Management consultant after business coach will tell you that you cannot procrastinate on unpleasant tasks. You have to get them done no matter what. Perhaps it is that phone call to the client that does not pay their bills. Or the installing the new computer/technology system.
But how many times have you told yourself after the fact, "that was not as bad as I thought it would be"? No, you don't have to always do them as they come in. But you also cannot put them off forever. Instead, devote a set time every week that is just for the unpleasant tasks. Make it a scheduled, regular time, if possible. But spend some time every week, at least an afternoon, to deal with the unpleasant. Fire that client. Clean the office. Do your taxes.
Then, as a treat to yourself, go get a mani/pedi.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Traditional Methods of Marketing
Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal ran an article about businesses stopping direct mail campaigns due to budget concerns amid the recession. (See Article Here in New Window) This is just another reminder that sometimes you have to spend money to make money. And sometimes it is the traditional methods that work the best.
I am not suggesting that you unnecessarily spend money for the sake of spending money. You do have to be smart about it. But even in today's economy, with microscopic budgets in every aspect of the company, you still have to get the word out to your customers and potential customers. Your business is not a field of dreams, and the customers will not come because "you built it."
For small businesses, particularly in service industries, you are often selling yourself. This means that you have to do what politicians call "pressing the flesh." You have to network and meet people. Not everything can be done with social media interactions. Attending a live, in-person event can be the best thing that ever happened to your business.
For all businesses, whether providing a service or a good, traditional methods of marketing, like the direct mail campaigns mentioned in the WSJ article, are still viable methods in today's economy. You still see real agents putting out signs in front yards. You still see insurance agents giving out pens with their names and phone numbers on them. Why? Because these are tried and true methods that get their names in front of their potential customers.
Don't forget that you have to market offline as well as online.
I am not suggesting that you unnecessarily spend money for the sake of spending money. You do have to be smart about it. But even in today's economy, with microscopic budgets in every aspect of the company, you still have to get the word out to your customers and potential customers. Your business is not a field of dreams, and the customers will not come because "you built it."
For small businesses, particularly in service industries, you are often selling yourself. This means that you have to do what politicians call "pressing the flesh." You have to network and meet people. Not everything can be done with social media interactions. Attending a live, in-person event can be the best thing that ever happened to your business.
For all businesses, whether providing a service or a good, traditional methods of marketing, like the direct mail campaigns mentioned in the WSJ article, are still viable methods in today's economy. You still see real agents putting out signs in front yards. You still see insurance agents giving out pens with their names and phone numbers on them. Why? Because these are tried and true methods that get their names in front of their potential customers.
Don't forget that you have to market offline as well as online.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Hiring in a Depressed Economy
The overall economy may look as depressing as the clouds outside today, but that does not mean there that the sun is not shining behind the clouds. Your company may still be doing well, even thriving, right now. You may even be looking to hire additional employees right now. Congratulations if you are in this boat.
So where do you look to find help? Most likely, using the local newspaper to place a job ad no longer works to find qualified applicants. Even those individuals that are looking for a job without a high school diploma are looking online. Of course, you already know this. So where do you post a job ad?
First, start with the free places. Your company's website should have a place for job seekers. This is even good for your clients to see. If you are hiring, you are more likely to be here tomorrow and able to continue providing your services or goods. There are other websites that allow free job postings as well. Try your local chamber of commerce and other local websites.
LinkedIn also offers job postings, but they are $195 for 30 days. Remember that their audience tends to be educated professionals and students about to graduate. If this is what you are looking for, then it is a great place to find someone. If you want to reach a broader market, you can also try Craigslist. For $25, you get a job listing in the Atlanta market for 30 days. There are additional job search boards - from Monster to Indeed - that also require fees to post an open position.
Once you have the position publicized, then you get to start collecting resumes. I do recommend that you don't use your primary email address to collect the resumes as you will be bombarded with them. Set up a new email address on your website or get a free one from Gmail.
One thing that you will quickly realize in this market is that you will be receiving resumes from people that are obviously overqualified. Sometimes this is good, as you can bring in a wealth of knowledge and experience for a salary less than you would otherwise. But there are some major drawbacks. Your new employee will not be happy for long in the new position for which she is overqualified. This could lead to a continued job search or asking for a promotion to a position for which she is qualified. Her salary expectations will most likely not be in line with what you are offering. Don't expect her to stay in the job for very long.
If you find that you are not receiving enough qualified applications, it may be time to turn to a placement firm. There are many out there, some of a general nature, some targeted to specific industries or job types. I have worked with several over the years, in different industries. Contact me if you need a referral to one that will meet your needs.
Remember that during the hiring process, you should follow all applicable anti-discrimination and equal employment laws and principles. You don't want to put your thriving business in trouble by being accused of discriminating.
So where do you look to find help? Most likely, using the local newspaper to place a job ad no longer works to find qualified applicants. Even those individuals that are looking for a job without a high school diploma are looking online. Of course, you already know this. So where do you post a job ad?
First, start with the free places. Your company's website should have a place for job seekers. This is even good for your clients to see. If you are hiring, you are more likely to be here tomorrow and able to continue providing your services or goods. There are other websites that allow free job postings as well. Try your local chamber of commerce and other local websites.
LinkedIn also offers job postings, but they are $195 for 30 days. Remember that their audience tends to be educated professionals and students about to graduate. If this is what you are looking for, then it is a great place to find someone. If you want to reach a broader market, you can also try Craigslist. For $25, you get a job listing in the Atlanta market for 30 days. There are additional job search boards - from Monster to Indeed - that also require fees to post an open position.
Once you have the position publicized, then you get to start collecting resumes. I do recommend that you don't use your primary email address to collect the resumes as you will be bombarded with them. Set up a new email address on your website or get a free one from Gmail.
One thing that you will quickly realize in this market is that you will be receiving resumes from people that are obviously overqualified. Sometimes this is good, as you can bring in a wealth of knowledge and experience for a salary less than you would otherwise. But there are some major drawbacks. Your new employee will not be happy for long in the new position for which she is overqualified. This could lead to a continued job search or asking for a promotion to a position for which she is qualified. Her salary expectations will most likely not be in line with what you are offering. Don't expect her to stay in the job for very long.
If you find that you are not receiving enough qualified applications, it may be time to turn to a placement firm. There are many out there, some of a general nature, some targeted to specific industries or job types. I have worked with several over the years, in different industries. Contact me if you need a referral to one that will meet your needs.
Remember that during the hiring process, you should follow all applicable anti-discrimination and equal employment laws and principles. You don't want to put your thriving business in trouble by being accused of discriminating.
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