Lisa Robbin Young

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Whether your business is online or off, you're going to likely be interacting with people. Gasp! I know! PEOPLE!!

Bluntly, first impressions still matter.  They're often awkward, inaccurate, and problematic, but they still matter. As a business owner, your ability to create a favorable initial encounter can impact your company's growth and reputation. Honestly, the number of times I've been pitched a cold email with typos, inaccuracies, and other language issues makes me wonder if that person really wants to do business with me. Recently, I had another business owner call me NICK in his cold email. My name is nowhere CLOSE to Nick! You really have to TRY to misspell Lisa to get Nick... the letters aren't even close together on the keyboard!

Positive first impressions are all about improving your visibility - a good first impression means a positive memory in your collaborator's mind when they walk away. As relationships develop, a person steps back into a conversation from whatever "frame" they left it. So if your first interaction is positive, they come to the second interaction with a positive impression and feeling... setting you up to have another positive interaction and perpetuate that cycle of awesomeness.

If you start off on the wrong foot, it's so challenging to get back on the right one.

Many business owners don't realize how the "little things" can make a big impression. Companies like EverLine Coatings and Services stripe parking lots (among other things), which may not seem like a big deal - until you drive up to a store front that hasn't had the lot painted in decades and you're not even sure if the joint is still open anymore! Having fresh, crisp lines on your lot gives it that "new car smell" so to speak. That clean, fresh look can make a BIG first impression.

Now, there’s a lot more that goes into first impressions than just aesthetics - way more. Here are a few additional ideas to help you make a great first impression with your business.

Start Dressing the Part

Yeah, I know it's "aesthetics", but it counts! Your attire speaks volumes about your brand. Dressing appropriately for your industry and the occasion is essential. This doesn’t immediately mean that you have to wear a suit if suits just aren’t your thing. If your business is in the tech industry, it doesn’t immediately mean that you need to wear jeans and a muted jacket. Steve Jobs gave up suits in favor of jeans and a mock turtleneck. That was his wardrobe, his "brand identity" in clothing form.

What it means is to dress as if you (and your business) easily fit into the industry. If you’re into business casual, then just wear that. If there are meetings where people are in suits, then dress for that occasion. 

It helps to dress the part, but you don’t always need to dress the part every day, either. If you work from home and you don’t do video calls, why dress like you’re heading for the office? It’s just something to consider when it comes to first impressions.

Punctuality is Key

Have any meetings? Do you have a storefront that opens at a certain time? Does your website promise to deliver something within a certain period of time? All of these things definitely need to be taken into consideration. Being punctual is more than showing up late to a meeting. 

Being punctual shows that you respect the other person's time and that you’re reliable. Plus, it shows how committed you are to the engagement. So, always keep this in mind because being late and keeping someone waiting can really leave a sour taste in someone’s mouth (even if it’s justified why you’re late). 

Strive for Improvement

So, while this sounds vague, it means improvement in all forms of your business, with yourself included. You should be striving to regulary improve your website, your storefront, your products, how you market on social media, your email marketing, how you pitch, etc. Improvement never ends, so you need to be mindful of your capacity for change and upgrades at any given point in time.

Like I said earlier, first impressions can be wonky when you're new and just learning. But with time, you'll improve your ability to show up as the best version of you and your brand in every company interaction. It makes a big difference - especially when big money is on the line.

[CREATIVE FREEDOM S8B1]

In Heart-Centered Business: Healing from toxic business culture so your small business can thrive, Sufi spiritual business teacher Mark Silver, M.Div. speaks to those who hate the toxic way business has developed, and want an approach to business that is as nourishing as it is powerful.

The effects of global business have brought devastation and injustice that no one wants. Instead, we yearn for beauty and real vibrancy in the world around us, and healthy heart-centered business must be part of the healing.

This book is a guide to doing business, your business, in a truly spirit-centered way. We need to, and can, realize the truth that, as Mark says, every act of business can be an act of love.

Listen To The Podcast

Download Season 8 Bonus Episode 1 | iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

Mentioned In This Episode:

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Theme music: “Big Time” by Ikoliks, Artlist.io

If you want your business to succeed, you must do a good job at keeping your workforce motivated. But what does that entail? What does it really take for the people in and serving your organization to stay motivated for the benefit of the company?

First, you have to realize that it's never about the company. Any team member is always going to put their own interests first. That's human nature. And if you create an environment that helps them believe that their interests are met, motivation rises.

Here are a few things to consider in your own company:

Be a good leader

What makes a good leader? It's more than results. I mean, that matters, sure, but there's so much more to leadership than that. It's actually about getting great results while forging stronger relationships with your employees. Ensuring that they feel safe and respected in their work, allowing them to be as productive as possible. Simon Sinek's TED talk explains further.

Safety is the foundational requirement for anyone to be able to take courageous actions. If you don't feel safe, you do the bare minimum because you're focused on your safety needs being met. That makes logical sense. Good leaders, create not just a sense of safety, but an Environment of Empowerment for their teams to thrive in.

Motivational or Inspirational Events 

"Events" can take on a number of appearances. These don't have to be big corporate gatherings a la Apple's World Wide Developer Conference or a National Conference if you're in direct sales - but it can. It can also be a more intimate appreciation event.

Identifying and praising those that have done well, providing them with additional bonuses such as weekends away, spa days, and electronics can inspire and motivate folks for months or years to come. I knew a woman who had an ambitious sales goal for her first year on the job. When she met that goal, she was rewarded with a 7-day cruise!

Consistency awards are also a powerful motivator. Not everyone can be tops in sales or lead their department, but the folks who are showing up and consistently contributing are just as important. Celebrating everyone in the team by providing them with good food and a positive atmosphere at the event is also a good idea. You may even wish to consider working with one or two executive speakers for your event. Bringing in a celebrity or someone well known from outside the organization can make a big impact on team morale. I've been hired to come into national conferences, local sales meetings, and even leadership training events to help educate and motivate a company's teams to greater success.

Give them responsibility 

It's important to give your workforce appropriate levels of responsibility that they can "rise up" to. Challenges that stretch (but do not break) your team help them feel more confident in their own abilities.

Foster a culture of delegation throughout your organization. Make it clear to your employees that you expect them to rise to the occasion when they are given additional responsibility, and make it meaningful by getting them to record it and use it in their next review. This isn't an invitation to pass the buck. It's an invitation to growth and to instill a greater sense of trust and community in the organization.

Share positive feedback

Everyone wants to know that they are doing well at their job. Knowing we are making a positive difference is a motivating factor for most people. We want to feel like we belong and contributing in meaningful ways. Reward in public, admonish in private. Remember that safety matters. No amount of feedback will help if your team doesn't trust you or feel safe receiving feedback from you. Even positive feedback doesn't make a positive impact if your team doesn't trust you.

Starting a new business venture of any kind is sometimes terrifying, often exciting, and involves a lot of other emotions along the way. It’s not for the faint-hearted and it’s certainly not something that everyone can do successfully.

While starting a business might be the easier part, making it a successful one is a whole different ball game. Drawing attention to your business is key, but increasing your visibility often stumps seasoned business owners, not to mention newbies.

How do you get noticed with so much noise from other competitors?

Here are some tricks and tips that will help draw the right kind of attention to your business.

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Attend events and create an eye-catching booth

If you’re someone who has never done event work before, you might consider a vendor event or industry convention. When they're targeted to the right audience, they can help you attract a number of clients quickly. I've done events where I've booked 10-20 new clients in a single afternoon.

If you want more visibility, think vertical. You'll want something eye-catching to dress your booth. You might invest in an 8x8 banner for your next event and other eye-catching decor to dress your stand. Remember, there will be a multitude of businesses all there for the same purpose of getting attention. If your booth doesn't stand out from the crowd (or can't be seen across the convention room floor), it will be difficult to get traffic to stick around at your station.

One of my favorite and inexpensive ways to do this is with some helium balloons. Tie them to the top of your booth so that people can see you from a distance. Then, you can just say "look for the balloons" and direct people to your booth from anywhere in the venue.

Use social media across multiple channels

The online world may be messy, but social media is also a huge part of making most online businesses successful. For a new business, it's free advertising that will help build your credibility in the marketplace when done right.

A multi-channel approach can help you find more of your right audience in a cost-effective manner. Don't spread yourself too thin, though. It's important to be where your people are, but not at the sake of your health and budget.

Network with other business owners

Be sure to network with other business owners when it comes to your business venture. There are a lot of companies out there, all starting out and all needing to make their own moves within the industry to garner success.

Some businesses might be able to help you get your foot in the door with certain clients or collaborations that will rocket your business to success.

Networking is something that needs to be done on a regular basis. If you’re not connecting with people that can support you or your business, then it's going to be a long, hard, and lonely road ahead.

Maintain your website

Even if it's just a "brochure" site, your website is your brand’s image in a digital capacity. That means when prospective leads or customers head to your site, the website is the first thing that they’ll see. Think about what you want your customers or prospective leads to learn when they come onto the site. If you're in e-commerce, think about how clients use the site. Is it easy for them to navigate? Your digital "front door" should help people feel like they belong and that you're open for business!

Find opportunities to showcase and list your business online

The online world remains one of the most powerful tools that you can use for your business venture. If you’re struggling to find ways to help add exposure to your business, then consider listing it on any websites that people will look at actively.

You could also reach out to higher-ranking websites to get some free advertising or link exchanges to help get your business noticed across the internet.

Partner with other businesses 

Finally, don’t be afraid to partner with other businesses. There will be plenty of businesses out there that are actively looking for other companies to partner up with. It saves money for both parties and can help reach audiences, whether those be similar audiences for both or completely different.

Drawing attention to your new business venture is a great way to help it get the notice it needs and more importantly, to drive sales and success.

There comes a time in your business when you just have too much work to complete alone. Whether you choose to outsource or hire, working with others means keeping them as happy, and as motivated as possible while still staying true to your vision and goals for your business. Here are a few obvious things that matter - and often get overlooked or ignored when you're a solopreneur.

Make sure your staff get paid on time 

Like I said, sometimes it's obvious. Having to chase you down for payment is not only inconvenient and insulting, it can result in missed bills and wastes your workers’ time. If you're not at a point where you can consistently pay your folks in a timely manner, you're not ready for regular help. Instead, consider per-project or per-task help until you have a steady baseline income that will support having regular help.

When you're ready to hire - or pay freelancers - you're going to need an EIN (here in the US) if you don't want your Social Security information on blast. In case you don't know how long it takes to get an EIN, it depends on how you apply. If you don't already have one, now's the time to get that handled

As your company grows automated payroll software can be used to track hours and automatically work out wages for the week, making accurate and on-time payments a breeze. 

Consider their work-life balance

Entrepreneurs are well known for their strong work ethic. Indeed, sometimes we are accused of letting business come first in everything we do! But your team isn't as invested in your company as you are. You need to consider their work-life balance. As I write this, my assistant is taking a few weeks off for some vacation and to attend to family matters. Your business needs to be able to support them as much as they support you.

Reward success... and failure!

It may sound obvious but you’d be surprised at how many entrepreneurs forget to reward their team when they do well. After all, when our businesses do well we, as entrepreneurs get the built-in rewards of success, increased profit, and status. However, this rarely impacts either in-house or outsourced workers. 

To that end, you must take the time to properly reward your team. Contract team members are typically rewarded differently than employess, but those "thank-you's" still go a long way. The best way to know for sure is to ASK them what motivates and inspires them. Then use that information to deepen your relationships with them.

That doesn't mean you have to give them everything they ask for - remember, this is still YOUR business and it needs to work for how you're wired to work. Reasonable requests that can be accommodated go a long way toward building morale and driving team loyalty.

Every winning company has its own culture. Simply put, your company culture is the way your company (and the work environment you've created) demonstrates what it values, believes, and holds dear. You can SAY that you value something, but does it bear out in the way your team members respond to customers, each other, and you?

Research shows that improving your company culture can be key to finding top-notch talent.

What's the first impression your corporate culture gives? Does it reel potential clients and team members in or have them consider other options?

Corporate culture is a changing, shifting, and evolving thing - based on who is part of your organization. And if you're not keeping tabs on it, you may find attracting the right talent challenging! Here are five things to consider to improve your corporate culture and give your business the boost it needs. 

  1. Review and talk about your guiding principles

Most team members want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and research reveals that it’s part of human nature. You can factor this into developing your company culture. When people appreciate what you stand for and where you're headed, they are likelier to jump on your company’s bandwagon. So, it's not just about giving those values a once-over yourself at your annual planning retreat. You've got to spread the word!

Tell your team and let the whole world in. Talk about your core principles, your values and what truly matters to you - as a business owner and a company. This step might seem like a climb, but you can trust that the payoff for your company’s culture is worth it. 

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  1. Offer high-quality goods and services

One unhappy customer will likely share their bad experience with at least nine others - and considering social media's impact, probably even more. It's like a chain reaction. If anything goes sideways, be proactive and address it quickly. With the internet at everyone’s fingertips, comparing products is a breeze. How would your products and service services hold up in such instances? When you've got quality offers that your team members believe in, you're making a positive contribution to your company culture.

  1. Put compliance and openness first

Have you wondered why your teams are much happier when they believe in the management? It's called transparency. Spread the culture of transparency by making it crystal clear that you and your team are in this together. Keep your staff in the loop, and you’ll build a culture of transparency. Meanwhile, compliance is about following the rules and ensuring things run smoothly. Your corporate culture - those values and ethics - are like puzzle pieces. They all fit together, shaping how you do business.

Compliance is about staying on top of all the legal requirements for your business to ensure any external audits go well (IRS, for example). Depending on the size of your company, it may be a wise move to integrate compliance software into your business processes or simply outsource the task entirely. This allows you to focus on building the front end of your business, knowing that all compliance matters is being taken care of. For example, a private fund manager struggling to fulfil filing and reporting obligations might try looking for private equity reporting requirements assistance and SAAS tools to help with compliance.

  1. Establish an employee appreciation program

Show some love for your team’s hustle if you want to boost the corporate culture. According to research, when the top hierarchy celebrates hard work, it works like magic. 71% of staff are more likely to hang around. You create an employee recognition program by rolling out a red carpet for your team. Think weekly MVP or the month’s best employee. It's more than just a prize; it's like a high-five for their effort, which goes a long way and boosts employee morale. And here is the good part, when you give props where they’re due, it's like supercharging your company’s culture. But that's not all. You can kick your corporate culture up a notch by helping your crew connect and getting them the right gear and resources. That leads to better performance, tighter work bonds, and guarantees that your top talent sticks around for the long haul. 

  1. Address the problem of mental health

Burnout is on the rise. And if you have remote workers, the odds are even higher. Your big dreams and goals can't overshadow your team’s well-being. Give them space to learn and grow and also to care for themselves - physically, mentally, emotionally. Get toxic people out of the workplace before you poison your company culture. Give your best people the best possible chance for success - and let them know THEIR dreams matter, too. When they know you're in their corner, you'll have a team mate that wants to stick around!

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You’re meeting with a potential client in person for the first time, and you want things to go well. This meeting could be a dealbreaker for them - if they’re impressed by what they see, they’re highly likely to become a happy, loyal client

As a freelancer, you need to do everything in your power to convince them that you are their best choice. Want to make a great first impression? Read on for a few tips!

Do you need a professional setting?

Should you host the meeting in your house? Probably not. Can it be done in a coffee shop? Yes, but it’s not usually ideal. 

Instead, you'll need a professional setting that wows the prospect and gives a positive reflection of your brand. This doesn’t mean you have to rent out a massive office - unless that's what your brand demands. Could you imagine the CEO of a company like Apple holding a meeting with a potential client inside Starbucks?

Consider the brand story of your business and select a location that fits.

Places like Bell Works (in the Chicago area) have coworking facilities - a large office area with multiple desks or rooms you can pay for. You may only need to pay for a few hours worth of use, but it gives you a professional setting for the meeting. 

Right away, you look like a freelance that means business. The client feels more confident as you look like you know what you’re doing. Compare this to a meeting in your house and you create a completely different image. 

Arrive well before the client

You never ever want to keep a client waiting. Always be the first one to arrive. This is seen as a power move as well as a respectful one. If the client turns up and sees you sitting down waiting for them, it almost puts them on the back foot. Subconsciously, they feel like they owe you something because they made you wait. 

It’s also a challenge for your brand image if you turn up late - especially if your clients are from an older generation. A client that has to wait is not going to be a happy one. Before you’ve even uttered a word, they’ve got negative thoughts about the meeting. It’s hard, but not impossible to turn them around after this. 

Bring your research

Lastly, no matter what freelance services you provide, you’ll always need to research the potential client before you meet them. This is particularly important if they want you to work on a specific project. They’ll mention what this is before the meeting, so you can do as much research as possible. 

Bring your research to the meeting to showcase what you’ve done. It’s a very proactive way of approaching things. You can provide samples of work to show what you’ll do if you take the project. For example, imagine you’re a graphic designer and the client wants you to reinvent their brand image with new logos, etc. Research everything and come to the meeting with a few logo designs and text samples. It shows them that you know what you’re doing and are extremely professional. 

Follow these tips and you’ll come across as a professional freelancer who knows their stuff and is prompt and reliable. You’re putting good thoughts into the prospect's head, increasing the chances of sealing the deal and creating a strong start to a lasting client relationship. 

Being sued can sometimes be the result of a business model mistake tht keeps your business from growing like it should - or make it collapse all together.

If you are at risk of being sued or simply want to ensure your business is protected for the future, here are some tips to follow.

Get the right insurance coverage

No matter the size of your business, the right insurance coverage is a hedge of protection around your business. Even small business startup insurance (like E&O for coaches) can help protect you from being sued for a simple mistake by a litigious client or vendor.

Have an attorney at hand

A great attorney, it almost goes without saying, is important to have at the ready in case anything happens.

If someone makes a claim against your business, a legal representative can often mean the difference between a lengthy trial or resolving the matter before it ever gets that far.

You might not understand the laws and regulations when it comes to customer disputes on issues. Therefore, hiring an attorney and having them at hand will guarantee that your business can stay afloat and healthy when at risk of being sued.

Separate your personal life from your business

If you mix business with pleasure and something happens in your marriage, it could hinder the success and health of your business. Your ex-partner could try and sue your company if they are involved in your business. They may even end up owning part or all of it. Contracts matter.

Identify risks and minimize them 

Cyber attacks, failure to use sound contracts and agreements, and assumptions can create other issues in your business that lead to getting sued. If a hacker performs a cyberattack and manages to breach your information, it could leak that information and make your business the star of a class-action lawsuit. Handshake agreements often lead to misunderstandings. Assuming each party is on the same page can cause a lot of consternation when things go off the rails.

Solid contracts, signed agreements, legal support, and the right insurance for your company can go a long way to protecting you and your assets from being the target of a lawsuit. Better to be safe than sorry.

Some people are born to take on creative roles and others struggle to fit in with the confines of a traditional job. I've said it before and I'll say it until I die - we are ALL creative. But not all creatives are entrepreneurs.

For people who embrace their creative impulses, it can seem like you were always destined to pursue a different career path from the rest of society. Many people with a natural creative flair find themselves setting their own work agenda. Creative people may find their ideal role as an entrepreneur or freelancer, which allows them to work without the constraints of a traditional nine-to-five setup or to enjoy the flexibility of working to their own schedule. This may sound like the ideal way to work, but it can be challenging to keep your creativity flowing. Others, still, may only choose to pursue their creative endeavors as a hobby.

Many creative people find that they hit a stumbling block from time to time. This may mean that there are periods where they struggle to be productive and find that their creativity seems to have all but disappeared. So, what can be done when this situation strikes? Feeling that your creative juices have stopped flowing can be frustrating and pretty worrying when it is your income source. Take a look at these tips to help you recapture your creativity and regain your productivity:

Get a Change of Scenery

When you feel stuck in a rut, and your creativity has come to a standstill, it is helpful to remove yourself from the situation. Whether you are a writer, an artist, a designer, or have an entirely different creative role, getting a change of scenery can be a big help. 

Moving yourself away from the distractions of your daily life can provide you with the breathing space you need to regain your creativity. This could mean taking a break at a resort near Nashville or taking a trip to the coast. Whether you stay away for one night or a few, you should find that creating this distance is a great help.

Let Go of Perfection

When you use your creativity to generate your income, it is only natural that you want to deliver the best work every time. When your business and reputation depend on your creative abilities, it can be even more challenging when your creativity dries up. While this is never an easy situation, it can be helpful to ease the pressure on yourself. Putting yourself under excessive pressure to be perfect will only cause your creativity to dry up. Instead, it can be helpful to let go of this pressure and to be kinder to yourself. 

Rather than trying to create your best work, it can be helpful to simply focus on creating some work. This means your work does not need to be perfect; you simply need to create something. 

The work you produce may be incomplete, messy, or even nonsensical. However, the important thing is that you got started and produced something. This work then provides you with a foundation to work on, safe in the knowledge that your creativity will soon start to flow again.

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[CREATIVE FREEDOM S8E3]

Let's talk about something we all know deep down: there's no one-size-fits-all approach to success in business. It's all about finding YOUR way and embracing your unique creative spirit (within legal boundaries, of course!). But hey, let's be real; carving out your own path can be a bit challenging, especially if you're a Fusion creative like me. No matter where you fall on the creative spectrum, if you're feeling a little lost on your journey to success, I've got you covered!

In this episode, I'm sharing five exercises that will bring clarity to your life and business. Trust me; they're game-changers! Tune in now to discover your path to success and get ready to unleash your creative freedom!

Listen To The Podcast

Download Season 8 Episode 3 | iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

Podcast Show Notes

In this episode, we are talking about:

  • How your values shape your success
  • Embracing your strengths makes you feel more successful
  • Two strengths assessment tools I use and recommend
  • Why knowing who your Raving Fans are is critical for success
  • How to identify your ideal customer for a more successful business
  • How to ignite a path to your dreams and desires
  • How a SWOT Analysis can help creative entrepreneurs be more successful

Mentioned In This Episode:

Rising Tide Members

Our Rising Tide Community has moved! If you're already a member, you can login and access your free downloads here.

Not a member yet? It's free! When you register for the Rising Tide, you also get email updates, the FREE learning library, and access to episode transcripts, worksheets, and more!

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Special thanks to our Patrons for your continued support.
Theme music: “Big Time” by Ikoliks, Artlist.io