Subscribing to magazines is a great way to inspire new ideas. Begin by visiting your local newsstand or bookstore and start browsing. If you find some you really enjoy then purchase them. At home you will be able to sit down and really see what is out there. You can also get online and find out what’s happening in business, fashion, home living, parenting and more. Try sites like Glam.com and iVillage.com. With a computer at your fingertips, nothing can stop you from accessing great articles, image and features that will inspire you and help you grow. The possibilities are endless!
There are several magazines—both print and online—that appeal to me. I make every effort to subscribe to those publications that speak to my heart. Some are business related, while others address family and the personal side of my life. Often, a good read is all I need to get inspired. Pink magazine is a personal favorite of mine, with its tagline--a beautiful career; a beautiful life. It emphasizes the fact that my personal life and my business life are not separate; in fact, they are intertwined. And that’s how I keep it real—by refusing to differentiate the two. Instead, I focus on my passions and my goals.
In addition to the many great magazines and Web sites you’ll find online and at the newsstand, you can also be inspired by our stories of women entrepreneurs who are putting the real you in their lives!
What magazines do you enjoy? Where do you draw inspiration from?
Maybe your business needs to be re-energized, or you need to refocus your vision for the company of your dreams. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that can guide you through the process. But first, you have to know what you want and where you're going. Create a vision statement!
A vision statement, or road map for your brand, is basically a game plan. In one or two sentences, you can define your goals in a way that everybody understands and embraces. Determine a few words that embody what your business is about. I call them essence words, and they can help you craft a clear, well-defined vision statement. After that's accomplished, get started on a business plan!
If you're tired of sending traditional e-mail messages, consider a more interesting way of conveying your communications. From branded cows to Big Boy restaurant signs, the Web site RedKid.net provides an array of fun images that can be customized with your own words. Here are some examples of how you can get your point across...
I recently stumbled across a great personality test from the company, Neenah Paper. This isn't your typical personality test. In fact, there are no multiple choice questions involved. This test helps you gauge your personality through the use of colors. Try it for yourself and post which color corresponds with your personality!
Which of these three colors do you prefer? Yellow, Blue or Red?
If you prefer yellow, this is a more accurate description of your personality:
"Finding common ground is the game you play best. You calm troubled situations and bridge differences. Your awareness of others' perspectives and points of view is a very powerful tool. It enables you to express contrary, unpopular feelings without offending anyone. People feel they know where they stand with you, and are willing to let you help them. And consequently, you are happy when you're able to give of yourself. By keeping people listening, you establish a forum for solutions and possibilities to unfold.
If you prefer blue, this is a more accurate description of your personality:
"You are a dreamer and a visionary-wistful, imaginative and eccentric. You're preoccupied with the future. Your dreams give you the mental discipline to concentrate and stay on track. You need to justify your life by having a positive influence on the world, even on those you don't know. Your ability to prioritize helps you to be proactive. Blues can fix things before they are broken! Thinking about the future energizes you-putting forth your ideas and reshaping the world are keys to your happiness."
If you prefer the color red, this is a more accurate description of your personality:
"You know exactly what you want. Money, power and status give you a sense of security, but ultimately you see them as a means of expression. This is your primary goal. You're not one to hoard your wealth. On the contrary, you would give up almost anything for those you're concerned about. You are ambitious, driven, confident and outgoing. You don't want to remake the world in your image, you just want to be in charge of fixing things. Conversely, you have little tolerance for inefficiencies. Your practical approach allows you to evaluate things and the people around you-helping others to recognize the reality of a situation."
This is just the beginning of the test. Once you pick a primary color, you choose secondary colors to complement it, then even more colors to help hone in on your true personality. It's a fairly extensive test with surprisingly accurate results. If you have the chance, try it for yourself. The more you understand yourself, the better you'll understand how you communicate with others. In real estate, it's imperative to know how you communicate, so you can better meet the needs of the consumer, develop your personal brand and determine your competitive advantage!
Allow your strengths to shine, set boundaries and find a balance that works for you and your family. This is my best advice for those brave souls that choose to share the same work setting with their spouse.
I have been working with my husband, Harley Rouda Jr., at Real Living for the past 12 years and it has been an increasingly rewarding experience. Harley and I complement each other with our strengths, but we don't always agree. We make it work by defining our roles. Determine from the get-go who has the final say on decisions and who's responsible for various functions in the company. That's a must. Then there's the issue of financial and emotional risk. When you're both involved, that obviously increases. But there's an awesome tradeoff that you simply can't ignore: When everything is running smoothly, it's doubly rewarding-and you'll be able to enjoy that together.
Check out my recent podcast episode with Harley, "Working with Your Spouse," by subscribing to the Real You Incorporated podcast on iTunes.
If you’re looking for new marketing inspiration, I highly recommend the book, Small is the New Big: and 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas by Seth Godin. Godin’s ideas can stimulate creativity and open your eyes to change, but, this really isn’t your typical business book. There’s even a disclaimer found on the book’s sleeve that states:
“WARNING: If you want a narrative and lots of research, you’re in the wrong place. But I’m betting you don’t need another dense business book. What you need is a small prod or perhaps a friendly whack. And maybe a few ideas you can really run with. Have fun.”
If “Jobs for Purple Cows” and a “McDonald’s Cocktail Party” seem like intriguing or puzzling topics to you, then go pick up Godin’s book and have fun in a world of ideas and inspiration that will cause your brain to approach marketing in a new way.
Take the following quiz that tests your knowledge on eco-preservation. Post a comment with your score.
1. Which of the following light bulbs is the most energy efficient?
A. Compact Flourescent B. Incandescent C. Halogen
2. How long does it take carbon dioxide to disperse in the atmosphere?
50 years
75 years
100 years
150 years
3. Which of the following items lasts in the environment the longest?
Glass
Plastic
Leather
Disposable Diapers
4. What percent of global energy comes from non-renewable resources?
26%
45%
65%
92%
5. How many miles will the average American drive in their lifetime?
45,078 miles
298,207 miles
452,662 miles
627,000 miles
*Answers found at the bottom of the blog post
What was your score? Three out of five? Four out of five? Well if you scored higher than one out of five, you beat my score. I don't claim to be up on all the latest numbers, but I do work hard to recycle and keep my car emissions to a minimum.
Basically, everybody can stand to learn a little about the environment and the ways in which we can reduce carbon footprints. If you are passionate about incorporating and promoting environmental practices in real estate, consider becoming EcoBroker certified. In a competitive market, this is one certification that sets you apart from the rest. Real Living understands the growing market for eco-friendly real estate, so we offer our agents the opportunity to earn an EcoBroker designation through Real Living's Real University. By becoming an EcoBroker, you'll learn how to better address environmental issues such as:
• Radon, asbestos, lead and mold • Finding sustainable energy options such as Energy Star® • How to increase resale value through eco-friendly adaptations
Do you watch YouTube? What about streaming video from television Web sites like NBC or MTV? If you're like many Americans, online video has become a convenient way to watch breaking news, access sports events or catch up on your favorite prime-time television shows. In fact, "Business Week" recently ran an article that states, "In the first 12 days of the Beijing Olympics, users of NBC's Web site had watched more than 56 million video streams-- more than the combined total for the previous two Olympiads-Torino, Italy, in 2006; and Athens, Greece, in 2004."
Have you implemented online video into your marketing plan? If you haven't, consider using video to bring your brand to life. Don't do it in the traditional sense: all about you. Instead, shoot a video about your brand and what it makes your customers feel like. Today's consumers want to get to know you and your brand. They want a real, personal connection. Video is a great way to translate your philosophy and brand online. Post it on your site, and then post it on YouTube. Send it by e-mail to new prospects. Think of video as a chance to invite them into your office, virtually.
Real Living offers agents the opportunity to create their own professional, authentic and compelling videos of themselves, their listings or their area of expertise through "Real Living Stories." Online video is becoming an increasingly popular medium through which consumers are reached, so utilize this tool and keep experimenting with different methods of communicating your message.
The meeting will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Smith and Wollensky at Easton Town Center. For more information and to RSVP, visit NAWBO Columbus. I hope to see you there!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 the average American worked 42.9 hours a week. Over the course of a year, this added up to approximately 2230 hours, which is about 92 weeks straight. If you're spending this much time in your office, wouldn't it make sense to create a comfortable work atmosphere that allows you to display your creativity and express your inner passions?
Create an office that reflects the real you by addressing the needs of your five senses. Start with color. When painting or furnishing your office, choose colors that exhibit your personality. For example, those who consider themselves to be imaginative, idealistic, a visionary and somewhat eccentric at times may be drawn to the color blue. You may also want to surround yourself with visual reminders of your hobbies and passions such as pictures, mementos and other personalized décor.
Next, stimulate your sense of smell with a favorite scented candle or air freshener-lavender, sandalwood and vanilla are great stress-relieving scents. When it comes to taste, keep a container of mints, chocolates or hard candy in your office. The M&M's Web site gives consumers the option of customizing and ordering candy by color and with a personalized message on the shell. If you choose to go with candy, make sure you choose a flavor that exhibits an aspect of your personality.
Whether you like Beethoven or the Beach Boys, choose some tunes that reflect your taste in music. Play this when you're working, or program it into your office phone ring tone. There are some great desk clocks that double as iPod docks on the market right now. Turn on your favorite iPod playlist or listen to some soothing sounds of nature
Lastly, make sure you address the importance of touch. From your chair to the flooring, it's important to feel comfortable in your workspace. Pick a stylish desk chair that supports your back and adds personalized flair to the room. Your desk should be spacious and ergonomic. After all, if you're like the average American, you're spending quite a bit of time at your desk. For more information about how you can make your office a reflection of the Real You through the use of your five senses, check out Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs or access RealYouIncorporated.com.
I'm blogging about the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in real estate and about how important it is to put the real you in your business, for a genuine, sustained competitive advantage. Visit www.RealYouIncorporated.com for more!
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda
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