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Never Stop Blogging

1. Social Media and New Year’s Resolutions...Staying on Top of Both

   By Brian Van Norman on | February 3, 2012 | Comments (0) | Share

   Nearly half of us (45%) usually make a New Year’s resolution, but less than 10% are successful in achieving that goal. The same can be said in business as well. In this ever-changing marketplace, many companies have resolved to develop a social media presence, but have met less-than-stellar results.

   As we head in to February, how many of you are still working toward your goals? How many have been sidetracked already? Here are four tips that can keep you on track – personally and professionally.

   1. Conquer the fear: whether it’s losing weight or raising brand awareness through social media, the first step you need to take is move beyond negative thoughts. Brush away fears like: “My investment won’t pay off.” or “I don’t have the time for this.”
      
      
   2. Commit your time: Any project that feeds positive results is going to take dedicated time and effort. Losing weight can’t happen overnight, neither can building a successful social media strategy. In today’s world, we are all super busy with a laundry list of tasks. If you want the reward, make time each day and prioritize two things that you can do that will move you toward your goal.
      
      
   3. Develop a plan: To achieve success in any aspect of your life, it is critical to develop a game plan before taking action. Don’t start out empty handed and without the right tools to help you succeed. Take a little time to research and learn about what you are facing. Set small achievable goals that you can reach and celebrate as you move toward your ultimate goal. Doing so will keep you motivated and focused on the end strategy.
      
      
   4. Stay engaged: If you are trying to lose 30 pounds, reach out to your friends and use them as accountability partners. This will help keep your drive alive as you achieve each milestone. The same holds true in business. In developing a social media presence, look to colleagues for feedback on your plan. Pick their minds on what is working and what needs improvement. Be flexible and willing to adjust your strategy as you move along. Remember it’s called social media for a reason. Keep it social. Stay engaged throughout the process and you’ll see the difference in the end.

   Whether it’s a personal or professional goal you are seeking to reach, remember to cut yourself some slack along the way. The process may be difficult and you may have a setback along the way, but don’t beat yourself up. Keep moving toward the goal and good things will come. If you’d like more great social media information, check out the Fresh Ideas blog by BurrellesLuce.

2. It Doesn't Take a Disaster to Give

   By Brian Van Norman on | March 14, 2011 | Comments (0) | Share

   Like many Americans, I woke Friday to the horrific news of what was transpiring in Japan. Earthquakes and the subsequent tsunami have left the country devastated with thousands feared dead and damage in the billions. How does a country begin to recover from such a devastating disaster? With devastation on such a large scale, where do they begin? The answer is…with a little help.

   Americans have always been quick to lend a hand to the world, and this situation is no different. President Obama has pledged support and many organizations have set up relief efforts to those affected. People across the nation are donating money, clothing and time. The Huffington Post has a great article listing many ways we can help make a difference. If we all pitch in just a little the end result will be huge.

   Seeing this reminds me of all the needs in our local community. It shouldn’t take a natural disaster for us to get involved. There are opportunities for us to give everyday. Articulon is passionate about supporting area nonprofits in the pursuit of their missions. We’ve been blessed to meet and work with some amazing people along the way. People from organizations including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, the National Kidney Foundation, the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, Hopeful Parents and Special Olympics North Carolina.

   A key lesson that I’ve taken from working with so many great organizations is that people are giving every day. I’ve seen this first-hand, and we can all be a part of this. There is so much we can do, even in little increments, that can make a huge difference to a person battling a disease or who is less fortunate. It only takes a few minutes or a few dollars to help improve the life of someone else. Doing so not only help others, but it leaves you with the feeling that you’ve made a difference.

   This is what we mean by Never Stop Giving.

3. New Year's Resolutions...Are You Sticking to Yours?

   By Brian Van Norman on | January 25, 2011 | Comments (0) | Share

   Each holiday season, nearly half of all American adults (40-45%) take up a New Year’s resolution. The most common goals include: losing weight, quitting smoking, beating an addiction, saving money and being a better spouse. However, resolutions don’t always have to be about personal issues. Many of us make resolutions surrounding our work life, such as getting organized, improving client relationships, increasing sales and building company culture.

   Sadly, though, less than 10% of people making a resolution are successful in a given year. I’ve personally made many resolutions only to break them a couple of weeks in. It can be a crazy cycle of resolving to change and then failing to follow through with it. So how do we break through the cycle of failure? Here are five ingredients to create a recipe for success:

   1. Take a realistic approach – Set goals that you can actually achieve. If you reach for something unattainable like losing 50 pounds in two months you’re setting yourself up for failure right from the start. Take small steps toward success and you will feel the powerful rewards of reaching your goals.
   2. Write out your goals – Putting your goals on paper gives them a concrete voice. Follow through by setting incremental goals and achieving them. Having a physical document will help hold you accountable for your actions, and referring to it when you are lacking energy to move forward can serve as a motivating factor.
   3. Share your ambition – Let your friends and family know of your goals rather than keeping them a secret. In doing so, you’ll find that they will serve as extra motivation and support for your commitment to change for the better. Who knows, you may even inspire someone else to make a similar change.
   4.  Keep track of your progress – Going hand in hand with writing out your goals, tracking your progress can be energizing. Write down each accomplishment along your journey. Seeing the small steps you are taking toward a larger goal will keep you motivated and moving forward.
   5. Stick to your plan, but don’t get discouraged if you slip – It takes about 21 days for an activity to become a habit. We’re three weeks into 2011; how are you doing with your resolution so far? If your plan veers off course, don’t fret or beat yourself up.  Get back on track and keep striving toward your goal.  

   A key to remember when working toward any goal is that your journey is a marathon not a sprint. Remember the tortoise and hare fable? Have a little faith in yourself and you can meet that resolution this year. This is what we mean by Never Stop Trying!

    

4. A New Year’s Treat for Your Small Business

   By Brian Van Norman on | December 15, 2010 | Comments (0) | Share

   With the holiday season in full swing, most of us are filled with the spirit of giving. There is something looming, however, that has many small-business owners feeling a bit like the Grinch: year-end tax planning. Flush with holiday cheer, no owner wants to think of the dreaded year-end tax plans, but taking advantage of these four tips now can help lower the tax bill for your business.

   1. Stock up on office supplies – Purchase ink, paper, business cards, collateral materials and general office supplies now. These items are all deductible this year, even if you are using a credit card and don’t make payments until 2011. Keep an eye out for great holiday deals as well. Doing so can add deductions to your tax bill.

   2. Hire new employees – In March, the government enacted the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act to stimulate the economy and support small businesses. This helps in two ways:   

   a. Anyone hiring a "qualified worker" between February 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011 is eligible for a 6.2 percent payroll tax exemption.

   b. A business may also claim a credit up to $1,000 if it employs the worker for 52 consecutive weeks.

   3. Purchase new equipment – In September, President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act to provide critical resources for small businesses. This act increased tax incentives for year-end purchases that qualify for the current Section 179 deduction. For the 2010 and 2011 tax year, the maximum deduction doubles from $250,000 to $500,000. The phase-out threshold increases from $800,000 to $2 million as well. Under the new law, the 50 percent “bonus depreciation” is also revived for qualified property placed in service in 2010.

   4. Throw a holiday party and save – If you throw a company party in which all employees are invited, you can deduct 100 percent of the costs. You may also deduct 50 percent of qualified travel and entertainment expenses, so try to squeeze in and last minute client meetings before the New Year.

   These tips may not work in all instances; it depends upon your specific business strategy. It’s best to speak to your accountant or financial adviser first to decide what is best for your company. No matter what actions you take, trimming that tax bill will be a great holiday gift to give your company this year.

   And that’s what we mean by Never Stop Planning.

5. No Matter How Bad the PR, Talent is King in Sports

   By Brian Van Norman on | November 4, 2010 | Comments (0) | Share

   As I’ve watched the recent drama with Randy Moss unfold—for those of you not sports minded, Moss has been released/traded by two different football teams this season for having a less-than-stellar attitude—I can’t help but think that no matter how much of a distraction a player is for a team or a sport, if he has talent and can put butts in seats, he’ll always find work.

   Moss isn’t even one of the worst offenders that come to mind. As much of a pain as he may have been for his teams, he’s not that big of a problem. Over the 25+ years I’ve been a sports fan, three athletes stick out in my mind as being a pure PR nightmare for their sport. Yet, they were all given one or more chances to come back.

   1. Michael Vick – convicted of torturing and brutally killing dozens of dogs, this felon was the mastermind behind a dog-fighting ring in Virginia. Yet, after serving less than two years in jail, Vick was released and subsequently rewarded with a hefty paycheck from the Philadelphia Eagles. 
   2. Mike Tyson – the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, Tyson has become nothing more than a huge black eye on the sport of boxing. Convicted of sexual harassment – in which he served three years in prison – he was welcomed back to the open arms of the boxing community. What does Tyson do next? He bites off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear. Even after this, Tyson was allowed to continue boxing.
   3. Steve Howe – many of you might not know this name, but Howe was the poster child for athletes and second chances in the 1980s. An All-Star, World Series champion and Rookie of the Year, Howe was suspended seven times during his 17-year Major League Baseball career for drug-related issues. 

   I could go on and on about players burning bridges, doing despicable acts or who just aren’t good people in general. But would it change your thoughts on them or the sport they play? Would you be any less inclined to watch or go to a game? I’m not sure I would.

   It seems the bigger the PR mess a player is, the more we, as fans, are attracted to them. But there has to come a point when the “any PR is good PR” notion just doesn’t hold weight.

   So when you’re cheering on your favorite team this weekend, ponder this question: When is too much, too much? This is what we mean by Never Stop Challenging, so dig deep. We’d love to hear what your tipping point is.