Turn Around Tuesday
January 29, 2008
“The one constant problem with office politics is that 1) most people start the conflict themselves without realizing it and 2) most people don’t realize that they are involved in a game until it is too late. ” - Timothy Johnson, Iowa Biz
I really don’t like conflict. It is uncomfortable to me and I would prefer resolve a situation sooner rather than later. But that doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally create it.
Don’t misunderstand me - I am not a drama fan and don’t intentional create conflict. However, it happens none the less. It is the law of unintended consequences - action you take may have results that you had not considered or desired.
And, of course, there are those that thrive on a good dose of discontent. Not my cup of tea. I steer clear of them when I can and get the job done quick when I can’t.
Therefore, reality states that conflict is darn near inevitable. We all must deal with it. More importantly, we must be prepared to bite the bullet and take responsibility when it is created by our own doings.
Today I want to encourage you know yourself. Understand that there are three sides to every story. Know that when conflict arises, the only part of the equation you can control is you. Life is far to short to dwell in the uneasy.
It’s Toastmasters Ya’ll
When I was stationed in Chicago, I had the opportunity to participate in Toastmasters. Once I moved back home, the clubs available were not conducive to my schedule. What is one to do?
Wrangle up a group of friends and start your own! That is just what we have done in Richmond Hill. We are hoping you will come out and join us.
Our group has not officially chartered and we are looking for folks to fill some important slots. Never done Toastmasters? Don’t worry - neither have many of our new members!
Meetings are held every Monday morning, 8:30am at Magnolia Manor. Feel free to contact me if you need any further information. I’ll even tell you how we got out name!
Today’s quote was found at the collaborative blog Iowa Biz
Purpose, Intention and Great Blogging
January 27, 2008
Let me tell you about the neatness that was Blog Savannah UnConference ‘08. I got to meet some of the best and brightest in Savannah
And connect with some I already knew
It was a phenom time. I was most excited to be able to connect with other mommy bloggers during the the working mommy blogger breakout session. I had the opportunity to discuss purpose and intention with some wonderful smart mommies.
The neat thing about an UnConference is you can just discuss. As the UnSpeakers, Ginger introduced herself and I introduced myself. We discovered that we blogged with different purpose and intention - and both were good. As the discussion took off around the room, you found a lot of different intentions and purposes - and they were all good.
Some of us were blogging with a scrapbook feel. Others were looking for teachable moments. Some were supporting other bloggers as a research. All were concerned about our kids and their privacy. We talked a lot about how much is too much and where do you draw the line.
The moral of the story is that they all blogged with integrity. They focused on purpose and they lived by their own intention. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of the importance of these things in blogging.
I would love to hear how you keep them integrated into your blog…
Working the Brand Loyalty and Solving the Case of the Missing Sock
January 24, 2008
Nope - Athol is AWOL. I am talking about those socks the dryer eats. I have a basket full of socks that I think are going to miraculously reappear one day - and when they do, their match will be waiting for them. I may get rid of that basket.
The monthly tip at Dressing Well concerns winter hosiery. All the pointers were useful - but one stood out - exercise brand loyalty when buying socks. Then, when the dryer eats one or eight, you still have matches and when you have to buy more, buying the same kind keeps the singles you have useful. Why haven’t I thought of that before?
Th simpleness of it all made me reconsider other areas where brand loyalty is important.
- I always use the same clothes detergent because I know it works and I know no one in the house has a reaction from it.
- I always use the same dishwasher powder and kitchen cleaner because I know it is dependable.
- I never vary on my hairdresser or nail guy because I am careful about grooming.
Seems to me that many of us are in the business of branding - whether it be ourselves or our company. The dryer provides a valid argument for sock brand loyalty.
How do we harness that same strategy?
*Photo credit to Inga Galkinaite
Title Me This
January 23, 2008
Steve Farber raised an interesting conversation about a month ago that I have just now happened upon. After polling the audience for suggestions on the title of his new book (The winner being Greater Than Yourself), he brought up the topic of our titles. What is the answer to, when many of us are so mulit-faceted, the question, “What do you do?”
He also asked the very poigant question revolving around the creative titling and whether or not it is all getting to be a bit much. Is calling the receptionist the “Director of First Impressions” catchy and motivating, or just plain trying to hard? I can tell people (and have) that I do whatever I want to as my self employed status has offered some fairly wide opportunities. That conversation was very well recieved and resulted in me being titled in a uber creative way as a “Realeblogoachmnist” by Chris Cree. I have had to table that idea as it is a bit long on the business card and awkward in the mouth 
Seriously, as accurate as “I do what I want” may be, is it effective or off putting?
Consider it for a minute…think of all the things you do. Now, for the sake of conversation, I am speaking professionally. Trying to tie in the personal husband/wife, father/mother, friend/relative thing is just too much. When you are talking to folks in a networking, professional, or just getting to know you situation - What do you do?
So, the conversation, like our lives, is diverse. What do you title yourself? How do you feel about creative titles? Is it different depending on the audience? How do you feel when you come into contact with the Director of First Impressions, The Realeblogoachmnist, or the Chief Fun and Excitement Director? Would you rather just talk to the receptionist?
Turn Around Tuesday
January 22, 2008
“The best time to have planted a tree is twenty years ago, the next best time is now!” - Chinese Proverb via Tony Gallegos, The Mortgage Cicerone
I was an average student in high school by choice. I had figured out that if I could pick the right classes and do the right things, I never really had to spend too much time on my school work. That freed me up to do the really important things (insert sarcasm here).
As you can imagine, this mentality did not support college after graduation. While I am proud of my decision to go into the military, I am disappointed at my lack of formal education. Because I lacked priorities, I have learned, read and been exposed to far fewer things than I am comfortable with.
However, I did go back to school and am close to finished. I am attempting to catch up on all the books I didn’t open in high school. I try to learn a little bit everyday on a topic I know little to nothing about. It’s not the most efficient or convenient way to do it - but it’s getting done.
We all have things we have put off for too long or placed lower than we should on our priorities. Once it has been there a while, we tend to think that it would be too hard or not worthwhile to pick it up and finish it out. It’s not.
Today I want to encourage you plant a tree you know you should have planted some time ago. Go ahead and give life to that project you know you should have started yesterday and the day before. It can be a big oak tree or the petite dogwood. The type of tree is not important. The oxygen it produces is.
BlogSavannah UnConference is Friday
I mentioned last week that I will be at at BlogSavannah UnConference ‘08 hosting the Working Mommy Blogger Breakout Session with Ginger Heidel. I am really looking forward to it and would like to extend the invite to all of you.
The UnConference is scheduled for this Friday from 9am - 4pm. We will be gathering at Armstrong Atlantic University’s Center for Professional and Continuing Education. If you can believe it - registration is free on the website.
I just read that registered attendees have broken the 100 mark. I looked through the list of hosters, attendees and topics - if you have ever thought about implementing an interactive web presence into your business plan, this is the place to be. And I know not all of you live in Savannah. That’s okay - it’s a great place to visit and the town is very hospitable.
Today’s quote was found at Tony Gallegos’ The Mortgage Cicerone.
Business Choice - Corporate or Personal?
January 21, 2008
If you missed the big announcement, I left my previous real estate brokerage to join one that has newly opened. A brilliant agent and friend opened the first Sellstate franchise in the state of Georgia right here in Richmond Hill and I was all too happy to join her.
It has been quite the challenge. I was fortunate that my previous broker allowed me to keep my listings (the listings acquired by an agent technically belong to the broker and he had every right to keep him - he’s a nice guy). However, moving the listings over has taken some leg work. Then there were the different social networks that I belong to that required updating. I am sure I didn’t get them all yet. The last feat was the tweak of my main website to reflect my new brokerage.
I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. I am excited about the fresh start that just so happens to coincide with the start of the new year. However, I would be lying if I didn’t say I had one solid concern. Sellstate as a brand is unknown in my local market.
I considered that thought for a while. I then decided that, while Sellstate was a virtual unknown, I was not. It is my belief that people largely do business with people - not necessarily businesses. That’s what my gut said and I went with it.
Question 1 - What does your gut say about it?
Today I read an interesting post from Joanna Young at Confident Writing. She issued a bloggy challenge for authors to consider with new eyes their “About” page. Her idea is that her About Page should reflect her blog - not the author. She had some very successful bloggers that agreed with her (Skellie, Darren Rowse and Brian Clark).
Because I think know Joanna is brilliant, I gave her idea much thought. You see, my about page is all about me - my heritage, my family, my friends. I revisited the page and considered different ways I could change it to fit Joanna’s challenge.
Then my belief of person not business resonated in my head. My About Page is my vehicle to let readers know, in one post, who April Groves is as an individual. In my opinion, this is the way mine should be. I can’t imagine why people would want to trust, confide, relate or do business with me if they have no idea who “me” is.
Question 2 - How do you handle your “About Page” and why?
While I am comfortable…mostly…in my ideas on both subjects - I am always open to new ideas and great conversation.
Turn Around Tuesday
January 15, 2008
“So it’s not who you know. It’s who knows you.” - Athol Kay, Realtor, blogger, photographer
Today’s social media community driven by high powered technology has made the world a much smaller place. We can connect, conference and do business with people from all over the world from the comforts of our own home. Create some travel plans and you can do it in person.
If this smallness does nothing else, it creates choice. Choice in who to interact with personally and who to do business with professionally. With all this choice, the particular product or service is no longer the selling point - the person behind it is.
This translates into a surge of networking venues - shaking hands, passing cards, and “getting your name out there.” However, your name is just like your product or service - not so much important when compared to the person behind it.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the process of meeting “the person to know.” Whether you are in a new town or the place you grew up, there is always talk of “the person you need to connect with. While this may be true, don’t ever forget that sentence has a follow up thought - “And needs to connect with you.”
Today I encourage you to remember the truth in “quality, not quantity,” and recognize how it applies to your relationships. When someone gets to know the wonderful person you are, your name won’t be a problem. Remember - when you are out meeting “the people to know,” you are one of those people yourself.
Pink Cadillac for a Good Cause
Savannah AMBUCS is gearing up to host their 31st annual Cadillac Party. While the party may not be until February 2nd - the the preparation time is now.
For those who haven’t heard, AMBUCS is a service organization dedicated to “creating independence and opportunities for people with disabilities.”
You can find out more about AMBUCS and the Cadillac Party on the web.
Donations, tickets, sponsorship and all other offers of assistance are greatly appreciated. You can ask questions about or provide any of these things by calling Alchemy of Savannah.
On a side note - I will be UnFacilitating the Working Mommy Blogger Breakout Session with Ginger Heidel at BlogSavannah UnConference ‘08. Registration is free on the website.
Today’s quote was found at Athol Kay’s RE Agent
She quit the club
January 14, 2008
My Savannah came home from first grade last week and was not in a good mood.
“She quit the club.”
You see, my Savannah has created the “Best Friends Club.” It is a special thing to her. She would like everyone to be in it and is trying to rope her daddy into building the clubhouse in our backyard. We will see how that goes.
After some discussion, the bones of the story is that my daughter’s club is in turmoil. It seems to have a revolving door retention problem. While most of the club seems happy to play tag and collect rocks, there is a fringe group. One little girl left because another little girl left because the wrong nickname was being used. Another left because the clubhouse wasn’t ready yet. This latest episode involved a debate over club ownership.
It struck me how representative this is of adults. I belong to a few organizations and they are wonderful! However, I am sure we have all seen “the fringe.” These are those folks who are going to find the negative like they have “poo poo radar.” Then, instead of working to resolve the problem, they leave. Or worse, they stay and try to make life miserable for those around them. I am not going to spend anymore time talking about the characteristics of these folks or why they are the way they are. I learned a long time ago (ok - maybe not that long ago) that I can only control my thoughts and actions.
That’s when I realize (again) the brilliance of my daughter.
“Honey, if she doesn’t like that nickname, you really shouldn’t use it. That would upset me too.”
She already knew this. After the little girl had quit the club, Savannah went to her and found out why. She then apologized for hurting her feelings and said she wouldn’t do it anymore. Both her and the girl that left with her are back.
She also went to the girl about the clubhouse. They decided that since they couldn’t build the clubhouse themselves and since they already had the playground, that was good enough for now. She’s back in the club too.
The little girl who wanted club ownership got her way. Now, while I am not crazy about this (previously it was an all for one ownership), I think Savannah’s thoughts were, “Who cares who owns it as long as everybody is in it?” For a six year old, I think I will leave this one alone for now.
Communication is a wonderful thing. When we genuinely care about what others think, how they feel and what they want, we can accomplish a sense of unity and collaboration that would have been unattainable before. Amazing things happen when move away from placing blame and move towards making progress. I’ll admit I was proud to watch my six year old navigate through situations that make many adults stumble. Maybe there is a learned trait there that is special to adults. If so, I hope she never learns it.
*Photo credit to Sue RB
Encouraging Conversation
January 12, 2008
When I first started blogging, I was fortunate to meet some wonderful folks that gave me excellent advice on how to do it “right.” Chris Cree taught me about the importance of community. Liz Strauss consistently encourages me to better conversationalist. Both of these traits have fit my personality, kept blogging fun and productive, and allowed me to interact with amazing people. To say my knowledge has grown would be a serious understatement.
Eric over at Leadership and Other Ramblings does a great job with this. He wrote a post about balance. It started a conversation. In the comments, another idea was raised and he continued to ask questions and engage.
Mitten Musing almost always drops me an email in response to any comment I leave over at her place.
Phil “Make it Great” Gerbyshak picked up the phone and gave me a call.
It is my belief that encouraging conversation is the key to productive blogging. It is more than asking questions or going controversial to elicit a response. It is about connecting on a level of genuine interest and interaction.
Two questions…
- Why do you feel it is (or is not) necessary to encourage conversation?
- If it is important, how do you make the field ripe for that conversation?
Small Business Ownership vs. Self Employment
January 11, 2008
A friend of mine had a dream of opening her own real estate brokerage firm. She has been an agent for quite a while with a company that she really enjoyed. But, it didn’t belong to her.
The thing that struck me about that conversation is that, we as Realtors(r) are already independent contractors. We already work for ourselves, handle our own expenses, benefits, and business structure. In essence, we work for ourselves. Each agent is essentially their own small business. So, this drive to own a brokerage is a bit different than the typical, “I want to work for myself.”
There is a difference between the thoughts - “I want to work for myself” and “I want to be a small business owner.” This is an idea I had never given much thought to until looking at it from the inside.
Yep - from the inside. Karen’s dream to sell homes in Richmond Hill under the banner of her own company is exciting to me. She has picked a great franchise with wonderful opportunities. When the chance to team up with her materialized, I knew it was the right thing to do…but I digress.
What motivates a self employed person to become a small business owner? Some folks can’t help but become a SBO - the field of their choice requires it. Is it about leaving a legacy? Is it personal or professional?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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