Feeling blah about work and business? Feeling like you are missing the passion and fire you used to have? Working harder and longer isn’t going to bring it back. But I know what will.

Find yourself a really cool project to work on. Something that stretches you, excites you, invigorates you. Perhaps something you have been thinking about doing but haven’t really found the time to do yet. Yes, I know you’re probably thinking: “I’m so busy now – I can’t fit in anything more!”

Here’s how a really cool project could refuel you:

1. Whenever I start something new, and often it feels like a lot of work that I really don’t want to do, I always find myself attracting bright, talented people to the project and all kinds of unexpected doors open.
2. The sheer joy of doing something new and different gets me excited and passionate. It makes me realize that if you want to have an impact, you have to try uncharted waters. That’s truly how you make a difference.
3. When you pull people together that are excited and passionate, things move quickly, which means you don’t have time to moan about how overworked you are. You are having too much fun instead!

So if you are having a case of the February ‘blahs’, then do something memorable!

Fiona Walsh, CEO, FM Walsh & Associates Inc., www.fmwalsh.com

Even with my Psych degree in hand, even I forgot what is probably the easiest way to realign yourself and channel your passion for business – take care of your basic needs! As women especially, we are so good at taking care of everyone else and ensuring that their needs are met. But, what about us? If you’re having trouble connecting with your enthusiastic, passionate self, ask yourself “am I taking care of my basic needs?” It may be a simple concept, but, don’t ignore it’s importance. It’s impossible for you to be passionate when you’re tired, or haven’t fueled your body with nutritious food, or are trying to buy the farm when you haven’t paid the heat bill in the house. Take a trip down memory lane and revisit Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to make sure you’re giving yourself the best chance to be passionate and if you’re not, do yourself a favour and get back to basics.

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

There is one definite inevitability in life and that is, of course, death. Not usually a topic that most people want to talk about or frankly think about, but, nevertheless something that we cannot escape. Personally, my consideration of the concept is something that has given me an incredible amount of strength thus far. Whenever I have a desire to do something there is the almost immediate reaction from my mind. Sometimes it tells me why I can’t do it, sometime why I shouldn’t, sometimes it just laughs at my plans. I’ve heard many theories about why this happens, why do we get in our own way, why would we stop ourselves from giving something a try? We shouldn’t! We have to go for it!

When I watched the below video I was further convinced. The man on the video has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only months to live. In this, his last lecture, he gives a moving, practical, matter of fact speech about how and why to live a life in pursuit of your dreams. There is no time to put things off – we have to pursue those things that we have a desire to!

A version of Randy Pausch’s last lecture as seen on Oprah

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

A lot of the web tools we use for marketing purposes or just for fun can also be used to help us collaborate better in our work.

For instance, if you’ve ever tried drafting a document with two or more people, you’ll understand the frustrations of using email to send drafts back and forth. Is this the latest draft? Who made these changes? How do I get rid of all of this markup?

One alternative is Google Docs, which allows all invited users access to the same document, which they can look at and edit all at the same time.

Cell phones are also rapidly becoming mobile computing devices with tons of capabilities. If you’ve got an iPhone or a device with recording capabilities, consider recording a voice memo and sending the recording off to your teammates with just two more clicks.

Apps like Tweetdeck can also act as mobile group messaging devices on the fly. Take five minutes to create Twitter accounts (if you don’t already have them), create a work group on Tweetdeck and download the application to your phone. Now you’ve got a quick messaging platform that can also be used to share links and pictures.

With more teams working remotely than ever before, technology is awfully useful for helping people collaborate in new and practical ways. Experiment a little and you’ll find even more tools and tricks to keep your group in sync.

Linda Chu
CEO – Out of Chaos, Professional Organizing Solutions
www.outofchaos.ca

We don’t always appreciate what we have, whether at home or at work. That angst that fights against complacency is actually a good thing – the sense that the grass is always greener on the other side is what makes us jump into new opportunities. That said, making a team work together with real synergy is not an everyday feat. Learn to spot the successes in your collaborations, so you can replicate that synergy elsewhere.

Does your team actually seem to enjoy working with each other? Happy people are productive people. If you find yourself actually looking forward to seeing the people at your office every day – well, that’s no small thing.

Then there’s the skill set. With an optimal balance where everyone is assigned tasks and workload according to their talents rather than which person has the smallest stack of projects on their desk, you’ll get real productivity.

Next, look at how your group talks to each other. If discussions are fluid, with plenty of back and forth, engaging ideas, and everybody listening to what other team members are saying, you’ve got something special. Far too many groups are dominated by someone with a forceful personality rather than expertise in all areas that the team has to work in. Freedom of speech and thought are not just good for civil society – they make businesses work better.

If you do recognize your team is functioning very well, analyze what it is about this group that works well. Often, it is based on good habits rather than some innate ability to work well with others. Try to transfer these habits to your other collaborative activities and watch your successes add up.

Linda Chu
CEO – Out of Chaos, Professional Organizing Solutions
www.outofchaos.ca

Our Deepest Fear
adapted from Marianne Williamson’s “A Return to Love.”

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness,
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, whom am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are we not to be?
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about
shrinking so that other people won’t
feel insecure around you.
You were born to manifest the glory of love.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

I find women to be the worst culprit of trying to ‘dumb down’ their awesomeness so as not to appear ‘boastful’ or like they’re ‘bragging’. This is a huge mistake. Anyone who knows me will be the first to tell you that no matter how small my successes, I always share them. There is so much value in sharing with one another when we are succeeding, growing, learning and changing. As we continue to merge our collective experience and intelligence we become more and more powerful and effective in reaching heights once only imaginable.

This week, step up and stand out. Let your light shine. Share your WINS no matter how seemingly small and allow them to build momentum to carry you forward. It’s about time you GOT OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

All the best,

Heather White, CEO, 2020 Communications Inc.

As a coach I am always forcing my clients to generate a plan B, no matter what, even if they’d rather die than not have their plan A come to fruition. Firstly because, as we all know, sometimes things don’t work out the way we plan, and that’s just life. It’s only in retrospect, and sometimes not even then, that we can see the reasons why our beloved plan didn’t come to fruition. Secondly, it’s there for insurance. No one plans to get in an accident or have their house burn down or worse, hence the reason we all by insurance, just in case. Lastly, and most importantly for me and those whom I advise, so that you can clear your anxious, fear based energy (the energy that manifests itself in quiet moments while you worry about your plan A not coming true).

Something very interesting happens to a person’s energy when they take the time to think out and formulate a plan B. They clear themselves of their attachment to the end result and their energy is therefore more open. Trust me, I’ve had many the argument with people who say ‘having a plan B means you’re not committed to your plan A’ and I highly disagree. Of the hundreds of times I’ve experienced in my own life and the number of times I’ve seen it happen in the lives of my clients I stand firm on this point. Just the other day, I found myself getting a bit anxious because the gentleman whom I wanted to keynote an upcoming foundational luncheon that I sit on the committee for, had not gotten back to me with an answer. Instead of worrying, I sat down and wrote out my back up plan for if he didn’t come through. An hour later he called and said, you guessed it, YES!

If you’re with me, sit down today and make sure you’ve got a plan B for all your beloved plan A’s. This will free your energy up and remove any anxiety and fear that may be getting in your way.

All the best,

Heather White, 2020 Communications Inc.

As our companies grow we find that the day-to-day administrative requirements to keep them going grow as well.  When you are adding to your team this invariably causes additional paperwork.  This includes everything from developing great onboarding practices and materials, to ensuring that all the forms that are required by government are completed and submitted in a timely fashion.

It’s important to assess what you do well and what you should look at outsourcing.  Most successful entrepreneurs are successful because they are clear about where their strengths lie and they know what they should pass along to others.  There are a number of great HR firms and consultants out there that will take on your human resource responsibilities enabling you to focus on building your business.  They can handle everything including recruiting, creating onboarding programs, performance management programs, mentoring programs and policy and procedures manuals.  There are also firms that will handle all of your payrolling needs including government remittances and year-end T4 preparation.

Outsource what you don’t need to do and focus on what you love to do… build and grow your business!

Sandra Reder
Managing Partner
Vertical Bridge Corporate Consulting
www.verticalbridge.ca

We all hear a lot of buzz words out there in the market place.  Employer branding is a very hot topic these days.  What is it exactly?

We know what corporate branding is… as my good friend and colleague Catherine Worrall of Ideastream Design says, “It’s the conversation people have about your company when you’re not in the room”.  Well employer branding is exactly the same thing.  What are your employees saying about you when you’re not in the room?  What’s the word on the street about your company?  What do potential employees think about you as a possible place to work?

How you brand yourself both internally and externally as an employer can be the difference between your success or failure at attracting and retaining the best people in the marketplace.

Employer branding encompasses everything from understanding and caring about what your existing employees think about you; to knowing how to position yourself to attract the top candidates in your industry.  This requires a strong commitment on the part of the employer to not only talk the talk, but to walk the walk.  If you ask employees what they think about you and what’s working and not working, you better be prepared to act on their feedback.  We know that strong communication is what sets great leaders apart from the rest.  This is also critical within an organization.  Your people need to know what’s going on and feel a part of things.

Employer branding is an ongoing process that requires thoughtful and careful planning.  If done well it will make hiring and keeping the best talent far less challenging and the result is a stable and productive workplace!

Sandra Reder
Managing Partner
Vertical Bridge Corporate Consulting
www.verticalbridge.ca

Many businesses overlook the most important resource they have… their people. In challenging times as business owners we must tap into all the resources we have in order to gain an advantage over our competitors. Most of us think it is our sole responsibility to find ways to drive the business forward. We function as “islands unto ourselves”.

I spend a great deal of my time thinking about new, creative and cost effective ways to continue to conduct my business and grow. During these challenging economic times I think we’re all looking for new, creative and innovative ways to do things that traditionally we’ve paid others to do for us. Not long ago I realized that I just can’t do it all myself. I have a great team of people who work with me and maybe, just maybe they might have some great ideas on how to drive the business forward. This was my AHA moment, I called everyone together and the energy and creativity that came forth at our meeting was electrifying. Not only did we brainstorm some great ideas for accelerating our business, the team felt valued and a part of the process. I have much stronger buy-in now as they have ownership of the solutions. This approach has gone a long way to fostering a feeling of commitment and loyalty amongst the group as well.

Don’t be afraid to ask your team for their input. It is not a sign of weakness or poor leadership. In fact, it is a sign of a great leader. Ask them… they may just surprise you!

Sandra Reder
VERTICAL BRIDGE CORPORATE CONSULTING INC.