Ada Lovelace is thought to be the first computer programmer. She died in 1852 aged only 37. She was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, but he played no part in her life.
Ada Lovelace day on March 24th is an opportunity for bloggers everywhere to acknowledge women in science and technology who have been inspirational.
You don’t have to be a woman to blog but you blog about a woman scientist – living or dead – who has inspired you.
More about Ada Lovelace Day.
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National Poetry Day is a great opportunity to get re-inspired.
Poetry inspires us by getting to the heart of it all. Suddenly we see things in a different light, we think and feel in a new way and then become renewed ourselves. We all need constant inspriation in our work, as a way of connecting with ourselves as well as an alternative to the constant busy “doing.”
As it is National Poetry Day today I am publishing a poem. Having recently read it in a blogging workshop I feel more encouraged to let it see the light of day!
I thought at first that you liked things Done Properly
You know, new notebook, Time to Do It,
Focus, Discipline, and bingo, Results.
But I knew that wasn’t me so I tried to outwit
you, disarm you, prove I was right.
a poem on the back of a bus ticket
in a scruffy diary, while I was walking
painting my bedroom wall, travelling somewhere,
drawing in the margin of my work life.
And all the time you were just with me,
Wherever I was.
And now I have acknowledged you
Given you proof of your existence
Enjoyed the flash of recognition between us
The matching of equals
Now I feel your stubborn ness.
You’re not going anywhere.
It doesn’t matter how I do it
You won’t be shaken off
You are holding me fiercely
But that’s not enough for you
You need more
You want us to be together side by side
Step by step.
I don’t yet know how to be a partner
With you
my creative self.
© Jean Wolfe
January 2003
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Finish the job and complete the project to wow your customer.
The trouble is that jobs often drag on, and change shape without having a sense of completion. In fact your customers may not really know whether you have done a good job or not, but they will certainly be able to tell if the project is not completed.
I was reminded of this recently as I discovered a leak in a radiator and needed to call a plumber urgently.
My normal plumber did not reply, so I called another who had been recommended as good value and reliable. He came promptly, and all seemed to be well, and I was thinking that I could use this new plumber in future as he is much more local. The carpets were getting soaked, and water was pouring down walls so I didn’t get comparison quotes – I needed quick action.
After the new radiator was installed, and the plumber had gone I glanced outside and noticed the old radiator propped up against a wall. Now I may not be an expert on plumbing but I certainly know customer service when I see it.
I expected the old radiator to have been taken away. It is extremely heavy, and I have no way of disposing of it at all. So I had to phone the plumber up and ask him to take it away. He did so, but without an apology and rather grudgingly.
Dirty old radiator not taken away at the end of the job
I have no reason to believe the plumbing is not first class, but I am not capable of judging it fully. The leak has stopped. However I can judge customer service, and in my opinion it fell short of what I expected. So he did not wow me. The next day my original plumber returned my call as he had been away on holiday and apologised. Next time he will – yet again – be my first phone call.
Even if we are not plumbers we still have radiator-removal in our business, so we finish the job cleanly.
The final parts of a project are in many ways even more important than the beginning. Where things have gone wrong it is a chance to get back on track, and where they have gone right you can look back together knowing the work has been completed well.
The final assessment, or even a thank you helps to cleanly finish one scope of work, and tidy up. It brings a sense of completeness and helps you to look good in your customer’s eyes. Doing it really well brings that wow factor which is the best marketing in the world.
Mmm perhaps I’ll retrain as a plumber!
One of the end-of-the-month jobs that I had identified was the clearing out of email.
I have just done a gentle purge of last month’s inbox and discovered a few that I had not read, including one person who is keen to come to my blogging workshop on International Women’s Day.
The email does seem to come in rather erratically so this is a good double check. Luckily nothing was more than a day or two over, but even so, I am surprised that I missed them. It is not the kind of thing that should have with a well-run business!
I am talking about my computer not Iphone, and of course the computer can cope with any size of read or unread emails, there is no problem about storage of data. What is far more important is the clearing of clutter from my mind, and reducing any overwhelm. Thousands and thousands of unread emails in fact slow down both computer and business owner. When the unneccessary stuff is cleared away, we feel clearer, more in control, ready for new opportunities and the spark has a chance to shine!
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Do you get a card on Valentine’s Day? Did you give one? (or more).
It is often the thought behind the card which is more important than the physical thing itself. Look at the Valentine’s Day images that one husband has given to his wife over the last few years.
These have got real spark. ..and are completely unique to him. For me it seems more romantic to rearrange the stones on a beach, rather than spend hours slaving over Photoshop ..so I hope that is what he does. Computer wizardry can often become self-centred, not other person centred in my view. I hope she also gets a box of choccies and some flowers!
I enjoy giving interesting and appropriate cards – not necessarily just about romantic love. The Valentine’s ecard from Jacquie Lawson is all about a dog, so I sent that to two friends/family members who would appreciate the dog element. One is very happily in a relationship and will have a wonderful day, and the other is dating, and could do with an additional card. I think Jacquie Lawson’s e cards are some of the best on the web, as they are very thoughtfully put together .. as it is the thought that counts.
Any note of appreciation is always welcome .. even a plain ole email. Especially to those nearest and dearest, but also to clients. The best clients become friends, anyway, don’t they? Unlike the more heady emotions commercialised on Valentine’s Day around one perfect person, appreciation and gratitude are more far-reaching, and are what really makes the world go round.
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Blogging Workshop on International Women’s Day
Blogging is such a great way to build company reputation, and leads to more money, and more happiness through self expression. Many small business owners find writing their website difficult, but have no problem talking about what really matters to them in a blog.
Women are natural bloggers, and can get more spark into their marketing more easily with a blog.
International Women’s Day 8 March 2010 is the date for a blogging workshop led by Jean Wolfe
The workshop will help you gain fluency as well as understanding the interactive benefits of blogging
In honour of National Women’s Day we will also have a look at what women have had to do to get their work read. They have not always had it so easy …
You will go away with more spark for your business and a clear plan of blogging action – with work done already. Make the most of this unfair advantage in your blogging career.
Date: Monday March 8th International Women’s Day
Place Berkshire / Buckinghamshire border UK
Time: 10 am – 2: 30 with an additional hour for personal questions 2:30 – 3;30
Cost: £ 99 which includes three weekly follow up blogging newsletters and an online session on March 29th. Open to men as well as women.
Bloggers Are Us! will breathe new life into all your communications – even one to one meetings.. But if you have not doubled your investment of £ 100 within six months I will happily refund your ticket.
“It’s your enthusiasm which makes all the difference” KN
“Jean you are a natural-born motivator” AS
“You are always a breath of fresh air and I think in a different way. I also feel better about myself and would like you on tap, please, every day!” PH
Jean Wolfe is a champion of independent businesses and communication that builds business wealth. Ex-drama teacher, ex-publicist for authors, ex-creator of solar powered product markets internationally.
To reserve your place please get in touch via the contact form or the comments below.
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“End of the month” – the words conjure up a sense of completion. We usually think of the end of the month in terms of sales (money in, mostly) but of course the end of the month is a regular chance to look at what has happened, and to confirm the next steps.
1. Sales made.
How much did you sell and invoice this month? And the all-important cashflow question about the cash received? Who still owes what? What is the lifetime value of your customer?
It is also important to look at where the money was made. Which products / services are selling best? Which are bringing you in most profit? How did those customers find you? What words were put into the search engines to find your website? Time and money are never in sufficient supply, so go with what is working best, and do more of it.
2. Money spent
Each end of the month is an opportunity to complete the month in terms of expenses, and I am far more interested in doing this if the information is fresh and new. (In fact if it is old I get very bored!). So I go through credit card payments, bank statements, and my diary to make sure nothing is forgotten. As a general principle I try to file away receipts as they occur, and enter the information on the spreadsheets. Doesn’t always work of course, but there is nothing worse than having to go through ancient receipts a year later. It is also an opportunity to question the value of where the money has gone.
3. On track / off track?
Are you meeting your targets? Are you heading in the right direction even if more slowly than you hoped? Sometimes opportunities are too good to turn down, and sometimes they are the entrepreneur’s curse, where the new is more interesting than the current idea. In addition to sales targets it is good to be clear about the type of business you operate which makes decision-making much easier.
Facing the truth of the situation helps to keep the business in touch with reality.
4. New brilliant ideas.
Entrepreneurs have more brilliant ideas than most people! Write them down so you don’t lose them, and get them expressed as much as possible. Half completed ideas can absorb energy so either do them, or record them. Once a month look through the ideas for inspiration and remind yourself who is boss.
Whether it is more entry level products, more high end services or a completely different way of looking at your business, get the ideas on to paper or out in the open.
5. New contacts made.
New contacts are the lifeblood of next month or next year. In addition to prospective customers, and new customers, your existing contacts may have a new relationship with you. A good customer may become a referrer, a “competitor” may become a business partner, you may have found a mentor, a board member, a preferred supplier. Tracking what has happened helps with what you want to happen.
6. What did we learn?
Market research never stops. Who is buying, why they buy, what’s new, how we are changing. You can do SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technical changes) analysis, but keeping current and articulating the changes is one step closer to being in touch with your market and your business. You change, too,
7. Destroy something.
Yes, it is good for you! Paperwork, emails in the inbox, partnerships, customers, businesses,advertisements that are not working, products, all have shelf life. Gardeners have to cut and prune to get the right stuff to grow. As the business owners the only job is see the wood for the trees. Removing some trees will help others to grow.
8. Choose what to grow
Focus on a definite project or projects to help accountability, and makes success more likely. You might decide to grow your email list, or your Pay per Click account before holding the workshop. You might decide to spend the month looking for a certain number of speaking engagements, or meeting important clients. Whether you do the work yourself or outsource it will have to be managed. Having a definite target and monitoring helps keep a sense of purpose, and a business you want to work in. Weeds will grow by themselves, but an apple orchard or rose garden will have to be nurtured!
9. The end of / the start of..
Campaigns and projects are a useful way to make the most of end of/ start of energy. The campaign is likely to run for more than a month but there will be different activities to monitor as it develops.
The end of the day, the week, the month, the end of the quarter, the end of the year, of the decade are all opportunities to take stock and learn, even though the end of the month doesn’t always happen at the end of the month.
Each new month, quarter, year or decade brings new opportunities and a fresh start which gives you the energy to go out and do something amazing!
10. Celebrate every success.
If the figures on the white board add up, if you receive a fantastic compliment, if your visitors comment on your blog – whatever it is – celebrate. It builds the “can do” muscle and gets you in the habit of achieving and thinking positively. Then the sky is the limit.
Marks and Spencer have celebrated their anniversary most notably by re-creating a Penny Bazaar which honoured Marks first penny bazaar when the company started.
125 year anniversary for Marks and Spencer
I happened to see this bag left on a seat at Paddington station in London. Somebody forgot their shopping but it looked like a good advertisement. I immediately thought ” Oh is there a Marks and Spencer here”, and went to find the shop.
Good to see the anniversary celebrations not simply staying within one calendar year.
You don’t have to be as big as Mand S or as long established to have your own anniversary which could encourage real footfall within premises or virtual visitors on the web. What anniversary have you got to celebrate in your small or medium sized business?
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Small business marketing ideas come at you at all times of the day and night. While many small business owners may not have hearts that beat faster at the thought of a marketing plan, a marketing idea can be like the spark of a firework and energise you.
Marketing ideas can be big or small, short term or long term. They may lead to a marketing plan or to the trial of an idea but either way they take you forward. Going forward is essential to business life. To mis-quote Bob Dylan if your business is not getting ideas and busy being born it is busy dying..
But creative ideas tend not to come to us in an orderly way. It is important to be constantly alert for them, and write them down. As entrepreneurs we tend to have more ideas per moment than most, and one way of combating any sense of overwhelm or frustration is to record all ideas without judgement, and then process them afterwards. The ideas will be a treasure trove for ways to improve customer service, (or your life), develop new products and ranges, as well as find new clients.
The spark and the energy of the new idea is nurtured. New ideas often meet resistance – whether from your work or home team – so give them some breathing space before they get out into the world.
What is the point of marketing ideas?
Marketing ideas help your small business to communicate what is special your offer (and you) so that the right people buy more easily more often. The right marketing ideas help the buying decision to happen more effortlessly. You have more fun being you, and you make more money so you can make more difference. Pretty good, huh?
When do you find marketing ideas?
When you are more relaxed. The shower or the bath is one of the best places – think of Archimedes shouting Eureka ( I have found it) when he was in the bath, or Newton – not slaving away but sitting under an apple tree – when the idea of gravity occurred to him. It is important to have periods of relaxation during the day. They give your subconscious a chance to get to work, and you stop getting in your own way.
How do you find marketing ideas?
Go out and about and keep your eyes open. Watch how people behave when they are buying stuff even if it has nothing to do with your business. Ideas from other markets can easily work in your own. Note down anything that seems interesting. then give yourself a period of time to reflect. Sit in a cafe on your own, read the paper, listen and watch.
If you have a marketing problem get clear first on the problem. Maybe you want more customers, perhaps you sense that you are not presenting your business as a benefit to your customer, perhaps you need some new product ideas. The worst way to solve it is by getting desperate – ideas and solutions seem to disappear.
Write out the situation as clearly as you can. There may be some emotion behind what you are saying to yourself, and it is good to get clear on that, too. Sometimes we can be simply unaware of what voices are talking in our heads! Write down the exact words you are saying to yourself and notice the tone of voice you are using. Simply looking at those words and getting a sense of the emotion will help. It could be anger, frustration, or sadness, fear or excitement…your emotion will affect the response.
Then write the problem out again as briefly and unemotionally as possible. Reduce it almost to a formula. See if you agree with it when it is written out, and if not, do it again to reduce it to its simplest form. Then shut your notebook and go out and lhave a great day.
Ideas will start to come to you. By recording them (no matter how crazy) you tell your subconscious to carry on working for you, and you will soon be an organic ideas farm and more and more ideas will flow and later you can choose from the best ones.
When do the marketing ideas come to you?
When you least expect it! Your subconscious (and the reticular activation part of your brain) can do far more work for you when not constantly interrupted by your conscious mind interfering. So, as we have said, a relaxed state of mind is the best. You could be driving back from seeing a client, feeling relaxed when suddently you get a brilliant idea about how to structure the website better. It may surprise you that is is so simple, and you could wonder why you have not thought of it before. Be grateful you have had the idea, and write it down.When I have reached my destination I often have a quick refresh of my mind to see what I have been thinking about, and discover all kinds of good marketing ideas. .. and yes, note them down on paper, otherwise I will forget them. Drawings and doodles are good, too, as they come from the more imaginative side of the brain.
The simple act of clearing ideas out of your mind helps enormously to remind you that you have good ideas, and helps you to act on them, too.
You could be cooking a meal and not thinking about anything when suddenly the question you really need to ask your clients jumps fully formed into your mind. Or you could be on the point of waking up and you realise that the words for your strap line have arrived! Walking and other forms of physical exercise are good especially if there is an element of rhythm as it seems to soothe the brain and get you into that relaxed state.
Marketing ideas achieved through this process usually have more vitality and are more sustainable than ideas generated simply through will-power.
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The Simpson are 20 years old! When the programme first started it was rebellious and iconoclastic. It was not aired here in the UK for some time. I remember neighbours who had gone to live in the States saying how they loved it, but many of their new friends didn’t feel comfortable with the humour.
From rebellious child to national treasure.
Homer has been extolled as an example of fatherly virtue, (by George Bush if I remember correctly) and the programme has included the names /voices / voice alikes of many mainstream celebrities . After a while a new contender arrived who was more ground-breaking than the original (in this case it was “Family Guy” ) and The Simpsons became perceived as the old friend we were all comfortable with.
Expectations of a product or service change as it becomes better known and liked. Customer loyalty can become fanatical. Star Trek fans come to mind… and I am sure there are adults in their thirties who know most of the words to the Simpons programmes!
If you have a well-loved service or product in your arsenal make sure you take the loyal fans with you when you update it. The brand they love may need to be tweaked for changing conditions, but it should still be easily recogniseable. Customer loyalty means opportunity.
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