In a recent Telegraph Finance article, Daniel H. Pink raises the taboo question of, “Is it okay for a businessperson to question their ability to achieve a particular goal?”
Thankfully, he does so using the adorable Bob the Builder as a model entrepreneur for the humble and self-reflective businessperson. In my experience as a life coach and home-based business mentor, I find that it is a fine line to walk between encouraging freelancers, entrepreneurs, and home-based businesspeople to think positively/dream big and helping burgeoning entrepreneurs set achievable goals in the midst of starting their own businesses. This same conundrum is present in various leadership arenas as well: I want to encourage my team without allowing them to set unrealistic expectations. My advice to those with similar dilemmas: your choice of words and tone to colleagues and team members should encourage positivity and self-reflexivity. Instead of asking whether or not something can be done, ask questions that encourage a scaffolded approach to a project or goal. Questions like, “How can you achieve ‘X’” or “Is there a way to reach ‘X’ in the timeframe we are allowing ourselves?” are better alternatives than, “So [...]
A few months ago, I wrote a post on social media use and asked the question “Should you outsource it?” Needless to say, the conversation continues to be a hot one. I am of the school of thought that even if you are a small business owner or an entrepreneur, you can outsource small things such as blog writing, video editing, video uploading, and social bookmarking.
Here are what some others had to say on Facebook and the previous post about building a social media team and if you should outsource:
Sherman Mohr
I’m a fan of outsourcing “tasks” not strategies. Once the communication and engagement plan are in place, hiring a contractor to engage, post, escalate responses, and categorize and measure activities is a good way to grow your presence.
Directory submission, Youtube and video posts are not strategic in nature and may be outsourced with great effectiveness.
Altaf Shaikh
Thrash on concepts and ideas internally, create a blueprint and then outsource execution, would be the way I would approach it. The other point I would like to add is that – social media works but takes a lot of time to gather that critical mass so outsourcing is a step in the right direction [...]
I have been receiving a bunch of emails requesting more blog posts for the freelancer. I went through some of my favorite blogs and websites and compiled a list of over 201+ tools and resources:
35+ Online Tools to Make Your Life Easier
5 Online Tools For Dealing With Clients in Other Time Zones
PIXELMATOR : LOW BUDGET TOOL
15 Online Financial Tools for Freelance Designers
25 Free Online Tools for Web Designers, Developers, Freelancers and Individuals
14 Free Things for Writers
You can also bid for work on Elance or Freelance.com
What are your favorite Freelancing tools and websites? Feel free to share them with us. We would love to hear about them.
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I have some amazing people in my life and that includes my “social circles.” Thank you to those who have said, “Ja-Naé, what do you need? How can I help get the word out about the book?” First of all, you guys rock! That means a lot to me.
If you’re on Facebook, here are three simple things that you could do to help that would make a world of a difference:
I) Share on your Wall: Post this URL on your wall http://ja-nae.net/blog/all-new-a-step-by-step-guide-to-starting-a-business-with-little-to-no-money and tell people your thoughts on the book. You can also click here and then click on the “Facebook Like” button on the page.
II) Fan/Like the Book: Well, those fan pages no longer exist. However, you can like the book on Facebook. Here is the Facebook fan page. You can also just click on the Facebook box that is on the right hand side of this page.
III. Comment on Facebook Posts: People like a party! So, they will engage when others have something to say or share. This is how we build trust within our community. So, feel free to share your thoughts and ask your questions on my wall and the book’s page. Let’s get people talking [...]
Time is really just a man made concept. I know, it’s a little hard to swallow sometimes, particularly since everything in our lives seems to revolve around it. My favorite excuse when talking to people about time management, is that they don’t have enough of it to do what they really need to do. When I recommend breaking down time and tasks up into 15 minute increments, people tend to say, “I can’t do anything in 15 minutes!” Well, here is a list of 50+ achievable tasks that you absolutely can do:
1) Clear emails
2) Connect and network on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn
3) Throw a load of laundry in
4) Make a business phone call
5) Write a hand written note
6) Make a list of things still needed to be done for the day
7) Delegate out a task to someone
Exercise
9) Make a healthy meal
10) Make a cup of coffee
11) Take a power nap (this is my favorite)
12) Talk to a friend
13) Update your blog
14) Respond to comments on your blog
15) Thank a colleague
16) Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails
17) Shop online
18) Assess your goals
19) Speak to a child
20) Make an appointment
21) Send a birthday wish
22) Wish all of your friends Happy Birthday on [...]
Life can be fun, but have its challenges along the way. Am I right? Whether you’re starting a business, raising a family, or relocating to a new city, at times it take a large amount of strength and faith just to put one foot in front of the other. I know, I’ve been there. We all have from time to time.
I was down in Boston’s North End last week and came across the church of St. Leonard. As I was walking with my canoli, I began to wonder “What do people believe in? What keeps them going when things seem hopeless or a struggle?” Though I know what keeps me going every day, no matter what life hands to me, I would like to share two other stories with you:
Dave had had a home-based business (T-shirt designer) for over 3 years. He considered himself successful making $27K a year. However, when the recession hit, orders were canceled and a major client did not pay. Needless to say, Dave’s business was hit pretty hard. But is the great thing about Dave. He knew that this was a make or break moment for his business. So, what did he do? He tripled [...]
I was out celebrating my birthday with my friend Mary last week. She mentioned how she desperately wanted to start a business,
but had no cash flow or money in her savings. When I asked her what her strategy was for bringing in more money (or saving money on her current expenses), she just shrugged. It pains me to see people I love just allow money to slip through their fingers and feel powerless over where it goes. So Mary (and anyone else who may need it), here is a list of 559+ Ways to Save Money, along with two of my personal favorite money blogs:
I Will Teach You to Become Rich: Ramit has a no nonsense style of writing and I think he is a wealth of information.
Mint.com: They are doing it right when it comes to money information and education. What’s nice, is that they have started adding posts on where you can get freebies or deals each month (ex. Which restaurant is giving out Free Sandwiches?)
Little Steps: 100 Simple Ways to Save Money for those getting Started!
106 Money-Saving Tips for a Frugal Lifestyle
10 easy ways to save $500 or more
Easy Tips for Saving Money on Home Expenses
118 Ways [...]
Yes!! Today is my birthday!!!!! Honestly, I just love any reason to celebrate. That is why, on my birthday I have a gift for those of you starting a business or own a small business (or anyone who likes getting gifts).
I would like to give you a FREE PDF version of my newly published book, “How to Start Your Business with $100.”
Why am I giving it away: Because it’s my birthday and I can do what I want to!
But, if you do download the book, I need you to do one thing for me, please. SHARE and FORWARD ON THE BOOK!!! This book is meant to be in the hands of people who need it the most. So, please help me pay it forward as many have done for me.
Thanks Everyone!
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Are you a DIY perfectionist? My dad happens to be one. You should see him redoing a house. What about starting a business or working on a project? Do you procrastinate finishing or launching in because you want everything to be perfect? Well then, this “How to Be More Productive” video is for you!
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Whether you are starting a business or are a leader of a successful organization, you will constantly be faced with obstacles. The question then becomes, “How will you overcome them?” Many times that can easy be accomplished by changing your view or perception of the situation. Which is sometimes harder than it sounds.
Mike is the CEO of a mid size company and has 200 people answering to him, as well as, watching his every move. Though the company is making millions of dollars, morale is extremely low and employees are constantly on the hunt for new jobs.
This situation is not new to Mike. He has seen it evolve over a period of a year and decided to do nothing about it. Finally, when he realized that things were spiraling out of control, he said to his C-Row, “Dammit! We need culture. Someone take care of that, will ya!” Nothing was done.
What Mike failed to realize is that as the leader of this company, people were looking to him to lead the charge. It wasn’t until one day when his daughter asked him to play Follow the Leader that the light bulb went off. It took a kids game, something so [...]
By Ja-Naé Duane
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Posted in Business Tools, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Marketing, Philosophy, Strategy, Uncategorized
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Also tagged creative marketing, entrepreneurs, leaders, leadeship, social media basics, starting a business, wahm, work from home, working from home
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