I’m not a big proponent of meetings.  In a few cases I think they can help brainstorm good ideas, make decisions quickly, and make big changes decisively.  But, for the most part I think the time could be spent better (either doing more productive work or enjoying relationships with those we love).

One big reason I think people like to have meetings is so that they can process their ideas outloud.  But, why take up someone else’s time while you process something?  Instead I like to use email or comments on my project management system, Basecamp to get feedback.  And I don’t think I’m being a jerk about it.  My reasoning is that using these tools forces you to write out your thoughts.  And I believe you don’t have a firm grasp on your thoughts until you are able to write them out.

Writing out your thoughts and opinions on something compels you to really assess what’s going on in your head.  Until someone else can understand it, there’s a good chance you don’t understand it either.  You see my point?  I’ve had the idea for this blog post for months now, but it just stays a floating mess of thoughts until I capture it and put it down in words.  Then I’ve constrained my thoughts into something concrete that can be understood and assessed by others.

Writing it out goes for more than just getting your opinions and thoughts out.  It also works for showing you can synthesize information into knowledge.  It’s why we all had to write book reports in school instead of just telling the teacher we read the book.  It’s one reason why writing a blog can help show that you are an expert in your field.  Putting your knowledge down for everyone else to read proves you’re not just a smooth talker.  You’re going on record to show you know what you’re talking about, and it can be proven.

So, make sure you know what you’re thinking and prove it to others – write it out.

Or, read one of these:

1. Write on the River Poster
2. Write on the River Website
3. Write on the River

For the past few months the Gold’s Gyms of the Wenatchee Valley have been doing a great job of connecting to their members in a variety of ways, and not only while they are at the gym working out.

The Gold’s Gyms have been updating their blog often with great fitness and nutrition tips, as well as lots of overall wellness advice.  But as the year began Melissa Schwab, a Gold’s Gym member, began blogging on the site about her experience trying to lose weight and get in shape as she participated in the Gold’s Gym Challenge.  Hits to the site and comments on the posts are way up as people are excited to hear about someone’s experience from the trenches.  They get to hear about the highs and the lows, the good times and the bad – told with the power of a personal voice.

At the same time Gold’s Gym staff ramped up work on the local Gold’s Gym Facebook fan page. And fan numbers and interaction there jumped significantly too.  Staff created contests like “Post a picture that best says Strength to you,” kept Challengers and members updated on important times and events, as well as just providing a space for members to interact and support each other online.

To top it off the Wenatchee Valley Gold’s Gyms cross-promoted the blog, Facebook page and corporate site – all linked to each other and displayed in-gym.  Members now have a great network online to get information about they gym, receive free fitness advice, hear about other’s experiences and get to know one another.

Your Person-ness

That’s one reason why writing a blog  can help your online presence so much. People get that personal voice.  They want to know that your company is more than just a big factory churning out goods. With a blog your personality comes through, and so does your person-ness.  That’s not the only reason for a blog, and they certainly take time and energy to do right, but showing customers who you are is important.

But maybe even better – what are you clients and members and customers saying?   That’s what people really want to hear about.  How often do you buy something online without reading at least a few reviews first (witness the power of sites like Yelp)?  Being involved in social media – having a Facebook fan page or Twitter account, allows for a centralized hub for discussion about your company.  Just like Melissa’s blog, that involves people hearing the good and the bad.  But it involves people, and it involves hearing – both of which are good for your company.

Take a minute to think about it.  How could a blog or social media help you say something?  Or, how can you use those tools to let others talk about you?  How could you harness the power of a personal voice?

Or, read one of these:

1. Gold’s Gym Blog
2. Inner Circle Gym Website
3. 4 Ways to get More Traffic to Your Blog

photo by Al_HikesAZ's

I’m talking about a controlled burn.

Controlled burns are used in forestry as a method to “reduce fuel buildup and decrease the likelihood of serious hotter fires.”  Maybe its time to do a controlled burn with your company, to clear out the underbrush that’s getting in the way of your growth.

Burn Your Old Files

The longer you are at any job the more you accumulate a pile of junk.  Old files stack up, in-boxes overflow, receipts and scraps of paper litter your drawers.  Take a few hours, or even a whole day, to go through your entire office and trash what you no longer need.  If you’ve put those files onto your computer do you really need to keep the storage devices they came on?  Do you have piles of old computer equipment that can’t even be used any longer hanging out, cluttering your workspace.  Clear it out!

Burn Your Old Systems

Old systems can clog a smooth running business engine faster than just about anything.  There are certainly advantages to sticking with a system you know, but new business tools are being created constantly that can help you be more streamlined, mobile and efficient.  Try and view your systems from a mindset of a new employee.  Are there things you could be doing faster or better?  Take a broad look at how your business progresses through work and see if you can simplify and speed up your systems using new tools and technology.

Burn Your Old Mindset

Working at a job for awhile can also get your mind in a rut.  When you first started you proabably had lots of great ideas for ways to do things better and faster.  Bureaucracy or an overload of work can strip that mindset away from you pretty quickly.  You need to get that mentality back.  What are ways you can change your thinking to have a more positive state of mind towards your job?  What are some good ideas you had at first that have been sitting on the back burner?  How can you motivate your employees or coworkers to make your company better for yourselves and your customers?
If you keep meaning to do something like this and never can find the time, schedule it out in the future.  Pick a date on your calendar and make it “Burn Day.”  Then don’t let anything else get scheduled for that day.  Shut everything down until you let this fire do its work. Clear out the junk that keeps getting in your way and see new growth appear in its place.

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Build a Great Team

Professional teams don’t just happen by coincidence.  They are built over years of trading, drafting, and recruiting.  Managers spend lots of time and money getting the exact person they need to complete their roster, even down to their bench players.

Choose your team carefully too.  Look for people with a strong work ethic who are willing excited to learn and contribute.  Even if you find a player with lots of experience, make sure their head is still in the game.  Each player on your team should be interested in helping the whole team get to victory.  Don’t grab the first Joe to apply for your new position, be as rigorous in finding that perfect person as an NBA manager.

Even if you are a single-person business like me, you can still build a great team.  Friends and family can provide support, local business owners can be great for helping with ideas, and industry contacts can help give feedback on specific projects.

Be a team player

Its a well know phrase that “great players make everyone around them better.”  It is a thing of greatness to watch a superstar elevate an entire team’s performance during a game.  Amazing passes, high energy and confidence in others inspire everyone to be awesome.

So, once you have that great team in place don’t ruin it by still trying to do everything yourself.  Its imperative that you know what each of your teammates does best and give them those shots. Have confidence that they can make the play, then let them do their jobs.  Lastly, as the leader encourage them when they put the ball in the net.

Get a Good Coach

Why do you think the Chicago Bulls won 6 championships and the LA Lakers grabbed 3 NBA Finals in a row?  Sure, it had something to do with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaq.  But don’t count out the fact that they were all coached by the same person.  Phil Jackson led both teams to the Finals over and over again.

A great coach makes teams and players reach new heights.  That’s why we all need one.  Whether it be a life coach, a business mentor, or a paid consultant – look to others to give you advice on how to make your business even better!  With an outside perspective and practical knowledge they can challenge your team to grow and win.

Don’t get a Tech

In basketball, as in many sports, unsportsmanlike conduct can get you penalized or taken out of the game completely.  This can be a serious detriment to your team and your game.  Just as hazardous – fans often think less of players for poor behavior. (Ok, this video isn’t basketball, but it fits the idea.  Watch Serena Williams lose the US Open semis for going…crazy)

Its the same way in business.  Keep your cool, don’t let business decisions get too personal.  Make sure you are on your best behavior when around customers.  Be honest with your team and yourself.  Don’t cheat others, treat everyone well.  Don’t give current or potential clients a reason to hear negative feedback about your performance.

What else can we learn from basketball?  Leave your great ideas in the comments!

Or, read one of these:

1. Young Business – Part 4
2. Young Business – Part 5
3. Young Business – Part 2

If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.

Mark Twain

Honesty solves a lot of problems by never letting them show up in the first place.  And its just as important in business as it is in your personal life.  Here are a few places to think about your honesty:

Be Honest with your Employees

To a large extent you need to let your employees know what’s going on with your company.  Finding and keeping good employees can be difficult for any business, and if you want quality employees that will last you need to let them be invested in the company and feel like a part of the team.  Nothing breaks that down faster than them knowing that there is something going on and not being able to ask you what it is.

I’m not saying you should open your accounting files and let anyone scroll through, but the more involved an employee is along the way the more important and satisfied they will feel.  Ideally they can help brainstorm solutions with you and may help you solve issues.

Be Honest with your Potential Clients

With some businesses there can be a lot of smoke and mirrors before the sale.  Cut that out and let them see why they should work with you – without all of the fine print.  Be upfront in your sales discussions about your costs (you should be able to back up your prices anyways).

Another important thing to keep on the up and up is your delivery time on a client’s project.  Let them know exactly when you’ll be able to get it done.  If it’s going to take longer than they think – let them know up front. There is little chance that it will be a deal breaker, but it is certainly much easier than trying to deal with an aggravated customer when you completely miss deadlines.

Be Honest with your Current Clients / Customers

Some of the biggest assets you have are your current customers.  If something happens that they should know about – tell them.  When something is going wrong, let them know.  This sounds simple to say, but can be hard to do for fear of losing a client.  Own up to your mistakes, then make things right with your customers.  As your best source for new business, don’t let them have the opportunity to say, “Well, they’re good, but they won’t tell you about this….”

Be Honest with Yourself

Lastly, it’s important to be honest with yourself.  Are you purposely keeping your employees in the dark, trying to hide things from potential clients, or afraid to tell clients whats going on?

Also, are you stepping back periodically from your business and try and look at from the outside, as a whole?  Take time to assess what’s working and what isn’t and how you could be working to help your business succeed even more.

Let me know in the comments how being truthful has helped you in business, or problems that have arisen from not being so.

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