Diving Into the Operations Manual

The operation manual is the heart of a business and one of the most critical steps for compliance, legislation, streamlining, increasing efficiency, marketing effectively, developing a growth plan, and saving money and time. But it should never be condescending, complicated, dull, or vague.

What is Included

When developing your Operations Manual consider including the following important business needs as it improves your marketing, assists with obtaining financing, trouble shoots and streamlines your business, simplifies onboarding, identifies your document and email hierarchy and more.

• Mission Statement - It should be emotionally stirring, communicates why, is memorable, is surprising, actionable, specific, and can be spoken in one or two sentences.
• Vision Statement - Needs to be clear, concise, realistic, inspiring, not too broad, and one or two sentences.
• Core Values - Used to align your business policies, hiring practices, and vision plan.
• Story - A well-done story gives consumers a compelling reason to buy from you.
• Organization Chart - Multi uses such as, revealing your document hierarchy and simplifying onboarding.
• Policies - Polices are a set of general guidelines that outline the organization’s plan for tackling issues. It also includes preventative practices and regulations.
• Processes - The processes include all the information to execute the task quickly and flawlessly.
• Job Descriptions - Job descriptions include role details and establish onboarding procedures such as which access is necessary. Having staff able to begin working the same day they start makes a difference.
• Vision Plan Action Steps - Consider including the business history and current status, products/services, unique features, risks and opportunities, goals and objectives within a time frame, action steps, and a contingency plan.

No Time to Get It Done?

There are professionals that work with you and your team who can get it done quickly, have the experience to ask the right questions, and know the best formats for your industry because without it, as your business grows there will be many problems that would not exist if you had the Operations Manual.

By Cheryl Erickson

“Challengers invite us to take giant steps long before we might ever become giants…Challengers invite us to explore possibilities and hold us accountable in the manifestation of our dreams.”  ~Donna Dahl

Have you ever accepted a challenge? Has someone ever dared you to take an action that you knew would make you feel uncomfortable—and you agreed to accept?

Conversely, have you ever challenged someone? Perhaps you wanted to find out who could run to the end of the block the fastest. Perhaps you bet your buddy that you could sign up more new recruits by the end of the day than he could. Perhaps your friend bet you that you could not go without a cup of coffee for an entire day.

Challenges don’t have to be big, formal things that score time on the evening news. Challenges simply ask you to stretch yourself beyond your normal comfort zone. Some will find that the stretching is downright scary. Fear could rush in and doubt could blanket the whole affair. Things could get frozen or stuck. Some will find that the stretching that comes with a challenge yields an adrenalin rush. The appearance of that rush may set off an appetite for more adrenalin rushes. And thus the search for more challenges begins.

Challengers can arrive at your doorstep in the form of mentors, coaches, teachers, peers, proteges, students, parents, children, bosses, superiors, co-workers, friends and more. Yes, challengers can motivate you to stretch but it is up to you to accept or deny the challenge. Trust counts. I doubt you would accept a challenge from someone for whom you didn’t hold a strong measure of regard. I doubt you would accept a challenge unless you believed you could succeed or make a difference.

Challenges don’t have to be issued by others. You can issue a challenge to yourself. People do this all the time. Think back to early January of any year. People the world over make countless New Year’s resolutions—resolutions that are never kept. Please don’t challenge yourself to do something for which you have small intentions to complete. That’s just setting yourself up for failure.

Setting foot into a challenge should have a sufficient measure of commitment to keep you in the game, so to speak. Your commitment should draw you in with hope for gain. It should not feel like the weight of a heavy burden is dragging you down.

The quote at the beginning of this article comes from my book based on Aesop’s Fable about the tortoise and the hare. The story is a delightful illustration of how beliefs influence achievement and how challenging circumstances can open doors.

As one example, I recently posted a challenge to people who lead meetings. I challenged them to consider ending meetings early, not monopolize the airtime, and end meetings no later than the appointed hour. Meeting management strategies such as these build trust and show respect for other people’s time. I challenge you to set an example with respect to managing the time set aside for your meetings.

I am not one to talk the talk without walking the walk. I was recently challenged to bring new life to my Tortoise Book. I admit it took me some time to give it thought but after saying yes to the challenge, I was in it to make it work. You will find a new look at Tortoise on a podcast with Greg Voisen interviewing me.

When all is said and done, challenges offer opportunities to make discoveries about personal strengths.

May you invite more challenges into your life and may you be open to the discoveries waiting to be revealed. May you discover the joy that having the faith to face those challenges bestows upon you.

By Donna Dahl

Donna Dahl is an author, master empowerment coach and speaker. She is a popular podcast guest and she is considered a thought leader. Her book, Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise, has received numerous 5-star ratings and is an excellent guide for leadership. Read more about this topic in the chapter entitled “Afterword.” Invite her to be your challenger in a discovery call.

The Five Stages of a Business

Formulation

In this stage, perform a brain dump about all you are doing, thinking, and planning about your business. You put together business plans, budgets, marketing plans, recruiting plans, economic forecasts, etc. You commit to paper everything you can think of about your business.

Concentration

Concentration is characterized by lots of energy and activity going out but little coming in. For every ten actions you take, only 1 produces a result. You’re not spinning your wheels because your actions are on purpose and designed to keep your business running. It’s just that you’re expending much energy with very little to show for it.

If you’ve ever had to jump-start a car by popping the clutch, you know what I mean about concentration. Remember how you got behind the car, which was at a dead standstill, and pushed and pushed with all your might, but the car barely moved?  You put out a lot of energy and hard work with minimal results. The car just barely began to roll forward. But then you entered Stage 3.

Momentum

Using our car analogy again, momentum is where you still apply energy and effort, but now you’re beginning to see results. The car is starting to move. It’s picking up steam. You’re still struggling, but the car is moving faster and faster, and it’s getting easier to push. Instead of 10 actions, momentum is now to produce one result, 7 to 1, 5 to 1, 3 to 1, and so on.

More phone calls are being returned, connections on Social Media increase and individuals are starting to recognize you. You’re putting out advertising, and more people are responding. You’re going on sales calls and closing more sales. You can feel the momentum building.

Stability

In this stage, your business has become fairly stable and predictable. You know that if you do certain things, customers will show up. Ads produce a steady stream of clients, cold calling or prospecting gets so much business, etc. If you go on x number of appointments, you’ll close y number of sales. Your conversion rates are steady and predictable. It’s one action out, one result in.

Breakthrough

If you reach this stage (and I say if because, in my experience, few businesses ever get here), your business takes off, often in unpredictable ways. The phone is ringing off the hook. Your seminars are filled to overflowing, and you’ve got so many client appointments you can’t keep track of them. In fact, you’re getting calls and leads from the proverbial “out of the blue.” Someone’s aunt’s brother’s cousin’s sister calls you, and you can’t even remember where you met the first person in the chain.

Business cards you left at someone’s office months ago fall into the hands of someone you don’t even know. They call wanting a meeting as you are the answer to all their problems. On some level, you could almost say you’ve got too much business. You must generate new structures and systems to handle and manage it. It’s almost like going back into formulation again because, in essence, you’ve got a totally new business different from the one you conceived back in Stage 1.

Overview

These stages are linear, and if you skip over one, you usually pay the price somewhere down the road.

If you don’t formulate and go into concentration, you’ve got a lot of activity but no direction or purpose. It’s random and ill-conceived.

If you don’t do the legwork of concentration, you’ll miss valuable learning experiences and insights that only come from hard work and perseverance.

I have occasionally seen clients in the real estate field go from momentum to breakthrough (a quick explosion of leads and appointments and listings and buyers). They get so wrapped up in servicing those clients that they stop prospecting and lead generating. Then when things calm down, and all those houses are sold, and buyers have found homes, there’s no business, and they must go back to concentration again, hitting the phones, walking their farm area, etc., and it takes them 2-3 months to get back to building a stable business. So be aware of following the model one stage at a time.

Brad Warren, Land Banking Consultant @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleykwarren/

Brad Warren was a national and international speaker, author, seminar leader, and business coach.  He travelled to 19 foreign countries and 27 of the United States over the last 40 years, teaching a wide range of business courses, including time management, communication skills, lead generation, and negotiation skills.  

He's also coached over 500+ business owners on goal setting and accomplishment, business planning and implementation, and how to be more effective and productive. 

He is the 2014 recipient of the Bay East Association of Realtors Affiliate of the Year award and the author of Just Sold! The Real Estate Professionals Guide to Selling More in Less Time. 

He’s spoken at the National Association of Realtors 2016 and 2017 Annual Conventions on Time Block Your Way to Success with Less Stress! and he’s also certified to teacher.

The ONE Thing, based on the national best-seller of the same name by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.  After 40+ years as a business coach, speaker, and trainer. Brad transitioned to a new career as a land banking consultant, helping patient investors build generational wealth by investing in land.

Brad Warren welcomes your calls to learn about land investment. LinkedIn

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be an author?

Do you have a story to tell? …a story to pass on to future generations?

Does the thought of writing a book feel a little scary?

What if you don’t tell your story?

Is there someone else who would tell your story for you? Or will it leave with you when you leave? Perhaps your story can shed light on an event that, if told from your perspective, could change how we view it. Maybe you have a story told to you by your mother as her mother passed it down. Is it your turn to pass the story along? If you don’t share the story, will the sharing of the story stop with you?

Where do stories come from? Think about stories that originate with Grandma’s recipe books, papa’s bedtime stories, your father’s memoirs, your journey in search of uncovering a hidden truth, or the novel you started to write in your teens, and it is still in that old shoe box.

Your audience can be any age group speaking in any language on any continent.

Think about all the books you have read throughout your lifetime. What if the authors had never written them?

Is there room in the world for your story?

Do you think that your story may not be important? How important is a story? A story can change lives.

Are there stories you read as a child that still stand out in your memory today? Whether you grew up with Dr. Seuss books or Superman comic books, the fact that someone took the time to create characters and share them with you in print offered entertainment that you could capture over and over again. All you had to do was open the book and enter their world. Taking a giant step forward in time, we meet Harry Potter, for one, and Shrek, for another. And there has been an assortment of memorable characters between then and now, not to mention the thousands of movies with stories to tell.

Whether you are young or younger, whether you feel good about your writing or not, whether your story is fiction or nonfiction and whether you can write a sentence or not, your story matters. There are so many ways today to address any shortcomings you may think you have when it comes to getting your story out there.

Is there room in the world for your story? Why wouldn’t there be room?

Does your book have to be a story?

Your book can be fiction or non-fiction. It can be as a story or as wisdom shared or as lessons learned. One of the books that I had fun writing was Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise. I am a huge fan of Aesop’s fable about the tortoise and the hare. It is so incredibly rich with metaphors. The lessons I culled from that original story will apply for centuries to come.

May I challenge you?

Do you feel called to write? I will not challenge you to a seven-day writing exercise or one of those 50,000 words in a month marathon, but I will challenge you to consider the potential importance of the influence of your words.

What helps? Feeling inspired to write. I want you to bring the full weight of your enthusiasm to the project.

There are many who thirst for new knowledge or for the next best-selling fictional thriller by a favourite author. Could that author-in-demand be you?

I often hear words from writers who want to be authors: "I have no idea where to start.” Working with a reputable manuscript coach eliminates the guesswork and gets you on track to write with purpose and by design.

If you have a business, you should have a book. It gives you credibility. It gives you authority. Taking the time to write the book speaks to the level of commitment you are prepared to make to see a project through.

Having your own book makes a difference. How do I know? I launched my business with the release of my first book.

How important is it for you to have your own book? What would having your own book do for you?

Donna Dahl, M. Ed., is more than an empowerment coach. She is a leading executive strategist and catalyst for change, working with leaders, teams, employees, and entrepreneurs. Through her neuroscience-based approach, she is well-poised to disseminate skill development, empowerment, and engagement. Her award-winning track record speaks for itself. She is the author of Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise, a five-star rated book designed to gently challenge the reader to consider a change. She welcomes opportunities to discuss your challenges. Check out her profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnadahl/

Should you have a coach? You are looking for answers, but the canvas before you is blank.

It would help to know if working with a coach would help you get to where you want to go with more speed and less angst . . . with more skill and less guesswork. You have never hired a coach before. Why not? Could having a coach make a difference?

Do you have a family doctor? A dentist? A favourite automotive repair shop? An alterations expert? A florist? You may even want a family jeweller equipped to appraise your valuables.

We build our personal community of relationships with individuals whom we count on to be dependably available and consistently reliable. These are people we have taken the time to get to know. Their track record of performance with us tells us we can trust them.

And if you are adding a coach to your list of human resources, here is a set of questions that you might want to ask when interviewing a coach to work with you:

1. What are your qualifications as a coach? While qualifications matter to some, track records may be more relevant. What you seek is a match that connects the coach’s expertise with the skills you need.
2. How long have you been coaching? Just as you may not want to be someone’s first date, you may not want to be someone’s first client. If you are looking for a client with a history of success, ask the question.
3. Who is your preferred client? This question will help you determine if you are a fit for this coach. It does not mean that what you are looking for is on the list of good fits, but it will give a picture related to professional alignment.
4. Tell me your favourite success story. Watch to see if the candidate’s face lights up or if they shuffle in apparent discomfort. Listen to the content. Is there a sense of excitement or a feeling of accomplishment present? Do you feel drawn into the story?
5. Describe the coaching system you use and why it works. You want to find out if you will be sent to watch a suite of videos complete with workbook pages to fill out or, secondly, if you will be taken through a guided step-by-step system over several months or, thirdly, if you will begin from where you are coming from in an attempt to solve the problems you want to solve now without the months of study.
6. How much time should I invest when working with you as my coach? You want to find out more about your length of commitment. Are you prepared to spend three months in weekly sessions or a year in monthly sessions? It would help if you did an analysis of your calendar scheduling practices to determine if you have, for instance, every Tuesday morning at 8 am to have a meeting with your coach. Are evenings better for you? What about weekends?
7. Is there someone with whom I could speak about their coaching experience with you? Speaking with a previous client might be more reassuring than reading the recommendations and testimonials on the internet.

You oversee your growth as an entrepreneur, a solopreneur, a leader, a member of the C-Suite, a manager, or an employee. When it comes to your personal and professional development, the choice is yours. You get to choose how, where and when you map your own journey and follow it through to its destination.

The important thing to remember with coaches is that one size does not fit all, and while some coaches will be able to tick a lot of boxes for you, no one knows everything. Choose a coach from an area where you want to focus. Ask the pointed questions. You should be coached in the realm of finance or grant writing in the first quarter of the year and then move to improve your elevator pitch and your self-promotion skills in the next quarter.

In this changing world, is it time to take your leadership . . . your work life . . .  your business enterprise . . . in a new direction? While the world may be changing rapidly and uncontrollably, consulting a coach, even periodically, may keep your enthusiasm for what you do alive and well.

Is it time to hire a coach?

Here are the Five Remaining Tips for You to Become a Pro Networker

As much as there's a lot of leeway and forgiveness with people online these days, it is still best to have a professional background. This doesn't mean you have to go to the expense of buying a green screen and professional set-up.  However, there's nothing more distracting than watching somebody appear and disappear as they talk using a background without a green screen.

You can have a professional environment by making sure whatever is in the field of vision looks tidy and professional.  This does not include an unmade bed (or any bed, really), a bathroom, or roommates walking around in their underwear. A good rule of thumb is that if you had a brick-and-mortar location and wouldn't show it in your front window, you probably shouldn't be showing that in your online window.  Another alternative is to blur your background.  Keep it professional!

Be Courteous Do Your Fellow Members

Just because the people in the room are not your ideal client doesn't mean you can stop listening or leave. I have seen somebody leave a networking breakout room for whatever reason and say nothing. If you have a valid reason to leave, apologize and let the group know why you are dropping off.  If you don't have an opening to let them know verbally, then put it in the chat.  When you leave without notice, all that says is, "you're not important to me," which is downright rude.

Dress Professionally, Dress for Success!

Things have become more casual online. Dress based on the event that you are attending.  If it is a casual drink over Zoom with family or friends, that's very different from a business meeting or a networking group.  Your attire should reflect the image you want to convey for that meeting.  I don't think anyone is attending meetings in Pajamas anymore, but a halter top or bathing suit may not be appropriate unless you promote a beach getaway.  I'm not saying you should wear a suit but be mindful of your audience.  If you want to be seen as an expert, you should dress like one (at least on the top that can be seen).

Be Sincere

I have been in some networking groups where after people give their elevator pitches or presentations, people clap.  As for the elevator pitch or introduction, I don't clap as a rule.  To me, it feels phony, not genuine. I will clap for a presentation even if the information wasn't relevant to me.  At the end of the day, be sincere and true to yourself.  If it feels right, do it. If it feels forced, don't. 

Develop a Relationship

Networking is all about developing a relationship whether you're face to face or on screen.  I wouldn't suggest this demands you attend a meeting every week or every meeting necessarily, but it is necessary to show consistency so that people get to know, like, and trust you. Determine what that frequency is for you.  You'll know you are developing relationships as people start recognizing you in the group.

Bonus Tip!

One key thing that will help you with networking is to ensure you have your contact information and short write-up ready to copy and paste into the chat window so that you're not trying to type in the chat.  It should contain your full name, company name, contact information, and social media links, including "https://" so people can click on it in the chat, and it will open in their browser.

Keep in mind you may need to revise your information based on each group's requirements, but if you have it saved on a Google or Word Doc or Google Keep, you will be able to change it quickly and easily. 

Discover how to effectively utilize Google Keep.

If you're able to implement one or two of these tips, I'm sure you'll see a difference in how your networking is received by your audience, taking you from being a networking virgin to a pro.

IF YOU MISSED PART – 1, FIND IT AT HTTPS://THECIBN.COM/NETWORK-PRO-PART1/

Overall, health and fitness always played a part in Michelle’s life and continue to be part of her consulting approach today, differentiating her from others in the industry. Michelle guides business owners to develop a self-sustaining business, generate more revenue, and take back time to do things that excite them!

Raised by a strong, independent single mother, Michelle’s vision and values were instilled early. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey started in the 90s in event planning and speaking. In addition to Michelle’s over 30-year Corporate career in Media, Logistics and Financial Services, her passions shaped Michelle’s experience, providing innumerable opportunities to give back as a volunteer.

Passionate about making a difference, Michelle is on a philanthropic foundation, “Board of Advisors,” building sustainable schools in developing countries and supporting Digital Samurai’s efforts, an entrepreneur focused on reducing youth unemployment in Africa through apprenticeships.

Michelle’s 35 years as an Account Executive spanned credit card processing and financial services, transportation, logistics, media, and consulting, with many projects including managing consultative alliances, live event management, and sales team leadership. In 2021 Michelle completed Wardell International Advisor training and had recently undertaken S.O.S. Sales Objection System group training with renowned trainer Joe Marcoux. Her career and entrepreneurial ambitions have taken Michelle outside Canada, providing extensive experience in multiple markets in North America and beyond.

You can find Michelle Ricketts on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/michellericketts 

Networking is not a new way to meet. It’s been around for decades, but it's not for the faint of heart. There is some work involved. Originally face-to-face with a bunch of strangers in a room where one or two people would start to mingle and chat, like a high school dance, there were wallflowers.  Some people would be handing out business cards, everybody was trying to convey what they do, who they are, and where they're from.  Some were only there to meet new people, others to make connections, and then there was a misguided few who thought they would have a client jump out in front of them.

Whatever networking looked like changed in 2020. Groups moved online, others like CIBN were already there, and new ones popped up; the networking game changed. CIBN had face-to-face networking for years and went online almost three years before it became the place to be.  For networking group attendees, it was now about learning how to engage through a computer screen or phone. It was figuring out what to say and how to say it; everyone had to transition. 

Pros moved seamlessly from face-to-face to on-screen.   Others continue to struggle even years later.  My record in one week, at the start of 2020, was 16 networking events as I tried different options to find which worked for me. Along with CIBN, I now do a few weekly networking events with groups that have added value for me, and I am bringing value to them.

Networking isn't throwing “you know what” at the wall and seeing what sticks. It should be a plan in your marketing strategy. We only have so many hours in the day, make sure that they're used effectively.

Networking should be about more give than take. It isn't about expecting to find clients. Not to say you won't, but if your sole purpose of attending networking events is to find clients, you may be sorely disappointed.  What networking can do for you is provide an avenue to make new connections who move in the same circles as your clients or make great connections that can become strategic partners for your business.

Here are Five of the Ten Tips for You to Become a Pro Networker

Prepare Your Introduction and Practice It

You shouldn't be fumbling and humming and hawing when you tell people about what you do.  If you don't have confidence in what you're saying, they will not see you as an expert. Prepare what you were going to say ahead of time.  Write it out and practice it in front of a mirror and record yourself. Repetition is how you will obtain comfort in delivering your pitch.  Remember, practice makes perfect. Your words should slide off your tongue with ease every time.

Focus on One Thing

Don't try to be all things to all people.  People won't remember what you're saying, and there is no value for your listeners.  Pick one thing you want to discuss at each meeting and deliver that. You can create pitches for different areas of your business or expertise but don't try to deliver them all at once.

Layer Your Pitch

Networking events and breakout room time slots could be 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes. You will not be able to deliver the same information at every meeting.  Create stacking or layering of your details. Start with a 30-second delivery of the most important information, then add additional information depending on the group. When I'm in a group that only allows for my name and what I do, I start with this.

"Hello, I'm Michelle Ricketts, I am a business consultant in Vancouver, Canada, but I work with clients globally.  I guide entrepreneurs to scale their business, with a strong foundation, to become self-sustaining".

Then when I have more time in another group, I can add on or layer.

"...I work with individuals or in group training.  We start with a Business Strength Test to see where they are today"..., and so on, you get the idea.

Being able to stack or add additional elements to your pitch will ensure you are ready for whatever time frame you're offered and not sell yourself short when you have more time.

Paint a Picture for Your Listener

Don't ramble off a list of things you do, people like stories. Incorporate what you do into a story around your business or client experience, which will resonate with your audience. Paint a picture, this may put someone they know in view as a potential client for you.

Don't Expect to Land a Client

You may be fortunate enough to meet a client through a networking event, but it is more likely that you will meet someone who knows a potential client. When you realize the person in the meeting or breakout group is not a client, don't dismiss them. Stay engaged. You never know whom they know.  Treat everyone as if they are referral partners.

Join Michelle Ricketts next week as she continues to provide excellent information on how to make the most out of networking. https://thecibn.com/networking-pro-part-2/

Overall, health and fitness always played a part in Michelle’s life and continue to be part of her consulting approach today, differentiating her from others in the industry. Michelle guides business owners to develop a self-sustaining business, generate more revenue, and take back time to do things that excite them!

Raised by a strong, independent single mother, Michelle’s vision and values were instilled early. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey started in the 90s in event planning and speaking. In addition to Michelle’s over 30-year Corporate career in Media, Logistics and Financial Services, her passions shaped Michelle’s experience, providing innumerable opportunities to give back as a volunteer.

Passionate about making a difference, Michelle is on a philanthropic foundation, “Board of Advisors,” building sustainable schools in developing countries and supporting Digital Samurai’s efforts, an entrepreneur focused on reducing youth unemployment in Africa through apprenticeships.

Michelle’s 35 years as an Account Executive spanned credit card processing and financial services, transportation, logistics, media, and consulting, with many projects including managing consultative alliances, live event management, and sales team leadership. In 2021 Michelle completed Wardell International Advisor training and had recently undertaken S.O.S. Sales Objection System group training with renowned trainer Joe Marcoux. Her career and entrepreneurial ambitions have taken Michelle outside Canada, providing extensive experience in multiple markets in North America and beyond.

You can find Michelle Ricketts on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/michellericketts 

Is a Million Dollars Out of Your Reach? Many people believe that this is out of reach for them, and I thought I was lucky to be middle class – a million dollars, not even in my dreams unless I won the lottery. I remember being told I needed at least a million dollars to retire. That was not realistic for me to earn, but it was reality.

Getting Help

In CIBN, members from all sorts of businesses can help you surpass your dreams. Top coaches to help with your mindset, business, and other areas of life. The first thing to becoming a millionaire is to change the mindset and have a realistic plan, and that is what coaches can do. The second part is getting assistance from techs, social media experts, etc.

I now have a plan where I wake up in the morning with a smile and confidence because I am setting smart goals, including a lead generation plan to expand my network and build relationships. I currently have enough clients and am working to diversify my business. I got all this from CIBN.

I must credit Kerry George, CEO of CIBN, her mastermind group, and the networking members for all they have done to help me grow, build my confidence and make the online networking groups fun.

It helps to find an experienced financial advisor for a free consultation about your finances, including how to reach a comfortable retirement and be protected.

Yes, We Can Get a Million Dollars

I am well on my way to getting those million dollars, and the best part is I feel like I am a part of a team of professionals.

By Cheryl Erickson

Imagine having your emails/calendar handled efficiently, a professional presentation, and business-wide assistance.

As an Executive Assistant and Professional Organizer, Cheryl helps individuals protect and grow their business efficiently. With her broad range of skills and high standards, she is ready to handle the details freeing up your time.

Cheryl Erickson
Website: https://cherylerickson.ca
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/visionary-business-organizer/

Making Changes that Directly Impact your Business

Very few would argue that to be successful with health and fitness, you have to find which workout is best for you, the gym, running, spin class, boxing, or crossfit, and commit to it. Combine exercise with healthy eating of nutritious foods with getting enough sleep, drinking water,  watching your caloric intake and your Body Mass Index (BMI), and arguably you have a recipe for success. 

A great thing for business owners to consider is how taking care of your body directly impacts your business. I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to be healthy and rarely catch a cold or flu. That’s not to say that I haven’t had challenges. They are part of life. I’ve been successful through several surgical procedures, including double foot reconstruction, Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), and Atrial Flutter (AF). Having my heart rate go up to 280 BPM was both scary and telling. It confirmed my heart, although a little confused, was strong and reconfirmed my ability to recover quickly after various procedures. I tell you this to share the fact that the work I put in over the years is worth it.

When Illness Happens It Does Make a Difference

I’ve worked hard to take care of my fitness and nutrition for many years. Some might say my procedure challenges should not have happened if all that fitness stuff works. However, the key during these and other challenges in my life, I have missed little to no work and recovered in record time due to investment in my fitness. Angela Dimos, Strength Training and Weight Loss Coach, says exercise and healthy eating are more important than ever.

I have seen evidence of what Angela says in my life and with others. When you invest in self-care now, and in the future, even if you haven’t done so before, it will keep you on the path to success. Taking care of yourself today will allow you to continue working on your business moving forward. Caring for your own health and fitness will allow you the opportunity to strengthen your business too.

I Know This - But Do you Do it?

Some business owners are reluctant to do the work necessary to get their business in shape. They continue to press forward, hoping to get different results without changing anything. It is not dissimilar to working out yourself, becoming fit enough to rise to the challenges life throws at you. Your business workout should include; strengthening, development, endurance testing, and training.

An Olympic athlete would never think of starting their journey without engaging in the proper training and coaching; neither should you. Business requires the same commitment, doing “business push-ups,” working hard on your business structure and processes for your ongoing success.

If you would like a glimpse into your business strength, take your 10 Minute Business Strength Test

By Michelle Ricketts

Overall, health and fitness always played a part in Michelle’s life and continue to be part of her consulting approach today, differentiating her from others in the industry. Michelle guides business owners to develop a self-sustaining business, generate more revenue, and take back time to do things that excite them!

Raised by a strong, independent single mother, Michelle’s vision and values were instilled early. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey started in the 90s in event planning and speaking. In addition to Michelle’s over 30-year Corporate career in Media, Logistics and Financial Services, her passions shaped Michelle’s experience, providing innumerable opportunities to give back as a volunteer.

Passionate about making a difference, Michelle is on a philanthropic foundation, “Board of Advisors,” building sustainable schools in developing countries and supporting Digital Samurai’s efforts, an entrepreneur focused on reducing youth unemployment in Africa through apprenticeships.

Michelle’s 35 years as an Account Executive spanned credit card processing and financial services, transportation, logistics, media, and consulting, with many projects including managing consultative alliances, live event management, and sales team leadership. In 2021 Michelle completed Wardell International Advisor training and had recently undertaken S.O.S. Sales Objection System group training with renowned trainer Joe Marcoux. Her career and entrepreneurial ambitions have taken Michelle outside Canada, providing extensive experience in multiple markets in North America and beyond.

You can find Michelle Ricketts on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/michellericketts 

Cheryl Erickson, February 2022

Change Your Love/Hate Relationship with Emails

Image your emails and how you feel about them. Are you frustrated, overwhelmed, or find it a chore? Most people are just like you and have a love/hate relationship with emails. There are ways to organize it and be in the know.

OUTLOOK

Folders

Using the inbox only for emails you are currently working on provides a space for action. Creating folders/subfolders for completed emails also makes searching and archiving easier.

Categories and Flags

Categories and flags are tools to manage emails and can be searched by category. If I have a Webinar category, click in the “Search” tab, select “search for categories,” and the category wanted. Flags are also searchable. I also use flags when something important requires my attention. With both, you can create your own.

Rules

Rules automate emails. If I have a folder for each subscription, create a rule to automatically move it from the inbox to the correct folder. That also keeps it unread to know what isn’t read.

GMAIL

Creating a Label adds a new folder and can also be used in searches and rules. There are Gmail Categories, but you cannot make your own. Select “More/Manage labels/Labels” from your folder list to set up your preferences. Clicking on an email gives you the option to star, mark as important or remove the label from that specific email.

Filters

Filters create the rules to automate your emails. Selecting “More/Manage labels/Filters and Blocked Addresses” from your list or choosing Settings/See All Settings/Filters and Blocked Addresses gives you the option to add rules.

OTHER TIPS

Regardless of your email system, there are similar options to organize your inbox, freeing up time and making searches effective. It is beneficial for communicating between you and your assistant, having a quick overview and knowing what to address.

If you have more than one email address, add them to one system for a quick review to transfer from one email address to another and save time.

Imagine having your emails/calendar handled efficiently, a professional presentation, and business-wide assistance.

As an Executive Assistant and Professional Organizer, Cheryl helps individuals protect and grow their business efficiently. With her broad range of skills and high standards, she is ready to handle the details freeing up your time.

Cheryl Erickson
Website: https://cherylerickson.ca
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/visionary-business-organizer/