Share the Love with Dropbox
March 5, 2012 | 
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How did we ever cope without Dropbox?
Can you remember the days of emailing documents to each other with edits highlighted in red, then re-edited with an underline, then re-edited again in green, until we gave up, with no one wanting to admit that they’d lost the stream and needed to start from scratch again. Or even further back, mailing (yes I know) documents to each other with yellow post-its with changes scribbled in pen.
Progress is such a beautiful thing. Especially when some clever clogs goes and invents Dropbox, which has not only made life easier but has also made us work so much smarter.
In my job, and I’m guessing in many of your businesses, Dropbox is not a nice to have – it’s a MUST HAVE, and yes I wrote that in capitals for a reason. I couldn’t imagine running my business as smoothly without it.
For those new to the wonderful world of Drop Box let me share the magic…
Dropbox is a web based, file-sharing system which enables two people in different locations to look at and work from the same file. You simply set up a folder, send a link inviting the other person to join, and you’re away laughing with both of you being able to share and work from the same files. You can then use it as you would a normal Outlook file. Did I mention it was free?
The absolute beauty of Dropbox is you both are always looking at the most recent document. This removes the risks and problems associated with never being quite sure what version is being used. It’s always the most recent. Easy.
I’m almost positive that we here at Virtual Elves are Dropbox’s Number 1 Fan. And I don’t believe in keeping secrets like this to myself. Take a look for yourself, or get in touch with me and I’ll walk you through how it works.
Now I just need to work out what to do with all my old yellow Post-its!
Posted in File Sharing System, Outsourcing, Work at Home | 
Tags: dropbox, file sharing system, sharing file, work at home | 
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Under Pressure
Stop a moment, take a big breath …..now breathe out. How are you doing? Think before you answer this.
How are you really doing?
It’s the start of the year, you’ve probably started running wildly, trying to get across everything simultaneously while achieving nothing. Are you panicking a little, trying desperately to get some traction?
Are you feeling a little overwhelmed?
You’re a business owner; this is very normal at the start of a new year. But why not use these feelings as a platform for really getting started, for getting focused and for getting fired up in a structured and determined way.
First step is identifying this and stopping before you lose more traction, and the second and most important step is doing something about it.
Why not invest some time in really thinking about what you’re trying to achieve – what does success look like for you this year? Write it down and keep it somewhere very visible around your office or workspace. Keep looking at it all year.
Now I know you’ll have business plans, more formalized goals and objectives, but make this one real to you, your own private check in to see that you’re on track, physically and emotionally. Don’t forget to keep looking at it.
Then do some no-brainer stuff – establish routines, make To-do lists, make some “rules’ around how you work – then stick to them. Exercise, eat well, sleep well, look at yourself in the mirror and remind yourself of how amazing you are to be in business, to be you. Make sure you do this, seriously.
Feeling a little overwhelmed occasionally is part and parcel of being in business, but how you deal with it, will determine how successful you can be. Be proactive, grab those feeling by the horns and deal with them.
And don’t forget for one moment that you are in the drivers seat, and this is your show.
Make it a good one.
Posted in Delegating, Outsourcing, Strategic Planning, Subcontracting, Work at Home | Tags: be proactive, business overwhelm, business pressure, business stress, overwhelm, pressure, stress, success, work overload | No Comments »
Networking 101 or Just Do It
Fact: sitting alone in your home office with a glass of wine and half an eye on The Biggest Loser while pottering around with some paperwork will not be good for your business.
Fact: Getting out of your trackies, grabbing a pile of business cards, putting on your brave face and heading to a networking event will.
But you didn’t need me to tell you that.
We all know in our heart of hearts that meeting people who are in business like ourselves and swapping cards and yarns and experiences is not only a nice to do, but is an imperative for any business owner.
No man is an island, and that is especially true in business. We can’t function on our own, we need the wisdom, learnings and inspiration from others, and a networking event is the perfect place to put yourself out there, to share, to listen. And to be energised.
Fact: you need to network.
You may have heard of networking groups relevant to your business, or if you haven’t a quick Google search or flick through the local newspaper will pull up relevant networking options for you. If you’re too far away from your preferred networking group, then head online. Find a group, then head along to the next meeting – that’s the important part, you actually have to go, if it doesn’t feel right, try another, or join many. Just get busy networking.
There are simply no excuses for being alone in business when there is a wealth of people just like you who want to get together and well …not be alone.
Be confident, give business cards, ask for business cards (and don’t forget to do something with them the next day), wear a strong colour, carry yourself and your achievements proudly, and be memorable.
Just watch how generous those around you are with sharing their experiences, and then remember to be generous yourself. You see, as business owners, we have a shared interest, a common ground, and that is we all want to succeed, and we all want each other to succeed.
Are you part of a network or have successful networking experiences that you can share?
