Top 5 Strengths

What are your top 5 strengths in regard to your small business?

If you've never taken time to write them down and elaborate on why they are such assets, you should.  Refer to your notes periodically as they may change and need to be reevaluated.  As small business owners we have to be jacks (and jills) of all trades... in the beginning, but we should always be planning our delegation strategy.  Maybe you are in a place where this is still an impossible idea, but nevertheless, plan for it or it will remain impossible.

Start with the end goal in mind and daily routines become more significant.  If you know where you want to go, it makes it easier to get there.  Plan daily for your end goal.  One baby step at a time if that's what it takes. 

The short & sweet this #Blahg tonight... know your strengths so you know where you need advice.  Plan to delegate so you can focus on your strengths.  Don't be afraid (or too proud) to ask for help.

<3 #SPM

Happy Customers Guaranteed *online only

I am so excited to share with you the online solution to cosmetically fix all customer dissatisfaction!  Pay someone (or a company) to edit your online reviews.  Problem solved, right?

So, I've read an article and listened to a podcast... unofficialy 2/5 on my way to solidifying myself as a so-called-expert and I have to tell you, both have increased my wariness of trusting online reviews. 

Now, I'm sure you've heard the urban myths (they're not myths) about employees or whoever posing as overly elated customers and fishy stellar reviews promptly posted after a slew of a negative reviews, but... marketing agencies?  Companies paid to promote brand/product awareness and engage target audiences?  I mean ok, I can see how one might think it makes sense financially, but c'mon, it's destroying the whole point of sharing online reviews from a consumer's perspective and it's lazy.  Like, ughhh, sooo laaazy.

Knowing the blood, sweat, tears, more sweat & tears it takes to start a business and then not run it into the ground (add another paragraph of sweat and tears if we're talking profitable)... why would you cut your legs off by not satisfying your customers?

This is your baby so treat it right!  Take every opportunity to grow and benefit from the best advertisement you can't buy... a genuinely happy customer that is excited to share their experience with your business with all of their friends!  Od school style... word of mouth via social media.  Haha ;) you can't escape the digital age. 

Don't take the lazy way.  That's definitely not how you got here.  Semi-fake (pronounced "optimized") reviews only get them in the door to personally experience whatever is really going on anyway. So what's a few more drops of sweat to ensure everyone that walks through your door/orders online or sits down at your desk/sends you an email ends the day happy? 

In the long run, it's a win for your #smallbusiness and it sets you apart from your competition. 

♡#SPM

How to #Blahg like a Badass

We like to consider ourselves creatively organized at #SPM so it's surprising how quickly Wednesday surprises us each week... said everyone who's ever owned a business, held a job, raised a family, lived.

Admittedly we googled how to make time for blogging and we still make weekly adjustments daily. Yes, weekly daily. I did say creatively organized; half of us are creative and half are organized.  Teamwork makes the dreamwork is a phrase that gets worn out in the office.

Small business owners have a lot on their plates (always) and blogging is like the napkin that keeps falling under the table.  So to help you out of the weeds, here is...

The #SPM official guide to #Blahging like a badass (small business/anyone edition;))

1. Make your own rules about your blog. Tips are just that... tips.  What works for certain bloggers may not work for you so don't get caught up in other peoples' rules.

2. Set a schedule and commit to it. No matter how many schedules you make (and break) blogging requires discipline, but think of it as therapeutic discipline... also do not confuse discipline as punishment. #Blahging is fun :) It shares great ideas and is a great way to connect with other great thinkers.

3. Have fun. Seriously. Blahging like a badass has one requirement: #you

4. Do a little research to avoid foot-in-mouth situations, but push the envelope and go against the crowd if that's your stance and if you feel unsure, see rules 1 and 3.

5. Make adjustments as needed however often they're needed.

And there it is plain and simple... or dare I say social and proper.  Haha :)

Hopefully you can see how well we follow our rules and enjoy sharing a bit of our week with you.  Of course, there are very hectic days where getting time to blahg seems impossible and stressful, but don't be overcome by a heavy schedule... like everything else in your business, proper planning and discipline will see you through.

If you'd like to share your rules with us we'd love to hear from you!
Post them on our FB Page or send us a Tweet.

<3 #SPM