Successful Blog

Thanks to Week 247 SOBs

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Successful and Outstanding Bloggers

Let me introduce the bloggers
who have earned this official badge of achievement,

and the right to call themselves
Successful Blog SOBs.

I invite them to take a badge home to display on their blogs.

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communications-conversations
fastgrowth-advisors
shamable
vamostodos

They take the conversation to their readers,
contribute great ideas, challenge us, make us better, and make our businesses stronger.

I thank all of our SOBs for thinking what we say is worth passing on.
Good conversation shared can only improve the blogging community.

Should anyone question this SOB button’s validity, send him or her to me. Thie award carries a “Liz said so” guarantee, is endorsed by Kings of the Hemispheres, Martin and Michael, and is backed by my brothers, Angelo and Pasquale.

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Want to become an SOB?

If you’re an SO-Wanna-B, you can see the whole list of SOBs and learn how to be one by visiting the SOB Hall of Fame– A-Z Directory . Click the link or visit the What IS an SOB?! page in the sidebar.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

SOB Business Cafe 07-16-10

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SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking — articles, books, podcasts, and videos about business online written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

AdBusters
Psychologists have long known that North Americans overestimate their own distinctiveness, especially in comparison with East Asians. When asked to describe themselves, Americans and Canadians tend to talk about their individual personality and personal outlook more than Japanese do. North Americans tend to settle arguments in terms of right and wrong, whereas East Asians tend to seek compromises. Dirty Harry is an extreme and violent example, but he is emblematic of Western culture and he sums up our single-minded, goal-oriented behavior with aplomb. “When I see an adult male chasing a female with the intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That’s my policy.”

Pure Natural Diva
The session echoed many of the thoughts that have been running through my mind & dancing through my notes during the past few months. It challenged us to; OWN our irresistibility, really define our goals for our businesses, and it reminded us not to underestimate our worth.

Gwen Bell
In 2005, during yoga teacher training, a teacher explained the importance of off-the-mat time. She recommended we go on retreat four times a year – once a quarter. I recall internal resistance. As the discussion unfolded, it turned out I wasn’t alone. How could we take time away from yoga?

Digital Sabbatical

Purple Wren
It should be all set up now to post to my facebook, linkedin, typepad, twitter, flickr accounts at the same time. That’s cool. It’s been a hit or miss lately as I pick whatever is the most handy. I’ll see how this goes. Depends on the content. Let’s upload a photo just for fun.

Copyblogger
The good news is that writing makes you a better writer. Just like practicing the piano makes you a better pianist, or riding a trail bike makes you a better biker.

hugoguzman.com
Back in the Spring of 2009, I created a short video that summarized my thoughts on how some marketing executives were getting social media all wrong. I called it “Social Media Idiot”:

Related ala carte selections include

The Old Spice Guy Responds
via @IttyBiz Old Spice guy is responding to comments w/ indiv videos. I am DYING. Start here

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

I’m a proud affiliate of

third-tribe-marketing

I Still Don’t Do Weekends – How Are You Finding Time for the Time of Your Life?

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I wrote this blog post much like this two years ago, but it seems so important to share it again today.

I've been thinking . . .
One Friday ritual that happens in offices is that people ask What are you doing this weekend? I’ve never been good at small talk in general, but I had to study to answer that question.

I kept a list of responses that sounded somewhat normal.

“I’m going for quiet and relaxation.”

“I think a good book is in order.”

“I have an appointment with my pillow.”

“I’m just so happy to be having a weekend.”

You might note that all of my answers basically say the same thing that my friend, KB, once said, “Liz doesn’t do weekends.”

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I used to say, “Hey, the speeding train of week is over, I made my quota of decisions at the office. The last thing I want to do is come home to make more of them — decide what to do, where to go, what to eat, where to eat it, when to go there, what to wear.”

So instead I’d stay home and let life happen.
Sometimes life happens in ways worth remembering. Most often it doesn’t. Time just passes.

That’s what I’ve been thinking about lately. I don’t make plans — too many options. I can talk myself out of almost anything.

“Let’s something.”
“Do what?”
“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”

“How about this place?”
“Too crowded.”

“This?”
“Too expensive.”

“This?”
“Too far. . . . too early . . . too late . . . too extravagant . . . too boring . . . too edgy . . . too too.”

“but I’ll be there…”
“Then I’ll go.”

I care more about people I do things with than what I do. So when a friend would suggest something, I would go. Most cool things I’ve done have been because someone invited me.

That’s a passive way to live a life, waiting for life to come to me.

I’ve changed since those days.
I’ve realized my life is my own to make.
I decided to find time for the time of my life.

I still don’t do weekends …
Now, I do life every day of the week … including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday … finding time for people I care about, people I want know, and even myself.

Life isn’t made of weekends.
It’s made of memories.

I can’t think of a better way to spend the time of my life.

How are you finding time for the time of your life?

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12 Outstanding Managers Share How They Delegate for Success

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Take Too Long to Teach Someone? How Long Will It Take if You Don’t?

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Personal bandwidth who has enough?
Whether we work for a huge corporation or work for ourselves, learning to ask for help in positive, profitable ways is a learned skill. We all have to learn to delegate well or we can’t grow beyond what we can do by ourselves and do well. Without delegation skills, we’ll be stuck as builders, line item worker, mid-level of execution because we won’t be able to …

  • grow past what one person can do in day.
  • trust people who have skills we don’t.
  • move to higher level thinking by passing on what early learners can do.

With that thought in mind, I asked 12 outstanding managers (13 if you count me) this question …

How do you delegate responsibility to inspire the best performance from people you work with?

Here’s what they said.

Know the Outcome You Want

The key to be really clear on what you are looking in a position or on a specific project — and by that I mean, first with yourself. If you don’t have a clear idea in your own mind — if you instead have only a vague notion — it’s pretty difficult for anyone who works with you. And that’s a frustration for everyone. Do I sound like I’ve been there? Uh.. yeah! — Ann Handley

Work with and Trust the Right People

Simple as it sounds, sometimes we reach for the nearest person to help, rather than taking time to identify the person best suited for the work we have. Taking a moment to look at the skills required and match the person to the job can make a HUGE difference in the success of a job.

You are correct, not having enough time to get everything done is a top concern for most of us. I know it is for me. I think that the key is to recognize that you absolutely cannot do it all on your own. And the responsibilities will only increase, so it becomes a necessity to bring in an assistant or even a team to help with time-draining details. Spend time hiring the RIGHT people that can be reliable and trustworthy and then TRUST THEM TO DO IT. — Kelly Olexa

I make sure to delegate squarely in the sweet spot of the other individual’s skill set, which usually maps to one of my weaknesses. This gives the teammate the opportunity to take ownership and feel important (which, in fact, they are!) — Steve Woodruff

First, pick and work with great people, if you want the best performance. Second, never let an issue fester, when you could address with an open honest, if painful, communication. — Becky McCray

Set Clear Expectations

Often when we work with someone we respect, we “endow” that person with great traits. We unconsciously assume he or she will deliver things that we don’t mention when we “hand over” a task.

Clearly state the task to be done, set a clear goal and give feedback when the task is completed — Barry Moltz

I am a control freak, so it is not in my nature to delegate. It has to be a process of discussion and mutual trust, then I let go (as best as I can). This means agreeing time frame, ensuring the person I am delegating to knows EXACTLY what is expected of them, and talking through everything they need before they can get started. — Chris Garrett

First, I make sure I’m clear about what I’m delegating. In other words, I try to make clear the work I expect the person to complete and the decisions that they will be responsible for making.

Second, I try my hardest to trust. This is the only way to not be a micro-manager. Truth is, people have brains and ideas of their own…they might make choices that are different than what I would choose. When they do, I want to learn how why they did, so I ask their rationale. More often that not, it’s sound.

Combined, I believe that these two things allow me to get the best performance from the people I work with. — Scott Porad

Let People Know Why You’re Counting on Their Performance

To get great work, communicate how it important a project is and why it’s important. Let people know that you’re counting on them for their best. Nothing ruins performance more than thinking someone might come behind us to “redo” what we’ve just done.

I get the best results when I explain not only the tasks at hand but also the purpose. Understanding the reason why something needs to be done and the general purpose / objectives behind the work gives the person performing the work extra insight and inspiration to do their best. — Carol Roth

Rather than delegating responsibility I try to delegate “soul”. Always make sure the person knows “why” what I am doing and delegating is so important to me. It becomes an emotional bond rather than a functional responsibility. — Hank Wasiak

Be There After the Assignment

It’s a risk to delegate and forget a project. Often a check back will reveal something that we’ve not communicated well. Sometimes a question or an offer to “take a look” can empower someone to perform at even higher levels.

I work my best to create simple systems and empower those I work with by asking how I can serve them to get the job done better, easier, and faster. — Lewis Howes

Value Great Performance

Everyone likes to be paid well, but payment comes in many forms. Gratitude for great work, referrals, and citations add to the mix of what inspires people to want to do their best work for us.

Explain the task. Illustrate its importance. Communicate the benefit to them. Then make sure the benefit happens. Even if it’s just a “good job” you can’t forget the praise or next time they’ll forget to follow through. — Jason Falls

and Remember to Delegate Even When You Don’t Want to …

The point is that delegating today might mean that it will take you two days to teach someone how to do something, but two days from now they’ll know how … If you don’t delegate now, two days from now you’ll still be someone who has to go it alone.

I suck at actually IMPLEMENTING this, but I DO try to remember it as guidance….learned it from a smart guy on an Admiral’s staff….

“It’s not a question of ‘What must I do?’ It’s a question of ‘What must get done?’ Stuff has to get done, but that does not mean that I – personally – must do it.”

— Sheila Scarborough

Asking for help clearly with focus on the person and the work that needs doing can actually improve our performance and make our value greater. After all, who doesn’t know someone who does something better than we do?

Where might a little delegation raise your visiblity, your performance, and the amount of work you get done?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

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third-tribe-marketing

Checklist: Opportunity Is Knowing Your Position on the Playing Field

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Every commander knows that on the field of battle we want to be on the higher ground. Every brand manager, every business owner should really be thinking the same. In order to grow a brand and business, we have to know our position before we can advance.

Opportunity Is Knowing Your Position on the Playing Field

Position is relational. It’s part property — what we own. If we own more and manage more we become more visible, more audible, more amplified.

Position is part expertise — what we know and can do well. Keep learning. We’re constantly offered opportunities to learn new strategies, skills, and techniques. It’s also good to teach. Teaching builds position and visible expertise.

Position is part perception, packaging and communication — what others see. If we live the values we want to be, then people see, perceive, and know us as those values. Do you live and talk a clear message? Do you hear and encourage other people to pass on that message about you?

Position is part the networks and relationships — how we interact with the industry. Do you have a brand and a business that attracts others to you?

Use this checklist to build yourself a view of your current position.

where you stand Are you standing on solid ground? Is your foundation connected and stable?

  • as a player in the industry Who’s next to you? Who do you need to meet? Who’s irrelevant to where you’re going?
  • as a citizen in your customer, partner, vendor networks What sort of people value you? Who needs to know more about you?

where you’re seen Are you visible in the places that you need to be to meet the people you want to meet?

  • on the blogs, sites, webinars, and spaces online What does your web presence say about you? Do you only hang with people who do what you do? Do you only talk to people who buy what you sell?
  • at the stores, events, meetings, and campaigns offline Do you go out to meet people in person? Are you as social offline as you are online? Is your offline presence projecting the same image of you? Do you show up before and hang around after you speak?
  • in the books, mail, email, and videos sent out about you Do you have a presence in print and video? Should you? Do you need a newsletter?

where you’re heard What’s being said? Who is listening? Who is talking about you?

  • when you speak, talk, visit clients. Do you initiate contact with new people in the networks you want to reach?
  • when people talk about you. Do you know what people say about you?

where you’re investing How do you invest your expertise and time?

  • when you offer your energy, advice, help, or service Do you share your expertise with the right people at the right times? Who wants to be you? Do you keep your promises, answer questions, and offer your best consistently?
  • when you claim your success Who knows what you know how to do? Who should?
  • when you grow How often do you connect outside of the network of people who do what you do?

Think through where your brand and your business is right now. Find a question that stopped you, that made you think longer than the rest. Work that first. Once you’ve worked most of them through, you can plan a campaign that truly leverages your position, plays to your skills, and advances your position toward higher ground.

Position is all opportunity. Knowing where we stand lets us see the possibilities of where we can go.

Which question offers the most opportunity for you?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

I’m a proud affiliate of

third-tribe-marketing

How Do You Work Around the Things You Do That Get in Your Own Way?

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I woke up today a morning filled with a brilliant sun shining over the lake. Wish I could say it’s this one …

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Today is even sunnier and more inviting, but I can’t show you the photo I took because … um … I’ve lost the cord to connect my camera to upload the photos I take.

I’m the sort who has to watch — literally keep my eyes on — where I put things and always put things in their assigned place. It’s a discipline I’ve learned to keep me from getting in my own way. Otherwise I set things down without paying attention and can’t find them when I need them.

We all have personal tendencies that don’t work in our favor. We can let them define us, figuring the world will adapt what we can’t change

… or we can find our own “work arounds” that work for us.

I’ve renewed my commitment that I need to keep things in their place … always. Whether I find it or buy a new one, I’ll never let a missing cord get in my way again.

What do you do that gets in your way? How do you work around that?

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