As I finalize my syllabus for this semester's Columbia College Oral Communications classes, I can't help but compare the level of detail and 'spell-it-all-out-format' of my syllabus relative to the syllabi of my colleagues that teach the same course. Is it necessary, I wonder, to provide such a … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #40: Put your (marketing/sales) expectations in writing
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Scarlett Letter #39: What areas of your business do you want to grow?
"What area of your business are you most interested in growing?" was a question posed to me recently in an entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur conversation. "I'd like to help you with the part of your business that you care most about." What a great way for him to position the question! He reminded me yet … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #39: What areas of your business do you want to grow?
Scarlett Letter #38: Clearing physical space for mental gain
Is it possible to truly leverage mental space (in your own mind) while you are working or living in a crowded physical space? At times, we find ourselves confined---almost trapped---when we are working in tight, cluttered (even if well organized) quarters. Speaking for myself, it's time to … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #38: Clearing physical space for mental gain
Scarlett Letter #37: When defeat is a self-fulfilling prophecy
Daniel is an acquaintance that I encounter now and again here in Chicago. He is a sculptor, and he makes a real living at it! (A respectable feat--as many artists have to supplement their craft with another job or three.) Over one year ago, Daniel submitted for a significant public installation … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #37: When defeat is a self-fulfilling prophecy
Scarlett Letter #36: Design and construction industry gets tech savvy
How refreshing to see the design and construction industry show true commitment to technology! Check out Design and Construction Network's contest for the best website in our industry: 2009 Best Website Competition. Congratulations to all of the finalists! A special Chicagoland shout-out goes to … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #36: Design and construction industry gets tech savvy
Scarlett Letter #35: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part II of II
In Part I, we talked about how it's a good idea to share with your staff about how your firm secures its clients (by diagramming the network of people involved). Because the economy remains questionable, it's an exceptionally good time to revisit the contacts of your staff members, from all sources … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #35: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part II of II
Scarlett Letter #34: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part I of II
When networking---professionally or socially---everyone always seems interested in knowing specifically how people know one another. And when you get asked the question, "So, how do you know so-and-so?" at a gathering, it's possible that your response might be: from....university; childhood; work; … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #34: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part I of II
Scarlett Letter #33: Team building is still important! Try geocaching…
Summertime can mean different things for AEC firms: company picnics; summer hours; softball teams; group outings such as sailing trips, architectural tours, and ballgames; and special community projects. What do all of those things have in common? Team building and an overall esprit de corps. This … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #33: Team building is still important! Try geocaching…
Scarlett Letter #32: To trust or not to trust. And when to let it go…?
Nearly all of us have had the 'pleasure' (uh-hem) of negotiating a car purchase. Even though the experience has greatly improved since the cheesy olden days, it's still pretty trying. Two weeks ago, my beautiful 2001 beetle conked out, once and for all. It came as a shock; I thought I'd get a good … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #32: To trust or not to trust. And when to let it go…?
Scarlett Letter #31: Divine encounters when you keep your eyes open…
As I mentioned in Scarlett Letter #30 (Guerrilla Marketing), last week I was walking in my neighborhood looking for the muffin shop from the subtle 'Maxine's Muffintop' sign. Although I never found the free muffins or even the free smells (!), I instead encountered a new and unrelated discovery. A … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #31: Divine encounters when you keep your eyes open…