Real You: Top 5 business lessons learned from the new kid at school

It's official. Summer is over, a season has ended. And what makes that reality sink in even more is that the kids start school tomorrow - I know, it's late -but it has been a blast having them around longer than usual. The kids are starting at a new school, in a new town - heck, even a new time zone. When I think about that change, and the awkwardness they'll feel tomorrow, I remember that feeling. Being the new kid. Everyone trying to find out what you're like, what group you fit into. It's the same when you launch your business. That fear of failure kicks in as you host your first event in your home, sit in the reception area on the first sales call, post your first blog or tweet, tell a potential client your hourly rate, or take that first real estate call.

Gulp.

But remember, surviving those awkward moments makes you stronger and ready to tackle the world! Here are the lessons learned from being the new kid at school:

Lesson 1. Much like a child's first day at a new school, figuring out where everything is located is key. Once you find the cafeteria, though, you still have to figure out who to sit with. Getting your bearings takes time, and as a new business owner, don't beat youself up if you're not feeling comfortable right away. Everybody finds the right lunch table eventually!

Lesson 2: If you don't ask, you'll never fit in/get in. Here's the thing - you need to be sure you don't keep your business a secret. Shy kids, like quiet non-networking business owners, don't get asked to play at recess, or get the orders, as quickly as outgoing folks do. It's a fact. If you're not putting yourself out there, no one will know you're in business. And that's not how you make money.

Lesson 3: There are bullies. Especially when you're new, you're a target. If you're entering a crowded entrepreneurial field, expect to face snark attacks from competitors who don't believe in abundance. It's a fact of life. Dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.

Lesson 4: Do one thing every day that scares you. For some kids, that means just getting up and going to school. For others, it's trying out for the play or a sport. If you are just starting out, push yourself to do one thing every day that scares you. You'll amaze yourself with all you can accomplish.

Lesson 5: You only have one first day. In business terms, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. It's true. People sum you up quickly, and you need to be sure you have bring the Real You to your business everyday, at every encounter. There is a potential client at every turn, so just make sure you don't turn her away!

This fall, tackle your business like you're the new kid at school. See how many new customers you can make. Oh, and don't forget to do your homework!

Real You: Another type of labor day

My youngest son, Dylan, is an actor and he just booked his first professional job out in LA. The reason it's relevant to Labor Day? The show is a Discovery Health series, in its fourth season, called "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". Really.

Each episode features two real-life stories of women who didn't know they were having a baby until they went into labor. After having four kids myself, I am astonished by their stories, and apparently, so are all of the viewers who tune in! Dylan's character is the stepson of the woman who didn't know she was pregnant. He had an amazing time shooting both on location in Los Angeles and in the studio. The cast and crew of the production are great.

And what did I learn, aside from the fact that there are a lot of women who are pregnant and don't know it? I learned that the set of a reality television series is a mini-community - a family of sorts that guest actors drop into by day. The crew has a culture and a tempo, just like any other office environment. And I also learned, as a first-time set mom, that there are a lot of rules about my role and responsibilities. It's another setting where I'll need to tap into the Real You process and find my way.

I do know, though, when the director - Jeff Daniels shown in the photo with Dylan - wrapped and told Dylan he did a great job, Dylan's smile made the days worthwhile. He's following his passion for acting, and I am behind him every step of the way. Learning a new job, as "momager", isn't easy, but as with every thing you do for your kids, it's a labor of love whether they were expected or not!

Real You: Is your marketing to blame? Probably not!

Hmmmm. You bought an ad. Attended a networking function. Redesigned your website. Created a new name for your business. And, you finally put together your vision board. But, still, nothing. No new business. So what's wrong? Maybe it isn't your marketing message - maybe it's that your product/service offering isn't quite right. If you've forgotten the critical step of clearly identifying your target audience - those people most likely to buy/enjoy your business' offering - then your marketing message won't resonate. Take the time - today - to be sure you know who your best customer is, clearly. If yours is a new business, imagine who it is. Create a vision board - for your customer. Where does this customer live, work, shop, eat, laugh, play, visit - online and off, vacation? Drill down, as much as possible. Does your customer have pets? Kids? During these dog days of summer, think about your customer. By the end of the process, you should feel like you know her well enough to send her a birthday card. And, maybe you should!

Real You: The Power of Twitter Babble

A new study by Pear Analytics said 40.5% of tweets are “pointless babble”. Hrumph. Yes, some of it is: “I just had the greatest new ice cream flavor.” But some of this said babble is for a point. When businesses and entrepreneurs share information important to them and their industry, insights into how they’ve achieved what they have and the like, it’s far from pointless. It’s illuminating. As Twitter has grown from small personal networks (how most people start on Twitter) to a blend of personal and professional networks of people—followers—the great potential here is to connect. These tweets humanize each of us. They connect us with like-minded people, folks who are interested in similar topics, and these simple tweets actually can lead to life-long friendships, new clients and referrals. Some of the most-followed people on Twitter provide both “useful” book-type knowledge on a regular basis AND personal insights that humanize them and build connection. And I’m talking about regular folks here; not just celebs.

So whatever it is that you’re tweeting, keep on keepin’ on! I’ve said this before, but I can’t drive home enough the many friends I’ve made, followers who have found my book through Twitter, and interviews I’ve been asked to participate in—all because of my “pointless babble”. Many someones out there think it’s a little more useful than that.

Follow me: @kairarouda.

Dog days customer lessons

Family driving vacations are a blast, no matter if it's a staycation or heading a bit farther - like our family is doing. We're driving from Ohio to California, and the dog is with us! What does that mean? Well, fortunately, Oreo is a good traveller. Also, fortunately, a quick perusal of my AAA State Guide Books - love AAA and their discounts, and even the TripTiks in the era of Navigation Systems - gave me a range of choices for overnight stays with pets. We haven't done this before - travel with Oreo - and I didn't realize how many motel/hotels offer the perk for pooches. First night: Springfield, Missouri. Perfect property. Candlewood Suites, a franchise concept from Intercontinental Hotel Group. Clean rooms, friendly staff welcoming Oreo and us. Next night: Albuquerque, New Mexico. La Quinta Inn and Suites. Welcoming dog biscuits at the front desk, and friendly staff. Enclosed courtyard for dogs. But, stinky, dirty-carpet room. Clearly, we were the 700th dog family to occupy Suite 221. It's a Catch 22, I suppose. Being pet-friendly means more wear and tear on the property. But, I go to a hotel for a clean, well-lighted place and the La Quinta wasn't that, welcome dog biscuits and all. The lesson? Deliver all the way. If your Real You brand makes a promise to the customer - pet friendly facilities, for example, don't forget the given. Not only should the dogs be happy, but their owners, the ones paying the bill, should be, too. Remember all of your customers' and their needs, or run the risk of just being half as good as you could be.

Just survived a snark attack!

If you've read my book, you know I'm fond of labeling snarks as the folks who try to inflict harm on the Real You as you strike out to step into your power and grab your entrepreneurial dreams. And unfortunately, it's almost always the case that the more successful you become, the more yourself you become, the more you stir up the snarks. That's why I've created a microsite called Snark Infested Waters for you to rate snarks and tell your story of survival. Because it's also true that with each set-back, with each snark attack you do become stronger. (I know, it still hurst while it's happening, and you may need time to heal.) So which snark attacked me today? Was it a Con-Artist Snark, Bubble-Bursting Snark, Sexist Snark? I'm not telling, suffice it to say it was enough of an attack for me to remind you if you've had one lately, you're not alone. Go ahead. Rate your snark attack and jump back into calm, pleasant waters! Happy swimming!

Real You: The importance of a happy mug

Here's the thing - each morning when the coffee is ready, I reach for my happy mug. I have several, and depending on my mood, and the weather, and the like, there is a unique mug for the situation. It's a reminder of happiness - and makes me smile. What's your happy mug? Do you have something on your desk, in your car, on your key chain that makes you smile? Not just photos of your loved ones - those are in a separate category - but are you surrounding yourself with tangible happiness with meaning just for you? It's important as an entrepreneur and a woman with a busy life, to have expressions of the Real You in your surroundings, as a part of your work day.

So what's your happy mug?

Real You: The Movie!

It’s been a summer of inspiration—speaking with women all over the country about how to put—and keep—the Real You in your business and your life. It made me realize certain themes pop up, no matter the audience, and those themes are the ones I want to share with you in The Real You Movie.

Grab your power, and shine! If you like the movie, please pass it on!

Real You: Change

All of us in small businesses across America are waiting for it. The change that lets you know it really is the bottom, that tomorrow really will be brighter. Whether it's a florist who moved into new space just before the recession hit, or the high-end hair stylist who's best clients cannot afford her services now, or the frame store owner who can now go days without a customer walking in - we are all waiting.In most posts, I write about accepting change, embracing it and making your dreams come true through entrepreneurship. And that type of active change still applies. But if you, like many of us, are waiting for the economy to change - the passive change - well, that seems even harder to embrace. Remember, though, you are not alone. Walk outside your store and talk to the retailer down the street. If you're running a home-based business, pick up the telephone and call someone else who is in the same boat - or boat-making business, perhaps. Passively waiting for change, for "things" to "get better" is tough. Going it alone is awful. We've all learned lessons through these times we are in. We've learned how strong we are, we've learned what matters, and we've learned, most assuredly, that we cannot control the rate of change in anything, or in anyone, but ourselves. So try to relax. Change what you can, and in the meantime, reach out. We are all in this together.

Real You: Surprise and delight

You’re committed to putting your passion and heart into your Real You business – but have you captured your customers’ hearts? Are you delivering a great service or product and exemplary customer service? That’s the key. Keeping customers happy – especially today – and finding new ways of engagement. Here’s a great example: A hair salon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, launched a new service offering 15-minute Skype consultations to customers. According to Springwise weekly, the service is free and allows customers to get to know a stylist – or talk to someone she already knows about a potential new style. This is a great value-add service that could apply to any number of businesses. And in this virtual world, face to face chatting is a more personalized entrée to entice a customer into your world. http://springwise.com/weekly/2009-07-22.htm#planbsalon

The Wisdom in Extraction

Bear with me as this blog post is being written as I’m taking care of my son who just had his wisdom teeth out. (Yes, everyone I know remembers that day, too!) And no, this blog post IS NOT about that! What I started thinking about this morning is that there is wisdom in extraction. One of my favorite definitions of Wisdom is “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action”. Action is the important ingredient in that definition. We are all wise, and hopefully, learning every day. But true wisdom requires action. True wisdom can be found, and built, when we take action and remove ourselves from situations that are harmful, limiting or otherwise bad for our personal brands, for ourselves.

Are you in a situation in your business or personal life that you need to extract yourself from? Do it. Take action. Stop knowing you should, and just do it. Sure, it hurts but it’s worth it in the long run, because much like wisdom teeth, you didn’t need that situation or person in your life after all.

Real You: Wal-Mart brings me to tears

Ok, here's the thing. As an entrepreneur who gets a chance to work from home on occaision, I've had a special opportunity this summer. My oldest son, who will be a freshman in college in the fall, decided to stay home this summer: eschewing camp for hanging out with his buddies here and just being home. Thus, we've been hanging out. And it's great. Until the Wal-Mart ads air. On the spot, a mom and daughter shop for dorm room supplies. At the end, the daughter runs and hugs her mom as she is walking away. I cry. I cry writing about it now. So, for all you mompreneurs out there with a freshly minted freshman-to-be, take heart. You aren't alone. That and enjoy your summer as it flies by!

Kindle Lovers… This is for you!

Amazon’s Kindle allows you to download and read thousands of books, newspapers, magazines and now blogs. This is great news for people like me, who read multiple blogs daily. There are tons of blogs listed in categories ranging from arts and entertainment to business and investing to travel, lifestyle, culture and more.

And as of today, the Real You Incorporated blog is also available on Kindle blogs!

Other blogs available for download include: The New York Times- Latest News, Huffington Post, The Onion, Seth’s Blog (Seth Godin) and Vanity Fair’s VF Daily Blog, among others.

Blogs downloaded via Kindle blogs provide you with full text content and images and are updated wirelessly throughout the day. To learn more, visit Amazon.com and download your Real You Incorporated Kindle blog!

Top 10 Reasons to Love Friday

 

No. 10. It is the day you have the best chance of procrastinating. If your boss dumps a project in your lap today, you know you have the weekend to complete it, at least. It’s a great day for all around phrases such as, “I’ll get to that next week” or “Wow, sounds like a great thing to tackle on Monday.” (I should point out for my globally minded readers that in Saudi Arabia and Iran, Friday is the last day of the weekend, and Saturday starts the work week. So there you have it, or as the British say: “And, Bob’s your uncle.”) 

No. 9. Friday is the derived from “day of Venus”, and whether that means anything to you or not, it seems apropos that in the United States, we’ve adopted something of a Casual Friday in the corporate world (also dress-down Friday or Aloha Friday) where big business tries to feel more like entrepreneurial businesses do around the office. In England and Australia, Friday is sometimes called POETS Day and stands for the less than eloquently phrased: Piss Off Early Tomorrow’s Saturday. Presumably, since they feel that way in England and Australia, folks are dressed more casually, too! At least I hope so. 

No. 8. Entrepreneurs know Friday is a chance to do much of what you’ve been doing the rest of the week, but to do it with more abandon. Ergo, if you work from home, you might stay in your pajamas longer; or brew two pots of coffee; or perhaps, linger over your favorite blogs or the like for inspiration.  

No. 7. And the seventh best reason to love Fridays? Follow Friday on Twitter! I love recognizing great folks on Twitter and love it when somebody does a shout out to me in return. It’s a Friday love fest, and some predict it will end soon, but until it does, Fridays are more fun because of #FollowFriday. 

No. 6.  Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus, is the Friday before Easter for Christians. Of the important, specific Fridays, this is the holiest in the Christian calendar. And therefore, quite worth noting on this list. 

No. 5. The fifth best reason to love Friday? Because today isn’t Black Friday. In the U.S., we use the term to connote historical financial disasters. Knock on wood, please, as you read this. (Oh, and as you know, we also call the shopping free-for-all the day after Thanksgiving Black Friday, but that is just set up for personal, not global, financial disaster.) 

No. 4. Fourth best thing about Friday? Ask any real estate agent you know, if you are thinking about getting into the real estate market, this Friday is a great day to begin your new home search. Especially if you qualify for the government’s first-time homebuyer credit, there has never been a better time to buy a home. Seriously. If you’re on the fence, make today the day you leap off. Signs are showing improvement in the market, and you don’t want to miss your chance. 

No. 3. And the third reason why Friday rocks? If you have school-aged kids, you can feel the Friday exhilaration from them, too! Sure, during the summer, the Friday relief isn’t as palpable, but as with any learned behavior, Friday habits are hard to break, so I know a Friday has arrived when my little people have an extra spring in their step. And that makes me have one, too. 

No. 2. And the second most important reason to love Fridays? Date night. Yay! Ok, so even if you’ve been married a long time (like me), it’s great to go on a date and Friday is that night. And, of course, if you’re not married, Friday is really that night. (Ah, the good ‘ol days.) 

No. 1. And the top reason to love Fridays? Vacations often start on Fridays! Mine did. Yippee!

Businesses Use Twitter to Engage Customers Online

If you haven't jumped on the social media bandwagon, hop on! More and more companies are coming up with creative ways to engage their customers online. According to Marketing VOX, a recent study indicates that more than eight in 10 Twitter users, most of which represent small businesses, expect their company's use of Twitter to increase in the next six months. And if you know me, you know how much I love Twitter and believe in its power. Nestle is taking an interesting approach to get moms talking about their product. The company is running a Juicy Juice ad that asks questions like: “How do you help your child shine a little more every day?" and "How do you stimulate your child's mind?" If you go to CafeMom and BabyCenter, you can tweet your answer, and it will be live on the ad, wherever it’s running in cyberspace. Talking about the love(s) of our lives and being an online celeb for a day. Who doesn’t love that?

How are you using Twitter to grow your business and increase awareness?

About Reinvention and what it really means to entrepreneurs

General Motors - fresh from yesterday's Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement - unveiled a new 60 second television spot titled Reinvention. The spot is full of Americana images - baseball, big cities, folks hugging, sports fans, a tattered American flag, some familiar product shots, and the now, also cliched, nod to going green: plants growing, solar panels, windmills. You get the picture. And in case you don't, you'll see the spot, along with newspaper ads, radio spots and the like soon in your market.

Nothing about a 60-second television campaign says reinvention, except for saying the word "reinvention." You know and I know nobody watches television commercials anymore, and for a company in bankruptcy to spend our money (yes, we own GM now) on image advertising seems, well, business as usual. We all have a stake in seeing GM succeed now. How about a little reinvention here? (For more on the traditional campaign tactics being employed read this AdAge article.)

Which got me to thinking about entrepreneurs and how we must constantly reinvent ourselves and our products and services. Especially now, in these tough times. We know a federal bailout isn't coming our way. Instead, we need to rely on good 'ol American ingenuity. Creativity. Teaching ourselves new things - like twittering, and blogging. Pushing ourselves out of our own comfort zones to network, to pitch our business, to learn new skills everyday.

We know reinvention isn't a word you try on - it's a way of life. It's not taught - it's felt, it's born through struggle, and worry and yes, from fear of failure. Can a huge company like GM ever really get it - get the true meaning of reinvention - if there is never a true fear of failure? I'm not sure.

But I am sure about this: women entrepreneurs are helping to reinvent the way business is being grown across the U.S. and beyond. They are helping change companies from within (although not enough are there yet) and they are launching companies that are defining success in a whole new way. I hope the "New GM" has some women inside helping it reinvent itself. The chair of the board of directors is a man, the CEO is a man, and well, you get the picture.

And speaking of the picture, the images I see on the new TV spots are all of men (I think I saw a female hand, but I'm not sure), and the voice over artist is male. But GM's customers are female. Women make or influence 85 percent of all car buying decisions. A reinvention without taking women into account - internally or as customers - is really no invention at all.

Lessons from spring break

It's great to take a break, especially a spring break with your kids. I'm blessed that all four of mine were together this year, for our last family spring break. I say the last, because my oldest is headed to college next year and the breaks don't line up. To say that having him around for 17 spring breaks and then thinking about his impending absence put an added poignancy to this break, would be an understatement. I have found myself sighing a lot more than usual, that's for sure.

His future is exciting. The roots we've provided have given him the wings he needs to select a university across the country from home. And that's what parents give their children - roots and wings.

In business, it's much the same. We nurture our employees and their dreams, and when they decide to move on, we applaud. We nurture our services and products and then release them to the world. The future success of our businesses - and the true happiness in our lives - comes from our ability to let go in order to grow.

And it's much the same with our children. It's not easy, but when they are ready it becomes our time to let go and watch them grow.

Share your vision for the new year

Share your vision with each employee, and be sure to follow it up with action. To make it work, you must stay true to your vision every day. Be consistent. There’s no waffling when it comes to reflecting your style and your brand.

And make it real. Think about how you interact with your employees. Is the way you act consistent with the qualities that make up your brand? Your employees need to know the real you. They need to know the things that make you tick—your passions. When your daily actions reflect the vision you have for the company, your leadership skills will blossom, and every member of your team will be on board.

What do you have in store for 2009?

Finding Your Target Audience

Finding and targeting a well defined audience will help your business be successful. And focusing on women is a great idea.

You may be surprised to learn that women make up 51 percent of the U.S. population, but make 85 percent of all purchasing decisions. So even if your business doesn’t cater specifically to women, more than likely they’re still the ones making the decisions.

But remember, women are savvy consumers. That means you always want to be one step ahead. In order to reach them, you’ll need to make your business incredibly accessible. Create both an online and offline presence. By 2010, women will outnumber men online by more than 8 million. Further define your customers by narrowing it down even more. Where do your consumers live, work, shop, eat? How old are they? You need to be specific in your targeting. After all, more than half the population isn’t exactly a niche market.

To find out more about female consumers, check out Life Lessons sixteen and seventeen of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs.

It's Never to Late for a Fresh Start

Maybe your business needs to be re-energized, or you need to refocus your vision for the company of your dreams. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that can guide you through the process. But first, you have to know what you want and where you’re going. Create a vision statement!

A vision statement, or road map for your brand, is basically a game plan. In one or two sentences, you can define your goals in a way that everybody understands and embraces. Determine a few words that embody what your business is about. I call them essence words, and they can help you craft a clear, well-defined vision statement. After that’s accomplished, get started on a business plan!

Check out Life Lesson Nine in Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs for a strategy map and RealYouIncorporated.com for vision boards.