Workplace Boundaries- can solve conflict and improve communcation

Boundaries are an essential part of building healthy relationships, however, having unclear boundaries can create a number of challenges.  Sharon Sayler was a guest on my Conversations with Charmaine Radio Show and we talked about boundaries, communication and the art of saying no. 

Sharon talked about boundaries in the workplace, and that “loose” boundaries can demonstrate a lack of respect for each other. It can create confusion and sometimes unwanted behaviors because the boundaries weren’t clear.  Clear and healthy boundaries result in everyone knowing the framework for relationships and communication, and can actually be preventative.

Here is the link to our discussion so you can listen to the great tips shared by Sharon:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charmainehammond/2013/05/08/guests-monika-burwise-and-sharon-sayler

Communication is a challenge that many teams face… and Sharon reminded us that men and women do communicate differently on some levels.  For example, their language is different, women will often use the term “issue or challenge” whereas men may refer to this as “problem.”  Language can impact how we listen to others, interpret their message, and, what with do with what we hear. 

Sharon talked about saying no…without guilt.  “When you don’t know the value of saying yes, you won’t know the value of saying no”, what a powerful statement this is. It reminds us to think carefully about our choices and to know that conflict sometimes surfaces when you dodge the “no.”

Here are a few tips to help with boundaries.

First, differentiate between a “need” and a “want.”  Take the conversation to the “need” level, this is where you begin to really understand a person’s underlying interests and motivators. Then ensure you minimize assumptions and the “they should have known” statements.  

Second, if someone's behavior, actions or communication is bothering you, provide them with respectful feedback. People can't change their actions if they don't know there is a problem. 

Third, practice the art of saying no. Say no to little requests to start. If you say YES to everything, there is no time or energy to do the things you really want.

Visit Charmaine at :

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www.CharmaineHammond.com

and on social media:

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For more information, contact charmaine@hammondgroup.biz to get your copy of Bounce Forward- Courageous Dialogue.

Selling books and products in bulk- to non traditional retailers

Brian Judd is an author, book-marketing expert,  TV host, and, President of Premium Book Company that sells books to non-bookstore buyers on a non-returnable commission only basis.  Brian is also the Executive Director of SPAN, which is the Successful Publishers Association of North America. 

His book How to Make Real Money Selling Books (without worrying about returns) is an ultimate do it yourself guide to selling books to non-bookstore buyers and selling in bulk with no returns. 

I interviewed Brian on my radio show Your Book as a Business, and he provided some great tips for book sales for authors. Brian talked about a few of the many ways that corporations buy author’s books in bulk. One such way is for employee recognition or to go with awards, to give to their members or staff, as a customer recognition or sign up bonus, or to compliment employee training and development.  There are many other organizations that also buy books in bulk, such as homeschooling associations, Military, schools associated with the Military, government, book clubs and professional associations.

Many authors think the wider and bigger the market for their book the better, however, Brian urges authors to consider that the tighter and smaller the market, the better.  It is easier to build relationships, zero in on a marketing strategy and find the niche when your market is smaller. Think about yourself and your book as a problem solver. When you can determine what problem you solve, it is easier to market and generate multiple book sales. 

Brian gave examples of dog food companies who gave authors books away (after purchasing in bulk) as a coupon or with a bag of dog food.  The formula to remember is:

AIDA

Attention, Interest, Desire then Action;

What corporations, associations or groups might have an interest in your book (or their clients or staff may have interest because you solve their problem)?  How can you attract their attention?How can you apply this approach to your business?

You can listen to Brian Judd’s interview with me here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2013/05/15/guest-brian-jud

To read more tips for authors, visit www.HowToSellAndMarketYourBook.com
 

To buy Brian's book, visit:

 

Creating Wildfire around your business and message

Teresade Grosbois knows how to create a wildfire.

 It takes a spark, wind and fuel.  Teresa describes the wind as the powerful relationships that you create. The spark is the problem you solve and the relationships fuel the fire.   

Networking smarter and with influential people is important to business success, although you must know the rules of the game. You cannot just go and ASK people for some big ask without having a relationship with the person.  Teresa describes this as the premature ask. For example, A new neighbor moves in on your street and comes over and asks to borrow your lawnmower. Having never met the new neighbor, that might feel odd, awkward and a big ask having just met this person.  Instead Teresa points out, if the new neighbor came over with a pie, there would some good gossip going on, and the basis of a relationship forming.   This is a good example of giving before asking.

Teresa de Grosbois is a professional speaker and three times best selling author, she knows what it takes to turn word of mouth marketing to epidemic levels. She is also the chair of the Evolutionary Business Council.  She started off with a big vision and contemplated the “what ifs” and “whys” behind her vision. Businesses and leaders can do the same thing. 

Create a big vision, and seek out the internal champions and change agents on the team. Strong leaders know when and how to engage champions, and when to release some of the control to let the team succeed.  

In terms of contacts and business relationships, more is not necessarily better. In fact, a handful of deep, trusting relationships is far better than a lengthy list of contacts who need to be reminded who you are when you contact them. Coming from a place of collaboration is very different than a place of competition.  Teresa gave several examples of this on the interview, and reminded listeners that their biggest competitor could be their strongest ally. 

You can listen to Teresa talk about networking, creating a word of mouth epidemic around your business and message, and how to build relationships with influencers at:

Listen to internet radio with Conversations with Charmaine on Blog Talk Radio

Social Media is Social

Social media doesn't need to make you feel like this. 

In fact, we live in an era that social media is an essential part of business. Social media is social....

Rick Cooper was a recent guest on my Conversations with Charmaine radio show, and provided some very helpful information about social media for businesses.  You can listen here:

Listen to internet">http://www.blogtalkradio.com">internet radio

He offered some very valuable reminders for businesses, leaders and entrepreneurs as it relates to social media and its best uses.  He urged us to remember that social media is social, it is about building relationships and conversations with people, not about actively selling and marketing.

In fact, Rick suggested that we apply the 80/20 rule: 80% of your social media posts should be conversations and relationship based, and 20% or less can be promotional.  Rick suggested that you look at Twitter and Facebook to see what people are sharing. It seems that quotes, photos and photos with quotes, and inspirational or humorous messages are what gets actively shared, and videos.  Think about what you can offer your friends and followers that is of value, and gets them engaged. 

Remember to respond back to people in the conversation. Otherwise it feels like you start a conversation and then walk out. 

You can also use social media to connect with people before events. Rick shared a story whereby someone approached him at a business networking event, as the individual had found and connected with Rick first through different social media platforms. This certainly helps with engagement, and relationships building.

How can you apply the 80/20 rule in your social media plan?
1) pre write posts for 30 days
2) create a social media plan with themes for each month
3) use a timer when on social media so that you do not get lost in cyberspace.

Feel free to share this blog with others who can benefit from the tips. 

Are you going to retire happy?

Do you have what it takes to retire happy?

 What does retiring happy look like for you?

 

“Retiring happy means something different to each person,” said Jim Yih, who is one of Canada’s leading experts on money, retirement, investing and personal finance. Jim was a guest on my radio show

 How much money do you need to retire? What are your thoughts? Jim encourages people to ask themselves this question, and to answer it you must really know what lifestyle you want to maintain during retirement to be happy, then you can determine how much you will need to sustain that way of living in retirement. 

Retiring happy is good for your health!

The good news is that we are living longer. The challenge? We need to be clear on what we foresee us doing in retirement and planning to have the resources to support that, otherwise we end up living in a way that impacts our health and overall happiness.  

Here's Jim's tips to help you retire happy.

Create your life plan... write a list of the activities you wish to continue or pursue in retirement, where you want to travel, any education you wish to take, where you want to live, etc. Jim also suggests that you create a everyday to do list. This is the list of what you will do each day in retirement. For example,do you wake up and enjoy a coffee on your front porch, or are you biking to the local coffee shop each day?  Each choice has a different cost attached to it to be considered in your planning.  

Jim also suggested a great question to consider in the coming day.  “If you left work today, what would you miss?” then write it down.  

You can learn more about Jim at www.retirehappy.ca

To listen to our interview and the many other great tips Jim provided, listen to  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charmainehammond/2013/03/06/guests-jim-yih-liz-allen-and-mark-fangue