The Power of Personal Connection–Phone Calls and Handwritten Notes DO Matter
On May 27th, 2010, by · Comments
Imagine it’s the end of the day and you’re heading to the mail box to gather its contents. You open it and find it full of all sorts of paper. Visualize yourself sorting through every piece and what do you notice?
If you’re like me, you have a few bills, a coupon mailer, an ad for lowering my insurance, catalogs and a promotion for Direct TV.
Every now and then I receive a “Golden Ticket” in the mail box just like Charlie found in the candy bar in the movie Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. The “Golden Ticket” in the mail box comes in the form of a personal handwritten note received from a friend, family member or colleague. Whether it’s an encouraging word or a thank you, the impact of those handwritten words is profound.
The other day, one of my Facebook friends posted this question on her wall and I re-posted it to mine. She asked, “When was the last time you sent a handwritten note through the U.S. Mail?”
The responses to this question on her page and mine were numerous, confirming that handwritten notes really do matter!
What I know for sure from this Facebook scenario and my work as a coach and facilitator is that there is power in a personal connection. We are meant to be in relationship with others and hanging out on the surface doesn’t cut it for the long-term. Bottom line: We want more connection because the superficial doesn’t sustain meaningful results in your life or in your business.
As I think about receiving a personal note from a fellow business owner, it’s a gift to know that my referral matters. Quite frankly, receiving a handwritten thank you inspires me to send more people to you. Receiving a phone call, and yes even a voice message if I can’t be reached, does make a positive impact to know that the caller is thinking about me.
What about you? What impact does a thank you note or phone call have in your life?
In my time management formula for business owners, I suggest that 10% of your time should be spent on “super service”. This time is used to go above and beyond doing exactly the things I’ve mentioned—picking up the phone and making that call and/or writing your thoughts in a note card and sending it in the mail.
I’ll take this a step further. Reciprocation, in other words responding to the note or call, is also just as important. Why? Because it’s the beginning of communication flowing between two people which is essential to nurturing the relationship.
What do you think? Will you take a moment to reciprocate and share your comments? Share them at the blog at www.shannonbruce.com.
If you want to have an increased impact in your life and business you can start today, just by making a phone call or writing a note. You don’t need a fancy strategy or the latest technology. This is one of those times when the “good old fashioned way” of connection will produce great impact with minimal efforts.
Thrive…Today!
On May 20th, 2010, by · Comments
This week I am sharing my latest message at two events around what it means to “Thrive” in spite of the obstacles of life. My friend Caterina Rando, who happens to be the book publisher of my co-authored book Direct Selling Power, sent me a beautiful card at the first of the year with this theme that I wanted to share with you in my blog post this week.
Make the choice to Thrive…Today!
Every day is the day to have a great day. You are free, smart, creative and so fortunate. Each day brings new opportunities and possibilities. Set yourself up to have your best possible day by reflecting on these powerful and uplifting ideas.
TODAY….
- Choose to be joyful
- Keep your vision in focus
- Be devoted to your dreams
- Plan for a productive day
- Take a risk and a leap of faith
- Do a good deed
- Be loud and proud about your passion
- Accentuate the positive
- Acknowledge someone from the heart
- Make yourself happy
- Be your word
- Take consistent action
- Expect success in everything
- Make this day really matter
- You have the power!
© Caterina Rando
PowerDynamics Publishing was founded by Caterina Rando, a business strategist and author of many information products, including the national best seller, Learn to Power Think. Early in Caterina’s career she was a co-author in the book, Give Stress A Rest, and a few years ago she was a contributing author to Build It Big – 101 Secrets From Top Direct Selling Experts and More Build It Big. She found that contributing to books that targeted the audiences she served gained her confidence, credibility and cachet and resulted in a significant increase in product revenue, consulting projects and speaking engagements. For more about Caterina and her publishing projects, visit www.powerdynamicspub.com.
Calgon Take Me Away–Permission to Pause
On May 13th, 2010, by · Comments
Remember that commercial years ago where a woman is overwhelmed and frustrated by the many demands for her attention? She finally took a stand and declared “Calgon, take me away!” This woman was really onto something that I think bears repeating. Her declaration points to the truth that we all need to step away from the chaos and demands of life to slow down, pause, breathe, check in and reassess.
So what about you? Could you use a “Calgon” break? Permission granted…Go for it! Maybe it’s not a bubble bath, but it could certainly be a ten-minute break to breathe or go for a quick walk. Or how about sitting down to eat your lunch at the table rather than “on the go” or standing up?! 
At some point, you will get caught up in the “doing” and “serving” others through your business and your life that you barely have time to think, let alone feel. Some of you might press in and push through, while others shut down and just stop all together. In either scenario, you’ll reach the point where you are ineffective and unproductive forcing you to reevaluate.
So what’s the answer?
The answer is this: give yourself permission to pause. Take a quick assessment right now and contemplate the following questions.
- What are you currently experiencing internally? Are you at rest inside? Or are you feeling chaos within? Name what you notice.
Once you tune in to what’s happening in your internal world, take a look at what’s going on externally by answering these questions.
- What’s working?
- What’s not?
- What really matters?
- What changes are needed?
Your answers to these questions will reveal some powerful truths. However, you’re just scratching the surface at this point.
There are actually deeper truths that need to be accessed. This internal wisdom will actually help you on the front-end to be proactive in your life and business rather than reacting to the shut-down or burn-out that comes after you hit the proverbial wall.
When you give yourself permission to glean this inner wisdom, you’ll discover your true identity and life mission which reveals your purpose. With this information, you have filters for your choices and you can design a path to the life you’re intended to live. This keeps you anchored in peace while achieving greater impact and tangible results with less effort in both your life and your business.
There’s actually a coaching journey that can help you tap into these deeper truths. It’s called The Destiny Project and this week it went virtual under one website location with it’s own unique brand, identity, mission and purpose. What’s really cool about this journey is that it provides enough structure to keep you moving forward, blended with enough process that takes you deeper into the learning of who you truly are at the core.
Many say they don’t have enough time to dream because there’s too much to do. How about you? What do you think?
What if the question isn’t how can you afford to dream, but rather the question was how can you afford not to? I invite you to contemplate this in your “Calgon” moment as you exercise your permission to pause.
Post your comments at www.shannonbruce.com; I’d love to read your thoughts and be sure to check out the new website because it’s pretty amazing! Thanks Michael Warden and Josh Tilton.
Photo Provided by www.photoxpress.com, Copyright Julia Britvich
Reflections of a Mompreneur
On May 5th, 2010, by · Comments
With Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday, I’ve been contemplating what it means to be a mom and how this is so deeply connected to my role as a Mompreneur. In fact, I encouraged our newsletter community to make a list of all of the “mother” role models that have favorably influenced their lives which had me reflecting on my own personal list of “mom’s”.
Years ago when my daughter was diagnosed with a difficult case of acid reflux, I remember her pediatrician telling me “it takes a tribe to raise these kids.” The statement was so true! Even though she’s beyond reflux, I assert that it really takes a “tribe” to raise a woman, myself included! The truth is we are created to be “interdependent” upon one another, so the idea of growing up and doing it alone is really contrary to the way we as women are designed. (By the way, it’s also boring!)
It’s this reason that I have surrounded myself personally and professionally with what I like to call my “circle of wise women”. These are the women, who have invested in me by giving their time and sharing their heart. Each has used their respective gifts in so many authentic ways including prayer, friendship, professional coaching, collaboration, training, and more depending on who they are and how our paths connect.
They know the role they have played in my life because I regularly let them know how much I appreciate them. So today, I want to acknowledge them publicly as a way of saying thank you for being a “mom” to me and I love you for who you are and who you have called me forth to be:
The BFF’s: Heather, Jennifer A., Barb, Candee, Amy
The WayPoint Community: Kristina, Wendy, Jennifer P., Lisa
Circle of Wise Women: Dawnita, Rhonda, Pam, Michelle T., Marlee, Doris F., Cheryl
Dear Friends, Masterful Coaches and Brilliant Mentors: Teresia, Cynthia
My newlife.kitsap Sisters: Beth, Darlene, Denise, Erina, Kathy, Crystal
I also want to thank my own Mom who has been a steady and constant source of love, guidance, peace and support. This woman is the epitome of what it means to be a sacrificial Mom giving her all to nurturing a solid foundation of authenticity and truth for our family. Mom, I love you and thank you.
My daughter Taylor wonders why “Mom’s” have a special day and kids don’t. I laugh with her by telling her that Mom’s get “one” day when every day is kids day. 
Even though I tell her that Mother’s Day is my special day, it really is about her because I am eternally grateful for the gift of this precious child in my life.
As I’ve shared on my website, she is my “awakening” that has called me forth to my extraordinary life, and it’s because of her role in my life that I have found my true self. She has been a catalyst inspiring me to become a coach and now, I have the honor of living my passion and purpose as I call women forth to their inspired lives. I am honored and humbled to be her Mom and cherish the joy of our ever-growing relationship. So Taylor, I love you and thank you for the gift of living authentically.
So what about you? Who are the motherly role models in your life? What impact have they had on you? Share your comments and let’s spread the joy of motherly influence!
By the way, if you’d like to sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn more about how to communicate more effectively in your many roles you play, especially the one as a Mompreneur, please visit www.yourgreaterpurpose.com.
Photo at top: © Tolchik, www.photoexpress.com
Becoming a Front-Line Expert—Lessons Learned about the use of Copyrighted Material
On April 28th, 2010, by · Comments
The posts I made to Facebook and Twitter yesterday reflect my painful learning process around the “unauthorized use” of copyrighted pictures from Getty Images. After diligent research, follow-through, prayer and authentic humility, Getty Images listened to my situation and relieved my company of the $900 settlement demand.
I am extremely grateful because I know other colleagues who haven’t been so fortunate; one friend actually had to pay $2,300 for an image that was never actually used on a “live” web page. It sounds like Getty Images is now more willing to listen to each case individually, rather than taking the hard-line approach of the past. Here is what Wikipedia shares about the company and what an attorney who represents individuals who have received these settlement demands has to say.
Becoming a front-line expert in your business usually comes through serving your clients. There are those times, however, where the expertise you gain comes through a painful and challenging situation, like yesterday was for me. I am a firm believer that something good can be gleaned from all situations so as I went through this experience, I released the outcome. I made the conscious decision to grow and learn through it with the intent to help educate other business owners like you.
Before I share what happened, I want you to know my position around copyrighted material. I am an advocate of giving credit where it’s due! A couple of years ago, I had someone infringe upon me personally by taking website content from my site and putting it on hers. Countless hours of effort and work had been put into the writing of this content, so of course I understand why Getty Images is rigorous in their attempt to protect their artists. We all need to honor and hold to ethics and standards to keep integrity within the marketplace.
At the same time, let me share some of the details of what happened yesterday. One of my associate coaches wrote articles for our monthly newsletter and looked for images to reinforce her points. She searched her business leased Dell Computer, loaded with Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack, and found two images in the sample photos which she provided for the newsletter. These pictures were included on her business computer at the time of leasing, so the natural assumption was that these images were available for use. Unfortunately, these images were copyrighted through Getty Images and were NOT available for use without a license agreement. Oops and ouch!
So, let me share some of the key insights I learned yesterday:
- Microsoft Clip-art is not authorized for commercial purposes.
- Google Images may be subject to copyright laws even if it’s not clearly identified.
- Royalty free does not mean it’s free to use. It means that you pay a license fee to use it one time and you are not required to pay additional royalties each time you use the image.
- Pre-designed website templates may be subject to copyright laws.
- Website content and copy is subject to copyright laws.
- Concepts are not subject to copyright laws, yet specific processes used to apply the concepts are subject to copyright protection.
As you go forward in your business, I recommend you consider taking these action steps.
- Don’t use any images unless you took the picture, paid to use it, or have the express written permission from the creator to use it. One of the newer companies available for this is www.photoexpress.com.
- Give credit to the photographer by using the © symbol and reference their name and the on-line location where you received the information, only after you’ve paid to use it or have an agreement authorizing you to post it.
- Protect yourself by obtaining copyrights on your original work.
- Get advanced and express written permission from the creator of the work for articles, quotes, images, etc unless you’ve paid for the item you are using and/or it comes from a website that allows use. Be sure to read the restrictions and requirements before using.
- Join www.prepaidlegal.com to obtain affordable legal services for your business. Through the company you can create or update your last will and testament, receive support through identity theft monitoring, and have access to attorneys for situations like copyright, for only $26.95 per month.
- Remove images from your blogs and website you aren’t sure about.
- When in doubt about the use of work you didn’t create, don’t! And ask questions of those who are providing services to you by designing websites, providing articles for your blog, etc.
I hope this information has been helpful. As a business owner, I invite you to share this with others by tweeting and posting to your facebook wall. Protect yourself as we join together to protect the integrity of work created by artists and business owners throughout the world!
What other advice do you have? Share your comments at the blog. I’d love to hear what you have to say?!
Photos courtesy of www.photoexpress.com, Top Image ©Valpictures, Middle Image ©Pinkshot
