Looking back at your business journey, you know how you got started, you remember the highs and the lows, and you know the people you met who made the most difference. Every detail and bump in the road creates your narrative and positions you as the perfect person to do what you do. Keeping their founder’s story private is a mistake many entrepreneurs make, but entrepreneur and author Mark Leruste is on a mission to turn this around. As founder of Ministry of Purpose, award-winning host of The Unconventionalists podcast, keynote speaker and author of Glow in the Dark: how sharing your personal story can transform your business and change your life, Leruste inspires people to have the confidence to share their personal stories in a way that is authentic and empowering. Most people don’t share their story because they think it’s dull. They think no one cares and they can’t see the benefit. Leruste knows they are wrong. “People are just too damn close to their story that they don't see the mountain of value they're standing on,” he said. Here are the three reasons that sharing your personal story can transform your business and change your life. Stories make people pay attention “We are hard-wired to pay attention, engage with and retain stories,” explained Leruste. “Since the first primitive language-like systems emerged over 2 million years ago, storytelling has been a vital part of sharing and retaining information to survive and thrive as a species.” Your biology wants you to do it, and other people are programmed to want to hear what you have to say. Leruste describes storytelling as, “the ultimate hack” for grabbing attention and making sales. But why is it so powerful? Apparently, it’s down to neuroscience. In his book, Leruste explains the research of Doctor Uri Hasson, a neuroscientist at Princeton University, who studies how we tell and hear stories. One study explains how an effective story may allow two brains to sync. “According to Hasson, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments show that initially, the brainwave activities of a storyteller and a listener are different, as you’d expect them to be. But as the storyteller shares their story the MRI shows that the brainwaves of the listener begin to match the brainwaves of the storyteller.” Leruste’s research, including of Hasson’s findings, led him to believe that storytelling is, “the oldest and most powerful tool in your entrepreneurial toolbox” because telling your story creates a connection between you and the listener. It helps them understand your hopes and dreams and understand where you come from. They relate to you, they empathize. They can feel inspired and persuaded by your message. Your story is your only true unique selling point Nearly everything in your business can be copied. Competitors can figure out your secret recipe, duplicate your content, products and services and emulate your sales strategy, but they cannot copy your founder’s story. That belongs only to you, so it makes sense to leverage it. “In today’s noisy digital world, people buy from people they know, like and trust,” explains Leruste. “And personal storytelling is the best way to emotionally connect and engage with your audience to create that sense of trust with you.” Leruste knows that “people connect far better with another human than with a faceless brand or logo.” How often have you read the about page of a website to learn about the husband-and-wife team who risked everything to create their products and build their business? These stories are popularized by savvy business owners because they work. Even as these brands grow and become acquired, the tales remain. Ben & Jerry’s still tells the story of school friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opening their first scoop shop in a Vermont gas station in 1978 despite being bought by Unilever in 2000. It’s the same for Quaker Oats, Spanx, Cadbury and Starbucks. The story is remembered long after the business changes hands. “It would be crazy for you not to leverage the most valuable asset you possess to stand out from the crowd,” said Leruste. Criminal, almost. You wouldn’t waste your profits or not put your best team members to work in your business. But you’re leaving cash and impact on the table when you stay in the shadows. Sharing your story heals you and inspires others Leruste highlights the work of comedians in talking openly about, “their flaws, imperfections and embarrassing moments in a very public setting.” This, he said, is what builds their tribe of superfans. “Kevin Hart attracts more than 50,000 fans to watch his Sunday stand-up,” because “we are all desperate for that sense of relief that we’re not alone in our earthly struggles.” Leruste believes that hearing someone else talk about their shortcomings reminds us that we aren’t as terrible as we sometimes believe we are. “Most people don’t realise that there is a tremendous gift in the process of owning and sharing your personal story, warts and all,” said Leruste. When you do, “you will experience the ultimate freedom, which is that no one can hurt you when you have nothing to hide.” In his work with entrepreneurs and business leaders, Leruste meets people who are afraid of what the world will think or say if they find out who they really are. “God forbid anyone should know that you sometimes have an off-day or that your life isn’t as perfect as your Instagram feed or that you don’t have it all figured out,” he challenged. When someone fully owns their story, it’s magnetic and compelling. “The reason why we are attracted to people who unashamedly own their story is that, deep down, we too want to drop the mask and just be our authentic selves, especially in a professional or business context.” Seeing someone else do it makes it okay for us to show up. Transform your business and life by stepping into the spotlight Leruste wants you to make your choice. “Do you spend your time and energy hiding away and controlling people’s perception of you, for the sake of feeling safe and having a false sense of control?” Or do you choose to spend that same time and energy, “figuring out the moments in your past that can inspire, resonate and make you memorable?” The latter, he said, will mean you can impact the lives of yourself and others in the most positive way. Make people stand up and listen, leverage your true USP and help others become better versions of themselves by sharing your journey with your networks, prospects and customers. Source: https://www.forbes.com Image Credit: Getty Images
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Running a remote business comes with a different set of challenges to having a team who all work from the same office. Things that once made sense now don’t. Lines that were definite are now blurred. There’s a new set of expectations and myriad ways to operate. The events of 2020 forced many companies to adopt remote work with zero training or guidance. It’s no surprise that feelings of burnout and a lack of work-life balance were at an all-time high. Not only that, but the definitions aren’t widely understood. Working remotely does not mean working from home. Truly location independent companies understand the nuances and are creating a structure that means business success and an enjoyable life for everyone involved. Mitko Karshovski is the host of That Remote Life, a top 2% podcast covering the remote work revolution and the digital nomad lifestyle. Since 2018, his work has helped remote companies establish operations and culture from a remote-first perspective. After guiding hundreds of entrepreneurs looking to better run remote teams, Karshovski created a set of rules for effective remote work. Karshovski believes following these 12 simple rules will mean you and your team are, “more productive, less anxious, and positioned to grow and thrive.” 1. Look for answers before you ask questions Karshovski believes that all companies working remotely not only need to make good use of Google, but they also need to have “a handbook that keeps track of how things are done in the company.” Your manual, playbook or collection of SOPs. Whatever it’s called, it needs to exist. He advised that, “before asking anyone in your team how to do something, check if the answer is in the company’s handbook.” If it takes more than five minutes to find the answer, that document needs to be improved. 2. Only solve problems you are qualified to solve “The person that is closest to the problem is usually the one that is best suited to make decisions about that problem,” said Karshovski. They have the most information and are most likely to come up with the best solution. “Trust t hem to make the right call.” You wouldn’t “ask managers how to solve a coding issue” or a developer how to solve a marketing issue and Karshovski agrees this “will likely end in disaster.” But, similarly, avoid weighing in on decisions you aren’t best placed to make, because this overcomplicates and creates unnecessary lines of enquiry. 3. Create physical and mental boundaries Avoid burnout by creating “a sacred work space both digitally and physically.” Karshovski advised you don’t work where you relax. Instead, “Go to a coworking space, find a coffee shop you love, or even try working from a local museum. You’d be surprised how good the internet speed is at museums.” If you use the same computer for work and fun, use different profiles and accounts so you keep work and home separate. Karshovski uses Notion to create dedicated spaces for work and life. 4. Identify and share your weaknesses Karshovski encourages his clients to, “share their weakness with the team.” This doesn’t “make you a bad worker,” he said. Instead, it will make it easier for them to know where you might need support and how they can help. “No one is perfect, we all struggle with something.” Your team exists to cover your weaknesses, and you theirs. Accepting that you each have downfalls focuses your mind on the solution; on solving the puzzle of how everyone’s strengths are best utilized. 5. Maximize your non work time If you work largely asynchronously or have the ability to get your work done without a time overlap with the rest of your team, make the most of it. “This allows you to work around your life, rather than the opposite,” which means you can rethink your time. Use this to “do epic stuff,” said Karshovski. There’s no excuse. Get your work done to a high standard and use every other second to “travel the world, take on side projects or experiment with a new hobby.” Karshovski said having fun remote working is the whole point. 6. Create and stick to a routine As a wise man once said, discipline equals freedom. Routine doesn’t stifle creativity; it allows for it. Karshovski guides his clients to, “create boundaries for your work so it doesn’t blur into the rest of your life, and vice versa.” He knows that in the long run, “your family, coworkers and mental health will thank you for it.” Your default day could be exactly the same, as long as the structure works for you. Perhaps you do deep work in the morning, exercise and eat in the middle of the day, then do manager work and smaller tasks in the afternoon before exploring a new city in the evening. Whatever works for you, just make sure it’s intentional. 7. Only your results count The golden rule of remote work, according to Karshovski. “How you get work done doesn't matter as long as you deliver.” Duration, effort and input doesn’t matter, it’s the results that count. But while you can only be judged on your results, if they’re not up to scratch, your methods will be questioned. “If you’ve found a way to get something done in less time while meeting expectations, more power to you,” he said. “But if you’ve found a way to do get things done faster, cheaper, or more efficiently, it’s your responsibility to show the rest of your team so they all benefit.” 8. Invest in your hardware If you aren’t seeing people face to face, how you appear on a screen matters, so Karshovski wants you to “invest in a good microphone and webcam.” For less than $100 your video can, “look and sound as good as your local TV anchor,” an investment that you should absolutely make. Karshovski compares this to office work, where you wouldn’t, “turn up wearing a stained shirt and dirty sweatpants.” For working remotely, don’t show up for a video call sounding like you’re in a hurricane. 9. Plan for no response Being left hanging isn’t ideal in a work situation, and with a remote team it’s inevitable as you all clock off at different times. Karshovski advised you “always add a ‘dead man's switch’ for decisions.” This means you let people know what action you will take if they don’t respond. For example, “let them know which option you will go with if they don’t answer in a certain number of hours,” but give them plenty of time. No one wants to work in a place that forces urgency and hurried decisions, so aim to overcome blockers to action without enforcing them on others. 10. Improve your written communication Without face-to-face interactions happening (unless they are planned), written communication becomes even more important. Karshovski said you should take extra care to improve your emails and messages. Ask, “Is your question clear? Did you make any silly spelling mistakes? Did you include answers to any obvious follow up questions?” Finally, did you signal the best solution or the next steps, or is the way forward ambiguous? Karshovski believes “your team will appreciate the extra effort.” 11. Assume positive intent “Communicating through text can sometimes make things sound sharper than they were intended,” said Karshovski. “So always assume that messages are positive.” As the writer of messages, remember text will be inferred in the worst way possible, so read it as such when you proofread and adjust. Karshovski knows that emojis are your friend. “They may be silly, but they are a great way of making sure that a message that may come across as sassy is received in the positive way that it was meant to.” 12. Overcommunicate your availability Working remotely puts you on a different schedule to your team and your availability is likely not to overlap very much. Karshovski says overcommunicate your availability to avoid issues. “Make it clear when you won't be at your computer,” which he said avoids the team, “assuming you're available and waiting on your response.” Similarly, respect the stated availability and working patterns of your team members.” Overcommunicate to find a cadence that works well. If you absolutely need crossover time with certain members, agree on this together. Follow the 12 commandments of remote work to communicate effectively, do your work to a high standard and enjoy your life when you’re not working. Edit these rules to suit your workplace and share them somewhere everyone can see. Source: https://www.forbes.com Image Credit: Getty Images
Running a business is never easy. There are always new challenges to face and fires to put out. Though it's usually necessary to deal with problems as they emerge, it's also crucial to find methods to prevent them from happening in the first place. Businesses that are able to prevent issues rather than fight them every day can be more efficient and successful in the long run. One way to do that is by productizing and developing processes and systems. You can make your business more efficient and successful by creating repeatable, reliable solutions to common problems. I want to share with you a couple of tips on how to make it happen. Let's dig into it. 1. Automate when possible. Growing businesses are often under pressure to handle a lot of different tasks simultaneously. This can lead to chaos and confusion, which in turn can cause even more issues to deal with. Your company can experience fewer urgent problems when you automate its operations. By automating routine tasks, like email marketing, social media management, workflow management, SEO, lead generation, content management, data tracking and so on you can save time, save energy and maximize output from your team. 2. Delegate to competent employees or contractors. To avoid fires and minimize the potential for chaos, delegate tasks to competent team members or outside contractors. However, you need to delegate wisely. Not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks are more important than others, and some tasks are more complex than others. When you delegate a task, make sure you give it to someone who is capable of completing it successfully. Another important point is to delegate efficiently. Make sure you assign tasks to other people in a way that maximizes everyone's time and resources. This can help ensure that your employees or contractors are able to get the job done quickly and effectively. 3. Simplify operations. As an entrepreneur, one of your main goals should be to find ways to simplify internal business processes. The more repeatable, reliable solutions you develop for common problems in the workflow, the more efficient your business can be. You can further improve your business by making it super smooth for customers to work with you through their entire buyer’s journey. Do that by simplifying the process of purchasing and using your services or products. Also, make sure your prospects can easily find the information they need on your website. 4. Create a company culture of transparency and communication. A healthy company culture is one of the keys to a successful business. When employees feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and productive. A culture of support, empowerment and transparency can also help reduce employee turnover, which can be costly and disruptive for businesses. Creating a positive company culture takes time and effort, but it's worth the investment. By implementing systems and processes that support transparency and communication, you can create a work environment that is conducive to productivity and creativity. If you're feeling bogged down by fighting fires, it's time to start looking for ways to put out fewer of them. It won't be easy, but with some grit and creativity, you can make it happen. Automating, delegating, simplifying and creating a company culture of transparency can help turn your business into a well-oiled machine. Source: https://www.forbes.com Image Credit: Getty Images
At a recent event, I spoke to a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) about how it was not untypical for him to have a day of 14 back-to-back half-hour meetings. He explained that this started during the early part of the pandemic, and by 4 pm, he was absolutely exhausted and struggled to stay focused and pay attention. He added, however, that over time he got used to such a heavy schedule and was able to manage his energy and concentration better. On hearing this story, I commented that while I often hear stories like this from all sorts of executives at different firms, I am often left wondering how folks end up doing any work if they are in back-to-back meetings all day. I asked slightly tongue-in-cheek how we had gotten to his point, given that I'd never seen a job description that contained any objective that required a person to attend as many meetings as physically possible. This raised a few smiles and quite a few nods. Whilst my comment was playful, it also contained a serious point and one that I have made to many executives about how they should actively manage their time to create the space necessary to really think about and understand the challenges they are facing. I was thinking about that conversation again the other day when I came across some research from Microsoft about the impact on our brains and emotional state when we have back-to-back meetings. Using an electroencephalography [EEG] cap, the Microsoft research team were able to monitor the electrical activity in the brain of back-to-back meeting participants. Unsurprisingly, they found that back-to-back virtual meetings are stressful, and a series of meetings can decrease your ability to focus and engage. However, the research also found that introducing short breaks between meetings to allow people to move, stretch, gather their thoughts or grab a glass of water can help reduce the cumulative buildup of stress across a series of meetings. That's really useful insight, and I hope that more executives and their teams embrace the introduction of these short breaks between meetings to reduce stress, support well-being and maintain attention levels. But I've also been thinking about whether these research findings have a broader application. Specifically, I've been thinking about whether the calls taken by customer service agents could be analogous to a series of very short, back-to-back meetings. If they are, that has ramifications for the amount of stress customer service representatives have to deal with. This is brought into sharp focus when you consider that the average customer service representative is often expected to be constantly on calls for the duration of an 8-hour shift apart from a 30-minute lunch break and two 15 min breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. So, is it any wonder that the contact center industry faces perennial burnout and high levels of staff churn? Suppose we want to build a more sustainable approach to serving our customers, particularly over live channels like the phone or video. If we do, we need to think more clearly and empathetically about our agents and what they go through. Now, I know that technology is evolving to help with this challenge and that’s great. But we shouldn't stop there. Building a more attractive and sustainable contact center model will require us to rethink both contact center operations and their economics. Source: https://www.forbes.com Image Credit: Getty Images
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