Happy Christmas!

Happy Holidays from the Black Marble Consulting family to you!  I have to catch up on posts from this last week!

Friends and Events

So last night I went out to support a friend Andrew S. who had his first time spinning at a club (V2O) as one of the DJs.  Very cool night!  Big shout out to the whole BF tribe - Barb, Ali, Pete, Bryce, Annika, Drew and of course Andrew who was rocking it out!  It was so high energy and fun. I realized last night how much I have missed the club scene.  Of course, now it is entirely different for me - as one of the "old guard" at 35, it was a different perspective. Further, I felt entirely delighted to end our evening at about 12:30 am - after all, most of us were over 25.  There is something to be said for the connection of this group.  It was the recognition of a member of the tribe's creative activity.

By the same token, I recognize this in other teams - like Julio, Cameron, Dave & I at the shop. We protect one another, make sure that we focus on the same objective and help back each other up. It has This has been true of Jim B.,  Ali, DJ, Deb and the rest of Navigaytour team - we all are trying to move the product forward.  It has been interesting to see how teams react to both challenges and successes.  Again, I feel often that I am a broken record, but acknowledge the efforts of team members even in areas outside of the workplace.  The support you provide will be a huge part of their engagement.  Plus, more often than not, it is great fun!

Developing a team

Today I had the opportunity to meet with 10 energized members of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce to talk about marketing.  What is the secret for forming a productive team?  I would say the following:

• Enthusiasm for the team objective
• A prepared meeting plan with some thoughts to drive discussion
• A watch - keep meetings under an hour and move things forward quickly
• Actively listen to group participants - they need to feel involved
• Form triads - three way groups to achieve specific tasks within the scope of work of the group
• Share authority with team members - have them select the direction of the team
• Facilitate so that the team stays on track

The objective in my consulting business is to "help innovators transform their ideas into strategic documents." I find that working with entrepreneurs in teams - their staff, their partners or even their investors to come up with more ideas and more effective execution of those ideas is the best and most effective use of team meetings.

I would encourage you to take a look at your business and your customers - there are resources that could form a team to help you.

Video opportunities

Who knows who might walk through your business door?  Today I filmed with Beach Fitness for a new TV program "Gym Make Over" - much like the redo programs for people's homes or businesses.  You never know when a filming crew may wish to use your business in a film, commercial or other episode.  Be open to the opportunity to have your business featured in these media.  So check it out and be willing to be filmed!

Fresh Ideas? Recycle!

All too often, small business tries to "reinvent the wheel."  This usually consumes huge amounts of the two resources entrepreneurs are usually short of: time & money.  I had a great staff meeting with a new client last night - Bogart's Coffee.  What was so wonderful about this meeting was that the team had many helpful, insightful and positive suggestions to improve the business.  All JoAnn & I will have to do is implement many of these ideas!  Look to staff for ideas in customer service, product selection and process improvements.  Look to customers for price point reactions, new products & services and the efficiency / friendliness of the employees.  By studying what the competition is doing, you may also get a better handle on what is working for them - thus, what can differentiate you.  A perfect example is Main Street in Seal Beach - there are many places which serve coffee, but each business has a distinct niche of product, service and customers.  This segmentation allows for multiple providers of a substitutable product.  The experience at each location is different.

Boat Parade

Well, this past Saturday night (12/13), I had the privilege of going to the Naples Island boat parade - what fun!  This event which has both a small and large boat component starts around 6 pm and goes for 2.5+ hours.  The boats are decorated and often have themes, what is more impressive than the boats are the homes along the canals!  Wow are they amazing!  Often with a theme and judged by their neighbors, these homes are epic visual fantasies in lights.  I will be sure to post a few photos of this evening.  Special thanks to Barb B., Ali L., Pete & Andrew S. for making me feel so welcome during this whole experience!

Back & Better than Ever - SEO Style

After my day off, I have to say that I am brimming with excitement regarding the new opportunities that this economy presents.  I encourage clients to look to the web for key advertising opportunities.  I have done several tests recently with print media and have come to the following conclusions about traditional print advertising:

• Builds brand awareness
• Communicates how to reach out to a business
• Creates a sense of community to the business & its credibility in a community (it costs money to advertise)
• Accesses a niche of readers - a community, a demographic, a type of customer (think fitness magazines or gay resources - they self select for a particular reader)

On the other hand - online seems to do the following:

• Facilitate research of competitive choices (what service should I use. . .?)
• Price comparisons of related businesses and their services
• Create a buying opportunity NOW (like an online shopping cart)
• Allows for direct feedback on products or services in an interactive way

What has thrilled me was a session of "Business Web Basics" with my friend and client Ann P.  Her business, Premazon Internet Consulting www.premazon.com  took a complex web of information about search engine optimization (SEO) and made it comprehensible.  I didn't become an SEO expert, but I did become an expert in understanding what my SEO expert should do for my & my client's sites.  Thanks Ann!

Class & more to come

Today I went to a very cool all day seminar with my friend Ann P. - I plan on sharing more, but I have run out of time today. Also, in observance of www.daywithoutagay.org, I will not be blogging tomorrow. Talk to you all on Thursday.

A Modern Parable

Thanks to Gerry & Denise for sharing this!  Credit to whoever wrote this - I would attribute it if I could!

 A Japanese company (Toyota) and an American  company (Ford Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River.  Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak  performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile. The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat.  A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing. 

Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing. Not sure of how to utilize that information,  but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering  manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder.  It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers.  There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.  The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters. The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment.  The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses. The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India . 

Sadly, the End. 

Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages. TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US   The last quarter's results: TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses. Ford folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses... 

Showing up

It may seem simple, but in business, simply showing up ready to work and prepared is often more than half the battle. I continue to be amazed by entrepreneurs who think that once they have "put in their time" that the business should run itself. This is simply not the case. You may not be in the office/workspace for the hours, but you are constantly working on or with your business. For employees of those businesses, if you don't show up, the customers don't receive the goods or service and as a result, not only is revenue lost, but the customer downgrades the business because you are simply not available. Make a commitment to showing up regularly and being a demonstrative leader for the rest of the team!

The Chicken and the Pig

In high school, I had a great football coach - Al Pisano.  He helped me understand what team was all about.  Though we had an awful 4 seasons (losing terribly for all of my high school experience), I gained a great deal of respect for the idea of commitment.  Today I work with clients and often find a story Coach Pisano used about commitment helpful to illustrate the focus of a team on a goal.  My dad also uses this story - thanks Dad!  Check out the photo to the right as you consider the story. . .

A farmer sits down to his breakfast and thinks about what it took to make that breakfast.  The chicken is involved, but the pig, the pig is COMMITTED to that breakfast. - get it?  

The chicken might have laid the egg, but the pig died for that breakfast.  Commitment is a through and through experience.  I am thankful to have clients who are committed to success - it is part of why I work with them.  One of the advantages of owning my own firm is that I don't work with clients who I don't want to be committed.  Sometimes it limits the client pool, but it helps me love what I do that much more.  When you are working in business, work from commitment, not just involvement.  Let me know what you think about commitment. . .

Christmas Parade & Know when to say when

The Christmas Parade is here! The street is being cleared and chairs started going up on Main Street at 10 am. It is 4:18 pm and the street is already covered with chairs. Thankfully, I have a space on the Big Red Bus www.bigredbus.com (tell Peter I sent you!) and my mom, stepdad and partner are all going to dinner at Walt's Wharf. Jim K., who owns Baytown Realty and is this year's chair of the parade (as he has been for 25 years) does an amazing buffet and gathering at his place. www.baytownrealty.com . The parade had 75+ entries and drew thousands. I know my mom & stepdad loved it.

You know, when you get out for the holidays, be sure to remember that you need to cut back when the libations are really flowing. Alternate from alcoholic drinks to non. It is simple - don't drink and drive. Your life and the lives of those around you are too valuable! Tonight will be great fun with loads of people (10,000 expected) and lots of food, beverage and bands. All the merchants are staying open and making it extra festive.

Getting ready for the holidays. . .

Seal Beach has a tradition - the Christmas Holiday Parade. It falls on the first Friday in December every year. In its 28th year, this event goes 3 blocks (from Ocean to Pacific Coast Highway on Main Street) and takes two and a half hours. There are nearly 100 entries from all over California which come to be part of our small town parade. Last year was my first year and I had NO idea what it was all about. It is the best of small town with the joy of the holiday season. It is also an amazing period to connect with customers for Main Street merchants. The poster for the Tree Lighting was designed by Simone M. and is fantastic! She also did the Christmas Parade and this header for the OC Weekly to "Shop and Dine Main Street". I would invite all of you to come down to Seal Beach and celebrate the season! The City, the Chamber of Commerce and the local Lions Club all get together to produce this amazing event. Major kudos to Jim K. and Scott N. who have made this event happen - also, special thanks to Erik D-G for representing the Chamber so well with all of his support.

Lights are all strung on Main Street and I am beginning to play all that holiday / Christmas music. I have made a decision this year - no gifts except to children. No over consumption in my family! How about yours?

How bad will it get?

What is happening in the economy? How does it affect small marketplaces and small business? I don't have a crystal ball, but I would agree with many economists that we are NOT even at the trough yet of this recession. Since it began in December of 2007, the average duration of recessions would suggest that we have more than 12 but less than 24 months. I submit that is still too short - we are already 12 months in with at least 8 more to go. We will likely see unemployment reach double digits (at least in California) and a continuing pressure against consumer goods. We will likely not even see the light at the end of the "tunnel" until 2009 Q3 - say September.

The photo to the right is symbolic for me in many ways, but it seemed particularly relevant to the economy. It was taken by one of my best friends - S. J. Carter http://sjcarterphotography.com/ How much pressure will it take for the American Citizen's heart to feel the agony that rampant consumerism and consipicuous overconsumption has wreaked upon our lives and our values? We need to begin to understand the way out of this economic hardship is not by spending more than we earn or creating greater debt, but by focusing on things truly needed rather than simply wanted.

I would advise all clients now to husband their resources, stay focused on their core business and expand only if the opportunity seems right for the next several years with current market conditions. Now is the time to be creating strategic alliances, batering for needed services and lowering aggregate overhead.

Quick Aside - Video link

I wanted to link a quick video I did for the Summer Concert Series in Seal Beach. The address is http://www.beachcalifornia.com/Events/seal-beach-chamber-events.html Don't laugh! It was totally off the cuff and I just threw it together.

Financial performance

Financials for clients in this marketplace are of particularly focus.  Thankfully, all of my clients are seeing increased year over year performance (with one exception).  While I would like to say this is due to my work alone, it is not - it is due to the focus on team performance that the leadership of the business owners has.  What we all need to remember is that all economic times come in cycles - this may be a down time for many industries, but is a boom time for some.  As a fellow entrepreneur said to me recently: "In good times you can make good money, in bad times you can make fortunes!"

Focus not so much on the gross top line, but ensuring that now your business gets lean, nimble, profitable and very client driven.  A great example of how to look to add on to your business is the same model that amusement parks use - the careful extraction of money while you are enjoying the experience: food, gifts, games and mementos (like photographs).  Take time to look at the business through the eyes of the client / customer rather than the bottom line.

I also recommend against the "cost cutting" or discounting that the holiday season typically brings - instead offer ways for the customer to feel more value, then they will readily share their resources with you.  Regardless of what the news says, people are spending money in this economy, it may as well be in your business.

Objective Attained

Well,

Today is my 20th blog post.  I had promised myself to write at least 20 entries this month and now I am successful.  What I feel this experiment has proven to me is that keeping a blog allows the individual to record their thoughts and experiences in a cogent way which serves as a vital record.  It also has proven to me that blogging is a worthwhile endeavor for my business, as clients and friends have reviewed and reflected on my blog.  Next month - lets try for some comments!

I would encourage you to consider writing a blog, at least as an experiment.  Have a great weekend!

Holiday Tree Lighting

Wow! Tonight was the tree lighting in Seal Beach! The first annual (I hope)! I participated with lots of great support from Nina V. & Natalie K. from the Chamber and several others. The Chamber put it on and these photos are from a great new blog that I have subscribed to http://sealbeachdaily.com It is a "hyperlocal" site which explores it's locality with great depth. We probably had 200+ people at the event which served hot cocoa, cookies and carols from the Los Alamitos High School Choir. I really think that the Public Works department of the City did a great job creating the tree by using an existing palm tree and "green" LED lights which are low power consumption.

Clients ask how they get local response - the answer - be part of the community!

Being Thankful

It is Thanksgiving "eve" and I have a simple message to all those who are clients, friends, family or gentle readers - thank you! Thanks for:

• The insights, comments and laughter you have shared with me


• The love and affection


• Your trust


• Your business


• Our experiences together


• The work we do and have done together


• Your time

Happy Thanksgiving!

Coming from Greatness

What do you do when someone asks for a refund? In small business, how meaningful is a single customer? How do you treat someone when you feel that returning their money is not fully fair? Particularly in a tight economic time? What if a client simply doesn't pay you for services rendered?


Wow - these things do come up, perhaps more often than any of us would like. For me, in the last 4 years, I have been been in the situation of a client owing me money three times. In each case the money was substantial (to me) and my angst over it was significant. In none of the instances was I short of providing value - something had changed on the part of the client, and they were either unable or unwilling to pay me. The first two times I really got upset about it, by the third time, I was simply resigned.


Small business ownership exposes us to risk. This risk comes in many ways, but most often, we are held at our word and expect others to hold to theirs. My recommendation is to realize that a small percentage of projects/clients/customers will not follow through, but the majority will. That being said, when someone asks for their money back or simply never pays you - hold your tongue, take a deep breath and realize that if you come from greatness and simply allow it to pass, it will come back to you in ways you never expected. As I near Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all the people who I have touched (or who have touched me) in my journey with Black Marble Consulting. So remember to come from greatness and be particularly thankful for each and every experience.

Friends and listening

My dear friend John W. called last night. He wanted to share some thoughts about his workplace and where he is personally. It was wonderful to just listen. I think all to often we find ourselves too "busy" just to listen to friends. It is harder when people are in other time zones - that three hour time difference really makes it necessary to plan when you talk. Make sure that you take time to listen to those who are close to you.

As he shared, it helped me put some client issues into perspective, and provided some insight for how to help them better. His story triggered additional thoughts in my mind about what was happening both in his workplace and in the client's. I think it also really helped him to share it.

I miss the time spent with close friends just checking in on their life and feeling how they are. Do you ever miss it? I wish there was a way to connect quickly over long distances which is easy and inexpensive and not "virtually." Remember to take time for them - they will help you in ways you never imagined.

Early Thanksgiving & Birthday thoughts

One of my clients is Main Street Cyclery in Seal Beach, CA. http://www.mainstreetcyclery.com/ One of the team members is Julio - who just celebrated his 23rd birthday. What was cool was that he didn't broadcast his birthday, but simply mentioned it towards the end of the day. He has many of the qualities that I think employers look for: focus on tasks, responsibility, good communication skills and a pleasant demeanor. Further, he shows up for work! In a time where there is much uncertainty and often little loyalty to a business, all of our team at the bike shop takes ownership of creating a successful business.

So I wanted to share some early Thanksgiving thoughts.

1. Family is number one - I have parents both who have survived cancer, multiple hospitalizations with my partner and dealt with friends who have sero-converted. Be sure to always make time for family. You never get any of those moments back, and you need to be there when times are good and bad.

2. Come from a heart full of appreciation - We have so much to be thankful for: life, liberty, health, friends, family and a nation which is at the lead in the world. Much still needs to be done to right wrongs and make the world better, but if not for the accident of my birth, I would not enjoy so many of the liberties that others have fought and died for. Be grateful and humble for what we have.

3. Do something to help strangers & pay it forward - In addition to family be sure to do something to help others. Sometimes it is the comfort of strangers which can start to change the world. Give of your time, treasures or talent in some way which will help in ways you can't directly perceive. An example is the Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Seal Beach - I am donating a bottle of champagne to the volunteers (LOTE) who help make that happen. If we all did three nice things as businesses and individuals, how much better could we make the world?

4. Take some meditative silence to fill your heart with joy.

5. Tell people (when appropriate!) that you love them. Give hugs generously.

6. Thank your employees or team members.

Go ahead and make the world a better place! Have a great week.

Holidays & Shopping

What does the holiday season mean to business?  For many of us (or with clients in it!), it is the retail season.  Customer service is at a premium right now, because consumers are particularly sensitive about spending their money.  The service part is simple - customers are not always right, but they are always right about "their" money.  You just need to be thankful and take ownership of any problems for them.  So no matter what, take on their concerns - that will reassure them that they are being cared for.

All too often communication is hijacked by emotional responses, and the holiday season is rife with them.  To put yourself with the customer in a "we" posture, rather than an "us" vs. "them" will pay dividends.  Other small business owners have been asking me and my clients, how we can be doing so well in this economy.  Much of it has to do with the service provided.  A prime example of that is the Crema Cafe at 322 Main Street. www.thecremacafe.com (check it out)

There the owner, Tarit, constantly focuses on hospitality rather than customer service.  It is a nice way to transform the idea of service.  If you make people feel at home, not only do they feel more comfortable, they generally treat your staff and your business more respectfully.  The more you can shift your team into the idea that customers are part of your extended family and ultimately THE reason we all get paid, it helps the team feel more empowered to provide higher service and more thoughtfulness while providing service.

Anniversary

Communities create anniversaries to recognize major events.  In many ways the recognition of milestones are particularly important for business.  Over 80% of businesses fail in the first five years, and having had a business in existence for four years - I can personally attest to how hard it is to keep going.  In today's marketplace, the entrepreneur has to constantly ask "how am I bringing value" - to clients, customers, stakeholders, the community and even your own family.

I went to a great anniversary event at O'Malleys on Main Street last night.  Brian Kyle, was celebrating 10 years of success in running his restaurant and serving the Seal Beach community.  This milestone was significant and really great fun!  It also showed that he wanted to appreciate his patrons.

What anniversary might you wish to share with others?  For that matter, have you celebrated an anniversary anytime in the last year?  If not, plan one now!  We hear doom, gloom and horrible economic news all the time on the news and about our economy.  Stop buying into the crisis - buy into yourself and your business.  If you don't, others certainly won't.

Tribal Leadership and Staff meetings

Clients often wonder if staff meetings are important. After all, in small business, employees could be doing so much more "productive" things. In reality, most research has indicated that employees or team members are most productive when certain basic social, emotional and intellectual needs are met. Questions such as: "Do I know what my job is? Do I have the tools I need to do my job well? Do I get regular feedback? Do I have a best friend at work? Do I have an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way?"

In the Gallup Organization book - First Break All the Rules http://gmj.gallup.com/content/1144/First-Break-All-Rules-Book-Center.aspx , this concept of needs is explored fully. So by allowing the group to come together in a controlled, tribal fashion, the power of the team focuses on growing the capacity of the team. I would encourage your business to have regular team meetings - but somewhat sparsely. They are as a client reminds me "like pearls, slowly built up over time - and precious as a result." Another great resource book is Tribal Leadership http://www.triballeadership.net/ which explores how leaders and tribes cause each other to grow.

So go ahead, plan a team meeting. With a clear agenda, a firm timeline and good participation, you will be pleased with the results, and so will your people.

A Day without a Gay - 12/10/08

Wow! Found this about a general economic boycott for a single day. http://daywithoutagay.org/

I would strongly encourage you if you support equal rights to close your business, take the day off, volunteer or create positive change on that day for human rights. What is a single day out of your life? We give so much to the workplace - why not simply acknowledge equality for a single day for people like me who are fighting for it.

Make a difference. Be an ally.

Old Friends

My stepfather, Jim, has a powerful observation about life: "Beware of those who don't have old friends." Considering that he is 73, that means something. His friends have been dying - particularly some this year, but his message is simple. Those who are able to sustain friends for most of their adult life are generally good people. When I look at my parents (all of them!), I see that they do indeed have life long friends: my dad and Sam Farr / friends from Carmel, Mom and Mary Jane, Papa and Jim Smith, Barbara and Roberta, etc. . .Even I reflect and see friends from different eras of my life - Chris R. & Niti S. from high school, Rick S. from Sewanee, S. J Carter, Terry "Jean Arnell" from Nashville, John W., Chris D., Dan W., Dave & Chris, DJ, David S. and now Tara T., Susan B., Robyn G., JoAnn A., Barbara B., Dave D., Tarit T., Bryce B. Andrew S., Cameron V., Julio C., Joey A. and more. . .

So when we consider business deals and allies, you might want to check and see how many old friends the person might have. It gives a whole new perspective on how people interact and will likely interact with you over time. A great resource to consider how your friends impact you is the book Vital Friends by Tom Rath. You can get more info about it here: https://www.vitalfriends.com/

Weekly objectives

As I have mentioned in the past, having a sense of urgency and a focus on objectives helps all of us in business.  Over the last few days, with fires and other events here in Southern California, the creation of specific objectives helps keep things in perspective.  I would urge you to simply craft a list of target tasks or activities for the week.  Having a concrete deadline helps keep things on track for your life and your business.  One of my objectives is to have at least 5 posts a week or an average of 20 per month.  So get going on your task list!

The Power of Priority

Today focused me on the issue of prioritization - the step by step isolation of what activities are best suited to attain a final goal. My goal for my clients is simple, to allow growth and positive strategic direction. We are constantly barraged by "the ringing phone" - that which is urgent but not necessarily important. I was reminded that we have to take time out to get out of our own heads and be involved in activities opposite from what we do nearly all day. For example, most of my work time is spent on solving problems, analyzing solution sets and communicating with or for clients.

So today, I took some time to be present in my own body, without letting my mind be racing for a solution or insight. My friend Josh, http://javajosh.blogspot.com/ talked to me a great deal about meditation and the process of clearing the mind of thought in order to expand conciousness and derive harmony. This let me recharge.

As a result, several solution sets for challenges became apparent and my stress level declined immensely. I felt able to handle everything easily and with out pain. What a great place to be! So to all of my fellow entrepreneurs, remember to as my father says "make haste slowly" - slow down, be present in the now and rest your mind. Solutions will present themselves and you will be far less anxietous than you were when you were filled with the urgency of the world. As I mentioned yesterday - have a real sense of urgency, but don't feel compelled to fill every moment.

Timing and Respect

Time management in small business is a critical skill.  Also, it is vital to be respectful of other people's time.  In reading a great book A Sense of Urgency, by John Kotter, it has become clear to me that urgency is something we all could do with quite a bit more of!  Don't be confused by distractions and "busy work" - stay focused on measurable tasks which connect with goals and objectives to help your life (and/or your business) become both more meaningful and more efficient.

Further, by treating time with the respect it deserves, others tend to respond favorably to your message.  You acknowledge the importance of other's time, you do what you say in the time allotted and your credibility increases.  All of our time is valuable.  As a consultant, I am amazed at what some some businesses or advisers do with time.  Sales people interrupt our days and I find myself directing them to an appointment or turning down any "opportunity." One appointment I had today was with Time Warner.  They wanted a $15,000+ buying decision today, with no real discussion or evaluation or study of the program proposed.  Of course this was impossible.  Further, by shortening the meeting to 3 minutes, neither my time nor the sales reps was wasted.

So for today - remember time is worthy of respect and your punctuality and swift decision making is part of what makes you nimble and effective in business. 

The Power of Reading

This has been a week of trying new things to develop communicating my business. I started this blog and now I have been reviewing my reading list with my LinkedIn profile. Reading is one of the great loves of my life - it transports, entertains and thrills me. The voice of the author, the lives of the characters and the lessons learned are all part of what I enjoy so very deeply. If I could recommend one activity to fellow entrepreneurs, it would be to read. Reading can take place at your convenience and can be paused with even less effort than we pause our DVD players, iPods or streaming video; we just look up from the text. It also engages the mind in a way quite different from watching television (which I abhor) or even being engaged in conversation.

It was remarkable that within just a few moments I could recall dozens of titles of books which thrill me and have taught me valuable lessons. So please, take a moment, get a book and feed your mind. Go get a library card - you can read in the USA for nearly nothing. Enjoy.

Politics, Parking and Business

Parking, like traffic is a constant concern, not only in large cities, but also in small towns like Seal Beach.  One of the things that Seal Beach has going for it is non-metered 2 hour parking on Main Street.  This certainly is convenient for shoppers in our town.  However, parking can be a limiting factor when zoning codes run up against business centers - like in the Seal Beach Center.  Long story short: the Zoning Code is under referendum. The parking spaces were miscalculated for the Center.  Any change in the Code for shared parking is prohibited for 12 months.  So pretty much the vacancies can't be filled in the entire shopping center.

This code problem and the decisions of City Council have created ripple effects which are only just now being felt.  This is true for many things in business - the socio-economic & political environments dramatically affect business in ways which can never be fully anticipated.  This will be true for Proposition 8 as well.  All we can do as leaders in the business community is to lead by example and to provide as much support as possible.

Creating advertising value in a tough economy

As a consultant I always look how we can create a marketing splash for small business which doesn't involve large expense.  The idea of cooperative marketing advertising pages (Co-Op ad page) is one which can really help.  What do you do?

You get one agency or group to sponsor part of a page in an advertising vehicle which works for multiple advertisers.  For example - the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce might help members buy a Co-Op ad page in a newspaper by anchoring one segment of the page.  This strategy is in place for several of my clients and can reduce ad costs by more than 1/3.  Currently I am doing that with my client Navigaytour and also several in Seal Beach, via the Chamber.

Advertising is not something which needs to be expensive, it can be something targeted and shared.  Just because it is tough in the economy - this is the time to advertise.

Proposition Hate

As to the Proposition 8 - I can't tell you how upset I am. I am angry, hurt, disenchanted and feel rejected by my own country and people. I cried with Anthony this morning. It was not fun. This may be the final impetus to leave the US. I think we will relocate to the UK sooner rather than later. I find it sad that of all the social issues - abortion, drug legalization, farm animal treatment. . .the side of decency won. Only in the category of gay people did we revoke a right or prevent it from happening - Florida, Arizona and California. It proves to me that no matter what people say bigotry, homophobia and segregation are still alive in the United States. I am disgusted with religion in general and churches in particular.Obviously Anthony and I are not the same as other couples - our own citizens and neighbors just told us so. We were told essentially as blacks were in Selma, AL and all across our the nation: "You can't drink from this water fountain (traditional marriage) it's for white people (straights), because we have these other drinking fountains (commitment ceremonies or whatnot) for you colored folk (gay people)." American's might want change on a great many things, but Californian's don't want change about their "values." As to fear mongering and the language of hate that the Yes on 8 people drummed up - "they will teach it to your kids," it obviously worked. Business and the economy will suffer in California because the dollars which would have been spent here will leave, along with talented people who thought they were moving to an accepting place. I know California will lose us.

Pre election night musings - Proposition 8

Tonight I had an amazing workout with one of my clients - Barbara Bartee. She is a remarkable woman who has created a great personal training center - Beach Fitness. You can see it at http://www.beachfitnesstraining.com/ She and Bryce Turner (her business partner) have convinced me that after 17 years of weight lifting - it is still fun to get in the gym and train hard.

Along these lines I am thinking hard about Proposition 8. What an unfair piece of legislation.

My partner Anthony and I have lived here in Seal Beach, CA for the last two years and we are seriously considering marriage both here and in the UK (since he is British). We have been together for 8 years in what many would describe as a "marriage." Why our actual contract of marriage in the state of California would affect anyone else seems completely absurd to me. Life is too short to let others interfere with our life and pursuit of happiness. If there was another word which was as integrated within the legal system so that we could enjoy ALL of the same rights and benefits as a marriage, I would be fine with using that word. Ironic that people choose semantics to create a "bastion of righteousness." So very absurd.

In the world, I would think there are more meaningful issues we could solve or fight for. "Sanctity" or "righteousness" just seems to vague, social and petty anymore to me. I hope everyone who is eligible gets out and votes tomorrow. It is a duty for all citizens.

My first post - an Op-Ed piece

So I wrote the piece below and it was published in the Sun Newspaper here in Seal Beach a couple of weeks ago. Now, I feel that since there isn't a website, I would start a blog and begin posting my observations about business and community. How do they interrelate? How do they support or interfere with each other?

My clients range in size and location, so I thought talking about the state of business now, when the economy was in flux was a good time. Anyway, here it is:

Why is business growth important? What do you do again? Why should I join the Chamber of Commerce? Why do you help produce so many events, if you are not like getting paid for it? How is your business doing?

I get these questions a lot, particularly lately with the stock market and Wall Street in a stunning period of volatility and our economy in the worst state it has been in at least the last 30 years. As my Economics professor told me getting my MBA, “stagflation” is the worst position for an economy can be in – and we are there. This period, when the economy is stagnant and the value of our currency is declining (resulting in inflation) it is very distressing. What does any of this have to do with our Seal Beach? Well, after being here for two years and working closely with the Chamber, City and various clients I thought it would be important in this election year to talk about the fundamental role of business in a community. As a consultant, I constantly observe and analyze business, so I can sum it up in a single word – growth.

The arguable measure of any community is its ability to create a quality living experience for all members of that community. We have seen through the fall of the Berlin wall, the collapse of the former Soviet Union and in countless attempt to control market economies that the regulation of business in excess results in contraction. In our town, the ability to shop, work, educate and live in the same geographic space is part of the magic that makes Seal Beach so special. Thankfully, many of our merchants are still doing well. Part of that is due to local residents keeping their discretionary spending in the local market. The events in Seal Beach are such that all residents can enjoy them – this leads to shopping and spending with our businesses. When those events have lots of community support – government, business and resident, than a community can truly reap the benefits of this positive spiral of growth. We not only have local support, we attract visitors and their spending. Business drives this growth through job creation and value creation within a community. We can outshine other cities and towns in California, by all working together to resist the divisiveness that economic strain produces in all of us.

Though there are many disagreements in our community about property rights, community benefits and various measures on the ballot, I hope we can recognize that everyone in the community wants to have the “best town” according to their vision. We should strive to find the common ground for all members of Seal Beach and supporting the engine of growth – our local businesses. Come to the October 25th – 26th Sidewalk Sale, dress up for Halloween and shop in our various business centers, come out to our Christmas tree lighting on November 28th and participate in the spectacular Holiday parade on December 5th! Get out there, vote for what you believe in, but don’t neglect to vote with your dollars – by supporting local businesses and the events, which showcase them and ultimately our community.