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Using Common Wisdom and Goals to Avoid Perceived Productivity

Filed Under Inside-Out Thinking, Perfect Virtual Manager, Successful Blog | 22 Comments

Working Hard and Getting Nowhere

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Every company that I work with has some issue with perceived productivity — people working hard at things that add no value. It might be a team that’s lost direction or a culture that does things as they’ve always been done. It could a department who never evaluates the effectivenees of their process.

I suppose that comes from a misperception that hard work is equal to a positive contribution. It’s not so. A positive contribution is any work that moves us closer to our goals — sometimes that’s hard work; sometimes it’s simple and elegant.

When we work at home, it’s easy to fall victim to the lure of productivity that gets us nowhere. We feel like we’re working. No one says our time investment isn’t worth it. In the past few months, people have said these things to me:

I’m all I can and in the last 6 months, I’ve only made $600.

I work 14 hours a day. I guess you need money to make money.

In my last job, I was a high performing VP. Now I can’t get a client to talk to me.

Every time I asked what they were doing. They answered with common wisdom about successful blogging.

  • I spend hours writing high-quality blog posts.
  • I spend hours writing comments and social networking.
  • I tweak my blog to make it more inviting.

If you’ve got a blog, you know that it’s work to do all of that. It’s highly productive work, if the goal is to build a first-rate blog audience. But the folks who came to me had a goal to build a client-based business. They were working hard on some things that wouldn’t take them where wanted to be.

It was perceived productivity. Wisdom needs to match up wth where we’re going.

Each person took a minute to apply their goals to what they were doing. The wisdom matched to their goals made a new purpose and new direction. Every high-quality blog post and every hour spent networking and commenting was considered in light of their business. A slight shift made a big difference. Time spent became highly productve.

Wisdom + goals = direction, purpose, productivity

Ever been victim to perceived productivity?

I have. Now I keep my goal in front of me.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!! SOBCon08, Biz School for Bloggers, is May 2,3,4 in Chicago. Register now!

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Time to Check Social Media Return on Investment

Filed Under Inside-Out Thinking, Perfect Virtual Manager, Successful Blog | 15 Comments

Infinite Room Is NOT Infinite Time

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We live in a world of Social Media, where we can choose from a seemingly unending list of new universes — places where any small group suddenly finds we can join up to be our own majority. Like-minded thinking is one of the pleasures of getting together on any social site.

Don’t like how I think?
Click on.
No harm. No foul.

The infinite Internet has room for everyone.
It’s not hard to find like-minded thinkers anymore. As the number of Social Media sites grows, we can’t keep adding to our lists.

We don’t have infinite time to spend.
We need to know that time we’re spending is time well invested.

Time to Check Social Media Return on Investment

It’s easy to get comfortable on a social media site, especially if we’ve never fit so well anywhere before. But, now that the choices are so many, maybe we should check to be sure that the time we’re spending is time is adding something, not wasting away.

Here are five values to check the return on your time investment. Maybe you’ll find some time to save.

  1. What’s the big idea? What do people do there? Do they exchange information, look for jobs, act like schoolkids? Is that focus important to you? Do you look forward to time spent there?

  2. Who’s there? Are the people there friends, fans, or contacts? Are they there for relationships or information or votes? Are there people to learn from and people you aspire to be more like? Can you see them? Can they see you?

  3. What are they saying? What do you take from the conversation? What ideas are on offer? What ideas directly apply to what you do? How often do you see real value?

  4. What’s the time/goal orientation? What do the people focus on? Do they come to achieve; then leave? Do they hang out for conversation? Are their goals in line with yours?

  5. What is the payoff? Is this site redundant with another place you visit? Can you accomplish the same thing in a better way? Would more time here return more value? Would more time somewhere else make this site a non-starter? What do you get there that you can’t get anywhere else?

I quit visiting certain places, got back that time, and have suffered no loss. Well, actually, I’ve gained. The folks I interacted with in those places are in all of the other places I’ve still visit. So I’m trimming my social media portfolio to only those that work for me and my business.

What about you? Time to rethink your Social Media Investments?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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Connection Central: Are You Letting Customer Relationships Pass You By?

Filed Under Inside-Out Thinking, Perfect Virtual Manager, The Big Idea | 14 Comments

Don’t Let One Customer Click Away

One customer. That first customer. That next customer. Will that customer click away before you connect?

Most businesses don’t realize that the missing out on a single customer relationship is more costly than it appears. The customer that passes by today doesn’t mean the loss of one sale. That one customer gone represents

  • today’s sale
  • every purchase might have returned to make.
  • and every friend that customer might have brought to the business in future days.

Every customer that doesn’t connect takes those benefits to another business.

Strong businesses are built on strong relationships. Strong relationships are built on connections that stick.


Relationships that last don’t happen by accident.


Connection Central for Solos Opens Today

I’ve been working on a way to make useful 20+ years of education, the strategy, business, and relationships. The result is a sleek and flexible set of courses called Connection Central for Solos. They’re smartly focused on conversations connections, relationships, customers and paying the rent.

Connection Central is two carefully crafted curriculum — one stands alone, one comes in three versions. Each is designed to show you how to attract, delight, and form long-lasting relationships with customers. Both offer solid methods and strategies you can use to connect quickly, profitably, and predictably. I only made two because I only have so much time


Don’t let another customer click away.


Connection Central for Solos

Choose the course that fits your situation. Or call to discuss something tailored precisely to what you need. Visit SOBNet: Connection Central. If you have questions, call or email me. Don’t let those customers keep passing by. Isn’t it time that you connect?

Course 111: Getting Paid What You’re Worth

Are you ready to charge more for your services? Are you having a problem naming your fees?

Course 111-TeleLiz

Work with Liz to set the rationale for your fees. Use value, time, and math to discuss what you charge. Develop and price smaller offers. Check what you offer for missed opportunities to deliver value. Learn how to change the amount of work rather than lower your fees.
Enroll at Connection Central.
3 Telephone sessions with Liz ……………………………………………$295.00

Course 222: Connect with Customers

Like to Work Alone? Email Self-Coaching Course

Learn on your own with all of the tools you need or learn through conversations with Liz. See the complete 16-Step Curriculum in the box at the bottom of the page.

Course 222-Email

Self-coaching means just what it sounds like. You’ll get the tools and information and a push in the right direction. Weekly coaching plans and worksheets crafted by experienced educational publisher will guide you to define your product or service, fine tune your presentation, write a compelling offer, attract ideal customers, and close the deal. Begins January 20th, 2008
Enroll at Connection Central.
16-Step Email Self-Coaching Course …………………………………… $ 97.00

Don’t have 16 weeks to wait?
2 TeleCourses with Liz


Course 222 -TeleLiz-1

It’s the same curriculum with all of the same content, but fast-tracked through telephone sessions with Liz. Identify, connect, and form a relationship with your ideal customers by providing them with an atmosphere they recognize and an offer they value more highly than the price.
Enroll at Connection Central.
6 Telephone sessions with Liz …………………………………………… $585.00

Course 222- TeleLiz-2

Invite a colleague to work alongside you and share the benefits.
Enroll at Connection Central.
6 Telephone sessions with Liz ……… $970.00 [$485.00 each for two]



Click: What Folks Have to Say about Working with Liz


C’mon! Visit Connection Central to register and begin.
Questions? I’m at 773 619 0371 lizsun2 [at] gmail.com


TeleSeminars are available to limited number immediately.
The first session of the email course will begin January 20th.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Business and Life: Are You Making the Most of the Conversation?

Filed Under Inside-Out Thinking, Perfect Virtual Manager, Successful Blog | 27 Comments

Which Conversations Are Important Too!

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In the world of business, it takes an action to make something happen. Watching rarely gets anything done. A conversation is a great place to make things happen. Yet, many of us seem to be missing out.

Where do you fit in the conversation? Are you a lurker, a listener, or a participant?

the conversation

If you’re a lurker, you’re getting the value of the information.

If you’re a listener, you’re also finding out who knows what and who’s a pretender. Listeners soon find out who’s connected to whom.

If you’re a participant, you’re making an impression. People are also finding out about you.

But this is only stage one.

Where the conversation occurs makes a difference. Are you only talking to the people you already know? When you move into a new network do you move down to the level of a lurker? I know that I used to do just that. Then I realized something important.

If we only talk to the same group of people, we’ll always be in that same group talking about the same things on and on.

Want to know, want to grow? You need to expand where you have your conversations.

the network

In our circle of friends, we usually agree on the same ideas.

When we move out to a network of colleagues and acquaintances, we can share in new ideas and new thoughts.

If we want to move up and out, if we want to grow and become more, we have to get to know the folks who know what we need to know. That means reaching out of our personal network to explore many more networks — the networks to which those people belong — and letting those who need a hand up into our own.

Being part of a conversation is a step in the right direction. Using the conversation to reach out raises the bar. Are you taking the conversation as far as you might to grow?

–ME ‘Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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Holiday Shopping 2007: The Business of Matching Hot Gifts to Cool People

Filed Under Inside-Out Thinking, Perfect Virtual Manager, Successful Blog, The Big Idea | 6 Comments

Buying Is a Business Skill Too

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They call today, Cyber Monday, the busiest shopping day on the Internet. Folks in the US, returning to work after the Thanksgiving holiday, realize that the shopping window to the holidays is limited and that the sales have officially started.

We seem to be getting the hang of this online shopping thing.

Forrester Research says this year’s sales are projected to be up 21%. Consumers report that online hot spots that are taking off include jewelry, apparel, and accessories. As a buying group, we also getting more interested in free shipping and turning down “extras” in the form of gift wrap and overnight delivery.

Matching Hot Gifts to Cool People

Beyond the sheer fun factor, the ability to match a well-chosen gift the right person is a fabulous business exercise for any person who serves other people . . . bloggers who write for readers, folks who who work with clients . . .
at the heart of great gift giving is the passion to deliver something folks really desire or need.

That, of course, means starting with the people we’re “serving.” With that in mind, I’ve organized this list by the people not the gifts.

For the “IN” Crowd

Be they 5, 50, 500 years old, these are the folks who hang with the coolest crowd. They know what’s “in” often before we’ve even heard it exists When we shop for them it’s good to keep in mind one rule: Timing is everything. What they want will be in short supply. Buy their dream gift early in the season.

Watch the popular searches, if you’re not sure. At the moment, these are the predictions for what will be hot this year.

PS3, Wii and Elmo were among the top 15 product searches on Yahoo! Shopping, according to Chris Saito, the company’s vice president of products. Elmo placed at No. 13 on the list. — CNN Money

For the Musical Kids in All of Us

Toys that work with our MP3 players. C’mon they’re not just for kids.

Mattel Singing Barbie

Singing Barbie is a diva. Yep she’s a diva with all of her hair. This Barbie will answer her cell when you put it up to her ear. I’m sure some human divas don’t do that or do that well. The doll will perform three prerecorded tunes or will “lip sync” and dance to songs on your MP3 player.

Mattel’s “I Can Play Guitar System” takes Guitar Hero to a new level. Plug the minature into the TV, match the color-coded song notes to the color-coded finger position buttons along the shorter strings. Earn points and move up through the levels. $99.99

Hasbro’s “Power Tour Electric Guitar,” is made in partnership with Gibson. This minature electric guitar has 4 play modes, 12 preloaded songs, and can plug into an MP3 player.

For That Favorite Techie

To know a techie is to love one. To love one is to know that they have precise tastes. When in doubt, let them pick what they want.

Take phones, for example, a blackberry user wouldn’t be caught with an iPhone. Jeremiah suspects the Nokia could lighten his equipment load because of it’s 5 megapixel camera. It’s often a matter of individual needs and preferences. Buying a phone these days is like buying a car. The research takes 53 times longer than the purchase.

The Flip is popular, especially among nontechies– like me — trying out video. Emily Price is an expert on camcorders. I’m not even going to pretend to know more than what I’ve already said on the subject so far. Michael Carr at About.com discusses digital cameras in every price range. Digital Photography Review can keep you up to date on which cameras are popular.

Some folks just like to know where they are . . . Check out GPS devices.

One Laptop Per Child Laptop

Though someone told me yesterday he wants a Macbook Pro and another said she was looking at cool laptops. Before you buy me either, I’m wondering whether I want to wait for Tablet.

Still most everyone agrees, you could do worse than this Give One Get One laptop deal.

For Folks Who Love Low-Tech Too

Low tech can be incredibly elegant.

Which of the moleskines is your favorite? I’m partial to the tiny cahier ones that fit in my back pocket without discomfort.

An elegant writing instrument can make what we say seem more important. A note written with a beautiful pen seems to have more meaning.

Levenger Leather Shirt Briefcase

Anyone with too little space or a collection out of control might be turned on by elegant organizers.

That graduate in that first career job might like something elegant to carry and use in business situations.

Then, of course, there’s tickets to trips, concerts, plays, games, and special events.

For Folks Who Don’t Treat Themselves

Some folks seem to have everything they need. For these folks, why not try a twist on the usual to offer them some luxury they wouldn’t get for themselves?

Instead of a new bathrobe . . . the most expensive, luxurious bath towels. Every day will feel like a royal stay at a fine hotel.

J Crew cashmere scarf

Instead of gloves, and hat . . . a cashmere scarf. When they wear it to the grocery store, they will feel as if they are going to an oscar-award event.

Instead of a new blanket or sheets for the bed . . . a fabulous new pillow or a feather bed. What better gift than beautiful sleep?

Think smaller, but more luxurious.

Holiday gift giving is a perfect time to practice Steve Farber’s Extreme Leadership philosophy, Do what you love in service to those who love what you do. It’s a great philosophy in business and life that fits any time, anyplace, anywhere.

How will you match the perfect gift to each person on your list this year?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Be sure to check the Wall Street Journal for more information on perks Online Retailers will be offering this holiday season.

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