PDFing Doucments

As a student and a financially responsible person, I'm always looking for ways to save money when and if I can.  Recently, I had a paper I was working on for my summer class.   My paper was to be handed in as a PDF.  I don't have a full version of Adobe's Acrobat, so I'm unable to save my paper as a PDF.  I looked to Adobe first, to see if they had a simple way of doing "a la carte" pdf printing.  Sadly, they didn't.  They offered a monthly plan.  But for $9/month it simply wasn't worth it.  In my opinion, had they had a "print to PDF for $0.99"  I would have paid for it.  Instead, I dug a little deeper to find another option.    This is what I found:   http://www.pdfescape.com/

It was perfect for my needs.  And it was free.  Definitely worth sharing.

Marketing Planning - Plan for the Unexpected

I'm a planner and I'm a builder.   This means looking ahead and having contingency plans.  It is  finding ways of preventing the work day from running away from you given the barrage of  information that finds its way to your desk every day.

First I wanted to share a blog post that inspired my own.  This blog link was shared with me through one of my radio sales reps.  There is sensibility to it, but I want to dig a little deeper.

The first point, using a marketing calendar.  I couldn't agree more.  Building a marketing calendar that forecasts your (and your team's) projects and expectations for the year helps to to sort out priorities.  I work for a company that has limited resources, who doesn't really, but my point is that I don't work with big marketing budgets.  Without big budgets, it's necessary to prioritize and determine which projects are necessary and which belong on the wish-list.  (This, fondly, reminds me of my Mother's advice as a child - is that a need or a want?  If it's a want, what are you willing to sacrifice for it?  Sage words from a wise soul.)

Planning allows you to see the bigger picture; an overview of what needs to be worked towards to complete each of those projects.  A plan quickly allows you to see what your resources are (or are not) and where you may find yourself short on time or people to get the job done.  A plan also allows you to squeeze in a little more than you thought possible because through planning you find efficiencies.  Projects that are planned out don't meander to the finish line, they make a focused bee-line to their end.  Top that off with the fact that a big overview of the year allows you to see where projects have cross-over or where you are able to re-purpose content, you are able to save time and resources along the way.

Marketing is an ever changing beast.  One must be flexible and go with the flow.  You never know where your next partnership or marketing opportunity will come from.  Strange as it sounds, I'm a big believer in planning for the unexpected too!  It's actually not as hard as it sounds.  All you need to do is block off a slice of resources (labour and financing) for those moments.  Building in this extra time and financing allows you and your team some flexibility to pick up those last minute opportunities without too much pain.  Alternatively, if it's not used for a special project, I find it's a great time to pick up some of those "wish list" ideas and offer a time for the team to be creative.

Bonus all around.

And that, is my (first) five cents on planning.

Send a letter

Recently I had a conversation with a colleague of mine about the written word. Interestingly a generation apart, we agree - nothing touches our hearts and souls as deeply as the written word. Words that have had time to mingle with thoughts and marinate with ideas before pen is put to paper.

In this digitally savvy time, there are so many ways to share such words. Texting, emailing, via social channels, but none seem to have that depth as the written word - from pen to paper.

This conversation sparked a question within. Why is that? Why do words written from one's hand to paper seem to have more depth? According to Robert Cialdini, (well known for his book on persuasion tools - I book I recommend reading.) writing words affects us deeply because we commit to them.

And on some logical, perhaps deeply ingrained psychological way, it makes sense. Let's break it down a bit, shall we?

Social media tends to be a blast of information out to the masses. For the most part it's impersonal and lacks the personal touch. Even a heartfelt birthday message on Facebook (for example), feels cold when you know everyone is reading it.

Texts and instant messages happen at the seemingly the speed of light. There are websites dedicated to the humourous errors that come from these speedy exchanges. Bottom line, people are barely paying attention to the words that are sent.

Emails tend to have more thought, structure and depth to them. Sometimes they can even be downright thoughtful and touching. And yet seeing the words on screen is a far cry from holding a note or card in one's hand.

So what is it about the written word? I know personally I've always felt more when I write pen-to-paper. (Be that my journaling or writing a letter/card to those I love.) I have actually pondered this question many times over the years. I've always felt that the written word is more powerful and emotionally invoking. It's why I will randomly send cards to my friends or family once in awhile. Why not surprise them with love in the middle of, say, August, when they aren't expecting it.

Personally, I think the written word is more powerful for two reasons. First, putting pen-to-paper is more permanent in that once the words are written, it is much more challenging to make changes. (Unlike any of the digital ways to share words.) Therefore act of writing words on paper forces one to dig a little deeper with the choice of word, the flow of thought and the overall message one wants to share. After all the words are out, they are forever out and you have committed to them (see above).

The second reason, comes from this feeling commitment. Thoughts become real. Thoughts by their very nature are abstract and speedy ways of communicating find conversations flowing every which way. The ultimate purpose of the shared message may get lost in the shuffle. But a letter is one way communication (or really slow two way communication!). The point? Writing a letter forces a focus we lose in the ever accelerating world of communication around us. It asks us to slow down and pay attention to what thoughts are most important to share. We commit to the words. Fold them into a letter, embellish them in a beautiful card or within an envelope with a stamp. We purposefully send the words on a trip from one soul to another.

I write quite a bit in many formats. I know, whenever I sit with an empty card or a blank page with pen in hand, I am always more aware and thoughtful of the words chosen to be shared in this format. I take a moment to ponder my path, and then, I let the words flow and I don't look back. For me, I fill those pages with words from deep within. No longer do I dance within the leaves of the tree, but deep within the roots we all share.

There are so many ways in which we are able to communicate with the people around us. For each method there is a purpose. A quick call to get an answer nearly immediately (unless you get the dreaded voicemail!), or an email/text to share information. Life is all about choices we make or that are made for us. Why not choose to send a letter when and where it matters most. That special ability of a letter, to reach beyond time and space never seems to disappear. Not even in our current digitally savvy ways.

"Please don't send me flowers; write me a letter instead."

Confidence

This morning I awoke thinking about what it takes to sell something, anything.  To sell a service, to sell a product, or to even sell yourself.

I have realized over the years, that while content is important, and the connection made between the pieces key to creating that need, confidence is what sells it.

Now, I realize you are immediately thinking of that smarmy salesperson overly-confident in his selling technique and perhaps her product or service.  The days of over-selling have long passed us as buyers become ever more aware of selling techniques.  The power of persuasion falters.  (Though admittedly there is still a large audience who will fall prey to its techniques.)  

Buyers are more educated and aware.  They are looking for real answers and solutions to their needs and problems.  Offering them honest solutions with a quiet, firm confidence will plant a seed with them.  Quietly water that seed, offer it light, and watch the interest grow.

Interestingly, today's insight from Seth Godin is similar.  He speaks about certainty, being open, vulnerable and connected.  Of course, he explains it much more eloquently than I did, but the idea is similar.

Share your ideas and suggestions.  Be quietly confident in what you present to your audience and they will listen.

Leadership

I've been giving a lot of thought to the idea of leadership lately.  What makes a good leader?  How does one inspire others to do things well and with pride.  I know from my perspective as a follower, I like to be lead by competent, efficient and appreciative leaders.  Lead by example and find a way to inspire me to work beyond my limits.

I've been fortunate to have had such leaders, dare I say mentors, in my life over the years.

It has shaped the way that I choose to lead:  I focus on those following.  This is not always easy to do, but by genuinely connecting with those I lead, I find they will stretch a little harder to work with inspiration and pride.

Let me explain:   it is understanding what uniquely inspires those following.  It is always possible to align the corporation's needs with ways to inspired employees?  No, not at all, but therein lies the challenge.  How do you present goals that will inspire employees.

It was timely then, for a co-worker to share this article with me by Forbes.  The Most Successful Leaders Do 15 Things Automatically, Every Day  It's a quick read and I highly recommend it.   Personally, I like the opening paragraphs discussing the organic way we become leaders.  Why?  Well, I suppose that's because it's taken me a long time to see myself as a leader, but today, there is no doubt in my mind that I am one.    Am I successful as a leader?  I suppose the jury may still be out on that one, but I will always work hard at being aware of those who follow.

The blank page

Life is a little like a blank page, for every day we wake we can always begin anew.

Today marks a new journey for me.  A blog that will be more centred on business philosophies, learning and growing from the daily events around me.

I plan on sharing these adventures with you.  They may not come as often as I'd like, but I promise you, they will bring thoughts that hopefully will inspire you to try something new or ponder a different perspective.