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Emma McQueen

Planning

Content is Queen

| Action Station, Planning, Results, ThrivingWomen2019

Content is Queen – I had to learn this the hard way. Excuse my reference all through this article to the Queen of Content, Holly Cardamone from Blue51 Communications but, she rocks, and credit where credit is due my friends.

I got told “build a list, it will be great”; “write a newsletter, it will be fab”; “post content on social media, it will help “, and all along I was thinking to myself, I have nothing to say, but that was just my small insignificant voice scaring me to do nothing. I hate that voice with a passion, and so whenever it speaks, I do the opposite just to prove it wrong!

I went to a couple of those content days where you are supposed to come out with a fan dangled new way of writing content. I came out thoroughly confused and paralysed by how much work may have been ahead of me. So, I did the next best thing, had a strong coffee and dialled Holly. CHANGED. MY. LIFE. I kid you not.

Jess and I sat down with Holly for three hours on a sunny afternoon toward the end of 2018. I ate the gorgeous food that Holly presented while waffling on about the work that I do, the people I help etc etc. Meanwhile, Holly and Jess were madly taking notes on post-it notes. I wrote two words that day, and that was it.

It’s not that I didn’t take it seriously, it was just that I had SOOO much to say, and I didn’t even bluddy know it. Holly, apparently knew it and so at the end of the three hours, we had a content plan for the year 2019, we had some content pillars (which are basically like themes that you talk about each time you write) and we had a way to use the blogs I was writing in a way that was effective and efficient. MIND BLOWN.

I won’t lie, it’s still a lot of work, but now, now we have a plan and we just stick with it. This bit is my speciality. A quick story: I promised myself that I would log into my fitness pal for a whole year, yup, 365 days of registering food and exercise. By about day 200, I was done, but I had committed to the full 365 days, and so, at day 366, I turned that sucker off and felt enormous relief. Why didn’t I just quit? It’s just not my style. When I commit, I commit. When I say I am going to do something, damn it, I move heaven and earth to get it done. I am, if nothing else, consistent.

So, we started 2019 with a bang! We got in there, Jess made up a beautiful schedule for me, that we still use, and we post consistently. Like everyone out there, it takes time. I was having a coaching session with a client the other day, and she said this “Emma, I have to commend you on your consistency to post and send out your newsletter each week, I love what you write, and I love that you are so disciplined”. I was wrapped. Yes, I can see how many “opens” we get (our average is currently 50%), but what I can’t see is the impact that the words have on people unless they tell me.

Here’s what I have learnt along the way, there are still learnings to come:

Work with a professional  Work with an expert. Working with Holly was a game changer for us. She knows her stuff, speaks our language and provides enormous value to us throughout the year, not just in that three-hour time slot.

Have a plan
You gotta have a plan! Look, I am all for winging it as Emma Isaacs would say, but a man without a plan, is, well, a man. Having said this, be flexible enough with the plan to shift. If some events happen and you feel compelled to write about them, do that. Plan and then be flexible.

Be smart
Be smart about what you use. Write once; use over and over again. This is not a new phenomenon, but sometimes we forget that the article we wrote on self-care a few years ago, is still so relevant to our crew that we can pull it out, dust it off and tweak it and use it. This also means, write the article, and then dissect it for use elsewhere- use it in your Instagram, Facebook, stories and linked in.


Keep it real
You gotta keep it real. I heard this saying that goes something like “people hear your content, but they sniff your intent”. You know when you meet someone, and you listen to what they are saying, but you know it’s BS and it feels like there is an ulterior motive? Yeah, don’t do that.

Provide value
If you ain’t gonna provide value, don’t do it. It’s not that hard. If you really don’t know what you are going to say, how you want to serve others, get some professional help (as in an excellent copywriter, not psych help – although, if you need psych help, do that as well)

So… if you are wondering how to get your message out, how to provide value, what to say, how to pull it all together, when to write, how to write, then do yourself a favour and speak to Holly – The Queen of Content. Because at the end of the day, content is Queen.

Be enthusiastic, optimistic and energetic every day.

Em x

Three surprising hacks that will save you time, money and energy, from an unlikely source!

| All Posts, Planning

Let me introduce you to this week’s guest blogger, Jamie Jaworski. Jamie is the Principal and Chartered Accountant at OAK Business Services.

Jamie’s professional life started as an auditor at PwC, then he went on to become a Chartered Accountant. Since PwC he has held several corporate roles in accounting, financial reporting and business improvement.

However, it is working with small and medium sized business owners that he is most passionate about. Using his skills, knowledge and experience he helps business owners go further with their business.

The tips he is offering this week are so simple, yet will change the way you do business, and will in turn save you time, money and energy. Who knew a Charted Accountant could offer so much?!

Take it away Jamie . . .


I was working with a client recently who came to me stressed and a bit frazzled. She was spending hours each week trying to use an accounting package that was too complex for the business and she had no method of tracking new leads. I began to think about how many business owners out there are struggling to keep on top of things and working for their business, instead of having their business work for them. Here’s 3 tips towards getting your business to work for you!

1. Control your prospects!
Are you losing track of your contacts? Their history, notes, emails, calls, who works at what company, what your sales pipeline looks like?

Never fear, there are solutions out there for you! And some are even free 🙂

A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system helps keep track of the people and companies you do business with, communications with them, opportunities in the pipeline, and what needs to be done and when. A CRM will help you present professionally, as all pertinent information about a prospect can be at your fingertips.

2. What’s the plan for your business?
Every business should have a business plan. Without a live business plan many businesses fly blind. Money may be coming in, but for the same effort a better lifestyle and more money could be achievable.

Business plans are not only for startups, they should be a continuously referenced and updated. A business plan will allow you to see your business end-to-end, provide strategic focus and help you set priorities. If you haven’t already got a business plan, take the time to create one and schedule in a monthly review.

3. Are you continuously improving?
All businesses big and small have consistent opportunities for improvement. Even the smallest change such as using your phone calendar to slot in times for key tasks can help you get things done.

Set some time aside each month to think about how you do things and brainstorm how they could be done better. If the task you are completing isn’t adding value to your business, or a step towards your goal, then drop it or delegate it. Your time is valuable and you should be viewing your tasks with that in mind.

Inefficiencies and opportunities exist in all businesses. Through our exclusive Business Improvement Program, we provide businesses with outcomes to remedy inefficiencies and capitalise on opportunities. All to generate a better customer experience and increased profits. Feel free to contact OAK Business Services to show you how the Business Improvement Program could help your business.

OAK Business Services – oakbusienssservices.com.au

Jamie Jaworski
Principal and Chartered Accountant
OAK Business Services
jamie.jaworski@oakbusinessservices.com.au

Packaging up your services

| Action Station, Planning

I love to see people doing work they love, using their passion and purpose, and getting paid their worth. However, unfortunately what I see is people in service-based industries charging an hourly rate for whatever it is that they do. This is such a trap to get caught in and I want to explain why.

For most people when starting out in business an hourly rate seems like the right thing to do. They may not have many clients, they may be entry level in regards to experience that they can offer or they may not have a strong hold on the service they will offer, and as such an hourly rate seems like the best option for charging.

As a result of charging an hourly rate, over time, their clients or customers are trained to think in a time for money transaction INSTEAD of focusing on results or outcomes. When they work this way, they inevitably hit a ceiling of work because they have “used” all the hours allocated to them to do the work. 

I suspect some people continue to charge this way because 1) they don’t know any other way;  2) they can’t figure a way to package up their service; or 3) they are fearful that if they step out of the hourly space, they will need to put their money where their mouth is from a results perspective. 

However, if they don’t change how they serve their clients or customers, they will hit maximum hours and not have the ability to grow in business. So, it seems that to be successful and grow in business, change is inevitable.

The easiest way to package your services is to follow these three steps;

1. Look at your current services and determine what it is that your client’s value, and package your services accordingly.
Look at your current services (or potential new services) and outline what your client’s value. This will be dependent on the industry you work in, but it could be the ability to have more free time, the need to be seen as more professional than their competitors, more customers etc. Then package your services from lowest amount of value delivered to highest amount of value delivered.

2. Focus on the outcomes that each of your packages offer the client.
Be specific in what your packages offer in regard to your services but also the outcomes and results for the clients. 

3. Price your packages.
When pricing your packages, base it on knowledge you have of previously completing similar work. Ensure that you consider any resources or extra’s you “give” the client and add a dollar value to it. Once you have priced it, package it up to be attractive to the client and show them how they can save money by accessing your services via a package as opposed to a one-off rate or an hourly rate.

For instance, one of my programs is Thriving Women. This includes: 1:1 coaching, private networking dinners, personal development workshops, co working space, a private Facebook page, accountability groups. It’s a lot of different things packaged together to provide value for my clients.

The value you provide to your clients shouldn’t be based on the individual hours that you put in, it should be about the results and outcomes that you provide for them. Offer packages that will allow you to grow your business while not hitting that ceiling of hours you have available to you. And finally, remember that when packaging up your services to try and add as much value to your client without over committing yourself.

Do you need help with packaging up your services? My Chaos to Clarity session is a 3-hour session where we take a deep dive into your business. Together, we’ll go over all the services you offer, their pricing and packaging. We’ll do a full cull of what no longer works for you. We’ll remove the offerings that don’t provide a sufficient income and the clients or the types of work you simply don’t enjoy, that drain you rather than uplift you. Wouldn’t it be nice to be working the way you want with clients you love? 

Who’s Looking After You?

| All Posts, Planning, Results, ThrivingWomen2019

We are well and truly back in the swing of things here, school is back, and work is ramping up. Now, hands up if the summer break didn’t go quite as planned? You know how it goes, grand plans to switch off and take time out, but you felt busier than ever and as a result are already feel burnt out! I am hearing the same from so many friends and colleagues, January was a blur of getting all the ‘things’ done with very little or no time out.

I get it, life is busy. We play the role of parent, partner, friend, employee, boss, the list goes on, how on earth are we really meant to take time out when we are juggling all of this? Well the reality is if we don’t take time out to look after ourselves, the  chances are that no one else will, and then what?

This is where self-care comes into play. Self-care sets you up to be mentally, physically, and emotionally equipped to handle the demands of life. Before you argue that you have no time or money for self-care, let me stop you: the cost of not taking care of yourself is much greater in the long run.

So, what exactly is self-care? Simply put it is self-initiated actions to stay healthy (mentally, physically and emotionally). It is listening to your mind and body and meeting its needs. Self-care will look different for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Headspace have put together these 10 simple self-care tips to maximise well being. These are so easy for anyone to include in their everyday life – give it a go! 

1. Regularly engage in an activity that you find relaxing. Put aside a little time every day to do something that you really enjoy, such as going for a walk, gardening, listening to music or reading. Schedule it into your daily routine so that it becomes a natural part of your life. 

2. Practice regular relaxation. Try to squeeze in some yoga or meditation before starting your day. It can be helpful to visualise a safe, peaceful space e.g. a comforting room, a beautiful beach or lovely bush setting, and spend 5-10 minutes imagining this in your mind. 

3. Maintain your friendships. Connect regularly with friends and family and undertake activities you enjoy together. 

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are experiencing stress or worry it can help to talk to someone about it. You may like to speak to a friend, family member, you GP or a counsellor. Ask for help when you need it and accept help when it is offered – realise that you cannot do everything. 

5. Get regular exercise. This will help to reduce stress levels and improve your health. Try to find an activity you enjoy. Exercising with others can help you to stay motivated. Aim for at least 20 minutes a day; even a 10 minute walk will benefit you. 

6. Eat a nutritious, balanced diet. This can help with energy levels and stress management. Avoid consuming too much caffeine or sugar. It may help you to feel more energised in the short term, but can have negative effects in the long term. 

7. Be kind to yourself. A positive and compassionate attitude can help you manage difficult times. Encouraging and rewarding yourself for getting through a difficult period or achieving a goal, however small, will reinforce your self-confidence. 

8. Take some quiet time out for yourself, away from your usual demands, even if this is only for 15 minutes a day. For example, going for a walk, having a bath, having a cuppa or reading the newspaper. 

9. Plan something to look forward to, a holiday, day trip or an outing with friends. 

10. Get good quality sleep. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Switch off all electronics at least an hour before going to bed so that you can wind down. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try a relaxation technique or quiet activity until you feel sleepy again. 

When we focus on looking after ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally, we are ensuring that we are equipped to get the best out of ourselves. 

As the old saying goes – you can’t pour from an empty cup, so, are you looking after yourself? 

Developing a self care plan is vital to ensuring that you are continually looking after yourself. Click here for more information on how to develop a self care plan and start looking after yourself.

Goal Setting the S.M.A.R.T way

| All Posts, Planning, Results, Time Management

One of the most common goal setting acronyms is the S.M.A.R.T goals acronym. This says that all goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound in order to be most effective. I have explained these a bit more below; 

S.M.A.R.T

Specific– be very specific with the goal you are trying to achieve.
Measurable– it needs to able to be measured. i.e. reduce expenses by 10% rather than just reduce expenses.
Achievable– Can you achieve it? Be honest with yourself but make it a stretch at the same time.
Relevant– Make sure your goals are relevant to where you want to go. Keep them aligned to you, this way you will keep sight of them.
Time-bound– Make sure your goals have a deadline. When you have a deadline it injects a sense of urgency and accountability.  

So, while ensuring that your goals are S.M.A.R.T, there are some other points to take into consideration when setting goals; 

Write your goals down

By writing your goal down you are ensuring that you never forget it and remain accountable to it. 

Use careful consideration of the phrasing of your goal

Use words like ‘will’ instead of ‘would like to’ or ‘try to’ – this phrasing allows for potential excuses. Also avoid phrases like  “I don’t want to …”, Positively phrased goals are easier for the brain to recognise and understand.  

Set goals that motivate you

If you set goals that motivate you, you are on the path to success. 

Remember Clare from the previous blog (if not check out the blog here), when we worked on her goals, we actioned all of the above. We wrote Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound goals that were positively phrased and that were sure to motivate her to see her own success – and sure enough she smashed her goals! 

Have a go at applying the above principles when setting your goals. I would love to hear how you go!  

I am the coach that will help you set goals to achieve results. If you would like to see if I can help you recognise, set, and achieve your goals I would love to chat with you. Connect with me here.

What is a goal? Are goals important?

| All Posts, Planning

Everyone who works with me knows that I am results driven! 

I love setting goals and then working hard to achieve them (and exceed them). Working with me means you will achieve your goals and see results! 

More often than not clients come to me as they are not seeing results in what they are doing.  In my very first session with a client, we talk and I ask them questions about what results they are wanting to achieve. It quickly becomes obvious that they are working in an ad-hoc manner without clarity about what their goals are. With discussion and questions, I am able to help set goals and give assistance in creating action plans and achieving them. 

So what is a goal?

A goal is an observable and measurable desired result. 

Are goals important?

The simple answer is YES! Without creating goals, you may have an idea of what you want to achieve, but no set plan on how to actually achieve it. For that reason, it is so important to have goals (and clear ones at that) to keep you moving in the right direction. Goals can be applied to various areas of your life (personal and professional) and will help ensure that you are always moving forward. 

Take Clare for example – like many women in small business that I work with, Clare came into small business almost by accident. She had an idea and just sort of ran with it. She knew that she wanted to do her own thing but hadn’t had the time to really think about what she wanted to achieve from the business in a specific and measurable way. When she felt that she wasn’t achieving results it was easy to pinpoint why – she hadn’t set any goals to guide her in regards to the results she wanted to achieve. As a result, she was working her butt off (as most small business owners do) and finding that the effort was not being rewarded with results. We worked together to unpack what she wanted from the business and what success looked like for her. We then wrote some specific goals and action plans to ensure that she would reach these goals and see the results she wanted. 

The start of a new year is a great time to think about what your goals are, set them, and start working towards achieving them. 

Start thinking about what your goals may be and check back in next week where I will help guide you in how to set S.M.A.R.T. goals! 

If you want some help, reach out to me and if you think that someone in your life needs some of this goodness, please pass this on..