Birthing a business is anything but a special delivery from a flying stork!

All those who’ve done it, who’ve started a business, know it’s true. Although it can be the most rewarding and exciting experience ever, it inherently carries some real “growing-pains” (and no two individuals experience it exactly the same). However, there are some essentials to keep in mind if you’re going forward with launching a new business or a new business product/service line.

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A Full Body Transformation Process –a Gestation Period…

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The Labor of The Launch…

Be strong, calm, assertive and “just do it.” There’s a reason a birth is associated with “LABOR”. –It’s an exercise in physical, mental and emotional strength.  You’ll likely experience strain, stress and challenges while facing some fears and even chaos.  Calm yourself and allay any counter-productive fears.

So much can be built up around your big “launch date.” This isn’t a time to be hindered by an image of perfectionism; focus on just doing your best.  Recognize and draw from the support and beauty around you; trust in the process.  Remember, that this process of creating and launching a new business is shared by others.  Once you do it, you’ll feel proud (and for good reason!).

Preparing for “Business-Parenthood”…

It can feel like an omni-present responsibility…  Even if you hire others, the buck stops with you.

Your Company’s Life & On-Going Growth…

It takes a village… The people that you surround yourself with are critical for your company’s life and development.  Even if you’re a solo-entrepreneur, you can’t do it alone.  You’re not an island.  You obviously need customers; build relationships with them.  You also need advisors who are experts in areas you aren’t to help support, guide and teach you. You will need help and support in places where you can’t (or shouldn’t) be.  You need allies, vendors and suppliers.  And, of course, if you’re creating a larger operation, you need a good team.

Be aware of the limitation of having too much control or too much attachment. As a company grows, it’s very common for many business owners to experience “THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BARRIER.” —It’s the point where many entrepreneurs become unwilling to relinquish their control and essentially stand in the way of their growth. As your business grows, think of your role as a leader and a coach; one who supports and empowers a team (with guidance, encouragement and accountability).  As they say, “it takes teamwork to make the dream work.”

Me --A Wild Web Woman getting ready to birth 2 more!

(*This blog was inspired by personal experience, working with many entrepreneurs, being one, as well as now being pregnant and expecting twins!)

Connect your 'Marketing' and 'Sales' with cohesive strategies that integrate the new on-line world.

Marketing and Sales are directly connected.

–If they aren’t, especially in today’s new on-line marketplace, you’re likely suffering in ways you may not even be aware of…   Simply put, you’re not maximizing your sales opportunities.

Having been in sales and sales team management, as well as in several marketing positions (full-time and consulting), I’ve often been amazed by how frequently I’ve witnessed “the disconnect” between Marketing and Sales (from small to large organizations –some are even adversarial! –which always seemed annoyingly pointless to me).

Marketing strategies and programs are best when their designers take the time to walk in the shoes of salespeople and customers (Getting real perspectives, ideas and needs!)   How else can you design marketing strategies and programs that create the best sales results!?

Here are a couple important, long-touted acronyms most every salesperson can recall:

1) “A.I.D.A.” – Attention * Interest * Decision * Action

2) “ABC” – Always Be Closing

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—These are both good and practical keys for addressing sales process and goals. But, how do these acronyms stack up in today’s marketplace and sales environment?… They are still undeniably critical; HOWEVER, ADDED CLARITY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR TODAY’S MARKETPLACE.

Our new technology/information world is affecting “the way customers make decisions.“ …It’s affecting the way we support and build relationships. …And let’s face it, “attention” and “interest” are also affected.  We’re living in a rapidly growing and changing multi-media, social-media, information-rich world! —A place where all our communication tools are integrating and melding.

VALUABLE ON-LINE CONTENT and INTERACTIVE INVOLVEMENT are the critical strategic links for creating better marketing –designed for greater SALES.

Here are some of the advantages of creating a variety of purposeful on-line content (informative, valuable and interactive):

1. Valuable and unique content can help differentiate you in the marketplace.

2. BRAND-VALUE messages are most affective when ALIGNED and COMMUNICATED throughout every aspect of your Marketing and Sales. (Use consistency with reinforcing depth/substance that amplifies and strengthens your company’s vision, mission, values and company culture.)

3. Salespersons, when needed, can direct potential customers to valuable/supportive content, presentations, tools, research, etc. on-line.

4. Companies can screen customers and gathers leads with the support of specially designed on-line tools, research, outreach and questionnaires.

5. Interested potential customers can more easily access information about you, your products and services.

6. Your marketing and sales teams can gather more information regarding customer interests, feedback, thoughts, ideas, etc.

7. Information about you/your company can be represented by you, your customers, partners/alliances, and/or other industry professionals, publications, etc.

8. Customers gain the psychological advantage of learning about you on-line (in a non-threatening and relaxed manner).

9. The more content you provide and link to, the greater your visibility and search rankings.

10. Valuable content and interactive on-line involvement can foster relationship-building, while earning greater confidence and trust. (Think social media, targeted outreach programs, contests, alliance programs, a press page, etc.)

11. A positive on-line presence can help persuade customers, assisting them in making decisions to TAKE ACTION and BUY.

12. All content can link purposefully and naturally back to website response mechanisms to “Take Action.”

13. The “ABC” (Always Be Closing) motto is important for salespersons and/or entrepreneurs in the trenches — to keep priorities and goals focused.  However, you always want to build trust, not erode it.  In person, and especially on-line, you need to apply proper etiquette (or “Netiquette”, net+etiquette).  There is a time and place for everything.  Internet response mechanisms/sales tools need to be designed thoughtfully.  No customer wants to feel they are being “inappropriately sold.”

Creating a supportive on-line world with VALUABLE CONTENT and INTERACTIVE INVOLVEMENT around your marketing and sales activities is critical for most organizations. The Internet (incl. mobile device access) play a valuable role in supporting Marketing and Sales —sharing information, educating, interacting and building relationships.

In spite of fears, use courage to start or grow your business; rejection and learning are part of the journey to success!

When it comes to “courage,” prevent yourself from becoming discouraged.  Be courageous and encouraging. –How do you do this?  And, why is this so instrumental in our journey of success?

Bottom line is, those who are most successful are less likely to be discouraged by rejection or naysayers.  They are also able to inspire and encourage others.  It’s part of the formula for success –makes sense, right? (As also illustrated in the book, The One Minute Millionaire –The Enlightened Way to Wealth)

Understand that courageously facing such challenges and tests can become your most valued testimonials.  Testimonials are important for your business success in many forms, contributing significantly and directly.

So, the next time you think about “courage” and the power of it… remember, as they say, “Courage is not being void of fear; it’s moving forward in spite of fear.” The key is in understanding and embracing your FAITH in the healthy “laws of success.”

Often the very obstacles successful people encounter, positively help shape their future.  They can inspire the smallest, yet important, adjustments in their business planning and concepts.  It’s therefore important to courageously try new things, face challenges and obstacles… They help you become better at active learning for greater earning and success.

Small tweaks in your business concept and approach, like adjusting your compass, can make a huge difference in your destination and success.

Like sailing a ship, even the smallest adjustments in your compass settings can make a world of difference… It impacts your overall destination and outcome (which is a constant part of this ongoing journey).  It’s especially important in this rapidly changing social and technological landscape.  So therefore, do all you can to ENCOURAGE and ENCOMPASS your greatest success!

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Interesting derivatives and etymology of the word “COURAGE”:

Courage: c.1300, from O.Fr. corage (12c., Mod.Fr. courage) “Heart, innermost feelings; temper,” from V.L. *coraticum (cf. It. coraggio, Sp. coraje), from L. COR “HEART,” which remains a common metaphor for INNER STRENGTH. Courage, also known as bravery, fortitude, will, and intrepidity, is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation.

Encourage: prefix meaning “IN, INTO,” from Fr., O.Fr. EN-, from Latin.  Also used with native elements to form verbs from nouns and adjectives, “PUT IN OR ON” Early 15c., from O.Fr. encoragier “MAKE STRONG, HEARTEN.”

Discourage: (assimilated as dif- before -f-, to di- before most voiced consonants), prefix meaning 1. “LACK OF, NOT”.  Mid-15c., discoragen, from M.Fr. descourager, from O.Fr. descoragier, from des- “AWAY” (see dis-) + CORAGE (see courage). Related: Discouraged; discouragement; discouraging.

Building a strong “Virtual Work Team” requires very thoughtful, solid strategies… Those that navigate through the serious pitfalls many organizations encounter.

Virtual work teams are dramatically on the rise!… Companies can save money and expand their businesses, while at the same time, offer employees distinct life/flexibility advantages. Productivity can be maintained, and in some cases, even increased!  However, by no means is creating a successful virtual organization a “no-brainer”.   –It’s not easy; but, if you do it right, you can create a valuable edge in today’s marketplace!

“The virtual office is the office of the future,” says John R. Wilson, JD, Esq. President and CEO of GoffWilson, PA., in an article this Spring in HR Magazine.  However, as Mr. Wilson conveys and many studies show, an alarming percentage of businesses FAIL to create a successful “Virtual Organization.” Fortunately however, there are some identifiable reasons why…  Those we can learn from and avoid  --to enhance our own survival and success.

First, what are “Virtual Organizations”? –They are organizations that rely upon communication technologies to create a work environment, involving employees/work teams who do not meet regularly at a designated “company office space” –but rather, in “virtual space.”

Virtual team members work remotely from separate locations, from different countries, states and/or cities. Many elect to conduct a majority of their meetings virtually, even when they live nearby one another.  (Some may never even meet in person.)

Adding greater impact, is today’s global economy, with more companies than ever engaging in the virtual collaboration and management of an international workforce. This is requiring us to RE-THINK how we conduct business, build relationships, and interact with a variety of people and cultures worldwide. We are discovering a direct correlation between how well we do this and our overall success. –It many cases, it can make or break us!

Over the last several years, I’ve gathered some research and articles, in addition to my own personal experiences (having mostly worked in a virtual setting the last 5 yrs).  As a result, I’ve outlined the following insights and tips to offer ways you can build and manage a more successful “Virtual Work Team”:

BRING AS MANY OF THE DYNAMIC QUALITIES THAT SUPPORT HUMAN INTERACTION AND TEAMWORK INTO THE PICTURE AS POSSIBLE. –This is perhaps the most difficult challenge of creating a successful “Virtual Work Team.”  There are some things that are simply different and more difficult when you’re not working in an “in-person environment.” Many valuable nuances can be missed IF you don’t make a conscious effort to foster them.  The following are some key examples:

1. Strongly develop relationships by including the “KNOW, LIKE and TRUST” factors. –These are absolutely critical! (They are also discussed regularly from a variety of customer marketing perspectives at Web Marketing Therapy, WMT and at Lorrie Thomas’ educational seminars.)
2. Consider making “in-person” connections prior to engaging in collaboration or management. –Some (but not all) relationships require it.  Remember, “familiarity can often trump technology.”
3. Use technologies that work for the team, that support relationship-building and take into account team needs and aptitudes. There are a variety of technologies to select from, such as:  GoToMeeting, SharePoint, Skype, Voice-over IP, Video Chat, Webcasts, Electronic Whiteboards, Connect Pro, eRoom, Instant Messaging/Mobile, Jie Basecamp and Google Docs… just to name a few. (Some are free!)
4. Create a sense of inclusion and overall rapport. Even small gestures can help significantly. For example, one corporation, for large staff meetings sends their remote team-members Starbuck’s Coffee Gift-Certificates days before the meeting. –So,they too can enjoy complimentary coffee like the in-office staff during the meeting.  Another example is recognizing and celebrating team members’ birthdays and company anniversaries (something we enjoy at WMT).
5. Apply real “Emotional Intelligence” – For example, understand the importance of giving recognition and appreciation (formally and informally) as well as positive and constructive feedback.
6. Try to include multiple creative solutions, like a “virtual water cooler,” and other team-building/communication enhancements. (See Microsoft’s article, “6 Ways to Work More Effectively on a Virtual Team.”)

ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP WITH GOOD COMMUNICATION AND CLEAR DIRECTION:

1. Maintain company brand and culture, with a common vision, purpose and destiny.
2. Focus on goals, process and outcomes.
3. Define and provide clear communication regarding company structure, operations, roles and expectations (particularly important with international work teams).
4. Provide an environment with consistent and regular communication.
5. Create a “digital communication rhythm” with team members, using multiple options for communication. Some leaders find it more effective when they allow a variety of ways for team members to communicate, tapping into individual personalities and strengths.
6. Become an effective teacher/coach (and/or engage effective teacher-allies as part of your organization).  This is becoming more of a necessity in these rapidly changing times.  Education, growth, and sales go hand-in-hand!
7. Inspire teamwork and creativity. The greatest level of creativity is more often achieved when you engage a diverse work team  (IF they are well-managed and inspired with purpose!)

AVOID FAILURES THAT OTHER BUSINESSES HAVE MADE, SUCH AS:

1. Making assumptions – not listening, learning and/or clarifying.
   

   Prevent Unnecessary Failures: Plan to succeed with "Virtual Work Teams" by building valuable teamwork through enhanced communication!

2. Lacking understanding of cultural differences and business approaches.
3. Utilizing email as a primary communication resource in the early stages of development. Not allowing the development of  a sense of trust and rapport, which generally require some non-verbal communication.
4. Not leveraging the strengths of their team members.
5. Not adapting to time zones and languages (when working with  international work teams).
6. Applying a communication style that is ineffective for the team.
7. Lacking clarity in “process” and “decision-making.”

Interesting Statistics: According to a study released last month, 80% of corporate managers work virtually and 63% are members of global virtual teams.  43% of HR professionals say in the next 5 years, their workforce will be telecommuting.

(***Resources and related web articles from: Accounting Smart Pros, Entreprenuer.com, and HR Magazine’s April 2010 issue.)

Freedom carries a balance of responsibility & power to fuel our greatest successes!

The courageous, great minds of our nation’s forefathers must continue to inspire our nation’s greater health and success  …from within ourselves, our homes, communities and businesses, to our government.

“We should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic, not to find new soil to plow, but to secure liberty for their souls.”

–a paraphrased quote from Robert J. McCracken

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Some Quotes About Freedom:

• “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.  -Albert Einstein

• “The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation.”  ~Woodrow Wilson

• “Liberty means responsibility.  That is why most men dread it.”  ~George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman, “Maxims: Liberty and Equality,” 1905

• “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”  ~Elmer Davis

• “Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

• “Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.”  ~Albert Camus

• “What is the essence of America?  Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom ‘to’ and freedom ‘from’.”  ~Marilyn vos Savant, in Parade

• “Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.”  ~Louis D. Brandeis

• “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

• “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”  ~Abraham Lincoln

• “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” –
Patrick Henry

• “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” –Benjamin Franklin

• “Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.” –Abraham Lincoln

(*Quotes were appreciatively gathered through quotegarden.com and quotations.about.com)