Creatures of Comfort

I have noticed that there are a log of things that we do in our business because that is "the way we have always done it" read: routine. I challenged myself to examine my routines and determine if how I was doing it "the way I always did it" was effective or could I figure out at better way to do that activity.

A highlight of my findings: I highlight emails in my inbox to be in the marked as unread status when I need to deal with something but do not want to deal with it at the moment. I found that I re-read and highlight and unhighlight the item approx 10 times before I deal with the issue at hand. I procrastinate - there I said it. Wow! What a total waste of time! I have decided to allow my self to mark as unread 1x and then each day I need to allocate 30 minutes to go through all of the alleged "unread" messages and deal with them.

I challenge you to think of something you do in your business out of routine and see if there is a way you can do it differently and ultimately more effectively. Being a creator of comfort can lead to stagnation and impede your ability to innovate. Get uncomfortable and get out of your own way!

posted by Amy

And just a touch of Attitude...

IGC member, Joan Reilly of Life of Reilly Organizers recently sent me this article from Crain’s NY about Betty Zimmer of Bath Junkie. The article was awesome. Admittedly, I had not heard of Bath Junkie before but reading the article left me itching to visit the new store in New York and anxious to meet the entrepreneurs behind the curtain. Bath Junkie concept is simple and compelling – safe (for you and the environment) bath products designed by you (add scent and color). The concept is also proven – there are already 70 Bath Junkie retail outlets around the country. However, the article focuses on octogenarian Betty and sister-in-law Judy’s (also the franchisor) courageous decision to open a new store in one of the toughest retail markets (NYC) in the toughest retail climate (um, now…in case you hadn’t heard).

The interview highlights and questions Betty & Judy’s drive and determination to succeed despite the economy. And clearly, they are ready for the challenge of wooing cash-strapped, cautious customers. The website touts slogans such as “the economy stinks, you don’t have to”. And the personality doesn’t stop there! The website is littered with other catchy-hip phrases and slogans, which is both refreshing and unexpected. With this kind of energy and chutzpah, how can you resist conspiring to help them succeed?!

ps, new NYC location is on Mulberry between Prince & Spring.

posted by Adelaide

Need Seasoning? Pass the Mentorship!

Traditionally, we think of mentors to be those that are older, wiser, and have gone before us. However, now, many companies, including Walt Disney, are looking to partner more "seasoned" workers with younger workers who offer a different set of desired skills and expertise, for example technical knowledge. You might say these older workers are thereby receiving a little seasoning of their own.

This got us thinking about how it might be helpful to reframe mentorship...Perhaps it would be better to segment our "development needs" and find mentors who are accordingly suitable rather than look for "the whole package" or a carbon copy of your desired future self.

Instead of trying to identify where you want to be a few years down the line, locate someone similar, establish contact and a relationship, and twist their arm to give you lots of free advice and time, we could all focus on matching various mentors with our varying needs. The former seems daunting and a tall order, the latter seems actionable and pragmatic.

Instead of "Who do I want to be like", we can ask "Who can best teach me to have difficult conversations?" or effectively manage a project? or be more comfortable making an initial sales call? (Of course these are prompting me to ask myself what skills I would like to get mentoring around....what about you?).

What might it look like to work with these folks? Could it be a simple as casual correspondence? A few coffees? Can we engage with people who aren't even aware that they are mentoring us? What about those that even don't know us? (For example can I learn to interview better by listening carefully to Terry Gross?)

I would imagine that these answers will vary alongside each of our learning styles, but regardless it does feel quite exciting and liberating to think of all the people that we can very specifically learn from.

It is important to distinguish between bartering and the type of mentoring that I am suggesting...because there is a big difference.

With bartering you are exchanging your ability to do something for someone (very often it is something that you would otherwise get paid to do) in return for their willingness to do something for you. While, on the other hand, mentorship is about teaching skills and abilities. Mentees should have learned something new in the process that they are now able to leverage and employ. They leave the relationship changed, different, and more "seasoned".

And there is an equally large difference between services you should pay for and places where you can look for mentorship. On the one hand, there is no need to learn to do everything yourself (keep the accountant and the tech consultant for example!), and on the other, there are things that you should learn to do yourself and learn to do them right, by using a professional.

For goodness sake, don't ask for mentorship from someone who would otherwise get paid to share the expertise you are seeking. And make the necessary investments by hiring professionals where it seems appropriate...but I'd encourage you to think of a couple things that you want to improve and can learn from others...think about what they are and who can help and how. Consider how you can "season" yourself with the experience and wisdom of others...

Ecko-ing Success

Admittedly, Mark Ecko is a cultural icon that I admire and find intriguing. A white Jewish guy who has cemented himself as a central hip-hop/pop culture figure with a competitive business empire. He got his start as a graffiti artist (in 8th grade) and has spent the time since then growing his brand and market presence. What started as t-shirt art has now become a veritable lifestyle company rivaling the likes of Polo and Sean John (both companies that Ecko admires and learns from).

Ecko's story is found in an interview in the March issue of Inc. Magazine. What I love about this interview is that you can clearly see some of the thought processes behind key decisions at the Ecko company - for example the origins of the Rhino logo, and ruminations over the company name. He plainly talks about his initial aspirations and how he got started (love that he mentions writing his first business plan!).

Additionally, Ecko talks about how the message and meaning of his brand has really driven the direction of the company. His growth has been fueled putting the 'Ecko' spin on current events and by engaging the public in a manner reflective of the Ecko brand - thought-provoking, revealing, publicly informed and influenced.

What is interesting is how dramatically these brand-building, public discourse activities have impacted Ecko's retail growth though there is often no obvious link.

Ecko also discusses the decision to appeal not to the editorial fashion community, but instead to the "buying community". He wisely states "The gatekeepers aren't the goalkeepers"...Seems worth thinking about...

* Who are your gatekeepers?
* Who are your goalkeepers?
* Who do you try to appeal to?
* What drives the growth of your business?
* What fortifies and advances your brand?
by Adelaide

Lemons to Lemonade

I was thrilled to get this email from DailyCandy this morning (the Philadelphia edition - for those that don't know, that is where I live). It seems that a new initiative is allowing artists to use abandoned retail space on popular South Street (only a few blocks from me) instead of letting the space go empty. The artists don't need to pay rent, just cover utilities, and make the space their own.

Not only I am personally excited (since I will get to peruse these spaces) but I am also impressed with this creative solution to a community problem.

With a little more digging, I learned that the initiative is being arranged by the south street business district. I also found a list of other donors and soon-to-come galleries.

I am excited to see all the change and innovation that results from the chaos of this last year. In this case, repurpose seems to be the name of the game!

posted by Adelaide

IGC Book Club launches!

* Stressed by all those business books you feel like you “should” read?

* Curious about what books are really worth your time?

* Want to discuss what you are reading with other smart women?

* Eager to apply new learning to strengthen your business?

.......Join the IGC Book Club!

As always, we started our book club due to member suggestion. Our reading will focus on interesting and informative books about business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Our first book?
A Sense of Urgency by John Kotter














Our first meeting? April 14th from 3-5:30 pm.

During the first meeting we will also have an opportunity to discuss further book club initiatives, books, and details.

Joining us? igcrsvp@gmail.com with Book in the subject

IGC Members Step Up!!

A couple weeks ago, IGC hosted participants of The Step Up Women's Network's Pathways to Professions programs at IGC. The program allows college-bound girls to visit and learn about various business settings and careers.

We had a blast talking about entrepreneurship!

Several IGC members took part in this initiative, including Eden Abrahams of Clear Path Executive Coaching, Karla Lightfoot of Ladies Who Launch, Anne Kilcullen of Blade, Annie Lansing of Ann Lansing Designs, and Emily Wolper of E.Wolper Inc.

These IGC members shared their thoughts on and experiences of entrepreneurship with the group and talked about how and why they started their own business.

The Step Up gals were great, and by the end they were able to brainstorm and create businesses of their own. We were so impressed by their ideas and were glad to see the socially conscious components integrated in each of their desired ventures.

Thank you Step Up for this great opportunity! Thank you Eden, Karla, Annie, Anne, and Emily for sharing your time and experience! See us all hard at work below:

Adaptation: What is your company's 2.0?

While the economic uncertainties of the fall seemed to deliver an air of pause, caution, and consideration, the new year - and the resounding revelation that the soured economic climate is here to stay - seems to have helped usher in a call for action.
The last few months have encouraged many of us entrepreneurs to recalculate and recalibrate. And now it is time to move. Ah, adaptation - the plan previously unforeseen, the unplanned path taken.

We have talked and worked with many who are in the process of adapting their company, product, service, offering - in other words creating the 2.0 version of their own company. Maybe, for your company, it previously made sense to do one thing, but now, another. Perhaps a former best-seller is replaced by a lower-cost version or a new suddenly-in-demand product. Or, alternatively, the climate change has brought about opportunities and markets that didn't exist before. On a smaller scale, it could be that your offering remains the same but your pitch and positioning has changed to match the new marketplace.

With adaptation on the brain, we spotted some interesting examples from a Fast Company
article this month. The larger article highlights "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies", but a few adaptation examples stood out. In each case, these adaptations have been in the works long before the economic downtown began, however, they demonstrate the type of thinking (mirroring customer need) that is required today.

Amazon - no description needed, as everyone is familiar with the online marketplace GIANT. However, CEO Jeff Bezos had something really interesting to say about Amazon's recent foray into the product market with the recently launched Kindle reader. "There are two ways to extend a business. Take inventory of what you are good at and extend out from your skills. Or determine what your customers need and work backward, even if it requires learning new skills. Kindle is an example of working backward." Read Fast Company's profile.

Etsy - originally an online handmade artist community cum marketplace, Etsy is continuing to adapt and change its offering to meet the growing needs of both its buyers and sellers. Some of the new projects that they have integrated into the offering are their "This Handmade Life" - an opportunity for sellers to establish a personal relationship with buyers by profiling themselves and their business through images, text, videos, etc.; "Virtual Labs" - online meet-ups that can be used (by sellers, buyers, and observers alike) as trunk shows, workshops, and special interest groups; "Custom Section" - an opportunity for buyers to post their specific need and receive bids from interested crafters and artists. Read Fast Company's profile.

Zappos - innovative and adaptive from the start and a fantastic example of entrepreneurship, Zappos began by bucking the status quo in online shopping by taking a very customer-experience-centric perspective. Not only do they provide free shipping BOTH WAYS!, but they incorporated multi-view product images to help incorporate a primary advantage of traditional, off-line shopping. Read Fast Company's profile.

We suspect that this will be a prevalent theme and business challenge for some time to come. So, if you haven't already started to think about your company's 2.0, now is the time!
If you have already started to think about it or act on it, then great! We would love to know! Share with us how you have adapted your company in response to the changing economic climate.

Need some inspiration or guidance?
An excerpt in the Lyles Center newsletter, and originally from Donald Kuratko, offers a helpful overview of what they call "source of innovative ideas". We think of them more like game changers, things that shake up the marketplace and create opportunity, such as unexpected occurrences, incongruities, process needs. It may be helpful to think about how these 8 shifts apply to your business. We want to know:

In what ways have you ADAPTED?
Services?
Products?
Offerings?
Positioning?
The customer experience?
Your operations?

posted by Adelaide

Be VISIBLE

If there is any advice to be given for 2009 it is to BE VISIBLE. It is so imperative in this uncertain economy to remain on the on the radar of your existing clients and potential clients. As people are taking a “trimming the fat” approach to business expenses and are being much more cautious about business investments, you want to make sure that you are not one of the casualties. How do you do that? Make sure that customer service is a major priority. Make sure that you are doing all that you can for your clients. Check in with them and see if there is any way that you can be of more help. In lieu of sending a “thanks for being a customer” note, demonstrate that through your actions.

If companies have put projects on hold, you want to keep the dialog going. Maintain your connection so that when they restart the project, they will choose you as the vendor. DO NOT DISSAPEAR.

We encourage you to be creative about how to stay on the radar. Send your clients articles that you believe are relevant and interesting to them. If you are a social networker, make sure to send updates about recent successes and current projects.

In addition, we cannot emphasize how important the "in-person" is, both for making new connections as well as strengthening existing ones. Nothing replaces the face-to-face meeting. While people have relied on online tools (social networks, email) to keep connected, we suggest that those techniques supplement in person connectivity.

Now is the time to go to conferences, events and strategic networking meetings.

Now stop reading this blog and go out an meet a client or colleague in person!

posted by Amy Abrams

REAL DEAL: The PR Lowdown! (recap)

We were thrilled to have a full house for our first “real deal” event - The PR Lowdown - on Wednesday…we took over the back work lounge in order to accommodate almost 40 attendees. We developed the Real Deal series as a way to demystify and explore business topics that are challenging for small business owners to get REAL information about…things like PR, and web presence (March 4), and SEO (April 1).

Our fabulous and generous panel members included Marci Alboher, Lisa Roth, Lori Dolnick, and Joanne Cole, all of whom have experience in multiple roles in the world of journalism and public relations.

In addition to tons of tips and resources our discussion included PR topics such as:
* when do you need to work with a PR professional and what is the value of doing so?
* when is it appropriate for business owners to 'do it on their own'?
* what are you able to do for your clients that they really aren't able to do for themselves?
* what 'cons' should be considered before taking it on yourself? Things to watch out for or be aware of?

& on the Journalist side, we discussed:
* How do you find the subjects for your articles?
* What roles do PR reps play in that process? What about press releases?
* How has your “sourcing” changed over the last few years, if at all?
* What compels you to make an ongoing relationship with a source?
* What compels you to choose one source or expert over another?

The audience also engaged the panel on the role of new media in PR and journalism…how it has changed things, what tools to use, what to know about etiquette, and where to get informed!

It was a fantastic conversation and we are very grateful to all who participated!

Looking forward to the other upcoming panels!!