February 2023
01st February 2023
Welcome to the first business blog of the new year.
While it’s probably a bit late to wish you a Happy New Year, I don’t think it’s too late to wish you a productive and successful ’23.
Generally, this is the time of year that engenders a fresh start. A line drawn in the sand. Many of us need it, too. The manic lead up to Christmas somehow begins in September, then fast forwards through several international holidays before we see January, by which time we begin all over again. A veritable whirlwind of ‘stuff’.
You can see how we need that line drawn in the sand now, can’t you?
January has extended its paws and pounced, making us ask, ‘So, what’s in store this year?’ A fair amount if I’m honest. But I can’t share it all because…well, that’s not very sporting, is it? I’ve got to leave some surprises for the coming months.
I will share this though. It’s a possible discussion prompt about which I’d love to hear your thoughts.
On my travels through social media, countless newsletters, and plenty of articles from business owners throughout January, I learned two things that have left me with a boggled business mind. They are:
Books by Experts are now considered business cards.
This blew my mind. Did I miss something?
In case you don’t know, this is a service usually offered by ghost writers – me included. I’ve highlighted this often. At its essence it is a book about you, your business backstory, your products/services, your awards, and your intentions for the future. All this wrapped up in the shape of a book means you can give/sell it to prospective clients so they learn a bit more about you before they sign on the dotted line.
However, I’ve never considered it a ‘business card’. You can imagine that, to fill a book, there’s a fair chunk of content included (not to mention pictures). Less summary, more intricate detail. I wouldn’t want to try tucking that in my wallet. Surely this is a topsy-turvy way of looking at things? I realise it’s a metaphor, but really…?
Okay, moving on…
Wearing pyjamas on video calls is okay.
Call me traditional, but if you’re having a business meeting via Zoom (or any other video platform), surely getting dressed is the most basic of requirements?
Many of us have worked from home since lockdown (some of us long before), and one thing that has always stood out from the perspective of a creative business owner is that how you dress – that is how you present yourself and your business - makes a difference to the impression you give a potential new client, even an existing one.
Creative business owners have been pulled up in the past for wearing clothing too bright, too colourful, with too much this, too much that, and ultimately not being taken seriously. I was one of those creative business owners that fought against that kind of attitude a decade ago. But, unless the meeting is about a PJ sales company and you’re wearing them to show the product, I cannot imagine why anyone would want to show up to work in their PJs. Isn’t that like combining a sleepover with a business call? Or being too lazy to get dressed but driving to the shops anyway?
Well, now you know my thoughts, I’d love to hear yours.
On that note, please check out my books and services. Micro and small businesses need your support now more than ever. (I’ll be dressed too).
Until the next blog,
Sjb
While it’s probably a bit late to wish you a Happy New Year, I don’t think it’s too late to wish you a productive and successful ’23.
Generally, this is the time of year that engenders a fresh start. A line drawn in the sand. Many of us need it, too. The manic lead up to Christmas somehow begins in September, then fast forwards through several international holidays before we see January, by which time we begin all over again. A veritable whirlwind of ‘stuff’.
You can see how we need that line drawn in the sand now, can’t you?
January has extended its paws and pounced, making us ask, ‘So, what’s in store this year?’ A fair amount if I’m honest. But I can’t share it all because…well, that’s not very sporting, is it? I’ve got to leave some surprises for the coming months.
I will share this though. It’s a possible discussion prompt about which I’d love to hear your thoughts.
On my travels through social media, countless newsletters, and plenty of articles from business owners throughout January, I learned two things that have left me with a boggled business mind. They are:
Books by Experts are now considered business cards.
This blew my mind. Did I miss something?
In case you don’t know, this is a service usually offered by ghost writers – me included. I’ve highlighted this often. At its essence it is a book about you, your business backstory, your products/services, your awards, and your intentions for the future. All this wrapped up in the shape of a book means you can give/sell it to prospective clients so they learn a bit more about you before they sign on the dotted line.
However, I’ve never considered it a ‘business card’. You can imagine that, to fill a book, there’s a fair chunk of content included (not to mention pictures). Less summary, more intricate detail. I wouldn’t want to try tucking that in my wallet. Surely this is a topsy-turvy way of looking at things? I realise it’s a metaphor, but really…?
Okay, moving on…
Wearing pyjamas on video calls is okay.
Call me traditional, but if you’re having a business meeting via Zoom (or any other video platform), surely getting dressed is the most basic of requirements?
Many of us have worked from home since lockdown (some of us long before), and one thing that has always stood out from the perspective of a creative business owner is that how you dress – that is how you present yourself and your business - makes a difference to the impression you give a potential new client, even an existing one.
Creative business owners have been pulled up in the past for wearing clothing too bright, too colourful, with too much this, too much that, and ultimately not being taken seriously. I was one of those creative business owners that fought against that kind of attitude a decade ago. But, unless the meeting is about a PJ sales company and you’re wearing them to show the product, I cannot imagine why anyone would want to show up to work in their PJs. Isn’t that like combining a sleepover with a business call? Or being too lazy to get dressed but driving to the shops anyway?
Well, now you know my thoughts, I’d love to hear yours.
On that note, please check out my books and services. Micro and small businesses need your support now more than ever. (I’ll be dressed too).
Until the next blog,
Sjb