1-03-13 An email can create misunderstanding

Have you received an email with several misspellings or grammatical errors?

Have you received a group email that got sent around several times to several people, including you?

Do you find yourself sometimes struggling to get through a long email, only to reach the end and realize you’re still not sure what it was all about?

Have you sent an email assuming the other person would understand your words and your tone, only to get a response back that didn’t really relate to your intentions?

I’m sure you can come up with several other items to put on this list.  In our high speed communication age, we rapidly email and text and tweet several times a day….but are we really communicating?  There are some disagreements about how much human communication is non-verbal, but I think that we all can agree that lacking voice intonation, facial expression, body language and simply feeling another person’s energy, words alone will not necessarily convey thoughts accurately.

I have a bit of a silly streak in me (those who know me might say it is more than a bit).  I learned a long time ago never to use my silliness in an email unless I was absolutely sure that the person knew me well enough to understand the communication (and I’m not sure it’s wise to send anyone a silly email).  Of course, I can add a :>), but……

So, here are a few suggestions to avoid misunderstandings when emailing:

• Keep it short and simple
• If at all possible, save your sincere, serious communications for in-person or by phone
• Read every email over before you press “Send”
• If you are sending out a longer email or something with important information, make sure you have someone else read it before you send it
• If you are feeling angry or frustrated with someone, DO NOT send them an email and let them know this; cool down first, and then make a phone call
• If you are sending an email to a group of people, use the bcc, even if everyone knows each other; it will seem more personal and it will be impossible for someone else to press the “Reply all” and send out swirling emails that can drive us crazy;

12-20-12 An idea can take flight and become an action

I have been a loyal listener to progressive talk radio since its inception.  When I heard that AM 1090 was converting from progressive talk to an all-sports format, I was in a state of shock….and anger.  And, I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I had to do something.

First step: Get connected with people who have lots more connections than I.  I’m a MoveOn Council Coordinator on Whidbey, so my first contact was with the organizers who help me.  One of them was knowledgeable about creating on-line petitions.  So, with her help, we started a SignOn.org petition, “Don’t let Seattle Lose Progressive Radio,” and I sent out the information to all of my MoveOn members, while the MoveOn leadership sent it around to the Seattle Area members.  In the first week, we had 5,000 signatures.

Second step: Get better informed and contact the progressive talk show hosts.  I heard back from staff members from a couple of shows with some possible ideas.  Then, Norman Goldman, an afternoon host, wrote to me personally.  I suggested he look at some of the written comments from petition signers.  He wrote back 15 minutes later about how impressed he was with the passion expressed, and invited me to come on his show.

Yesterday (Dec. 19), I was interviewed and provided some contact information.  And, as of this morning, we now have over 8,700 petition signers, our MoveOnWhidbey Facebook page is now being visited by several people and I’m getting lots of ideas and suggestions.  Some others have come forward and offered to help.

I don’t know where this will go, but I believe there is much to be learned from not simply thinking about something, but also following through and doing something.  Yes, this is political, but this can apply to any idea that merits action.

(If you’d like to hear the interview: http://chirb.it/faDhMK )

12-13-12 A smile can build your business

I was on a trip recently and flipped on the TV set in my motel room to the local public television station and watched 30 minutes’ worth of a Shawn Achor presentation on happiness.  I had previously seen a Ted Talk by him that really impressed me.

Shawn Achor is the CEO of Good Think Inc., where he researches and teaches about positive psychology.

One of the concepts he presented is how a smile is contagious (I think I remember being told this when I was a child).  Turns out that when you smile, it actually creates changes in your brain (all positive).  When you smile at someone else, whether they smile back at your or not, their brain replicates the same responses your brain is having (so-called “mirror neurons”).

If your business involves face-to-face meetings with your customers, make sure that a smile automatically greets everyone with whom you cross paths.  Actually, this is a great practice for everyone that you see, whether they’re customers or not.

Just ask yourself: Wouldn’t you rather do business with someone whose presence makes you feel good?

12-6-12 Collaboration can be creative and fun, as well as productive

I’ve written previously about businesses that collaborate with other businesses to benefit everyone.

And, I did a Blog several months ago about how Dr. Craig Weiner was using his Chiropractic Zone office to display the works of local artists (4-5-12 Collaboration is a great tool for building business )

Well, Dr. Craig has provided me with more ideas for my Blog by creating a special name for the walls in his office that provide gallery space for local artists.  You can visit The Chiropractic Zone for an adjustment and, at the same time, you can tour “Galeria Chiropractica” to see the current exhibit.

So, if you are planning to collaborate with another business, have some fun and see if you can come up with some witty ways to bring more customers to your site.

The Chiropractic Zone is also featured in Whidbey Island Life Examiner :Galleria Chiropractica features ChromoAlchemy by photographer Kim Tinuviel

11-29-12 Promote what’s different about your product or business

I just returned from visiting family in California.  One of the families has an organic farm in Mendocino County where, among other things, they are growing wonderful, flavorful tiny applies.  Another member of the family has been developing a special hard apple cider using these apples. 

When I talked with the apple cider maker, he expressed some concern about being able to market his product: “The way I make the cider it has some cloudiness to it which makes it look different from traditional hard ciders.”  He added, “The cloudy sediments give it the rich flavor, just like many of the cloudy wines you see in Europe.” I asked him how his cider tastes, and he quickly answered, “It’s really delicious; everyone who has tasted it has commented on the depth of the flavor.” 

He asked me for some ideas about marketing the cider.  I told him to promote the cloudy look and explain that it has a much more delicious flavor than other ciders on the market.

I’ve written before about marketing what is special or unique about your product or your business.  I believe this is the most important concept every business person needs to embrace.

Don’t feel your product or service has to be like everyone else’s.  Your marketing can educate people about why what you do is special.