Ipad or notepad

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Are you an Ipad or Notepad?

By: LaTasha West

This blog post is inspired by a client who I love to chat with, she is completely innovative and yet fiercely traditional at the same time.  This conversation came about because the client had an appointment scheduled and could not locate the information that she needed to manage her meeting, therefore she called me as a backup.

During our conversation she mentioned the reason she couldn't locate the required information was because her computer was down. Which is why she likes the tried and true method of having file cabinets and file folders with papers and notes. She asked did I have client files, I answered with “I used to do it that way now all of my documentation is done electronically and stored in the cloud, everything that you do on paper I do on the internet/computer”.

This stirred a thought in us both, is one method better than the other? The answer is Nope! I believe you should do what works for you. 

I’m an Ipad, She’s a notepad. Each method had pros and cons.

Her method requires that you are in a specific location to access your information, which can be limiting if you work on the go.

My method allows me to access files wherever I can access the internet, but what happens if I have no internet access?

Nowadays technology is vast and things move really quickly, people want to be able to move and deliver right away, thus the beauty of the Ipad. This allows you to record your thoughts in a format that can be forwarded on without having to rewrite or type them out at a later time.

In defense of the notepad: some people just like to write; it’s a part of their creative process. Pen and paper helps them to think and formalize their thoughts. They enjoy flipping through pages and notes.

Earlier this year, I found that as "techie" as I can be I still would rather read a good old fashioned book, and turn the pages rather than listen to an audiobook, or read an ebook. So technically I guess I am a bit of an Ipad and a notepad.

Either way works just fine, it’s a matter of style and preference, so long as you are productive. Which one are you, an Ipad or Notepad or a combination of both?

Spotlight's on you

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Are you ready to speak up?

By: LaTasha West

If you are networking for business as you should be, there will come a time when you are in a room of unfamiliar faces. This can be daunting or it can be exhilarating! No matter how it feels that moment is a pivotal moment.

As an entrepreneur we need to get the word out about who we are and what we do, especially when we are just starting out.  This is the whole reason that you attend networking events right; to see and to be seen.  Great, but are you ready if the spotlight shines on you?

Many times you will have opportunities to talk about your business by introducing yourself to the people in the room. Did you know there is an art to the introduction?  

What to say and when.  The first thing you want to do when networking is to “see”, spend a few minutes checking out the room (Sometimes you can do this before you arrive, with the help of social media.We’ll talk more about another time). As you notice who is there make a list or mental note of who you want to connect with.  If you are a women’s business coach like myself, you’ll probably want to connect with women in business, if  you are selling medical supplies, you may want to connect with any doctors in the room. Make sense? Be strategic.

Now that you know who you want to talk to, what do you say? This is your moment, possibly the only chance that you will have to get in front of this audience you must make it count! Are you ready?

Here’s when a good elevator speech or 30 second speech comes in handy. If you don’t have an elevator speech use the tips below and create yours.

This is the basic layout for an elevator/30 second speech.

I (verb) (target audience)(what I do) (benefit)

Your pitch must also be intriguing and move potential clients to action.

Example:

Tiffany the event planners 30 second pitch may look like this:

Hello my name is Tiffany; I make clients dreams come true by creating memorable weddings and other events.  Is there a milestone event that I can make memorable for you?

Tiffany started off with a bold attention grabbing statement, she explained what she did then she offered to help, all in 30 seconds or less.  A simple well-crafted elevator pitch can lead to make some great connections. Have your pitch ready!

Go ahead give it a try. If you are not sure about your pitch I’d love to help. Click here to shoot me an email with your pitch and I will offer tips and advice to help make your pitch great!

The Fab 5

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Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I’m sure this is a statement that you have heard many many times. It’s so simple yet so powerful. Visualize yourself back in the 1950s (I know you may not have been born yet, but go with me) you are a young girl and your parents have sent you to the market to get the families weekly supply of eggs. You gather up the biggest, brightest eggs and put them in your new basket, and begin your journey home.  Just as you are strolling along enjoying a nice sunny spring day humming your favorite song, here comes Bobby. We all know Bobby, the boy who plays entirely too much! He pushes you and your basket goes flying in the air. Gasp! All off the eggs fly in the air and then crash to the ground. There goes your family’s full weeks’ worth of eggs.

If only you had more than one basket you could have possibly had a few eggs to spare.  Look at your business in this same way. You do not want all of your revenue to come from one source. What happens if that source dries up? Your income is dead, flat line and you have to start over. As business women we have to be proactive, forward thinkers. Any smart business woman should have multiple income sources in her business. Studies suggest that one woman should have 3-5 income sources.  Do you?

I encourage my clients not only to have 3-5 income sources; I also strongly suggest that your main business should be able to generate revenue in 5 different ways. Can you think of 5 ways that your business can make you money?

Let’s look at an example

You own a daycare, here are 5 possible revenue streams for your daycare

1. Main source- 9 a-5 p care for children

2. Extended before and after care- 6 a-9 a and 5 p-7 p

3. Tutoring services

4. Spring Break, Winter Break and summer camp for older siblings of the children you normally care for

5. Transportation service- offer to get the children to and from school or after school activities

Pow- You have just figured out 5 revenue streams for one business.

So what is your 5?

Need help figuring out your 5, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn how we can help you make more money!

Written by: LaTasha West, CEO of Her Business Consulting, and a certified small business development coach.

www.herbusinessmag.com

You should be in video

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Well at least your business should. I’m certain that if you are not hiding under a rock you have at minimum heard of YouTube. Chances are that you have probably even taken to the site to learn how to do one thing or another. 

YouTube is the 2^nd largest search engine next to Google (which by the way owns YouTube).  In my opinion all small businesses should have a video presence. This will allow your customers an alternate way to experience your company and could be also give your company an edge over the competition. It’s a fact that people do business with those they know, trust and love. YouTube helps to create that relationship.

True story- I was looking to hire a speaker for a workshop, I glanced at each candidates’ YouTube page to learn a little more about them.  By looking at their videos I was able to see their presentation style, hear them speak &learn a bit about their personalities. I made my final decision based on the YouTube presence.

Here 10 ways your company can use YouTube

1. To introduce the company to the world

2. To connect with clients on a more personal level/ build trust

3. To introduce new products, services or team members

4. To do damage control, if needed. You can put together a quick sincere video explaining the situation and have it available within minutes literally.

5. To teach clients how to use products

6. To explain “how to do something”

7. To present a class

8. To make a short video greeting card or newsletter

9. To do a video blog

10. To market an upcoming event

I am sure you can think of a few more creative ways to use this service. One super-duper great thing about YouTube is that it’s FREE! All you need to get started is a smartphone, YouTube account and a video!  Try it out at YouTube.com

Visit our YouTube page and subscribe to stay update with the happenings of Her Business Consulting. Click Here!

***Diamond (commonly referred to as a tip)- If you’d like to add some pizzazz to your video with an opener, head over to Fiverr.com and have one made for just $5.00!