Business Things to Never Do Again in 2009

Barry... of my lessons learned...

My problem: I want to build a effective communication link with my personal network so that we can grow and collaborate together.

My effect in 2008: Social Media is very effective in growing your personal network and meeting new contacts but rather dis-jointed with so many different sites. I still haven't found the solution to my problem.

What I'll never do again: Never invite someone to my network on a social media site without also inviting them to join my personal mail list so that I can keep in touch to develop a long-term connection.

Happy New Year! ...Howard

My lesssons are often esoteric. Such lessons seem to produce tools that have micro/moment to moment application with long term effective change.

This year has been successful, delivering yet another lovely lesson.

The Situation (because I have, much less you, Barry n Howard, no "problems" - we have situations that created results that inspire us into different action) In 2008 had success on my mind. I practiced defining life and business success by my own standards - which are unique and individual to me, of course.

My effect in 2008 An incredible sense of self worth. Grounded and sustained experience of living a successful life. Rolling with the punches with grace and ease. An unshakable peace: I know I will be supported in all ways that I need, no matter what happens in my life or the world.

What I'll never do again I will not base my daily practices of business on ONLY My Own Standards.

I will not ignore: High Numbers, a successful business person makes.

Looks like 2009 is a year for the numbers in my business to start matching the infinite love and unflinching faith I have in my business.

another even more empowering word to "problem" or "situation" is:

Opportunity

Several of my favorite growth mentors call every problem an opportunity for growth, thus they are not really problems at all.

Challenging, yes. That could be another good term to use in place of problem.

Cheers!

Howard, what a great takeaway! I think that's a fantastic idea, getting people on your mailing list up front. I'm working on a system to do just that.

I already wrote a whole article about this ( http://biznik.com/articles/eight-lessons-my-business-taught-me-in-2008 ), but if I could add one more thing that I learned, it would be the value of reaching beyong my neighborhood and even region in networking.

The Situation (thanks Sierra) - I was looking for more contacts and clients, and looking to expand my network and my visibility.

The Solution - Biznik has been a piece of that solution. Local networking groups have helped, but I'm seeing the value of reaching beyond my locale through targeted social media.

I have particularly gotten a lot of mileage from articles, and plan on writing more. Since my coaching clients can come from anywhere, what I'll never do again is limit my thinking or networking to the Seattle/Eastside area.

Great exercise, Barry. Here goes:

The Challenge - Starting a second, Internet-based business while trying to keep our very successful first business (Cat's Eye Marketing) operating at full speed.

The Effect - Some very long days and nights, periodic crankiness (why are we doing this again?) but then, the beautiful realization that we were meant to be helping people with tangible problems design the solutions that are just right for them. Here and now. In real time. That, we concluded, was what brought us real joy.

What I'll Never Do Again - Pay more attention to trends than to my heart. If we listen to that still, small voice, the "gut," as Barry says, we'll know what we should be doing.

It was a painful year in some ways, yet I learned more about myself than I could have imagined. I'm ready for 2009. Bring it on!

What I learned is that I will never want to run a business that is solely based on internet marketing and online sales. Although I have created some phenomenal online partnerships, I still need that in-person connection.

Changes I'm making now:

1. New, professionally designed & coded website.
My mistake? Taught myself Adobe GoLive & did everything myself.
The result? The site looked too "homemade" and dated. I used to describe it as something that a really smart 7th grader could do but now I think that even that's condescending to 7th graders.
The lesson? You gotta know enough to know when you don't know.
The expectation? My new site will present my business in a much better light and hopefully I'll no longer be a victim of 'thin-slicing' (go read Malcokm Gladwell's book "Outlier").

2. Professional workflow management software.
My mistake? Homemade solutions done on the cheap using MS Excel & Word.
The Result? Not enough automation, not expandable, & not remotely accessible to the info I need to run my business when I'm on the road.
The lesson? There's lots of great stuff out there that can help you run your business. Even if you're smart & capable enough to put 'something' together, go find something that's really complete and spend the time & money to implement it. There exists a division of labor in our society for a purpose.....go with it....don't try to do everything all by yourself.
The expectation? My business will be much more expandable and won't rely on me to be nearly so involved with all of the tiny details in order to run right.

Rick
LoneEagleDigital.com