SILKFAIR Blog – June 2010

Before the day ends, do you feel that you don’t have enough time to finish everything on your to do list? Do you think that there are just too many things for you to do? Are you always stressed after a day’s work? If you answered yes to all my questions, then it is highly possible that you’re suffering from poor time management. So, I am going to share with you 4 tips on coping with poor time management.

1. Be willing to change.
Before you can make a difference, you must make sure that it really is in you to change. Make certain that you are properly motivated and that you are determined to take a big leap for the change. Because if you are not really that dedicated to changing your attitude, chances are you will fail sooner or later. It will only take a few obstacles for you to turn your back to change.

2. Get organized.
You might not believe this but getting organized is one sure way of successfully managing your time. You’re asking why? Here’s an example: You are working on a feasibility study for the small business that you’re about to put up. All the researched information, the documents that you need, and other pertinent paperwork are all cluttered on your desk. Suddenly, you needed to go out to run an errand. When you get back, you find out that someone had cleaned the room and put away all your stuff. The precious time that should have been spent on finishing the report is then devoted to looking for all the paperwork and making sure that it is complete. Now, do you see how time-consuming it is being disorganized? There are a lot of things that you can use to get organized. Sticky notes are great for little reminders, but you need to remember to write them as well (no pun intended). Planners and calendars can also be useful to you. Also, you need to learn how to prioritize. Do not do first what you think is easy. You have to think of what is most urgently needed to be accomplished. That way, you are not too much pressed for time.

3. Do not procrastinate.
Okay, this is very common especially before working on things that you find boring. Even I admittedly procrastinate sometimes if I don’t really like what I’m about to do. Honestly, I find it really hard to work under pressure. If you procrastinate too much, you might end up stressed with so much work to do in so little time. Also, the quality of your work will be affected.

4. Practice self-discipline.
Even if you follow the first three tips that I listed above, if you only do it for a couple of weeks or so, and go back to your old ways, you will never ever learn how to cope with poor time management. If you’re used to always being late, and working under time pressure, then you will really find it difficult to change. You just have to practice self-discipline for you to be able to succeed in learning how to properly manage your time. Try making these tips a habit and make them part of your routine. Everyone has the  potential to learn something new, they just need time.

Are you good at telling your story?  If you know who you serve or need to connect with, then your story becomes compelling and interesting.

When I say story, I’m not referring to a long dissertation nor am I describing a keynote address.  Your story is told in sound bites and in snippets.

A great testimonial is a great story! Are you using your blog to provide stories – house your testimonials?
Even the content on your web page – no matter what you’re selling – can be a powerful salesperson for you, if it tells a story.

First, who do you serve or work with (women with children, women returning to the work force, generation y transition from school to career, people transitioning from one career field to another…answer the who.

Second, how do you benefit those people?  Do you help emergency workers have piece of mind by providing stress management techniques?  Do you help emerging CEOs stay organized and on time?  Do you work provide leadership and accountability to  a team?    What do you do to benefit those you serve or work with?

Lastly, think of something that you’ve done lately to save the day for a contact.  Because, the question that follows “what do you do” is the next question “what have you been up to.”  And, if you want to be average with everyone else say “I’ve been busy.”  We all say that.

For example, I’m flying back from Boston as I write this post.  And, what I did was – work with a dean of large educational institution to kick of their program for mentoring program for women in industry.  So, when I was asked by someone as we waited for our flight “what have you been doing” I answered, I’m just coming back to Texas after providing inspiration and word of mouth skills to a group of graduating women engineers.

So, yes, basically…I’ve been busy.  Yet, doesn’t the quick 15 second story say so much more?

Here’s a great way to write a testimonial:

First, what do you do and what are you known for (go ahead and share what your businesses super power really is).

Second, a time when someone needed your help, product or service.

Third, what you did to create a solution.

Forth, how excited they were that you “saved the day”.

Now, craft your own-brand story!

Where Do the Clients that Give You the Most Pleasure and Profit Come From?

When asked this question, most businesses will answer “recommendations” or “someone referred them to me”. Referrals and Recommendations tend to be the most effective and least expensive form of developing new business – yet many businesses don’t have a strategy in place to maximize their potential.

Do you…

1. Have a system in place designed to generate leads and referrals?
2. Is that system a positive experience where everyone is treated individually as a professional?
3. Have access to community leaders, chamber of commerce leaders, professional and entrepreneur’s?
4. Is it a place where fun, results and attendance encouraged and nurtured?
5. Is it a place where professionalism is PRACTICED not “only preached”?
6. Is it attracting the kind of people that you are seeking?

As an online shop owner, you can ask the same questions…

1. Do you have a system in place to general leads and referrals?
• Silkfair’s “share with a friend” button does that for you with ease.

2. Is the system a positive experience?
• Silkfair provides an appealing looking store front that’s branded and customized without taking lots of time or money.

3. Have access to community leaders?
• Yes, the community features:  forum, chatroom, blog, members – provide access and sharing of best practices amongst other custom shop owners.

4. It is a place where fun and results are encouraged?
• Yes. Always!

5. Is it a place where professionalism is practiced?
• We are professionals at creating custom shops with the right tools so that you don’t have to.  Do what you do best – we’ll take care of the rest!

6. Is it attracting the people you are seeking?
• We focus on traffic everyday so you focus on providing great customer service, quality service at a fair price.