It's Time To Make The Donuts. This famous line from Dunkin Donuts' Fred the Baker commercials of years gone by still remains my favorite. When I am trudging along and want to take a break or to stop I pluck myself, literally, and state aloud, no less, it's time to make the donuts. Like Fred I want the practice of putting in quality work to be such a part of who I am that sometimes I too might forget that I've already done the work. Fred was seen getting up at the crack of dawn to go make the donuts no matter the weather. Nothing stopped Fred from getting the job done but I wonder what failsafe, what backup plan do we have for our businessses when we can't be there. Unfortunately for the past 3 weeks I've been ill. I've trudged through and I've still made my donuts but my production levels were low or things totally fell off my plate. I met the needs of my clients but I haven't done a Periscope post in all of that time and a lot of other business building activities were abandoned as well. Now I feel a little better but the mountain of things to do makes for a depressing start and so I ask, What Now. So, I slip in to consultant mode and treat myself the way I do my beloved clients. Here goes: 1. Accept the fail. Accept the fact that you loss money and it's not coming back. Enjoy your momentary mourning period but then recognize that if you don't move on your business can't either. Shake the dust off your feet but REMEMBER this experience. Remember the stress of monies that you expected, wanted and needed but did not receive because you couldn't do the work and had no backup plan to get it done. Remember this pain as a motivation to NEVER do it again 2. Develop a plan for your reinforcements. Partner with someone who does like business. Hire an intern (mine starts Tuesday). Hire a contractor as it's better to get a percentage than to get none at all. Even consider hiring a sales rep. This person is motivated to sell your business products/services and can be set up on a commission only basis thereby costing you nothing up front 3. Don't ever get sick or take a vacation or have an emergency. Oh, that doesn't sound realistic. Well then it's time to put in place better time management. For my vacations it's easy for me to plan my appointments around them or allocate time first thing in the morning (normally 2-3am) to knock out my daily tasks and then sleep in until the vacation day really begins after 10am. Your scheduling techniques might be different than mine and since you're a different person that's great but create a process that works for you. I wasn't ready for a 3 week bug to hit me but it helped me because I'll never not be ready again. What about you? Because it's Time To Make The Donuts.
Shirley E. Crawford
Small Business Whisperer * Speaker * Lecturer The tools and resources that your business needs to succeed
2nd Chance Consulting
Your 2nd Chance at a first impression 804-426-1515
As most of you know I am single and since I finally feel settled with how things are going in my very CRAZY entrepreneurial life I've begun dating again. My dating companions don't seem to last very long. Many potentials don't make it past asking me out. Why, one might wonder, would I not be falling out of my seat for men who compliment me and tell me I'm beautiful or who are offended if I want to pay (hey new business owner here, I'm on a budget) or seem to think I'm perfect in every way. Why, one might wonder, would I not be flattered by the individual today who calls me gorgeous but whose mother is only 5 years older than me. Why, one might wonder, am I not impressed with his bank account, looks or Swiss Patek Philippe (which has symbols that I don't even understand). At this point I KNOW MYSELF. In most instances I know almost immediately if I'm attracted to or interested in someone. For those who make it past the initial impression one date tells me all else that I need to know with regard to the longevity of our time together. I know what I'm looking for. I know my flaws. I know my strengths and what I have to offer. At this point I know what doesn't work for me even if I don't know where to find it. I am prepared and so when opportunity presents itself I am ready. Part of that knowledge is also in knowing my business. If we each applied our "quality" dating rules to our businesses we would be at an entirely different level. New entrepreneurs, in particular, are wowed when someone compliments their work. They often give it away for a kiss of kindness or a compliment of confidence. Then they wonder why there being tossed over for the cutie who played hard to get. But, if you don't know what your business is really about, what you provide, what you need and what external elements "fit" then you are destined to always be a bridesmaid and never a bride. Opportunities surround us everyday. Networking is your "speed dating" business opportunity. Go to these events with the knowledge of how your business and business ideas sparkle like a beautiful smile. Enter the room knowing the wisdom that you're sharing is refreshing like the sparkling beverage they hand out as you enter the room. Engage others knowing that your mere presence will have them begging for a meeting to hear more about your product/service or business plan. But be vigilantly aware. If you begin with self awareness then you will hear it when someone doesn't share the same values. If you are aware of your business' needs you'll know when someone has nothing to offer your business. If you are paying attention you will notice when someone is engaged in learning more about you and your offerings. Yes, just as in dating politely respond to those who ask you out but if they aren't a fit then let them go and do so quickly. For those who are worth pursuing allow them the opportunity to show you all of their attributes so that it can best be determined how you can work together. If it turns out that everything will be about them and you and your products will start collecting dust then clearly that's not the best relationship for your business. Partners, Ambassadors, Vendors and Clients should all fit in to your circle to take you to the next level. So feel free to apply your dating rules to your networking and connecting for your business because it will save you hurt feelings and a possibly painful divorce (partner dissolution). So Happy Dating and Happy Entrepreneuring!!!
Shirley E. Crawford
Small Business Whisperer * Speaker * Lecturer The tools and resources that your business needs to succeed
2nd Chance Consulting
Your 2nd Chance at a first impression 804-426-1515
As the O'Jays would say: They smile in your face. All the time they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in the Women's Business Owner's Conference hosted by Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity sponsored by some fabulous women owned business owners: Company B Communications, Superior Global Solutions, Inc., 2nd Chance Consulting (yay that's me) and Boomer3 Solutions, LLC. Normally at these types of events I work my table and only have time to meet who comes to me. This time I felt the urge to do it differently. Instead when the participants went in to listen to the speakers I LISTENED TOO. I just kept thinking that while I'm "experienced" and was even a panel participant there is ALWAYS more to know and learn. I was not disappointed as first up after intros, from the fabulous Tammy Farmer of DSBSD, wasAnne Moss Rogers of Impression Marketing. Anne Moss spoke on how women can and should support one another. She shared her own personal experiences and had us complete the exercise of only saying positive things about the images of high profile women that she displayed. It was clear that it was hard for some to think of something nice to say about some of the women she shared. What struck me especially in her personal story was the understanding that the qualities that we might admire in men we judge women negatively for. And how we often sabotage our own. While men are readily willing to hire other men statistics show that we, women that is, are far less likely to do so. I'm sure my title has you wondering where the backstabbing comes in. Sadly, it comes in every day with each and every one of us. If you are truly looking for personal or business success then we have to start by looking at the success and not detriment of others. Think first what positive attribute can I appreciate about the person who walks in to the room rather than automatically reaching for a negative comment. Unfortunately the backstabber is often US and as Anne Moss so graciously put it while it's impossible to change the world we can indeed change ourselves and then see the changes happening in the world. To quote Gandhi, Be the change you want to see in the world
Shirley E. Crawford
Small Business Whisperer * Speaker * Lecturer The tools and resources that your business needs to succeed
2nd Chance Consulting
Your 2nd Chance at a first impression 804-426-1515
