Buying in the Neighborhood - Edition Nineteen (19)

Just sitting here thinking about the past few weeks and what has worked and what hasn't worked in business, personal, and life in general.  Reflection is good sometimes, but better when you do it often so that you can make adjustments, change, and respond to things more effectively.  Sometimes though we get caught off guard and even defensive at times when we think we are doing our best when in fact we have missed the boat entirely.

I've had the opportunity to work with individuals at all different levels and the one thing I do remember is that listening is very important as well as making sure you ask questions and don't make assumptions or try to proceed without clarifications if things aren't clear.  Why do I mention this?  Well it's abundantly clear that in our society today, that communications and sharing information is of utmost importance and often critical to one's success, no matter what it is they do in business, personal or life.  Sometimes it can be simple communications or the expectations of communications that can make a difference.

If you use a cell phone, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, regular mail, or any other form of communication you cannot always expect the message to come across clearly.  There are two parties in this in most cases - the sender of the message and the receiver of the message.  I know, pretty basic, huh?  Well, I only point this out, because sometimes I know for myself in particular that I have communications failures not because I don't try, but sometimes I don't either completely send the message or receive the message and then there is confusion.  Okay, so how do you solve that problem.  It's actually rather simple and most individuals make the effort to close the gaps in communications, but often times there are still communication misses.  So the lesson for today revolves around how to make sure you have clearer communications by playing your part, which is the part that you as an individual control.  Simple steps you can take or just remember:

1. If you receive a communication and you are clear on the message, please make the attempt to ask the sender what they mean.  Whether it comes to you via email or phone, connect directly to the sender so that there will be no confusion.
2. If you are sending a message to someone, re-read it before you send it out to make sure that you are clear on your message intent and meaning - which means most often, short, concise, and to the point, unless you are working on telling someone a story with a lot of juicy details, then that's another type of communication.
3. For email, texts, Tweets, Facebook posts, LinkedIn posts, or anything you post, make sure you put yourself in the recipient's position and make sure that you are seeing it from their eyes, that way you won't feel stupid after the fact when you can't block, cancel, recall, or change it after the fact.
4. Even when talking to someone directly, the level of sound in your voice can impact the communications as well as cutting people off and then tuning them out......which some of us (I won't mention names, me...) sometimes do.  So be cognizant of the listening part in this piece because sometimes it is better to listen and absorb then to immediately respond.  Being defensive in responses usually will get you nowhere and then the issue is usually still not resolved.

I'm stopping with that on the communications, because really if you just create awareness and check yourself, that is probably half the battle and you can change the whole perspective on things when you do that.  I'm sure this seems elementary and why bother with something like this at all.....well in business you communicate to your customers, your suppliers, your partners, your friends, your associates, your fans, your supporters, your audience, your family, and so many more.  When you are doing events, activities, and more, they all revolve around communication, so you can't get away from it, even though you might shelter yourself, you just can't.  So this is really just about the daily application and the think before you speak which can affect everything you do.

If you are looking for great resources on this and people that are great to work with and know the challenges about communications check out the following individuals:

• Dr. Mamiko Odegard - Daily Affirmations
• Anna Weber - Voices in Print
• Mrs. Hancock's Etiquette Training

Each one of these individuals offers different focuses on things related to communications in different areas and training.  You won't be disappointed and you will definitely gain some great contacts as well as resources.

If you are interested in being showcased on this blog, please send an e-mail to BuyinArizonaCampaign@gmail.com with the business website, contact information (e.g. business owner name, phone number and email address), so that a follow up contact can be made to talk with you about your business and what is offered.....

Buying in the Neighborhood - Edition Eighteen (18)

Raise your hand if you think you are an expert at something? At anything?  It’s okay to admit it.  Just don’t misuse the word expert when you describe something you do as more often than not, someone may misinterpret that for being better than everyone else and/or you know everything.  A common definition of expert as an adjective is “…having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience or ….someone that is experienced.”  The reason I am calling this out, is there are in business and technology a tremendous number of tools, ideas, methodologies, tactics, strategies, solutions, and so much more that will help anyone personally and professionally be better.  There is also a larger supply of individuals out there that are experts and really experienced in their field and have the credentials and achievements to demonstrate them.

As an individual, you cannot be an expert at everything and if you are in business you have a core focus or product or service you are selling or offering.  With that being said, do you think it is wise for you as an individual to try to do everything yourself?  My ultimate opinion and answer to that question is “NO”……  I know that sometimes it’s hard to admit that you need help or that you need to go to someone for advice direction or assistance.  Since last year, I have learned that it’s okay to ask for help, to find an ear that will listen and to go to experts who know better than you how to handle things.  I also know that sometimes, you must also be careful to not just approach anyone or any business for help when the topic you need help in may not be their “expertise”…..  So now there is a “quandary” about do I go to someone I think is an expert or to someone that has been recommended or do I do nothing?

First taking no action is making a decision, but in all honesty if you need help, assistance, advice, recommendation or other, you will have to talk with someone especially if it's outside your realm of expertise.  This is where obtaining recommendations from a solid network, referral group, business associates or other established organization that is known for making referrals is wisely suggested.  I bring this up, because sometimes if you aren’t sure, you should ask someone as there are others out there that have exposure and experience with the things you need.  This is the beauty of networking and being out there and meeting people so you can build that list of people to call on whether you do direct business with them or not.  Social media also makes this less of chore now because you can find individuals through multiple forums with as little distance as a Tweet, Fan Page/Facebook Status, LinkedIn Update ~ meaning, people are just a keystroke apart from helping you including off keyboard activities like texting and calling which some people still do in addition to all the other social media.

So what does this have to do with Buying in the Neighborhood?  Good question!!  I am going to provide a short list of the people and individuals that have been instrumental in making a difference in my business over the last year….I am not able to include everyone, so I will be listing one person from an organization versus multiple, but this will be to reflect the number of go to people that exist in Arizona and you too can go to for help and assistance or advice or recommendations after you have made that connection and started to develop that business relationship.

·         Pink Media LLC – Desire Ford – Social Media

·         Style Image Studios – Stella Martinez Crowl - Photography

·         Chava / Waioria – Kedzi Morgan – Wellness through NCD

·         Power Networking – Fabien Bertault – Networking

·         Hayden – Hayden Insurance – Terrie Kohler – Insurance

·         A. Dupey Insurance Services – Andrew Dupey – Insurance

·         KFNX 1100 – Christina Wagner – News Talk Radio

·         AdzZoo & QNANZA – Curtis & Laura Oliver – Advertising & Coupons

·         Stella’s Coffee House – Don Motz – Coffee and Food

·         Crazy in Heels – Nicole Ford – Bi-Polar Awareness

·         Xcellent Solutions – Xavier Smith – “too many to list”

·         Me, Myself, and I Massage Therapy – Don Bearham – Massage Therapy

·         EMR Technologies – Peter Haasz – Electronic Medical Records

·         Reyactive Chamber – Chris Cayer – Business Collaboration

·         Andrew Paul Photography – Andrew Paul Uilkie - Photography

·         Elen Sparks Agency – Elisa Estes – Marketing

And there are many more (both local and afar)….but I have to leave some for future articles. 

So if you are wondering when you need help who to call, I have a long list, but there are many of us that do, so be sure to work with people you know, that may be in your own backyard first to keep that economy going in Arizona.  I believe that your money will be spent wisely by investing where you live.

If you are interested in being showcased on this blog, please send an e-mail to BuyinArizonaCampaign@gmail.com with the business website, contact information (e.g. business owner name, phone number and email address), so that a follow up contact can be made to talk with you about your business and what is offered.....