Fresh Bite Friday: Tips for High-Profile Good Content

I was recently interviewed for a broadcast and asked to share a few points about quality writing.  I realized while listening to the playback today that these tips should be used in business everywhere (when writing emails, web content, marketing materials, or more). I’m sharing my direct quotes with you now as this kickoff article to Fresh Bite Fridays, with three tips to start using next month:

• Question: What makes quality writing?
• Answer: If you can’t convince the reader that it’s something worth reading and that there is value in the content, you might as well not have spent the time. You have to have insight into what readers expect and what they want to hear; it doesn’t mean you have it give it [all] to them, but you have to give them something they can sink their teeth into and want to pursue it more… You want to make people think and you have to be authentic.

• Question: What advice do you give to aspiring writers?
• Answer: If you want to write something, do it. But if you want to write good content, you need to find an editor who can not only help with the right punctuation, those little grammar mischievous things that happen, but also help you develop it into something readers will keep buying and asking for more. If you’re not sure you have the content from the reader’s perspective [your market segment’s ideology], then you can find an editor to help you do that… spend the money to do it right. You don’t want to be one of those reputable news outlets that have blatant errors, and they don’t put effort into what they’re distributing.

• Question: What does literary success mean to you?
• Answer: I don’t think you’ll ever be satisfied as a writer with everything you print, but having your next idea swirling is important, as is to never be ashamed of what you’ve put out there. You need to be honest with yourself about what you say and having the courage to write your story as you want it to be told.

Be authentic and believable!

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

The Time To Make The Right Choices

It made mainstream media that another top executive quit Uber this week; however, most posts were only concerned with the effect on business.  If you look closer, you can get the rest of the story and how the root cause reflects in your restful - or restless - sleep. 

A lot of people read articles: how to be more successful, what keys to the morning help propel you to success, why it’s important to do X/Y/Z to build your dreams successfully.  These same people forget that if you follow everyone else, you only reach for someone else’s definition of success.

Flocking to a growth company sounds great, but what Jeff Jones discovered was my “beliefs and approach to leadership were that have guided my career are inconsistent with what I saw and experienced.” He voted with his feet and walked right out the door.

Uber defines startup success for some people, but this one person knew it wasn’t for him. He knew that he couldn’t right this troubled ship.  He recognized that the company could be performing better, working better with its employees — but the dysfunction and flooding of issues needs to be corrected from top down (and honestly, he wasn’t “the top” to make the calls).

This illustration of a shorter duration of restlessness was easily identified as what caused sleepless nights.  An employee’s desire to fix things, to right the ship, for improving community all were not progressing.  He chose to walk away, even though the challenge is likely what attracted him.

If you are more of a sports fan, you could relate to Andre Agassi’s tennis career with insights from his fantastic and insightful autobiography, Open.  When he walked away from tennis, he realized, “One day your entire way of life ends. It’s a kind of death.” 

Who had the better choice, Jeff or Andre?  Both had sleepless night, both worked very hard to achieve their number one status.  However, one walked away while he was still on top, and Agassi admits that if he went back to the sport that he’d retire sooner.

You are younger in your career than either of these pros. Perhaps your sleepless nights aren’t going to end in retirement or walking out of the game.  But by using the correct word choice to identify the root cause of the situation, your restlessness should be an indicator of something being wrong in your life — most often, we find it’s our work environment.

Your mindset needs to reflect where you want to go, not where you are.  By seeking out new opportunities, the problem set may take different analysis or you may think you are taking a step backward on this imagined career ladder.  Who cares besides yourself?  You need to be happy (useful, fulfilled, empowered - pick a great adjective that fits your goal) as you work toward your own definition of success (which I am certain doesn’t include misery, senseless heartburn or repetitive futile exhaustion).

The powerful decision makers actually choose tough solutions; they don’t make decisions to get away from problems.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Don’t Be Another Cog in the Corporate Empire

Many employees are given assignments without context or the opportunity to comment on the intended use of the project. Sometimes bosses don’t know why projects need completed because they are told to just divvy up tasks with strict deadlines from their bosses.  Other times, we are so self-focused on our own needs that we fall from leader to manager status, too busy to monitor the level of our own gas tanks and the well-being of our teams.  Widget designs, knowledgeable articles written, sales copy created - these are all examples of daily assignments completed by cogs of corporate empires.

A researcher in New Orleans responded to a question posed by the media with his own question recently, a familiar tactic I use with my university students to get them to analyze more and do rote work less: If you don’t understand the source of the problem, how can you solve it?

Dr. Ibrahima Seck was reflecting on research of a wicked problem in America’s past, rooted in how to educate people and discuss its far reaching impact. He understands the waves of effect even if daily there is a struggle to understand the “why” of the original horror.

Daily, everyone faces contradictory problems and many people wonder at their own difficulties (wondering why we work where we do, ways to get out of toxic employment environments, reviewing alternative careers to better match our “right space”). Regardless of your background or appearance, you can ask the right questions to solve the right problems. It’s not the first question, or even second and third, that produces the correct direction.

Keep asking questions to get to what’s really important.  At work, perhaps that widget was thought by someone to make a better mousetrap, but really it’s the spring that needs modification.  Focus on the right path rather than the easy assigned one. In your personal life, look at the ways you actually spend your time rather than how you want to be spending your time.

For instance, do you think Patrick wanted to lead the snakes out of Ireland and have the day of his death celebrated 1,556 years later? The real story is that he was captured and made a slave by the Irish when he was sixteen. From his life’s work, it’s obvious that he didn’t ask the question, “Why was I captured and enslaved,” but wondered, “What can I do to make a difference for them?”  

After he escaped to his family, he became a cleric and returned to the people who enslaved him. He used his time during oppression to develop himself.  He was a foreigner in a sometimes unwelcoming land. Though celebrated as a Saint, he’s never been canonized by a Pope, has no official declaration (or thanks) for his good words and works by his “employer,” the church.

Perhaps you have felt this way at work. Maybe there are times when you feel that your Herculean efforts receive no recognition regardless of the money and time saved for your organization. Consider if you are asking “What’s wrong with my boss,” instead of a more important question like, “Where can I contribute more value on a daily basis?”

If you ask the right questions as you face the future because the past will influence it but not bring you truth; the answers will make more of a difference to you. 

Fear not and keep searching, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

When Your Boss’ Malfunction Costs Your Business $ and Sense

There have been many stories lately about disappointing or plain ol’ bad managers (they aren’t good enough to be called leaders) who are narcissistic, show czarist traits or those who make you think of an infamous line from Forest Gump.

Take a break from your work day and see which of the outlines applies to your boss—then, use the crosswalk below to see how you can positively affect business and what you should do about them.  (Feel free to cast your vote as to which type you’ve encountered in the comments!)

The Scapegoat: This is the one to whom all problems lead, but somehow manages to point a finger elsewhere (even though it should be pointed right back in a mirror at the top dog). Never this one’s fault, but will grab the closest underline to throw under the bus. Example

The Squirrel: You know how nuts are hidden by this rodent all during the fall for self-preservation through a winter storm and it seems to be a never ending hole to supply food (aka excuses)? Yep, same concept. According to the squirrel, everyone else hid the fruits and the head nut has no clue. Illustration 

The Badger: “Luke, I am your father,” and you better not question me or you’ll get sent to your room over and over again.  Loyalty is demanded of you or prepare to be tossed off the island—poof! Highlight 

The Goldfinch: When a whole lot just seems like a way to get a lot more; Alfred Hitchcock had a great representation of how this type can multiple and become a real nuisance by volume alone, regardless of their real-world impact.  Bankroll

The Rabbit: While seemingly cute on the outside, the crazy-maker bouncing around everyone’s projects and wanting it ALL with unreasonable timelines and no substance to support the tasks, well…“Thumper” only refers to the foot-hitting the workers on the head or in the butt to move faster (and frequently not in the right direction as well as not accomplishing anything). Bunny-foo-foo

The Blue-Footed Booby: Wanting something so bad it brings a drool to one’s lips, bad choices are made over and over again in the drive get higher on the ladder. Pride goeth before the fall, even when it causes embarrassment in public life. Drumroll

The Sloth: Often rising above level of competency, you have no idea how getting that far was possible given productivity and disinclination to do more. You are reminded… constantly… why it is one of the seven deadly sins, particularly when a problem balloons to epic proportions. Cartoon but real world

So you’ll notice in this last depiction I reminded you of the seven deadly sins.  Frequently, it’s easy to see sins in others, particularly when they make our lives miserable and threaten our paycheck.  Take a look again at the typecasting for the animal-ification (as opposed to personification) of those sins:  Scapegoat = Envy; Squirrel = Gluttony; Badger = Wrath; Goldfinch = Greed; Rabbit = Lust; Blue-Footed Booby = Pride; Sloth = well, Sloth. 

I did not use the typical references for these examples because rarely do we find the perfect beast in the real world. However, to counter these office monstrosities, we do need to use virtues and some common sense that seems so rare when problem-solving. 

Since you could follow superhero comics, you know that good is used to battle evil. Your company’s outward-facing communications and appearance need to ensure it doesn’t reflect your animal-ification above. Here are the “goods” you need to use in order to “fight the stupids” (as they used to say at the Maple Street Book Shop). These are derived from Greek philosophy as well as theological virtues that all have applications in the marketplace. Here’s how you can overcome the top-down impairments to help your business to succeed.

• Best used in defense of Envy is Prudence (Timing) - Timing is everything, including doing the right thing at the right time (which is prudence).  If it hurts others, don’t do it; know that envy stems from people realizing that you personally can do more and almost always do it right (which feeds their envy). To whom much is given, much is required—this means you. Realize, too, that it may be you that listens to a customer complain about the beast.
• Best used in defense of Gluttony is Temperance (Restraint) - You need to display mindfulness of your surroundings with self-control and moderation, balancing the good of the business with the cray-cray tasks requested.  If you focus too much on the insanity, it causes you to forget to contribute to “the bottom line” in a positive way, giving those higher up a sign to show you to the exit. They say moderation is best, and this applies to your attitude as well as price hikes or sales cuts, too.
• Best used in defense of Wrath is Faith (Truth) - When you don’t add logs to a fire, the diminishing fuel can no longer sustain the burn once the original logs are gone. When you look at what’s right and don’t feed into the hostility or conflict by antagonizing the situation, you show respectful trust that the end will be right, regardless of the anger shown by someone giving orders. Angry customers or angry coworkers will always appear; let them vent and then get back to solving problems.
• Best used against Greed is Love (Goodness) - Two wrongs don’t make a right, so consider that behaving in the right not only helps you sleep at night, but others will notice that you chose the high road over and over again. Customers are moving more toward socially responsible companies, products and their customer service avenues that it literally pays to do the right thing.
• Best used in defense of Lust is Justice (Process) - They say justice is blind, but those who help bring justice to situations are careful to note the rules and apply them. You cannot despair or be fearful, but rely on the truth to get you through a myriad of intimidation tactics.  If you are handling a recall or accident, the truth is always the best policy. It’s the only thing that will stand of its own accord at the end of the day and it will keep you standing tall, too.
• Best used in defense of Pride is Hope (Encouragement) - When you focus on the outcome of a project or assignment rather than how you look doing the task, respect is earned from those who truly matter. Hope is one tool that you should consistently use to empower as well as encourage others around you to help fight the battle instead of fighting the wacko all alone. Customers will rave about your helpfulness and likely seek your advice when making purchasing decisions.
• Best used in defense of Sloth is Courage (Strength) - Being careful and honest in your worth ethic carries your reputation a long way. Everyone knows it takes longer to build than destroy, so make sure to show your strength because you aren’t giving up on doing what’s right or what takes some work to accomplish.  Courage is a cousin of patience, because you know you are going to be stomping mad at the slow progress, so apply them both for improving the situation at work.

These are the ways we work together to fight egos and temptations. It’s a community effort, with a variety of tools (voting, purchasing power and more) to show what we believe and not let the bad folks win. Nowhere do I note that you fight a battle alone, though admittedly sometimes that happens. You control your own behavior and rise above - the cream goes to the top.

Be a warrior from the top even if you aren’t at the top… your actions will soon get you there. 

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Best Practice Traits From The Kingdom

You know that by looking out the window that you can gain new perspectives. The same is true when you look beyond your own door, crossing borders to other kingdoms - particularly the animal kingdom. 

Elephants are not known for their delicate nature. Similar to the connotation of a bull in a china shop, their strength and fortitude keeps them focused and alive in various environments. When encountering an obstacle, many people make the assumption that an elephant considers any obstruction a barrier to be broken. 

You know what assumptions get you…

Here are some traits of elephants:

• Long-term memory.
• Ability to use tools.
• Create complex social groups.

But take a look at this problem-solving skill. The elephant remembers this scenario from a prior situation and although it is using the road (the path of least resistance), it could just walk around the barrier. Yet, deciding to stay true to the route selected, the first barrier is lifted while the second can’t be handled the same way even though it is nearly identical. New solution, problem resolved and momentum continues. 

How many times have you come across an obstacle and where you’ve had to remember how to address an issue similar to one in the past, used tools as well as your network to overcome the issues and continued on your way? I’m not saying that you’re an elephant, but best practice across industries (and species) makes things easier for everyone. 

If you have ever had to face the gorilla in the room, you know it’s best to stay one step ahead. Learn from others and apply these elephant lessons to your own enterprise. 

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen