Know those days when you just feel "off?" We all have those days; and when I look back over the last several months I've found a common thread in those days. In general, my daily routines got messed up one way or another. Routines in your personal and business life allow you to be calm, focused, … [Read more...]
Change is in the air …
I love change. That's what being a disruptive innovator is all about. As much as I love change, however, I've learned that meaningful change is harder and takes longer than you expect it will. I began the redesign of this site about six months ago and anticipated it would be done in 30 … [Read more...]
Getting shit started is not getting shit done
Starting new projects, building new teams and getting shit started all sit on the fun side of the business equation. Getting shit done, however, is not about getting it started. It's about seeing it through to completion and, for most entrepreneurial types, that is not fun. Shut up and do the hard … [Read more...]
Random Friday Thoughts: 10/18/2013 Eddition
This week's thoughts are a combination of what's going on in my life and what I observed in the social media space. A weird combination to be sure, but it's my blog and I'll do with it what I want. It's a conversation Think of this as the ADD conversation you might have with me over a cup of coffee … [Read more...]
Why I'm Coming Home
It's been said, "There's no place like home," and at the moment the prospect of returning to this blog with my name on it just feels right. This is my home, this is where it all started. It's not that I've lost my way with the other writing endeavors and businesses I've started but instead that some … [Read more...]
How to make what you write come true
I started this year with The 2011 Plan and today it's time to see how that turned out. The plan consisted of three key words: customers, content and strategy. I arranged those three words visually on a page in my notebook. While I didn't look back at the plan often, I did look back about once a … [Read more...]
Do too much
Another way to state the intent of this title would be to say, get outside your comfort zone. It's easy to say, no I can't do that, I already have too much on my plate. And maybe sometimes that is the right answer, but it is also the easy and comfortable answer. What if sometimes you said, yes, I'll … [Read more...]
How QR Codes can drive eyeballs to your website
It's time we have a discussion about QR Codes. Like many in the printing and graphic arts industry, I've been keeping a close eye on these little gems. I'm starting to see QR Codes everywhere; even in my sleep sometimes. I know it's a problem. I even have one that's uniquely Jim Raffel. You'll find … [Read more...]
How setting the agenda is the path to success
Ask yourself this: Are you waiting for instructions or figuring out what needs doing? If you are waiting for others to tell you what you need to be doing, you are not setting the agenda. I'm sure it's possible to be a business owner and wait around for work; but in the long run, doesn't that make … [Read more...]
Avis tries harder – really?
Recently, while visiting a client, he offered to have his driver take my rental car out and fill the gas tank so I could spend a few extra minutes with the customer. My client was also kind enough to pay for the gas; not realizing I needed the receipt to avoid Avis' $13.99 gas charge for driving … [Read more...]
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