How Women Lead at Home and at Work

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Disciplined Effort is Progress…Transform and Succeed

Progress, Transform and Succeed with a Coach…

In Uncertain Times Guided Dance-Like Struggles Create Butterfly Transformations

If disciplined effort is progress you can transform and succeed. Many struggle with distractions, uncertainty, emotional conflicts, and overwhelm. Since most people have to meet recurring emotional or financial needs…Why wouldn’t you?

Do you have dreams of being an accomplished, emotionally secure, professional, or business owner? If so, do uncertainty and conflict go with the territory?

Are you focused on building a rewarding career, a stable or strong business? Do you want to stay up to date and be in-flow with your peers? A tall order since to be successful you have to do all this without getting emotionally stuck, or alienated from people who matter.

In fact, wouldn’t you be ecstatic if you had a reliable support system, personal resources and great relationships? That is if you had access to on-call workable solutions. If so, that would mean you can leverage or build a successful rewarding life. You can make a difference to loved ones.

You can allow yourself to benefit and enjoy dependable relationships with colleagues! Wouldn’t this be amazing?

Yet, there are roadblocks in life. Roadblocks like figuring out how to safely expand or grow a personal network. How do you support or leverage new opportunities? How to create success without having to walk on eggshells, or overstepping personal boundaries…

Do you sometimes get frustrated by untrustworthy or dishonest people who misinterpret, or undermine everything you say, or do? Or those who add false meaning to your well-intentioned actions?

Do you have to remind yourself: “ Focus on my #1 priority,“ as opposed to on misunderstandings? Even with evidence to the contrary, do you find yourself thinking: most people don’t want others to succeed, or will eventually become supportive…even though you know many do not?

Try a New Solution

When all is said and done, my guess is you just want to be successful, to live within your core values, to enjoy an emotionally fulfilled life... You know you deserve this!

If this sounds like you…I’d like to invite you to check out my article: “3 Secret Power Tips To Protect & Save The Overwhelmed or Distressed from… Emotional Turmoil.” It may provide fresh insight and support for your unique journey.

Up-level while leveraging coaching services and other superior resources. This resource is for for talented people like you, who want to stay In-Flow and to “Remain Unstuck.”

Click Here for the article It will help you get and stay on track…using tools that ensure satisfying peace of mind...all without sacrificing your authentic identity, your emotional or financial well-being.

If you want practical support, to gain crystal clarity while navigating uncertainty or any subtle, nagging concerns…

If you want to be reassured, with access to specific resources that can provide timely relief… support that can provide you with new direction, or emotional support. Then try my responsive affordable coaching service. It is from an experienced strategist who has walked the walk, alongside talented professionals and business owners like you.

Try building your unique journey. Get Coaching Using Superior Resources for the Talented & Remain Unstuck. This may be a great solution for you. The Bottom Line is: “3 Secret Power Tips To Protect & Save The Distressed from Overwhelm and Emotional Turmoil,” will give you motivating insight and peace of mind. Enjoy the article , then reach out.

CREATE AN EVERLASTING LIVING LEGACY … YOUR ESTATE PLAN

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Be Healthy Wealthy & Wise The Journey To Live Your Legacy

2020 was a closeup: a challenging 12-month cycle. 2021 is an opportunity to “Plus” this. To soothe, heal, make it better. Let’s learn while shifting to a better place?

How can we chart a new path when 2021 still feels raw and ugly, losses due to grief? Is life beyond our control? The virus, unemployment, the economy? Frustrated trying to get where you have never been … without GPS? I invite you to start 2021 with a Plan, and to create a new MISSION! Who remembers Agent 007, Sean Connery as James Bond in the movie “Mission Impossible?” He planned for his mission and so can you.

Your 2021 MISSION, should you accept it, is to identify, revise and up-level your game and personal habits, so that you successfully implement a winning strategy, leverage specific tools and resources, execute actions that proactively increase income, and preserve your family’s resources. Take the first step to building a lasting and living legacy! Do you have a plan? A family plan, study plan, Estate Plan, or financial plan?

WHAT IF going forward, we rethink or develop a new Mindset One that reduces the likelihood of another societal melt-down? How can we transform chaos into productivity and thriving? Each of our reactions to the pandemic was based on a combination of habits, mindset, values, and experiences. How well we coped was dependent on reserves, familial support, systems, and leveraged opportunities. Here is a Plan that helps you pick up the slack and get unstuck. It just might make a difference.

Control Your Immediate Environment

Control your home environment, your mental, physical, and emotions. What lifestyle or high-risk choices are you making? Take responsibility. How adaptable are you when it comes to resources or opportunities? Who are the people you enjoy working with, or who allow you to perform at an ideal standard? What are your prioritized values? Answer these questions and you will create effective guard rails, that focus you while systemizing tasks in a direction that propels you forward to MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! When you examine existing resources, segment them by subject and identify gaps. Identify professional and assumed resources: doctors/nurses/healthcare, lawyers/paralegals, education/personal development/online learning, financial professionals/insurance agents/401K plan administrators, coaches/mentors. What or where is your gap? Who are your valued resources?

Commit To #1: Prioritize Goals and Identify Tasks

Once a decision is made believe that the universe will support you providing a “just in time” opportunity. Choose who and what tasks to focus on, then stake your ground, begin the journey to identify and fill each need gap.

Does your Need Gap involve finances or money? Family security, or retirement? Healthcare or debt management? Insurance or taxes? Wealth, or Estate Planning? Irrespective of where you are in life, each person should have reassurance and peace of mind, knowing that loved ones are safe and provided for. There are many uncertainties, we must plan. One way to do this is by having an Estate Plan that matches specific needs. But what exactly is an Estate Plan?

Your Estate Plan

An Estate Plan is more than a simple will. it includes at a minimum a Durable Power of Attorney (appoints somebody to act on your behalf), a simple Will, or Trust. A Trust is a legal arrangement through which one person holds legal title for another. The Trust is designed to ensure that loved ones know your wishes, are provided for, protect your assets while minimizing generational losses (due to taxes, creditors etc. Get access to a simple Trust resources at https://wfg.ProtectMoreFamilies.com/HeatherAtkinson. A well-designed Trust can conveniently shift assets. An excellent Estate Plan will also include medical directives, Guardianship and documents that preserve income, even if a family uses government benefits.

Heather Atkinson is an attorney and financial professional, who has worked for and with individual clients, major law firms, Fortune and Finance companies, including MGM, Microsoft, Warner Bros., Kinkos (now FedEx), in business legal capacities. For additional info and services visit www.GirlsLovePowerTools.com or https://wfgconnects.com/HeatherAtkinson and https://www.InterVivosPlan.com. To learn more about Estate Plans, financial literacy or how an Estate Plan can help you build and protect a lasting legacy Contact Heather at 818-805-9099, Heather@IntervivosPlan.com or Info@GirlsLovePowerTools.com.

BUILDING AND SUSTAINING MOM’S LEGACY OF LOVE

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HOW DO WOMEN DO IT?

A woman’s ability to unconditionally love is universally accepted. Our innate disposition to

Maternal Love

care for others, especially family is undisputed. “Mother’s Love” is depicted in timeless art, for example Duccio di Buoninsegna’s 14^th century painting of “Madonna and Child”. Similar images have been reproduced in every culture, in all races, even among the animal kingdom.

“Agape” is a Greek word used to describe this fierce, loyal, protective bond magnified in the “fairer” sex. It is exemplified in women warriors, even those without biological children, and those who have adopted causes or extended their families instead. This view represents an , indispensable stereotype: the nurturing support that women bring to the table, the Boardroom, at dinner, or to people, interests and issues they care deeply about. Think of Maya Angelou, Harriet Tubman, Katharine Drexel, Jamaica’s fierce national warrior hero, “Nanny”, and our modern Oprah.

Let’s reflect on how women express love within family and then discuss ways to pass these traits and benefits to others. Specifically, how can we transfer intangible qualities and gifts inter- generationally.

AGAPE LOVE

The word “Agape” is derived from ancient Greek word and means unconditional love, a selfless, nurturing “Jesus” type love. A love that puts the needs of others before personal gain. Most women readily relate to it, and seldom understand why they are misunderstood when sharing it. To them their love or good intentions should be obvious, even when beguiled by others, or misinformed. This is why misunderstood women publicly break down and cry; feel rejected or maligned when good intentions are thwarted by malicious intent. This trait is evident irrespective of whether the relationship is biological, or among strangers. Some people may say, taken to an extreme, its an inability to discern or sense danger, but I disagree. Its more of an protective sense, a desire to preserve the whole and build community than to self destruct by “one-upmanship”.

I remember growing up in a culture where on Sundays Mom would always cook enough that whoever “drops in” could have a meal. I also remember at the market female “higglers”, subsistence farmers, would always give children a “brawta” (a little extra for stopping by their stall). Women routinely make sacrifices, even when they have little material goods to give that promote the welfare of others above their own interest.

FORMATIVE VALUES: PLANNING TO MEMORIALIZE MOM

Sometimes when speaking with a client or family member, I hear comments like:

“What do I care about what happens to my money and property after I am gone?”

“If there are problems related to what’s left behind, its not my problem, I won’t be around to worry about it.”

This is shortsighted and perpetuates a futile cycle, where growth and strengths become beyond reach, where each generation starts from the bottom. It reflects an absence of foresight, one without any vision for scale, or generational gain. It becomes a Lose: Lose mentality. These statements show that love has been hijacked, replaced by an unharnessed, distorted emotion. Yes I understand that past experiences, psychological and economic factors contribute to the distortion, but it is far from ideal and a state to move beyond..

On the other hand an ability and willingness to think beyond self, to protect, preserve and provide for family, is an expression of true love, usually encouraged by Mom. A family’s unwillingness to invest time or resources for future gain is a condition that can be resolved. Actively taking responsibility to plan ahead is important.

The pandemic has shown us, that life is unpredictable. Things change quickly when we least expect them to. Do not be caught with “your pants down” Be proactive to do what’s right for yourself and family over time. One way to proactively provide for Mom and loved one is by using an Estate Plan.

What Exactly Is An Estate Plan?

An Estate Plan is more than a simple will. it includes at a minimum a Durable Power of Attorney (appointing somebody to act on your behalf), and a simple Will, or Trust. A colleague shared a story about sisters who spent thousands of dollars fighting in court over a $5 hairbrush. Their grandmother would brush their hair at night and talk to them while doing so. Upon her death, the sisters valued the $5 hairbrush more than the money and family home they jointly inherited. They spent all their money fighting in court to get the hairbrush! The animosity and bad feelings that developed destroyed them! I am sure this was the last thing Grandma wanted. Yet, it could have been avoided if there was a proper Estate Plan disposing of sentimental gifts like the hairbrush, as well as tangible ones like the family home. Had this been adequately included in an Estate Plan, Grandma could have continued to reassure of her love, and guide both girls beyond her grave.

A Trust is a legal arrangement through which one person the Trustor or Grantor holds legal title for another, called the beneficiary. The Trust is designed to ensure that during any eventuality, loved ones know a Grantors wishes, and a Trustee is authorized to protect assets while minimizing generational losses (for example, due to taxes, creditors or lawsuits). One advantage is that a Trust can easily shift assets, or conveniently transfer property to beneficiaries beyond any lifetime, even if a family member has special needs and has to rely on government assistance during infirmity or a disability.

An excellent Estate Plan will also include medical directives, guardianship or conservator documents that protect and preserve assets, including income distribution, even when family members want to avail themselves of government benefits.

Think about it, what if you made proactive arrangements that rewarded Mom’s sacrifice for family, her hard work for a cause, while ensuring that your family’s interest is preserved for multiple generations? This kind of thinking preserves a family and mother’s memories. It memorializes her Lasting Legacy of Love. Do you want to learn how to create multi-generational estate plans that give peace of mind and prosperity to your children, and theirs? You can. There is a relatively small cost to planning, but in some situations it is nominal, for example a starter Will or Trust kit is available at: https://wfg.protectmorefamilies.com/heatheratkinson You can always reach out for a consultation before or after if you need to professional help.

In other situations, as with “blended families” or family members who have “special needs” documentation of the Plan is more nuanced. What really matters is that you get started. Do not leave your legacy to chance, reduce the odds of untoward conflicts, wasted spending, or tax consequences. You can discuss your Legacy of Love without obligation at: https://www.IntervivosPlan.com

https://wfg.ProtectMoreFamilies.com/HeatherAtkinson

5 Things to Consider When Starting Your Own Business

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Does anything sound better than being your own boss?

Start Your Business Part Time

Well, maybe a brand new sports car or free ice cream for life. But even a state-of-the-art fully-decked-out sports car will eventually need routine maintenance, and the taste of mint chocolate chip can get old after a while.

The same kinds of things can happen when you start your own business. There are many details to consider and seemingly endless tasks to keep organized after the initial excitement of being your own boss and keeping your own hours has faded. Circumstances are bound to arise that no one ever prepared you for!

Although this list is not exhaustive, here are 5 things to get you started when creating a business of your own:

1. Startup cost

The startup cost of your business depends heavily on the type of business you want to have. To estimate the startup cost, make a list of anything and everything you’ll need to finance in the first 6 months. Then take each expense and ask:

Is this cost fixed or variable?
Essential or optional?
One-time or recurring?

Once you’ve determined the frequency and necessity of each cost for the first 6 months, add it all together. Then you’ll have a ballpark idea of what your startup costs might be.

(Hint: Don’t forget to add a line item for those unplanned, miscellaneous expenses!)

2. Competitors

“Find a need, and fill it” is general advice for starting a successful business. But if the need is apparent, how many other businesses will be going after the same space to fill? And how do you create a business that can compete? After all, keeping your doors open and your business frequented is priority #1.

The simplest and most effective solution? Be great at what you do. Take the time to learn your business and the need you’re trying to fill – inside and out. Take a step back and think like a customer. Try to imagine how your competitors are failing at meeting customers’ needs. What can you do to solve those issues? Overcoming these hurdles can’t guarantee that your doors will stay open, but your knowledge, talent, and work ethic can set you apart from competitors from the start. This is what builds life-long relationships with customers – the kind of customers that will follow you wherever your business goes.

(Hint: The cost of your product or service should not be the main differentiator from your competition.)

3. Customer acquisition

The key to acquiring customers goes back to the need you’re trying to fill by running your business. If the demand for your product is high, customer acquisition may be easier. And there are always methods to bring in more. First and foremost, be aware of your brand and what your business offers. This will make identifying your target audience more accurate. Then market to them with a varied strategy on multiple fronts: content, email, and social media; search engine optimization; effective copywriting; and the use of analytics.

(Hint: The amount of money you spend on marketing – e.g., Google & Facebook ads – is not as important as who you are targeting.)

4. Building product inventory

This step points directly back to your startup cost. At the beginning, do as much research as you can, then stock your literal (or virtual) shelves with a bit of everything feasible you think your target audience may want or need. Track which products (or services) customers are gravitating towards – what items in your inventory disappear the most quickly? What services in your repertoire are the most requested? After a few weeks or months you’ll have real data to analyze. Then always keep the bestsellers on hand, followed closely by seasonal offerings. And don’t forget to consider making a couple of out-of-the-ordinary offerings available, just in case. Don’t underestimate the power of trying new things from time to time; you never know what could turn into a success!

(Hint: Try to let go of what your favorite items or services might be, if customers are not biting.)

5. Compliance with legal standards

Depending on what type of business you’re in, there may be standards and regulations that you must adhere to. For example, hiring employees falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor and Federal Employment Laws. There are also State Labor Laws to consider.

(Hint: Be absolutely sure to do your research on the legal matters that can arise when beginning your own business. Not many judges are very accepting of “But, Your Honor, I didn’t know that was illegal!”)

Starting your own business is not an impossible task, especially when you’re prepared. And what makes preparing yourself even easier is becoming your own boss with an established company like World Financial Group (WFG).

The need for financial professionals exists – everyone needs to know how money works, and many people need help in pursuing financial independence. WFG works with well-known and respected companies to provide a broad range of products for our customers. We take pride in equipping families with products that meet their financial needs.

Anytime you’re ready, I’d be happy to share my experience with you – as well as many other things to consider: Compliments https://wfgconnects.com/HeatherAtkinson

What Does “Pay Yourself First” Mean?

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Bills, bills, mortgage payment, another bill, maybe some coupons for things you never buy, and of course, more bills.

Pay Yourself First

There seems to be an endless stream of envelopes from companies all demanding payment for their products and services. It feels like you have a choice of what you want to do with your money ONLY after all the bills have been paid – if there’s anything left over, that is.

More times than not it might seem like there’s more ‘month’ than ‘dollar.’
Not to rub salt in the wound, but may I ask how much you’re saving each month? $100? $50? Nothing? You may have made a plan and come up with a rock-solid budget in the past, but let’s get real. One month’s expenditures can be very different than another’s. Birthdays, holidays, last-minute things the kids need for school, a spontaneous weekend getaway, replacing that 12-year-old dishwasher that doesn’t sound exactly right, etc., can make saving a fixed amount each month a challenge. Some months you may actually be able to save something, and some months you can’t. The result is that setting funds aside each month becomes an uncertainty.

Although this situation might appear at first benign (i.e. it’s just the way things are), the impact of this uncertainty can have far-reaching negative consequences.

Here’s why: If you don’t know how much you can save each month, then you don’t know how much you can save each year. If you don’t know how much you can save each year, then you don’t know how much you’ll have put away 2, 5, 10, or 20 years from now. Will you have enough saved for retirement?

If you have a goal in mind like buying a home in 10 years or retiring at 65, then you also need a realistic plan that will help you get there. Truth is, most of us don’t have a wealthy relative who might unexpectedly leave us an inheritance we never knew existed!

But you might be surprised by much you can save if you put your mind to it. And you might want to do that… but how do you do that?

The secret is to “pay yourself first.” The first “bill” you pay each month is to yourself. Shifting your focus each month to a “pay yourself first” mentality is subtle, but it can potentially be life changing. Let’s say for example you make $3,000 per month after taxes. You would put aside $300 (10%) right off the bat, leaving you $2,700 for the rest of your bills. This tactic makes saving $300 per month a certainty. The answer to how much you would be saving each month would always be: “At least $300.” If you stash this in an interest-bearing account, imagine how high this can grow over time if you continue to contribute that $300.

That’s exciting! But at this point you might be thinking, “I can’t afford to save 10% of my income every month because the leftovers aren’t enough for me to live my lifestyle.” If that’s the case, rather than reducing the amount you save, it might be worthwhile to consider if it’s the lifestyle you can’t afford.

Ultimately, paying yourself first means you’re making your future financial goals a priority, and that’s a bill worth paying.

Good Morning Habits You Can Start Tomorrow

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APRIL 15, 2020 – compliments of https://wfgconnects.com/HeatherAtkinson

Great Morning Habits

Habits and Morning Routines
Morning Habits You Can Start Tomorrow
Most of our mornings aren’t very fun. We roll out of bed, maybe hit snooze a few times, and then crawl into work feeling groggy at best.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. The morning hours can be times of relaxation, focus, and self-improvement. Here are a few practical habits that can take your mornings from pointless to productive!

Go to bed early
Stayed up too late watching just one more episode of your favorite show? Don’t expect to wake up feeling motivated. A productive morning starts the night before. Try to stay away from screens before going to bed (at least one hour) and make sure you turn in at a reasonable time. You may also want to dial back when you wake up. Having a quiet hour or two before everyone else wakes up is a great way of freeing up time to invest in things you care about. Just remember that your new sleep schedule will take some time to adjust to!

Exercise first thing
One of the best habits to fill your new-found morning hours is exercise. It’s a great way to get your blood flowing and boost your energy. Plus, the feeling that you’ve accomplished something can help carry you through the day and boost your confidence.

Prioritize your tasks
But let’s say you’ve started getting up an hour and a half earlier and you work out for 30 minutes. How are you going to spend the next hour before you start getting ready for work? One great habit is to start planning out your day and prioritizing your tasks. Write down what specifically you want to accomplish and when. You might be amazed by how empowering it is to make a plan and to see your goals on a piece of paper. Start off with your biggest task. The morning is when you’re at your peak brain power, so commit your best efforts to the hardest work. The feeling of accomplishment from knocking out the task will carry you through the smaller things!

Mornings don’t have to be rough. Incorporating these tips and habits into your daily routine can help make the first hours of the day a time you look forward to. Start inching your alarm closer towards sunrise and use that extra time to absolutely crush your day!

Celebrating With Traditional Caribbean Christmas Rum Cakes

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Christmas and the 2019 holiday season are here, it is time to celebrate with traditional Caribbean rum cake and English plum puddings! If you want to order rum cakes this year please do. We have three (3) sizes, shipping from Cape Coral Florida and we can get them to you in time for Christmas if you order now!

Small $29.99, Medium $37.99 and Large $47.99. To place your order contact us at /contact-us/

Free shipping and handling on orders received before 12/14/2019. All orders require 6.5% Cape Coral Sales Tax.

Let us know how you enjoyed them. Then in another few months it will be time to start the cycle again and put our special ingredients: raisins, currants, cherries, almonds, brandy, rum, port wine and spices to marinate and soak for another year. What do we mean by soaking ingredients? Well, traditional Caribbean holiday cakes that are soooooo… delicious are marinated in glass jars for at least months before the Season so that the blend of ingredients when combined with flour, milk, eggs and spices literally dissolve in the mouth. This year’s batch is no exception.

Holiday cakes make great gifts so share our smooth delicate and distinctive blend of flavors. This holiday favorite is one of the few cakes that the longer it sits on the shelf, the better it gets since the rum and wine preserve it. Like good wine these cakes gets better with age. If they are still around after 3 weeks, you can elect to seal and store them on lower shelves in the refrigerator. This allows you to savor the holiday goodness during the winter months.

We are now taking pre-orders. The cakes will be made in the traditional Caribbean way by a family in Cape Coral Florida. Yum!!! Order your rum cakes here!

How To Manage Contracts Using AI: Without Losing Sleep At Night

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Business Tools That Allow You To Scale

As small businesses grow and systematize they begin to ink increasingly more complex multi-year deals. The question then becomes how do you effectively manage increasing customer relationships and their related contractual obligations?

What do you do with with all the drafts, overflow paperwork and the finalized documents? The truth is, once the deal is inked that is when the work begins. That is when the parties are required to perform, to implement obligations, deliver product and manage their customers’ expectations.

The question then becomes how to index and securely store significant amounts of data, while having quick easy access to content, including expiration dates and critical obligations? How do you sleep at night without concern for what you may have overlooked or forgotten in waking hours?

If you have questions on contract management, the use of smart contracts that analyze, store, and manage information, or questions on how to efficiently analyze contract life cycles in high volumes, en mass, know that tools are available that allow you to identify, tag, delegate and automate party obligations, contract risk, or any other requirement that matters, by leveraging best practices in conjunction with artificial intelligence.

Here is an invitation for you to review ContractWorks, a business tool that securely routes, analyzes and manages contracts and other data so that you can conveniently and securely access data sources with information 24/7, that is, when it matters. You can review and Demo ContractWorks for free Here. ContractWorks is a business tool you can get used to, because it simplifies data management and timely routes information to authorized users in the nick of time.

Wanna Move The Needle? Here’s How To Leverage Effective Business Tech Tools

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One of my biggest pet peeves in the digital marketing space is the term “all-in-one solution”.

Ya see, I think it’s a misnomer.

Or, actually, I think it’s misleading.

Any tool is an all-in-one solution if it’s the only tool you need, but the reality behind small business is that it’s infinitely complex – and therefore the landscape of tools to support your business is infinitely diverse (and ever expanding).

I have my own robust techstack, and Infusionsoft by Keap, and AccesAlly are at the core of it. I’ve written more about the specific tools that have earned my trust – if that interests you reach out to me and I will be happy to share.

But the reality is that the tools that support each business will be somewhat personal – they’ll likely need to match up with your business needs, priorities, and goals.

So, in this diverse, technical, and tricky landscape, when you could literally spend weeks researching options – how does a business owner choose what tools to depend on?

The answer is ROI.

Like anything in business, the tools you choose are an investment – and it only makes sense to continue investing in those tools if they’re earning an ROI for you.

Now, the typical way people think about “return on investment” is in a financial way, and your tools could certainly work to create new revenue – but they could also pay a return in other ways, like by saving you money, effort, or time.

I highlight that because I think focusing solely on a monetary concern will not only limit the tools you have at your disposal, but it can also be shortsighted in terms of crushing your longer term goals.

The next piece of advice I have for selecting the tools in your techstack is to focus on the role they will play.

You almost want to think of the tools you use as actual employees you’re casting into a role.

This’ll help in a few ways – first, it’ll help you get clear on the expectations you have for that tool.

And second, it’ll serve as a reminder of why that tool is valuable – because there will come a time when you question it, or when there’s a bug of some sort; and it’s important to be able to go back to it and recognize that this tool works around the clock and doesn’t take days off.

And finally, I’ll leave you with what I think is the most important lesson – small business is about crafting journeys.

(What’s a journey?)

The experience you create for your customers is what sets your business apart from others.

So if we recognize that, then the tools we use should be designing and supporting the journey we create for our customers.

And to zoom out one level further – that means that we, as small businesses, or as entrepreneurs need to spend time getting clear on the existing journey our customers are already having.

Then, ask yourself what it should look like. Try and visualize what your perfect customer journey would entail – if you only had one customer, and you could give them all your attention, what would that feel like?

That’s the blueprint.

(Here’s a case study) of how a tech stack can support an end-to-end customer journey.)

Once you have both of those it’s time to go to work narrowing that gap.

The tools you choose are how you build the customer experience blueprint.
———–
Greg Jenkins is the founder of Monkeypod Marketing, where he focuses on empowering entrepreneurs through virtual courses and educational resources.

In addition to small business and marketing automation, Greg is a semi-professional dogsitter; he loves hiking, traveling, watching basketball, and binging netflix. And dogs, did we mention dogs?

Are You an Effective Leader?

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In today’s flat world so closely interconnected by social media and 24 hour news cycles, leaders are always visible and they come in many shapes and sizes. Further, because there are so many areas of expertise, even more splintered by demographics and communities it is good to reflect on the values and traits of good leaders as we historically understand or understood them.

Bear in mind that some people lead from behind, while others lead from in front. Additionally, many people lead very effectively from the middle because they can understand the plight of others and empathize with the experience of their tribe. The fact is leaders find solutions, and can be found everywhere! How do you lead?

Lets evaluate if or how leadership has changed or been affected by speed to market and a need to quickly close transactions while sustaining a viable business:

Do you make others feel important?
Do you promote and enthusiastically share a vision of business goals and objectives so that others understand and can contribute to them?
Do you set reasonable or unreasonable expectations for team members? Do you make adequate provisions for alternative scenarios?
Do you follow the golden rule, treating others the way you want to be treated?
Do you admit and correct mistakes, even when it is not comfortable to do so? Can you work with dissension while fostering an environment that allows the truth, or the best resolution to surface organically?
Do you praise others publicly, but are you also willing to communicate criticism or a different perspective when needed?
Do you criticize privately so that you do not embarrass, or lose the opportunity to foster a team member’s chance for personal growth?
Can you resist the temptation to gossip or diminish those who may be wired differently than you?
Are you open and visible to other people and their talents so that they learn from you and you from them?
Are you curious about nuanced distinctions and opportunities that not only make things work, but could make them perform more effectively and even to competitive business advantage?
Can you collaborate with others while making a game of competition?
Can you set clear team goals, yet be flexible enough to make adjustments, recognizing and rewarding excellence when peers exceed preset standards, that is without undermining them?
Do you avoid the temptation to diminish others or put them down because they may excel, or be better at a particular task than you are?
Can you genuinely give and receive a compliment without resentment or sarcasm?

In your view have these values changed or do they still matter? Let us know what you think.

*** Updated, previously published 2/11/19