Growing Pains

As we approach the two and one half year mark for Small Business Affinity, we are working hard to overcome stumbling blocks that many entrepreneurs face: installing systems, back-end procedures, streamlining processes, and organization.

If there is one thing I have had hammered in me from one of my mentors, it is that it is much easier to install big systems into a small company, than to try and retrofit a big company with systems down the road.
I should have started earlier, but I am glad I am investing the time now, and if you are behind on your organization, now is the time – not next week, next month, next year!

What specifically have I learned? That when I secure an initial contract, and the scope of the work is extended, to get a signed agreement for that extension; that as much as I hate doing billing, it is the most important part of running my business, and I have to be more persistent and diligent about it; that unfortunately, no matter how good your work is, or how hard you work to maintain a relationship with a client, there are always people who will try and take advantage of your good nature and try and renegotiate your payment schedule. That last point can be a killer for a small, growing business, that depends on vendors and contractors.

The American inventor, Thomas Edison, is credited with the quote: “Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration.”

Business today requires we add “organization” to that mix.

Entrepreneurship 101 – Go It Alone?

There’s a stereotypical image of the entrepreneur, slogging it out in the trenches all alone – ‘chief cook and bottlewasher’ (and everything else).  Some people can do that, some people are built that way.

For me, and maybe for you, what works, is to surround yourself with strong support, friends and family.

Your spouse/partner may not understand the minutia of your business, but they do understand you, and can be there with a kind word, a hug, or a nugget of encouragement.    Your friends may not understand your business, but they can be a sounding board for your problems with clients, maybe they work with a similar business?

Such is the power of more than one.  Where you find out the strong group surrounding you may not help you tackle your day-to-day tasks, but nevertheless, they play a strong part in your success.

Find your own center first, then surround yourself with whomever you need to insure your success.

The Power of Lists

It took me some time in life to understand and implement the power of making lists.   When it finally happened, it was at a point in my career where I was feeling overwhelmed at the beginning of each day, with a feeling of dread having to work through all the tasks I had (or imagined) for that day.

Getting into lists simplified my life.

Making lists puts everything into perspective, allows us to prioritize our lives, and proceed in a more orderly fashion.

Systematizing your lists will make your life even simpler.  What I mean by this, is your “work” list is going to seem a lot more onerous and burdensome if every other task in the column is non-work related, “like get tires rotated, sew hem on dress, go to vet, let children out of the utility closet.”

Keep your work list work related, your personal list personal.  Separate sheets of paper; separate sides of the desk.

Tim Ferriss, in his book “The Four Hour Work Week” suggests the the best thing for the top of your list is  the task you LEAST want to do.  Tackle it first thing in the morning, get it out of the way, instead of stewing about it all day, and getting in the way of other, more important tasks (like “note to self” stop at Moonstruck for monthly truffle supply).

And, at the end of the day, hopefully your list will be chock full of items you have crossed off, and you can relax in the evening, sleep like a baby, and begin your next day refreshed, and with a completely new list to tackle!

Continuing on Radio

Did you know radio can reach consumers at the closest time/point before they make their buying decision?  Radio’s impact can be immediate.

Those Confusing Terms

Having trouble navigating the advertising arena these days?   Don’t know your reach from your frequency?  Frames, host, opt-out, proxy, what does it all mean?

Feel free to download this very complete glossary of interactive advertising terms, and within minutes, you’ll be an expert!  (Or at minimum, you’ll be able to ask much better questions of your media reps!)