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| by Expert Copy Strategist, Charlon Bobo |
Another inspired week is upon us. To empower you with direct resources to increased, measurable results, this week's features include:
Charlon Bobo is the founder and team leader of EditCopyProof | Wordsmithing and Editing Solutions -- Transforming Words Into Profits. Proficient in many diverse writing roles, her expertise spans more than 25 years. This solid foundation offers you a single and final destination in your quest for extraordinary press-ready services including copyediting, copywriting and proofreading. Visit us TODAY at EditCopyProof to submit your Request For Proposal. |
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| Charlon Bobo |
How Do I Set Clear Home Office Boundaries Without Alienating Family and Friends? 6 Mistaken Assumptions of Entrepreneurship and Proven Methods of Eliciting Cooperation So Your Business Thrives 
The entrepreneurial path is interesting... to
say the least. We navigate and maneuver the
most challenging business circumstances with
aplomb and educate others on the benefits of
home-based business. The rewards are many and
the opportunities for personal and
professional growth are endless. We thrive on
the many freedoms of self-managed lives. Most
days it's a joy ride.
Having said that, it can be an exercise in frustration to separate domestic life from professional life while working from a home office. For well-rounded lives we must maintain healthy families and friendships, but unless managed, external interruptions can kill productivity and kill your business. It's just not worth it, so learning how to establish clear boundaries is vital. There are many assumptions made by outsiders. It is up to us to provide the perspective that educates them and facilitates a work environment that allows the greatest productivity. Here are 6 common assumptions and what you can do to make this happen. Assumption #1 | Family/friends don't matter. This usually sounds like, "You're never available when I really need you." NOTHING is further from the truth than, "Family/friends don't matter." They matter immensely. We are completely dependent on these important relationships to keep us grounded, inspired and motivated. It's just that things need to be more compartmentalized and structured when working from home because it helps us accomplish. Set a Boundary: Establish a code word. It can be anything that has meaning and that you'll remember. A few of my code words are: Stop, Chaos, Sunshine. This word is used ONLY when your attention is truly needed. Explain the concept of using it giving specific examples. Need/accessibility is a subjective thing, so this may take practice... especially with children. If those around you know you will stop what you're doing when they earnestly require your attention, they are much more willing to support you. It's because they feel good about cooperating AND, if necessary, their needs will be met when they need you most. Engage this dynamic as much as possible because it makes the entrepreneurial road much more smooth. Assumption #2 | If we're in our offices, we are free to talk on the telephone for an indefinite amount of time. This usually sounds like, "You're at home, so why can't I talk to you? Do you really have anything else to do?" To answer the question, "YES, I do have things to do. I'm busy growing my empire here and that requires time and commitment!" Set a Boundary: You have several options here: 1) Working efficiently means eliminating all interruptions to flow. Let calls go to voicemail. Your voicemail message should say something like, "Voicemail is checked twice a day at 10 AM and 3 PM. We will return your call as soon as possible." 2) If you must answer social calls, let the caller know you have a specified time limit to talk. Then, set a timer. When it rings, the call must end. People usually learn quickly and either won't call you during business hours or will respect your schedule and value the time you are able to talk. If necessary explain the need to set these boundaries and ask for support. Most often, you get it. Assumption #3 | With such a flexible schedule, we can drop everything to attend to personal matters. This usually sounds like, "Can you pick up Junior from school? He's sick. It will only take a few minutes." Honestly, does anything only take a few minutes? Besides, just because we work from home doesn't mean we're doing nothing and it doesn't mean we can drop everything when something else comes up. Set a Boundary: This is a perfect opportunity to emphasize or re-emphasize (do it kindly!) that your work IS serious business. Discuss details of an arrangement that's fair for all parties, e.g. taking turns without keeping score. This allows all parties to be equally involved and yet honors that even if it's your turn, it may be easier this time for the other person to pick up Junior. It works both ways. If your schedule permits, even if it's not your turn, you offer to do it. This requires mutual respect and accommodation and I understand not all relationships are based in this foundation. You may have to work harder for equal division of responsibilities, but entering into negotiations instead of saying, "Yes," and later resenting it will serve you and your business. Assumption #4 | If we move from our desks, we're available, aka not working. This usually sounds like, "You were passing through the kitchen and I thought we could just get this household issue resolved now." Looks can be deceiving. What may look like I'm taking a walk, pacing throughout the house, or lying in the sun for 5 minutes may actually be me processing, creating distance for renewed objectivity, or engaging my subconscious for the next brilliant marketing venture. Who knows? The point is: I'm not available to resolve household issues, I'M WORKING! Set a Boundary: Establish a silent code so anytime your family/friends see this, they know you're working. This can be something you wear like a hat, smock, armband, pin, whatever... just something that clearly communicates you are in work-mode. Even having to say, "I'm working," takes time and energy. Imagine counting up the time it takes to say this even a few times a day. It adds up! Eliminate these time-invaders as much as possible by having a visual system in place that lets your loved-ones know this is your workspace and work time. Assumption #5 | Work can be done when all the other stuff is finished. This usually sounds like, "You can do that later." One of the benefits of being an entrepreneur is flexibility. Yes, we do have the luxury of doing things when we get to them, but if this is your modus operandi, home-based business is a poor fit for you. Just like taking care of yourself, if you wait until everything else is managed before focusing on business, frankly there's just no chance of it succeeding. There's never enough time! We must make growth a priority by making the time we have work for us. To eliminate the myriad home/business frustrations, a key component is establishing structure, systems, methods, plans, etc. Based on years of consulting with entrepreneurs this works in real-world applications. "If you fly by the seat of your pants, you'll land on your bum." Feel free to quote me! Set a Boundary: Establish office hours and systems and adhere to them as much as possible. Start simple and small. Don't think you have to do this all in a day. Life and work is a process. Implement, but enjoy the ride. Assumption #6 | Entrepreneurship is really a fancy word for "hobby." This usually sounds like, "Business? That's not business! You are having too much fun." Yes, this is fun. At the same time, it's hard work. When something looks easy, it's probably because the person is far beyond those many years of the work that looks like work. Being here, making it look effortless, is hard-earned. The arduous, time- and energy-consuming process of getting "here" is never visible to outsiders. Set a Boundary: As the opportunity presents itself, educate friends, family and clients about what you do and how you do it. Talk candidly about the challenges you face as well as touting the many benefits. Commit to giving outsiders a balanced perspective. This can be an enjoyable facet of your work. It allows others to begin to understand why you do what you do. Often they have no idea what it means to be a home-based business owner. The more they understand, the more likely it is that they can and will support you by respecting your work-related boundaries. If you maximize opportunities to share an insider perspective on home-based business, people won't assume what you're doing is a hobby and dismiss it as trivia. Yes, home-based business is fun and yes, it's flexible, but there's so much more to driving it to success-ville. Highlights include: 1) Establish code words 2) Set time limits 3) Establish fair and equitable plans for unexpected family-related scenarios 4) Wear "telling" work clothes 5) Establish office hours and systems 6) Educate family, friends and clients To begin, choose the one that makes the most sense right now and that can be implemented immediately. Then check off the others on your list as they, too, are implemented. Setting boundaries and dispelling assumptions is work. The last thing we need is even more to do, and yet, both are necessary. Start now. It gets easier with time. Promise! |
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Sharon Sayler, Marketing Success Strategist Impression Engineers |
Cashing in on Thank You
It's no wonder I love working with female entrepreneurs. This great article is just one of the many reasons. Check out Impression Engineers for more information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I think we have all heard from our customers, "It will just take a minute..." or "Just one little change...." Nothing takes a minute and any change always changes something else. It's a fine line we walk as small businesses. It is very easy for customers to ask us to bend the rules, do just one little thing, just this one time... especially if it is a long-time customer-they know where the buck stops-not so easy to claim company policy when they know you are the company. Or what about a new prospect, with offers of huge orders and loads of work... I know we've all done it at one time or another, given prospects or customers something in return for a hope of more work or orders. There is nothing wrong with that as a business practice. Although, I recommend staying away from its close cousins "trade and barter." Just remember, if you get to the point where you feel you are being taken advantage of-you are. We all want to be seen as having excellent customer service. We all want to be as helpful as possible, that's great as long as it doesn't become the norm of your company. At some point, sooner or later, you must get paid for your time and product, otherwise you are running a charity not a business. Here is one solution for balance while walking that fine line of excellent customer service and being taken advantage of. 1. Invoice all the work you do. 2. Put the real time and dollar amount on the invoice. 3. Place a zero or the reduced rate at Balance Due. 4. Attach a very short statement - Explain the exception made, bonus given, etc. - Express pleasure in the giving, appreciate the continued business, etc. The type of requests above for "freebies" is not the same as an irresistible free offer to attract attention. Giving out an irresistible trial offer shows that you believe in your product. It is part of your marketing budget and has a planned follow-up system and time or quantity limit. It is one way for the customer to "test-drive" before they buy... more about the value of those next week. Thank you may make you feel good but it doesn't pay the rent. |
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| Charlon Bobo |
Thoughts on Travel
This week I travel to rendezvous with a
new client in Minneapolis and a group of
powerhouse women from six national
locations.
For whatever reason, travel always makes me hungry for more of life. It presents opportunities to engage others and learn things I don't already know, look at things from a new perspective, or just enjoy the periphery of another's life. Personally, it allows me yet another chance to spread light, and love others. It's simple, really. And yet it's what we need most... more people to accept us as we are, look into our eyes and somehow communicate with words or thoughts that everything is okay. I cannot wait to see what the Universe has orchestrated because it is always much more interesting than my imaginings. Blessed weeks don't just happen. They are created with our words, thoughts and actions. In Sisterhood, Light & Love, 
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