Very exciting week.
Our Living Right Now www.livingrightnow.co.uk web site homepage has won the Everywoman Network Award.A vote of recognition by other everywoman members-peers, entrepreneurs.I'm absolutely delighted.
It feels like the first public endorsement of what we are aiming to do with living right now. Women who have visited the site are "getting it". They're understanding our relatively simple philosophy, they like the layout. they're signing up to receive the freebies and are enjoying the free downloads.
I've been putting the final touches to the licensed version of Get Your Career in Gear , my ebook/ecourse on developing your own career management system this week available at Career and A Life .We've received our first 500 of the printed inspirational cards aimed ay women-they're lovely. The book cover and illustrations for our tips book for professional women is almost complete.
It has got me thinking about outsourcing, about my experience of using the expertise of others and the lessons learnt in doing so.
Over the last 7 years in business, I've spent a considerable amount of time working on the design of my websites, on reviewing designs for logos and brand promoting materials, on looking at the layout of cards, books and the like -on considering colourways in various guises.
It took me quite a long time in business to start delegating things out to others and seek advice from others with more expertise,ideas and energy to produce things for me in specific areas
of my businesses. I use an assistant and VA services form time to time when the workload in the consultancy business gets heavy.
What makes all of these relationships work? They haven't always worked, so I am thinking that today is an opportune time to recognise what does.
- Relationship,intuition,relationship.If I can't "click" with a person I just know it's not going to work.I need to like them and respect them-quickly.
- Track record.Have they done what they say they've done and even if they have little experience because they're new to business, do I believe that they can deliver the goods?
- Are they going to deliver on time? I'm someone who takes on too much, sometimes works to the wire and yet ALWAYS delivers on time.If a supplier can't, I'm not interested.
- Is the quality of their work good and VFM? If I have to chase someone, check their work consistently or get nervous about what they're going to churn out for the ££ paid it reminds me of being a Senior Manager/HR Director and that experience of constantly managing and monitoring .I left corporate life in part because I was bored with that, so why would I entertain it now?
- Can they tell it to me straight? I don't have time to waste.So, if someone needs me to do/say/present something differently so that they can understand what's required or doesn't agree with or like what I'm doing,I'd rather they told me-quick.(Even if I don't like it and need to lie down in a darkened room for 10 minutes)
- Do they do what they do with good intentions? Intention plus delivery is everything to me.If someone messes up and makes a mistake, I'm not likely to shout and scream if it's genuine and they've done their best ( 2000 leaflets printed with the wrong web address sitting in a garage somewhere are testament to that) We all mess up sometimes.I'm more interested in what the person intends to do to make it right and get back on track without waiting for me to resolve it. like solution focused people.
- Me- can I make myself available, give feedback quickly enough and give enough feedback clearly to keep things moving and get a win win for both of us?
- Can I articulate clearly what I want, what I need by when and where it fits in my business so that outsourced suppliers get it and get me?
So, to those of you who have supplied me with business support to develop my businesses in the last 7 years here you are.Thankyou;Sarah Patience,Gary Hoyte,Ros Barker, Vicky Greig, Jan McCarthy,Martin and Nick at This is chemistry,Lisa Trouliotis, Keely Crowe, Judith Morgan, Nicola Cairncross, Steve Watson, Marion Ryan,Claire Raikes,Philip Samuel,Rohan,Alexandra Chalfont,Sue at Bossco,Nicola King, Leda, Samantha De Barry and If I forgot you it was only in this moment!
Marie
Marie
You always impress, sometimes inspire and never cease to amaze! What great news that your diligence and hard work has been formally recognised. Only the first of any more accolades to come I am sure. Your generosity of spirit deserves recognition.
I await more stories of success with eager anticpation. Cheers - Jane Mann
www.mapleconsulting.com
Posted by: jane mann | April 28, 2009 at 16:35
Thanks Jane
Abundant as ever!
Marie
Posted by: marie Taylor | April 28, 2009 at 16:48