Are you Living up to Your Eulogy?

Are you Living up to Your Eulogy?

By Anonymous   09:41:00   1 comment:

This morning I browsed through a long list of blog ideas looking for inspiration. While this list had obviously been created by someone who had been staring at that blinking curser for too long, one idea did intrigue me.

"Write the eulogy you aspire to be read at your funeral."

That's not something I would like to write, although it did make me ponder what whoever was charged with the task, would say about me. Would they comment on how hard I work to make my business a success? How many hours I spend promoting my skills, doing quotes, going to meetings, offering advice and creating? Considering that most of my day is dedicated to running and promoting my own small business I would like to think they would. But deep  down in my gut, I know they are more likely to say that "she lived her life to the full, never letting the opportunity to try new things pass her by."

I'd like to say, the moral of this story is to forget about spending the majority of your life working yourself into grey hair and a coffee addiction. Just go out and live life to the full. Unfortunately, the reality of living life requires us to keep working, and as a small business, that means I'm still tied to my computer for most of the week writing, promoting and creating.

So if I can't change what is said about me in my eulogy, what can I learn from it? Before it's actually read out.

1. Find a rich benefactor to fund my thirst for the crazy
2. Win lotto
3. Rob a bank and go on the run
4. Sell one of my artistic creations for millions
5. Even up my play and work time
6. Combine my work and my passion

There's really only two practical options available, and I think I've nailed them.

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Andy Kahle is available for motivational speaking at your next networking event, club function or event. http://www.andyk.com.au/ 

    

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How much did NOT Marketing on Valentines Day cost you?

How much did NOT Marketing on Valentines Day cost you?

By Anonymous   09:02:00   No comments:

Oh No! Did you miss the Valentines Day marketing opportunity boat? How much has missing this opportunity really cost your small business?

Personally, I'm not into Valentines Day. No, I'm not single. I've just been in the advertising industry for much too long, and have become rather cynical about the one special day for love.

"How could you not love the idea of celebrating love," I hear some of you ask?

Well, on Saturday, Valentines Day Eve, I opened my inbox to find it flooded with Valentines Day specials. I tuned in the radio to hear more romantic specials. And I'd already spent the whole week cleaning out my letter box of all the catalogues advertising things like 50% off new tyres, for the Day of Love.

And why not? It's a great marketing opportunity isn't it? Am I just being the Grinch of Valentines Day?

OK, that's probably a little extreme for an example, albeit a true one. But you do get the idea.Just because it's a great marketing opportunity, doesn't mean it's a great marketing opportunity for YOU.

When Mother's Day comes around, take a moment to think if your business is a good fit. If not, then do your advertising after the event, when there's much less competition.

So in answer to the original question? Unless you're a florist, jeweller, candy shop, you didn't miss out on anything.

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Self employed, facing cancer, chemo and client deadlines. How did she do it?

Self employed, facing cancer, chemo and client deadlines. How did she do it?

By Anonymous   09:27:00   No comments:

When starting out as a sole trader, the last thing on your mind is how to cope if you got sick. I don't mean just the flu that might knock you about for a couple of days, and put you behind on deadlines. What if an injury or illness was going to lay you up for at least 6 months? Would you just shut down the business you've been building up, and start again once recovered? What if you don't know how long the illness will last, or how much work you'll be capable of doing from one week to the next?

Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2010, I had no idea  how much work I'd be able to do during treatment, if any. And my fledgling business was in no financial state to hire someone to help out. I certainly didn't relish the idea of starting again in 6 months or a year, as I'd built up a nice little niche of clients. So, if I didn't want to close down the business, how could I prepare for the unknown?

My first solution was to find a backup graphic designer, who I trusted to treat my clients with respect, and provide quality work. We came to the arrangement that if unable to work, I would pass the job to her with all the relevant details. She would then ring the client, advising she was helping out while I was unwell, and then invoice me for the hours at the same rate I was invoicing my client. Neither of us made a great profit out of it, but my clients were kept happy and the work continued to be done.

My next problem was "how much to you let your clients know?"

As a sole trader in a repeat business industry, and especially when working from home, there can be a very fine line between client and acquaintance. A simple "how are you" can often result in half an hour of chatter, before discussing the job at hand. So I decided on a simple adjustment to my email signature, along with a small post on my website. It simply stated; "Andy would like to thank her clients for their continued support during her illness. Should you be unable to contact her, please call ... " and I attached a little pink ribbon next to the wording. It was simple, to the point, and if any of my clients felt the need to share on a more personal level, the choice was then theirs to make.

The final and most difficult decision I had to make, was when I would visit a client at their office, in person, without hair. When in that situation, there was only one right choice to make. Be bold and honest when making the appointment. "So I'll see you tomorrow at 3pm. Oh, and by the way, don't freak out that I have no hair. I'm busy kicking cancer, but can still work on your design at the same time."

After a full year of being a casual employee of my own business, I gave cancer its marching orders and threw a backyard BBQ, to thank all my clients for having faith in me. Working as much as I was able to, enabled me to stay focused, active and involved.

And I only had to arrange for a courier to collect a USB of artwork at the hospital once. But that's a story for another day.

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