Archive for the ‘Entrepreneurs’ Category

Just about everyone I know can text, and their fingers were really flying over the holidays.   I was invited to parties, given travel updates, had requests to come into the next room, saw a few photos, was wished a Happy Birthday, and even asked for addresses to finish up Christmas cards.

Just when is all this texting too much and how many LOL’s can we take during any given day?

Here is my take on it:

• If you really want me to come to your last minute party, please pick up the phone and let me hear your voice.
• Thanks for the travel updates – that saved a phone call.
• I missed the text to come to the next room.
• Loved seeing the photos.
• Thanks for my Birthday wishes!
• Texting addresses?  No way.
• Did I mention someone asked me how the wedding was?  I can’t describe the dress, the food, and the fun in a line or two.

I know I mentioned everyone texts – except my Mom.  Well, we can text her, but she just doesn’t want to take the time to reciprocate.  Mom gets miffed at my brother who rarely calls, but sends her text updates. 

So if I put on my own Mom hat on, then let me say that texting has its place and can be an efficient way to communicate, but texting in business relationships or with a client is probably not a good idea. 

My friend Lydia, the author of  “Manners that Sell” said, “what a shame to lose the personal touch with only email and texting”.  

So I challenge you to freshen up your relationships and use your phone in 2012 for what it was originally designed for – voice communication. 

Need to improve your communication for 2012?  Let 7 Waves help you plan a strategy, just drop us a line.

Labor Day – it’s a time to pause and reflect on many of the processes you do on a day to day basis during the course of your business day.   It’s a time to turn back and realize where you have come from, how business processes have improved, and how things will never stay the same with constant changes in technology.   Just when you get used to the way things are, there is possibly a new way to get the job done – like online billing, invoice creation, and payment scheduling.   No doubt innovation comes from problem solving entrepreneurs who want to make the lives of others easier and take time to analyze situations without jumping to conclusions.

Partnership and Flexibility
Just recently, a friend of ours had a problem she asked us to help her out with when she noticed graffiti on the wall of her neighbor’s house and thought this would alarm people who might be looking at her house which just went on the real estate market.   As total outsiders from the situation, we were ready to step in and sternly ask the neighbors to remove the graffiti.   We had our lines prepared and rehearsed but I stalled to inspect the graffiti and it turned out to be chalk!  The students living in the rental house next door were just expressing themselves and it quickly washed away.   Not only had our friend jumped to conclusions, she was too close to the situation to see things on a larger scale.  If you are a solo entrepreneur, it pays to partner with others who may see your problems with fresh eyes, who may offer creative solutions.

On this Labor Day, Seven Waves Marketing and The Marketing Dock reflects back to September 1st, as we celebrated one year in business.  Thank you to all the creative bloggers and our local networking community who have opened new doors, exchanged ideas, and made this all possible.