Watching Con Ed fix electic poles made me think about long term planning

This past week I was without electricity for 5 days and just got power back on Wednesday night. It was rough but not that bad. Could have been worse...Haiti comes to mind or perhaps New Orleans, Afghanistan and Iraq...anyway, not a blog about disasters and war zones.

This is about long term strategic planning...YAWN. Could be a snoozer but I'm simply AMAZED that people and large corporations FAIL to plan or to look at the big pictures.

Con Ed failed in many many places with our storm clean but I want to know if they are thinking about the next big storm????

1. How much is this clean up costing?
2. How much do most clean up's cost? Only TWO weeks ago we had 2 -3 feet of snow topple down trees and power lines.

ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT BURYING THE ELECTRIC LINES?????????????

Ok, sure, I get the expense, time and coordination with various municipalities, but, let's think LONG TERM.

If they were to put up with the expense of tearing up streets and sidewalks to never have to replant a million poles, get hundreds of thousands of people "back on line, take tree off lines, maintaining trees that grow and surround lines...it seems to me that if they buried the lines a lot of expensive problems would go away.

How does this concern you? If you live where the lines are buried you are probably wondering where I'm going with this...

YOU NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT LONG TERM PLANNING!

1. How often do you go the cheaper or easier route for it to only cost more in the long run???

2. When you make decisions do you do a cost analysis to see if makes sense, 1, 5 or 10 years down the road?

3. Do you throw money and time at things because you "need it now?"

4. Are you constantly putting out fires?

If you said yes to any of those - then you've lost money. No argument. Now, all of us have made mistakes and have spent money only to realize later that we've screwed up - but, are you making the same mistakes over and over and over again?

S.W.O.T. analysis is one of the more popular models to help you with large decisions. Also, pay attention to small decisions you make regularly. Analyzing several small issues, projects and costs can add up and perhaps save you a bundle.

Watching Con Ed has certainly inspired me to do some heavy cost AND time analysis to see where I might stack up in the long run!

Go to Great Links - recommended blog posts from w/ March 5, 2010

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Web 2.0: Top 25 Applications to Grow Your Business - Quick Sprout @neilpatel

http://www.quicksprout.com/2010/03/02/the-entrepreneurs-guide-to-web-2-0-top-25-applications-to-grow-your-business/


Ten things you must do before starting a business @efficiencycoach
http://www.theefficiencycoach.co.uk/blog/index.php/business-efficiency/ten-things-you-must-do-before-starting-a-business/comment-page-1/#comment-251


Why We Removed our Blog Feed from Facebook @paulroetzer
http://www.pr2020.com/page/remove-blog-feed-from-facebook#comments


10 Most Tempting Software Startup Categories @dharmesh http://onstartups.com/tabid/3339/bid/11978/The-10-Most-Tempting-Software-Startup-Categories.aspx


How to Wake up Early @GuyKawasaki
http://holykaw.alltop.com/how-to-wake-up-early-0


Does this guilt make my butt look fat? @MomCoach
http://www.theguiltfreemom.com/does-this-guilt-make-my-butt-look-fat-answer-yes/


"Bad Mother" Ayelet Waldman Says There Is No Work-Life Balance @hybridmom
http://www.hybridmom.com/articles/work/career-and-ambitions/bad-mother-ayelet-waldman-says-there-no-work-life-balance?utm_campaign=Hybrid%20Mom%3A%20Do%20you%20judge%20the%20kids%20of%20working%20moms%3F&utm_content=&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=read%20more


Working with a Nanny @YummyMummyClub http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/working_with_a_nanny_krysta_davies_foss


Feel free to add more but do not self promote - this is about being a go-giver and sharing knowledge!


Have a great week,
Lorin

A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #8 of 53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur / professional

Continuation of a series: I'm currently sharing my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/


8. Try not to mix your family life with your business life.

 

This one is very funny for work at home parents. This seems like an impossible task…if you take in on face value. There is a good message here, though.

 

1. Do NOT mix your business finances with family finances. You should have separate accounts and then “pay yourself a salary” from your business account. Keep receipts separate and accounting separate. For heaven’s sake get quick books.

 

2. SET BOUNDRIES:
It is very very easy to work every day. Technology has created this world where we are always connected. I keep my work load light on Saturday and I never ever work on Sunday, with one small exception. If we are home, then I will only get on the computer if and when my kids are napping. Even then, moms, I recommend self-care or spouse/partner-care instead of business!

 

Even though my husband might be on his lap top in the kitchen in the middle of breakfast, he’s not really at breakfast. So, don’t think you can fool your family - just because you are in the same room doesn’t mean you are in the same room.

 

3. WHEN TO MIX:
If you work inside or outside the home, you teach your children valuable lessons. Here is where and how you mix business and family.

• Teach them about responsibility
• Teach them about having a passion
• Teach them about having their own interests outside the family
• Teach them about your values surrounding money

 

What do you think?  Remember to add posts.  Linkbacks are accepted and help you with SEO!!!!

A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #7 of 53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur

Continuation of a series: I'm currently sharing my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/

"7. Don’t get too greedy… pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered. "


Not sure what to make of this rule. It seems there could be many interpretations. For myself, I’m going to think that I should go for it on my pricing but not too pricey. My husband is good at this. When he puts prices on his antiques he looks at several factors.

1. What is the price for the same or similar items, in the same market.

2. Undercut them but not by too much.

3. Be willing to negotiate. Americans don’t do this much, that’s why they get in trouble at when car shopping but, get into the habit.

4. Don’t get emotional or take it personally – be willing to do something or part with something for less – just don’t lose your shirt!

5. Remember your market and venue. My husband sells on craigslist. If he put his merchandise in a retail store, it would have a higher price but, on craigslist the prices HAVE to be lower.

Look at your services and merchandise -- Make sure you are competitive so that they aren’t going to another place to buy!

A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #6 of "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur"

Continuation of a series:  I'm currently sharing with you my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/

6. Around every corner lies an opportunity for you to sell something.
Every time you meet someone there is a chance for soft selling. Always try to find ways to let people know what you do. The best way to let people know what you do is to help people. Don’t always look at others as a way to sell or to help you. Build trust and you build trust with offers of help, free samples, or free advice.

Look for small ways to be visible. I see a ton of business women who email me and there is no information in their signature. Every email lets you put in an automatic signature. What should be in your email signature?

1. What you do?: i.e Real Estate Attorney 
2. How can I find out more?: i.e http://www.website.com/
3. How can I contact you? i.e. office/cell phone and email address
4. Can I have an example? i.e. www.blog.com  

That is just one way to possible sell on every corner  - don't miss it.
Cheers, Lorin

A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #4 & 5 of 53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur

For several blogs going forward, I'm going to share with you my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/

4. Learn from your own mistakes.
Making mistakes is not the worst thing you can do.  Do the same mistake twice means you are not paying attention.  Perhaps you are stubborn and just want to try again or you just don't get it.  Pay attention to mistakes and they'll take you further - use them as learning opportunities. 

This is good advice for business, spouse and family.
5. Learn from other people’s mistakes.
Don't ever think it won't have to you.  When trying something out ask others if they have tried it before.    People love talking about themselves and sharing so finding the answers are not hard. You might save yourself a lot of grief and money if you learn from others.

A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #2 & 3 of 53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur

For several blogs going forward, I'm going to share with you my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/


2. Accept criticism, no matter who gives it to you.


Do you live in a town that has statues of historical people? Some of them are well known, like Martin Luther King Jr. and George Washington to the more obscure Stevie Ray Vaughn (he’s in Austin, TX on Auditorium Shores, a blues player of influence in the music industry). What they have in common is they were criticized! Did they cower and decide not to go for what they believed in???

I’m ready for more woman statues out there!!!! Criticism makes us stronger. Listen to those that don’t like you or don’t like what you are about. They will tell you think your friends will never tell you. It might hurt and make us not want to move forward but if you use the information wisely it will make you stronger and better!

If you are not getting any criticism and it’s only “what at great idea.” You are not talking to the right people. Get honest feedback – this is the only way to grow and improve.

I like that Neil, says “no matter who gives it to you.” I got it good from my 4 year old the other day and I deserved it. You never know where the good ideas are going to come from. I even get mother advice from a friend who has no children. You scoff? She’s got nieces and nephews, she’s smart and she observes. Don’t think she doesn’t know a thing or two. Sometimes people the farthest away from the situation will have the freshest eyes.


3. Never stop networking.

You will not be able to ride a tide for long. The best surfers get out there over and over and over again because the tide does roll in. You have to make connections – fresh connections on a regular basis or your business will wave on into the shore and wither away. There will be a time after a start up when you can relax because part of your business will be referral but you can’t sustain a business this way. You might not have to market and network as hard but you do have to keep it up. Even Coke and Pepsi still market and advertise.

You have started your business but you never know who you are going to meet! If you decide to not network then you might not meet that special someone who would partner up with you and take your business to a multi-million dollar business!

Don’t like to network? Tough. You can’t avoid it. Sitting in your office or at your kitchen table is not meeting people.

Don’t want to go out in the evening because of your kids? You don’t have to do the evening events. There are plenty of lunch dates and breakfast groups. You can start an EPMA chapter that meets in the morning after the kids go to school.

Think of networking as always taking an opportunity to talk about business. For example, that Tupperware party you’ve been invited too? Perhaps the hostess will give you a moment for everyone to introduce themselves and you can also introduce your business.

NEVER GO OUT WITHOUT BUSINESS CARDS!!!!!!

Wishing you continued success,
Lorin