Becky Robinson's Blog, page 84

Featured on Friday: Linda Freeman

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After working on the successful launch of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go last September, I was introduced to today’s featured client, and began work on the initial launch of her first book. Over the last ten months, I have grown to know her more as a friend, and it’s always a delight to read her posts and see how her life has changed since the book launch. It is an absolute honor to work with her, and I’m very excited to see what’s coming next!

MEET LINDA PULLEY FREEMAN

Linda is a engineer, wife, mom, new grandmother, ordained minister, mentor, community organizer, and program developer. Whew! Just reading her bio makes me tired! She wrote THRIVE! as an interactive journal, to be used as a tool to help people fully discover and embrace their God-given uniqueness. In addition to being an author, Linda writes a weekly blog post, is the Executive Director for a one-of-a-kind, faith-based community outreach ministry – Peacemaker Family Center, and is quite involved mentoring children of inmates. Linda is already deep into the process of writing her second book, which I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about as we get closer to the launch.

WHERE TO FIND LINDA:

The Lead Change Group – Meet Instigator Linda Freeman

THRIVE! Webinar – Listen Now

New post on her blog each Thursday – Tenaciously Pink

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

Visit Linda’s website, pick up a copy of THRIVE! on Amazon, follow her on Twitter and Pinterest, and connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR LINDA?

In addition to working on her second book, spending time with her family – especially her new grandson, and mentoring young women, Linda is preparing to visit Cambodia on a mission to help survivors of sex trafficking. This is her twenty-eighth mission trip, and if you’re curious about why she feels compelled to leave the comforts of home to help others, then I would encourage you to read this blog post.

Share Your Thoughts: How do you THRIVE! in the midst of a busy life? How are you embracing your uniqueness?

The Most Important Customers

I’d like to tell you that the authors my company serves are our most important customers. If I did, it would be (mostly) true. Our company would not exist if not for the amazing authors who partner with us to build their online influence.

But like every business, my company serves both internal and external customers. In order to serve our external customers effectively, I must first attend to the internal customers I serve — my team of subcontractors and their families.

I serve an internal customer when Sierra accompanies her mama to work. While her mom works on office tasks or runs errands, Sierra carefully nestles my daughter’s dolls among the books on my office shelves. She sits paging through a book or uses a page from the reams of scrap paper our work creates to draw a picture. Sierra likes to raid my candy jar, and I am happy to share, as long as her mom says yes.

I serve an internal customer when I remind my daughters to place nicely with Sydney while her mom loads up books to ship to bloggers. Or when I bounce and snuggle Aubrey while her mom and I talk to potential clients on a conference call.

I serve an internal customer when I buy dinner for the family of a subcontractor who spent all day packing and shipping books.

I serve an internal customer when I reach out to Frank on Twitter, and let him know how much I appreciate his wife’s work.

When Emersyn sings in the background of a Skype call, I turn on my camera to wave and smile.

The spouses, children, and partners of the Weaving Influence Team are important internal customers because their spouses/children/partners are working hard to serve our external customers. If we are all going to work at our best, we must do so in the context of our larger lives, attending to our most important relationships.

To serve the important others in my subcontractors lives, I esteem the team as my most important internal customers.

To serve my most important internal customers, I offer flexibility — we work flexibly so that life and work can fit together seamlessly.

To serve my most important internal customers, I offer empathy — life and emergencies happen: illness, meltdowns, field trips, milestones.

To serve my most important internal customers, I offer choice — subcontractors choose how much to work and on which projects. We discuss possibilities and dreams. What work would you love doing? What would you like to learn? Although I cannot always match desires and assignments exactly, I do my best to help people find the right fit. Or if it’s not a fit, they are free to choose something else.

Although I spend most of my days attending to our external customers, our internal customers are always on my mind, providing purpose and motivation. I work hard to grow our company so that this work is a blessing to our subcontractor team and their families.

Tell me something! Who are the important customers you serve? How can you balance attending to your external customers while valuing and supporting the internal ones?

This post is in celebration of National Customer Service Week, which we are celebrating with Chip Bell. Check out his latest book, 9 1/2 Principles of Innovative Service and buy a copy or two for your favorite people.

The Five-Star Approach to Book Reviewing

When a friend asked me to post an Amazon review about his book recently, and gave me a copy, I readily agreed. I have known this friend and his former wife for almost 25 years.

I have been a supporter of this book since its inception, when a series of monumental life changes sent him to the Appalachian Trail physically and to places he never contemplated going spiritually. There are several principles I apply when reviewing a book, whether it is authored by someone I do not know or by a friend.

Honesty

I should be truthful about my opinion. When I gave my friend’s book, which shares fascinating detail about the Appalachian Trail and gives a uniquely-angled view of his re-embrace of life after being knocked down professionally and personally, three stars out of five, I noticed that I was the first reviewer to give less than four stars. Guided by my writer’s gut, my three stars acknowledged a compelling book about a fascinating subject that had writing elements and structure components that did not meet my usual criteria for four stars or above.

The “Within Arms’ Reach” Principle

The difference between my review of my friend’s book and most of my other reviews I have done before it is that I could be certain I would see the author in person soon, that I would owe him a candid response regarding the basis for my review, and the distinct possibility that I may have wounded an ego. I could realistically anticipate that my friend would soon be sitting across from me, within arms’ reach. I should treat each review opportunity as if I will have to present my results from “within arms’ reach.”

My Review May “Morph” Once It is Live

After my review was published, it didn’t take long before Amazon characterized my review, still the only three-star, as the “most helpful critical review” and aligned it next to “the most helpful favorable review” on the book’s Amazon page. My friend laughed about that but I still sensed a “why three stars?” and “why critical?” kind of vibe going on between the two of us.

Did I Say What I Really Thought?

The exchanges between my friend and me culminated in a lunch date in which we talked through the “three star” issue in more detail over chicken curry and naan.

I assured my friend that I had enjoyed his book. I methodically reviewed the logic behind my review. I shared some of my concerns that I had not stated in a series of Facebook message exchanges. I said what I really thought, diplomatically and respectfully.

Is the book still a three-star in my opinion? Yes. Is the friendship still intact? Yes. Should we as reviewers always write a review as if we might end up face to face with the author, sharing the review verbally instead of via a keyboard? In my opinion, yes. That would be the five-star way to go.

Paula Kiger lives in Tallahassee, Florida. Her Twitter bio wraps it up nicely: Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. She is a director at a non-profit organization; in her spare time she loves running, writing, and listening to audio-books.

Visit Paula’s blog, Perspicacity, and connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

Image Credit: Isabelle Dow

Featured on Friday: Rachel Royer

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If you’ve seen any of the beautiful book launch graphics that we share on social media, chances are that one of our two amazing graphic design contractors are behind them. As someone who is “artistically challenged”, I am completely in awe of their ability to turn words into pictures and bring ideas to life. Both of our graphic designers go above and beyond to help us and our clients, and are a joy to work with, even when we are short on time. I’m so pleased to be able to introduce you to one of them today, the lovely and talented Rachel Royer.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, RACHEL…

I am a graphic designer, a wife, and a mother of two. I’m currently living in what I call my first hometown, since this is the longest I’ve ever gone without moving! My father was in the military so I moved every 1 – 3 years of my life. My husband and I have been here for over 5 years now. Feels good to finally grow some roots!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WORK FOR WEAVING INFLUENCE?

I have been working with Weaving Influence for about nine months now. I thank the Lord everyday for connecting me with this wonderful team!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?

The process. I love being able to take something that starts as an idea and turn that into a final product for a client. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PASTIME?

Painting. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, tempura… I love them all! There’s something very relaxing and therapeutic about moving colors across a blank canvas. 

WHAT’S THE BEST TIP YOU CAN OFFER ABOUT HOW TO USE GRAPHICS?

Find a balance on how to keep things simple yet bold. You have to make sure that a consumer can visually understand what you’re trying to communicate within seconds. However, in today’s world, especially online, there’s SO MUCH out there so you have to make sure you stand out!

TELL US SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF!

I love to run, especially in races. Last year my husband and I completed our first half marathon and the Warrior Dash together. It was so much fun! I had to miss out on all the races this year because of my pregnancy, but next year I’m determined to do more. I’m eager to try the Spartan Race and Color Run!

See more of Rachel’s work on her website, send her an email for more information, and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Share Your Thoughts! What’s your favorite way to use graphics online? Have you ever tried creating your own?

Become the Hero of Your Talent Story

The end of the first chapter of Take Charge of Your Talent by Don Maruska and Jay Perry includes this “Talent Takeaway”:

Your talent is a story you can transform. When you position yourself as the hero of your story and follow a clear set of actions to act out that role, your career and life can change and move forward quickly.

One of the reasons I am so thrilled to support these authors is that the content of this book resonates with me deeply — I can see myself on every page. The stories, examples, and struggles to find and develop talent, described in this book, are universal and relatable. The advice the authors offer is straight-forward and clear.

I’m going to pretend for a minute that you’ve never heard my story.

My talent — a story I transformed.

Fewer than 5 years ago, my days consisted of caring for my three young daughters and educating them at home — activities I chose and loved. And yet, a small part of me wondered if I could also find a way to return to my love of writing. I doubted that I could ever turn writing into a career, yet I spent a few hours writing again and submitted some articles here and there.

Occasionally, my husband would ask me what career I’d like to pursue when the girls were older. When he did, I felt terrified. His job requires 10+ hours away from home each day. His schedule is often unpredictable. Considering all it takes to keep our family together, I had no idea how I would ever pursue a career.

And yet — I started to move in the direction of my dreams. I answered a Facebook posting from a friend. It turned to steady work, which led to big opportunities to learn and grow, in skills and confidence. I left that work, starting a new adventure. It opened up possibilities for more learning and growth.

Then one day, I left the security of that wonderful position to start this business.

Before I knew it, I had become the hero of my own talent story. My life and career moved forward and changed quickly.

Within the span of time it takes to earn a college degree, I moved from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur. From there to here. Honestly, it is almost incomprehensible to me.

Maruska and Perry write: “No matter who you are or what your situation is, it all comes down to one point: you always have a choice. You get to decide how you are going to play out your talent story and your role in it.”

If you don’t like your story, I encourage you to buy and read Take Charge of Your Talent to fuel your journey. 

Tell me something! How are you becoming the hero of your talent story? What choices can you make today to move toward your desired future?

P.S. This post contains a lot of links! If you piece them together, you’ll see more of my story. The most important click you’ll make is to click through to Don and Jay’s book on Amazon (yes, this is a shameless sales pitch!)

Featured on Friday: Don Maruska & Jay Perry

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This week we’re igniting the buzz for Take Charge of Your Talent. The official buzz week begins on Monday, but today we’re giving you a preview of what you have to look forward to, and letting you in on all the details of how you can take part in the events. In Take Charge of Your Talent, the authors promote the idea that by developing your talent, you can help others find and develop their talents as well. At Weaving Influence, we are enthusiastic about seeing potential and developing talent, so that’s an idea that resonates, and it’s one of the many reasons that we’re excited to introduce you to to the authors of this amazing book.

MEET DON MARUSKA & JAY PERRY

Individually, Don & Jay have impressive resumes. Don Maruska is founder and CEO of three Silicon Valley companies, venture investor, and recipient of the National Innovators Award. The first in his family’s history to attend college, Don earned a BA magna cum laude from Harvard University, and subsequently earned an MBA and JD from Stanford University. After spending twenty years in Silicon Valley, Don became a Master Certified Coach, focusing on helping leaders and teams to cultivate success in their organizations.

Jay Perry, a fellow Master Certified Coach, was one of Don’s mentor coaches while learning the coaching profession. Jay earned a BFA from Boston University and an MFA from Ohio University. Known as one of the world’s leading mentors for new coaches seeking professional certification, Jay has coached and led workshops for thousands of people around the world. Additionally, he volunteers his time at jails and prisons, bringing the benefits of coaching to traditionally underserved and at-risk populations.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR TALENT

Together, Don and Jay have created the Take Charge of Your Talent community, developing talent champions. Through their Champions Training Program, you can become a Certified Take Charge of Your Talent™ Leader, with the opportunity to contribute to thought leadership and development of the Take- Charge movement. In January 2013, Don and Jay celebrated the publication of their book, Take Charge of Your Talent, with a foreword written by Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the bestselling The Leadership Challenge.

HEAR IT IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

TAKE PART IN THE TALENT BUZZ WEEK:

Take Charge of Your Talent Resource Page – Use these resources to share with your online communities, and encourage your friends to check out the book.

Send a Tweet – Go ahead and get the buzz started today by sending a tweet to your friends about the upcoming webinar.

Leave a Review on Amazon or Goodreads – Authors love to see new reviews go up, and we love to encourage people to write them during buzz weeks!

Share a Graphic – We would love to see social media sites flooded with some of these graphics next week – will you help us? (Right click to save & share)

               

CONNECT WITH DON & JAY:

Visit the Take Charge of Your Talent website, download a sample chapter, follow Don, Jay, and Talent Champions on Twitter, and connect on Facebook, and LinkedIn.

UPCOMING EVENT: FREE WEBINAR

Make plans to join Don Maruska, Jay Perry, Jim Kouzes, and Becky Robinson next Thursday, October 3 at 1 pm (ET), for a one hour Talent Champion webinar. It’s free to join, so sign up today and invite your friends. Don and Jay will be sharing concrete actions that you can use to start taking charge of your talent. Rearrange your schedule and make plans to spend an hour learning from these amazing leaders.

Share Your Thoughts:  Do you know what your strongest talent is? If you could ask Don and Jay one question, what would it be?

 

Is Building Online Influence a Worthwhile Investment?

As the owner of a social media consulting/implementation company, questions about the value of investing in social media keep me up at night. They wake me up in the morning.

I want my contributions to clients to be valuable and worthwhile. I want to sell services that are valued and useful. I want my work to make a difference for others.

So I ask myself: Is the advice I offer useful and helpful to people? Do the implementation efforts we expend on behalf of clients make a difference? Is our time well spent? Will the money our clients pay us bring the results they desire?

Is it enough to offer a set of services and deliver on providing the service we’ve offered? Or should we also make promises about the results of our work?

Do we bring value? Or are we all (me, my team, our clients, and the millions of people using social media channels) wasting our time and money?

If there is value in social media, where do we find it? How can we capture it?

Though I do consider these questions thoughtfully, both late at night and early in the morning, the truth this: my life and choices demonstrate my belief in the value of building online influence.

I can say, without a doubt, that my own investment in social media channels has been of inestimable worth for my life and business. I measure that value by the quality of the relationships I’ve formed online. And through those relationships, this abundance: learning, growth, encouragement, opportunities, joy, love, and support.

We each define value for ourselves, and the value we find is likely related to our willingness/ability to see finding value online as a long-term investment, rather than a get rich quick scheme.

You can’t make money in the stock market until you invest in the stock market. And you are unlikely to realize a return on your investment unless you play the odds over time.

You cannot realize a return on an investment you never make.

With social media (like the stock market), you must choose to invest before you will see a return.

The value is with you. What value can you bring? What value will you add? How will you make a difference?

If your focus starts with what you can get from social media and on the return you hope to realize, you will be paralyzed from the start.

Value from social media is realized most fully when we are willing to give first, going all in with the intent to add value for others with no expectation of an immediate return.

We must add value through social media channels before we can extract value. In that way, social media investments are like any other investments. First you invest, and then you see the return — not overnight, not instantaneously, but at-the-right-time and in proportion to what you invest.

What returns can you expect?

You will be remembered. If you consistently share value and show up to relate to people, you will create an online brand that is memorable and recognizable. You will become known, online, for your real-life expertise. You will be find-able, relatable, and top-of-mind to your current customers and potential buyers.

You will be relevant. Increasingly, potential buyers size us up online. Even if your customers are not heavy users of social media personally, they will leverage Google to learn about you before hiring you or your company. What information will they gain from viewing your online profiles? Social media channels allow you to show display your expertise and relevance to your prospects.

Your messages will be amplified. When you make true connections online, and when people find value in your content, you will create a community of supporters who will reshare your messages. Over time, you will see your content read and shared across social networks, exposing your message to a growing audience. Your ideas will make a bigger difference by reaching more people.

You will create possibilities. When you connect through social media, you’ll connect with new people and create possibilities for yourself and others. Every relationship you build represents possibility and opportunity. You can’t predict the growth and opportunities you will create when you show up to add value online.

Tell me something! How do you assess the value of the time/money you spend building your online influence?

Vital Tips to Prevent Social Media Fails

Social media is vital for all types of business, including brick-and-mortar businesses not just online retailers. It provides an opportunity for effective and personalized communication, and to grow awareness in this new culture of “online living” that now permeates society.

Social media is a vital and affordable marketing instrument that will yield solid results, if it is given the time to learn and practice regularly.

It won’t work if you post once in a while. Such a practice is as bad as not using social media at all. It is important to be actively involved in sharing information with readers online, so more people can relate to you as a person, not just as a business or product.

Unfortunately, there continue to be many business owners who don’t understand or care about social media communication. Allow me to share a few mistakes to avoid while actively pursuing this valuable avenue of showcasing yourself and your brand.

Weak Business Profile – The profile you construct has to be appealing. Up-to-date information and specific details of who you are and what you do is important. A profile that is tight and informative will engage the viewer and hold fast interest in what and who you are. Many times I see business owners have spotty information. Include your background, your interests, your goals.

Repetitive Posting – You may be active on your social media site, but if your posts and content are dull and repetitive it will backfire on you and will cause you to lose readers and prevent growth. Everyone likes new information and fresh ideas. Posting the same thing over and over is off-putting. Avoid grammatical errors, keep informed of ongoing local events and popular culture. Use your own voice and stay away from writing corporate-type prose.

Self-Serving Posting – The premise of using social media to increase sales and promotion of services, doing it blatantly and making every move and post seem like an advertising campaign, will put off readers. Be subtle, stay away from boasting. Offer tips, incentives, fun facts, and ways readers can gain from your knowledge.

Allowing Social Media Efforts To Stagnate – Social media is about maintaining a dynamic conversation between you and your customers. Build your content so it gets out in multiple places. Answer blogs, respond to tweets, engage Facebook “friends” to post on various sites so your content is shared through RSS and multiple page views. Social media is a long-term commitment. This becomes possible through personalized messages and posts, replying to queries, and expressing gratitude for comments and feedback. This connection with people can pay off and benefit your business tremendously.

Not Posting Personal Pictures – I don’t like my picture being taken either, but people like to see the face of the person they are dealing with. They need to relate to you by seeing an individual’s face on their social media site, so get a decent photo of yourself taken now and add it to your marketing tools.

Blindly Posting Without knowledge Of The Tools - The worst thing you can do is to start podcasting, blogging, tweeting, friending on Facebook, and posting YouTube videos without knowing how each site works or who will manage them. Be proactive in learning how to post on each type of site you choose to communicate through.

Posting Without Thinking - Social media is a network and word spreads quickly, especially in a small community. Anything posted with indiscretion and unprofessionally will have disastrous effects. At all times, keep that in mind, so that everything written and posted is appropriate rather than damaging for any section of people.

Perhaps the biggest mistake is that many individuals want quick results and feel that social media should help their business awareness grow overnight. This does not happen. Don’t be discouraged if you’re just starting out, and leave this as a business promotion tool and give up on posts and updates if you don’t see immediate results. Being patient and focused holds the key to success in anything you do. Starting may be slow sometimes, but it will catch on and will become a vital and integral part of your business and marketing tools.

[image error]photopin

Featured on Friday – Guest Post: Imperfectly, Perfectly Me!

We’re celebrating with Bethany Connor as she launches her new book, Cherished. To cap off her week of book launch celebrations, we’re honored to have her guest posting for Featured on Friday. Join us in buzzing about her big week – read the post, then send a tweet.

Fourteen years into my journey as an Army Nurse Corps officer, I seemed to be at the pinnacle of my career. I had fast tracked through the Army ranks, was promoted early, had received awards, was well known and well respected for my impact within the Corps. I was on my way to the top.

And yet, it was during that same time period where I struggled through the most challenging part of my life thus far, both personally and professionally. But I had been taught to keep it all together; to fake it till I make it; to never let them see me sweat. So, I did not share those struggles. Instead I kept on the masks and maintained the perception that I had it all together. After all, people were looking up to me. What would they think if they really knew the ‘truth’ about me?

What was the truth – the truth that even I did not own up to? The truth was that I was human. And just like every other human, I had struggles, and I had experienced pain. I did not understand the power of that truth. I did not understand that it was through the struggle that strength was giving birth.

“Think of the butterfly in its cocoon. It must struggle to get out of the cocoon in order to gain strength it needs to become a beautiful butterfly. If someone tried to help it out of the cocoon and it did not go through the process, then it would die and would not become the beautiful creation that it was meant to be.”

~ An excerpt from Cherished: One Woman’s Journey to Love and Be Loved

I did not understand the power of vulnerability: that I could be more powerful as a leader by being real. I could command more respect from those I worked with by taking off my masks and by stepping into my authenticity than by looking like I had it all together.

I had to hit rock bottom. I had to break down to break through. I had to come to a place of letting go, yet holding on to hope. It was there at rock bottom where I was able to embrace my humanity. I was able to accept the fact that I was imperfect and yet, I was imperfectly perfect just as I was.

“What is really hard, and really amazing is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself”

~ Anna Quindlen

As I began to own my imperfections, to unmask and to allow my authenticity to shine through, I gave others the courage to do the same. I was able to take my leadership to a whole new level by being who I was designed to be – imperfectly, perfectly me.

[image error]Shutterstock

Featured on Friday {Guest Post}: Imperfectly, Perfectly ME!

We’re celebrating with Bethany Connor as she launches her new book, Cherished. To cap off her week of book launch celebrations, we’re honored to have her guest posting for Featured on Friday. Join us in buzzing about her big week – read the post, then send a tweet!

Fourteen years into my journey as an Army Nurse Corps officer, I seemed to be at the pinnacle of my career. I had fast tracked through the Army ranks, was promoted early, had received awards, was well known and well respected for my impact within the Corps. I was on my way to the top.

And yet, it was during that same time period where I struggled through the most challenging part of my life thus far, both personally and professionally. But I had been taught to keep it all together; to fake it till I make it; to never let them see me sweat. So, I did not share those struggles. Instead I kept on the masks and maintained the perception that I had it all together. After all, people were looking up to me. What would they think if they really knew the ‘truth’ about me?

What was the truth…the truth that even I did not own up to? The truth was that I was human. And just like every other human, I had struggles, and I had experienced pain.

I did not understand the power of that truth. I did not understand that it was through the struggle that strength was giving birth.

“Think of the butterfly in its cocoon. It must struggle to get out of the cocoon in order to gain strength it needs to become a beautiful butterfly. If someone tried to help it out of the cocoon and it did not go through the process, then it would die and would not become the beautiful creation that it was meant to be.”   ~ An excerpt from Cherished:One Woman’s Journey to Love and Be Loved

I did not understand the power of vulnerability: that I could be more powerful as a leader by being real. I could command more respect from those I worked with by taking off my masks and by stepping into my authenticity than by looking like I had it all together.

I had to hit rock bottom.

I had to break down to break through.

I had to come to a place of letting go, yet holding on to hope.

It was there at rock bottom where I was able to embrace my humanity. I was able to accept the fact that I was imperfect and yet, I was imperfectly perfect just as I was.

“What is really hard, and really amazing is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself” ~ Anna Quindlen

As I began to own my imperfections, to unmask and to allow my authenticity to shine through, I gave others the courage to do the same. I was able to take my leadership to a whole new level by being who I was designed to be – imperfectly, perfectly ME!

This article was written by Authentic Leadership Expert Bethany Connor. Bethany has a deep passion ~ awakening authentic leaders. Through speaking, facilitating and coaching, she supports the transformation process of individuals and organizations in creating culture change from the inside out. Bethany is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Nurse Corps and a Registered Nurse with an advanced degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She also serves as a certified coach, speaker and trainer for The John Maxwell Team. Bethany is the author of Cherished: One Woman’s Journey to Love and Be Loved.  Connect with Bethany at www.acherishedwoman.com.

Image from Bethany Connor via Shutterstock