North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Original Article appeared here:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/318463
​Author: Joe Rutland

When it comes to representing yourself as an entrepreneur, it’s important to remember the type of words and phrases you use. This is especially true when seen as a leader or manager in your business. If your words put people down all the time, expect people to shut their eyes and ears to your message. This happens a lot in the corporate world, where managers who have not fully embraced leadership abilities simply talk down to and ignore employees’ concerns.

Joe goes on to define these five communication skills in his article:

1. Be Respectful
2. Be Authentic
3. Be Thoughtful
4. Be Careful
5. Be Compassionate

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Original article appears here:
​https://hbr.org/2018/08/4-strategies-for-overcoming-distraction
​Author: Chris Baily, Harvard Business Review

​In the flurry of statistics that exist around personal productivity, there’s one I find especially alarming: The average person is distracted or interrupted every 40 seconds when working in front of their computer. In other words, we can’t work for even a single minute before we focus on something else. Sure, sometimes it’s easy to get back on track. But when our attention is completely derailed, research shows, it can take more than 20 minutes to refocus.

In the original article found here, Chris goes on to describe the four strategies:

1. Create a distraction-free ritual
2. Set three daily intentions
3. Work on hard stuff, and do more of it
4. Set an artificial project deadline

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I've recently been CERT certified through the City of Phoenix Fire Department's program and want to share some of the important take-aways that I've learned. 

I want to start by stating for the record that I'm not a doomsday prepper.  Those people are nuts.  But I am a big proponent of being ready for a disruption in our daily lives and managing the risks associated with a disruption.

Phoenix FD offers a lot of training on the topic, and opportunities to practice the skills and apply the knowledge gained.   For example, Jena and I have current CPR/AED and basic first aid cards in our wallets.  Bottom line is that we're prepared to take care of ourselves personally first, then reach into the community and assist as needed.

Phoenix's CERT program, administered by the fire department, is part of the national FEMA program on disaster preparedness.  You can learn about being personally prepared by visiting ready.gov. I'm including a few of the recommendations below.

build a 3-day kit for each member of the family (including infants, children, and pet)

• food, water, and medications
• clothing (including diapers, toiletries, etc)
• shelter (sleeping bags, tent, etc)
• important paperwork (copies of insurance policies, etc)
• flashlights, candles, a hand crank weather radio
• keep vehicles above 1/2 tank of gas
• the 3 day kits can be used if staying home (sheltering in place) or grabbing and going (bugging out)

As an added bonus, have 30 days of food, water, and medication at home

Too often we don't plan for our pets.  Even if we think we are ready to either shelter in place at home with our pets or move out to an evacuation site if needed, there are aspects of that most of us don't think about.

Some of the most important pet-related items that I learned about:

• every pet should be micro chipped if possible
• keep documentation on the manufacturer and chip ID.  Your vet can scan and provide you with this information if you don't have it
• verify your contact information is current with the chip manufacturer's database.  If you and your pets are separated, this increases your chances of being reunited.
• visit FreePetChipRegistry.com and add your information to their database, adding another layer of assurance that you might be reunited.
• plan ahead now and visit BringFido.com to find local accommodations if you need to leave home with your pets during a personal emergency (kitchen fire for instance)
• BringFido.com is also a great resource if you are traveling out of your area
• as you build 3-day kits for your pets, include your contact info, their veterinarian's info, and the animal's godparents info.
• keep a card in your wallet that says "my pets are home alone" that first responders can find.  Be sure to include the address of where to find your pets and contact info of a neighbor or someone else that has access to your home.

This article is about personal preparedness.  In a future article, I'll talk about business continuity planning.  For now, I just want all of us to be thinking about the topic.  I want you, your family, and your employees to not become victims of a bad situation.  Learn to take care of yourself and pass this information on to anyone else that you care about.

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More about CERT: Any citizen can become part of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) with 20 hours of basic training on a weekend.  Phoenix Fire Department hosts CERT training on a regular basis. Here's a link to their calendar.
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https://www.phoenix.gov/fire/directory/cert

Excerpts from Michael Georgiou
Business.com

One in six Americans, or around 39 million people, have a smart home speaker. Alexa and Google Home aren’t just for the house. Businesses are finding uses for smart bots around the office, too, from assisting with online searches to taking notes and even integrating AI. Put a smart device in your office and try one of these useful skills: 

1. Web analytics. You no longer need to check your analytics every day to monitor traffic to your website. Ask Alexa for your analytics for a certain day or even a particular hour. The device can also fetch metrics for you. 
2. Quick events. This skill allows you to add events to your Google Calendar with one voice command. You can set date, time, length and location, so you have all of the details at your fingertips. Example: “Alexa, tell quick events to schedule a meeting at the office for 3 p.m.”
3. Welto. This skill acts as a finance tracker. This skill can show your current balance and track your income versus expenses. You can even use this skill to pay bills on time, so you never have to pay another late fee.
4. Intently.co. Have a leaky sink at your office? WiFi not working properly? This skill is for you. The skill has more than 1 million service professionals in a database. Services include plumbers, hotels, caterers, photographers, venue services and many more. 
5. Shopify. If you already use Shopify with your website, take it to the next level. The app will give you information about your inventory and store performance. You can ask Shopify which orders you need to fill, which products are selling the best and access analytics.
6. Expedia. Prepare for your trips by checking your flight status, booking a hotel, keeping up with your itinerary, reserving a rental car. You can even ask for packing tips!
7. Time Tracker. If your team members bill by the hour, try this to track exactly how long you work for each client. 
8. Conference Manager. Audio and video conference calls are critical to your collaboration efforts. This skill can get the information and dial the bridge number, so all you have to do is pick up the phone.
9. OpenTable. Request a reservation by saying the place, time and number of people, and it’ll book it and send you a confirmation email. You can also modify or cancel reservations if your plans change. 
10. EditDocs. This skill allows you to edit documents with a voice command. It works with Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Presentations.
11. Email Assistant. Organize your inbox. This app creates a priority inbox based on people you interact with frequently. The skill reads your emails to you; you can star them, snooze them or delete them. There are a few quick replies you can say to get your reply message started.
12. Intercom - Echos can record conversations and send them to other compatible devices in different rooms of your building, making them an intercom system.

Build custom apps for your business
Amazon has released a way for people who don’t code to build their own skills based on about 20 templates. The program is called Blueprints. Useful skills include “Babysitter” and “Pet Sitter,” which offer a rundown of information for those people. 

​By leveraging technology, you can find ways to offload the little things and improve productivity for you and your team. 

We've assembled a list of 10 tips to help you get the most from your North Phoenix Chamber membership. We have 6 networking events each month plus a host of other benefits to help you grow your business.

1. Attend Chamber events and give of your time. This is YOUR Chamber and your participation can only help make the events better, thus providing more profit for your business and all other Chamber Businesses. Get involved in Your Chamber and take ownership.
2. Show up to the special events such as Open Houses, Holiday Parties, and Ribbon Cuttings. You will really get to know the members and guests in your community.
3. Take advantage of your Chamber Member Benefits. The Chamber provides you many tools to help you make your business grow. A good start is to attend one or more of our "Get to Know Your Chamber"  meetings. For more information, email us at info@northphoenixchamber.com.
4. Advertise in the Chamber newsletter, or on the Chamber website with a banner ad to tell other Chamber members about your business.
5. Take advantage of the Job Board Postings and Calendar Event Postings, available ONLY to members of our Chamber of Commerce.
6. Attend special Workshops and other meetings offered by your Chamber.
7. Join a Chamber committee. There are various boards and committees that allow you to work directly with community leaders as well as be a leader yourself. These committees always welcome new members and are a great way to meet other members fast.
8. Promote your business through numerous sponsorship opportunities at our Golf Classic, Fall Harvest event and Holiday parties. You can offer to host an open house or mixer to gain direct exposure to your business or hold it at our office and cover the cost of food and beverages.
9. Place your brochures at the Chamber office lobby.
10. Visit the web site www.northphoenixchamber.com frequently for updates and Information. Update your listings and make sure your traffic catcher page has been optimized, with photos, information, social media and web site links, and special offers.

 
Remember, not only does it help to give and get referrals from other business members, but we also appreciate referrals to our Chamber. Spread the word about us and help our community grow and succeed!

I came across this article recently and the title caught my attention. 

TED Talks are a godsend. They introduce us to people we should keep on our radar and concepts we can (and should) work into our everyday lives. They’re accessible from anywhere and easier to digest than a book or a long-winded podcast. TED Talks can be life-changing, both on the personal and professional level.

It’s no surprise, then, that certain TED Talks have impacted the way some entrepreneurs approach business. From Dr. Timothy Folta’s redefined definition of entrepreneurship to author and consultant Joseph Pine’s take on what consumers want, here are seven TED Talks that will transform how you look at your business:

1. Dr. Timothy Folta: Myths of entrepreneurship
2. Jason Fried: Why work doesn’t happen at work
3. David S. Rose: 10 things to know before you pitch to a venture capitalist
4. Joseph Pine: What consumers want
5. Dan Ariely: What makes us feel good about our work?
6. Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off
7. Tom Wujec: Build a tower, build a team

​You can find the full article here:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/294062

I recently stumbled into this article as I was preparing my own 2017 goals for Tom Argiro Photography.  This is an article that is curated from 15 other articles about goal setting. 
​https://www.thebalance.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-small-business-goal-setting-2951416

The Ultimate Guide To Small Business Goal Setting
Every small business owner, regardless of where they are in the business life cycle, needs goals to keep them moving forward, get motivated to do more, and maintain the success of their businesses.

Goal setting can follow many different processes, and each one can be successful as long as it defines the long- and short-term goals and devises a plan for getting there.

Jeffery Gitomer is one of the sales training gurus that I follow.  He's been at it for over 30 years, and has a lot to offer. 

One of his articles caught my attention recently.  He says that those of us in sales often do not ask the right questions.  He considers these to be "pathetic":

• What are you using now?
• When does your contract expire?
• Can I place a bid?
• What kind of budget to you have?
• What do I have to do to earn your business?

In contrast, asking power questions will make your prospect think in new ways. 

• What would you do if you lost two of your top ten customers?
• What is your plan to keep them loyal?
• What you ask sets the tone and the perception for the buyers.
• What you ask determines the response.
• What you ask makes or breaks the sale.
• Your questions are a critical factor in the way customers perceive you.

You can find the full article here:
​http://www.gitomer.com/articles/ArchiveColumnPrint.html?key=ajcdMibak3MdcjEQZJ5CQA%3D%3D

Stephen Covey identified seven habits of highly effective people.  In his book of the same title, Covey describes the second habit as "Begin With The End In Mind." Covey takes us through an exercise in that chapter of imagining what it would be like to attend your own funeral. If you could witness what people say about you after you're gone, are they going to say what you want to hear? 

Covey asserts that by keeping the end point in mind, you can begin shaping your direction now. Nurture the relationships that matter to you. Make a positive impact on this world every chance you have.  We never know when that chance will be over.