Think in Whole Terms Rather than Parts

This past weekend was a wonderful time to spend with family, relax, and reflect rather than work. But like many of you, I couldn’t help but catch up on reading materials that were beginning to overflow in an office corner.

The article, How Successful Leaders Think, in the June edition of Harvard Business Review, was worth my time. Its focus is this: extract the best ideas from two opposing thoughts to create a smarter solution than proposed in the initial ideas.

It is this discipline - not superior strategy or faultless execution - that is the defining characteristic of most exceptional businesses and the people who run them.

The author, Roger Martin, terms this decision making as integrative thinking. He interviewed 50 leaders to forge his argument.

This multi-page article is well worth your time, providing examples of how and why this whole-brain thinking technique works. You’ll remember the pivotal points the next time you are faced with a problem and its potential solutions.

It like the fact that the information encourages you to think about a problem or situation in totality rather than break it into pieces. I think it’s a great option for problem solving and believe you’ll think the same after reading this insightful text.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, Harvard Business Review, How Successful Leaders Think

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May 29, 2007 | Filed Under Offline Ideas, Problems & Solutions | Leave a Comment

Direct Mail Advertising Report Available

Avery, the label manufacturer, sent me a link to receive a report entitled, “7 Simple Steps to Effective Direct Mail Advertising.”

Smart methods for connecting with customers offline have not changed, but it’s sometimes overlooked, especially when you work on the Internet all or most of the day.

Anything that a manufacturer provides for my benefit is something I’ll order, especially when that manufacturer’s expensive product (have you priced labels recently?) is in my marketing arsenal.

I’m ordering it and encourage you to order your copy.

UPDATE: Once you complete the request, your copy is immediately delivered via PDF.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, Avery

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May 25, 2007 | Filed Under Customer Connections, Marketing News, Offline Ideas | Leave a Comment

How to Organize Your Projects

Here’s a look at how I manage my projects. My ideas would be all over the desk if I didn’t maintain some type of organizer, as shown in the video.

Click To Play

What organizing solution works for you?

More Project Planning Tips
Marketing Planning 101
Going Beyond Pad and Pen to Track Marketing
Lists Keep Marketing Projects on Track

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, project management, project planning, organizing, homebased marketing, home based marketing

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May 24, 2007 | Filed Under Offline Ideas, Solo Housekeeping, Video Tips | Leave a Comment

Focus on Three Tasks Per Day

Focus on sales-raising tasks Is your to-do pad filled with dozens of tasks you hope to accomplish by day’s end? Until recently, mine looked exactly like this, and I’ve had enough.

Each of us have double and triple burdens on our shoulders because we work alone. But it’s because of this situation that it’s best to be mindful of exactly what’s most important to accomplish our goals.

I’ve resigned myself to completing three revenue-raising tasks daily. Anything after that is gravy. Here’s what’s on today’s agenda and the forthcoming rewards of each:

Add a minimum of 50 client names to my database management software. I’m finally going to start a postcard marketing campaign, but first I must make sure all contacts are included. This campaign will encourage clients to visit my Web sites often for news, ideas, and the purchase of educational materials.

Create a trade show handout. I’ll speak at numerous gift shows this summer, and I owe one of them a handout. The sheet doubles as a marketing brochure to promote my Web sites and consulting service for attendees who need help after the event.

Design and order two postcards. This relates to the first tip and is required if my plan is to be completed on time. My goal is to send postcards every other month, beginning in July, which is not too often but frequent enough to increase online and offline revenue.

Perhaps a goal of completing three revenue-based activities is also for you. It’s worth a try if the overloaded to-do pad has you spinning your wheels and not advancing at the rate you envision.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, marketing campaigns, organizing workload, workload organization

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May 22, 2007 | Filed Under Offline Ideas, Solo Housekeeping | Leave a Comment