Hello Asana
I love products that help me manage workflow, and to be more efficient. No product can MAKE you be productive and efficient, but they can help. I've used DayTimer, Franklin Planner, Outlook and Palm Desktop. I've read Steven Covey and David Allen. I've learned something from all of them over the years. I've become mostly aligned with David Allen's Getting Things Done approach. If you are not familiar, do yourself a favor and check it out.
About 6 months ago I learned about Asana. It is a web-based team task management system. I've not adopted their model to use it to replace inter company email yet, but maybe I should. Asana is flexible, and yet offers enough structure & assistance to get you started with ease.
If you are in the market for something like this, Asana might be the answer - and it is free for small companies and very reasonably priced for others.
My favorite tip I've learned over the years is a way to manage tasks/questions I've delegated to others. David Allen calls it @Waiting For. I just use Waiting For. In our case it is a tag in Asana, but there are many other ways to use this idea.
Good luck and enjoy!
What are you reading?
Seriously. What are you reading? If you want to grow professionally, you need to read books. Yes, blogs can be great and articles can be good, but nothing helps the mind consider new things like books.
I was not huge fan of reading for fun or growth after college until a friend of my wife introduced me to Nelson DeMille. Then, I re-learned to love reading - like I did when I was a child.
Then, after I started my company, I started to read a lot of business related books - until it became a habit. The audio books were my addiction for a time - starting with tapes, then CDs and finally on my iPod. Hard cover books are still great, but my new favorite way to read is on my iPad.
DeMille and John Grisham are two fiction writers I go to for vacation reads, but there are many others too. As for business writers, I like Malcolm Gladwell, Seth Godin, and Patrick Lencioni.
Read The Tipping Point, Outliers or David & Goliath by Gladwell. Or, read Permission Marketing by Godin…or any of his other stuff. Start with 5 Temptations of a CEO by Lencioni - and you don't have to be a CEO to learn a ton from it.
My current favorite book is by Jay Baer, and it's called YoUtility. If you are in marketing, own a business or want to sell anything from today on - it is MUST read.
So, I'll ask again. What are you reading right now?
New jobs, old jobs and telling the difference
Seriously, how do you view your role in your company? What are your boring, routine tasks AND what are your larger responsibilities?
Certainly we all need the ability to 'turn off' work and not carry around the problems, challenges and blessings we experience in the workweek. And yet, we are in a 'always on' world. Staff, who doesn't at some level appreciate and respond well to this fact, may find their seat at the table moved or removed. Organizations today need people who create solutions where only problems existed before, or to create value where expense was the common viewpoint.
Because it is so thought-provoking, I'm not just providing a link to blog post - but I'm also including it right here. Enjoy the content then consider your role and those of people around you.
Who goes first? Initiating a project, a blog, a wikipedia article, a family journey--these are things that don't come naturally to many people. The challenge is in initiating something even when you're not putatively in charge. Not enough people believe they are capable of productive initiative.
At the same time, almost all people believe they are capable of editing, giving feedback or merely criticizing.
So finding people to fix your typos is easy.
I don't think the shortage of artists has much to do with the innate ability to create or initiate. I think it has to do with believing that it's possible and acceptable for you to do it. We've only had these particular doors open wide for a decade or so, and most people have been brainwashed into believing that their job is to copyedit the world, not to design it.
That used to be your job. It's not, not anymore. You go first.
Does technology make you less civil?
We have all done it. And at the same time, we all dislike it...or should.
We've checked our phone while with another person. In a car. At a restaurant. During a conversation with friends. It has become the norm, but it shouldn't be. Technology is making us less civil and courteous to one another and it is a trend that shouldn't continue.
You'll notice I'm not calling out young people because they are not the worst offenders, and they are still learning (or should be) proper social niceties.
Interestingly, mobile phones are not the only type of technology that helps us be less civil to one another.
Answering machines have long allowed people to screen calls and avoid those whom they don't wish to speak. Now caller ID and voicemail have allowed that to be taken to another level.
Interestingly, people don't return phone calls like they should either, even when they were the originator of the engagement. I wonder if it is an extension of the avoidance that they have long practiced.
Many communications companies are pushing the 'it will wait' message regarding texting while driving and I certainly agree with that on all levels. I hope to at least make you think about using technology to help you communicate better with others. Use it to help your civility and courtesy, rather than making it a barrier.
Think about this next time your phone vibrates in your pocket or purse, when you are with others. Your relationships will be better for it.
What does 'smart' look like in your company?
"The scene at mission control was what smart looks like. Retrorockets could have eased the Curiosity straight down to the surface, but that would have stirred up too much dust, perhaps fouling its works before it even got started. So the engineers chose the hard and creative and dangerous solution for the simple reason that it was also the best one." Time Magazine, Live From Mars, by Jeffrey Kluger
Scientists may spend a lifetime working on one problem. When I read about their 
efforts, the job of marketing seems so small by comparison. Then I remember that even if marketing is often devalued, great communication never is, and ultimately that is what great marketing delivers.
The challenge is that great is not easy. Great is hard, pain staking, time-consuming and frustrating work. However, great results are so exhilarating that you'll want work twice as hard as before.
Which brings us back to the question, 'what does smart look like in your company?'
Like creativity, 'smart' looks and acts differently in people and organizations. Many companies spend too much time reacting and not nearly enough time 'pro-acting.'
What do you need to do to make your company use the 'smart' you already have in your company?
The Power of the Stretch
When was the last time you were out of your professional comfort zone?
Did you go there on purpose or was it forced upon you? Regardless, how did it make you feel? What were the results?
If you don't grow and stretch you are going backward and the same can be said for companies. The challenge here is knowing you need to stretch and having the willpower or ability to get out of your zone are different things.
All you might need is time to think, and you can get there.
If you can't do it on your own, try this:
- Think about something you don't know how to do but you believe might be helpful to your marketing efforts (video clips, Google AdWords, Facebook ads, direct mail, TV ads, consumer behavior, whatever!)
- Go research it and figure out how to do it. If you can't work on it at work for whatever reason, do it at home. I'm sure you have a few hours in a month to spare.
Even if you don't end up using the tool, service or knowledge - you'll be smarter and it may lead you to something that IS helpful to you and your company.
Go stretch and learn. It might be the best thing you've done for yourself and your company.
Process = Success
If you implement anything more than a few steps long you have a process. Done well a process is your friend. It helps marketers or 
executives to insure you cover important bases and don't miss things. A good process is not static and improves over time.
An example from my daily work is our review process for newsletters - both electronic and printed. The process has saved us many times from making errors both BIG and small. We use similar processes for campaign themes and various other projects, as well. It works like this.
- We prepare and send a "First Look" which is mock up of the piece. It might have full stories and graphics in some places and ideas for stories in other places. It prompts the discussion.
- We prepare the newsletter based on feedback and send what is a 98% complete document to make sure the content we've developed follows the feedback/discussion provided in the First Look session. We state this is not polished, but should be close and we talk about any holes that still need filling (the 2%). We ask for a keen eye review.
- Following comments/suggestions/corrections, internally we do what we call the FTC (fine tooth comb). This is a detailed review where you re-read every word and you need to be in full editor mode. After writing and laying something out - often you can't see the forest for the trees, so you need extra keen eyes at this point.
- After FTC, we send the final out for approval. If someone finds something, we fix it. Most often, it is approved and we order.
This process works because it has been developed over time and everyone knows what to expect. We use it consistently and participants know what is needed at each step. It makes it easier for all involved AND we get the best results because of it.
What processes do you use to make your tasks easier to accomplish? An advice to make our process better? I love to learn.
You get more bees with questions!
Sales. Team building. Marketing. Or, just getting along with others. This skill will assist you in 
many areas.
Today there are numerous ways to interact with people. Facebook. Phone calls. Email. Skype. And yes, even face-to-face. This method will work with all of them.
It has nearly miraculous warming effects on people. The better you get at this the more positively people will think of you or your company. They’ll remember you. You likely will make more sales and build more brand equity. You'll probably be happier too.
What is this wonder skill? Questions.
Ask questions in a kind and polite manner and doors will swing wide open for you.
It takes sincerity. Failure may be painful because false sincerity is worse than rudeness. Consistency is needed to prove your sincerity at times.
If you show an interest in the people, remember names and use them to address those in which you speak, you’ll stand out and be remembered. Remember the sincerity rule here because you don’t want to be ‘that guy’ that over does this.
People care about their own interests and wants. That is not a fault; it’s just a fact. They might need what you have, but given the choice they’d rather get it from someone who is interested in them.
Done right. You’ll get more bees with questions. I promise.
Do you feel safe to make the wrong decision?
Trust is the cornerstone of a good company, and a good family for that matter.
Many fathers celebrated yesterday and I’d be willing to say that many cards had words similar to “thanks for helping, protecting and loving us.” I’m glad so many fathers are deserving of such praise.
Though companies are NOT families, they need many of the same things from their leader (whether female or male): assistance, safety and love, which are the foundation for trust.
If you are a manager at any level, you are entrusted with the care of those you manage. They need to trust you. You need to trust them. This is never a one-way street and it always starts with the leader. Always.
This can be somewhat scary if you are a new leader or just starting to build your culture. You’ll feel exposed. If you do, then you’re doing this right.
When your staff feels safe to make a tough decision because they know there's a trust safety net should things go wrong, productivity will soar – theirs and yours.
Need more upside? Decisions will get better because trust leads to more open feedback on the front end, which leads to better results. Obviously, part of trust is holding people accountable to their expectations. Expectations provide the guidance everyone needs to be successful.
The best news of all is trust works for everyone from marketers to technicians regardless of industry.
I've heard many great stories about how trust has been demonstrated. What are some of yours?
Joyous impatience
My Mom gave me a cup for high school graduation that said "God grant me patience...and HURRY!" I didn't yet recognize just how impatient I was. But she knew and I soon learned.
As a marketer or product developer, always remember: impatience can KILL your chance for success in so many ways.
For starters, you need patience to create ownership in ideas or strategy. Then, you need patience to allow the plan to work. And you need still more patience dealing with staff when they say things like "do something different because this idea hasn't worked" when results are not immediate.
Over the years, I've learned how to manage my impatience (mostly). I even have found ways to use it to help me create urgency when needed - without going overboard. A sense of urgency is good, and in many companies dearly needed, but impatience is not.
Try these three things if you're impatient:
- Go slow when you want to go fast. This works for talking and actions. Try it. Obviously this is scaleable based on the situation or magnitude of the matter at hand.
- Find a healthy distraction to save you from yourself. Maybe it is a walk around the office, chewing a piece of gum or 10 push ups. Back when I could count my clients on 1 hand and worked in a home office, I would mow my lawn or take a quick bike ride rather than pester my clients. Almost always, after that 30 minute break - I'd have the email reply I needed to move the project along.
- Work on something you are curious about. If you need some help, check out Ted Talks.
Seth Godin talks about impatience in his Seven Marketing Sins post and in his interview below. Enjoy. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sknuiFywKLM?feature=player_embedded]
Professional boredom. What!?
I'm sure my girls are not different than most other American students, at least when it comes to summer boredom (or at least their perception of boredom.)
You know what I'm talking about because we have all either a) been a student or b) been the parent of a student.
It plays out much the same way everywhere. Student counts down the days to the end of the year and comes home chanting 'summer, Summer, SUMMER' in their best High School Musical tones. By day two, you are certain to hear - I'm bored or there is nothing to do in the days before their summer activities kick off.
After this happened at my house, I started drawing parallels.
I know many professionals (myself included) that have at one time or another been bored in their job. They, like students with summer star in their eyes, worked or studied hard for the job or promotion. When the 'arrived' they were thrilled, like kids the day school is out for summer. They are content for a time, but when problems arise or the challenges stop coming, they get bored with their job.
How can you overcome the challenge of 'professional boredom' that many won't admit to having? Try some or all of these:
1) Read something. Professionals that don't read are going backward in their profession. Pick a book store. Find a book. Read it. Repeat. If books aren't your thing, find a new blog related to your profession or related subject and read it. Daily.
2) Take 30 minutes and clean up your work space. Often the act of organizing can help you feel more engaged. Or, you will dive into the task and it will pull you into some projects you've been dreading. Once you are into it you'll realize it isn't all that bad!
3) Use a vacation day during the week and do something you want to do - for you. Something that you won't take time for on the weekend.
4) Write down your goals or review them if you have previously written them. Are you on track? If yes, do you need to re-evaluate what you want to do. Off track? What will it take to get back on the path you set out?
5) Seek out a non-profit and volunteer for a project, committee or the board. You might use a new part of your skills and ignite your passion all over again.
It is OK to be bored and it's even fine to admit it, but it's not healthy for you or your company to stay bored. What are your favorite solutions to professional boredom?