webdocdev blog

Life happens when you’re a small business owner. It’s been just over 6 months since my mother passed away, and I can truthfully tell you that every single person in my business life offered their help and support. The nature of it all is quite surreal, but not unexpected. In the years leading up to this life event, I actively surrounded myself with good people. A network of folks who shared similar values and visions; but, also were not afraid to listen with an open mind and heart to constructive criticism when a redirect was in order. From my clients to my friends, collectively we work to create an environment of positive collaboration. We now have very little time for pessimism and the negative. Relationships that grow are fostered through mutual respect, with a give-and-take that is not always in balance.

Collaboration is a pillar of many successful businesses. Remember the old saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” I was reminded of this saying yesterday in discussion with a young family friend who was looking for business advice over coffee. As we spoke, we came to the conclusion that collaboration is probably the best way a business community can represent itself as the one of choice. It’s true that businesses may have very little room for heart, but relationships will always be a characteristic of the landscape. At one point or another, like this past year for myself, we will certainly find ourselves in need of help. It’s good to know that when this time comes, you have fostered enough good stewardship in business to help you through. Your peers will surprise and delight you with their support. Like you, they are very busy people. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.

Cyndy Robinson http://www.webdocdev.com

Are you at the point in life where you are looking for more of a purpose? Have the kids flown the coop? Are you starting a new life after parting ways?

As you have probably heard many times, there are a bounty of organizations you can give some of your free time to. Honestly, it’s not about the organization. It’s about the cause and purpose. If you are looking to branch out and connect with people who have more than an esoteric purpose, first find out what has meaning to you.

Is it hospitals that you wish to help? Maybe you have had an experience in how wonderful the staff and volunteers treated you and your family, and you want to reciprocate. You may love animals. Seek out the local pet shelter. I’m quite sure they could use help walking the dogs, or would accept any kind of professional gift such as setting up a website or creating their weekly appeals. Try your local YMCA. There are many ways they would graciously accept your help. Depending on your skills and talents, you can find a fit anywhere.

Foresight is created as we develop the recognition of our client’s spending patterns by using hindsight and other tools. Foresight is not as accurate as hindsight, but if you study your clients patterns, you will be better informed as to the reasons behind their behaviour.

If your commitment and dedication are at a higher level, look for boys and girls clubs in  your area. Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Girls Inc., and your local YMCA are all good resources to investigate. It’s like the philosophy of Karma, if you put something good out there, it can only come back to you in a positive way. Whatever purpose you choose, goo on you!

Cyndy Robinson http://www.webdocdev.com

According to Wikipedia, “Strategy refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal“.

Linking movements in business can be categorized as a strategy. Perspective has a great bearing on strategy. Are you using foresight to plan your actions, or are you using hindsight to map a pattern? Both perspectives have merit.

Let’s start with hindsight. I know, kind of backwards, but sometimes you have to work this way in order to understand a concept better. It’s true, hindsight is 20/20. Take a month as a basis of your study. How did you react to your clients purchasing behaviour? Did you see a pattern form? Was there a particular event that persuaded clients to act as they did? If you do see a pattern, mark it down. If you see a reason for the pattern, make note of it. Seeing these patterns helps us to make better educated decisions in the future regarding the advertising and marketing of our business.

Foresight is created as we develop the recognition of our client’s spending patterns by using hindsight and other tools. Foresight is not as accurate as hindsight, but if you study your clients patterns, you will be better informed as to the reasons behind their behaviour.

The link between a client spending money at your store instead of your competitors can be understood by watching and trying to better understand their motives to do so. Make it your goal to watch them closer your plan of action to ask them questions regarding loyalty. Using this information can help to improve your strategy by using tactics that may get better results.

Cyndy

Change is good, right? I like change. Once implemented, it’s like starting with a clean slate. It’s fresh and it’s new.

I am the first to admit that I overdo it sometimes. Planning too many projects at once can have a negative impact on our family and our health. At the moment, we are in the midst of renovating our home. Most of the new flooring was done last year, but now the older floors are being refinished.

As for landscaping, we have changed a bit of the outdoor design and replaced the old stone. With the help of family and friends, we are cutting costs. It’s like an old fashioned barn-raising. Pitching in not only helps the recipient in many ways, it helps bring us together as community members.

Checking off the replacement of a shed roof, I seem to add two more items on the to-do list. Isn’t this the way it always is? How does the saying go, “a project in the hand is worth two in the bush’?

Well, I’m off to paint something, feed someone, or lend a hand where needed. Change is good. The transition part may be a bit of a challenge, but worth the effort in the end.

Lessons as valuable as building a better business-client relationship, or as slight as learning not to pair stripes and polka-dotted socks on presentation day. Pick up on what the audience is feeling during the presentation, and ask yourself why they are receptive or closed to the speaker. You can use this information constructively the next time you present to management.

So remember, not all speaking engagements are excuses to take a nap. Open your eyes, ears and intuition, and you will receive the nuggets that help build better values and a more positive you.

Cyndy

I love being inspired by speakers, especially ones who are very good. What constitutes a valuable presentation? I call it the “Nugget Rule”.

When you are addressed by a professional speaker, you are in the moment. Caught up in their excitement. Involved (by choice of course) and engaged. But what do you remember about the message an hour after the delivery? How about a day, or a month after?

I apply the “Nugget Rule” before the speaker begins. Listening is a skill that is mastered as practiced. The more you do it, the better you get. I place a quota on both the speaker and myself. They are to deliver one morsel of useful information, and I am to proactively apply it to my life. A tidbit that has been transferred to me via communication osmosis. Filtered from their dense experience and education to my lighter understanding.

If I get more than one morsel, I consider it a very effective and valuable communication opportunity.

Verbal communication only accounts for 10 or 15% of total communication; so, listen and look for nuances from your presenter. You may learn something that was not based on what they said, but on something seen.

Lessons as valuable as building a better business-client relationship, or as slight as learning not to pair stripes and polka-dotted socks on presentation day. Pick up on what the audience is feeling during the presentation, and ask yourself why they are receptive or closed to the speaker. You can use this information constructively the next time you present to management.

So remember, not all speaking engagements are excuses to take a nap. Open your eyes, ears and intuition, and you will receive the nuggets that help build better values and a more positive you.

Cyndy