Skip the Resolutions!
by Alicia M Forest, MBA
Multiple Streams Queen & Coach
Did you take some time this past week to think about and perhaps even write down your resolutions for 2008?
To be honest, I’m not exactly a fan of resolutions – really, what’s so different about January 1 that’s going to make a dramatic difference in whether or not you keep your resolutions? If you just have a list of things you’d like to accomplish, well, the answer is ‘not much’. But if you have a PLAN to go along with your list, well, that can make ALL the difference.
What I’ve done for the past several years, as part of a much larger strategic planning process, is create what I call My Simple Business Plan. It includes just 4 goals that I want to achieve in my business within the next year. I review the previous year’s goals before setting down the next set for the upcoming year, and what I’ve found from doing this process over and over is this: I’ve reached AT LEAST those 4 goals within the year (and usually quite a few more). How? Because those were the ones I created a plan around to achieve.
Happy Holidays from Fastype …
No post today, I would just like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays, no matter what you choose to celebrate at this time of year.
Best wishes for the upcoming new year too. May you have peace, joy, great health and prosperity in 2008!
Virtually yours,
Terry and Jim Green
and the Fastype Team of Associates
Branding Fiasco — Better Be Who You Say You Are!
By Eileen McDargh
Our experience as customers offers great instruction into the concept of branding. Come with me on a recent “experience” and you’ll see what I mean. Here’s the situation:
I want to order an 800 number. On my AT&T bill is a customer services number. I call it. A voice mail gives four options. None of which I want. Just TRY to get a representative. I am instructed to dial another number. I am given three options. Hit 0 for operator and the disembodied voice says I have called after hours. The hours are 7am – 10-pm Monday- Fri. Eastern Standard Time.
Fine. It is now 4am Monday in California. They should be open. By 4:30am in CA I have called repeatedly and punched in all the prompts until I am ready to punch someone. I am still told by a disembodied voice that the offices are closed. I try another number. This time, I reach a computer voice.
Computer: “I’ll try and help you. Tell me in your own words what you want.”
Me: “Toll free service.”
Holiday Stress: Get real to get through.
With Christmas only a week away and looming around the corner, I thought that this article by Karen Susman was very timely and appropriate. Enjoy!!
by Karen Susman
The number one cause of holiday stress is expectations. Recently, when a woman commented that she was overwhelmed with all the shopping for relatives she had to do, a friend suggested she send gift certificate cards. The strung out friend said her family would kill her (her words) if she didn’t put lots of thought, time and money into shopping and shipping. Now, that’s the spirit.
We buy into media messages that tell us we should have gloriously decorated homes, homemade cookies stacked to the ceiling, expensive gifts already wrapped and shipped, holiday cards with lengthy handwritten notes mailed by December 1, memorable office parties, a calendar full of social events and family members that just love to fly or drive long distances to spend intense quality time together.
Forgedaboudit! Get a grip on holiday expectations and resultant stress.
Writing Articles for Worldwide Consumption
by Adele Sommers
How do you demonstrate your wisdom, knowledge, passions, and interests to your clients, customers, or colleagues? What sets you apart from others in your field or industry? Do you have a way to keep your name and ideas in front of people?
If you desire to create a bond with your constituents, you will want to provide them with a means of getting to know, like, and trust you. This marketing approach leads to building a loyal audience. Providing no-cost articles, reports, white papers, and so on, helps people “snack” on your ideas to gradually learn more about you.
