Lynnelle Wilson's BOLD Business

New Year - New Life - New Media

Yes, it's hard to believe it's already 2009 - and almost 2 weeks into the new year, at that! For me it's going to be a a year of growth  both personally and professionally For a brief review, here's a recap of a few big BOLD events from my last year.

In 2008 I:

• Moved from a tiny apartment to a tiny house; 
• Was lucky enough to find the littlest Pablo (the cutest, smartest and yes, the tiniest mini-Labrodoodle you've ever seen);
• Lived in a wonderful apartment on rue Volta in Paris France during the month of May (my long-time dream to mark my half-century mark);
• Entered my 51nd year on this planet; 
  
  
• Got divorced.

In addition to the divorce, I made a few other important decisions. These include:

1. To Remain in Maine after my divorce;
2. To remain self-employed; and
3. To concentrate more on social media and social marketing.
   

To remain in Maine as a self-employed, single woman and no family within 1500 miles was a scary decision. But in making any important decision, one must be true to self. Granted, one must be realistic but being true to self is mandatory for success - in business AND in life.
In addition to staying in Maine as the owner of a small business I have also decided to build more focus and develop more work with those of you who are interested in understanding and integrating social media into your traditional business.

What is social media? It is the "Web 2.0" aspects of technology - BLOGs, LinkedIn, Facebook, Forums, Twitter, etc.  The way the world communicates is changing. Therefore, businesses must change the way they communicate; which means we must change the way we do business.

I'll be teaching a Web 2.Oh! series for Old Orchard Beach Adult & Community Education. I'm hosting a series of workshops here in Portland, Maine at the Cumberland Club January 15, 29, February 12 and 26 and a Webinar Series beginning January 22, as well. (You can find more information here: Bold Vision Social Media Series)

Lastly, I want to thank you for being a reader, supporter, follower and/or client. Because of you I've made the decisions I've made. Because of the decisions I've made I'm about to enter the best year of my life. Can't you feel the excitement? A new year; a new president; a new opportunity to be the kind of business owner that can really make a difference in more than just someone's bottom line. That's exciting to me. Sound a bit sappy?

Well, not as sappy as this. Guess what DVD I just ordered from Half.com. "It's a Wonderful Life". I've seen the movie a zillion times but don't have a copy of my own.

I know - you're over the Holidays but hang with me for just another moment.

You know my favorite part? It's not when George & Mary dance their way into the swimming pool; not when Mary has to hide (naked) in the bushes; not when Clarence Odbody, guardian angel (2nd class) saves George by jumping into the cold river; no, my favorite scene is that last scene, when Harry comes back from the war and says, "To my big brother, George, the richest man in town".

As I sit here in my office, despite the dreary news reports about the economy, despite dashed hopes of (yet another) failed marriage and despite the all-too-perfect and beautiful, Mary Bailey and family; I still get all choked up. Ok, OK! I cry like a baby.

But the way, I imagine when George looks around his living room at his brother Harry and all George's friends putting their pennies and nickels into the basket, he feels the way I feel here in Maine. I've made some wonderful friends and I've done some great business. I am one rich woman. Thank you for making it possible. I will look forward to 2009 and the opportunity to quote more sappy movie moments next year.



...and to all a good 2009.

Warmly,
 
Lynnelle

PS -Join the conversation!   Follow me on Twitter - and don't forget to check out the upcoming Social Media Series by Bold Vision Consulting.

Small Business Constant - Change

What's the saying?... "Change is the only constant there is in life."  We all know this intellectually, right? Why, then do we have such a difficult time with change on an emotional level?

This is much bigger than a small business question, however this is a blog about small business owners so I'll take my own medicine and ...focus.

As small business owners we are continually striving to improve; improve our marketing; improve our sales; improve our profits, improve our discipline... it's never-ending! What's the best way to improve ANYTHING?

Change what you're doing that's not getting you the result you want.

*gasp!* There's that word. "You mean I have to change? That means I can't do what I want, when I want, how I want. That's why I started my own business!"

Welcome to the real world.

Ok, smooth the rough delivery and there you have it. If you are continually striving to improve, you are continually striving to change. Accept it and don't be afraid.

Most of the "pain" and "fear" ..."disasters" we can get ourselves into is the result of not acknowledging the need of change. Sort of like taking a band-aid off ...nice and slowly isn't the way to go. Let-er-rip and get it done.  Don't kid yourself that you're not going to have to work at it.

So now that we're ending the (yet another) year there are 3 steps you should take BEFORE you set business goals and objectives for 2009.

Overriding everything is your desire to improve, right? (If not - you're reading the wrong blog, babe) This means, overriding everything is your desire to change. Change what? Ah... well, that's the question - and your assignment: Answer the following 3 questions.

Think back over the last year. Don't limit your responses to business events, think about everything that has transpired over the past 12 months, set a timer for 3 minutes on each of the 3 questions below and free-write.  Let-er-rip:

1. What were your biggest accomplishments? Even if something might not seem big to someone else, if it's something meaningful to you, write it down.
2. What were your biggest disappointments last year? Naturally you'll think of the things you didn't do, didn't do well or did that you shouldn't have done. Also, think about things that seemed to have just "happened to you" or that someone else did that was disappointing.
3. What common threads can you see from these 2 lists? For example, if you have accomplishments that were achieved because you were really diligent and stayed on track with your marketing plan and disappointments that resulted because you got off track with your marketing plan - well that's the common thread: Your lesson for 2009.

Many of these things you probably already know. But knowing and "seeing" are different. In order to accept, you have to see. This simple, but difficult exercise is important to complete because while your goals might change, the way you approach them usually doesn't.

For those of us who are all about results, this can seem like fluffy, non-productive work. But it is anything but non-productive. Remember, you have to change what you're used to if you want a result that is different than what you're used to.

What Do Your Shoes Say About You?

It is not only technology that is changing the workplace, check this WSJ article out; What Sneakers Say About Your Soul. 

Brooks Brothers suit, Hermes tie, Allen Edmonds shoes = Stiff, fake, old 
Diesel blue jeans, J. Lindeberg belt, Prada shoes = Creative, real, new

As I read this article I kept thinking how very important it is to embrace change as well as to know your market. It makes me think about the companies I worked with (when I wore a “stiff, fake” uniform) who did business outside their own country. I was helping to plan a site visit to introduce my U.S. client to my employer’s London technology center.  

Negotiations about service arrangements and pricing was to be part of the visit so before leaving for London we had several ‘dress rehearsals’ and role playing sessions. The hard-driving, sometimes uncouth (but very good-hearted) New York group going in to negotiate with the oh, so propa Englishmen could have been trouble and this was a big deal. 

Although the dress code wasn’t a large part of the prep, it was covered. The point is to not be afraid. Speaking the other person's language doesn't mean you give up anything of yourself - or your position. At least understand it. That difference might be customs (I have some great stories about working with a Japanese client; oh my gosh.); it might be dress; it might be technology; it might be speaking a different-common language, i.e. Twitter/cyper-speak, LOL.

Don’t be afraid of change; it’s not just coming, it’s here. Like the boulder in the stream; it’s not going to stop the river, just redirect it.

Believe. Get out and Vote.

Everything is limited, but only by what you believe is possible.

You want something to be different? Believe it can be different.

And then do something.

Thanks Rob.