I just returned from Andrea Lee’s Wealthy Thought Leader Conference, and if there was one theme running throughout the 3 days it was that the business world is changing every single day. Often, it’s changing in ways that we as small business owners don’t yet understand.
Lately, I’ve personally had the feeling that I can spend a good portion of each day trying to keep up with all the newness or I can work on my business, but I can’t do both. I talked to a bunch of entrepreneurs at the WTL conference who also have “change fatigue.” I came home thinking about how we can all keep ourselves prepared for change.
- Don’t try to embrace everything at once. When too many changes come at the same time, prioritize what you’ll focus on, and do that from your best guess about return on investment of your time. As an example, let’s look at the past few months, in which we went in Facebook to the “timeline” with cover page, to changes in how you could use your Facebook business page, to the “timeline” for business pages, to changes in cover photo rules, to the new size for the “profile picture.” Add in the sudden enormous interest in Pinterest and how to monetize that new social media, and the fact that Pinterest itself was changing policies and practices even as it gained in popularity almost overnight. Now throw in the continual changes in Google’s search engine algorithms and the consequent rise of content marketing. Are you dizzy yet? None of the time you take to understand the implications for your business does a single thing toward servicing existing customers every day – you want to keep your normal high level of service there for sure. So…..give a good long look to what you hug first.
- Once you understand the implications of a change, systematize and delegate it. Otherwise you will totally be nothing but a secretary to your business, not the small business owner you set out to be.
- One of the main things that characterizes the future for small business owners is uncertainty. Sooo……if you aren’t comfortable with uncertainly, think about how you can get down with it. A coach or mentor, maybe?
- As changes come, it’s harder for you to stand out from others who offer similar products and services. What to do? Look for holes in the market – even tiny ones – and figure out a way to fill that hole with new offers.
- Want your brand to stick as the world changes at an increasingly frenzied pace? Make sure that your advertising is entertaining, engaging, and has a strong emotional pull. (Thanks to Patrick McCann, Creative Director of Brand Partnerships at Bell Media for that wisdom.)
I got lots of new ideas and information (and some help with how to handle it all) at the WTL conference. But if I let the water hose become a fire hose of new stuff, I’m flooded out and can’t try anything new effectively. These are my best tips for now…..until, of course, they change. 🙂
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Great tips Sue! I agree and think that the best way to handle the speed of change in the marketplace is to hire a mentor that makes it his/her job to keep up and just filter the info to you.
Kiyla Fenell
Good stuff Sue! and I totally relate to this and love the social media example! and processes and get help!
And since I’m a nutritionist…making sure you’re getting enough nutrients, good real food and have adrenals that are in good shape – this all helps us cope so much better with change and overwhelm! 🙂
Trudy
I love that you suggest not embracing everything at once! I deal with this scenario all the time as a pro organizer, and while it’s simple advice, it’s highly effective advice, and it works!
Hi Carmen,
Kind of figured that one was a no-brainer for YOU (but not for most of us).
Sue
Fabulous article, Sue! One could really drive herself crazy trying to keep up with all the changes these days. I have found it helpful to focus on the changes that matter most. For most business owners the most important changes to keep up with are the ones that directly impact your ability to better serve your clients and/or customers. Rely on other expert professionals to keep your business “up-to-date” with everything else.
Such great tips, Sue for reminding us not to be overwhelmed by all the change, but find ways to make it manageable. It is so easy to get swept away with all the changes hitting us. I love the analogy to a water hose vs. a fire hose–that spoke to me! Less pressure!
Thanks, Linda.
Sue,
The one thing we can always count on is change. Great tips to prepare for and manage it.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Great post and it was a great conference. I like your advice on taking a long look to what to hug first. A good question would be “How will this help bring in $ for the business?”
Hi Sue, Love this srticle! One thing we can always count on in business and life is change. How we prepare for change is important. I find that flexibility is so important with your business plans. Change is good.. it’s OK! Bend and go with it.
Thanks
Gail
Great points Sue! I find that keeping up with changes is challenging. I think what’s important is that while you’re investigating all of those new things… don’t stop what is currently working for you. Implement changes smartly! Bounce ideas off of your success team for a sanity check.. Thanks Sue!
Awesome points you make Sue – and timely every day for everyone – at the moment for example I have decided not to play with Pinterest – why? not because I don’t think it is of value but because it is another rabbit hole I could go down and disappear in forever!
I love change, to me it means moving forward. I agree that you about prioritizing if it gets overwhelming. Lot’s of good information, thank you Sue.
As I come up on BIG changes in my business…I am faced with the realities of having to adapt to the changes. I am looking to expand with another quilting machine…I have the business right now and have a few avenues that can grow it even more right away. However, they are expensive, I will have to move everything around etc. are trying to keep me from moving forward. The above helps to eat it like and elephant – Thanks so much – I needed it!
Sue,
I just love your blog! Not only is it always full of good stuff, but it frequently brings a smile to my face! As someone who loves the marketing aspect of my business I have frequently found myself engaged in “marketing escapism”. This is where I invest lots of time and energy soaking up admittedly good information, but I’m not implementing anything. It’s enjoyable, but not terribly profitable! I know this isn’t exactly what you’re talking about in this post, but the feeling of “I can’t soak every new thing in and still actually get some work done” rang very true to me! I sure appreciate your efforts to do the impossible on our behalf – and thanks for the smile!
Hi Jeff,
Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoy my blog. And I love that it makes you smile. 🙂 I do know what you mean about “marketing escapism” and it IS related – and probably the topic for a whole other post. What types of things have you “escaped” with? (I have done that, too!).
Sue
My first love is reading, so I might be reading a Dan Kennedy book, or a Michael Port book, or a marketing newsletter or I might spend an hour trying to figure out QR codes or Purls – meanwhile, I’m not writing my newsletter! If I’m not careful I will fill my time with the esoteric and I will fail to do the things that I know work for my business. There’s no question that learning new things is good, but I have to make sure I’m working on implementation while I allow myself to dream about other cool stuff.
Your blog is so enjoyable because it is very much “front-line” material. It is very people-focused and touches on all the different relational dynamics in a small business. It is as applicable to a rug cleaning business as it is to a coaching business. I appreciate your passion for marketing and for your clients success.
Thanks, Jeff.