PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

I've been learning so much lately...marketing strategies...finding the RIGHT clients...networking...writing a book...how to stay healthy...being patient...wait...patient? I want to learn all this stuff, and it's good, quality stuff! My problem is--I want to put it all together in my nice little business package and see the fruits of my labor--NOW! We've all been there. It doesn't have to be about business. We all want things immediately and we don't have patience with anyone that may have made a mistake, which caused our hurriedness to last a minute longer! You see it on the road all the time. Take the driver behind you who insists you are going too slowly, even though you are obeying the speed limit, and he drives up so close to you that it appears he has hooked himself to your bumper. Suddenly he darts out along side of you and speeds ahead of you. You see him just a few seconds later at the same stop light, only now he's directly in front of you, not behind you. Yet, he's still stopped at the same light, for the same amount of time. What is the point to this rushing? Was it really worth risking an accident with someone else just to get 30 seconds (if even that much) ahead of me? It's the same with growing a business. I've seen so many people try all sorts of sales tactics and they rant and rave of how you too can make $3000.00 in one week! I will admit there are some that seem to be able to connect with all the right people, they are able to say all the right things, be in the right places at the right time--they have a knack for it. However, the percentage of people who accomplish such feats is very low. Reality states that it takes 3-8 years to grow a business to the point that it is standing on its own, and even then you are consistently putting forth strategies to make things better or to at least stay consisitent and on top with what you have. Even Multi-tasking is great, but it too has its boundaries. Moving too quickly in your quest to make things happen can cause you to end up retracing your steps, taking 3 steps backwards, rather than 2 steps forward. I guarantee your business is not going to happen overnight, or through a quick 3 step process, nor in a matter of seconds. Learn from the reality of the driver's progress. Give yourself some grace and allow yourself to wait. The outcome will be far more rewarding!

ALL BY MYSELF

Small business owners tend to think they are the only one in their business trying to handle it all. Nope--not true--you actually have business associates and colleagues that are in the same boat as you! We all go through the same ups and downs, ins and outs, and around in circles. It's rather nice knowing that you're not the only one. You also don't have to handle all aspects of your business by yourself. As your business continues to grow eventually you need to get those important people on staff to help you out. When starting out, as I've stated before, it is best to get a mentor, or a coach. Search for someone who is familiar with your type of business and understands how to run a business. They will be able to see you through your pitfalls, etc. with great wisdom and understanding. Getting a Virtual Assistant will help you with all the paper work and administrative tasks so that you can continue to plow ahead on the growth of your business. Virtual Assistants are becoming better known now. Some specialize in specific things such as social media, web design, teleconferencing, etc. Find someone who will fit your needs. Just remember, you are paying them at cost and the value of their work should be hightly regarded! Those of you who are squeemish on the financial end of things, or just don't want to take the time to deal with it should consider getting a bookkeeper and/or CPA put in place. A bookkeeper can keep all your financial records in an orderly fashion so that you know where things are at. Regardless of the who and when to put these people in place, it is wise to understand your states laws of adding staff so that there aren't any misunderstanidng once you begin to hire. Make sure you have a lawyer in place and insurance to cover all matters.

NETWORKING

Learning the aspect of networking is being involved in the development of relationships. I have been attending a class on networking. Part of this class teaches how to stay connected with those in your networking groups. One of the challenges that has been given to us is to make a "How are you doing?" phone call to someone in our networks on a weekly basis. To start this project, I decided my first contact would be my Chiropractor. She is not only my personal Dr., but a friend and business associate. It was a Wednesday morning when I made the call--asking how she was doing and if there was any other way that I could help her with her business. As a result of that call, I learned how valuable building that relationship was. The following Tuesday, she had publicly testified to the rest of our networking group how her day had been one call after the other with patients calling about all their aches and pains; it had been somewhat of a discouraging morning. Once again her phone rings and although she isn't anxious to pick up the receiver, she does only to hear me say, "How are you doing?" She felt so important and appreciated that someone cared about her personally! She told us that I had been on her mind the rest of that ENTIRE WEEK! Do you think she was trying to find ways to help me in my business? You bet! We all have our friends who work together to help each other along the way, however we can. I often see folks on Facebook asking, "Do you know...?" It's a natural phenomenon--when you give to others, they in turn want to give back to you. It is through these connections that our relationships continue to grow with one another and with introductions that are passed. Connecting with those you network with produces a solid and trusting relationship that in turn will bless you and your business above and beyond what you could have imagined! Surprise a friend or a business associate today. You'll be glad you did!

BRANDING

I had a client come to me one day who asked, "Shari, I'm not sure how to brand myself. Can you help me with that?" Dictionary.com says, "branding is displaying a kind, a trademark, to have ownership of, to be distinctive, and to promote as a brand name..." For me the most important thing I've learned in marketing or branding my business as an entrepreneur is to market myself. Who exactly is Shari? With that I end up explaining my services, expressing how my services reveal who I am. Most entrepreneurs, when beginning to let others know about their business, focus on the services or products they have to offer. They try to sell everything they can do and have. I know. I started out that way, "I am a virtual assistant. I help the small business owner with administrative tasks so they can concentrate on the growth of their business. This includes..." One year later I had about a dozen clients that I had worked with on a project basis only and I saw that the income or future of any growth in my business was beginning to dwindle. As soon as I refocused on my strengths as an entrepreneur and as an individual, I was able to brand myself is such a way that I was liberated from the fear of not reaching my target market, or gaining the business that I needed to succeed. I don't have to "sell" a thing. When people ask me what I do, I respond with a simple question and statement: "Do you have enough to do with your events that you are overwhelmed with the possibility of getting everything done? I alleviate the stress associated with planning so you can enjoy your day!" What I do comes naturally because it's all a part of me, and people like me for me. (sigh) How many times have my parents taught me to be myself?

IT TRULY IS MIND OVER MATTER

Here's an ugly word...FEAR. It's a word we can all relate to. We hate to admit we are fearful and it's easier to run from than to face. As an entrepreneur I have had to learn to look at my fears as my inner bullies that I must learn to tease and play with so that I can beat those bullies up rather than be beat myself! I've had to learn to get over the fears of: Where am I going to find my clients? Is my pricing too high or too low? I've had to take each bully (or fear) and turn it around and ask myself these questions: What type of person would need a virtual assistant? That's my client! My pricing should match the VALUE of my work, not a dollar sign for every hour put into the work, so what is my value? As the business has begun to grow, I have also learned to keep an "Attitude of Gratitude List" nearby. It's a small notebook that daily lists all the things that have gone well. I was able to pay morgage today; I landed my first 3 month commitment!; I recieved my promotional pens today--reality sunk in a little deeper; I met a caterer today who is going to be such a great part of my contact sphere... Whatever your gratitude is be sure your attitude matches and you'll be able to beat your own bullies!

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

In all the times I have ordered food for catering and picked up food for special events, etc. I never had to worry about the minuscule details. This past week I had put together a food order for a special party that took place yesterday. Before the party had even begun, I felt like I had just ordered from an employee in a drive thru lane and I had to double check my bag before leaving. On my way to the party I had received a phone call from the host to learn that the catering service provided the bread, but not the meat that went in the bread to make the sandwiches we had ordered (Was there a miscommunication somewhere?) nor did they provide any eating utensils or napkins. I couldn't believe it. After humble apologies and a bit of chasing around we were able to remedy the situation before too many guests arrived. Ugh! I was embarrassed to say the least. As I sat at the table cutting the croissants with a butter knife (try that sometime) I took a moment to analyze the situation. I certainly learned a few lessons from this fiasco; lessons that will provide my future hosts with a sense of peace before his/her event. This would include how many people are involved in your catering request ( as I had talked with three different staff members at three different times, who obviously didn't communicate to each other) and another is to make a thorough, detailed form that lists important items. This list I will have in front of me when making phone calls of this nature. This list should include things like, "Do you provide eating utensils and napkins? Does the beef come with those sandwiches?" (sigh) Fortunately, the guests didn't know what had happened and the event continued on without any further mishaps. I am a woman of strong faith, and this situation reminded me of the God I put my trust in. I am so glad that I can count on Him to care for every detail of my life and I don't have to say, "And don't forget...!" because I know He has it all under control. As organized as I know I can be, I also realize that in my humanness I can get distracted from time to time, and God knows that about me. He is sure to provide for EVERY need even when I miss it...right down to the minuscule details. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)