This week started off with many "new beginnings". One of my best friends got married. She is one of my idols - the epitome of patience. She did things her way, never hurrying. She earned degrees from respected universities, holds a doctorate, bought her home, and lived life. She found the man with whom she wants to spend her life and married him. She always knew that life would give back what she put in. Even with others pushing and prodding her, she stood her ground and took her time. I think of her when I am impatient about growing this business. I am jumping from one thing to another trying to get a return on the investment of my time because I feel the urgency of "first to market" or "hitting while the iron is hot". I have to remind myself to be patient - put in the right work and the returns will come.
Right after the wedding I drove to DE to assist my cousin in delivering her first child. It is always a pleasure being able to help another woman give birth - and I so enjoy not being in the hot seat. My cousin is my hero. Her brow never broke a sweat and she delivered naturally - sans epidural. Welcome to the world Rebekah!
I have been thinking about these moments constantly. About how we all work hard for our achievements and how these two women have only hit a milestone, because in life there are no finite goals - just steps along the continuous paths.
We are working hard to make some major strides before 2008 finishes and it seems overwhelming at times. It would be great to hand off some of the worries and work, but I believe that we are poised to take our step soon. The key is to not scream (at least not too loudly - and not at the kids).
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Test of Professional Friendships
OK. Here goes. I am just going to ask for help - let's see what happens.
We are trying to form partnerships with the big guys: Monster.com, The Ladders, Dice.com, etc. To do so, we have to show our value. Well, we know quite a few staffing professionals who post jobs on these sites. We are going to ask them to add this tag line to their job listings:
The goal is to prove the benefits to staffing professionals who have to sort through a million resumes and to obviously gain endorsement for our services.
Our Feedback Tour is proving to be quite effective in providing proof that YES recruiters would appreciate receiving proof of credentials at the start of the hiring process. ESPECIALLY with the increase in resume fraud (too many people on the market competing for the same jobs tend to make people embellish more - go figure).
My belief is that this should be straightforward (unless the staffing company has to pay per word for their job postings).
What could be the objections?...
We are trying to form partnerships with the big guys: Monster.com, The Ladders, Dice.com, etc. To do so, we have to show our value. Well, we know quite a few staffing professionals who post jobs on these sites. We are going to ask them to add this tag line to their job listings:
The goal is to prove the benefits to staffing professionals who have to sort through a million resumes and to obviously gain endorsement for our services.
Our Feedback Tour is proving to be quite effective in providing proof that YES recruiters would appreciate receiving proof of credentials at the start of the hiring process. ESPECIALLY with the increase in resume fraud (too many people on the market competing for the same jobs tend to make people embellish more - go figure).
My belief is that this should be straightforward (unless the staffing company has to pay per word for their job postings).
What could be the objections?...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Feedback Tour
Remember Field of Dreams? "If you build it, he will come"? Well, how about if no one wants what you build? Woot.com has a bunch of products that retailers apparently don't want. I am sure that many of you can name a recent technology that bit the dust right after release.
We want to make sure that people want what we are selling, so we are launching a Feedback Tour. We are going to our faithful clients and other HR professionals to confirm that our Val-ID-ate product fills a need.
Yes, I know, it would have made much more sense doing this at the start - but better late than never.
We are going to use as many outlets as possible to reach HR professionals to ask them about 10 quick questions. By the end of each discussion, we will have a better understanding of what credentials they seek, the sources used, and where they look. Most importantly - they will know our name!
So, if you know an HR professional willing to chat for about 10 minutes, send them our way.
We want to make sure that people want what we are selling, so we are launching a Feedback Tour. We are going to our faithful clients and other HR professionals to confirm that our Val-ID-ate product fills a need.
Yes, I know, it would have made much more sense doing this at the start - but better late than never.
We are going to use as many outlets as possible to reach HR professionals to ask them about 10 quick questions. By the end of each discussion, we will have a better understanding of what credentials they seek, the sources used, and where they look. Most importantly - they will know our name!
So, if you know an HR professional willing to chat for about 10 minutes, send them our way.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Lessons From A (Sprint) Triathlete
I am embarrassed to say that...I really enjoyed my summer! So much so, that I have not blogged since July. As a business owner, I am supposed to be stressed out, never take vacations and leave all the enjoyment of life to others - says who! I enjoyed a week of camping with my family and really relaxed. Even though I tried to manage the email queue, I suffered for weeks when I returned trying to whittle down the count to less than 100 email messages - but it was worth it.
I would like to say that I returned from vacation energized with a new outlook - but I honestly did not. I was energized before my vacation and I still have the same focus - and the same woes.
That being said, since I have returned we have seen an increased user base for Val-ID-ate, added a few more Account Executives and increased our client list. The summer was good. On a personal note, I competed in my 3rd Danskin Triathlon and for the first time finished the entire swim course on my own.
So, that leads into my concluding story: 2 years ago I decided to participate in the Danskin sprint triathlon. I didn't compete for the physical challenge. The bike and run distances I can do without really training in preparation. I participated because I AM AFRAID OF SWIMMING. I refused to let this fear win, so I decided to face it head on. That competition in 2006 was a disaster in my book. There were "swim coaches" in the water and they basically pulled me through the course. I was literally hanging onto one of those foam noodles with which children play. For many, that would be demoralizing. But if you know anything about me, that just made me more determined to try again. In 2007 I participated again - this time in Orlando, FL. I didn't do much better. I swam without the assistance of a flotation device, but was informed by my loving spouse that I had been detoured because I was having such difficulty - so I did not complete the entire course.
This year I was determined not to hyperventilate. And guess what - I hyperventilated! I was the last one in and the last one out. It took me 33 minutes to complete the 1/2 mile course. Regardless, I am proud of my accomplishment of talking myself off the ledge and plowing through.
I look at running our business in the same way. The issue for me with swimming is that I fear drowning. My ability to reason goes out the door. I KNOW that I most likely will not drown, but that still does not stop me from being scared. I also know that the floor is not right below me, so I cannot stand up - which also fuels my anxiety. So, I have to keep moving forward. Now, if I really get into trouble someone is there to save me - but I would see that as the ultimate failure. As with this business, I have to keep moving forward. Often, I know that I cannot stand up and I get very anxious - but I just roll over, float, calm myself down, roll back and being stroking again.
Boy, that shore seems far.
I would like to say that I returned from vacation energized with a new outlook - but I honestly did not. I was energized before my vacation and I still have the same focus - and the same woes.
That being said, since I have returned we have seen an increased user base for Val-ID-ate, added a few more Account Executives and increased our client list. The summer was good. On a personal note, I competed in my 3rd Danskin Triathlon and for the first time finished the entire swim course on my own.
So, that leads into my concluding story: 2 years ago I decided to participate in the Danskin sprint triathlon. I didn't compete for the physical challenge. The bike and run distances I can do without really training in preparation. I participated because I AM AFRAID OF SWIMMING. I refused to let this fear win, so I decided to face it head on. That competition in 2006 was a disaster in my book. There were "swim coaches" in the water and they basically pulled me through the course. I was literally hanging onto one of those foam noodles with which children play. For many, that would be demoralizing. But if you know anything about me, that just made me more determined to try again. In 2007 I participated again - this time in Orlando, FL. I didn't do much better. I swam without the assistance of a flotation device, but was informed by my loving spouse that I had been detoured because I was having such difficulty - so I did not complete the entire course.
This year I was determined not to hyperventilate. And guess what - I hyperventilated! I was the last one in and the last one out. It took me 33 minutes to complete the 1/2 mile course. Regardless, I am proud of my accomplishment of talking myself off the ledge and plowing through.
I look at running our business in the same way. The issue for me with swimming is that I fear drowning. My ability to reason goes out the door. I KNOW that I most likely will not drown, but that still does not stop me from being scared. I also know that the floor is not right below me, so I cannot stand up - which also fuels my anxiety. So, I have to keep moving forward. Now, if I really get into trouble someone is there to save me - but I would see that as the ultimate failure. As with this business, I have to keep moving forward. Often, I know that I cannot stand up and I get very anxious - but I just roll over, float, calm myself down, roll back and being stroking again.
Boy, that shore seems far.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Stone Soup
Do you know the tale "Stone Soup"? Basically, hungry travelers arrive in a village where people aren't willing to share food. The travelers have an pot in which they put water and a stone and proceed to "cook". Curious people start coming up to watch, and the travelers inform them that they are making a great soup - but it is just missing a little "something". The villagers become interested in the stone soup and start contributing a little bit of this and that - until the travelers truly have a nourishing soup.
Much of that story conveys how Verify-ED continues to grow. Although we have never been in a situation where people have been unwilling to help, we know that we would not have gotten this far without the invaluable input from so many wonderful people. We know firsthand that people are very willing to assist, and if they cannot help directly they will make sure to find someone who can. Our goal is to utilize the great information we receive to move forward - which is not always easy.
In recognition of this collaborative nature, we added a new feature to our newsletter where we ask our readers for their ideas and insights on various topics. I suggested the name "Stone Soup" because I felt that it best described what we are doing. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the story, so it was determined that the meaning of the name would have been lost. Personally, I think that it would have been a great opportunity to share a nice Grimm tale - but, oh well ;-)
We named the new section "My 2 Cents" in recognition that if everyone "adds their 2 cents" we can build an amazing, profitable company. The image of money when it comes to business is always good!
We also considered "unsolicitedadvice" and "peter" (the sage in the comic strip B.C.), but it seemed that if most people didn't' get the "joke" the point would be lost.
So, to everyone who gets my humor - THANKS!
Much of that story conveys how Verify-ED continues to grow. Although we have never been in a situation where people have been unwilling to help, we know that we would not have gotten this far without the invaluable input from so many wonderful people. We know firsthand that people are very willing to assist, and if they cannot help directly they will make sure to find someone who can. Our goal is to utilize the great information we receive to move forward - which is not always easy.
In recognition of this collaborative nature, we added a new feature to our newsletter where we ask our readers for their ideas and insights on various topics. I suggested the name "Stone Soup" because I felt that it best described what we are doing. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the story, so it was determined that the meaning of the name would have been lost. Personally, I think that it would have been a great opportunity to share a nice Grimm tale - but, oh well ;-)
We named the new section "My 2 Cents" in recognition that if everyone "adds their 2 cents" we can build an amazing, profitable company. The image of money when it comes to business is always good!
We also considered "unsolicitedadvice" and "peter" (the sage in the comic strip B.C.), but it seemed that if most people didn't' get the "joke" the point would be lost.
So, to everyone who gets my humor - THANKS!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Yes, That's Me On The Radio
Here is a GOOD example of communication skills and the ability to convey messages succinctly.
I was recently interviewed by the energetic and intelligent LaTanya Junior for her Change The Life of Your Business show. LaTanya is an amazing businesswoman who successfully runs complementary businesses. She has taken her station, TCB360 (http://www.thecorporateboutique.com/) to its current rank of 24 (out of 275) among talk stations on Live365.com. TCB360 airs programs that truly provide assistance to entrepreneurs worldwide. Apparently, her base is very international with many listeners in Asia. She is preparing for a multi-city tour, so look out for her in your town.
I posed a couple of business questions and received her very insightful feedback. Enjoy TCB360 and the interview: http://www.thecorporateboutique.com/radio/CTLOYB/080619JollieEntreprenInterview.html!
I was recently interviewed by the energetic and intelligent LaTanya Junior for her Change The Life of Your Business show. LaTanya is an amazing businesswoman who successfully runs complementary businesses. She has taken her station, TCB360 (http://www.thecorporateboutique.com/) to its current rank of 24 (out of 275) among talk stations on Live365.com. TCB360 airs programs that truly provide assistance to entrepreneurs worldwide. Apparently, her base is very international with many listeners in Asia. She is preparing for a multi-city tour, so look out for her in your town.
I posed a couple of business questions and received her very insightful feedback. Enjoy TCB360 and the interview: http://www.thecorporateboutique.com/radio/CTLOYB/080619JollieEntreprenInterview.html!
Master Communicator...NOT!
I pondered writing about my recent experience because I consider it a failure of sorts, but I hope that others gain insight through my experiences.
I had a great opportunity to present to an investor group and, to put it lightly, I BOMBED! The funny thing is why: I was unable to properly convey our company, what we do, and what we need. After my posts about being able to clearly communicate, you would think that I would have this covered. So, now I rehash my errors and perform penance:
"Hi, my name is Joelle Ware and our company is Verify-ED. We provide background screening and résumé verification services. We launched a new tool called Val-ID-ate that gives job seekers a way to show proof of their qualifications."
THAT is the opening with which I should have started, but I did not. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful in inspiring others to consider working with us to expand our launch.
So, I have spent the day in my personal pity party and now it is time to keep moving. We continue to build our alliances and grow. And the next time someone asks me about Verify-ED and Val-ID-ate, what will I say?...
I had a great opportunity to present to an investor group and, to put it lightly, I BOMBED! The funny thing is why: I was unable to properly convey our company, what we do, and what we need. After my posts about being able to clearly communicate, you would think that I would have this covered. So, now I rehash my errors and perform penance:
"Hi, my name is Joelle Ware and our company is Verify-ED. We provide background screening and résumé verification services. We launched a new tool called Val-ID-ate that gives job seekers a way to show proof of their qualifications."
THAT is the opening with which I should have started, but I did not. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful in inspiring others to consider working with us to expand our launch.
So, I have spent the day in my personal pity party and now it is time to keep moving. We continue to build our alliances and grow. And the next time someone asks me about Verify-ED and Val-ID-ate, what will I say?...
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