Seasons

Happy New Year!

Do you ever feel like you need a fresh start? I know I do.  I love that feeling of setting goals and shedding bad habits in order to move forward.
Most people feel this way around New Year's Eve. That is always a good time to reflect on successes and opportunities from the past year and learn from them.  This is what I would call an annual season. How long does that good feeling last beyond New Year's Eve however? Ask anyone who has made a New Year's resolution to lose weight. I will admit that the 2 to 3 week period following New Year's eve, I am pretty pumped to work toward new goals.
I have found that in addition to the New Year's eve annual season, there are two other seasons in the year that produce the same effect. One is Spring, when Winter finally dies a slow and painful death and we all get outside and in the dirt. The other is Fall, when we are ready to send the kids back to school for a new year of learning and fun. These are the three seasons of fresh starts.
But what if you could regenerate that New Year's resolution feeling more than three times a year?
I have good news. You can!
New Year's is just an arbitrary day that really in itself has no meaning. We tell ourselves that that date means something. Think about it. January 1st is really no different than April 29th. So if we can create that resolution scenario for January 1st, guess what? We can do it for any day of our life. Every day is January 1st.  How awesome is that?!?
Start by asking yourself,"If today were New Year's Eve, what resolutions would I make?" Then decide on one that is significant and go for it. Renew your resolution as often as you need to to keep moving toward the change you are looking for.

Happy New Year!

p.s. Another great way to keep pumped about achieving your goals is by working with a high quality Business Coach. I use a coach and it has made an incredible difference.  Feel free to contact my Coach, John.  www.truechoicecoaching.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/True-Choice-Coaching/138535236162890. 

Joanne Randall

www.LeapYearMarketing.com

iTunes Marketing Mojo Radio

724-603-LEAP

joanne@leapyearmarketing.com

Find Your Balance

In the 1970's and 80's when I was a kid, my family really got into sports. Especially the Boston Bruins. I still remember hearing the announcer yelling, "O'Reilly SCORES!!!!" Nearly knocked me off the couch more than once. I got to meet Terry O'Reilly in 2009, as well as Rick Middleton, and Brad Park. So cool.

If it were possible to get more excited about anything sports related, my family did when it came to the Olympics. I was fascinated by women's floor gymnastics.  Cursed with terrible balance, I couldn't peel my eyes off the athletes on the balance beam. How was someone able to walk on that thing, let alone do flips on it? And those dismounts! Don't get me started! These days I don't watch the Olympics as closely, mainly because I don't really watch TV. But I can't get those balance beam pictures out of my head.

The older I get the more I can appreciate balance.  Physical balance, and life balance.  Good balance takes practice, and lots of it. Just scheduling time for family, spiritual, mental, and physical growth, does not mean that you will have balance. Following through in those commitments does not guarantee any increase in balance either.

Here's why. Balance isn't a thing. It is an experience. It takes effort and focus. And through repetition comes experience and better skill. Eventually balance becomes effortless, and when you experience the peace of balance you will find yourself longing for more.
Honor yourself by experiencing those things that bring balance to your life. How will you know if it is working?

You'll know.  It feels like this.  Randall SCORES!!!!!!

Joanne Randall

www.LeapYearMarketing.com

724-603-LEAP

joanne@leapyearmarketing.com

Joanne Randall quoted in Recent article

Recent article from NHEconomy.com

NH WOMEN IN BUSINESSES

Building the Network

The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute has projected that “Women small business owners will create 5 to 5.5 million new jobs across the U.S. By 2018, transforming the workplace of tomorrow into a far more inclusive, horizontally managed environment.”

In New Hampshire, women business owners are already making significant contributions to the state’s economy, thanks in part to a supportive business environment.

Leslie Sturgeon, founder of Women Inspiring Women (www.wiwnh.com), the state’s largest organization promoting women’s empowerment, networking and personal and professional development, started to support women in business when she was 22. “The biggest pluses of doing business in New Hampshire are the support and resources that are available here. People are so very helpful. Whether I needed assistance, information, or a referral, no one’s ever said no when I’ve asked for help,” she says.

In the four years after Sturgeon launched Women Inspiring Women in May 2007, the organization had grown to more than 250 members with 1,000 followers on Facebook, and four times that number on her mailing list. More than 2,000 people had attended the organization’s events. “I’ve seen lots of women start following their passion and dreams-and so much of that is about relationship building, which can begin at events,” says Sturgeon.

In October 2010 and November 2011, Sturgeon partnered with the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and Public Service of New Hampshire to present the New Hampshire Conference for Women. According to Sturgeon, the conferences-which included five educational sessions, an exhibitor expo and networking-“were filled with inspiration, education and transformation, as well as fun surprises, exhibitors, door prizes and great networking.”

Joanne Randall, host of local radio show, “NH Women In Business,” (www.nhwomeninbusiness.com) sees networking as key to the development of entrepreneurs. “When the economy is down, personal communication and networking become more important. Entrepreneurs- or those just thinking about starting a business-need to network to develop a support system. The purpose isn’t to sell to the other people you network with. Instead, the people you’ve connected with become your board of directors, your resource network, and even your sales force. People want others to succeed-and to feel that they contributed to that success-and they’re willing to help without the expectation of a return.” The third annual conference is planned for fall 2012.

One of the state’s leading women in business, Dr. Deborah Osgood, is an expert in entrepreneurial education and development, and co-founder and CEO of Knowledge Institute, based in Exeter. Osgood’s Institute offers small business educational initiatives that serve millions of entrepreneurs on a monthly basis through on- and off-line resource and referral networks. Osgood says, “What distinguishes New Hampshire is the accessibility of decision-makers and programs tailored to supporting venture startup and growth. There are very powerful networks here to support entrepreneurs, and programs, like those offered by the Division of Economic Development, means that you’re one phone call away from sitting down with someone who can help.”

Women, Osgood says, are typically receptive to networking and collaboration. “Unlike men, women aren’t afraid to ask for directions-a trait that serves them well when honing in on defining their business purpose, target market and profitability objectives. It’s all about working well with and through others.”

The Knowledge Institute, through BUZgate.org, helps small businesses locate free resources and referrals available from the US government and nonprofit small business assistance agencies. Access the NH section at www.buzgate.org/8.0/nh/state_home.html?st=nh

NH networks for women in business:


Business and Professional Women of Greater Nashua www.bpwnashua.com
Monadnock Women’s Network www.monadnockwomen.com
Center for Women's Business Advancement Center at Southern New Hampshire University http://www.cwbanh.com
Seacoast Women’s Network www.seacoastwomensnetwork.org
Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) wrencommunity.org
Trade associations to help women in business in specific industries or career paths:

NH Insurance Women’s League naiw.net/nhiwl.htm
NH Women’s Bar Association www.nhwba.org
NH Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction www.nawicnh.com
National Association of Women Business Owners www.nawbo.org



- Accessorizing the business world, one woman at a time.

Business Coaching

I used to wonder why business people would ever need a business coach. I mean, they're already in business. Why do they need coaching?
The answer to that question has become painfully clear to me in the last six months. It can be extremely difficult to get outside of your own head when you are running your business yourself. Stretching yourself and your business beyond your normal limits can be very uncomfortable, but with the right coach helping you along the way it can be done.
I am using a coach for myself for the first time in my life and even after a few short sessions with him I cannot believe the difference it has made for me and my business.
Leap Year Marketing uses coaching in our consulting process with our clients. It helps to set goals and keep people on track.
I highly recommend a coach. If you would like more information about receiving coaching or my own experience having a coach, please contact me. I would love to share my experience with you.


- Accessorizing the business world, one woman at a time.

Location:Black Hall Rd,Epsom,United States

Election Blues

What will I do with my time after tomorrow?
Actually, I will be doing the same things I do everyday.
This election, as important as it is, will be over and we can go back to watching ads about e-trade and Progressive Insurance.



Did we learn anything about any candidate, really, from thus round of political advertising? You can tell the character o
f a candidate by their ads. Not what they are saying about the other candidate, but the way they present their message. I learned that I don't agree on either candidate completely on social issues. But if people are unemployed, social issues need to come second. Feeding your kids ranks above most social issues. When basic needs are met then we can start discussing social issues.
Deal? So let's get everyone back to work and off public assistance and then we can debate everything else. See you at the polls!


- Accessorizing the business world, one woman at a time.

Location:Towle Pasture Dr,Epsom,United States

Mother of Invention

Coming up with brand new ideas usually doesn't happen when you are trying. It happens when you need it to happen.

On Friday I came up with a
marketing concept that was literally forming in my mind the same time it was coming out of my mouth while selling it to a potential client. Their reaction was positive, so I immediately went home and wrote it out. It will be the cornerstone of my business from now on. I would not have come up with it if I were sitting down trying to come up with something.

The most important thing to remember is to keep moving, even when you are not sure the direction. Sometimes the answer lies in the journey, and would have been missed if the trip was planned in advance.

- Accessorizing the business world, one woman at a time.

Location:Towle Pasture Dr,Epsom,United States

Social Media posting tips from Leap Year Marketing

If you are one of the brave people who take on your own Social Media, congratulations! Not a task for the faint of heart. Putting your self out there can be a little intimidating (which can stop people from doing it) and finding the time can be challenging (which is why some people hire someone like me). So on your next venture to find relatable and relative content, here are some tips for you. Someone shared this with me once (I think it may have been Chuck Sink from www.chucksinklink.com). In any case, it is good advice and I am happy to share what I know works.

Remember that your posts should be one of three kinds:
1) informational
2) entertaining
3) what's in it for me (offer)

Generally speaking, any posts are fine, but too much of one kind loses its effectiveness. Look for a funny but appropriate cartoon about your product or service, quotes about character or leadership, or websites that are good sources of articles about your industry that are OK to share that might talk in more layman's terms about your industry and maybe not so technical. Remember that spending money is an emotional transaction, so try to appeal to people's sense of responsibility in their purchase or possibly their fear of not acting on the sale (without scaring them to death!). "This offer is only good until midnight!" "Insurance is your way of telling your family you love them." "Your responsibility is to your customers. Our responsibility is to you."

People want to do the right thing most of the time, so make it easy for them to fulfill their duty by telling them how easy it is to set up an appointment or move forward. If consultation is free, tell them that too. Most people do not want to have to deal with the technical aspects of their business, things like insurance or marketing, so remind them that it is better for them to partner with someone who specializes in handling it rather than doing it themselves. They will get better results and probably pay less when an experienced professional is looking out for their best interests.

This advice is good for all Marketing, but if you are handling your Social Media yourself, and you are not a Marketer, these guidelines will help gather your thoughts and produce good content for Social Media posts.

If  you have more questions or need some guidance for your Marketing, give us a call. 724-603-LEAP
Joanne Randall
Leap Year Marketing