White Book Agency

Pros/Cons, Patterns & Loved Ones

whitebook — Tue, 29 May 2018 04:06:44 +0000

Entrepreneurship and business requires growth. In leadership, self-awareness, and revenue. There are peaks and valleys and opportunities to learn, improve, and change in business (same hold trues for life). The methods for every business varies, with some lessons and experiences being harder than others, and some not always resulting how we want, but always learning and therefore, making progress.

Over the years, I find that there’s so much overlap in life and work. And not just because of this focus on work+life integration, but because people – at the core of it all – are trying to navigate various situations in their personal and professional lives. This includes the basics of relationship-building, establishing standards/guidelines, and operating with integrity. There’s so much overlap and I’ve always said that I learned a lot about business from one of my mentors, but I also learned a lot about how she lived life and applied some basics to living a good one.

Last quarter I did a little non-scientific experiment with some pre-professionals, colleagues and friends. The idea definitely came from observing patterns and habits, including some of my own. In doing this experiment, it was interesting to see how personal and professional aspects of life are so interconnected.

So what does this all have to do with pros, cons, patterns and someone you love?

When it comes to providing advice around decision-making, I’m quick to recommend a pros and cons list. Actually, I have a few “go to” methods, tools, and suggestions for figuring things out when you’re not sure what to do. In rank order:
1) Prayer. (Laugh if you want, it works.)
2) Meditation. (Keep laughing, I’m being serious.)
3) Notebook for journaling and pros/cons lists. When there’s no notebook, a napkin will do. Are you trying to get your life or not?

So, these aren’t the only tools, but they’re easy, free, and can be enlisted immediately. Oh, and they work. I’ll spare you the, “If I can do it, you can do it” bit – but I, along with clients, have found success utilizing these super simple tools. (And some expensive ones, as well – but that’s for another day.)

OK, now back to the list. A pros and cons list allows people to spend some time thinking. (Some people don’t carve out enough time to just think!) By going through a pros and cons exercise, they get to spend time with themselves and think about the benefits/consequences, the good and the bad around decisions, situations, or better self-awareness.

Here are the steps:
A) Your Professional Pros & Cons. Make a list of your professional pros and cons. What do you believe you are you good at doing? What skills are positive ones that you possess? Where do you have areas of opportunities? (Also referred to as ‘weaknesses’ but we try to keep it positive around here.)

B) Your Mom’s Pros & Cons…About You. OK, now this is where you have to do an interview with your husband/wife/significant other or your mom/dad/guardian or anyone who knows you well enough to see some of habits, patterns, and skills. Your personal ones. You need someone who will be honest with you and someone who has seen your range. Meaning: Someone who has seen you have a meltdown. You can ask them to simply fill out the list or ask them to share with you directly.

C) Compare the Lists. What’d you find? Where are there overlaps?

Now when I did this experiment, things turned out as I expected. The skillsets that people had observed that they were good at professionally or needed work, were also observed personally by their loved ones

Things like: “Great at meeting deadlines” on the Pros list, were co-signed by spouses and parents with: “Never late.” Or on the cons list: “Often try to solve problems on my own instead of with my team,” were co-signed by loved ones with: “Doesn’t ask questions and makes assumptions.”

Now the big takeaway here is not the “a ha!” of overlap and how you should listen to your mother. But the portion where you have to own your parts of your own success.

If your mom, whom we will assume has loved you longer and more than anyone on the planet, has pointed out your cons and you have not changed them? How will you show up for yourself in your professional life? What does that look like?

Let us know if you decide to do this little experiment and what you find out! (You can always ignore the cons list and get a boost by soaking up your pros!)

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Words & would you rather…

whitebook — Tue, 08 May 2018 02:57:24 +0000

It has been a busy few weeks with work and play ~ from the 3% LA Minicon to the United State of Women’s LA Summit.

I’m writing today to share something around language and words. When working with clients or colleagues, there’s no denying that I can be a bit choose-y when it comes to communicating. (Particular word choice considering “picky” is what may come to mind for many.) I’ve explained away this behavior (Habit? Annoyance to others?) with the importance of conveying messages accurately and with the receiver in mind.

So, the 3% LA Minicon (held on April 26, 2018) was focused on: How Technology Intersects with Diversity + Creativity. There was an inspiring line-up of speakers and range of interesting content and topics discussed. You can read more about the event here in the LA Weekly and The Drum.

The evening before the #3PercentLA event, a few speakers and conference participants got together. I had the pleasure of meeting Elle Graham-Dixon, equality strategist & group planning director at BBDO, whose #LAMinicon presentation was called: “Choose your words: How to use language as a tool for equality.”

We discussed her presentation, which I was immediately intrigued by because – hello, words! I shared how, as a communications/PR practitioner, I often stress the importance of word usage to my colleagues and clients, and explain while solid journalists are supposed to be objective, sometimes the language is not. Elle and I discussed an example that I learned in college (see below), which is simple to understand and clear.

Well, in between running around at the LA Minicon (you know, work and all!), I got to catch a portion of Elle’s presentation, which was mentally stimulating. She did a great job of explaining the impact of language as it relates to diversity conversations, and lucky you ~ you can get a taste of what she shared in this article in Campaign.

So the example I discussed with Elle, I wanted to share with you here. It’s not about diversity, but simply around the power of words in general. I’ve shared this for years now with many of the communications interns I’ve worked with, and it’s courtesy of Professor James Keaten at UNC (thanks, Dr. Keaten!).

Again, this example has served as a clear and simple way to understand the impact of words, and the energy that each one carries for different people. Oh, and I’ve ridiculously super adapted here. (That would be courtesy of me and uh, brevity.) Here goes:

Would you rather be unique, odd, special, strange or different?

These words, in the most basic sense, mean the same thing. That is, “not the same as others” yet most people have a preference if someone were to describe them. And each word often comes with different degrees of interpretation for different people. For instance, the word “special” may have a greater impact or different meaning to the parent of a child with disabilities or special needs.

OK, so this post is not going to have you walking away with linguist level knowledge, but I hope it gets you thinking about the power of your words, words in general, and how that applies to your messages (personal and brand).

Share any thoughts with us in the comments below or message us.

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Why all the questions? A quick how-to on questions

whitebook — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 00:17:19 +0000

I’ve always been a fan of questions ~ asking them mostly. Issue today is that many people shy away from asking because LMGTFY.

While there’s a seemingly unlimited amount of information online, research and Googling alone can sometimes minimize opportunities for engagement and further exploration into and around issues.

Now it’s great to research by yourself, because great things can come out of focused moments alone. But the opportunity to engage people through genuine interest and dialogue can bring immense clarity and value as well. But when do you ask questions as opposed to…googling it?

Timing is critical. Ever have a person who seems like an open book get pissed about a question? Timing is important. Through experience and awareness, you can determine the appropriate time to ask a question.

Examples of poorly timed questions:
Asking: “Do you want to go golfing?” when you’re at a funeral. Bad timing.
Asking: “Can I borrow $100?” When you haven’t paid back the $100 you already owed. Bad situational-timing.

Appropriateness of the question. The appropriateness of a question may depend on your relationship to the person you’re asking, and awareness of your position. For instance, it’s one thing for a physician to ask a personal question about your health. It may be viewed as inappropriate if a co-worker were to ask.

Be an active listener. If you’re going to ask questions, be prepared to truly listen. Those who ask questions but chatter on when the person is supposed to answer are not truly engaged or interested. When you’re actively listening, and not thinking about what you want to say next, it allows for a more natural flow of dialogue, delving into other aspects, and contributing to conversations in more meaningful ways.

Don’t be an ask-hole. The nicely described Internet definition of an ask-hole is: a person who constantly asks for your advice, yet always does the opposite of what you told them. Savvy question askers aren’t ask-holes. They know that people’s time is valuable and respect when people apply their time, intellect and wisdom to situations. When you are thoughtful around these points, you’ll know what, when and who to ask questions.

Do you have any question-asking tips? Do share!

Cheers to your wisdom & growth!

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Imagination…When You’re Adulting

whitebook — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 03:51:00 +0000

For almost as long as I’ve been working, I (Nancy) have been active in the diversity and inclusion space. In college, my interest in socio-cultural diversity and systems led me to launch a multi-ethnic/cultural organization whose mission was to encourage communication, understanding and camaraderie among the various cultural organizations on campus. Since then I’ve served professionally as a diversity and campus specialist at an advertising/creative recruitment agency and worked on numerous projects at White Book Agency to raise awareness around issues impacting underrepresented groups.

When working in the D&I space, people often talk about empathy which Merriam-Webster defines as: “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also: the capacity for this.” And a quick Google search pulls up a definition of: “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.”

Seems simple enough, but there’s a challenge for many to be empathetic. Which is evident in the times that we’re living ~ from the MeToo and Time’s Up movements to basic disconnection between individuals. (Have you seen the news?)

What does this have to do with business? Well, when people can’t (and don’t) connect ~ to your message, to your brand, to your product or service, to one another…good luck making sales.

Brands have to connect with people. And its people who are behind the brands.

While lack of empathy and relating exists, what I’ve also found is that there is also a lack of imagination. And that’s an equally necessary skill for connection. Imagination is defined as:
the faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.
the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.
the part of the mind that imagines things.

Also, “the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality.”

In grade school, many of us were told: “Use your imagination!” Many of us didn’t have to be told. And that’s true among active, imaginative children today. That’s actually why so many people enjoy the presence of children – their vivid imaginations. Same thing exists with many creatives as well.

When it comes to problem-solving and connecting though, I’ve found that many adults have forgotten what it’s like to imagine. Lack of imagination is difficult to grasp (or uh, imagine) in creative industries ranging from art to fashion to graphic design, but I’m not talking about applying it to the art, but to people. Whether it be good or bad – some people have limited their purview to their current experiences. They sometimes don’t even remember their own history, and they can’t imagine anything different than where they are. They have lost the ability to activate their imaginations and “experience with an open-heart” how someone may feel. The ability to put themselves into a situation that may not be like theirs (especially one that may be negative) and “imagine” the challenges. Without that imagination and quest for empathy, it’s difficult to come up with solid solutions.

I began this post discussing diversity and inclusion because when it comes to D&I, I often challenge people to imagine themselves in situations. Where they want to see themselves and where they want to go. And sometimes where they don’t want to go in an effort to try to get closer to understanding another person or situation. What I know helps with imagination is being open to a wide range of experiences and options around you. Having diversity in your life exposes you to new ways of learning, growing and thinking. All of this is great for thriving businesses.

So I ask you – how is your imagination? How is your imagination beyond your own scope? Can you imagine and see the challenges your customers may be having? What does that look like? How does that feel? Can you sense their insecurities and needs? Can you imagine what it might feel like in their shoes? Can you imagine yourself or your brand being the solution and answer to their challenges? Can you imagine having conversations to better understand?

If you’re having difficulty doing this, don’t hesitate to contact us. And be prepared to color outside of any lines. Ride on magic carpets and rainbow dragons. And experience a full-range of emotions, like an actor who not only does comedies but also sappy romances.

To Your Imagination!

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Always Be Open to Asking Questions

whitebook — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 23:52:54 +0000

Inquisitive. Curious. Those are the nice words for question-askers. Nosy is the less flattering label, but definitely true depending on the circumstance.

I’ve (Nancy) always been one to want to know and understand so, “Why?” and asking all of the questions that may follow have been comfortable and easy for me.

My journalism background probably gave me additional experience in question-asking. Or perhaps journalism was well-suited for me because of my question-asking? Not that I always asked great ones. The outrageous ones tend to be the most enjoyable or mortifying ~ depending on the person, day and question.

With all that being said, I (and my agency) have often been hired because of the questions I ask. People have shared: “I like the questions Nancy asks.”

They’re customized questions because I do take a genuine interest in people and their brands. And people don’t like the questions because they’re personal in nature, they usually like them because it uncovers something in themselves or makes them think in different ways about their companies.

A colleague/friend of mine referred to another colleague as “a house with many rooms.” Well, I tend to like to open the door to some of those rooms. Or more, encourage clients to explore those rooms. I’ve found that clients uncover things they’ve never considered before.

This is helpful to any company because asking questions allows one to:
A) Explore new areas of opportunity. Questions can push people to challenge themselves ~ to adapt and/or innovate.
B) Uncover any holes…in systems or processes, or perhaps thinking as it relates to customers.
C) Make decisions and solidify end goals. Thinking around certain questions allows people to note where their boundaries are and how they will want to proceed.

Remaining genuinely inquisitive allows you to take an active interest in the business you’ve created and/or are managing. Questions allow people to think more critically ~ and this works both ways, for the person who is receiving the question and asking the question.

Whenever you’re seeking answers, or if you’re looking to connect more, here’s to encouraging you to ask more questions!

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International Plaza Hosts a Bunny Cares Event

whitebook — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 06:47:03 +0000

Bunnyville is returning to International Plaza and Bay Street from March 9-31, 2018, providing families an opportunity for photos with the Easter Bunny and an interactive experience for children. The Bunnyville experience is set-up in the Grand Court area, and is free and open to the public during mall hours (Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.). A variety of photo packages are available for purchase onsite, with a limited time offer to receive a ticket to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for select packages.

One of the cool happenings this year is Bunny Cares, a partnership with Autism Speaks. On March 11 from 9-10:30 a.m., a sensory-friendly Bunny experience is provided for people within every spectrum of special needs and their families. During this private photo session window, extra care is taken to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children. For more information or to RSVP, interested attendees visit: bit.ly/IPBunnyCares2018.

Grab your little peeps and see you at International Plaza! Yes, yes, we know. We went the entire post without an Easter pun but we couldn’t resist!

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Your Super Power Affirmation

whitebook — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 05:54:02 +0000

Last week at Startup Week Tampa Bay we had a great time with other entrepreneurs and business professionals who were interested in a variety of topics, including: education technology, cyber security, funding and growth, fashion, food and beverage, and more. It was a fun week with lots of positive vibes.

Speaking of positive vibes, the Self-Care for Entrepreneurs session under our Health & Wellness track was well-attended and well-received. I (Nancy) led a guided meditation, and I thought I’d share the affirmation here as many people asked for it after the session. The words after “I Am” can be swapped for what works for you. I hope that you find the time to take a moment for yourself at least once a day. You deserve it!

Message me with any questions or thoughts. Have a fantastic week and enjoy!

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All the Feels for Your Business Lifestyle

whitebook — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 02:45:17 +0000

The past few years we’ve participated in Startup Week Tampa Bay handling their Fashion & Style Track. The event is a “…five-day celebration of our community…a new type of conference that builds momentum and opportunity around entrepreneurship, led by entrepreneurs and hosted in the entrepreneurial spaces you love…a reflection of your hard work and your community’s unique entrepreneurial identity.” Fun, right?

This year we signed on again for Startup Week Tampa Bay, scheduled for Feb. 12-16, 2018, and in addition to organizing the Fashion & Style Track, we’re also doing the Health & Wellness Track. They’re two lifestyle tracks that we’re especially passionate about ~ looking good and feeling good! These lifestyle lovin’ tracks are also conveniently scheduled for Valentine’s Day during Startup Week. There are a variety of sessions under both tracks, including:

Fashion & Style
Local Fashion Retail: Making It Work featuring Brent Kraus, Ella Bing; Desiree Noisette, Mermosa; Elizabeth Carson Racker, Elizabeth Carson Racker Boutique; and Alex English, retail consultant

Launching Into Fashion with Nya Tanaka of Victory Stitch Manufacturing

Stylish Transitions with Roberto Torres with Black & Denim and Blind Tiger Cafe

Health & Wellness
Self-Care for Entrepreneurs with Sharon Fekete, The Doctor Whisperer, and our own Nancy Vaughn with White Book Agency. Nancy will be doing a guided meditation, and Sharon will provide practical self-care. Check out Sharon’s fun YouTube video here, and you can watch a quick Startup Week video with Nancy here.

Fuel Up~Just Live! with Nick Indellicati with CATI

Take a Pulse on Your Emotional Wellness with Laurie Stemm, holistic educator, parenting coach, and co-founder of The Kaizen Collaborative

We hope that you’ll join us for these fantastic events! You can register at: https://tampabay.startupweek.co/

Updated 2-12-2018:

We forgot to mention, White Book Agency is also handling the local PR for Startup Week this year! Lots going on, right?! Check out this fab coverage in the Tampa Bay Times, and here on ABC Action News:

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We’ll See You at the Super Bowl LII Tweetup!

whitebook — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 05:13:54 +0000

This year marks the 5th annual Super Bowl Tweetup with The 3% Movement and The Representation Project, where real-time reactions to the Super Bowl ads are shared on Twitter.

What’s the big deal with Super Bowl ads? Well, more than 100+ million viewers worldwide tune in to the Super Bowl, and it’s the largest advertising spend day of the year.

Almost 50% of people who watch the Super Bowl are women, and The 3% Movement and The Representation Project have led the tweetup to review the portrayal of women in these advertisements where a global audience is viewing.

This event garners 59+ million impressions, and for Super Bowl LII we hope to see even more participation from women ad industry professionals, male allies, and all consumers. Initiatives like #metoo and #timesupnow have brought light to how women are treated in various industries and it’s expected that even more people who participate in the Super Bowl Tweetup will share their feedback and concerns around how women are depicted in ads. The expectation and demand is that brands need to do better!

This year’s tweetup is the largest thus far with six (6) live in-person tweetup locations, including: Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco.

We hope that you’ll join us online this Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 at one of our live tweetup locations or online using hashtags: #3percentSB for all tweets, and #MediaWeLike for brands who deserve to score, and #NotBuyingIt for those brands who deserve to get sacked for their poor depictions of women.

Download your scorecard here and we’ll “see” you on Twitter this Sunday!

The 3% Movement builds the business case for more women and diversity in creative and execute leaderships roles,

The Representation Project is an organization that inspires individuals and communities to challenge and oevercome limiting stereotypes so that everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation, ability, religion, or circumstance, can fulfill their human potential.

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Let’s Run 2018!

whitebook — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 03:53:28 +0000

There’s no doubt that 2017 received mixed reviews from many ~ around both life and business. We had colleagues, clients, and vendors who either found this to be the “best year ever!” to the “oh my gosh, is it over yet?!”

Regardless of how 2017 was, we hope that you head into the New Year with an optimistic outlook on all that can positively be in 2018! We wish you much happiness, good health, plus a whole lot of productivity and prospering!

So expect great things, be love and joy, drink water and move around, set goals and map out a plan to meet them, and finally, let’s get this money, dolls!

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