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Five Focal Points To Simplify Your Biz

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Being a business owner means that you perform a multitude of roles. And often it seems like there’s always more to do than there is time.

But there are ways you can keep things as simple as possible and reduce the amount of time and energy you spend running your business.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). Well, let’s leave off that last word and just focus on keeping it simple. Here are five areas of your business you can simplify starting today:

1. Your Business Model
Your business model is the foundation of your business, how it makes money. If you’re offering too many products and services or if your products and services are not logically connected to a central theme, then you’re going to struggle.

Take a close look at your most profitable revenue streams (more on how to do that here) and only focus on promoting the ones that are most profitable.

You may discover that there are products and services that aren’t making you money (or that don’t fit with your focus) that you can simply stop offering. To find out if your business model is healthy read this.

2. Your Time
You get to choose how you spend your time. You can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to all of the opportunities available to you.

For many of us it seems crazy to say ‘no’ to something that could be good for the business. But if you’re extremely clear about your focus, you can easily see which options are the best use of your time and will know which ones to say ‘no’ to.

For more information about how saying ‘no’ can grow your business check out this article.

3. Your Marketing
Mediocre marketing done consistently beats ‘stop and start’ marketing that’s done randomly every single time. Analyze your marketing efforts and find out which of your marketing strategies are the most effective.

Once you know that, focus only on the strategies that work and drop the rest. Having a few successful marketing strategies that are done consistently can work wonders for your business.

4. Tasks you don’t like or aren’t good at doing
Outsourcing and delegating are fabulous ways to simplify your business. Think about thinks like: administration, technical tasks, accounting, and taxes.

By hiring someone to do these tasks for you, you will have more time to focus on higher value activities and the things you love to do.

5. Your Life
I’m guessing you started your business because you are passionate about what you do and you wanted the freedom to create a business that supports your life. If your business is running your life, it’s time to turn that around.

It’s critical that you make time for yourself to do the things that give you energy and allow you to recharge your batteries. If you don’t do this you are actually putting your business in jeopardy.

So although it may seem counterintuitive, and you may feel like you don’t have time to spend on yourself, the truth is you can’t afford not to.

Make the decision to keep it simple in your business and change the way you’re currently doing things. By applying the KISS principle, you’ll have more time, less stress, and more money in your bank account.

This post was written for the CRAVE company by marketing coach Stephanie Ward of Firefly Coaching.

Fireflycoaching.com

Facebook.com/fireflycoaching

Twitter: @Fireflycoaching

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Pucker Up and Get Ready to KISS

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Pucker up everybody, it’s time to KISS. In other words – keep it simple, stupid! This month, CRAVE is focusing on the best ways to un-complicate your business.

There are so many companies out there that have a single focus – cupcakes, edgy haircuts, handmade greeting cards, you get the idea – and they are successful because they have perfected their craft and don’t let extraneous or unnecessary “stuff” take away from what they’re truly best at.

Throughout February, we are going to hear from women business owners from many industries and locations on their strategies for KISS-ing. We hope you’ll stay tuned – there’s lots of juicy advice coming your way! You’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and why you need to KISS from these impressive entreprenesses.

Get the low down on how to keep it simple as our experts indulge you with valuable tips about how they manage to keep their business models and their lives operating with sweet, sweet simplicity.

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Risk Taking: Should You Dare?

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

We’re ringing in the new year at CRAVE with a question for all you women business owners out there… Do you dare? Is 2011 going to be a year of taking risks with your business, holding back, or a combination of both? To help you strategize, we are dedicating the month of January to the pros and cons of risk-taking across the board. Our business chat and blog entries will be brimming with juicy stories of risks gone right or wrong as well as advice from our CRAVE experts on when to know to take a leap of faith or to simply sit back and let life fall into place.

We knew this would be a hot topic when Melody wanted to know what her Facebook followers ask themselves before taking a risk and got SO many amazing responses. Check them out and prepare yourself for an exciting month of risks and rewards!

What do you ask yourself before you take a risk?
Just curious? before you take a risk? a leap to something new? start a new project? WHAT DO YOU ASK YOURSELF? do you write down the pros and cons? do you just do it and ask why later? how long do you ponder? do you end up jumping? or do nothing? tell me!!! what is your risk taking style?

Suzette Sommer
Oh… wow. What is a “risk?” That is one four-letter word that I have seemingly never known.
Sydney Chavez
I ask myself what I would lose if I didn’t take the leap.
Nicole Francois
before i take a risk i ask myself: why i am interested in taking the risk, what i hope to gain from it, what the result will be and who’s going to be with me? then, i outline my plan and jump!
Maria Ross
Before I take a risk I ask myself if I will regret it more if I don’t take it than if I do. I weigh pros and cons, seek advice from those I trust….and then go with my gut! At a certain point, if it feels right, all the data in the world doesn’t matter.
Sonja Silver
The first thing I ask is “what is the worst thing that can happen”? If I can live with the answer, I go for it. The biggest risk is to not take one!
Elise Kloter
same here, Sonia…puts the scary stuff in perspective
Melody Biringer
lovin all you risk takers….keep it coming! as i get older i seem to take risks slower and more cautious. i want to be naive again!
Lauren Bacon
These days, more and more I check in with my gut. I highly recommend a little book called “Make Light Work” by Kate Sutherland that has helped me enormously with listening to my intuition. (It’s cool and non-flaky, I promise.)
Michelle Michael
what’s the reward…? is it personal or financial? maybe a little of both. go for it, and surround yourself with those that support your dream!
Lyndi Thompson
My first thought: Risks can often be re-labeled as adventures. I tend to dismiss risks that I don’t feel I have good access to supportive people around me. However, most of the time I can find at least two people. I try imagine best and worst case scenario, while always keeping in mind I know I make pretty good decisions and in the end things always end up OK.
Mary Boisselle
I usually don’t ask any questions…I trust my intuition then I take a huge leap and bungie jump off the bridge or I don’t. There is a reason why opportunities come, so I can find the gem inside, whether it’s a pearl or a piece of glass.
Larisa Goldin
I try to check in with my guidance. i believe that risks are just opportunities in disguise, the only question is whether they are part of the intended path or are a test (a distraction). So based on what I get back from my inner guidance (does it feel right?) I take the risk or not.
Rupa Wickrama
Feelings of Anxiety = don’t take it. Feelings of Anticipation or Excitement = this warrants further exploration!
Sydney Chavez
I CRAVE Risk Taking. : )
Traci Barnum
Jump and figure everything else out later. Unless of course, you have a really smart husband who demands that you make a plan before you jump and break into your retirement fund for that risk. It’s a great balance. : )
Carrie McIlveen Middlemiss
It’s typically a gut feeling. I usually think it through and if it still feels right I go for it. Especially if it is something I’ll enjoy and it makes money.
Jennifer Saphier Whitman
I have to step away from the decision for a few days. It always pops back into my head while I am doing other things during the day. If every time the idea pops up I get a sick feeling, I know it isn’t the right choice. If I get excited every time I think about it, it is a definite go!

We hope these comments get you thinking about your own risk-tasking strategies for the year and that you’ll stay tuned to our blog over the next month and share your own daring deeds in the comments! And of course, have a Happy New Year from CRAVE!

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5 Powerful Steps to Evaluate Risk

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”

— Robert F. Kennedy

Risk poses a powerful threat for the faint of heart, yet is ever present in the quest for great success. For many, risk so quickly attracts fear that (at an ever-present subconscious level) the two feel synonymous. The risk-adverse rarely achieve greatness.

When I think of risk, I scratch my head to identify any negative connotation. Perhaps its because for everything I’ve done well and at which, succeeded greatly, Risk was an ever-present companion. I’ve established a great relationship with Risk. When she shows up, I ask her a lot of questions. I determine whether she’s here to warn me or empower me to open fortuitous doors others have failed to observe or were too fearful to traverse. Risk is a messenger. Those who befriend her refer to her as a channel of information. Those who avoid her fear her.
Fear is a “poser.” It is the charlatan of risk. It suppresses while encouraging paralysis and retreat. A common acronym for FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear leverages erred thinking that emanates from our inability to fully perceive the potential for a positive outcome and impact in the midst of unfamiliar territory. Fear is like the shadow that startles and has no power except to incapacitate. You’ll find fear is not a gut feeling, but a head game. An interview with Risk shines the light on the shadows and the value of the opportunity she’s here to share with you becomes increasingly clear.

Understanding that if you treat Risk as an agent of information, you’ll perceive her more positively and embrace her more readily. I’ve adopted a no-fail process for evaluating, mitigating and embracing Risk and the propitiousness of her presence.

1. Identify, characterize and assess the risks

  • What is the potential value impact of the opportunity should you embark upon it?
  • What is the potential loss of opportunity and value should you retreat?
  • What is the worst-case scenario? (With this clearly defined, will an effective strategy detour such a scenario?)
  • Identify unknown risks and associated opportunities
  • Is this risk required to achieve my legacy or bigger opportunity?

2. Assess the vulnerability of critical assets to specific threats

  • Time, energy, money, network and other resources
  • Would these assets potentially receive a higher impact in another investment vehicle?
  • Define peripheral costs, loss or gain if you diverted your investment to another opportunity?

3. Define the expected consequences of the types of risks on your specific assets

4. Identify ways to reduce potential risk and leverage gains for greater opportunity

  • Research risk aversion strategies
  • Identify and leverage resources to overcome obstacles
  • Transfer risk to external agencies (i.e. insurance company)
  • Prior to embarking on your opportunity, design built in risk control processes and containment measures

5. Create a strategy to prioritize risk reduction measures

This risk evaluation process takes the fear out of risk. It will help you know whether to engage or retreat, how to reduce or mitigate risk, avoid undesired consequences and maximize your potential for success in any opportunity.

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Sheri’ Taber is the CEO of The Peak Performance Group, Inc, a global management consulting. A twenty-eight year industry veteran, Sheri’ is an international award-winning, business expert with the capacity to take a business and its leaders in the right direction and solve the toughest problems.

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Conquer Your Fear of Risk in Four Steps

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

I recently attended a lecture by Rabbi Harold Kushner, who’s probably most well known for his best-seller “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” but whose subject this particular evening was his latest book release: “Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World.”

The introduction caught my attention when it was said that more people have died of fear caused by 9/11 and the idea of terrorism after the fact (anxiety produced complications and deaths) than the number of lives actually lost by the events that day. Wow.

Our Greatest Fear: Rejection
Interestingly, terrorism is not our greatest fear. Nor is the economic recession. Nor is it the reality of aging or the thought of someday dying. We hear a lot of about those things; the news is consumed with those subjects. But, truth be told, the most paralyzing fear we experience is rejection. Or said another way: the fear of what people will think about us. Sounds small, but lives out in huge ways.

Sitting in that auditorium, that observation resonated. How many of my life choices are impacted by that fear? How much of our lives are influenced by the desire to be accepted or the desire to avoid rejection? Even the fear of success and failure have roots in this overarching fear.

Whether it’s doing something to try to get someone to like me or not doing something to avoid someone not liking me. Whether it’s not trying for the promotion, the new job, the business idea development or the sale for risk of failure or pursuing them only to try to gain approval. Whether it’s acting uninterested when I really am. Or acting interested when I’m really not.

Stepping Through the Fear
While many fears stem from our fear of rejection, not all of them do. And while often our fears of what others think say more about us than it does about them, it doesn’t mean those fears are silly or unfounded. Regardless of your fears, we have to keep learning how to step through them.

1) Acknowledge the Fear. The first step to overcoming fear as we consider risks is to acknowledge it’s there. I think it was Mark Twain who said courage isn’t the absence of fear but the mastery of it. Feeling the fear only means you’re alive and that something matters to you. That’s good!

2) Identify what You’re Possibly Risking. Every choice (even the choice to do nothing) has possible losses. List them! What is the worst-case scenario? Answer this question honestly. What do you risk losing in this choice? And importantly, include the fears that stem from some variation of rejection—for there are many.

3) Identify what You’re Possibly Gaining. One must be informed of the risks, but no one risking losing for nothing. What are you hoping to gain? For what purpose are you considering this risk? For some, answering this question will help them determine that even risking their life is worth it for the purpose. For most of us, the risk will not be so costly but they will be put in the right context.

In my business of introducing women to new friends in their area, I see how easy it is for women to focus on the risks: they don’t want to admit they need new friends (fear of what that might say about them), don’t want to risk the time it takes to pursue them or risk feeling awkward or insecure in the process. However, for those who can identify what they might gain: increased happiness, a sense of connection, local support, improved health, more fun memories, deep conversations—they are more likely to take the risks because they so value the gains.

4) Affirm that You’re Not Alone. Confide in someone who will love you no matter the loss or gain from your risk. Surround yourselves with others taking the risks you want to take. Connect with a community that reminds you of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Risks are in the blueprint of business owners and entrepreneurs. We live in this world. It is not a worthy goal to simply show up without fear—we cannot control our emotions. But it is a worthy goal to glean information from that emotion and learn to step through the risks that we feel will move us toward the things we value.

By Shasta Nelson, M.Div, CEO of www.GirlFriendCircles.com, the only online community of women that matches new friends up to meet in small groups in local areas. She is a life coach, blogger and writes and speaks prolifically on the subject of friendship.

*dice photo is courtesy of Flickr user parl.

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BONUS Post: 5 Risk Rules for a Balanced, Sane Life

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

For years, you have worked towards achieving that perfect work-life balance. Now, you have it down to an art and you are living and loving life. Then one day you wake up and BAM! A new, fabulous opportunity knocks at your door. Your logical inner voice says, “You just mastered this life. Don’t shake things up now.” But, that other, more adventurous you, says, “Go for it and live to your greatest potential.”

The inner battle continues. Your free-spirited self, reminds you of your college days, when you were spontaneous and lived in a not-so-calculated world. You still adore her, but are afraid to embrace her. Remember, living a balanced life calls for…balance! This includes the balance of professional and personal life, but also the balance of a calculated and care-free life. These 5 rules of risk-taking will help you maximize your potential, while still living a balanced and sane life.

Take the risk if you will regret the inaction more than the action. When you are confronted with a new and risky endeavor ask yourself, “How would I feel if I don’t do this?” Would you look back five years from now and regret your decision? If so, then go for it. There is nothing like living a life clouded by “what if’s.”

Take the risk if your biggest fear is rejection. Recently, a great opportunity came my way and I almost rejected it. My best friend asked, “What is the worst that could happen?” As it turned out, I feared failure. Once you identify the worst case scenario, ask yourself, “Is that good enough?” My answer was a big fat N-O. A hurt ego is not a good enough reason to pass up a potentially, career-changing opportunity. What is your answer?

Remember that risk is relative. My notion of a risk is not the same as yours and vice versa. For example, what you define as a risk might be based upon the amount of money it requires while my risk might be defined by how much it will limit my time to work on other projects. Only take on what is appropriate for your situation.

Visualize the best outcome. You are uniquely created and no one else can do what you do, how you do it. After all, that is why this opportunity found its way to you in the first place. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt and imagine your success. It feels good doesn’t it?

Stop worrying about perfection. You may be more likely to take on a risk once you eliminate the perfection factor. I was hesitant to launch my blog because I wanted to wait a few months to get it “just right.” Launching an imperfect blog was just not the risk I wanted. In reality, nothing is ever perfect. We constantly find imperfections and ways to fix them. If we continue to wait for perfect moments then our lives will be one, long waiting game.

Patrice N. Perkins is the 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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Don’t Be Shy, Make Some Noise

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Am I good enough? Smart/attractive/savvy enough? Do they like me? These are all questions that women may have asked at some point in their personal (and maybe professional) lives. In our businesses and entrepreneurial spaces, the questions shift some but follow that same pattern: Am I doing this right? Will this generate income? Will the customers like my new product?

The fear or responses to these questions can hinder a person and cause hesitation in action. As an entrepreneur or business owner, you’ve taken the biggest risk…allowing yourself to get started and believing in your venture.

As a publicist, my job is to get the word out on behalf of my clients ~ writing articles, booking media interviews, etc. I know that sometimes people are fearful of drawing attention to themselves. There are, of course, some good reasons to hold off on media attention. Perhaps your marketing collateral isn’t ready, you need to wrap up final details on a product launch, etc. However, once those pieces are in place you’ll want to have all eyes on you, make some noise and get the word out about your product or service. Never been on TV? Why not now? Never seen your name or your business’ name in print? Now’s the time! OK, OK, there’s absolutely no way you’re going on TV…well, let’s get you a spokesperson. No excuses, let’s put your brand out there!

Having a marketing budget is often mistakenly left out of the “I’m launching a business” equation. Without a plan to market or publicize your business, this can be more than risky…it may actually put you at a disadvantage. Reaching out to the media and generating some buzz for your business doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking or expensive though. Thanks to social media and the internet, there are numerous cost-efficient ways to get the word out about your company and brand. From Facebook pages and twitter, to free online distribution websites including 1888PressRelease, i-Newswire and PRZoom.

Here are few quick tips to get you on the buzz-generating track:

1) Research your target audience. What are they reading, watching and what websites do they peruse? You want to be on there, too. Whether you’re writing a guest post or commenting on a blog, reach out to your target so they can get to know you and your company.

2) What problem are you solving with your product or service? Yes, YOU are filling a need with your business. What is that need and how are you fulfilling it? Now put this in a story pitch or press release.

3) Before you reach out to the media…read and watch them. There’s nothing worse than putting your brand out there to the incorrect media contact. It shows that you’re not paying attention to what they do professionally. (The food editor does not need a pitch on your new handbag line.) The same thing applies to bloggers. They want to know that you’re genuinely interested in what they have to say.

Take a risk, put yourself out there and make some noise for yourself and your business this year. You’re a risk taker and you deserve the attention!

Nancy Vaughn is the principal, PR & Marketing Director at White Book Agency, a public relations, marketing and special events firm providing cost-effective communication strategies for entrepreneurs and businesses across the country.

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What’s The Bravest Thing You’ve Ever Done?

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011


Continuing our monthly theme of risk taking in life and business we would like to share with you this great post from Chris Guillebeau:

The Bravest Thing – I asked this question last week and was flooded with hundreds of great responses. Here are many of them, with links to the people who were brave enough to share.

ferolea: Quiting my job go around the world was easy. Coming back… that’s the bravest I’ve been.
avalonmel:  Agreed to teach uni computer science course to 130+ students when I was 22… and afraid of public speaking.
TylerLClark:  I moved halfway across the country for an unpaid internship. At the end, they offered me a job. Glad I took the risk!
opheliaswebb:  Called off my wedding. And killed a spider in the shower. Equally terrifying.

“My belief about fear and courage is that all of us are scared of all kinds of things, so the wrong approach is to pretend to be fearless. Instead, acknowledge your fears, but proceed anyway” (Chris Guillebeau).

Read more here and get started with taking your own life changing risks!

Image by NickNguyen

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Video: CRAVE Women Speak Out On Risk

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Over the course of this month, we’ve tackled risk from many angles – from no-nonsense strategic advice to more personal affirmations that risk can be very rewarding. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your business? Maybe you’re thinking of taking that risk soon? If you’re craving a little adventure, stay tuned because we’ve got four fabulous CRAVE entreprenesses sharing their experiences with risk on video for your viewing pleasure! We encourage you to watch this video and explore this month’s blog posts as you develop your own risk-taking style. Enjoy!

To learn more about the CRAVE businesses featured in this video, check out their websites below.

Barbie Hull Photography

Dish It Up!

Bella Cupcake Couture

Popcorn Pavilion

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5 Steps To Big, Bold and Brave

Monday, January 24th, 2011

We’ve all heard the myth that women are less inclined to take risks in business and their personal life then men. Yet it’s been proven that we are just as successful as male entrepreneurs and have access to the same amount of capital as they do in which to scale our businesses.

I’d like to think this `risk averse’ label we’ve been tagged with is because we’re smart and we calculate the trade off from going big or going home more often than men do. We put more time and effort into our decisions so as not to fail.

As a result we’re more strategic with our financial decisions, our hiring of the right team and our business development plans. Women entrepreneurs have many inherent advantages that we use to our full capabilities.

However you weren’t put on this earth to not make an impact. Your time for risk-taking is now. The latest Intuit Report states that over the next decade close to 1 billion women will be contributors in the world economy and women will create work and start businesses more readily than ever.

I’m pretty excited about that as my mission is to see more women start businesses. And not just any business – not a hobby or a jobby – but a fully scaled business that makes you lots of money and affords you the kind of lifestyle you’ve always wanted.

So how are you intending to join the 80% of women taking more risks and succeeding at the same time?

Step 1: Calculate your opportunity cost
This concept is basically working out the best use of your time. Calculating every minute or hour you spend doing something else that keeps you away from another activity that is worth much more to you. Then focus on the activities that, over the long run, will produce the highest return and most money for your business. Outsource the rest to a virtual assistant for much less than your hourly rate and get serious about investing in your business.

Step 2: Consider long term impact
Whatever decision you’re making that seems risky, look at the long term impact of it. Even if it seems scary right now, consider how it’s going to positively (or negatively) affect your business in 5 years from now. If you know it’s the main barrier holding you back from 6 or 7 figure revenues down the line then you need to take that first step – do it.

Step 3: Weigh up your options
Once you’ve decided to make the first step above, then look at the different options you have available to you and have a back-up plan. As entrepreneurs we’re meant to fail, just make sure you fail fast and often and know how you can change your approach should your `risky’ move not take you in the direction you wanted. Plan in advance for a change in plans and you’ll find you’re much more prepared.

Step 4: Split test your approach
If you feel diving in head first is just too much for you, for example you’re going to get a bank loan of $50,000 and invest it into opening two stores, then why not open one and put a proportion of the remainder towards an online shop to test and compare your success rates. If you have a private consulting business then consider doubling your rates (go on try it) and offer a package rate for your services as well as a monthly retainer. Let your clients select which one is more appealing to them.

Step 5: Learn from your mistakes
All this testing, risk taking, adjusting, failing and succeeding will be without purpose if you don’t take the key learnings from it. As you adjust make sure you note down why something didn’t work out, and when it did, what the ingredients were that led to that your success. Make sure you pass this on to your team and your support crew (mentors, coaches, family) so they can remind you of this later when you take your next risk!

Just remember not to take a risk out of desperation, nothing good ever came from that kind of decision. On the flipside don’t get talked out of taking a calculated risk by cautious family and friends and miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

At the end of the day – trust your gut instincts. As women it’s the most important asset we possess.
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Natalie Sisson is a Kiwi Entrepreneur and Adventure. She finds creative ways to run your business from anywhere using online tools, social media and outsourcing. She’s passionate about getting more women to create freedom in business and adventure in life and blogs about it at The Suitcase Entrepreneur.

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