Tag Archives: Business plan

Staying on Track for 2011 – A Video Vision

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My digital 2010 Vision Board

I get very introspective at the end of the year.  I like looking inward at what I achieved from one year to the next. I can get easily lost in my inner thoughts of hopes and dreams for the new year.  As a result of this personal examination, over the last four years I have put together a collage of magazine cut-outs and photos of desires I have for the next year.  I’ve called this assortment of wishes a Vision Board.  You can read more about it here in last year’s post.  But as you can see in the image on the left, a vision board can be words, phrases, photos, drawings or any item that represents what you hope to achieve in the next 365 days. It’s your personal vision for the next year.

A NEW VISION

Each year upon review of my vision board, I have been amazed at how much I have actually achieved. That is until this year.  I’m ending the creation of a personal vision board. Why? I think it’s because I’m matured a bit this year as a result of becoming a small business owner as well as having a deeper faith.  I guess I can say  that I’ve outgrown the board.  Last year, here’s how I explained the board ,”The way I use the vision board isn’t as a religious experience.  I don’t believe that it has magical powers or anything, but it does help me think in advance of the person I would like to be, if possible through the next year.  It helps me set goals and dream about what I hope for in the coming year.”

This year I don’t feel compelled to put down my desires on a board in hopes that by doing so, these things will be attracted to me.  These ideals are in me already and thus, enable their actuality in my life. These accomplishments didn’t occur because I made the board, they were in me the entire time. But, by stopping for a day last year and concentrating on my desires that did help me put together a “vision” or “plan” for the next year of the things I wanted to achieve and the person I wanted to be.  And that’s my main point of this post for the New Year.

How can you best keep yourself moving forward to becoming the best person you can be in 2011? It’s crucial to have a plan for your life.  Just like traveling without a map, your chances of getting lost increase.  So if a vision board helps you create a plan for your life next year…go for it.  Or if you have a plan for your business, read it again. Do something to help you have goals to strive for and accomplish.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

How do I stay on track? I have a business plan to follow. I also have faith in God and if I remain obedient I’ll not stray from my hopes, dreams and desires. I have an amazing set of mentors, both professionally and personally. Family, friends, colleagues and my church keep me in check as well.

But, despite all these measures, it’s still easy to get side-tracked.

My hopes for you are that you ‘stay on track’ in 2011.

And here’s a little message from me to you to help you keep to your vision for the New Year!

Happy New Year Friends.  This is my 2011 Video Vision.

Business Plans and PR – A Necessary Ingredient

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Drinks are never a good idea when being interviewed. The only one who gets interesting quotes is the reporter. Credit: Michael Yarish

Did you happen to watch the premiere of AMC’s “Mad Men” this week? If you did, you might have noticed that the premiere episode was titled “Public Relations.” And with that, executive producer Matt Weiner wrote an excellent episode that showed off the true power of Public Relations in the work environment.  His writing prompted me to write this post to remind all business owners that when writing business plans – do not forget to add in public relations as a viable means to market yourself. Also, this post should remind established businesses to look at when their last interview was conducted. If it has been over two months…it’s time to dust off that area and start the hunt again.

PR is still a necessary ingredient for every established company and extremely helpful for start-ups.  I know I harp a ton about social media…but, basically, I morph social media into PR nowadays.  A business plan needs to include PR&SM. Both are equally important.

As “Mad Men” depicted, the new agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce took advantage of public relations to help get the word out about its company free through the media.  They chose wisely…they went after Ad Age, the perfect vehicle to promote the new shop. A Perfect PR hit – it was a bulls-eye.

However, Don Draper blew the opportunity and did not realize that by his reluctance to answering questions, that the reporter filled in the blanks with information that was inaccurate and void of anything of interest to gain leads.  It was a missed opportunity and the perfect example for everyone interviewed for the need to be on their game.

A friend who is experienced in marketing was helping a client who was presented with a great PR opportunity. The client was being interviewed for a cover story in a local business magazine and so, my friend asked me advice.  The advice I gave him is what I give to all.  What message do you want to convey? Basically, when you are being interviewed, you can drive the interview and give the reporter the information that you want said about your company.  If you don’t have a plan, then the reporter has full rein.  It’s a missed opportunity.  You can drive the interviews and you should see them as golden opportunities for free advertising. Think about the entire message and what would you want the headline to say. And when interviewed, present that information in your comments.

We all make mistakes at first and don’t worry if you do for there are second chances.  Don Draper seized upon his failure and hit another bulls-eye. He was able to secure another interview with the Wall St. Journal, and with that second chance, he drove the article and used the medium to convey his shop’s attitude and culture.  He hit a home run after not even getting on base at his first chance at bat.

PR is powerful and never should be overlooked. Thank you for reminding us of that fact “Mad Men.”

What did you think of the episode?  And PR a part of your business model?

Cindy