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Work Smart, Play Hard, Expand Your Business

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

We live in an awesome city. We want to LIVE it. But, being the overworked entrepreneuresses that we are, we find difficulty in striking that balance between work and play. It is important to remember that playtime enhances our businesses – meeting and connecting with new people is just as important as replying to emails and developing growth strategies. If we choose to work smart, we will have the time to enjoy guilt-free nights on the town and expand our businesses while simply having fun. Here are a few tips for you. Get ready. Work Smart. Play!

1. Learn to Say No!

You identified your unique skill. You developed an innovative business concept. You launched the business. Now, your previously, well-kept secret is exposed.Everyone knows just how brilliant you are. Your family, friends, colleagues, grocery store clerks, pet groomer and everyone in between constantly ask you for “favors.” You are a giving person, so you pleasantly oblige their ongoing needs. Unfortunately, you cannot build a successful business by being someone else’s yes woman. If you are constantly giving, when do you have the time, energy or clarity to focus on you and your business? You don’t. I am not suggesting that we all morph into selfish, ruthless business women, but find balance. Spare yourself the time and accept that it is okay to say no.

2. Figure out What Isn’t Working

Your goal is to work smart, not hard. You should be able to tie each of your actions to a goal. Take an inventory of how you spend your work day. Write out each task, align it with a particular result or goal and then assess it. By assess, I don’t just mean stare at it and slip away into la-la land. Dig into it. Prioritize the list according to the tasks that have been most effective. Then trash those tasks that you identify as being the least effective. Next, look at the tasks that you have remaining. Compare how much time you spend on a task with what you get out of it. Is it truly worth your time? Look at it as decluttering your workload. You will be surprised at how much time you have effectively wasted. Now you have free time to get out, expand your network and grow your business.

3. Automate or Delegate What You Can

Take another look at your task inventory. Are there tasks that you can automate? For instance, do you spend time sending an email just to notify the sender that you received it and will get back to them soon? What about an auto-reply that says just that? In terms of delegation, we tend to have the false belief that no one can do what we can as well as we can. News flash! That is simply not true. If you have support staff, let them actually support you. Empower them! They will love you for it and now you can go live.

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*This post was written for the CRAVE company by Patrice N. Perkins, founder and editor of My Lifestyle ZEN, a Chicago-based blog for working professionals and entrepreneurs who value quality of life.

You can visit Patrice’s website here: http://www.mylifestylezen.com/

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4 Quick and Easy Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

Monday, September 6th, 2010

I hear it everyday: “I don’t have time to exercise…”  Really?  I think everyone can find 15 minutes in any given day to do these quick & easy total body exercises.

All you need is a little space… oh and a little want-to will power as well… Let’s get started!

1. T- pushups
Start off in a standard pushup position with your hands directly under your shoulders.  Now, lower yourself to the ground slowly as in a normal pushup. Hold for 5 seconds, then push yourself back up. As your body rises, roll your feet so that your weight is resting on the outside of your ankle. At the same time, raise your hand to the sky. Create a straight line from one hand to the other! Roll back down to the normal pushup position and switch sides. Repeat 10 times on each side.

2. Surrenders
Stand up straight with feet hip-width apart & arms at sides.  Raise your hands straight up over your head, palms facing in. Lower the left knee to the ground, then lower the right knee to the ground so you are in a kneeling position. Next, place the left foot on the ground and lift back up toward standing. Repeat the move 10 times, alternating the starting leg each time and keeping your arms straight overhead for the entire exercise.

3. Walk out planks
Stand up straight with feet hip-width apart & arms down by your sides. Bend at the waist and touch the floor in front of your toes with both hands, keeping your legs as straight as possible. Walk your hands out in front of you, keeping your feet stationary, and lower your body until you are in a push-up position. Do one push-up. Walk your hands back toward your body again until your legs are vertical and your hands are on the floor in front of your toes, then walk them back out for another push-up. Repeat 10 times.

4. Bicycle Crunches
Lie on your back with your knees bent, and press your lower back into the floor.  Place your hands behind your head. Extend your legs straight out in front of you, 2 to 3 inches off the floor, and lift your shoulders off the floor, keeping your elbows open. Bending your left leg and twisting your torso slightly, bring your right armpit towards your left knee. Straighten the left leg and lower the right shoulder toward the ground. Repeat on the opposite side, bringing the left armpit toward the right knee. Do a total of 50 reps at a slow and steady pace.

It is amazing what we can make our bodies can do without any fancy and expensive equipment. I like to add these exercises to my everyday routine.  Not only are they super challenging, but they work every problem area that we as women seem to complain about on a regular basis.  Are you up for the challenge?

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*This article was written for the CRAVE company by Beth Swanson, founder of B4 Health and Fitness in Chicago, IL.  A personal trainer and nutrition expert, her techniques will soften the blow by making workouts fun, challenging, and a bit different each and every time.

You can visit Beth’s website here:  http://www.b4healthandfitness.com/about/

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Mommy, are you a Fashion Victim?

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Do you wear sweatpants to the bus stop every day? Does the thought of taking a shower and getting dressed in something other than pajamas sound like somebody else’s life? Have you put on 8 different shirts today only to have your newborn spit up on them?  (So of course, you gave up and put your PJs back on.)

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you are not alone.

It’s pretty easy for Mommy to become a fashion victim.  As a formerly frumpy Mommy myself, I can relate.  I used to exclusively wear sweats and cover my limp hair in a baseball cap.  I even made the ultimate (gasp) fashion faux pas of leaving to pick up my pre-schooler one day and realizing when I pulled into the parking lot that I was wearing pajama pants.  Whoops.  I had to go in and pick her up that way.  Humiliating.  So what’s a stressed out, grocery-shopping, minivan-driving, kiddo-toting Mommy to do?

Let’s talk a little appearance and wardrobe.  Don’t worry, you don’t have to start going to Target in a suit and 4-inch stilettos, but small changes will create a happier, more confident Mommy.

  • Ditch the sweatpants. From now on, only wear them inside the house, to the gym, or as far as your mailbox.
  • Take a shower. Every morning.  You’ll feel better all day.
  • Hair.  Brush it.  Save the baseball cap for sporting events.
Feel a little better? Good! Now let’s tweak your Mommy uniform.
  • Get a few pairs of fabulous-fitting, comfortable jeans.  Live in them!  Add boots in cool weather or sandals in warmer weather.
  • Buy a couple of everyday belts you really love.
  • It’s okay to wear a fitted tee!  Long-sleeved, short-sleeved, black, white and other solids are a perfect foundation for your Mommy uniform.
So now that you have your basic, everyday Mommy outfit, let’s add some bling to take your everyday from drab to fab.
  • Statement Earrings: wear a pair of chandelier earrings on a day you’re in a hurry to get the kids out the door and simply pull your hair back.  You’ll look gorgeous.
  • Statement Necklace: a big, bold necklace turns your white or black basic tee into an entirely new outfit.  Warning:  compliments galore will await you when you reach the kids’ bus stop.  Pair with stud earrings to finish your look.
  • Hoop Earrings: they are a must for everyday, and even make your face look thinner!  (bonus!)  Pair with a simple necklace.
  • Invest in a strand of black beads, pearl beads, and a silver chain and gold chain.  You can mix and match all of these necklaces to create many different looks.
By simply making a few wardrobe changes and investing in accessories you can wear season after season, you’ll be a formerly frumpy Mommy in no time, and ready to take on whatever awaits you on the other side of the trip in the minivan.
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*This post was written for the CRAVE company by Eryn Cadoff, an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot.
You can learn more about Eryn here: http://www.facebook.com/stylebyeryn.

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Six Social Media Marketing “Musts” (or you’re destined to bust)

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Some companies see Social Media marketing the way Paris Hilton sees “bling.” A bright, shiny, sparkly new distraction that has people fixated on something they just HAVE to have. But why? Because Social Media and viral marketing are buzz words being thrown around throughout the media with the promise of “FREE” marketing.

Here’s where many businesses fall short. Simply having a presence on Social Media won’t ensure your business will thrive. In fact, if your business or product sucks, or if you treat your clients or employees badly, Social Media will be your worst enemy.

Save yourself and your business. Follow these six “MUSTS” or you’re destined to bust.

1. You MUST begin with a strategy.
Set out benchmarks on what you want to achieve before you begin. As the Cheshire Cat remarked to Alice In Wonderland,  “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there”.

2. You MUST integrate your Social Media marketing plan across all departments.
From sales to operations, from the Chief Cook to the Bottle Washer, every person who works for your company is a representative of your brand. Make sure that all departments are aligned and educated with your Social Media policy so messaging is consistent and customer service is paramount.

3. You MUST listen first.
Are people talking about your business/industry? What are they saying? Where are they spending their time online? You can’t solve your clients’ problems if you don’t know where they are and what they want.

4. You MUST reply when it’s appropriate.
The primary strength of Social Media is the engagement factor. Gone are the days when you would send one message to many people. You are now empowered with having a dialogue with your customers and acknowledging that they are important to you.

When people provide you with feedback (good or bad), THANK them. Negative feedback can be tough to take, but there may be an opportunity to learn from what they are sharing. Travelocity has thousands of reviews; both good and bad. People will ultimately decide for themselves, but how you handle the negative responses will speak volumes.

5. You MUST give more than you receive.
You want to be considered the expert in your industry so you have to start by providing insider tips, tricks and information. On Twitter, the rule of thumb is 70/20/10 = 70% sharing relevant information, 20% sharing someone else’s information (i.e. re-tweet) and 10% should be self-promotion. Be sure to post regularly and authentically to build trust.

6. You MUST build relationships built on quality, not quantity.
This is one of the biggest areas for “shiny object syndrome”. Having thousands of followers or fans doesn’t amount to anything if they don’t convert into sales. Ten loyal high paying customers are better than a thousand followers who don’t buy a thing.

Social Media marketing is really quite simple. Behave online the way you would in person. Introduce yourself, listen to the needs of your client, provide value, build trust and provide excellent customer service.

And stay away from bright, shiny objects. Especially if you can’t tell a diamond from a Cubic Zirconia.

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*This post was written for the CRAVE company by Leslie Hughes, the principal of an Ontario-based PR and Social Media Marketing firm called PUNCH!media.

Visit her website here: http://www.punchmedia.ca

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