KickStartYourBusiness

Exciting, Inspirational and Motivating.....

I feel like March is going to be a great month of inspiration!  I am going to the Cheryl Ricahrdson's Movers and Shakers conference this weekend in San Francisco.  It is about moving your business forward.  I think it will be great to be around 100's of people who are in the same space that I am. I am ready to tap in to that energy.

I then leave soon after for a wonderful vacation that is going to be a lot of poolside time for visioning, planning, and dreaming the last 9 months of 2010.

I am excited to see what I come up with!

How are you staying inspired about your business?

Note to Self.....

In order to have people read your blog -- you have to write your blog.

Committing to a minimum of two posts per week.

Taking Inventory

  Yesterday -- to close out 2009 -- I thought it was time to take inventory of the year.  I coached myself up and asked myself the following questions:

• What was the biggest takeaway from 2009?
• What would I like to create more of for 2010?
• What would I like to release in 2010?
• If there was one area of my business that I would like to focus on the most, what would it be?
• What is my definition for success in 2010?
• How can I support myself the most to have a successful 2010?

I am ready, set, go for 2010.  My business plan is created, my first workshop is sold out and I have a clear vision from what I learned in 2009.

Let the New Year Begin!

Movers and Shakers!

I am all signed up for the Hay House Mover and Shakers 3 day workshop in San Francisco.

It is going to be March 12 - 14 and will be three full days of learning how to take your business to the next level.  To learn more -- click here:

Movers and Shakers

If you sign up by December 31st you save $100.

Consistently You!

In a service based business it is important to have a strong brand.  A look, a feel, a language that represents you and your company.  When you work on your image, your logo, your font, your colors -- YOU need to come shining through in every way that you communicate.

An important part of creating your identity is to to really identify the attributes that you possess that you want to share with the world.  I actually created an online survey and had over 45 people complete the survey in which they identified the 5 - 10 most descriptive words they felt was applicable to me.  The top five attributes were:

• Inspiring
• Supportive
• Funny
• Energetic/enthusiastic
• Resourceful

Terrific words.  Since people already viewed me with those qualities -- it is important to have those continue to shine through all of my communications. 

Consistency is important when it comes to the visual elements of your image.  When you have a defined logo -- you want all other banners, business cards, graphics to look like it is from the same family.  Here are some examples of my consistent branding:

 

       

    

   

 

        

What are your top attributes?

How is your personality coming across in your messages, your social networking, your copy, your logo?

How are you being consistent?

Strength Finders 2.0

Focus on what works -- not what doesn't.  It keeps your energy in the right place as well as it is easier to continue to do what you do well.

I bought the book Strength Finder 2.0 and I just completed the 177 question assessment to find out what my natural talents are....drum roll please.

Jenn Barley's strengths are:

• Maximizer
• Futuristic
• Strategic
• Ideation
• Activator

I don't even know what those mean.  But I am printing out the report to understand each area best and how I can apply my strengths to my business.  More to report on after I review and make the business connection.

To learn more about the Strength Finder 2.0 book click on the icon.

Meeting in Person Tip of the Week

When you are meeting with someone for a business meeting at a coffee shop, restaurant, or any public place and you have never met the person before here are some tips:

1.  Sit by the front door -- it helps to make eye contact with each person that comes in so you can get a sense if they are meeting someone or not.

2.  Don't distract yourself with a computer, phone, writing notes etc.  You can miss the eye contact that is so important and it doesn't look like you are meeting someone.

3.  When in doubt, ask the person "Are you Jane?" to help find your person.

4.  If the person and you have not connected at 5 minutes past the appointment -- call them on their cell phone in case are there but hideen away.

KickStart the Blog

This is a trial to get my Coaching Business blog posted.