by admin on November 30, 2009
When you hire people because they are cheap and available you’re dooming your business. It may seem like a good idea at the time; it may help you deal with a crisis, but the decision will definitely bite you in the ass. Why? Because by quickly hiring cut-rate folks, you’ve shown an unwillingness to invest in your company.
It’s a given that you’ll suffer headaches because the cut-rate employee or freelancer will probably deliver subpar work to you late. You’re also exposing your clients to second-rate service and in doing do, risking your professional reputation. In the age of Twitter and Facebook one disgruntled client can tell thousands in cyberspace about your rude, unresponsive or unknowledgeable employee.
What might be less obvious to you is the cosmic message you’re sending by being cheap. It’s ”I don’t believe that my business will generate enough revenue to recoup my investment in a quality hire.” The Universe will then reward you with a business that doesn’t make money—reflecting your ideas around scarcity.
A high fee doesn’t necessarily correlate with mastery. However there’s a reason why someone’s rates are a fraction of everyone else’s or why she’s immediately available. I learned that low prices and no wait means that they’re inexperienced or desperate for work (possibly a by=product of prior slipshod work).
I’ve certainly been there. At one point money was a bit tight and I hired someone for my business solely on his rate. His fee was dramatically lower than that of the top flight guy that I had originally contacted for the job. Unfortunately, I had procrastinated about the project (paying the price), now top flight guy was going on vacation for several weeks. My back was against the wall. Cut-rate guy was cheap and available so I hired him. It was a nightmare. Cut-rate guy didn’t follow directions. I had to repeat things because he failed to take notes and the project of course took longer to complete than I had wanted. I however got that quality of service for my business that I was willing to pay for.
It’s impossible to run a great company with lousy employees. In the business book, Good to Great author Jim Collins discusses how his research team found that without exception, great companies first, “got the right people on the bus (and the wrong people off) then they decided where to drive.” According to Collins by constructing a superior executive team, “good to great” companies spent less time motivating workers to accomplish goals.
So whether you’re hiring an employee or independent contractor you’ve got to invest both the time and money to find the best person to represent your company. The web designer, a virtual assistant, publicist, graphic designer or sales agent, for the length of his tenure, represents your company. Even if the hire is not dealing directly with customers, it’s unlikely that your clients wouldn’t be affected by your employees’ shoddy work. Cut rate employees can contribute to your web site may not functioning properly; a product launch being late; or incorrect information about your company being disseminated to the public.
According to Collins, here are three rules that “great” companies make in terms of employees:
1. When in doubt—keep looking.
2. When you know that you need to make a people change, act.
3. Put your best people on your biggest opportunities, not your biggest problems.
Care enough about your business to hire the very best employees and freelancers that you can.
by admin on November 30, 2009
Can having a better sex life improve your business? The answer is probably yes. Marie Forleo, author and creator of Rich, Happy and Hot mentoring program for women believes that your business may suffer from your lack of sex. In an article titled, “Is Your Sex Life Affecting The Success of Your Business?” Marie says, ” A healthy sex life is essential to being a vibrant, passionate, and fully self-expressed human being and therefore, essential to being a truly successful entrepreneur. After all, we start our businesses not only to earn a great living, but to make a difference in the world. And that can only happen when we are operating at our full potential. A healthy sex life feeds us on an emotional, physical and psychological level and simply leaves us more vibrant and engaged in our businesses and lives.”
Perhaps it’s the Whore/Madonna thing but “good” mothers don’t talk about themselves as sexual beings. For many women once they have children, being a mother becomes their paramount role. The woman who enjoyed sex disappears and is replaced by a dutiful mother who channels all of her energies into her children. Sex is no longer about her pleasure or the opportunity to create a sacred union with her man—it’s reduced to being another unwanted obligation.
Why do so many mothers believe that reveling in their sexuality is incompatible with good parenting?
If you believe that sex is all about pleasing your man, then in the midst of raising your children and building your business it’s easy for you to push his needs to the back burner. You may feel that you have the ability to be a good mother or even a good entrepreneur, but as a woman you may not feel up to par. Perhaps you’re heavier than you’d like or you’ve been lax with your personal grooming. You don’t feel sexy so you’re anxious about getting undressed and making love with your man. Although you can use sex to connect with your partner, essentially sex is an expression of your own life force. If women represent love on earth, then it stands to reason that if you deny your sexuality you’re also denying the desires of your soul.
Generally, working mothers who are stressed out by too many demands, too little support and too little “me-time” are not that interested in sex. However, you can’t have a great life if you’re ignoring your sexual yearnings. Are you weakening your marital/relationship bond by not connecting with your partner on a regular basis? Do you have the relaxed state of mind that you need to nurture your children and to run your business? A sexually fulfilled woman is happier and brings that joyful spirit to her parenting, relationship and work.
7 Ways Working Mothers Can Get Their Sexy Back
1. Buy New Lingerie. The feel of good quality silk or satin on your body will remind you that you are a sexual being.
2. Exercise. Moving your body at least 30 minutes a day will get your blood pumping and your juices flowing. Most important your body imagewill improve as your shed unwanted pounds. Don’t have access to a gym? Why not try a pilates, yoga or belly dancing DVD?
3. Get a new hairstyle. A new hairstyle can make you feel fresh and young. Look at magazines and bring your hairdresser pictures of hair do’s that you like. Opt for a hairstyle that’s both fashionable and functional.
4. Have a spa day. Can’t afford a real spa, then carve out a few hours at home to luxuriate in the bath and to give yourself a facial, manicure and pedicure.
5. Go on a trip with your significant other, without the kids. A romantic trip, even if it’s only an overnight hotel will give you the privacy and freedom to rekindle your sexual flame.
6. Get a new scent. The power of scent is greater than you think. Test some perfumes at your local department store. See what scent make you feel sexy.
7. Spruce Up Your Bedroom. Your bedroom should be a retreat for romance and for rest. Clear out the clutter (including kids toys). Buy some new bedding and add touches like scented candles and plants.
You may also be interested in:
Mamas: Let’s Talk About Sex
Why Self-Care is Important for Working Mothers
==============
Learn how a FREE Working Moms StartUP session could help you to reduce your stress at home and at work and also help you find more “me-time,” each week. For more details, please drop me an email at Yvonne@SophisticatedWomanandMama.com. You can also connect with me on Twitter at Twitter.com/YvonneBynoe and on Facebook at Facebook.com/YvonneBynoe
Photo credit: Corporacion DOMOs
