Inside Out!

Finding Your Wings (Coping With The New Job Market)

2011-03-05T14:55:10-08:00

The Times They Are a-Changin' --- hard to believe it's been nearly 50 years since Bob Dylan penned those words. And they almost seem more relevant today than they did back then!

Each day the media hits us with a new disaster in the making. One of this week's bombshells was news that the post office would go broke by October. We watch with interest the political battles being fought in Wisconsin and Washington, DC. Uprisings in the Middle East have everyone's attention, for many reasons.

Rising costs are cutting into everyone's bottom line. All over the world people are doing what they can to preserve their lifestyles. What will we do when we must rely on UPS or FedEx? How will we get to our jobs if gas is $5 a gallon? How can we feed ourselves well with prices sky-rocketing? Are we even going to HAVE a job? "The sky in falling" is the mantra of all the talking heads on TV.

Earlier this week CNNMoney cited a recent report about traffic congestion in the U.S. which caught my attention and was very enlightening.

"Workers spent 4.8 billion hours slowed or stuck in traffic due to congestion during 2009, according to a recently released report from the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M. That was an improvement over 2006, when a record 5.25 billion hours were wasted. But it still equates to an average of 34 extra hours per year on the road."

Although Los Angeles and New York are always primary targets when it comes to traffic talk, few were surprised to see Washington, DC, near the top of the list. The explanation given was that almost anyone working in DC must cross the river -- which means bridges; and most employment in DC is in government jobs with the same working hours (8-5, Monday through Friday).

I started thinking about the reasons behind my decision to leave my job in a conventional office. One of the major items was my 50 mile commute twice a day. That "34 extra hours on the road" cited above made a whole lot of sense to me. Other reasons included the well-known fact that I'm a night owl (crawling out of bed every morning at 4:30 a.m. was sheer torture) and I was tired of limited vacation time.

Today we are looking at rising gas prices and the outsourcing of jobs to countries who have grabbed the Technology Bull by his horns and made the virtual world work for them!

What Are You Going To Do?

Have you considered working from home? Have you spent years dreaming of owning your own company? Do you crave an alternative lifestyle? If so -- what's stopping you?

What Are You Going To Do?

Today's world requires creativity. Can't find a job? Maybe you need to change directions. What always worked before isn't necessarily what will work at this moment in time. Being flexible is truly an asset.

Working from home (or an RV) offers unique opportunities to redirect your energies into things which are truly important to you. Setting up a v irtual office is not difficult. I've spent a number of years doing just that -- I've been a virtual specialist for more than 10 years. I've lived full-time in my RV for nearly 3 years -- traveling and working all over the country. Not only have I cut my expenses, I'm living a greener lifestyle with a much smaller footprint.

"You Are Living My Dream"

How many times have I heard those words in recent years. My response is always the same: "You could do it too." Amazing how easy it is once you decide to do it.

Tell Me More

Interested in learning how to establish a virtual office? Need help in deciding what kind of work you should do? Do you crave an alternative lifestyle, but wonder how to accomplish it?

This Is Your Opportunity

Starting in April Cardinal Point Virtual Assistants will be offering a course entitled Finding Your Wings. You are welcome to join me on this journey. The course will combine weekly 1:1 mentoring with a series of exercises which combine reading original material (written by me) and homework assignments (completed by you!). This is an in-depth course aimed at getting you up and running in a new direction in months -- not years.

It covers everything from determining what you want to do and finding your niche, to marketing, setting up and operating a virtual office anywhere you wish, and maintaining your sanity through it all.

"Problems worthy of attack, prove their worth by fighting back."

I've always loved Piet Hein's grook, quoted above. In the end, you are the only one preventing you from realizing your dream. Working for yourself is not easy, but it may be more freeing than continuing to work for someone else in a conventional office. If you are to succeed in realizing your dream you will need to do some real soul-searching. This course should help you make that journey.

In today's world we are all faced with changes, challenges and issues that seem unsolvable. Sometimes we must make a U-Turn -- change directions, take a detour through town; stop for a few moments and watch the parade.

Remember how much fun new things were when you were a kid? Learning to ride a bike; playing marbles; jumping into the swimming hole? As adults we invest huge amounts of money in things we quickly find boring. Why? Because we seek a new thrill --- something that makes us feel like a kid again. I guarantee, moving into a virtual office situation will be a thrill. The challenge of changing your way of life will keep you excited and interested.

Finding Your Wings!

If you are interested in this course, please email me at: assistant@cardinalpointva.com before March 28, 2011. You will be provided with more details and we can discuss your expectations and needs. I look forward to hearing from and am anxious to get started "turning your boat around." Finding Your Wings will be a joyful experience.

"Finding Your Wings"
A presentation of
Cardinal Point Virtual Assistants

Are You Nobody? Do Your Customers Know Your Name?

2009-10-07T18:05:32-07:00

My fifth grade teacher was an expert on ancient Greece and Greek mythology. She had a way of bringing it to life and even when we were each required to recite the Three Gallic Wars before the entire class, we somehow managed to enjoy it. So imagine my surprise when I found myself involved recently in a discussion of Homer’s Odyssey. In truth I doubt I’d even THOUGHT about The Odyssey since English Lit class in high school. But as I listened to a variety of actors, poets and scholars discussing this classic text, I found myself thoroughly enthralled. I must admit I remembered more of the story than I would ever have anticipated. But what really caught my attention was how well the story lines fit into contemporary life.

The story of the Cyclops, for instance, sets forth an important concept in business – branding! As you may recall, Odysseus and his men visit the Cave of the Cyclops looking for supplies to replenish their dwindling stores aboard ship. Upon discovering them in his cave, the Cyclops used a boulder to seal Odysseus and his men in the cave. Odysseus was exceedingly clever. When the Cyclops asked him his name, Odysseus said his name was “Nobody.” Later on Odysseus and his men burned out the Cyclops’ eye. The giant let out a scream and threw himself about the cave, calling for help. The other monster giants who lived nearby came running to see what was causing this commotion. “What’s happening to you?” they called from outside the cave. “Nobody has hurt me,” cried the Cyclops. “Nobody came into my cave and did this to me.” The Cyclops words were slurred by the wine, and the other giants thought that he was having a drunken nightmare. Because he insisted that “Nobody” was harming him, the monsters went back to bed.

As solos and small business owners one of the first things we are taught about marketing is the value of branding – name association. Our product is only as good as our name. Our name is only as good as our product. Talk to any marketing specialist and they will tell you that word-of-mouth advertising is the most valuable marketing tool we have. Yet we are often slow to do those things which keep our name, or the name of our company, in the public eye. In doing so, we are effectively calling ourselves “Nobody.”

Think about it. When was the last time YOU hired a NOBODY? When you needed a plumber to fix your hot water heater, did you call Nobody? No, you asked friends and neighbors for a recommendation. When your furnace quit last winter did you trust Nobody to fix it? No, you either found a referral or called one of the BigFurnace names in the Yellow Pages. When you were told you had a heart problem did you trust your care to Dr. Nobody? I think not! You got referrals from your doctor and your friends and even did you research on the Internet. In short, big or small, we seldom trust “Nobody” with anything much in our lives.

As children we were taught to “be seen and not heard.” As we grew up bragging was frowned upon. “Don’t get a big head,” “Who do you think you are, Rockefeller?” . . . “Can you still get that head through the doorway?” All those remarks we heard growing up seem to stay with us throughout adulthood. While there is much wisdom in those words and it’s important to be mindful of others, the value of “making a name” for ourselves is a lesson to be learned. How will we ever become known in our field if we don’t tell people what we do? How will they ever put their trust in us if we do not let them feel our passion for what we do. It is that passion which most folks translate into experience. And it is experience which wins us their confidence.

One important way of connecting with folks is through business cards. Take time to design a business card which reflects your character and the type of work you do. Then be imaginative in your use of those cards. A good rule of thumb is to distribute at least 5 business cards every day. The backs can be used to leave a quick note for someone. Personalizing a card with a written message helps the person remember you the next time they see that card.

The Internet provides a wealth of ways to keep your name in the public eye. In today’s world, a website is nearly mandatory. Websites should be updated frequently so people have something new to read every time they visit. Otherwise, why would they bother to return? And make sure you establish a blog online. Your website/blog address(es) should be on your business card. Blogs are a great way to address topics which relate to your business and they give you a “voice” on the internet. Blogs give you a showcase for demonstrating your expertise and allow readers to become familiar with you. Blogs and websites are also great places for memorializing your successes and posting positive testimonials from existing clients.

Spend a few hours each week cruising the internet and checking on blogs and websites related to your particular field. Don’t just read these websites . . . leave comments. Leaving comments allows you to provide a link to your website or your blog address. These “trackbacks” from your comments will help build your reputation amongst peers and others interested in your field. Once you’ve done that, branch out and check out things of interest . . . I often comment on posts not directly related to my work . . . and frequently people will email me regarding my comments . . . which I am careful about responding to. Such a dialogue often leads to future work or referrals.

Join the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. Volunteer to help with events in your area . . . street fairs, benefits, charity auctions, local nonprofits, schools, churches, hospitals . . . all of these events provide mutually beneficial opportunities. In some cases you may be able to donate services in exchange for free advertising. The fact is, people will eventually associate your physical presence with a certain caliber of performance and this will result in people seeking you out for your business expertise.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to brag a bit now and then. There are a million ways to get your name before the public. I’ve only listed a few . . . put your thinking cap on and get busy. Let people know your areas of expertise. Mary Kay (Mary Kay Cosmetics) used to be fond of saying “Fake it til you make it.” While there is no substitute for experience, many of us are far more experienced than we let on. Standing back and waiting for someone else to toot your horn frequently just gives someone else a chance to step into the spotlight ahead of you . . . generally someone with less experience!

So the next time you let that “moment of glory” slip through your fingers, because you feel you aren’t deserving of such acclaim, remember Cyclops and “Nobody.” Remember that people seldom come to the aid of “Nobody.” Nor do they HIRE Nobody. You ARE somebody! You have a name and you have experience and expertise. That experience and expertise carries your name. Don’t turn yourself into Nobody.

Tough Times: When You Can No Longer Keep Your Pets . . .

2009-09-27T11:16:29-07:00

Howdy, folks. My name is Justice.*

While this may not seem like a topic for a business blog, it's a reality many are facing as a result of tough economic times. Many folks are having to make the tough decision to give up their beloved pets --- either for financial reasons or because a change in housing is necessary. I have worked for many years with dog rescue groups who saw occasional owner surrenders. These turnovers were generally the results of poor choices or poor training methods which resulted in dogs which were deemed too difficult to handle by their original owners.

In recent months that has changed and we are receiving numerous calls from heartbroken owners who are no long able to keep their pet with them due to issues like home foreclosure, lay-offs, or the need to move in with other family members. Parting with their beloved pets is often tantamount to giving away a child. And while many who are reading this may say they would NEVER part with their pet, we must face the fact that at times in our lives things may truly be outside our control.

My purpose here is to help those on both sides of the transition by giving you some guidelines to work with.

IF YOU MUST PART WITH A PET:

If you got your pet directly from a breeder, please contact that breeder first. Tell the breeder of your situation and the need to rehome the pet. Most responsible breeders are concerned for the welfare of the animals they bring into this world. Many will take the animal back until a new home can be found. Other times they will help you in your search for a new home. If your breeder offers to take the pet while looking for placement, please cover transportation arrangements yourself.
If your pet is a specific breed, contact the breed rescue for your pet rather than taking your pet to a local all-breed shelter. Different breeds have different needs and characteristics. Breed-specific rescue groups are aware of those needs and are better prepared to find and screen appropriate homes. They will also follow-up to make sure the placement is a good one.
Make sure you have copies of all medical records concerning your pet and be prepared to turn these over to the receiving party. Not only does this help with any future medical treatment which may be required, it may also avoid repetitive vaccination which is necessary if there are no VAX records.
If at all possible, please make sure your pet is current on all required vaccinations and spayed or neutered (dogs and cats). While rescue groups realize this may not be possible, please remember that all animals must have the required vaccinations before placement in new homes. Additionally, responsible rescue groups will seldom place a cat or dog which is not spayed or neutered. These medical treatments cost money and most rescue groups are non-profit organizations who are extremely short on funds.
When turning over your pet, be prepared to complete a surrender form, officially turning your pet over to the receiving agency. This is a necessary legality to protect the organization from any future problems.
Please put together a resume for your pet: list your pets accomplishments; personality traits (fence jumper?); likes or dislikes, how he/she gets along with other animals, children, etc.; what the pet eats and how often he/she is fed; whether he/she has ever been involved in a biting incident. Also include all relevant medical information: is the pet currently under medical treatment? If so, for what and what is the current treatment/prognosis. Please be truthful here. If the pet requires medical treatment that you are unable to provide, being honest with the receiving party will give them the opportunity to seek a home that is able to provide that care. Finding out about a medical condition after the fact does nothing to help the pet's transition, as it only results in hard feelings on the part of the organization, which has taken on responsibility for the animal's well-being.
If your pet is currently on medication, please include (at a minimum) a week's supply of current medications. This will give the organization time to have the pet vetted, without interrupting the current medical regimen.
If your pet has his/her own blanket, please send that along. If you feel the need to wash it first, do so several days in advance and allow the pet to sleep on it. That way it will smell familiar and be of comfort to the pet during transition.
Providing an old T-Shirt or sock which has been worn by the owner (i.e., dirty) will also provide the animal with a "smell of home" during the transition time.
If there is a special toy, please include that with the blanket, etc. Animals find comfort in continuing to have these things in their lives.
Make sure your pet has a well-fitted collar and leash. If, for sentimental reasons, you wish to keep these items, please purchase replacements if at all possible.
Plan to provide a week's worth of food for your pet. Obviously, if you feed a a raw diet, this will probably not work. But if you feed your dog or cat kibble, or your bird likes a particular type of seed, these should be provided in order to avoid digestive upsets.
Please understand that you are releasing the dog for placement and, as such, you will no longer be entitled to have contact with the pet in its new home. Rescue groups seldom allow interaction between the original owners and the adoptive families for obvious reasons. You may receive an update or two from the placement organization, but please understand that such information is provided at the discretion of the organization.

For those of you thinking of adding a new pet to your family, please consider the following:

Take stock of your current lifestyle and home. Be very honest. What can you really afford in the way of a pet? What kind of pet can your space/home/work hours truly accommodate. Do you already have pets? Do you have children?
What breed/type of pet is best suited to your lifestyle? There are many websites offering information on different breeds and their specific need. The AKC has a wonderful board and I notice they have a new program listed on their website for meeting various breeds of dogs and cats. You should definitely visit this website.
Once you have decided on the pet and breed, check the internet for an appropriate rescue group for your choice. If you don't see anything local, check the AKC website as each breed has a rescue group listed. Contacting the rescue group directly. They will know who is handling rescue in your area.
Be prepared to complete a (sometimes lengthy) adoption application, including references, your local veterinarian's information, etc. A home visit is usually arranged by rescue groups. This allows them to ensure you and your home is a good fit for the pet they wish to place with you.
Rescue groups usually charge a placement fee (anywhere from $100 - 500). While your pet may not have needed medical treatment, spay/neuter or vaccinations, another one may. And pets pulled from shelters (i.e., dumped at the shelter or picked up as strays) often require extended medical treatment before they can be placed. As nonprofits, these organizations operate on small budgets. Vet bills for a particular pet may be excessive. Your adoption fee helps to cover those costs.
Many older dogs* arrive in rescue -- often this happens when their owners are forced to go into facilities where they cannot keep their pet. Or the dog may need medical treatment and the owner doesn't have the funds or doesn't want to deal with it. Older dogs often have the added advantage of being calmer and better trained. Please DO consider giving an older dog a good forever home.
Homes with small children are NOT ideal for many dog breeds. Children move quickly, often squealing in loud, high-pitched voices, arms flapping. For animals with strong prey drives, these children may be seen as small prey.
NEVER leave young children alone with a pet. Interaction should always be supervised for the protection of the animal as well as the child. Even if you think your children are dog saavy, for instance, something very small could set off an incident. Please be pro-active for the safety of your children AND for the safety of the pet involved.
Contrary to popular opinion, rescues do NOT always come loaded down with emotional baggage. Dogs live in the present. Cats are very independent. The foster families will be able to give you useful information on pets they are fostering. Rescues seem to know they've been given a 2nd chance and they often are closer to their new families than pets which were originally purchased as babies.
Be prepared to introduce your new pet to resident pets on NEUTRAL ground. I lived at the back of a cul-de-sac, so we always did introductions out in the street circle. A nice walk with new and old pets on-leash often reduces friction.
Give your new pet time to adjust to the environment. Crating is good as the pet has a place where he/she can retreat when things are overwhelming.
When introducing a new pet into your family, feed all pets in separate locations. I feed mine in crates when a new one comes into the group. Never give high value treats (such as raw bones) to the group as a whole. By doing so you are inviting a food fight -- never a good thing.
Watch animal interaction carefully during the first few days. It is generally best to crate/separate them when you are not around.
Arrange to join a basic obedience class with your new pet. Even if the dog, for instance, appears well-trained, attending a class together will reinforce the dog's knowledge, enforce YOU as the alpha in the home and make sure you are all on the same page with instructions/hand signals/ways of communicating. Check with your local Humane Society or Animal Control Facility to find a class if you are unfamiliar with trainers in the area.
Make sure the new pet knows you are in control. Check online for "Nothing in life is free" training materials. In essence, the animal needs to understand that all things come from you and require something from him first. Most behavior problems are a result of poor or nonexistent training/obedience. A well-trained dog generally has a well-trained owner. NILF comes from a program established by the Denver Dumb Friends League and it is universally recognized as a useful training tool. Folks laugh, but even my Indian Ringneck Parakeet must perform a specific routine before he gets his daily peanut. NILF is not hurtful; it is simply what most of us would expect from our children: responsible behavior and acknowledgement of who is really in control of the household.
Most rescues are housebroken or have some degree of house training. For those working outside the home, this is an advantage over getting a puppy. Pets will learn your particular household habits and rules more quickly from other pets in the home. If you have a dog you are unsure of, put him on a leash and attach the leash to your belt --- that compels him to stay with you and he learns to adapt to whatever situation he encounters as you move about.
Be prepared to keep your new companion on his/her normal diet for a few weeks --- some animals transition to new foods quickly, some do not. And a few have food allergies that must be taken into consideration.
Plan to have your vet do a check-up of your new pet within the first 30 days. If there is a reason you feel you cannot keep your new pet, most rescue organizations provide for refusal within the first 30 days of adopting the pet.
If, down the line, you are unable to keep your new pet --- PLEASE contact the organization that placed him/her with you. Many rescue groups require that you return the pet to them. Others may help you find a new home for your pet. This ensures that the pet does not end up in a shelter. Shelters are already overrun with animals and some breeds of dog, for instance, do not do well on personality testing done by shelters. In those cases the dogs are often euthanized without any effort being made for placement.

In the end, remember that taking on a pet is a commitment -- a real responsibility. Be a responsible pet owner: make sure your pet is spayed/neutered; keep your pets confined or on-leash -- don't let them roam the neighborhood unfettered; make sure your pet has proper medical treatment and is kept well-groomed. Grooming problems can lead to health problems.

Giving an older pet a home is a wonderful way to help. Older pets offer a calmer way to bring a new pet into your household. And it breaks the heart of most pet volunteers to see these older pets languish in facilities because everyone wants a puppy or a kitten.

Feel free to contact your local rescue groups for more information. I can tell you from personal experience that we all need more foster homes, volunteers, and folks willing to adopt a pet. All of the rescue groups I know of are totally volunteer operations. If you can't take a pet in, you can certainly help through doing reference checks (by telephone), home visits, transporting rescues, helping at fund-raising events, or contributing in other ways. Get involved and help make these tough economic times easier for folks giving up their beloved pets and the pets in need of new homes.

If you wish to learn more about Giant Schnauzers, please visit Southern California Giant Schnauzer Rescue, Inc. Rescue is a cause well worth your effort.

* Justice is available for adoption. He is around 8 years old and his foster Mom says he's a real sweetheart. Please visit SCGSR to learn more about adopting Justice.

There’s A New Term Circulating: Location Independent Professionals.

2009-08-13T20:41:48-07:00

Location Independent: The View From The Edge!

The first time I heard it I felt like a door opened in my brain. What a perfect description for MY particular lifestyle (I work as a Virtual Assistant while living full-time in my RV). For several years I’ve struggled to explain my personal situation to friends and clients, yet the perfect explanation required only THREE words!!

Following that “aha moment” came the revelation that one doesn’t need to live on wheels or in some exotic land to be a “location independent professional.” I have numerous clients who successfully work from their homes, their vehicles, or whatever hotel room they currently occupy. The more I pondered those 3 words, the more apparent it became that more than environment, personal freedom is the thing which makes us “location independent.”

For example, MY location independence allows me to wake up where I want and when I want. For a Night Owl who has spent a lifetime adjusting to a Morning Person’s world --- this is indeed independence!! It allows me to work with clients I respect and enjoy ---- instead of dreading the arrival of this month’s Simon LeGree. And if I want to spend 2 weeks on a friend’s horse farm, I can do that without having to invent an excuse for my “delayed” return. What brainiac decided 2 weeks a year is sufficient to rejuvenate the human psyche?

My life is filled with an array of new opportunities. I meet new folks almost daily --- whether through physical or virtual “travel.” These encounters are full of information and inspiration. It seems to me that people who are location independent are a joyous bunch who make the world a more exciting place in which to live.

And now, finally, I have the time and energy to mentor others who are searching for ways to achieve their own location independence. Are there pitfalls? Of course. Is it easy? Seldom. Is it worthwhile? Always.

In planning for your new adventure you will undergo a metamorphosis. As you peel back emotional layers and make choices and decisions about your future, you will make a transition unlike anything you’ve done since childhood. At times you will feel vulnerable. You will leave yourself exposed in a way that can be uncomfortable. Stepping out of the establishment and into an independent lifestyle professionally is akin to walking the plank. You’d better know what you are jumping into and you’d best be able to swim.

Independence!

Translation Please?

Well, what kind of work will you do? Who will your clients be? How will you perform that work? And that’s just the beginning. Get out that pencil and paper. Start making lists. What kind of lifestyle do you want to live? Can you live with less? How much less? What can you get rid of in exchange for a new way of life? Which is more important --- what YOU want or what others may think of you? What do you want to be doing 5 years from now? Given your present circumstances, do you see that goal as possible? If you continue down the present road, will you reach that goal in 5 years? Ten years? Ever?

Over the coming days we will explore these areas in the hopes of helping you make a decision appropriate to YOUR needs. For some the goal may be finding a way to support yourself while traveling the back roads of Africa or South America; others may find that same freedom in working from a loft in a city they’ve always wanted to explore. You may already live in Paradise and simply wish for the ability to hit the beach when the surf’s up rather than donning a suit and tie and taking your morning Latte on an elevator ride to the 32^nd floor.

But What About The Economy, You Say?

Many solopreneurs feel this is the best time for our businesses to grow. As independents we are able to go after business that large companies may refuse. We can make decisions more quickly and adjust our schedules and prices to accommodate those in need. Large firms and corporations are often locked into scheduling and pricing that simply is not flexible enough to take advantage of the changing economy. In the end, experience and your ability to find and fill a niche will be a determining factor in your success. A burning desire to succeed will overcome many obstacles.

So --- that said, are you content with your lifestyle? Are you happy when you wake up in the morning? Are you chasing dreams that no longer make sense to you? Are you living a life someone else chose for you? Independence is, to a large degree, a state of mind. Only YOU know what liberates YOUR inner spirit. But there is no better time than today to find out. Why waste time wondering. There’s an old Chinese Proverb that says:

The person who says it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

Think about it. Be the person doing it. Figure out what’s right for you and make plans to accomplish it. Leave the naysayers behind. Let me help you!

The Road To Location Independence . . .

How Badly Do You Want It?

2009-07-15T17:48:00-07:00

Remember when you were a kid and started compiling your Christmas List the day after school started in the fall? I’m old enough to recall the arrival of the Sears & Roebuck Christmas Catalog ---- oh what a treasure trove. I wanted this and this and this and just HAD to have that. Fall passed, leaves fell and Michigan settled in for the long winter ahead. Nothing mattered to my brother and me except thumbing through the never-ending array of toys in that catalog. Our lists were changed and revised so many times it’s a wonder Santa (or Mom) ever figured out what we REALLY wanted. But somehow the right things always ended up under the tree on Christmas morning.

Fast Forward 40 (OK ---- make that 50!) years. What rings m y bell today? What do I REALLY want at this time in my life? Get out a paper and pen and ask yourself that question. Pretend you’re a child again and the holidays are approaching. What would be on YOUR Wish List today?

Just as the lists of our childhood changed daily, the lists of adulthood change daily too. Don’t misunderstand me --- there’s nothing wrong with dreaming. Without dreams we’d miss a lot of great opportunities. But at some point we have to focus our energies in order to realize those dreams.

But I WANT That Job!

Years ago I interviewed for a job with a well-known trial lawyer. I wanted that job so very badly --- he’d made national headlines and I just saw myself zooming to the top of the heap if I worked for him. Unfortunately he was not so sure. The position he was hiring for required far less education and experience than I had. And he was smart enough to appreciate that.

After numerous interviews and conversations, as I (foolishly) begged him for the opportunity to work for him, he taught me a valuable lesson. Painful as they were, I will never forget his words on the phone that evening: “This job will never challenge you. In a few months you will be bored to tears. You deserve better. Find the fire in your belly and chase THAT dream. If you have a fire in your belly, you will do a great job and enjoy every moment you are doing it. Without that fire, you will was te your life and lose the respect of those you work with.”

Wow. Little did I know how long those words would ring in my ears. Over the years I often witnessed firsthand the wisdom of those words as I watched so many come into the legal field only to leave a few months later --- totally disillusioned with a career choice made on the basis of what someone else wanted.

Memories . . . .

As a child I remember passing a local shoe salesman at the local diner --- he was in the process of pouring Bromo Seltzer (an antacid made from acetaminophen, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid) from one glass to another to dissolve the powder in the water. This man and my parents had gone to school together and he was considered a family friend. I asked my Mother what he was doing and why. Mom said he was taking the foaming liquid for a hangover. Nobody in my family drank (or at least nobody that I new of at that time), so the term meant nothing to me. Mom sighed and said unfortunately Harry had been forced into taking over his Dad's shoe store instead of going on to college. To hide from his despair, Harry now drank too much.

She added the same thing happened to the guy who ran the men's clothing store down the street. In high school I dated Jeff -- the son of the fellow who owned/ran the men's clothing store. When I returned to my hometown for Mom's funeral I was was pleased to learn Jeff had become a pharmacist --- unlike his father, he had been allowed to follow HIS dream.

Granted, we can’t all work at wonderful jobs all the time. Especially in today’s economy. But EACH OF US should have a dream – something we really want to do --- something to aim for. If you really enjoy making furniture, painting cars, cooking, teaching --- follow those instincts to your dream. So what if it doesn’t pay $350 an hour. You’ll be happier doing it, your customers and coworkers will feel that spirit in your work product and --- ultimately --- you will probably have more work than you know what to do with. And, should we be lucky enough to work for ourselves, we should be working TOWARDS that dream.

IS A FIRE BURNING IN YOU TODAY?

Do you wake up every morning ready to embrace the new opportunities your work offers? Do you yearn to be the absolute best at what you do? Would you relish this job, even if you were not paid to do it? Are you on fire for your work?

In today’s market every business has numerous competitors. What sets you apart from YOUR competitors is that “fire in your belly.” Clients recognize that fierce desire and respond positively to it. Like moths to a light, folks are attracted to that kind of energy.

If you ARE working at your dream job, just know how lucky you are and honor every moment you spend living your dream. If you are NOT working at your dream job, it’s time to decide what you really want to do when you grow-up. Life is too short to waste. Figure out what lights your fire and go for it!! We seldom regret what we’ve tried and left behind; we always regret what we did not do!

Need help? I’ve helped many folks fight their way through the maze and would be delighted to help you too. Whatever you do, learn to welcome change and the lightness it brings to your life.

What is YOUR Backup Plan??

2009-03-22T12:39:29-08:00

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:

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?
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?
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?
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?
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!

2009-03-12T13:34:58-08:00

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!

2009-01-25T15:07:23-08:00

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?

2009-01-10T09:57:17-08:00

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.

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.
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
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.
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!

2009-01-04T14:11:26-08:00

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?

Take a piece of paper and make a list of those items you feel present true roadblocks to your success at the moment.
Rearrange them in order of importance.
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!