What's Your Business Identity?

It’s a good time to begin thinking about your goals for next year and how you can smartly allocate your precious resources of time, talent and treasure to achieve them. Whether you are up for the rigor of developing a multi-year strategic plan or just 2013 goals, I recommend starting with a revisit of your organization’s values and purpose. These are critical pieces of the identity of your business. It is great to be open to opportunities as they arise. Sometimes though, an interesting near term opportunity doesn’t serve your business in the long run. Clarity and commitment to your business’ values and purpose serve as a compass to guide you.

If you’d like some support in creating or refining your businesses’ identity, register for my Nov 16^th workshop: Own Your Future - Workshop 1: Identity. At the time of this post, there are seats available for 2 more businesses. Click on the “Events” link at left for details. 

Hang Your Stars

Several years ago my husband made me a fabulous colorful star light fixture to hang in my craft room at home. When we moved to Hood River, I didn’t have a craft room so I wasn’t sure what to do with it. He asked me if I was going to hang it in my office. I hadn’t really considered that because it is cheery and fun and I was afraid that my leader and business owner clients would see it and think that I don’t take my work seriously or their businesses seriously.

After some reflection on my own business I realized that while serious and important, my approach to coaching and consulting to small businesses does have an element of fun. I am silly and cheery and I’m not going to apologize for it. I think that style helps to make this work accessible to people who could benefit from but don’t have a background in Organizational Psychology. 

There may be some prospective clients who see the stars and make a judgement that I’m not a fit for them. They are probably right. 

My advice for the day is to honor what makes you uniquely you. This will resonate with the clients who are the best fit for you anyway.

Right now, in this very moment, you rock. OWN IT.

As I work with first time entrepreneurs on their fledging businesses (that includes me) I am struck by the pattern of behavior. We all have strong passions and grand dreams.  When asked simple questions about our businesses by curious friends and neighbors, we play small. We speak about what it’s not yet and what is missing. My tip for the day is to give yourself a break. Starting your own business is scary. In the grand scheme of things, you really just got started. While you know there is much more you want to be and to achieve, give yourself credit for who you already are and have already created. 

Make a chart, make it happen

I love using graphics and models, or charts as my clients say, to help people think through complex and abstract concepts. I spoke with a dear friend today who is contemplating a significant life decision. I shared my Performance Architecture model as a way to map out in a logical and fairly scientific way what she already knew but wouldn’t allow herself to embrace. I saw her face light up as she saw the potential to legitimize her decision. There is something incredibly powerful about committing to paper, what you want, why it matters and how you’re going to get it. So, my tip for the day is if you want it, make chart, and make it happen.

Strategic Philanthropy – Focused giving for a greater impact

A helpful tip I got from Mary Merrill at the CGCC Small Business Development Center was to recognize that as a business owner, I am a target of donation requests. She recommended planning for some contribution to at least one organization in order to keep a positive reputation in the community. Of course I want to help my community but I had just started my business and didn’t have any money so I hadn’t yet thought about planning for my community contribution. As she predicted, philanthropic requests started pouring in for advertising, sponsorship, free services to be auctioned, and board leadership positions. Initially, I wasn’t particularly strategic in my considerations. There is only so much time and so much money available. So, unfortunately, I don’t have great confidence that my contributions made much impact.

I have recently taken the time to think through what I have to offer, which organizations mean the most to me, and how I can best help them. Building capacity in individuals, families, organizations, and communities matters to me. So, I reserve a seat in each of my classes for a staff member of The Next Door, Inc. and of Opportunity Connections. I encourage you to think carefully about what products, equipment, facility space, expertise and more that you have and could be of aid to a non-profit that tugs at your heart-strings and not dilute your community contribution by giving small to everyone who asks.