Getting through Obstacles, Rejuvenating, Brainstorming, &

Taking your Business Mobile

Presented by Candy Rice

The Collective Savvy

Savvy = “practical know-how.”

My Story

Candy Rice Minnesota native. Lived in 9 states in 16 years of marriage (Denver

from 2006-2010). MBA in Leadership, full-time PhD student in

Organizational Leadership. Past professional life: D2 coach, software trainer

for senior citizens, teacher, D3 sport marketing director, photographer

How my business began in 2007: ALO, photographers in Breckenridge, $8K in the hole, Candy Rice Design

Partnership x2, lessons learned: became very identified with my business and saw it fade as my life goals were being realized.

Now: FT Rver (Alaska to Maine and beyond), business is in transition, mobile business lifestyle

Obstacles in Our Businesses

“It’s not enough to go through hard times, you have to get

through them!” ~Dr. Tim Rice

Common to most small/medium/large businesses. Solve these and you will find a way to get through nearly any obstacle in your business:

Little to no marketing, and usually no plan.Usually no business plan and trying to be all things to all people.

No delegation, doing too much technician work yourself (The E-Myth, Michael Gerber, technician, manager, entrepreneur)

Little to no emphasis on your story, what makes you unique

Not enough time/energy for personal goalsNo “real” end goal in sight (Greek fisherman)

What is it that you want from your business and your life? Make sure your goals are not being overlooked as you strive for success!

Creative Business Brainstorming

“Enlightened trial and error succeeds over the planning of the

lone genius” ~IDEOWays to be more creative in your business brainstorming:

Large group vs. 2-4 friends or colleaguesInclude an outsider (outside your dept./business)Basic premises--IDEO’s mantra:One conversation at a time.Stay focused on topic.Encourage wild ideas.Defer judgment.Build on the ideas of others.New and Interesting locations, in a car (why this works so well), art gallery, ethnic restaurant, ice cream shop, bookstore

Importance of playfulness and non-judgmentalismExercise: New Uses for Normal Objects

IDEO shopping cart redesign

What can you redesign/retool in your business to have more fun, be more efficient, and help others? Watch the creative process that produced this cart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M66ZU2PCIcM

Rejuvenate Your Business

“It was a door, and I went through it!”

~Temple GrandinEasy ways to get excited about your business again:

Start (or join) a think tank. Brainstorm with someone about your business. Glance over your business plan and quickly rewrite it for the

business you WANT to have. Develop a niche market: people prefer specialists to

generalists. Think of one new incentive to offer to clients (NOT price

reduction). Go to a new type of networking event: meet and listen to

people and how they position themselves, identify what they need help with and offer your services.

Go to a bookstore (or go online), browse through graphic design books: sometimes refreshing your brand, collateral, website, FB page, etc. can rejuvenate your feelings about your business and give you a fresh new outlook.

Take your Business Mobile

“Business is not about money. It’s about making dreams come true for others and for

yourself.”~Derek Sivers

As with anything worth having in life, this may require some sacrifices and thoughtful choices in order to achieve:

Communicate with your contacts and clients: tell them your story, they will probably find it fascinating and wish you well! Then continue to communicate!

Stay current with what is happening in the area where most of your clients reside: use news sites, Google alerts, and apps

Pare down to the essential tools: laptops vs. tower PCs, tablets vs. laptops if appropriate, smart phones with great apps (see resources for a list of apps I use)

Consolidate your points of contact Determine what you want most from your mobile lifestyle: money or

freedom Have fun! Stay flexible and loose in your planning, avoid stress from

over-planning. Explore the geographic area you are in: who knows? You might find a new client or even a new niche market!

Resources

Books that have changed my mind and life!

The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield Do the Work, by Steven Pressfield The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber Anything You Want, by Derek Sivers My Exile Lifestyle, by Colin Wright Lateral Thinking, by Edward De Bono 5000 Year Leap, by Cleon Skousen No B.S. Marketing to the Affluent, by Dan Kennedy The Ultimate Sales Letter, by Dan Kennedy Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, by Patterson, Grenny,

Maxfield, McMillan, & Switzler Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Your Reality, by

Henry Cloud

Newsletters I actually read!

The Suitcase Entrepreneur, www.womanzworld.com

Brave Girls Club, www.bravegirlsclub.com Jim Palmer, www.thenewsletterguru.com Ali International, www.alibrown.com

Register for my newsletter (back in production this fall): The Savvy: www.thecollectivesavvy.com/savvy

Thank You!

Have questions? Need help implementing?

I’m happy to help!Contact me at

candy@thecollectivesavvy.com