Stuff.

Sitting in my new office surrounded by unpacked boxes, I realize I have technically moved four times in the past 16 months. All have been moves of necessity. (economy, downsizing, helping friends out). It’s a complicated set of circumstances from which I continue to grow.

One thing I’ve learned is that you can be on the move and still get work done. I’ve carried some heavy project loads during our moves and not once dropped the ball or missed a deadline. Of course, modern technology has a lot to do with it, that and being very organized.

The other thing I’ve learned, (it should be no surprise to anyone), is that if you stay put for any length of time, you tend collect a lot of STUFF. It’s a weird part of our DNA. Everybody does it. After the moves we’ve made (my husband and I), after all the purging of STUFF, (either donate, recycle or at last resort, pitch), we still feel we have too much STUFF.

Gandhi said possessions are evil. What I think he meant was the possessions themselves aren’t evil, it’s our desire to have them that is. It can really get in the way — accumulating STUFF and it doesn’t make us any happier or fulfilled. We figured (my husband and I) that all we really need is the bit of stuff we use everyday, our house plants (great for better air quality during the long winter months), our dog and love.

So I’ve made a pact with myself. If I haven’t seen it, used it, certainly won’t miss it, that STUFF will be either donated, recycled or at last resort, pitched. I know I will continue to collect stuff, it’s in my DNA. But at least I can be more conscience of it.

The sad part of our country’s economy is that it’s so heavily depended upon people buying STUFF. I’m not saying all stuff is bad, just think it through before you buy. Wouldn’t it be better to buy the stuff that will make your home more energy efficient or stuff to start a vegetable garden than some plastic do-dad that only brings you joy for all of three minutes?

Every year, as “Black Friday” approaches, I shutter at the behavior that goes on. Last year, people were trampled and hurt in a rush to get into a store that I won’t name here. Just to buy STUFF. I hope that doesn’t happen this year. This year I hope people will step back, count their blessings and instead of buying STUFF, do something positive. Donate to a food shelf, save for the future, hug a friend who needs it, and if you can, make something for someone you love. The stuff made by hand is the best stuff to have. It’s unique, it’s been thoughtfully made for you and you alone — the stuff of love you won’t find at a Big Box, anywhere.
Happy Holidays.

Follow Your Bliss.

I realized something over the last few weeks about the projects I want to take on and the ones I don’t.

I took on a project that involved the development of a modest, professional services website recently.

Just the development. The writer and designer are people whose talents I admire and they are terrific to work with — I’d recommend them any day.

But because I was doing just the development, I felt very detached. A project for me is knowing and meeting the client, being involved from the get go. It also felt like I had placed myself 15 years in the past when I was just a production artist.

So while this project came to a completion to everyone’s satisfaction, I realized this is not the type of project I want to be doing. I didn’t learn anything new, I didn’t feel apart.

In contrast, I began a new branding project with a new client last week. We met, along with the writer for the project, for a getting-to-know you, what are your plans for your new business, how do you want to be perceived, what are your likes and dislikes, where do you see yourself in five years type of meeting.

A very good meeting. A meeting where you could tell there’s good creative chemistry between us — the kind I hope for. In this case, I get to know someone new, learn what they do and be exposed to new thoughts and ideas. I know the work will challenge me and allow me to grow as a designer — something I look for. It also makes me want to give it my all — to do my level best for this new client.

Which is what I mean about following your bliss. Part of that, for me, means building good working relationships where there’s trust in each other’s knowledge and options are valued. The work is always more rewarding and in the end, not only do I get paid from my clients, I get hugs.

That’s not to say I haven’t had some of this type of client or be at the receiving end of this type of decision maker. But since I’ve learned to follow my bliss, it’s far less likely to happen. And I’m saner for it.

So what’s your bliss? Are you following it? What’s standing in your way?

Please No Pithy Slogans, Mr. Obama.

During the G-20 press conference in London Thursday, President Obama was asked by a Chinese journalist if he had a slogan to represent the US Policy towards China. Obama responded by asking the Chinese journalist to come up with a pithy slogan for US policy towards his country because he couldn’t think of one. “If you have any suggestions, let me know. I’ll be happy to use them.”

Oh, please don’t. I know it’s human nature to give things names. I know this full well as someone who does brand marketing for living. But as far as I can remember, those pithy slogans dreamed up by past administrations came to represent some not so popular ideas, actions and policies. The past president gave us “No Child Left Behind,” “Plan D,” “Operation Enduring Freedom” and “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. Before that, there was “Desert Storm” and “Desert Shield.”

All slogans to sell the American people on war and poorly conceived policies.
Can you spell propaganda?

I know Obama is still using the phrase of the past administration “War on Terror.” I hope deep down he knows better — it’s such an absurd concept. How can you possibly declare war on something that has been around since the Stone Age? It’s too vague, it’s everywhere and comes in many different forms.

It’s like the War on Drugs. Can’t win that one either. But in both cases, the War on Terror, the War on Drugs — you simply create an environment in which they have no reason for existing. In both cases, that would mean improving the economic conditions of other countries, including our own. Minding our own business and staying out of countries we have no business butting into would be a good place to start, too. When people are not hurting, being threatened, tortured, are doing better, feel safer, have hope, that’s when the wars stop.

What I’m hoping is the reason Obama still uses the slogan “War on Terror” is he needs to appease the Military Industrial Complex. He needs to make them feel important under their new president. It’s my hope he will give the military a new lease at some point, soon. But one thing at a time. The global economy is taking up a lot of space right now.

And with that, I’m glad there are no catchy pithy slogans (at least not yet) surrounding what the government, Congress is doing to fix our current financial mess. It’s simply “a stimulus package.” All lower case. Obama knows we don’t need warm, fuzzy catch phases to make us feel better — and frankly, he has better things to do with his time than think up pithy slogans.

We don’t need to “brand” our times. History will take care of that. Right now, we need real solutions. Smart solutions. Obama, he’s on it.

We Are Not Afraid

Women that is. Women business owners and entrepreneurs, to be more specific, are not afraid of the Recession that has all the makings of a full blown Depression of the likes we have not seen before.

This was noted in a recent online survey (one in which I added my two cents to) conducted by e-women networking. Instead of being sucked in by all the gloom and doom the media constantly feed us, women are acting and reacting positively and creatively to the economic times in which we find ourselves.

They are reaching out and building their networks, making new connections and acting as a resource for others. Last thing any one should do is cower in a closet and wait until these mess passes, because you’ll be in for a long wait. The worst has not happened yet, so in the meantime, it’s so much better talking with others, take a positive stand and devise creative ways in which we can all get through this.

Some are finding they can barter their services in exchange for what they need. (We recently bartered for legal services in exchange for designing and developing a website to promote our lawyers’ new firm). Others are getting a handle on their business expenses, practical in good times and bad. Even though it would be great to hire, some are finding interns to help take up the slack. They may not be able to pay an intern as much as an employee, but they are giving that person valuable real-world work experience as well as a mentor.

Part of me feels really proud to be a woman right now and join the many who feel as optimistic about the future as I do. It puts out a positive karma, a force that will shield us from the worst as we link arms and say “bring it on.” Women, through out history have taken on huge challenges head on and have managed to not only survive but thrive — discover a resilience in themselves they never would have found if life remained a status quo.

So, what are you doing to stay positive about your work and life?

Vacation…All I Ever Wanted

Looking outside, it’s dreary and gray. They’ve made us turn the clock an hour ahead which makes me feel like I’m fighting jet lag for week. Yet there’s still snow on the ground with the promise of more to come.

At this time of year, it’s everyone’s daydream — just to get away. I know of friends who have gone someplace warm and sunny and a few who are about to depart to someplace warm and sunny. Me, not so lucky. The black sand beaches of Hawaii will have to wait another year. (That in it self is another story all together of why I’m not headed to someplace warm and sunny).

But in the past couple of years, I’ve adapted an alternative. I go on vacation in my head.

The first quarter, even with the best marketing efforts, tends to be slower for business than the rest of the year. So while I’m keeping the marketing up, networking, updating the website, etc., I take time out for moi. And not feel guilty that every moment of the work week is devoted to work or landing projects.

Flipping the idea that you have to board a plane to have a vacation is not only cost-effective, but like all creative types, we are all on the search for inspiration. Inspiration doesn’t come out of panic as to when you’ll land a new client, a new project, a new whatever. It comes by slowing down, being still, quieting the mind. Observing. Going on vacation, if only in your head.

It’s a time to take an hour or two a week to create watercolors — the essential balance for the artist in me and it helps me be a better designer. One winter, I decided to start knitting. I hadn’t knitted anything since I was in junior high. It’s a whole other world — knitting. It’s not a grandma thing anymore. If Julia Roberts knits in between takes, then maybe it’s sort of well, sexy, in a down home sort of way. I discovered I still know how to knit and am taking on the more ambitious projects, like knitting sweaters that I actually feel good about wearing in public.

A vacation should be described as any time you take out to explore, learn something new, anything that recharges you. And if you do, you’ll feel energized when that new whatever hits your desk.

Branding 101

Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit obsolete. With all the websites and ISPs out there promoting their free website templates that you, too, can easily “have a website tonight”, and best of all be found on the Internet to the websites offering free logos.

I know that with the economy, a lot of folks have gone DIY. That spirit of self-reliance is part of what makes this country great. Then there are times when calling in an expert is the smart, practical thing to do. I know I’m over my head when the sink starts overflowing.

Same point goes for branding. The DIY options out there will pretty much guarantee that one, you’re an amateur at what you do and two, you run the risk of looking like everybody else.

I actually witnessed this while researching roofing and siding companies on line. I found two local outfits using the identical web interface template. The only difference was their logos (which looked like is was DBN – designed by nephew) and their marketing spiel. The marketing spiel was not so well written as to make me want to pick up the phone, either. A classic case one can not overlook having professionally written content when it comes to building a website.

Still not convinced what professionally designed branding can do for you and your organization? I give you Exhibit A:

Our president, Barack Obama

Everything from the early start of his campaign to now is beautifully branded. That solid, consistent look and feel to carry his message built confidence in those who didn’t know him well in the beginning to believe that this guy knows what he’s doing. So we hired him. Obama is an extraordinary person in his own right, but I’ll bet he understands the value of good branding and how it helped him get where is today.

Obama didn’t DIY. He has a team of experts doing the branding and carrying it through all media, from his website, the recovery.gov site, to his Twitter page.

I know this is an extreme example, but expert branding can pump the sails into any organization. It’s important for all businesses to have their own visual vocabulary, their own personality to carry their message, their point of difference. If you think you can get this from a free logo, think again. Call an expert before the sink overflows.

Knowledge is the New Rich

I can’t believe what our Minnesota State Representative, Michele Bachmann said. This is not verbatim, but she said something to the effect “We losing all our rich people.” As if they should be put on the Endangered Species List.

I predict with the tone of the new administration and what country is going through, it won’t be cool to be rich. I’m all for making it through hard work and good ideas. Those who find themselves well off due to perseverance, often ethically do the right thing and become philanthropists along the way. Making it big based on greed is just plain immoral. It’s the Madoffs and Peters types that won’t make it.

Hey, it’s not a crime to be poor (or trying to keep your mid-class status).

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People across the country have had the rug literally ripped out from under them. Even as they could see the writing on the wall, there was little time to prepare, physically or emotionally. The economy crisis, the credit crisis, the housing crisis has leveled the playing field. Just about everyone has been brought down a few notches.

Despite all the pain everyone is going through, this crisis the country is facing may ultimately be a gift from the universe. For some it will be the chance to re-invent themselves, follow a passion they could not achieve working for somebody else. I’ve been hearing how creative people have become in getting by. I applaud the young married man who lost his job at a video production company. In between sending out resumes and trying to land interviews, he’s picking up scrap metal along the highways. He’d think nothing of picking up an abandoned washing machine in the ditch. The money earned from collecting scrap metal would pay for a couple of weeks’ worth of groceries. Not only is he earning income unemployed, he’s making the roadways cleaner — safer, better for the environment.

Then there are people who are out of work and can’t stand being home all day worrying about what to do next. So they volunteer. By doing so, they not only broaden their network, they better their communities. But beyond that, volunteering helps put back what people value more than a paycheck — purpose.

I see bartering making a come back. A creative solution and way of helping each other when we don’t have the money to pay, but at the same time not having to go without.

I believe the ultimate gift will be for us collectively as a nation, perhaps the world, is to say never again. We won’t allow the greed and schemes to go unchecked. We’ll expect and demand accountability. The biggest shift will be that your worth will be what you know not what’s in your wallet or bank account. Knowledge will be the new currency as the economy recovers. Creativity and innovation will re-gain the value it should have had a long time ago. It’s all about what you know and know how to do, people. No bank can foreclose on that.