So as a business owner, of course, I have to learn how to stay on top of the latest technology for marketing my firm. The challenge is I don't have an IT person to help guide me through this. so here I am fumbling through all this stuff. Blogging isn't too bad if I can just find time to consistently post. LinkedIn is nice to keep track of people I had worked with before in other jobs or engagements. I haven't figured out yet how to use it to actually find buyers and land business. I think because it would require more time than what I'm willing to commit to it.
The newest outlet I've ventured into is Twitter. This is a really interesting and mind boggling medium. At first, I thought "Who in the world is going to want to follow me?" Let's face it, I'm just a girl trying to be a good mom while running and growing a business. Surprisingly, in the 3 (?) weeks I've been on there, I've actually attracted some serious followers - like the Pittsburgh Business Times and Manufacturing Crunch!
I will admit, I've avoided Facebook. Lots of my friends have asked me if I'm on there or tried to get me on. I just can't do it. I only have so much time to manage and stay on top of all these different outlets. I would rather spend that time with my kids than trying to manage one more social media. But if you can prove the business value to me of Facebook over LinkedIn, I'll switch - I'm not doing both!
The challenge for me - besides the technological side of it - is keeping everything (except this blog) strictly business. I value my family's privacy above anything else. Even here, I try to limit revealing any personally identifiable stuff about my family and I will never post pictures of my family. I have no control over who sees this information and as my son often says "People are crazy"
So I'm continuing my foray into all these new social media. I hope to figure out which are useful, which are not, and how to effectively use them. Wish me luck!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Happy Mid-Year!
I know lots of people love to celebrate New Years Eve. It gives them a chance to reflect on the previous year and set new goals for the new year. For me, the end of June is almost like another New Year for me. See I live in Pennsylvania and the state's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30th. While I do not work for the state, several of my clients depend on state grants to help fund the projects and training they do with my firm. That mean's I'm usually very busy with work in June as everyone tries to finish projects and training before the year ends and July is rather quiet. So, I try to take the first week of July to evaluate how the first half of the year went, what worked, what didn't, and any adjustments that need to be made for the second half of the year.
Right now, not only am I looking at the projects I'm working on and training that we offer, but I'm also looking at where I'm focusing my efforts geographically. The first half of the year involved me doing a lot of traveling overnight for several nights in a row. My kids were not too fond of all that traveling. Of course to develop new business closer to home, I'm going to have to spend a lot of time prospecting and trying to build new relationships.
The cool thing now though, is the kids are just now getting old enough that I can take them down to my office for about a half hour and they will play while I check e-mail. Their attention span doesn't last much longer than that - but it's definitely progress. I'm hoping to install a wireless router in the next few weeks so I can do some work while we're outside playing in the backyard. At least, in my head this seems to be a good idea, we'll see how it plays out in real life!
Right now, not only am I looking at the projects I'm working on and training that we offer, but I'm also looking at where I'm focusing my efforts geographically. The first half of the year involved me doing a lot of traveling overnight for several nights in a row. My kids were not too fond of all that traveling. Of course to develop new business closer to home, I'm going to have to spend a lot of time prospecting and trying to build new relationships.
The cool thing now though, is the kids are just now getting old enough that I can take them down to my office for about a half hour and they will play while I check e-mail. Their attention span doesn't last much longer than that - but it's definitely progress. I'm hoping to install a wireless router in the next few weeks so I can do some work while we're outside playing in the backyard. At least, in my head this seems to be a good idea, we'll see how it plays out in real life!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Why I work for myself
Last Wednesday I had a great reminder of why I work for myself. Now, let's be clear that running your own business is not easy. You take on quite a bit of risk, there is no guarantee of a paycheck (or that your clients will pay you on time), and there is no such thing as work/life balance (you just have a life). I've been spending an inordinate amount of time lately working on training materials for one of my largest clients. This means not only am I working my three days a week with Naomi watching the kids, but I put in another three hours every night after I put them in bed, plus naptimes on the weekends. Add to that my frustration with government regulation and taxes (That's a whole other post!) and there are days when I wonder if it would be easier to just work full-time elsewhere or be a full-time stay-at-home mom. While I know I could never go being a full-time employee (I like being the boss) I love working.
So last Wednesday, I got a reminder of what a great life I have. My son just turned 3 and my daughter turned 18 months. If you're a parent, then you know that means a trip to the doctor for a well visit. Their appointment was at 1:30 pm, so Naomi came and I worked in the morning doing project reviews with the students in my Six Sigma Black Belt course. I came up from my office at lunch and we all ate together. (Daddy comes home everyday at lunch, too.) The kids and I went to the doctor's appointment and on the way home, we got to stop by the railroad tracks so my son could watch for trains - I didn't have to rush back to work. Then when we got home, my daughter took a nap and my son and I went out to fly his new Lightning McQueen kite.
It was a beautiful sunny 70 degree day - unusual for March. Two things happened that afternoon that made me really stop and thank God for my life. First, I watched my son as he was lying in the grass, propped up an his elbow, looking up at his kite completely at peace. Then a little later on, while we were playing in his sandbox, he ran out to the middle of the yard and laid down on his back and yelled "Come on Mommy, come lay down with me." So I did. We just laid in the grass, feeling the warm sun on our faces, and watched the clouds and streaks from the planes. Later, that night as I was working on my training material and both kids were in bed sleeping, I remembered the afternoon and why I love working for myself.
So last Wednesday, I got a reminder of what a great life I have. My son just turned 3 and my daughter turned 18 months. If you're a parent, then you know that means a trip to the doctor for a well visit. Their appointment was at 1:30 pm, so Naomi came and I worked in the morning doing project reviews with the students in my Six Sigma Black Belt course. I came up from my office at lunch and we all ate together. (Daddy comes home everyday at lunch, too.) The kids and I went to the doctor's appointment and on the way home, we got to stop by the railroad tracks so my son could watch for trains - I didn't have to rush back to work. Then when we got home, my daughter took a nap and my son and I went out to fly his new Lightning McQueen kite.
It was a beautiful sunny 70 degree day - unusual for March. Two things happened that afternoon that made me really stop and thank God for my life. First, I watched my son as he was lying in the grass, propped up an his elbow, looking up at his kite completely at peace. Then a little later on, while we were playing in his sandbox, he ran out to the middle of the yard and laid down on his back and yelled "Come on Mommy, come lay down with me." So I did. We just laid in the grass, feeling the warm sun on our faces, and watched the clouds and streaks from the planes. Later, that night as I was working on my training material and both kids were in bed sleeping, I remembered the afternoon and why I love working for myself.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Jot this down.... where?
Ok, so here's one more story for you. This past Friday I was running around getting things ready for my son's birthday party. Wouldn't you know I got four business calls that afternoon. My husband had also taken the day off, so I went to run a couple errands while he stayed with the kids.
Since I was in the car by myself I decided to check my voice mail and return a few calls. As I'm listening to my messages, I realize I don't have my planner, or anything I can take notes on for that matter, no big deal, I'll just listen and return calls on Monday. One of the messages was from the president of a company I have been trying to get a contract with for six months. He wanted me to call him back that afternoon - I needed something to write on now! I'm thinking - How can I not have a single piece of paper in this car! Then it dawns on me, I have diapers in my purse for my daughter. I can take notes on the back of the diaper then transfer them to my planner when I get home. I just need to make sure I do it before I forget and put the diaper on her.
I'm glad I called back that president, we have a meeting scheduled for next week. As for taking notes on a diaper - it's not the easiest thing in the world - but it works!
Since I was in the car by myself I decided to check my voice mail and return a few calls. As I'm listening to my messages, I realize I don't have my planner, or anything I can take notes on for that matter, no big deal, I'll just listen and return calls on Monday. One of the messages was from the president of a company I have been trying to get a contract with for six months. He wanted me to call him back that afternoon - I needed something to write on now! I'm thinking - How can I not have a single piece of paper in this car! Then it dawns on me, I have diapers in my purse for my daughter. I can take notes on the back of the diaper then transfer them to my planner when I get home. I just need to make sure I do it before I forget and put the diaper on her.
I'm glad I called back that president, we have a meeting scheduled for next week. As for taking notes on a diaper - it's not the easiest thing in the world - but it works!
Training Materials, Rice, and Stickers
I know it's been a while and I have so many great stories to share. It's been busy here with me traveling and then getting called for jury duty - which by the way was fascinating. I know everyone tries to get out of jury duty, but it's so interesting. I'm actually very glad I was chosen and got to sit on a jury. If you have the chance, do it.
Ok, a couple weeks ago I was preparing for the first session of a Six Sigma Black Belt course I'm teaching. I had everything ready except the CDs for the students with the training material. I decided to bring my laptop upstairs and burn the CDs in the kitchen while my kids ate lunch. It was Naomi's day off how hard could this be? HAHAHA!
I set up my laptop on one part of my counter (away from any water or food sources) and the labels and cases for the CDs on another part of the counter. I got my children seated at the table with some chicken-flavored rice (one of their favorite foods). After I finish burning the first CD, I get the second started and take the first over to stick the label on it and slide it into sleeve. I thought I had a smooth process worked out. Then my son jumped down "I want stickers too!" he starts shouting. I peel parts of the unused paper off for him to play with and he proceeds to stick them on himself and chase Jake, our dog. I tell him to stop chasing Jake as I continue my CD making process.
Meanwhile, my daughter is still happily eating her rice. Ever once and a while my son pops back in for another "sticker" to play with. Suddenly, I wonder what has been happening with all the stickers. As I casually ask him what he's doing with the stickers, he replies "Nothin' mommy." This is when I realize he has stuck them to our wooden kitchen table, my couch, and on himself. (Have I mentioned he's in the stage where he only wants to run around in his underwear?) I go start unpeeling the stickers from the couch and his body. As I head back into the kitchen to continue burning the CDs, check on my daughter, and peel the stickers - I hope - off my table, I hear her laughing. I turn the corner to see her holding her hand out and Jake licking it off. I ask her "What did you just feed Jake?" See simply and innocently looked at me, held her one hand out to her side, and said "Nothin'." How's that for an 18 month-old?
I then spent the next 15 minutes cleaning up rice and stickers from the kitchen and children's bodies all while trying to not get rice stuck on the training CDs or in the CD sleeves. Believe it or not the CDs turned out just great.
Ok, a couple weeks ago I was preparing for the first session of a Six Sigma Black Belt course I'm teaching. I had everything ready except the CDs for the students with the training material. I decided to bring my laptop upstairs and burn the CDs in the kitchen while my kids ate lunch. It was Naomi's day off how hard could this be? HAHAHA!
I set up my laptop on one part of my counter (away from any water or food sources) and the labels and cases for the CDs on another part of the counter. I got my children seated at the table with some chicken-flavored rice (one of their favorite foods). After I finish burning the first CD, I get the second started and take the first over to stick the label on it and slide it into sleeve. I thought I had a smooth process worked out. Then my son jumped down "I want stickers too!" he starts shouting. I peel parts of the unused paper off for him to play with and he proceeds to stick them on himself and chase Jake, our dog. I tell him to stop chasing Jake as I continue my CD making process.
Meanwhile, my daughter is still happily eating her rice. Ever once and a while my son pops back in for another "sticker" to play with. Suddenly, I wonder what has been happening with all the stickers. As I casually ask him what he's doing with the stickers, he replies "Nothin' mommy." This is when I realize he has stuck them to our wooden kitchen table, my couch, and on himself. (Have I mentioned he's in the stage where he only wants to run around in his underwear?) I go start unpeeling the stickers from the couch and his body. As I head back into the kitchen to continue burning the CDs, check on my daughter, and peel the stickers - I hope - off my table, I hear her laughing. I turn the corner to see her holding her hand out and Jake licking it off. I ask her "What did you just feed Jake?" See simply and innocently looked at me, held her one hand out to her side, and said "Nothin'." How's that for an 18 month-old?
I then spent the next 15 minutes cleaning up rice and stickers from the kitchen and children's bodies all while trying to not get rice stuck on the training CDs or in the CD sleeves. Believe it or not the CDs turned out just great.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Economy Stinks - Now What?
It's been a pretty quite month here in our house and with business. No major overnight trips, crazy deadlines, or scheduling issues (you know those client calls when kids are wailing in the background or pounding on the heating vents.) While you would think that's a good thing, I'm definitely uneasy. As most of you know, I always have some major event happening or on the horizon. You figure, in just the last three years our family has experienced the birth of two children, moved once, launched two businesses, traveled to Europe, and my husband has changed jobs twice. And that's just what I can think of at the moment.
I guess what I've really be pondering is the current business and economic climate. Let's face it, it hasn't exactly been roses out there. Yet, when I'm in talking to my clients, many of them are doing well or at least they're holding steady. They don't seem to be getting hammered like the talking heads on the evening news or Pres. Obama would lead you to believe. That should be a good thing, right? So why is it that they are skittish about investing to improve their operating processes? I do have a few clients that are really going on the offensive in this market. Incredibly focused on eliminating the waste in their processes, improving their quality, and taking market share away from their competitors. These clients are fun to work with - they have an amazing energy, great leadership, and a clear vision. Then I have most of my other clients who might actually be in a better position with their backlog and cash flow that are afraid to make any changes. They are pushing out projects, holding off on training, all the things that could help them improve their profitability. I don't get it.
I've been talking to my clients since about August or Sept. about investing in these areas during slow times so they are in a better position to weather these economic storms and emerge stronger. It's not just talk either, I've been looking at my own business to make sure I'm offering the services clients want, watching my costs, and actually expanding (I'll be bringing on my second person next month.) At the same time though, I'm holding off on finishing my basement/office. I really think my clients would rather I use the funds they're paying me to provide additional services to help them instead of carpeting my floor. Plus, my kids love that they can draw on my office floor with chalk (it's still concrete.)
Ok, so this really is not my best blog entry, but it's just something that has taken up so much of my thoughts lately. I believe so strongly in manufacturing and the american work ethic and I want so desperately to see these companies succeed and grow. I guess I just get frustrated when I know I could help them and they don't want to invest in helping themselves. On the other hand, are those clients I would really want to work with? I don't know..... Thoughts?
I guess what I've really be pondering is the current business and economic climate. Let's face it, it hasn't exactly been roses out there. Yet, when I'm in talking to my clients, many of them are doing well or at least they're holding steady. They don't seem to be getting hammered like the talking heads on the evening news or Pres. Obama would lead you to believe. That should be a good thing, right? So why is it that they are skittish about investing to improve their operating processes? I do have a few clients that are really going on the offensive in this market. Incredibly focused on eliminating the waste in their processes, improving their quality, and taking market share away from their competitors. These clients are fun to work with - they have an amazing energy, great leadership, and a clear vision. Then I have most of my other clients who might actually be in a better position with their backlog and cash flow that are afraid to make any changes. They are pushing out projects, holding off on training, all the things that could help them improve their profitability. I don't get it.
I've been talking to my clients since about August or Sept. about investing in these areas during slow times so they are in a better position to weather these economic storms and emerge stronger. It's not just talk either, I've been looking at my own business to make sure I'm offering the services clients want, watching my costs, and actually expanding (I'll be bringing on my second person next month.) At the same time though, I'm holding off on finishing my basement/office. I really think my clients would rather I use the funds they're paying me to provide additional services to help them instead of carpeting my floor. Plus, my kids love that they can draw on my office floor with chalk (it's still concrete.)
Ok, so this really is not my best blog entry, but it's just something that has taken up so much of my thoughts lately. I believe so strongly in manufacturing and the american work ethic and I want so desperately to see these companies succeed and grow. I guess I just get frustrated when I know I could help them and they don't want to invest in helping themselves. On the other hand, are those clients I would really want to work with? I don't know..... Thoughts?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Staples and Schedules
Ok, if you've noticed my tagline, you'll see that it reads part-time CEO and full-time mom. The reason I picked it is two-fold, first because I don't work a traditional five-day week. The other reason is because I think most moms regardless of how many hours a week you work are still a mom and when a child is sick or gets hurt, you a usually the one that stays with the child.
Last Tuesday, my son got his first official injury. He was running laps around our downstairs when he tripped or bounced into the couch (I'm not really sure what happened, I was trying to find and pick up his socks so we could go to our cell group meeting at church.) That spun him around and he fell backwards into the doorway from our family room to the foyer. Of course, he began really crying and I quickly swooped him up. As I'm sitting there rocking him and trying to sooth him I decide to just quickly check the back of his head to make sure everything is ok - that's when I saw the blood. He had split the back of his head open. Ed and I actually stayed quite calm, getting him cleaned up a bit. Ed took him to the ER for staples and they were back home in less than three hours.
Now, here's the challenge, I had two meetings scheduled for the next day, plus a dentist appointment. What do I do? As a mom, I want to stay home and baby my child, as a CEO I know I have commitments to my clients. So, I waited to see how he was in the morning. My dentist appointment was at 8:20 am and my son went with me just as we had planned - and you know what - he was fine. So I went to my first meeting about 25 minutes away then stopped back at home - he's still fine. In fact, he has to be told no running in the house today. Three staples in the back of his head and it hasn't slowed him down one bit. I worked in the basement for a few more hours before my afternoon meeting 10 minutes away. The boy is still fine.
Step two to this process is getting the staples out. My son has to go this Thursday at 2:30 pm. I was supposed to be meeting with a client two hours away that day. Ed has a meeting at 3 pm that he can't change or move. So, guess who changed their meeting? Yep, I did. Because like I said at the beginning, it doesn't matter how many hours a week you work, when you're a mom - you are always a mom and that is your first priority. So I will be traveling north to met my client tomorrow instead and taking my son to the doctors on Thursday to get his staples out. My kids may not remember all these things when they're older - I just hope they remember that their mom was there for them.
Last Tuesday, my son got his first official injury. He was running laps around our downstairs when he tripped or bounced into the couch (I'm not really sure what happened, I was trying to find and pick up his socks so we could go to our cell group meeting at church.) That spun him around and he fell backwards into the doorway from our family room to the foyer. Of course, he began really crying and I quickly swooped him up. As I'm sitting there rocking him and trying to sooth him I decide to just quickly check the back of his head to make sure everything is ok - that's when I saw the blood. He had split the back of his head open. Ed and I actually stayed quite calm, getting him cleaned up a bit. Ed took him to the ER for staples and they were back home in less than three hours.
Now, here's the challenge, I had two meetings scheduled for the next day, plus a dentist appointment. What do I do? As a mom, I want to stay home and baby my child, as a CEO I know I have commitments to my clients. So, I waited to see how he was in the morning. My dentist appointment was at 8:20 am and my son went with me just as we had planned - and you know what - he was fine. So I went to my first meeting about 25 minutes away then stopped back at home - he's still fine. In fact, he has to be told no running in the house today. Three staples in the back of his head and it hasn't slowed him down one bit. I worked in the basement for a few more hours before my afternoon meeting 10 minutes away. The boy is still fine.
Step two to this process is getting the staples out. My son has to go this Thursday at 2:30 pm. I was supposed to be meeting with a client two hours away that day. Ed has a meeting at 3 pm that he can't change or move. So, guess who changed their meeting? Yep, I did. Because like I said at the beginning, it doesn't matter how many hours a week you work, when you're a mom - you are always a mom and that is your first priority. So I will be traveling north to met my client tomorrow instead and taking my son to the doctors on Thursday to get his staples out. My kids may not remember all these things when they're older - I just hope they remember that their mom was there for them.
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