marketingenious

Quick Tip to Organize Your Workspace

michael@marketingenious.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Is your desk a mess? One way to overcome a messy work area is to place items in relation to their usefulness. Items you use all the time should be at arm's length.

Things you use rarely, like reference materials, can be stowed on a shelf across the room. Only have files close by that you use all the time, the rest can go in a file cabinet.

Besides reducing clutter, you are sure to have the things you really use close at hand.

Are the items in your workspace organized in relation to the frequency of their use?

Get Organized FAD: File, Act, Delete

michael@marketingenious.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Use the FAD (file, act, delete) principle to get organized. This works great with email. When you go through your inbox be sure to file the message, act on it or delete it right away.

Do not read it and leave it in your inbox. If you do not have time to file, act or delete then wait until later to read your messages. FAD saves you time because you only handle each message once. Give it a try.

How do you handle your inbox? Could the FAD system save you time?

Read Weird Magazines

michael@marketingenious.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:06:00 GMT

Read magazines that seem weird to you because you do not usually read them. You will get great insights and new ideas by looking at material you usually ignore like:

Better Homes and Gardens
Wired
People
Time
Ninja Monthly

You never know where your next breakthrough inspiration may come from.

What weird magazines could you check for ideas?

Be Yourself

michael@marketingenious.com — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Be yourself.

It's what people want
It's the only way to be successful
It's the only thing you can truly be anyway

So be yourself.

Are you yourself with customers?

Take an Hourly Break

michael@marketingenious.com — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:59:00 GMT

Give your brain a break at least once an hour. There is a reason that most classes are scheduled to be 50 minutes long. Even if you don't leave your desk, try to give yourself a mental break. It may seem like you are playing hookie, but you will actually improve your productivity by getting away for a break.

Have you had a break today?

Post Your Contact Information

michael@marketingenious.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:52:00 GMT

A few years ago people paid big money to put their name and number in the Yellow Pages, on billboards and TV commercials. How times have changed.

Many folks today are afraid to post their email, phone or address in fear they will get spammed. Well here's the deal, you will get spammed. The other side of the coin is that you want your customers to be able to find you.

Particularly on the web, the only way people who don't already know you can find you is if you freely share your contact information. Some people have customers fill out a contact form. This is lame. Post your information so people can call or email you right away. If you get some junk mail that's just the price of doing business.

Do you post your contact information?

Get Ergonomic

michael@marketingenious.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Be ergonomic by making sure your work area is a good fit for your body. How you sit where your desk is, how you set up your monitor and/or workstation can make a big difference in how you feel at the end of the day.

If you are having pain in your arm try a trackball mouse. I won't compute without one anymore. And if you feel a little depressed, try opening the window shade or installing natural lighting. These little changes can make a big difference in how well you do you work and how long.

Are you working ergonomically?

Use Emoticons

michael@marketingenious.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:44:00 GMT

Emoticons are emotional messages you can communicate with keyboard characters. These are very handy when using email. It is difficult to read a person's tone in an email, but a clever smiley on the end can let the other person know you aren't miffed.

If you still aren't sure how they work, take a look at this and turn your head to the left:

:-)

It's a face with 2 eyes, a nose and a smile. Still can't see it? Turn your monitor clockwise 90 degrees. Just kidding ;-)

There are lots more on wikipedia.

How could you use emoticons? Have a splendid day! :-)

Have a Sense of Humor

michael@marketingenious.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:17:00 GMT

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Grouchy business owner.

There's nobody home.

Who wants to deal with a curmudgeon who never jokes or cracks a smile? No one. So lighten up and have a sense of humor in the way you do business and communicate with customers. Whatever you do, don't get advice from your lawyer first. They suck the fun out of everything.

How could you be more playful with your customers?

Always Carry a Pen

michael@marketingenious.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Always carry a pen. You may need it to:

Jot down your next million dollar idea
To record important information (like at an accident scene)
To get someone's contact info who forgot their card
To look like a hero to someone else who needs a pen

There are some sleek models that fit in your front pocket. My favorite is the Space Pen. Don't leave home with out packin' some ink.

How has a pen saved your bacon in the past?

Get Other People's Cards

michael@marketingenious.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:54:00 GMT

If you really want to work with someone don't just give them your card, get theirs. If you have their information you control your own destiny and do not have to rely on their organizational skills to contact you. If they don't have a card then write down their information with the pen you always carry.

If you won't ask someone for their card, how can you ask them for their business?

Have Cool Cards

michael@marketingenious.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:49:00 GMT

If you are using cheesy clip art, razor thin paper or perforated print at home sheets then you need new business cards. Have fun and experiment. It's your card and you can make it however you want. If your company makes your card, make your own set and hand them both out. Just because your company is boring does not mean you have to be.

Can your card be identified in a line up? Does it stand out? Does it tell people what to do next?

My New Website/Blog Template- Whaddya think?

michael@marketingenious.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:46:00 GMT

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Give Out Your Business Card

michael@marketingenious.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:07:00 GMT

Don't be caught without your business card. You should have your cards with you everywhere you go. You never know when you are going to make that special connection with someone.

Sometimes I think I don't need my cards where I am going and inevitably I strike up a conversation with someone and go scrambling for a pen. Better safe than sorry so take you cards everywhere you go. You'll thank me later.

How has being in the right place at the right time helped your business? How could being prepared with your contact info on your business card help you next time?

Don't Give Out Your Business Card

michael@marketingenious.com — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:51:00 GMT

Have you ever been to a networking event and there is a guy going around the room handing out his card. He'll come up to you, say hi, ask your name and hand you a card.

Don't be that guy.

Relationships are not built on business cards. Cards are a handy way to share vital contact info without writing everything down. BUT the relationship comes before the card. If you are in a room of 100 people networking making 2 or 3 good connections is much more valuable than handing out 100 cards to strangers.

Do you know the people you give your card too?