I got in a taxi last week and we got talking. The cabbie had been off ill for a year and was back behind the wheel for the first time that night. I had to update him on road closures and how a junction layout had changed; so much so, I joked he should be sitting in the back and me in the front. He was not happy to be back behind the wheel. In fact he told me that he'd hated being a cabbie for ... wait for it... fifteen years! He really wanted to be a builder, doing loft conversions.
I had to laugh because over the years I have spoken to loads of people who wanted to take the Leap to work for themselves or make a career change. Most had an instinct to take the leap or do something different, while others had just a 10% hunch but knew they needed to take action. But here was a bloke who knew 100% he wanted to do something different; and what's more he hadn't just tolerated something he hated for 15 weeks or 15 months, but 15 years. Gulp! As I handed over my fare, he said he wasn't sure what he should do, should he set up a basic website and start trading, fulfilling his dream? To me, it was unbelievable. If you hate something that much AND if you have a clear yearning for something else, just do it. Go for it!
So I gave him a tip. I told him to live his dream and go for it.
(And then I realised he should have paid me, not the other way around....)
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Take It To The World
If you've got an idea bubbling under the surface, a burning desire to do something or a hidden talent for something, for goodness sake do something with it!
Commit it to paper, blog or tweet about it, talk to your boss or co-workers, discuss it with your clients - just get it out there.
So many people have ideas, talents and desires that never see the light of the day because they don't have the confidence - or they lack the balls - to do something about it. So it just stays there in their brain and it remains very abstract. But everyone has the opportunity to make their ideas and dreams concrete, however modestly. The online space has empowered us all to have a platform, to talk to an audience, to do something with our ideas and talents.
So if you have a great idea for a book, write that book!
If you have a burning desire to explore a passion or new hobby, do it.
Take your idea to the world and do something with it...
Commit it to paper, blog or tweet about it, talk to your boss or co-workers, discuss it with your clients - just get it out there.
So many people have ideas, talents and desires that never see the light of the day because they don't have the confidence - or they lack the balls - to do something about it. So it just stays there in their brain and it remains very abstract. But everyone has the opportunity to make their ideas and dreams concrete, however modestly. The online space has empowered us all to have a platform, to talk to an audience, to do something with our ideas and talents.
So if you have a great idea for a book, write that book!
If you have a burning desire to explore a passion or new hobby, do it.
Take your idea to the world and do something with it...
Monday, 30 March 2009
Your Value Is Not Always That Black & White
Don't assume that your client is always on the same wavelength as you. Whether you are an advisor, consultant or freelancer providing your services to a client, you'll need to be proactive in communicating your value; make sure they realise - and value - the contribution you are making. And the same applies if you are an executive working for an organisation.
Because sometimes value cannot always be measured tangibly. If your role is about sales and generating new business, then sure - it can be easily quantified. What difference have you made to the bottom line, what business did you win? But for some, value might be less black and white. We may have devised a marketing strategy with a longer-term return; we may have proposed a fresh market positioning, a new brand direction, mentored a staff member or team, or given advice on how the business can be developed. And that kind of value cannot be instantly measured. So you need to take the initiative to regularly sit down with your client (or boss) and pose the question 'did you got value from me this month?'. Don't assume they know exactrly what you've done, how you've done it, and how they'll benefit. You need to be proactive in outlining the deliverables you provided, the ideas you had, the positive difference you made. S p e l l i t o u t.
You may have had an idea or provided some advice that gave a small 'nudge' for them to adopt a new strategy or change their organisational culture. However small that nudge, the benefits of that change may be huge. And without you, they would never have embarked on that new direction or made those changes. Don't forget that.
When you're busy juggling, it can be easily overlooked. So don't assume your client knows your value, stay on top of the relationship, check they are happy and remind them about everything you've done for them.
Because sometimes value cannot always be measured tangibly. If your role is about sales and generating new business, then sure - it can be easily quantified. What difference have you made to the bottom line, what business did you win? But for some, value might be less black and white. We may have devised a marketing strategy with a longer-term return; we may have proposed a fresh market positioning, a new brand direction, mentored a staff member or team, or given advice on how the business can be developed. And that kind of value cannot be instantly measured. So you need to take the initiative to regularly sit down with your client (or boss) and pose the question 'did you got value from me this month?'. Don't assume they know exactrly what you've done, how you've done it, and how they'll benefit. You need to be proactive in outlining the deliverables you provided, the ideas you had, the positive difference you made. S p e l l i t o u t.
You may have had an idea or provided some advice that gave a small 'nudge' for them to adopt a new strategy or change their organisational culture. However small that nudge, the benefits of that change may be huge. And without you, they would never have embarked on that new direction or made those changes. Don't forget that.
When you're busy juggling, it can be easily overlooked. So don't assume your client knows your value, stay on top of the relationship, check they are happy and remind them about everything you've done for them.
Friday, 27 March 2009
When You're Hiring, Make Sure You Hire On Culture
The thing about SXSW was not neccesarily that I learnt tons of new stuff, but that the panels and speakers articulated what I already felt in a new and powerful way. Case in point: Tony Hsieh of Zappo's keynote included an insight into their recruitment philosophy. They hire - and fire - people on a culture criteria; not just whether they can do a job effectively. So much so that there is a two-tier interview process. The first to see whether the candidate can do the job, the second to see if they fit in with the company ethos.
I have always felt this - all companies should do this.
I've seen so many small businesses trip up when they grow bigger and don't pay attention to whether the candidate has the right spirit to fit in. Sure, they can do the job, but does the person reflect the culture of the organisation, do they have the brand DNA in their personal DNA? Lose the spirit of what makes your company special and you'l lose your edge, your business and ultimately, your clients. It's a defining part of any offering.
I have handfuls of examples of people at all levels who were hired because they were good but failed or jeapordised business success because they didn't fit in. And I have been working with a client who recognises this only too well - which is why they are successful. They've been interviewing for a new role. Seeing loads of people who can do the job well, but no candidates yet who have that 'spark'.
So if you are recruiting, ask yourself does the candidate have the spark? Remember, it may be more important than experience. Because you learn experience but you either have spark or you don't.
I have always felt this - all companies should do this.
I've seen so many small businesses trip up when they grow bigger and don't pay attention to whether the candidate has the right spirit to fit in. Sure, they can do the job, but does the person reflect the culture of the organisation, do they have the brand DNA in their personal DNA? Lose the spirit of what makes your company special and you'l lose your edge, your business and ultimately, your clients. It's a defining part of any offering.
I have handfuls of examples of people at all levels who were hired because they were good but failed or jeapordised business success because they didn't fit in. And I have been working with a client who recognises this only too well - which is why they are successful. They've been interviewing for a new role. Seeing loads of people who can do the job well, but no candidates yet who have that 'spark'.
So if you are recruiting, ask yourself does the candidate have the spark? Remember, it may be more important than experience. Because you learn experience but you either have spark or you don't.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Sharing The Secret That Is Moo!
Like many things in my life and business, I can't remember exactly how I stumbled upon Moo.com, I know it was pretty random but it was a year or so ago.Here is a business that consistently gives the wow factor. Moo offer really cool, cost-effective business cards, minicards and stickers. I quickly caught the Moo bug and got loads of Moo products to promote my business and my books. Users upload their own artwork and get a bunch of quality business cards on eco-friendly stock starting at around £10. The quality is so good, Moo soon replaced me using a designer/ traditional printer to make my business cards, saving me loads of money along the way.
Moo are a London company but last week in South By South West in Texas there was evidence that the bug has spread around the world as quite a few people were handing out Moo-made cards. Whenever I get my Moo card case out of my bag it's always a talking point and I have been sending contacts, clients and designers to Moo ever since.
In yesterday's FT, there's a great profile of the business and its founder Richard Moross. Richard observes:
“The business card is 300 years old,” he says. “It has not been displaced by mobiles, the internet or Bluetooth – it’s here because it really works. It’s the most successful networking tool ever.”
And as I returned from SXSW with an empty business card box and a stack of cards from everyone I met out there, he's damn right.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Me and Todd Sattersten at SXSW
I was really pleased to meet Todd Sattersten at SXSW. Todd is author of 'The 100 Best Business Books Of All Time' and president at the Milwaukee -based book company 800-CEO-READ, the business book division of Harry W. Schwartz Books. 800 CEO READ's mantra is 'We sell business books and promote great ideas' which I think is a great one to have.
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