Leading is a difficult and complex task. Leaders have to develop, inspire and motivate employees, while ensuring the organizational vision and processes are aligned with goals and objectives that achieve company growth and profitability. Rapid changes in technology and an uncertain political environment add an extra level of anxiety and uncertainty to an executive’s portfolio. Rarely does one ascend to leadership status with all the necessary intra and interpersonal competencies and technical skills to achieve both the human and business demands of leadership. Having an MBA does not prepare one to self analyze and sort through biases, blinkers and blind spots. Once a leader elevates beyond mid management, an entirely different set of skills and competencies are needed to lead an organization and its people.

I know many of you reading this article are experts at what you do and because of your success you were tapped for leadership.  In a month’s time, you went from managing processes, to having to develop teams, manage conflict, ethical behavior and communicate clear goals and objectives and quite honestly you’re overwhelmed but dare not say so aloud.  Kate Ludeman and Eddie Erlandson wrote in the Harvard Business Review ‘The more pressure an alpha male feels to perform, the more he tends to shift his leadership style from constructive and challenging to intimidating or even abusive.” One of the most important competencies at the executive level is relationship management. Few enter the ranks of leadership knowing how to do it well without some form of training or coaching.

The task of leadership preparation largely goes untapped in many organizations because it requires objective assessment and critical feedback to subordinates.  Stratford Sherman and Alyssa Freas wrote in the Harvard Business Review “Assessments and candid feedback are seen as essential to executives’ development, yet supervisors of all ranks don’t provide such feedback to subordinates. Why don’t they? This type of candor generates emotion, and emotion can be scary.”  Therefore, many of the high achievers who ultimately become leaders have never had unbridled feedback. The higher one goes up the corporate ladder the less likely this feedback occurs. Leaders need someone around who’s career is not hindered by them saying the unsay able. I know you’re saying that’s not me.

Read the rest of this article in our May Issue of Kalon Women

We’ve gone from cows and plows to assembly lines to virtual teamwork. Today companies go outside brick and mortar corporate walls to recruit and retain the best talent and profitable partnerships. According to Trina Hoefling, President of GroupOne Solutions, if your company is outsourcing, telecommuting or dispersed geographically, you are a virtual organization. Many of you are working in a virtual organization without realizing it. Virtual employees, independent and project-specific contractors have become a fundamental part of the workforce. Managers no longer manage just employees they see; some they may never see and some they don’t even know. In this context, developing teamwork and collaboration means acquiring a set of competencies and skills that can motivate, coach, assess performance and integrate people with different values, beliefs and attitudes. Leaders must have a strong cultural IQ, credibility, and sensitivity. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently read an article on small businesses and what stops them from being successful – half way through it hit me…These problems could be described as parasites – things you don’t even realize are killing your business. Little by little they waste your time and keep you from doing the things that actually make you the success you deserve to be.

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Parasite # 1- Demanding Client(s)…

If you are a business that values your customer – you give great customer service – you bend over backwards to do everything possible to make them happy and give them an experience that will bring them back for more.

In fact 99% of my business, in the past 5 years, have been repeat customers and referrals.

I am proud of that.

Even so, that doesn’t mean along the way I have not run into what I call the demanding client.

When I was a young company, I was just happy to have anyone that needed my services. I didn’t care how difficult or time consuming they were. I would do the design project as we had discussed, but then suddenly, they were not happy with something we had been developing for weeks – thing that were great last week needed to be changed.

Now you may be thinking that is great – more hours more money – NOT!

I work on a per project basis, my clients are mainly small businesses or start up companies that could not afford me if I were to charge per hours, so we have an agreed upon project price. Looking at this scenario you can see that I was working for less than minimum wage – the more time I would give the more they would demand. I realized after having a few of these types of clients I had not communicated with them effectively. I didn’t have a written – contract that explained in detail what I would do for a given amount.

Lesson learned I started to set boundaries and write contracts that were much more detailed.

The communication got better and the clients knew what to expect and things ran along much smoother. Happy customers – even happier business owner

Parasite # 2 – Unreasonable Client(s)…

My motto,

Under promise – Over Deliver

How many of us have seen or heard the ads – make 20 billion dollars in 3 hours – solve all your problems in life with just 3 easy steps…. You get my point, if it sounds too good to be true – it is.

I always try and give my clients 110% – I will not nickel and dime them to death. I will help them with marketing advice if they need it etc.

However, ever once in a while I have a client that will not adhere to our contract.

They are just plain difficult – expect the impossible, and I found myself in the difficult position of having to say things like – we didn’t agree on that, or look at the proposal we outlined, or (fill in the blanks)…

What do you do when this happens to you?

Be up front, if you feel it is not worth your time – refund the money and move on – or refund a portion of their money (if it is for a service rendered) and quit doing business with them.

It is not worth the time when you have someone who does not respect you or your business – and if you cannot find a solution cut your losses. Do not continue to hit your head against the wall – you are losing business with people who want what you have to offer because you are trying to do the impossible.

Important point:

First of all, I hope you have structured your business so you take a deposit for services rendered. I personally have my client’s pay 50% up front and 50% upon completion.

If it is a huge project, I will take 50% up front, 25% once we have an agreed upon design – and 25% upon completion.

This protects my clients from worry because they know if I don’t live up to my promises, I will not get a full payment – it protects me because I know they are serious and have paid me a portion of the agreed upon fee.

Luckily, I don’t have clients like this anymore. I can tell by the initial consultation if it is a client I want to work with.

Don’t be afraid to turn down a client if you find they are not a fit – you will benefit in the long run and so will they.

Parasite #3 – Time Wasters…

You’re a business owner that is trying to be frugal. Times are a bit tight so you think you need to do everything yourself.

Even when you don’t have the slightest idea how to do it…

After all you are smart – why not learn how to do a website – design your own marketing material – and keep the books?

ARE YOU CRAZY?

Seriously, stick to what you do well – don’t waste your time trying to learn things that should be done by someone who knows how to do it right and in a fraction of the time. You don’t need to hire the most expensive person, just a professional who knows how.

The time it takes you to learn how to do these things – could be time you are spending finding clients, marketing, networking doing what you do well.

The old adage is true, time is money. So don’t waste your time learning to do something that should be left to professionals.

In fact you may even do more harm than good to your business. An example may be something like putting up a website that is less then professional and portraying a poor image.

Or not hiring a CPA to do your taxes when you know nothing about what exemptions you can take for a business – so you end up actually losing out on tax exemptions simply because you have no clue about financial matters.

In my case I am not a programmer – I can do some minor programming – and I know where to get java scripts I can use etc. But I hate the heavy duty stuff – and it would take me forever to learn something I am not talented at and I do not like.

If I have a client that needs something I cannot do I hire it done by a professional – and I outsource it.

I know it will cost me a lot less to have it done by a programmer because it will take them a fraction of the time – and they know more than I will ever care to know. On top of that, it will cost my client a lot less because I will not spend hours trying to figure it out.

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The bottom line is – it is important to recognize time wasters when you run your own business.

A lot of things (you may not even realize) can waste your time and pull you under making your business less than successful – and in time drain you of the enthusiasm and excitement you had when you first started the dream of developing your own financial security.

The thrill of developing a business from scratch and seeing it come to fruition is amazingly satisfying and to be able to learn from others will put you on the fast track to success…

Just remember that nothing good comes easy – but everything good will come when enjoying the fruits of your labor!

Pamela Jacob  owner of Artista Design

For my list of free places to advertise your site go to:

http://freeadvertising.artistadesign.com/

I am always getting e-mail from business owners who, in their crunch for time have opted to conveniently go to a host/web design/web development/domain registrar all rolled into one…

Not a good Idea!

Let me tell you why, this is just my view, but it is an educated one. I have dealt with many, many business owners who have been burned. They now have to deal with the difficulties of redoing mistakes that didn’t have to occur in the first place.

Many business owners who are brilliant at what they do are also clueless when it comes to the Internet and all the things that must be done to develop a website, register a domain name and host that website.

On the other hand, they may know enough but want the convenience of a one stop shop, so they can be free to operate their business. Read the rest of this entry »

There are some huge misconceptions out there. People who are smart and savvy when it comes to business really don’t know the difference between websites, customized websites, and custom websites. I must admit a lot of web people, and websites play fast and loose with the terms but there is a big difference between each of them. You really have to ask questions when you have someone do a website for you.

I am not officially a certified marriage counselor, yet over the years when speaking with countless number of couples, I certainly felt like one on many occasions. If there are two topics that can lead to unrest within the home, they are love and money.

What I want to do today is offer ideas that will hopefully assist you in avoiding the conflict MONEY can raise.

Common goals besides money:

The first step I take in creating a financial plan is to understand the goals the clients have. You too need to discuss the goals each of you has with each other and pro-ceed to explore common ground. It is so important to be on the same page so to speak as to what is important to you as an individual but also as a partner in this re-lationship. Read the rest of this entry »

OK… So the debate rages on. One type of person believes the design is not important it is the content that makes the difference..

Then the other type of person thinks the design is all that is important – the content is secondary. I hear it all the time and it…

Drives Me Crazy!!

Being an artist at heart I am very visual and so design is absolutely essential.

Being a business woman my clients and website visitors are important to me and I believe that content of the site and the information you give your clients is also absolutely essential.

Being a successful entrepreneur I know that design – image – content – navigation – uniqueness – credibility – great customer service – sharing your knowledge with others is absolutely essential to have a thriving – successful online-business (or even brick and mortar business).

So lets just look at it all … If you want true success and a great business you need it all…

In fact the foundation needs to be built before you even begin building a website. This will be the foundation of your success.

1. Who is your perfect client? (The answer is not everybody!)
2. What make you different from the competition?
3. What color would attract that type of client?
4. What content will give you client the most value?
5. What will bring on-line visitors back and turn them into clients?
6. What type of navigation will be best to get my visitors information they need without having to search?

The list goes on…when you take care of the foundation and make it strong; the rest will fall into place.

The design of your website must be professional and polished,

When you cut corners and you think you are saving money think again! Doing it right the first time just makes sense.

IF you want a thriving business with results then content, design and marketing work together, leaving out any of these elements will not bring you the amazing success you deserve!
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To your success – and bottom line!

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design

I don’t know how many of you feel the way I do but when I hear the word FREE I expect it to be free…

I cannot tell you how many times I will get an email – the subject line catches my interest, so I read further, I see that they have a FREE offer. Read the rest of this entry »

Years ago, I watched the Dr. Phil McGraw show and he said “If you are going to sell things that Betty buys, you better see life through Betty’s eyes.”  I never forgot it and if you’re in business, neither should you.

Researchers Colleen Butler and Paul Chinowsky identified the interpersonal skill of empathy as one of five key emotional intelligent behaviors that need additional attention during the development of executives. To be empathetic is to understand the emotions of others; to walk in another person’s shoes. Read the rest of this entry »