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I’ve been staring at two vision boards that hang on the inside of my closet door daily for several years now. The very first one I ever created, before these two, came to fruition within a short time. I made it by cutting and pasting images of the places, people and things I wanted in my life. I visited Japan, renovated our master bath, created a forum for high-level artistic women, entertained good friends and emulated Julie Morgenstern.
These two newer boards are taking longer to manifest. I’ve been gazing at yoginis in impossible postures, lap pools and exotic locales. And Oprah. I realized just how long I’d had these boards in my closet when Oprah’s picture fell off. The glue which had been holding her attached to my vision had dried up. I lovingly placed her image in my jewelry box so I could continue to envision having her in my life. I’m still not sure what I’m looking for–hence the vision board–I just know it includes Oprah in some form.
The reason I’m writing about this is that I believe it’s important to know what you want and to place your ad with the Universe. Clients recently have told me what they don’t want: aggravating clients, too little income, work that bores them. Among other recommendations I always suggest a vision statement or board so that they will become crystal clear and focus on what they do want.
While I was in Charleston over the weekend I wandered into an inviting shop called Worthwhile. There was a beautifully detailed white cotton shirtwaist in the window that caught my eye and drew me in. I suspected the price tag would be pretty detailed too. I was right. It was $429.
I told the salesgirl how charmed I was by the dress. “Oh, that piece is designed by Gary Graham. We have several more pieces by him in the back.”
Piece. As opposed to dress. Somehow it elevated it. I was no longer looking at clothing. I was viewing art. It altered the experience. I was drawn in, as to a museum show. I couldn’t get it out of my head, although the pricing and small-size-only availability cured that urge.
The takeaway from this incident was the brilliance and simplicity of a trained sales staff and quality copywriting. A writer had developed the formidable skill of turning something that goes on your back into an experience for the shopper. Part of the overhead of a designer like Graham is paying for that service. No wonder the “piece” was so expensive.
Wherever I go, there I am.
Taking the Charms of Charleston tour I was all ears to hear about this beautiful southern city. We’re down here for the wedding of our friends’ daughter. While my husband played golf with the bride’s father on Friday, I took the morning to scout the town as a tourist.
My guide, Bubba (really!), spoke non-stop about the uniqueness of his hometown. What I noticed most of all was that so many of the facts he told us about Charleston were preceded by the phrase, “Charleston is unique because…” or “The first ___ happened here in Charleston.” “We’re the only city that…” and “Charleston is most famous for …” Not only did he exude pride about his place of birth, but he also got my undivided attention. The facts were compelling and gave the tour a richness and meaning that made me want to share it with others.
- Do you know what it meant if the door to your South Carolina ’single’ was left open?
- Do you know the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery?
- Do you know why each house on the East Battery is angled to the road?
This got me thinking about the amazing number of USP’s Charleston has. A USP is a Unique Selling Proposition–a term I learned in my early days as a business owner: what make you/your company different? What compelling fact will have your prospects flocking to you? What will cause your customers to not only buy your products/services but also tell your story to their friends and colleagues?
The main USP’s I used to hear repeated about me were that my eggs were selected by the White House and that I was on the Today Show. They’re different today (please share what you’ve heard makes me different/unique).
What are yours? Use them often when describing what you do. If you can do from a horse-drawn carriage, all the better!
I just got this great mailer and wanted to share it for several reason. First, I recommend that all of my clients send out letters to their sphere of influence to let them know when something new is happening. It’s appropriate to do this when you’re in any transition: starting a new phase of a business, between opportunities or re-creating yourself. First class mail has taken on new significance in this age of virtual marketing. I loved getting a hand-written note from a long-time friend and colleague.
When I was early in my egg-decorating career, Jack presented me the opportunity to have a one-woman show at the newly opened Brookfield Craft Center in South Norwalk. It put me on the map with a gala event and an article in the New York Times. I taught many classes at this renowned institution and shared conversation-filled dinners with Jack and Judith Russel in addition to other visiting craftsmen–a coveted invitation offered to their weekend faculty members.
So when I received this “warm letter” from Jack, it affirmed my belief in this practice. Jack was letting his sphere know what he was going on and what he was up to. I immediately picked up the phone to respond.
Jack had been with Brookfield Craft Center for 28 years. Now, at 61, he has the opportunity to make an enormous contribution elsewhere. I told him I, too, would keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities.
That’s the impact of reaching out and letting people know what’s going on. Action is the magic word.
Remember this look? Different than my current one as reflected on this page.
Three years ago I began the process of re-branding my business from Jane, The Artist/Jane, The Speaker to my current platform: Leading Remarkable Women to Uncommon Success.
Shortly after I finalized the branding process with Dick Bruso of Heard Above the Noise in Colorado, I began the trademarking process. In order to protect my new tagline I hired a company in White Plains called Trademarks To Go. Last week I received the official document, via TTG, from the US Patent and Trademark Office informing me that I’ve been accepted.
It’s not quite the thrill that getting into college was… but more a sense of ahhhhh. I don’t have to worry about that piece anymore. This means that I have trademarked the right to use that collection of words–leading remarkable women to uncommon success–for my workshops, website, educational materials and other products I create and that nobody else can.
I’ll admit that when we first came up with the descriptor I had to keep looking at my business card during my 30-second self-intro to remember what I was claiming. Now, however, I have grown into that woman. I love the look on prospect’s faces when I say what I do.
Like Trademarks To Go, you know what you’re going to get when you work with me–your own definition of success.
I learned how to meditate over 15 years ago. I’ve meditated (TM) twice a day every day since then with very few exceptions. I still don’t think I’m doing it right. I share this because, although this is my 100th blog post, I don’t think I’m doing it right either.
My fabulous blog instructor, Lena West, explicitly told me that to be a good blogger you have to read other people’s blogs, comment on and trackback to them, quote them and stay engaged with influencers. I haven’t done that.
But, I’ve loved every minute of my blogging experience. It’s given me a brand new perspective on my business and what I want to bring to my clients and colleagues. I feel like I’m walking around with new lenses on, seeing small business in a completely new light. I can’t wait to write a piece on logo envy, another on how to deal with making plans in the Northeast during winter and yet another on throwing parties as a way to promote your business. I got the coolest invitation from my clients at 341 Studios. (More on that later this week.)
I’ve loved sharing my perspective with my readers. I’ve gotten positive feedback from neighbors here in Norwalk and from as far away as Slovenia. (Hi Darja!) It seems that whenever I begin to launch into a story–like my husband backing into the garage door–my audience has already read about it on my blog.
I have the joy of feeling seen and heard by hundreds. I believe that’s what we human beings crave. I do anyway. It’s a huge reward and bi-product of blogging. I surely didn’t anticipate that effect.
So, after writing my 100th blog, I still don’t think I’m doing it right. But like the transcendental meditation I’ve practiced for all these years, whatever it is I am doing, it’s working for me.
When I began my coaching certification a few years ago and was trying out new skills, I didn’t want to practice on existing clients. They had different expectations for what our sessions would be like. Instead, I offered several colleagues a greatly reduced price to get coached. For me it was an opportunity to practice and swing out and not worry about getting fired. Without that performance pressure, I was able to ‘rehearse’ and get responses. The result was far beyond my wildest dreams. My practice clients were growing dramatically and helping me see my value. The new tools were so powerful that I soon began employing them with all of my clients.
Now, I just got back from that great weekend I’d mentioned last week–the course I took in Boston on coaching relationships. It was superb! And I want to practice, practice, practice. Get ready for a bargain! Here’s my offer: the first 10 people who take me up on this will get a session for $25 to discuss a relationship they want to focus on.
The specifics:
- A 30-minute (to one hour session) to design a partnership alliance, to get clarity on an issue with a relationship, to promote positivity in a relationship or to resolve a conflict in a relationship.
- Sessions are by phone at a mutually convenient time.
- Calls can be with you as an individual discussing a relationship, or you with and the other person.
- Sample session rate offer: $25 payable by credit card
Since I’ll be taking four more courses in this area, stay tuned for future offers. First come, first served!
I met a businesswoman for coffee recently so that she could tell me about her company. I noticed myself turning off fairly soon into the conversation. Here’s a short list of things that contributed to the disconnect. I offer them in the hopes that you and I will never find ourselves guilty of these misdemeanors of etiquette.
- Don’t apologize for being tired.
- Do know about your prospect’s business. This woman had not looked at my website and was surprised when I told her what I might want her services for.
- Do know about your own clients. When I pointed to someone’s logo in the company’s client roster and inquired about what they do, she didn’t know explaining she was on the sales side of the business.
- Don’t do a PowerPoint presentation where you read word for word what the slides say. What’s the point?
- Don’t pass out a stack of your cards and ask for referrals before you’ve signed the business or done any work that satisfies the prospect.
- Do pick up the check. (She did.)
Here’s why I love blogging! When I posted the piece about getting one’s product into O magazine–and how it can unexpectedly temporarily overwhelm a business–my intention was simply to report what I noticed. The incident stood out for me because I felt a kinship to Anne, having exhibited alongside her at the same craft shows years ago.
I immediately heard from a representative who’d read my blog (thank you, Google Alerts) offering a thorough explanation of inventory and ordering. In our communications, I mentioned to her my history with Anne, the business owner. And, because they were out of stock on the “Stop me before I volunteer again”, the company graciously and generously sent me post-it notes, a note pad and emery boards with the same message as a gift.
The unexpected pleasure has been in re-connecting with Anne personally and establishing an account with her company. Her products are perfect gifts for my clients and friends. Her tag line is Making Smart People Smile since 1985. Perfect, right? What woman business owner doesn’t want that?
I received a gracious tweak from a colleague that I wanted to share. She’d noticed a misspelled word on my website and wanted to call it to my attention. Here’s how she put it:
“Just wanted you to know, as I am sure you’re a perfectionist, that your Canyon Ranch description is misspelling the word Exclusive Retreat. Look carefully and you’ll notice the letter “c” is missing in the word exclusive. It’s like spinach in your teeth… I thought you’d like to know!”
She’s so right. It’s now correct. And what a nice way to make herself memorable.
