

Who needs your products and services and why? How will you reach them? What words will you use that will convert initial interest into a new client relationship? How will you share the specialness of your brand with the skeptic?

Have you gone through the Discovery process to really zero in on what’s special about your brand?


Posted in Branding, Steve Jobs, Written Impact | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
Feb
12

The Only Constant is Change

Last week I moved into the TechDEC in Dublin, a new entrepreneurial center for tech-related companies.

My background is in tech writing and marketing, and I work with a lot of tech companies, so I look forward to becoming part of this new and growing community.

A couple unique features about this environment … nice offices and unique conference rooms, lunch and learns with a classroom in the kitchen, a think-tank room, a ‘sandbox’ for creative collaboration and offices with window. Give me a dose of daylight anytime.

The TechDEC has 31,000 feet to be exact, with about 6,000 square feet dedicated to the onsite Metro Data Center … which is how the TechDEC came to be along with the encouragement and support of the City of Dublin.

We are excited to host the broadcast of the TED 2012 Conference on March 1 from Long Beach, California. Guests to the TechDEC will watch a full day of TED talks on large screens throughout the space.

Stop by for a visit at 565 Metro Place South, Suite 300, Dublin, Ohio 43017.


Posted in Change, Collaboration, Written Impact | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
Jan
23

The Power of the Meetup

A friend and I started a new Meetup group, MovNat & Paleo Columbus.

We did this because we enjoy practicing natural movement along with traditional lifting in the gym.

We also eat Paleo — which, in a nutshell, is eating meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds with no gluten and no processed foods.

So our Meetup gathered for the second time recently. It is interesting to watch how quickly a group of 15 people who don’t know each other can gather and really enjoy themselves based on a common interest — in our case it is food and fitness.

In the Meetup, we share a few MovNat-inspired movements, practice, learn a traditional lift or fitness move (such as the pushup), practice more, talk about Paleo eating and enjoy tasting some Paleo food.

The Fit2Play gym owners, Jeff Turner and Ryan Callahan are kind enough to provide the gym space to us at no charge. Jeff teaches the gym movement skills and I share the MovNat-inspired information.

I am fascinated by the Meetup concept. There are more than 4,000 Meetups in our area (central Ohio) with every topic you can imagine … such as Tapping, Dining, Fitness, Crocheting, WordPress and much more.

A Meetup costs about $12-$20 a month for the organizer and the software is easy to use;  you build your group and communicate. Some Meetup organizers charge participants a fee — currently our Meetup is free.

From a Marketing perspective, this is pure genius. The Meetup software gives you the platform to communicate all the event details, sends out

automatic reminders and suggests Meetups you might enjoy based on your interests and location as identified in your profile. Meetup also sends evaluations after gatherings.

Organizers can post photos from events, load files and communicate directly with Meetup members by email or posting on the Meetup page.

Leading a Meetup is helping me to learn, stretch and grow in planning and communication. I am also researching food and fitness and figuring out how to share it well — I am enjoying the challenge. Best of all, I am meeting new people and they are (hopefully!) learning and growing as well.

Are you involved in Meetups? How do you like the concept?


Posted in Event Planning, Events, Exercise, Fitness, Marketing, Paleo, Planning, Written Impact | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
Jan
18

Why a Discovery Session is Critical for Marketing Success

Last week I experienced one of the most productive meetings I can remember.

I am not being overly dramatic; it was an experience of being completely on the same page with a client in regard to their goals and designing a plan to meet those goals.

I know that I can serve them well and they will take ownership of their marketing strategy with my assistance. A marketer’s dream.

Our meeting was a kick-off Discovery session where they share information about their brand, and how they do business, and I listen so that I can help them put a marketing strategy in place to reach their target audience with new strategies.

Why was it such a great meeting?

Because they know their brand, their audience, their messaging and they are completely open to taking on some risk and exploring new ways to reach out in their market.

It was exciting. Their enthusiasm, candor and realism about their brand was refreshing. They know what they do well. They know how they differ from their competitors. They know what they want to achieve with marketing. Game on!

But they are also realistic about their weaknesses and more than willing to address those. Absolute candor about strengths and weaknesses is imperative for developing a marketing plan that will make a difference in your business.

Here are some questions I use with clients during the Discovery process:

  • What are some adjectives you would use to describe your brand?
  • What would your clients say about you? (If multiple audiences, break that out)
  • What do you do very well?
  • Where can you improve?
  • How do you currently reach your target audience? How is that working?
  • Are you comfortable exploring social media marketing? If so, let’s go deeper and identify the best tool for you.
  • What marketing tactics do you currently use?
  • What is your marketing budget?
  • What are your marketing goals? (Identify at least 3 key goals)
  • Can we speak with some clients for testimonials?
  • Let’s talk about your tagline, mission, vision. Is there clarity and consistency?
  • Let’s explore content ideas … visuals … who is managing the marketing process?
  • Where do you want to be a year from now with marketing?

Anything you would add to these questions? Whatever you do, don’t skip the Discovery process when working with marketing and creative teams. It is essential for us to get to know your brand intimately so we can serve you well.

 


Posted in Branding, Business Passion, Communication, Creativity, Entrepreneur, Marketing, Planning, Written Impact | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
Jan
10

What Have You Done to Build Your Brand Today?

Sometimes small business owners look at Marketing as a task done separately from the rest of their business.

Oh contraire!

Marketing, or the building of your brand, occurs every day on many levels — with every action, word, meeting, email, phone call and event.

Review today’s brand building .. how did it go? Did you meet with new people? Did you post on social media? Catch up on your blog? Follow up on a referral? Finish a project?

Here are my 11 brand-building activities (in no particular order):

1. Networking

Have you met with anyone recently? Talked about your products and services? Being out there can be a challenge when work needs to get done in at your desk, but make a point of working this in every week, if not every day in some way.

2. Giving Back

Volunteer your time and talent creates goodwill for your brand; I do business with many people who I have met through volunteer endeavors and I enjoy working with clients who have similar values.

3. Social Media

Are you posting information about your company on your Blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube? Get in the newsfeed and do it regularly to build business leads over time.

4. Print

Submitting content to print publications, running ads (strategically), an occasional print newsletter (non-profits), creating a postcard for an event, writing and releasing a press release … these are effective brand-building practices.

5. Presentations

Do you give your time to share your expertise with organizations and at events? This helps build your credibility as an ‘expert’ and this supports your brand.

6. Events

Planning, attending, volunteering at and presenting at events gives you a chance to network, learn and grow — all important to continue to breathe life iinto your brand.

7. Collaborate

Gathering with competitors or collaborators to address a business or non-profit need can be extremely life-giving for your brand.

8. Mentor

Are you working with high school or college interns?  This has been a very fulfilling practice for me as a business owner and I believe it is a way of giving back to the world at large and keep in touch with how youth connect with brands.

9. Be There … In Person / On the Phone

Do you ever just stop in to say hello to a client? Or pick up the phone after working together for months via email? This is one of the best practices I know for keeping a strong and positive brand image with those you do business with.

10. Sponsor Something

Get your company name on something that matters to you. Count on positive impressions for taking this risk with your time and money.

11. Do Something Amazing

Every now and then, we have an opportunity to do something amazing that supports our brand … it may be personal or professional. There are no limits to this. Do you have an idea for a new company? A new product? Hiring an intern from Ireland? Collaborating with a competitor to serve an important cause in your life? Blogging on behalf of an organization you care about? Define your amazing.

What other practices help you build your brand?


Posted in Blogging, Branding, Business, Collaboration, Events | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
Dec
30

Do This One Thing Now

Tell those truly special people in your life that they really matter to you and thank them for being there for you.

Do it now.

True, these are people who would be there for you anyway — whether you tell them this or not, but don’t let that stop you.

I know, I know … sometimes it’s hard to just-out-of-the-blue tell someone you are grateful for him or her — it might seem sissy, silly or trivial. But do it anyway.

Why?

Because nurturing a spirit of gratefulness will change you.

It will make you think about yourself differently.

It will humble you. It will make you happy and you will feel like giving more of yourself to others.

None of us get by very well in this world alone and every now and then we need to be reminded of this so we don’t get too full of ourselves.

Reminding ourselves of this innate need for others (as important as water and food in my book) with a few, heartfelt thank-yous is pretty simple and it doesn’t cost you a thing.

But the good feeling you’ll have afterward is worth a million bucks.

Here’s my truly-grateful cheat sheet to use as a starting point …

“Hey Joe, I had some downtime over the holidays and I was thinking about how lucky I am to have some great people in my life. You are one of those people who I am truly grateful to know. Thanks for being there when I need you man.”

You can do this. Let me know how it goes.  ~Lori

 


Posted in Communication, Inspiration, Written Impact, WrittenImpact Connections | Tagged , , | 1 Comment
Dec
27

Drawing Lines in the Sand

I am not one who makes New Year’s resolutions.

I am one who draws lines in the sand as needed throughout the year. This means that at certain points in my personal and work life, I determine that a change needs to be made and I work hard to make it happen.

So here’s what’s on my mind right now …

Read More. Blog More. This will happen in 2012 as Blog Coaches is off to a great start with our DEC blogging roundtable, but the brand needs more of my attention, care and feeding to help it grow.

Nurture the Lighter Side. I enjoy a Paleo-eating lifestyle, conventional exercise mixed with some natural movement called MovNat, so a friend and I are starting a new Meetup group in January for those who want to learn to eat whole foods and move well in the gym and outdoors. You are welcome to join us!

Simplify. I have a lot of Christmas decorations, and I only put up maybe a tenth of them. That gave me time to do other things, spend time with people and de-stress. I plan to carry this new minimalism into other areas of my life.

Give Methodically. I am all over the place with giving a little to many non-profits and I really need to focus my time, talent, treasure on a few organizations that are most important to me.

Join Strategically. I have been waffling about what Chamber of Commerce to join — Columbus or Dublin. I attended the Dublin Recognition Lunch and had a great time. Done. Dublin it is. And this is where I work, live and play.

Collaborate More. I have started working with folks who could be considered competitors. I even formed a marketing team for a non-profit client with the goal of saving 1000 lives thanks to the invitation from a non-profit president. Collaboration breeds excellence.

Breathe. Taking a break by unplugging is sometimes necessary. I received a thumbs-up from my family for taking a break from my work life this holiday season. I continue to work to maintain life/work balance.

In a magazine recently, I noticed a quotation that really stuck with me. “There is no can’t — only will or won’t.”

We can always do something nice for others. We can always focus on improving our work skills. We can  learn and grow in every aspect of our lives … if we are willing.

I WILL that for you and for me in 2012. Now let’s go and get it done.


Posted in BlogCoaches, Business Passion, Change, Creativity, Inspiration, MovNat, Paleo, Written Impact | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
Dec
19

Facebook Ads: Take Facebook One Step Further

Source: FacebookStudio.com

Guest post by writing talent Eric Schieve.

If you’re not seeing enough traffic through online advertising, or if you want to harness the true power of Facebook, Facebook Ads is a great way to raise even more awareness and increase conversion rate. Here’s why:

  • Facebook has all your customers’ demographic data, so it’s really easy to narrow down your advertising to your target audience. You can quickly and easily target consumers that are likely to be interested in your product just by the data they themselves share.
  • Facebook has over 800 million users, so it’s easy to find your audience where they already are.
  • Facebook ads can be programmed to direct users either to your website or to “Like” your Facebook page, so you can measure conversion and analytics to both places.

Types of Ads

  • Website Ads: Facebook ads which allow users to click through directly to your webpage.
  • Page Ads: Facebook ads that allow users to “Like” your Facebook page. This is preferred by many advertisers, as it sends the user directly to your page without leaving Facebook. Most consumers prefer not to leave Facebook once they’re logged in, and an ad linking directly to your page or a tab on your page prevents channel disruption (e.g. having to click through to a separate website outside of Facebook).
  • Page Post Ads: These ads allow your audience to see the better content on your page. Viewers can see likes, comments and share the post.
  • Sponsored Stories: These ads are almost like recommendations from friends. They show pages the users’ friends like and gives them a link to like the page as well.

Remember, your audience on Facebook is constantly evolving. So, you need to evolve with them. Facebook Ads are very easy to change – swapping copy and images out is an extremely simple process within Facebook’s dedicated ad page. This also makes testing ads to different demographics and with different messaging very simple.

Whatever ad you use, remember to change your graphics at least once a month! This will help keep your content fresh.

Budgeting: How much should I spend?
Normally the cost per click is between 1 to 3 dollars. With Facebook ads, you can really choose your own budget depending on the size of your target audience. Facebook will provide you with as much clickthrough and impression data as possible within the budget you set.

How do I know it works?
There are several ways to keep track of your ads. One is to keep an eye on your brand’s page. Are the number of “likes” increasing? Are you seeing more traffic and impressions overall?

Eric Schieve is an aspiring blogger from Columbus, Ohio who wrote social, web and digital copy for a large, local company and now works as a freelance writer. He’s passionate about three things: writing, social media, and football. Eric graduated from Ohio State in 2011. Follow Eric on Twitter @cbuseric.


Posted in Written Impact | 1 Comment