I’m very keen to promote you to the people in my sphere of influence. I want them to benefit from your offering, so this post is about making it as easy as possible to recommend you.
What specifically do you want me to say when sharing you? What are your share-words? Here are some helpful tips.
Latest Update – New pdf with 1008 comments
My friend and productivity coach Helen Crozier has updated the Sharewords quick reference pdf to include the rich discussion and lessons from over 1000 comments. Just reading through them is like a master-class in community collaboration – talented and generous and motivated people freely sharing their expertise and ideas. Also included is the summary masterlist of all participating shareworders and their links.
Thank you again, Helen. 
New: Sharewords All-Stars List & Sharewords Post with 1008 comments (31) (size 1.5 mb)
Previous version: Sharewords searchable pdf from radsmarts.com (193) (size: 530 kb)
pdf user notes
Bookmarks have been created for each person participating in the sharewords workshop in order of posting.
To search for a particular word or phrase within the document use Ctrl+F and type in the search words you are looking for.
For the best viewing experience it is recommended that you view the Sharewords PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader – the latest version is available here.
Recommendation-boosting sharewords are…
1. Simple
It’s easy to recommend you if your sharewords are short, simple and easy to remember. Long-winded sentences can be difficult to remember on the spur of the moment – that fantastic moment – when the opportunity to recommend you arises.
2. Conversational
It’s easy to recommend you if your sharewords can be effortlessly woven into a conversation – ideally more than once. For example, unique, cute and clever statements may sound great or look great on a website, business card or brochure, but can be hard to ease into the day-to-day dialogue.
3. Buyer-oriented
It’s easy to recommend you if your sharewords are already on a buyer’s shopping list i.e. you fulfill a need, solve a problem, scratch an itch or remove people’s pain in some way, shape or form. It’s not so much what you are selling, but what others are buying.
4. Self-evident
It’s easy to recommend you if your sharewords are clear and make sense. Avoid jargon, acronyms, abbreviations, abstractions, and technical language – anything that requires a long-winded explanation to be understood.
5. Focused
It’s easy to recommend you if your sharewords have a clear, unmistakable focus. Avoid trying to be all things to all people, just in case you might miss out on something. Decide on what you single-mindedly stand for…and say “NO!” to the rest.
For example
I was recently helping my friend, author and business strategist Iggy Pintado develop his share-words.
Iggy’s original sharewords were:
Helping businesses develop ways to effectively connect to people, information and ideas
practically and efficiently for commercial benefit.
In fairness, to Iggy, this is the statement he had on his new business card – and it wasn’t necessarily designed for ease of recommendation. With this in mind, and after a short discussion that referred to the above checklist, we developed the following sharewords:
Connecting people for business benefit.
Now that is much easier for me to recommend. What does Iggy do? He connects people for business benefit. Who better to recommend when the conversation turns to getting tangible results from social media or business networking than Iggy Pintado?!
In summary
If it’s okay by you, assuming the product or service you provide is the best in its class, I’d like to think of myself as on your sales team, enthusiastically recommending you whenever the opportunity arises.
Having worked with thousands of sales people, I have learned that one of the keys to motivating them to sell is to develop an easy-to-share sales message – your sharewords.
Your turn…
Given the importance of having effective sharewords and the high level of reader participation and interactivity on this blog, I thought we could help people ‘workshop’ their sharewords.
Simply write your current and/or proposed sharewords in the comments, and if you want help, just write (help) after it. This will be an invitation for any or all of this talented community to contribute any thoughts, questions or ideas aimed at helping you sharpen your sharewords, and hence increasing your recommendation.
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1,163 Responses to this post
June 2, 2010 at 2:06 pm |
NOTE TO NEW PARTICIPANTS:
Thank you for joining this sharewords workshop.
Please don’t be put off by the huge amount of commentary and participation going on here. It’s just the buzz and hum of outstanding souls – like you – leaning in and helping each other succeed.
If you would like us to help you with your sharewords, you will make the process easier and more effective if you could answer three simple questions:
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
We look forward to sharing this experience with you and helping you succeed.
Best, Robin
June 2, 2010 at 8:53 pm |
The share-words community here continues to surprise and inspire me. Through our consistent interaction with each other the friendships being formed are becoming working business relationships.
I think the level of respect for each others talents happens quickly in this ‘room’. We all walk over the share-words hot coals and and are transformed when we arrive on the other side. Having a common experience of taking the same journey is forming accelerated bonding. Just amazing to experience and observe.
June 7, 2010 at 9:13 pm |
Very well put, Tony. Thank you. We love having you as part of this community.
June 2, 2010 at 9:40 pm |
Hi everyone
I’m so struck by the response to this post, both the volume and the value of the comments, that off my own bat I want to help Robin get a book published to migrate this technology to the offline space as well. As a colleague of Robin’s for several years, I know this idea is the tip of an iceberg of ideas bubbling away under the surface. While we can’t all be at Robin’s one-to-one coffee consultations unfortunately, we can all get a portable piece of Robin if the book deal goes ahead. And if share words goes ahead, watch this space. As a regular coffee colleague privy to Robin’s fertile brain I can promise you this – you aint seen nothing yet. Share words is just the beginning.
The challenge is, at Macmillan where I work as a Publisher, we are extremely cautious about investing in anything without a powerful sales precedent, and hard data to support a case for investment. Share words seems so obvious it can’t be original, and yet, evidently, it is, and its making a difference for many of us.
My request for you all is this – are you prepared to retweet this post to the next level, to share Robin’s idea like you’ve never shared before? Its going to take a viral explosion to cause the hard barked publishing world to take notice of this.
Can you help make that happen? If so, leave a comment about why Share Words demands a publishing deal. Retweet this post into new spaces.
You might just find your comment in print as a part of this social media experiment gone right.
all the best
Ben
June 2, 2010 at 10:01 pm |
To answer your questions Ben: Yes.
June 3, 2010 at 5:40 pm |
Thanks Catherine. Recommendation sells everything.
June 2, 2010 at 10:09 pm |
Count me in absolutely..fantastic idea…I continue to be amazed at how this community interacts and believe this is one of the most powerful examples of networking I have seen in a while – the depth to which shareworders have exposed themselves, their ideas and their passion is wonderful to be a part of it is a community that isalive, exciting and challenging – Congratulations Robin a testiment to your exceptional facilitation skills, your generous spirit, your ability to make everyone feel welcome and at home instantly and your creative mind
Regards
Leanne
June 3, 2010 at 5:43 pm |
Cool Leanne. Spoken like a professional publicist – except from the heart.
June 2, 2010 at 10:25 pm |
Ben
I have only known Robin for 8 months, thanks to a recommendation from another friend of mine Andrew Wilson (see http://twitter.com/hollingsworth/statuses/4804079303 ) Yet it feels like we have been friends for years – such is his strong leadership, passion for community building, big ideas and supporting others. I would be thrilled to help creat this “viral explosion” Ben. Sign me up!
Everyone I have spoken to about “share words” gets it – and wants in. Its an incredible living example of the power of crowdsourcing and online community building. Only this week I took part in an event in Sydney to discuss the business benefits of crowdsourcing. One powerful tweet was from Michael S Cox: “Outsourcing is about minimizing cost, crowdsourcing is about maximizing quality” I think this captures what Robin has done here: maximised quality from “the crowd” For more on the crowdsourcing event see: http://rossdawsonblog.com/weblog/archives/2010/06/audience_reflec.html
I look forward to watching this evolve with Robin’s assured direction and the powerful community that has already grown out of this.
Cheers,
Tony Hollingsworth
June 3, 2010 at 5:45 pm |
Thanks Tony for your thoughtful comment. We have to work out how to bottle this stuff, and, well shamelessly share (sell) it. That’s my commercial take on all this anyway!
June 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm |
Absolutely Ben – Robin, you and the wonderful sharewords community have my complete support!
Just watch how powerful we are
Helen
Captcha travel locks ( I like it!)
June 3, 2010 at 5:51 pm |
Thanks Helen. Loyal participants like you are normally bought off with rewards points – yet here you are giving away your support for free. Why is that?
June 16, 2010 at 9:53 pm |
Ben that’s a bit like asking why a mother loves her child! In this instance it just seems ‘right’ to help others and it’s so wonderful to see others (predominantly women) doing the same!!
cheers Helen
June 2, 2010 at 11:14 pm |
I am so in.
June 3, 2010 at 5:54 pm |
Hey Iggy – me too – in line! Personally, I’m in this thing for the money.
best
Ben
June 2, 2010 at 11:42 pm |
The interesting thing about watching this post unroll is how participants seeking *help* have come in with tag lines, vision statements, and elevator pitches yet have often struggled to extract the essence of their business – that, which lies closest to the heart of its being – and, which once realized, gives birth to the sharewords.
Sharewords are the heart of the business
Linda
June 3, 2010 at 9:39 am |
Linda, that is beautiful … sharewords are the heart of business
June 3, 2010 at 6:39 pm |
Very clever Linda and so true
June 3, 2010 at 7:52 pm |
Thanks Cat and Suellen
Ben asked us to comment on *why* Share Words demands a publishing deal and to me this is quite simply its benefit to the business community ~ There is nothing else that gets to the heart of a business like this, and which is why we now know that…
Linda at Journey Jottings highlights your holiday adventures
June 4, 2010 at 6:47 am |
Following on … my thoughts to answer Ben’s questions:
Why this needs to be published?
Why do we come here and share: give for free? (I’ve given and received, I’ve been in exchange through engagement.)
Just as Linda says, by having sharewords we get to the *heart* of business.
Sharewords get to the diamond tip of the outcome and benefits the business can provide.
Robin initiated a platform that would be “the easiest way to recommend you” what he’s (we’ve) got now is a community.
With his few yet so strategic, exceptionally focused, questions anyone who ADventures here can input, share, suggest and also receive sharewords which end out doing so much more than recommend you:
)
- they keep you on focus
- they provide clarity, or set you onto clarifying your objective
- they keep you (the business entrepreneur) inspired and energised
- they lead to more business (right Kate!
- they can (have) lead to collaboration
- they are the HEART of our respective ventures
June 5, 2010 at 2:56 pm |
AGREE
I am so thankful for the assistance in clarifying our USP. I also enjoy discovering more about what other businesses are doing (good to know there’s good help out there people!). And I enjoy the opportunity to share my experience and ideas. Thanks.
Kate
June 3, 2010 at 3:40 am |
I’m in!
June 3, 2010 at 5:59 pm |
Thanks Sally. Good to have you in the circle of trust!
June 3, 2010 at 7:30 am |
I’m in
June 3, 2010 at 6:00 pm |
Splendid news.
June 3, 2010 at 7:18 pm |
Hola Ben! Share words work:)Let’s get this show on the road. Annabel “I help people get what they want in life and make the Internet work for them” Candy.
PS. Marks out of ten for my share words anyone? Too long? Too short? Too boring?
June 5, 2010 at 10:08 am |
Hi Ben,
As a marketing professional of 20 + years, I can tell you that ShareWords cannot be called unique. From my perspective, the concept is simply a fresh 21st century twist on the USP, or Unique Selling Proposition, concept coined by the legendary ad man Rosser Reeves in the early 1940s. It is the truncated form of the lift speech, the most concentrated distillation of your product offering, articulated clearly and concisely.
Reeves defined it as a statement which quickly says to the buyer “Buy this product, and you will get this specific benefit.” He also said that it should be so strong, so compelling, that it will instantly pull customers, thus market share, away from competitors. It is the ultimate sales hook, custom designed for *your* particular business. Who wouldn’t want that?
Historically, every successful business throughout the last century has used some form of USP or ShareWords to communicate the benefits of doing business with them – it is a sales & marketing must-have! The catch is that, while everyone *knows* they need one, nearly everyone struggles to craft this one super sentence for themselves. This task has consistently remained the oldest resident of too-hard baskets worldwide for centuries.
ShareWords has simply adapted this timeless sales & marketing tool for the business environment of 2010 and found a way to make the task less painful & more achievable. (CONTEXT)
Why the CONTENT is a no-brainer for print sales:
1. Large, diverse, global target audience
2. Makes a difficult, but necessary, task much easier
3. Proven need in the market for this information (a timeless need)
4. Buying the book, workbook, video, workshop cards, etc. promises the universally attractive end benefit of more money (a smoother, easier sales process & thus more profit in the pocket)
OK, so that’s my two cents!
Cheers,
Carolyne
June 5, 2010 at 10:42 am |
Hi Carolyne
You have reminded me of another opportunity to build on your point “Why the CONTENT is a no-brainer for print sales” and that is, how about an iPhone/iPad application for Share Words? We’ve seen the beginnings of an interactive approach to this with the PDF that Helen Crozier has put together (linked at the top of this post, and here it is again, FYI: http://www.radsmarts.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2010/06/Sharewords-searchable-pdf-from-radsmarts.com_.pdf )
I foresee a valuable addition here with a mobile device: imagine being able to access people’s Share Words in various ways, graphically, industry, person’s name, key share words themselves, etc.
I know some very clever mobile application developers in Sydney who might jump at the chance to be involved. Before I approach them, I thought to put it to the crowd: who wants in? If you are a developer and would like to be involved, drop a comment here. This is not a commercial endeavour, but a means to one. Imagine the reach you as a developer would get if you build this application for the community?
Thoughts?
Best to you all,
Tony Hollingsworth
June 5, 2010 at 10:52 am |
Hi Tony,
Hope you are well – I have been missing the #nscm crowd!
You have my curiosity piqued – can you describe how you are envisioning the app in a bit more detail? Of course I think it’s a fantastic idea, but I’m not drawing the line between the dots of ShareWords to iphone app.
thanks! Carolyne
June 5, 2010 at 11:19 am |
Hi Carolyne: I’ve been missing #nscm too – it was my first visit in weeks/maybe months!
OK, so pop down to #nscm and lets take a look at the book reader on Helens iPad: basically, I’m thinking of a “book” of Sharewords with some customised interactivity. Apple simplifies the user experience so much I think having that experience with the great community and content would be a winner. Just look at how this baby does it! http://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/quand-un-bebe-decouvre-l-ipad-39751831.htm
Seriously, I would imagine the content in the Share Words app on the iPhone/iPad would update as more members join the community. I foresee this approach could go global very quickly.
It might be as simple as an interactive book, or so much more. Eseentially though, it could help others figure out their USPs in a way that a printed book, or even this blog post, hasn’t thought of yet.
Hope you’re well, and look forward to seeing you soon
Tony Hollingsworth
June 5, 2010 at 11:44 am |
Why couldnt an Iphone/Pad application also be a way to search for professional service providers and start a buying conversation based on key word searches
June 5, 2010 at 12:16 pm |
Hi Leanne,
Beautiful. A product / services / end benefit search of ShareWords…
With today’s geo-locating functionality, we’re all in business – like never before!
Great inspiration for all businesspeople to either get on the ShareWords bus or get left behind
Cheers,
Carolyne
June 5, 2010 at 12:08 pm |
With our recent release of The Monthly iPhone and iPad magazine we’ve updated our share words from “We make best selling iPhone apps” to “We make best selling iPhone & iPad apps”. So we are watching this thread carefully
June 5, 2010 at 8:24 pm |
Hi Carolyne
Thanks for the eloquent history lesson on USP. You reminded me that around that time, Winston Churchill coined his own practical acroynm – KBO. KBO stood for “Keep buggering on”. It was just one of the deft, simple and amusing touches of language that Churchill used to galvanise both ends of the class system around him during war time. Share words of the highest order.
In terms of our plans for a book, I’d like to point out that the publishing industry is fickle. It is a bit like a female bower bird. It watches the most amazing performances with disinterest, until the evidence demanding a response becomes overwhelming – and spoilt for choice – it picks a mate. Its not so much logic, but gut feeling – intuition.
I get the feeling that Share words is one of the better bower birds. But the dance will need to shimmy and shake a while yet I guess.
Thanks again – a pleasure to read your insightful and well written comment.
best
Ben
June 7, 2010 at 5:41 pm |
Hi Ben
I replied to you on Twitter, but thought I should add some extra comments here too as to why sharewords should be published.
This post is a true example of a community at work. Communities as we generally know them support others when needed, offer opportunities for members and give everyone a common thread from which to draw from it what they need. I think sharewords has done, and is doing, just that.
The community that has formed from the people jumping in to help those who want to be part of sharewords has been phenomenal. I know some of the participants, but most I don’t, yet I feel we have connected because we are sharing the experience this social interaction provides.
From a personal point of view, putting my sharewords out there for the world to see meant I was able to discover what it was my business provided for others, not me as a person and not what I thought I should be doing – but what I’m actually doing as a business person. The community allowed me to clarify my offering (and test it).
This is important work, and work that should be shared on a wider stage.
Johanna
June 8, 2010 at 2:13 pm |
Thanks Joanna. An immediate response from experienced colleagues is something the corporate world spends money trying to make happen annually. Yet here it happens for free – in a monetary sense at least. Great to have your support.
June 8, 2010 at 7:59 pm |
That’s such a great way of putting it, Ben.
June 10, 2010 at 8:55 pm |
@BenDawe
I am definitely in. I have experienced great benefit from reading and participating in Sharewords. It would be wonderful if Robin was given the opportunity to further demonstrate the value of online engagement and also, his ability to facilitate forums and build meaningful communities that assist small business to grow.
June 18, 2010 at 10:43 am |
Hi Kathleen
Great to have your backing.
All best
Ben
June 21, 2010 at 8:20 pm |
Hi Ben,
Absolutely – count me in!!!
When I think about it, I haven’t known Robin for that long – a little over 6 months I think – and yet in such a short time, he’s had an AMAZING impact on my life, both personal and professional.
About 18 months ago, I made the decision to leave a successful corporate career in PR to follow my passion for food, travel and art, to start my own business. I’ve now been working full-time on this project for 6 months, and Robin has been absolutely instrumental in helping me grow my business and get to the next stage.
He’s always been there to ask me the right questions, boost my morale or give me a reality-check where needed. He’s helped me develop my own sharewords (I “deliver the ultimate Sydney experience”) as well as a range of other results-orientated selling tools. Last but not least, he keeps pushing me out of my comfort zone and helps me stay “diamond-focused” on my overarching business goals and most profitable activities.
In a nutshell, I think of Robin as a modern-day Socrates who, thanks to his amazing wisdom and pedagogy, will help me grow my business from “good to great”, to paraphrase one of my favourite authors.
So I strongly encourage every entrepreneur or executive out there to join this amazing community of bright, like-minded people and have a go at their own sharewords!
June 21, 2010 at 8:45 pm |
Welcome back Myriam, and “Felicitations! Tous mes voeux de bonheur”
You have captured so well in your comment what Robin is all about – helping make us more successful. I have observed you and Mytinerary evolve from an idea to reality and now growing so well. It is so inspiring to see, and you deserve every success for following your passion. I am so glad to know you and Robin, and be a part of this amazing community.
See you soon,
Tony Hollingsworth
June 21, 2010 at 10:30 pm |
Awwww, merci Tony, I’m humbled by your kind words!!!
Doing my best to grow the business, one day at a time. I seem to be on the right path so fingers crossed…
PS: you know I owe you a lot as well, after all you were the very first person I met “in the flesh” after I joined Twitter some 15 months ago – you were my very first Twitter-contact-turned-real-friend
)
June 24, 2010 at 7:01 pm |
Thank you, Myriam. Your feedback really encourages me to press forward. I really appreciate it.
Robin
June 25, 2010 at 9:47 pm |
Thanks Myriam for your endorsement. Getting published can be like getting heard at a South African football game, so the more cheers the better. I heard your one though, loud and clear!
June 28, 2010 at 10:20 pm |
Thank you Ben! Hope my shout out in support to Robin will bring him more luck than these controversial vuvuzela trumpets
June 2, 2010 at 11:31 pm |
Good luck Robin, you might want to read up on Macmillian’s submission guidelines to make Ben’s job a bit easier.
http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/submission_guidelines.asp
I have to say I find the “We only accept hardcopy submissions – submissions on disk or via e-mail will not be accepted” rather quaint. I wonder if they’ll accept it written in fountain pen?
Cheers,
Paul
June 3, 2010 at 6:14 pm |
Good call Paul. Yes, that’s no to floppy disks by post and other new such new technologies! (eg. DVD by carrier pigeon).
To be honest, for me to even propose this book without any media buzz around Robin, I might as well just cancel my bonus cheque now. We’re not even looking seriously at Business as a category. Its going to take a real explosion here to get this spaceship to land on the Macmillan oak writing desk.
June 4, 2010 at 6:54 pm |
Thank you, Paul
June 3, 2010 at 10:51 am |
Creating more business opportunities with every hand shake.
June 4, 2010 at 11:34 pm |
Well done, Sean. Would you like us to help you with your sharewords?
Robin
June 3, 2010 at 2:29 pm |
Professional Organiser or Administration Specialist needs [help] with my sharewords
Option A: used for ages
Helping people in their homes and small businesses with their paperwork
OR
Option B: turning your paperwork nightmares into the paperwork of your dreams
Maybe a mix of the two. helping people dream about paperwork – OMG scarry!! Your help appreciated.
June 3, 2010 at 5:50 pm |
I’m not quite sure exactly what you do Michell, but thought I’d start by sharing how I feel about paperwork. The amount of paperwork in my business (financial advice *securing your best interests*
) is truly unbelievable, and this is despite use of technology to scan/email. So, the issue for me with ‘organising’ is that its around having a logical system for filing/storing and importantly retrieving information regardless of whether it’s paper or online. In fact, the combination of having information (‘paperwork’) in hard copy files, email files, share drive, local drive is probably the single biggest issue I face.
Interested to hear more about your positioning and service.
Kate
June 5, 2010 at 11:44 am |
Hi Michell,
Thank you for joining us.
It was great to meet you recently.
We would love to help you with your sharewords.
For us to be most useful for you, just a few quick questions for clarity:
a) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
b) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
c) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
d) How would ‘fans’ of what you do recommend you to their friends/colleagues? i.e. “Robin, you should use Michell, she…(insert words)”.
Thank you, Michell.
Best, Robin
June 3, 2010 at 5:30 pm |
THIS IS A RESPONSE TO SUELLEN’S SHAREWORDS (FROM PAGE 2 OF COMMENTS)
Hi Suellen, thank you for your patience and participation in this workshop. The generous and savvy contributions delivered by this community have been amazing.
They have inspired my thinking – stretching it to the next level.
Let’s get focused on *your* sharewords. Here is my input to add to the teams.
What does Suellen do?
She kick-starts your best life.
Here’s my logic:
a) Kick-starts
Kick-starts: to do something to make a process or activity develop more quickly.
Is strong, action-oriented, energetic, but doesn’t over-promise – is ‘authentic and believable’. It’s short, sharp and purposeful. It’s the confident ‘next step’. It also implies that we can almost ‘make up for lost time’ – that ‘I can catch up and get on with the rest of my like – the *best* of my life!
This works well to deliver what you and the team contributed…
You said…
The target customer is:
* High achiever – strength, energy, savvy
* Has spent many years focusing on the needs of others – feels she has lost her Mojo
* Has tried different courses but nothing has quite helped her find her way.
Kate said…
* You are smart and savvy – not herbal or fluffy
* is “too good to be true”, how can 8 steps suddenly transform my life when I’ve been doing a heap to get sorted for 40-odd years
Sally said…
* Suellen helps you get excited about each day
* Words that I am getting: Control, Calm, Excitement, Energised, Inspired
Tony said…
* Suellen makes your vibrance her business
Cat said…
* Suellen – your profile pic conveys an incredibly strong, funky, savvy, *shiny* yet ‘touchable’ woman.
b) Your best life: yes, in spite of the exhausting and emotionally draining path to-date and the mid-life wrestle, things can and will get better. In fact, the best is still awaiting you. This works well with your diamond focus on personal development (with extras).
This also works well to deliver what you and the team contributed…
You said…
* I want women (& men) to know that they can create a better life for themselves
* Life really can begin at 40 (or 50 etc) if you’re brave enough to grab hold of it.
* the diamond tipped focus – which is going to be the personal development service but with all the extras provided by others.
Yvonne said…
* A magic mirror. You help people to see that THEY are the ‘fairest of them all’
Cat said…
* she brightens your life again
* she helps you connect with your gorgeousness
* … Transforme is a fantastic word for everything you’re describing
Leanne said…
* She arouses your hidden potential
* We all have the potential within us and often it does take a simple action for us to change direction and refocus
“TIC to transform your life
c) Kick-starts your best life:
The words work well together. They makes me want to jump out of bed – excited to start each day.
You said…
* “I show women about to turn the big 40, or already in their 40s, how to create a future for themselves that excites them and makes them want to jump out of bed in the morning.
* My coaching clients say things like “this experience has changed my life”
they feel excited to start each day.
Suellen, now I can quickly and easily grasp what you do – and share it with my friends.
All the details of what you do and how you do it can be unfolded on your website, in your collateral and/or in the rest of the conversation that your new sharewords beg!
Let’s see what others think.
Best Robin
PS: this has been a major team effort. A special thank you to all of you who have added generously to help Suellen. <3
June 3, 2010 at 5:42 pm |
I like. Do you know what I really like about this – the ‘kick-starts’ still leaves the responsibility fairly and squarely with the individual, which I find compelling. Suellen, I think your target market will love it.
June 4, 2010 at 7:45 am |
That’s such a great point, Kate. I love how you continue to support this community. Thank you, Robin
June 3, 2010 at 5:58 pm |
“Suellen kick-starts your best life”
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!!
I love it … when I first read it I literally yelled ‘yes!!’
Perfect.
Woo-hoo!
and I agree with Kate – responsibility still lies with the individual.
Synergistic collaboration! What a buzz
June 3, 2010 at 6:15 pm |
I am buzzed with *kick-start* and *best*! I totally agree with Kate and Cat – it still remains the client’s responsibility. You open the door (or Yvonne’s – reveal the magic mirror – fairest of them all) and the client, through their transformation, has the choice to implement and maintain.
June 4, 2010 at 7:46 am |
Don’t you love Yvonne’s idea of the magic mirror?!!
June 3, 2010 at 6:17 pm |
WOW! I’m so excited. . Just back from swimming lessons with my son so been offline but saw Robin’s tweet. Raced home to have a look and WOW, WOW, WOW! I can hear myself saying those words. I used to dread the question “so what do you do?” now I can’t wait for someone to ask me
Thank you so very much Robin, Cat, Kate, Sally, Leanne, Tony, Yvonne. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I stumbled upon this forum. I will tell everyone I can about this and do what I can to support the book idea which I think is brilliant.
Hope I can “repay” you all for your wonderful insight, support and perseverance.
Now off to kick-start my best life!
June 4, 2010 at 7:44 am |
We share your excitement, Suellen.
We’ve much to learn from your success. Please stay close and share how things unfold. We would love to know how you implement your sharewords.
How else can we help you succeed?
Best, Robin
June 3, 2010 at 8:20 pm |
Robin
I would hope that over time I will be able to refine my offering but, for now, I would like to focus on the great strap line that you came up with the other day:
Social Media meets Business Development.
I think this is apposite to cover professional services or indeed any other service orientated sector.
The problem for the service sector is that price is no longer a differentiator, and neither should it be, but for me it is around innovation and providing more in value based content than the client perceives or believes that they are paying for.
Best wishes
Julian
June 4, 2010 at 7:41 am |
Robin Dickinson
June 2, 2010 at 1:39 pm (Edit) | Reply
Hi Julian,
Thank you for joining us.
I’ve really appreciated connecting with you and talking on skype.
We would love to help you with your sharewords.
For us to be most useful for you, just a few quick questions for clarity:
a) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
b) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
c) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
d) How would ‘fans’ of what you do recommend you to their friends/colleagues? i.e. “Robin, you should use Julian, he…(insert words)”.
Thank you, Julian.
Best, Robin
June 3, 2010 at 8:44 pm |
I’m starting a new thread to workshop Annabel Candy’s Sharewords (so they don’t get lost again
)
She says (above, in reply to Ben’s post)
Annabel “I help people get what they want in life and make the Internet work for them” Candy.
PS. Marks out of ten for my share words anyone? Too long? Too short? Too boring?
So … I’m going to confirm what you suspect – yes, too long, too boring
… and also too disparate … as in ‘get what they want in life’ AND ‘make the internet work for them’ … for most people those two elements don’t connect.
So, I gather from your site that you ‘empower’ people (benefit) ‘through’ smart use of internet (methodology). Your avatar and site are so bright and bubbly … you occur to me more as working ‘magic’ and I’d love to see some of your ‘fire’ and ‘heat’ in there …
Having said that, I think we need to get back to basics …
Robin’s key questions are
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
And if you’ve already answered these questions on this epic post, let us know … collectively we’ll find them
And … this just popped into my head …
finding your *sweet* spot on the internet (yes, playing on Candy)
random? anyway, something to build on …
C
June 4, 2010 at 6:59 am |
Hello Annabel
I’m looking forward to reading your responses to Robin’s key questions. I’ve had a look at both the Hot Spot site and the Mucho site (to help me get to know you) – the thing that instantly jumped out at me was the huge differences in feel, colour and ‘attitude’ between them. Wow!
I like Cat’s thinking and agree with what’s she’s put up; too long and a disconnect.
…eagerly awaiting your responses and what sharewords we can all create with you
Sally
June 4, 2010 at 9:37 am |
Hi Sally, oh dear. I play it safe with the smart corporate site for web design clients and the fun, hot blog is for my writing. No idea what to do now… just have one site? Maybe I should. Thanks for helping out. I have lots to think about:)
June 5, 2010 at 1:58 am |
Annabel
My first reaction to reading your reply was, go for the 2 sets of sharewords; why not, you have the 2! However if you feel you need to bring the two together in some way then that is something for you to consider. Are the 2 sites, (2 separate entities) achieving what you set them out to achieve? Are they suiting your purposes? If they are, then let’s all work together to create sharewords for each purpose.
That means, of course, two sets of responses to the key questions
As Suellen suggested (appears below, I think) maybe focus on one and then the other…
Looking forward to creating with you and all the other shareworders!
June 4, 2010 at 9:31 am |
Hi Cat, well at least it’s not just me who found them boring:) Thanks so much for your lovely long reply. It gives me plenty to think about and great ideas for working out the sharewords. I can see the massive disconnection between the two things I do, it even confuses me but I don’t want to drop one or the other. Hopefully I can work it out with these tips you’ve given me. Since I effectively have 2 separate businesses maybe I need 2 sets of share words… Thanks again Cat, I really appreciate your input and am about to check out your site now to learn about you:)
June 4, 2010 at 11:10 am |
Hi Annabel,
I understand your dilemma. I have two different identities too – one is more corporate and the other personal. I’ve tried to carry on doing both but haven’t done either well. It’s a really tough decision when you love both things and/or see one as a quicker revenue stream or whatever.
I’ve finally bitten the bullet and decided to put my creative time, budget and marketing effort into the business which I’m most passionate about, even though the easier path is probably the other one. Not sure where you’re at with your businesses but as others have said and you agree – they are very different. Don’t know how or even why you’d want to go with just one site so perhaps two sets of sharewords but speaking from experience, I’d say try to focus on just one at a time. Interested in what others think.
Suellen
June 4, 2010 at 6:52 pm |
You’re getting some really top-shelf input here, Annabel. Very impressive.
June 7, 2010 at 9:19 am |
Hi Robin, Cat, Sally and Suellen, Wow! Yes, thanks so much to you all for your brilliant input. One set of words sounds better. Useful to focus on the clients too and think about what they are. I have a lot to think about. I answered the questions but they are the same answers I’d have given 12 years ago when I set up my web design company for small businesses. It’s good that the mission and the clients have remained constant:) But how does my blog fit in? I think it will become clearer as the year goes on. Until that time my share words will have to be effective web design for small businesses.
June 5, 2010 at 8:53 pm |
Hi Annabel – and Cat, Sally and Suellen,
It’s so marvelous to see the combined efforts here. It’s pretty amazing isn’t it Annabel?!
Building on Cat’s sage thinking, I just want to make sure that I’m completely clear on your commercial focus, Annabel.
a) Your business has two clear offerings – personal development advice and Internet marketing/business advice.
b) Both of these offerings will be available from your blog ‘Get In The Hot Spot’ i.e. as free advice and eventual pay-for products.
You write…
“I help people get what they want in life and make the Internet work for them”
Question: are you targeting two different customers or are they likely to be the same? (the word ‘and’ in your statement above makes me think you regard them as the one customer group).
My obvious preference is that you clearly identify and focus upon a primary buying audience.
Just thinking aloud…
Your heavy *buyer* in the personal improvement space will be female, say 25-35. I suspect online marketing buyers has a male skew, but have no metrics.
Perhaps your target audience is:
1. females, 25-35 personal improvement/Internet marketing buyers;
2. males, 18-35 personal improvement/Internet marketing buyers.
Two important notes:
a) where is there more margin for you – in personal development products or Internet marketing products? Focus on where the margin is. I suspect it’s in the Internet marketing side.
b) I make a very clear distinction between ‘buyers’ (commercially useful) and free-seekers (commercially useless).
Some thoughts for you Annabel.
Let’s sharpen up your commercial edge and then deliver your sharewords.
Best, Robin
June 7, 2010 at 4:52 pm |
Just wanted to say thanks to you and everyone who’s chipped in with their marvelous suggestions. I’ve read it three times and am thinking, thinking, thinking:)
June 7, 2010 at 9:11 pm |
Glad we had that chat on skype this afternoon, Annabel. It really helped me to get diamond focused on your sharewords.
June 9, 2010 at 8:58 pm |
Hi Annabel,
I’ve given your sharewords a lot of thought. Thank you for our recent chat on skype, it really helped me to clarify a few things.
These sharewords are specifically focused on the web-based business you are basing at http:///www.getinthehotspot.com
I’m going to be bold here, so fasten your seat belt!
What does Annabel do?
She empowers blogger’s lives.
Here’s my logic:
a) the key to your dual capability of personal development and business development is to diamond focus on the intersection – in this case, bloggers.
Look at your topics:
* Blogging Tips
* Self Employment
* Self improvement
* Smile
* Travel
* Writing
Look at the titles of your posts:
* Is Self Employment For You?
* 12 Steps to Better Blogging Course…
* 7 Secrets for Changing Your Life
* Blog Comments, Blog Buddies and the Web Party
* 5 Instructions For Better Writing and Living
* Self Improvement For Self Employment
* 3 Ways to Inject New Life Into Your Life or Blog
You write business and personal development advice for ‘bloggers’. *They* are the key.
Sure, you help empower the lives of non-bloggers, but from a commercial perspective, your products will be purchased primarily by ‘bloggers’. Diamond focus on the buyers first and foremost.
For example: Coming soon “12 Steps to Better Blogging Course…”
b) With your outstanding personal experience and business experience (Mucho), you are very well positioned to credibly offer the services and advice that support these sharewords.
It will also give you a strong and colourful, commercial point of difference against all the bland and mono-dimensional pro-blogger type sites online currently. None of them had a blogging party online!!
Business AND personal – the ultimate two-can! (Annabel used to have a great picture of a toucan on her previous blog).
c) Empowering: works very well for your buying audience as discussed previously.
Annabel, ‘empowering blogger’s lives’ is timely and much needed. Blogging is tough, and you bring life, colour and solid, practical help to blogger’s lives – their business AND personal lives. It is totally consistent with your blogs exciting new look and feel, and with the person who I know you to be.
We can discuss how you unfold it.
Let’s see what others think.
I really believe in you, Annabel. Keep up the amazing work.
Your friend – in diamond focus
Robin
June 9, 2010 at 9:49 pm |
Hi Robin, this is fabulous. You really have got the diamond focus!
Thanks so much for taking the time to think about this and write it down too… I know how you hate writing:)
Funnily enough I’ve been busy researching a different set of words – Key words and phrases for the search engine.
Share words are quite different from key words though. See, I lost my focus already.
I too have been thinking about my share words a lot but haven’t come to any brilliant conclusions. I’m very diligent though, printing out comments, making notes, answering questions on paper.
OK, good, let’s only focus on my Get In the Hot Spot persona. It’s the real me not hiding behind a business-like front.
Isn’t it better to say I help small business owners, not just bloggers? That’s my traditional client-base. The bloggers I want to help are those who are doing it to market their small busines, set up or launch a new career.
Maybe since the empowerment/self improvement seems to be more of a sideline these days better to focus on business.
Also although all this empowering/self improvement thing is great I think it sounds a bit new agey and I’m not. I want be known for giving sound advice.
So two more suggestions:
1. I help small business owners succeed online
2. I help people win business online
Thanks for believing in me. Can’t believe I’ve scored myself the best business mentor in Australia, probably the world! The share words will be the icing on the cake.
Thanks Robin:)
June 9, 2010 at 10:35 pm |
I’m really loving your diamond focus here, Annabel. That’s most of the battle these days. People become afraid to say NO to anything, just in case it’s the wrong decision. However, their diluted offering ends up not really speaking to anyone.
The stronger your NO, the more valuable your YES! Especially with business planning.
Things are becoming much clearer now.
It will be good to get some input from others.
Well done, Annabel!
Thank you for your wonderful compliment!
Robin
June 9, 2010 at 10:40 pm |
PS: I really like…
“I help people win business online.”
The “help people” works well with “win business”. Combines the ‘approachable’ with the ‘hard commercial edge’. Nice.
June 10, 2010 at 6:56 am |
I do like “empowers bloggers lives” that draws/connects me to the http:/www.getinthehotspot.com instantly. It says it all to me, as someone from the outside looking in.
Whether that means a different set of sharewords for the mucho site, I’m not sure. As Robin says, “With your outstanding personal experience and business experience (Mucho), you are very well positioned to credibly offer the services and advice that support these sharewords.” Alternatively, when in a particular situation/context you may want to only discuss/focus- and therefore, shareword – the benefits of mucho.
June 10, 2010 at 3:53 pm |
Excellent builds, Sally.
June 14, 2010 at 10:51 am |
Thanks Sally and Robin! Got to let them brew for a while now:)
June 3, 2010 at 9:09 pm |
Yikes what a Juggernaut! A bit daunting but lets have a go.
Helicopter Company -> several products -> for simplicity sake lets narrow the discussion scope to providing *helicopter transport for weddings*.
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery.
*Memorable experience that lasts a lifetime(or marriage).
*Makes people feel like a rock star or celebrity on their special day.
*While can be for the girls too this is one of the few things that guys can splash out on as we don’t have the limo, makeup, dress, shoes, flowers…..:-)
*Allows for some interesting photo locations.
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you?
*Time of their life, exciting, helped to make a great day greater, can’t wait to see the video.
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
*Imagine flying into your wedding/reception with groomsmen while James Bond or Mission Impossible music plays. Pretty much any helicopter company can offer this and many do so ‘unique’ in that regard is hard to achieve. The idea of arriving by helicopter is ‘unique’ when compared to the normal 4-wheeled transport options.
‘Elevate your wedding to Rockstar status’
‘Elevated’,'Indelible’,'Fly into the sunset..’
(help)(and thankyou for any and all feedback in advance.)
June 4, 2010 at 7:08 am |
Hi Mike
My first impression from reading your answers to the questions:
Lifting, Uplifting, Elevating, Exciting ….
*Mike gives your wedding (event) an uplifting level of excitement*
[captcha words around the wrong way: improved until - should read 'until improved'
]
June 4, 2010 at 7:29 am |
Useful builds, Sally. Thank you.
June 4, 2010 at 7:27 am |
We are so glad you stepped in, Mick. Thank you for your thoughtful inputs. Ideas are now brewing!
Best, Robin
June 4, 2010 at 11:13 am |
Having got married myself in a small 6 seater aircraft we got plenty of ‘off to a flying start’ quips… ‘head in the clouds’…’sky is the limit’ LOL
Building on Sally:
Mike elevates your event
June 4, 2010 at 6:14 pm |
An ‘uplifting’ experience, Linda??
I’m really appreciating your ongoing participation in this workshop. Thank you.
Robin
June 4, 2010 at 11:32 am |
Hi Mike,
I’m so glad you started with *helicopter transport for weddings*. I had a look at your website and I would NEVER have guessed you did this. It’s a very tough, military, industrial looking site which is quite disconnected from the *wedding scene*. However, I like that you’re thinking is about something for the guys – James Bond entrance and all that. So maybe you could really target the grooms. Most of the other sites I had a quick look at are quite female looking.
So, love Sally’s uplifting, elevating clever play on words. To build on these:
*elevate your arrival* , *cloud nine arrivals*, *upflifting proposals*
Will try to think like a man and hopefully add more later.
Suellen
June 4, 2010 at 6:13 pm |
Excellent input, Suellen. Well done!
June 4, 2010 at 11:53 am |
Hey Mike,
I think your starting share words of *helicopter transport for weddings* are pretty much on the money. As soon as I read them it was clear what you did and I automatically assumed that you would be open to providing helicopter transport for other events.
A slight tweak may be “helicopter limo for weddings” or just “helicopter limousine service”.
Ah you are getting married? Aero Power provide a helicopter limousine service.
Ah you are going to a ball? Aero Power provide a helicopter limousine service.
June 4, 2010 at 12:11 pm |
Hey Michael, great to see your contribution.
How are you going with *your* sharewords?
“I make best selling iPhone apps”
Best, Robin
PS: For us to be able to see your avatar, you can get your free avatar at http://gravatar.com
June 4, 2010 at 6:52 pm |
There’s so much excitement going on here, but I must say that what sticks with me is the “Elevate your wedding to Rock Status” or something along those lines… the word Elevate is powerful – it’s higher, better, more significant than the usual experience.
Elevate Your Grand Entrance to Celebrity Status…
Elevate your Event to a Lifelong Memory…
Sounds exciting and since my dad & husband have parachuted into weddings – Mike’s is a business I’d be recommending!
June 7, 2010 at 9:12 pm |
Great avatar, Kerrie – and great contribution!
June 4, 2010 at 7:28 pm |
Wow, thankyou so much folks for the input. A couple of those have really resonated and I can’t wait to past them around the office.
Suellen, website is a work in progress as it doesn’t support and build on some of our product messages. Thanks for checking it out.
I’d say parachuting into a wedding would be pretty spectacular too!
‘Helicopter Limousine Service’ does grab me as it is simple and associates the product with ‘exclusive’, ‘special’, ‘luxury’, ‘personalised’. It also ties in with the normal wedding transport most people think of but then ups the ante.
June 4, 2010 at 8:04 pm |
Mick,
I like the simplicity of Helicopter Limousines but it’s not very sexy. I love *Aeropower elevates your event with a Helicopter Limousine Service*
Suellen
June 4, 2010 at 10:32 pm |
Aero Power delivers the WOW in Wedding
Aero Power – The ultimate blokes limousine
Aero Power – Taking your wedding to new heights
Aero Power – Get your man to the alter in style
Have a great nite
June 5, 2010 at 8:37 am |
Hey Mick, are you or Twitter?
June 5, 2010 at 12:19 pm |
Cheers Robin
http://twitter.com/Aeropower
June 5, 2010 at 2:53 pm |
Hi Mick,
For my sins I’ve been responsible for design of many special events, I’m not an event manager, but my objective each time was to create an amazing and unforgettable experience for each attendee. So here’s a few thoughts that may be helpful.
Most people want their event to be stand-out, so that they and their friends/guests have a wonderful experience. I know I love it when I’ve organised an event and people say “Wow your party was amazing, I will never forget….” That’s what you’re offering.
However, the offer also needs to be accessible. It can’t be too confronting or make someone feel uncomfortable at first pass. So for example, I was very put off by a haunted house experience at an amazing Halloween Party I went to in the US. It was just the thought of it – the experience was a blast. In your case, there may be some people (like me!) that would resist the idea of arriving in a helicopter at first glance (things could go wrong, what if someone doesn’t like heights)… so I would suggest you will benefit from focusing on the *experience* benefit not the feature (helicopter) to lure people like me in.
I love the word ‘elevate’. For me, there’s something there around ‘unforgettable’, ‘impressive’ or ‘remarkable’. Unforgettable evokes the Nat King Cole song which kind of reminds me of weddings too!
Maybe…
Elevates every celebration to unforgettable
Lifts your event to unforgettable
Over to you shareworders…
Cheers
Kate
June 6, 2010 at 8:20 am |
Wow Kate, I really like these…
Elevates every celebration to unforgettable
Lifts your event to unforgettable
June 5, 2010 at 9:35 pm |
Wow, Mick – this is a master-class of top input and ideas for your business. So much goodness. What do you think? Are we on track?
June 10, 2010 at 5:07 pm |
Hi Mick,
I have been amazed by the efforts of this community on your behalf. So many great ideas have been volunteered generously by an all-star team – including these…
Sally: Mike gives your wedding (event) an uplifting level of excitement;
Linda: Mick elevates your event;
Suellen: elevates your event with a Helicopter Limousine Service;
Kerrie: elevate your wedding to Rock Status;
Michael: Aero Power provide a helicopter limousine service;
Leanne: Aero Power delivers the WOW in Wedding;
Kate: elevates every celebration to unforgettable.
This is impressive input that has no doubt provided you with much to think about.
My input is completely inspired by this group.
What does Mick/Aeropower do?
He/they wow your wedding.
Here’s my thinking:
a) these are sharewords – words used by others to recommend you. They don’t have to stand alone.
The recommender gives them context e.g. if I know you are getting married, I might say “You should call Mick, he’ll wow you wedding!”
Once I’ve got your attention with the sharewords, I can then quickly unfold that you have this fantastic Helicopter Limo Service etc etc.
b) the word ‘wow’ works very hard for you.
* Wow: to delight or impress someone
* Wow: to gain an enthusiastic response from; thrill; excitement
* Wow: an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like.
I took particular note of Kate’s excellent point:
“Most people want their event to be stand-out, so that they and their friends/guests have a wonderful experience. I know I love it when I’ve organised an event and people say “Wow your party was amazing, I will never forget….” That’s what you’re offering.”
Wow can also be use as ‘wowing’ in your support materials/website
‘Wowing your wedding’
‘Wowing your event’
The key here is to graphically highlight the word ‘wing’ – i.e. winging, flying – helicopter. Hard to show here. woWING is what I mean.
I also like that ‘wow’ and ‘wedding’ start with a ‘w’. Makes it easier to say and remember.
c) You wrote:
“Pretty much any helicopter company can offer this and many do so ‘unique’ in that regard is hard to achieve.”
Given that it’s hard to be unique in this space, I would be keen for Aeropower to ‘own’ the ‘wow’ of weddings and events in general. It’s the commercial high-ground from a benefits perspective.
All the details of what you do and how you do it can be unfolded on your website, in your collateral and/or in the rest of the conversation that your new sharewords beg!
Let’s see what others think.
Best Robin
June 10, 2010 at 6:51 pm |
Kate, Sally, Robin,
Thanks for your latest input. It has sparked some generative discussion in our team and we are looking forward to putting some of these into practice at a wedding expo coming up.
I used some of these ideas in a creative brief last weekend to try to provide a feel for what we wanted to achieve in a adverting banner.
If this is too removed from topic then please moderate but I’d love to get opinions on the images here: http://99designs.com/other-design-tasks/contests/helicopters-weddings-photo-edit-wall-banner-45926 – which one you like the best and how it complements our sharewords.
As always, I’m blown away by the open sharing of creativity here.
June 10, 2010 at 8:15 pm |
Thank you, Mick. You’re very welcome.
There are lots of pictures at that link – what specifically would you like us to do – rate them, give general feedback etc ?? Please advise.
Best, Robin
June 20, 2010 at 7:09 pm |
Folks,
I feel bad for not contributing back as much as I would have liked to. However I’ve been busy out implementing some of your ideas and wanted to say thankyou by way of showing you what you helped create.
We attended our first wedding expo today with the helicopter flying in before hand to setup. Within the first 45mins we had 8 serious couples wanting to look at taking up our service.
Here are two pics from this morning:
http://twitpic.com/1yarol
http://twitpic.com/1yasbr (little girl with the pink hat is my bub)
June 24, 2010 at 8:00 pm |
Thanks, Mick. This is outstanding feedback.
June 3, 2010 at 10:45 pm |
Another one for Robin’s sharewords – feeling cheeky
Robin – Business Masterchef – creating the right mix for business results
June 4, 2010 at 7:28 am |
That’s funny, Leanne. I must admit that most of my ideas take a while to cook through!
June 4, 2010 at 12:50 pm |
All the best ones do Robin!!;)
June 4, 2010 at 8:06 am |
Another 50 comments just in the past few days – this is an amazing crowdsourcing case study and demonstration of the value of blogging. One of my goals this year is to encourage everyone I meet to start a blog. Robin, your blog is one of the reasons why blogging works, and why everyone can benefit.
Well done on building and inspiring this community to participate in helping each other improve.
Cheers
Tony Hollingsworth
June 4, 2010 at 6:49 pm |
Thanks to all involved, and you Tony, for cheering us on.
June 5, 2010 at 1:50 pm |
Hi tony,
You wrote : “One of my goals this year is to encourage everyone I meet to start a blog. Robin, your blog is one of the reasons why blogging works, and why everyone can benefit.”
I think it is important to note WHY Robin’s way is so unique because although I have seen lots of comments on others’ blogs but they are definitely NOT interactive or “building” upon something (for the individual commentator as well as for the entire discourse).
Because if others could understand how we are all benefiting here, only then can others be convinced why they need a blog and why it works.
Just some thoughts. Was zooming past comments and yours struck me. So many comments so little time…and it is the first time I actually want to read other people’s comments not just those few that I know etc.
Thanks,
annie
June 6, 2010 at 12:55 pm |
Thank you for your builds and input, Annie.
June 4, 2010 at 12:19 pm |
Wow Robin,
This is great. I’ve jump on and now am weaving my way through the comments. Love the feel and comments on the thread. Can’t wait to be apart of it.
Thanks
Deb
June 4, 2010 at 6:12 pm |
Welcome, Deb. We’re ready when you are!
June 4, 2010 at 12:49 pm |
Helen
Fantastic PDF document what an incredible thing youve done – thank you thank you thank you!! for the time and commitment youve put in for the benefit of this fantastic business community!
CAPTCHA PHRASE – how pertinent – thousands function!!!!!
June 4, 2010 at 6:11 pm |
I second that!
June 6, 2010 at 8:19 pm |
Thanks Leanne & Robin – I’m so glad it is useful!
June 4, 2010 at 1:16 pm |
Hi Helen,
I second what Leanne said,thanks so for creating that wonderful PDF http://www.radsmarts.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2010/06/Sharewords-searchable-pdf-from-radsmarts.com_.pdf that has each person’s sharewords in the left hand table of contents and a link to the conversation.
It really highlights your talent of ‘transforming technology into productivity’. Great value for every person to access their information easily and offline. Brilliant effort!
June 4, 2010 at 6:11 pm |
This is helpful, Tony. Thank you.
June 6, 2010 at 8:18 pm |
Thanks Tony & Robin – my pleasure!
June 4, 2010 at 3:00 pm |
Hi Robin and Ben and everyone else,
Firstly, Ben – YES, I’m in for helping get this thing off the ground and into a book.
Secondly, Robin and everyone else – HELP – I’ve spent the last 24 hours honing my “diamond focus” in relation to my business, where it’s going and who I’m targeting.
My earlier tag-line was “Helping busy people get organised so they’re not run off their feet” which, with the help of sharewords, has become “Claire gets outstanding things done”.
I’ve moved on a little since then to “Helping executive women get more hours in their day”. I plan to launch a coaching module for executive women to literally help them get more hours in their day, by becoming more effective at everything they do.
Any suggestions for sharewords on this topic would be gratefully received.
Thank you
Claire
June 4, 2010 at 6:10 pm |
Thank you for supporting this community, Claire. As you well know, I’m a big fan of diamond focus
Just so we are really clear on your offering, let’s get diamond focused using the sharewords questions:
a) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
b) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
c) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
d) How would ‘fans’ of what you do recommend you to their friends/colleagues? i.e. “Robin, you should use Claire, she…(insert words)”.
The more focused you can be, these easier it is for this group to help you.
Best, Robin
June 4, 2010 at 6:53 pm |
Great…
Key benefits clients will get from my service delivery:
- they WILL get more hours in their day
- to spend on things they’ve always wanted to do
- to spend on things they already love doing but don’t have the time
- to spend with children, friends, family
- they will get more effective at doing those tasks they *have* to do
My most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with me as follows:
- life-changing
- empowering
- motivating
- providing great clarity
- providing a new perspective, balance in life
- supportive
- fun
The most unique element of my business:
- providing a simple, clear, focused strategy for gaining more hours in the day
(OK I confess, I struggled with this bit, I always do)
How would fans recommend me to someone else:
“You should use Claire, she has a simple yet extremely effective strategy to help you get more hours in the day so you can spend time on yourself/kids/family/other activities”
THANKS.
Claire
June 4, 2010 at 7:16 pm |
Claire, I’m not sure if you have come across GTD or Get Things Done http://www.davidco.com/
“Get greater results fast and easier.” is from their website but you could take a similar approach “I get you greater results fast and easier”.
“Personal Concierge”?
June 6, 2010 at 12:54 pm |
Excellent, Mick. Love your ‘personal concierge’ idea.
June 4, 2010 at 10:41 pm |
Claire solves your time dilemmas
June 5, 2010 at 1:05 pm |
Hi Claire
Wow I love some of you testimonials and they lead me to these sharewords
Claire delivers liberating solutions
Liberating is what I get from these testimonals whether it be a garage, an office space, a holiday or a special event you free your clients from the burden, release them from the worry – liberate yourself from the stresses of your life, relax and enjoy the benefits of time
Something to build on
June 5, 2010 at 9:37 pm |
Well done, Claire. We’re just thinking it all through. Have you had any ideas for other people’s sharewords?
Best, Robin
June 6, 2010 at 8:38 am |
Hi Claire
I just has a look around at your website again to help give me a clearer picture; I found the testimonials were the best way to describe what you do AND what the benefits to clients are. After reading them I had a sense of relief, ie. what a relief these people would have felt. You took the burden/load away from them. You were their heavy lifter! Okay, now that just conjures up a weight lifter but they are the words that come to me.
Claire takes your burden away (not keen on using negatives though)
Claire carries the load (but then you become a mover/removalist
Claire gets (your) things done!
… Maybe I’ve woken up with my ‘practical cap’ on but I see one of the big benefits of your service, in addition to what you’ve listed, as being more structure (that might just be saying something about me)!!!
June 6, 2010 at 12:52 pm |
Nice builds, Sally.
June 6, 2010 at 12:50 pm |
Hi Claire,
Had a look on your site and love what you do. It made me think that if I was to engage you what results would I get from having all the clutter etc put away in a proper organised place and my overall result or benefit would be more time …. So here are a few thoughts:
Urban Assistant:
Assists you to gain back your life/your time
Allows you to focus on what is important to you
Allows you to focus on what is important in your life
Takes you from chaos to control (there is a better word than control, but I can’t think of one at the moment…)
Gives you back your life by structuring your clutter
So some more to think of….
Deb
June 6, 2010 at 12:53 pm |
These inputs are great, Deb. Well done!
If you would like your avatar to show here, just register for free at http://gravatar.com
Best, Robin
June 7, 2010 at 12:29 pm |
THANK YOU to Robin, Mick, Leanne, Sally and Deb for all your input.
These are all great suggestions – some of them are thoughts and words that have been buzzing around my head for some time, and others are new. They are all really helpful in describing the ‘concierge’ aspect of what I do.
However, in addition to the concierge work, I plan to launch a coaching module for executive/entrepreneurial women to literally show them how to get more hours in their day, by becoming more effective at everything they do. I will be *coaching*, rather than *doing*. It’s in this aspect of my work that I really need to hone my “sharewords”. Any further ideas all gratefully received!
Claire
June 7, 2010 at 5:54 pm |
Hey Claire,
Just throwing up if maybe there is a distinction around the program you are going to offer your clients. And that is: Is it coaching you are doing OR is it actually mentoring? I find if this distinction is clear then sharewords are easier to identify as well.
Hope this helps.
Deb
June 7, 2010 at 6:51 pm |
Hi Deb, and thanks.
Good question. From all the reading and learning I’ve done about coaching in preparation for this, it’s clear that the terms “mentor” and “coach” are used interchangeably, even though they are distinct.
However, what I intend to offer is definitely more aligned with “coaching”. That is to say, strategically focused on outcome, performance, behaviour, skills – with an immediate result. I read a good definition of “coaching” once, and have copied the key sections here, so you might get more of an idea of where I am coming from:
“Coaching is focused on immediately improving performance and developing skills… The process is usually aimed at developing specific skills and achieving measurable and sustainable behavioural change.. It is based on performance-related principles… a relationship in which the coach helps the coachee acquire skill and knowledge from within himself that can optimise performance…”
That’s definitely where I’m aiming for at present.
Does that help?
Thank you in advance,
Claire
June 15, 2010 at 6:41 pm |
Hi Clair,
Thank you for being patient with this process.
It’s wonderful that you’ve had so many great ideas from the generous and clever people in this community – including the following:
* Mick said: “I get you greater results fast and easier”
* Leanne said: “Claire solves your time dilemmas”
* Sally said: “Claire gets (your) things done!”
* Deb said: “Assists you to gain back your life/your time”
My thoughts on your sharewords have been helped and stimulated by these efforts.
O.K., we are mindful that you are diamond focusing on coaching as a priority, and that…
“I plan to launch a coaching module for executive/entrepreneurial women to literally show them how to get more hours in their day, by becoming more effective at everything they do.”
What does Claire do?
She squeezes more hours out of your day.
Here’s my logic:
a) squeeze: this is a very powerful word for you.
Squeeze: to apply pressure to in order to extract juice, sap, or the like: to squeeze an orange. You provide a coaching methodology to help women extract more out of their day. They are under pressure and have learned to squeeze a million things to scrap together a few minutes for themselves. Squeeze will make sense to them.
Squeeze is a dynamic, action-oriented term that infers that your ways are clear, simple and straightforward – not adding further complications and stress to their day.
Squeeze is a practical, hands-on, approachable term, compared to say ‘management’ or ‘prioritization’. There’s a sense of “I can do it” which is important when dealing with people who are overloaded and sometimes overwhelmed.
b) more hours out of your day.
This is the benefit that you have mentioned multiple times. It’s the commercial high ground. You don’t need to explain *what* they will do with those spare hours – they know! You can unfold the full benefits on your website.
Putting it all together…
“I squeeze more hours out of your day.’
Is clear and simple – and interesting. It’s easy to say and share, and begs “Show me how you do that!”
All the details of what you do and how you do it can be unfolded on your website, in your collateral and/or in the rest of the conversation that your new sharewords beg!
Let’s see what others think.
Best Robin
June 15, 2010 at 10:49 pm |
Wow! I love it. The last few days have been spent really planning how it will all work, and the one piece that was missing was the sharewords. I think the “squeezing” thing will really work. Prior to that I just had “get” which, let’s face it, is a very dull word.
I will have a play around with it in my head over the next few days and see how it sounds when it comes out for real…
THANKS!!!
June 16, 2010 at 11:31 pm |
Congratulations Claire I think this squeezing idea is a perfect fit. I have even seen you squeezing more hours out of your own day in the way you are embracing all the new technology I am throwing in your direction. Well done Robin and good luck Claire on your journey with this…..
Helen
June 17, 2010 at 2:08 pm |
Helen,
That’s so true! I have yet to get my head around some new technologies, but I am loving the ones which help me squeeze more hours out of my own day. Keep them coming! We should probably sit down together some time soon and compare notes…
Thanks,
Claire
June 17, 2010 at 10:29 am |
I really like that – *squeezes more hours out of your day*
June 18, 2010 at 10:19 am |
Excellent feedback Sally and Helen, thank you.
June 22, 2010 at 9:02 am |
Hi Robin and team – a sensational effort of Claire’s sharewords – really perfect – you have captured this 100%. A huge effort – well done and thanks. How special is this thing that Robin has started?! Brilliant.
Miles
June 24, 2010 at 6:59 pm |
Thank you, Miles. We love your support, encouragement and feedback.
Robin
June 5, 2010 at 11:37 am |
TO ALL PARTICIPANTS:
SIGNPOSTING CURRENT DISCUSSION THREADS
a) TO GET COMMUNITY HELP WITH YOUR SHAREWORDS
Just put your comment at the bottom of this page. Simply entering your comment in the normal way will start a new thread.
b) TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR SHAREWORDS
* Claire Lane – located just above this comment ^
* Mick Cullen – located this page, just above Claire Lane
* Annabel Candy – located this page, just above Mick Cullen
* Julian Summerhayes – located this page, just above Annabel Candy
* Michell Cudmore – located this page, just above Julian Summerhayes
c) SHAREWORDS BOOK DISCUSSION
Located this page, near the top
d) SHAREWORDS iPhone/iPad DISCUSSION
Located this page, near top, just below book discussion
When a discussion gets more than 10 entries, just start a new thread at the bottom of the page.
Thank you all.
Best Robin
June 5, 2010 at 1:37 pm |
Hi Robin – Happy 1mth anniversary of the Sharewords Community
in that month you have generated 3522 views and 653 comments as at 1:28pm today – you have facilitated the discussion of over 50 contributors sharewords, you have excited, inspired and enthralled a community of people to unite for a common business purpose, generated business for contributors and exposed all who enter to a wealth of exciting business propositions – heres my 1st mth anniversary gift for you 
Tweet this amazing community to the media – today I started tweeting to @sunriseon7, @thetodayshow, @smhnews, @theage – the tweet sent was
Check out this amazing business community #Sharewords http://bit.ly/aDtj14 with @Robin_Dickinson
follow me on @sleepyoz to retweet
Add other media outlets to tweet – get the message out there
Have a great weekend
June 5, 2010 at 7:17 pm |
You’re amazing, Leanne. You exemplify leadership in your actions, encouragement in your words and inspiration in your ideas. Thank you.
It just goes to show what a motivated group of people can do with this ‘social technology’
Best to you and all of the ‘shareworders’.
Robin
June 5, 2010 at 1:43 pm |
is sharewords community for people who already have some sort of a business and are redefining it or could it be equally applicable for someone who is starting?
sorry if this has already been addressed somewhere, but if I didn’t jump in now, I am not sure when I will create the time to explore all the lovely, thought-provoking comments.
thank you,
annie
June 5, 2010 at 7:18 pm |
It’s just great to have you participating Annie. Feel free to engage in any way you feel comfortable.
Robin
June 6, 2010 at 9:46 pm |
Hi Robin and all supporters,
This is an amazing idea.
I have been focusing on your questions and I would love HELP with my sharewords please.
KEY benefits my clients get?
Transformation
Change
inspiration
more Self-awareness
more Self-love
Better health
better wealth
How most satisfied clients describe dealing with me?
excited
delighted
happy
satisfied
surprised
Most unique element of my business?
I care
I delight with them
I give them unique solutions
I support them through their process of applying the suggested solutions
At the moment I say
Unique people deserve unique solutions (website)
However I am thinking something on the lines of
Ana inspires people to transform their lives by transforming their personal and/or professional space
Ana supports you aligning your personal environment with your dreams
HELP PLEASE!
warm regards,
Ana
June 7, 2010 at 7:22 am |
Hi Ana
I really – REALLY
– like “Unique people deserve unique solutions” as well as the way you’ve used it on your home page. It is a great line that could still be used throughout your site and other materials. It doesn’t tell me what you do however. From only reading your post above, my first thought was that you offer a VA type of role (my assumption/interpretation) so going over to your site was helpful; it is totally clear from the home page what you do.
To recommend you to others… “Hey, you should talk to Ana, she…. “; the unique people…” statement doesn’t tell me what you do…
- Ana offers holistic Feng Shui solutions
- Ana offers transformation through Feng Shui solutions
- Awareness and change through Ana’s Feng Shui
- Unique solutions through Ana’s Feng Shui
I’m sure other shareworders will build on, suggest others and keep the creating and creativity going…
June 7, 2010 at 9:09 pm |
Top-shelf contribution, Sally. You really know how to apply diamond focus.
June 8, 2010 at 9:10 am |
Hi Sally,
Thanks Sally. This is great.
I think ‘transformation through unique Feng Shui solutions’ is a good step from where I am at the moment. Although what I offer is much more than Feng Shui…so I am now working on a better name for it.
Thanks everyone!
June 8, 2010 at 9:24 am |
That’s useful feedback, Ana. Thank you.
June 8, 2010 at 12:08 pm |
Hi Ana
How about something like
Ana stimulates you to embrace a changing lifestyle
I love the word stimulates – it stires up feelings and emotions and its also a call to action to provoke a reaction
Hope that helps – have a great day
Leanne
June 7, 2010 at 9:08 pm |
This is really useful, Ana. Ideas are percolating!
June 18, 2010 at 12:23 pm |
Hi Ana,
Thank you for being part of this workshop, and for your patience.
Thanks to your information and the excellent input from Leanne and Ana, I have some thoughts about your sharewords.
I have now thought through your feedback, visited your website and done a bit of research on Feng Shui.
What does Ana do?
She harmonizes your perfect life!
Here’s my thinking:
a) ‘Harmonizes’: this word works hard for you. It’s the commercial high-ground.
Harmonize – to bring into harmony – a pleasing, orderly combination of elements in a whole. This fits well with terms like ‘transformation’ and ‘change’, but sits more specifically with the underlying philosophies you draw on e.g. Feng Shui
This is also a good fit with your web presence ‘Living in Harmony’.
b) ‘your perfect life’. This ‘ultimate benefit’ pulls together many of the advantages of your services:
• The fact that Feng Shui (an important part of your overall offering) seeks to situate the human built environment on spots with good qi – the “perfect spot”;
• Better health; better wealth; more Self-love etc all point to ‘perfect life’.
• Using ‘Your’ here also highlights that the solution is unique to them, not some generic offering.
Ana, I understand your reasons for not wanting to use ‘Feng Shui’ in your sharewords because of your wider capabilities. What we lose in this diamond focus, we gain with sharewords that beg further conversation.
“I harmonize your perfect life.”
These sharewords are easy to say, clear and simple. They fit together well. I believe they beg further interest AND build nicely on
your mission “to connect people with their environment in a way that supports them to achieve their best.”
All the details of what you do and how you do it can be unfolded on your website, in your collateral and/or in the rest of the conversation that your new sharewords beg!
Let’s see what others think.
Best Robin
June 18, 2010 at 6:31 pm |
Hi Robin and Ana,
I really like these Sharewords. Well done Robin.
*Anna harmonizes your perfect life!*
It’s a great conversation starter. I am immediately intrigued and want to know more.
How? What do you mean by perfect life? This sounds pleasing and like it will feel good. Tell me how I could benefit from talking to her! Bring on Harmony, start talking to me. Are just a couple of the things that come to mind.
Adding to Robin’s comments about ‘harmonize’:
In an increasingly busy and complex world I am attracted to conversations about harmony. I would love to have more harmony in my life and more time/room to breathe. These Sharewords are convincing. They make me breathe more easy and feel optimistic about the challenges that busy lives through at us.
I actually think that *perfect* and *ultimate* are almost interchangeable in your Sharewords. However, the Robin links ‘perfect’ to qi “perfect spot” is most impressive. I love it!
I think that Sharewords that evoke emotion and hope and desire for a harmonious and perfect life work well for Ana. They reinforce her special skills and my desire to get them working in my life.
I can’t wait to learn what Ana thinks of them.
Regards
Kathleen
June 23, 2010 at 10:05 pm |
Thanks Kathleen for your comments.
Great to hear that ‘Ana harmonizes your perfect life’ gets you thinking and wanting to know more!
More of my comments below!
cheers. Ana
June 23, 2010 at 10:02 pm |
Hi Robin,
I was away and only now had a chance to read your reply.
Sharewords are powerful!
“Ana harmonizes your perfect life’ is great.
Thanks Robin!
Harmonise is really in tune with my feng shui business name ‘living in harmony’ and with the work I do in the personal and environmental sense with my clients.
‘Perfect’ also has a deep meaning to me as a keen meditator. Perfection meaning learning how to access universal truth through awareness, completely letting go of distorted perceptions. Perfect life to me would be to be in tune with myself/others and the world around me with clear perception, being in tune with oneness and our connectedness with all things.
Brilliant!
Thanks everyone for your wonderful and very helpful comments!
Ana
June 24, 2010 at 6:09 pm |
You’re very welcome, Ana. Thank you for *your* contribution to this community of givers!
June 8, 2010 at 5:43 pm |
Hello Sharewords Community,
I have learnt a lot about the value of clear and concise Sharewords from your discussions. While I am not quite through studying the hundreds of comments that make up your fine work, I am particularly impressed by the generous and high quality feedback that is assisting your community to refine the way they articulate their taglines and sharewords.
Thank you for encouraging me to ask for help with my Sharewords because I NEED HELP!
I hope you are able to tease the essence of my business out of me, like you have done for so many others so that I too may receive great Sharewords
I understand the need to develop simple, conversational, buyer-oriented and self-evident sharewords, however, I have two target markets and whenever I try to roll them into one unique selling proposition I seem to lose the essence of what I do. Conversely, when I keep them separate I find it difficult to identify the right people to use them with at the right time.
I am keen to hear the groups thoughts on how I should tackle this problem. Is it a problem? What should I do? Is there an approach I have not considered?
My target markets:
1.Subscribers to Broadcast Builder – a free interactive audio program that gives home builders free access to CPD (continual professional development) points.
2.Advertisers/sponsors – client that enable the production and distribution of Broadcast Builder.
A little background (the long explanation to fill you in)
We develop professional development activities for residential builders.
Residential builders in NSW, Vic and Tas must earn CPD points each year to maintain their licences.
Our core product is an interactive audio program. It is unique.
What makes it different?
1. It is free to subscribers (the majority of other activities cost the builder)
2. Online access provides 24/7 access – control over access to CPD
3. The audio component (interviews) are available on CD (listen in the car on the way to work), as MP3’s or online – convenient, time efficient to complete
4. It provides sponsors/advertisers with an opportunity to engage builders in discussions about their products/services
5. Unlike traditional advertising and editorials, it provides sponsors/advertisers with the opportunity to measure the uptake and understanding of their message (quiz results, people that listened online etc.).
What is the value of our product to builders?
1. Keeps them up to date with new regulations, products and services
2. Encourages compliance and provides practical solutions to common building dilemmas.
3. Provides an alternative to reading to keep up to date
4. Can be used to earn CPD points without taking time off work for expensive courses
What is the value of our product to our clients (sponsors)?
1. New way to engage builders
2. Value for money advertising
3. ROI reports
4. Position themselves as people that care about builders (assist them to solve problems and achieve compliance)
To sell advertising, I need subscribers.
From a personal point of view, I see myself as a facilitator.
I help builders to keep up to date and solve common building dilemmas. I decrease stress associated with compliance. I provide practical solutions and ideas that could assist them to operate more successful building businesses.
I help key industry stakeholders talk to building professionals in a best practice context.
Over to you !
P.S. Bring on the publishing opportunity for Robin
June 8, 2010 at 6:57 pm |
Hi Kathleen
I had written a reply and for some reason it didn’t load here… so my brilliance (that’s my story and I’m sticking with it) is now gone forever…;-)
Tough getting both targets captured into the one lot of sharewords. I see push and pull.
So, taking a second attempt at my first impressions or first go at suggesting sharewords that can be built on:
- compliance with ease 24/7
- keeping builders compliant
- building and maintaining compliance
- easy, accessible, relevant compliance for builders and the building industry
- keeping the building industry compliant
June 8, 2010 at 8:03 pm |
Excellent inputs, Sally. Thank you.
June 10, 2010 at 9:42 pm |
Hi Sally,
I have spent some more time reading more of the Sharewords community dialogue and I am impressed by the contributions that you have made. You are quite the words smith
.
Thank you for investing in me, especially when you have already done so much.
Because I am relatively new to the sales and marketing scene I had not thought to apply the concepts of push and pull to my business. Thank you for pointing this out.
Comments related to your Shareword suggestions
- compliance with ease 24/7
I don’t this will engage a lot of interest as my key Sharewords because I think ‘compliance’ sounds un-intriguing, hard to achieve, boring etc. However, I think that you have identified a great way to describe two of the key benefits of using Broadcast Builder. I think it could work well in marketing material
- keeping builders compliant
In addition to the comments above, I think this is a great line for me to use when I am talking to people about the benefits of Broadcast Builder eg. We keep builders compliant …
- easy, accessible, relevant compliance for builders and the building industry
You are probably spot on with the use of ‘relevant’. It sounds like a persuasive way to get builders listening.
- keeping the building industry compliant
I usually refer to builders. I am going to reconsider this. Building industry sounds bigger and better and may widen interest in my product.
What do you think of the way I have thought through your ideas?
I would value any feedback you are able to provide.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 10, 2010 at 9:59 pm |
Hi Kathleen
I can see that ’24/7′ and ‘compliance’ not being appealing to builders and you know this better than I would.
Easy, Accessible, Relevant: are words, I think, we all want to hear and experience the benefit of.
Building Industry: I thought would widen the scope and could include the push/pull, and be used with or without ‘industry’.
… these are ready to be built on, painted over, rendered, sunk, repaired, and/or polished (pun intended – it is getting late)
Some (as there are loads and loads) of the most important things about sharewords, IMHO, is that
- it must resonate with you/your business;
- it must match what you want your customer to see, feel, experience and benefit from;
- you can stand in front of a crowd and say your sharewords with authenticity and passion (I refer to Yvonne’s and Helen’s recent experiences); and
- we can all recommend you through using your sharewords that you love!
… more input from others will fine tune this process, provide greater creativity…
June 8, 2010 at 7:29 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
perhaps there are *not really* two markets (sponsors/subscribers). I see your service as a platform that helps your sponsors connect with you subscribers, topped by relevant information to keep builders up to date.
Hence my starting point is “Kathleen promotes builders to the leading edge.”
Maybe a bit more sprinkle and stardust from a native speaker can help. Mine could be too cliché, dunno. Any takers?
Best,
Erik
June 8, 2010 at 8:02 pm |
So good to see your contribution, Erik. Nice build!
June 10, 2010 at 9:15 pm |
Hi Erik,
Thank you for your contribution to my Sharewords. I have just re read your comments.
The word ‘platform’ really resonates with me. It made me think of ‘scaffold’ as well.
In the past I have said things like ‘we engage builders in discussions about … ‘
Thanks to your contribution I have come up with the following idea …
Broadcast Builder is a platform to connect builders with information on changes to regulations, new products, trends and solutions to common building dilemmas.
How do you think I can refine down this LONG description of what I do?
June 10, 2010 at 9:34 pm |
Hi all,
I’ve been watching this one evolve … and Kathleen I loved the visual of the *scaffold* platform …
It inspired
Brodcast Builders: your platform for ideas, development & solutions
Next …
June 10, 2010 at 9:54 pm |
Hi Cat,
Thanks I like the scaffold and platform concepts too. You may like to read the comment I posted to Erik.
Since posting that comment I’ve come up with this idea:
Our platform gives builders an easy way to stay up to date
another thought -
I engage builders in discussions that provide solutions to common building dilemmas
What do you think?
I know they are still need a lot of work but I’d still like to hear your thoughts.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 8, 2010 at 8:01 pm |
Thank you, Kathleen. I really appreciate the detailed and logical way you have presented your request for help. Thank you. Time to really think it through!.
Best, Robin
June 9, 2010 at 9:38 am |
Hi Kathleen,
I’ve been enjoying reading all of your feedback and also looking at your site. Your idea is really spot on and I can say this as my husband is a builder (& I’ve sent him your link) and a challenge as you know for them and others face is to block out the time to attend the courses. He liked the idea of listening to these recordings when he had the time and he said the benefits to him would be:
a) Less time impact away from a project (for both him & his subbies). Therefore a job deadline will be less impacted (I know a builder who works to a deadline!!!!)
b) This also would have a better impact on the overall bottom line of the project – again when you don’t have people going off to courses you are able to keep to your project deadlines or finish a job before the deadline, both have an impact on the bottom line.
c) The builder has happier clients, as clients like to see tradies on-site rather than not there.
I know I have contributed to the sharewords, but I thought this might be useful as well. Hope it makes sense.
Deb
June 9, 2010 at 9:42 am |
OOpps that should be that “I haven’t contributed to your sharewords” ….
June 9, 2010 at 6:39 pm |
Dear Deb,
Thank you for the contribution that you HAVE made to my Sharewords. It was particularly valuable (and nice) to receive feedback from a builders perspective. You have helped me to further refine the way I can articulate the value of Broadcast Builder to builders.
Thank you for passing on the link to your husband as well.
I am feeling very humbled by the assistance I am receiving.
June 8, 2010 at 6:30 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for sharing your great business Broadcast Builders with us!
I just wanted to jump in here with a comment because your dilemma resonated with me and I thought I could offer a bit of insight into how I’m approaching it.
You mentioned that you “have two target markets and whenever I try to roll them into one unique selling proposition I seem to lose the essence of what I do.”
What I’m wondering is whether you have a target client – the builder with the need to tell them what you’re about *I provide easy to use, time efficient, 24/7 CPD for builders* (I’m sure the community will flesh this out with you!)
You also have suppliers, sponsors/advertisers who you need to market to but are they clients?
I have a similar model in that my products and services are designed to serve the needs of my client group but I have associates who I need to sign-up to deliver some of those services or to sell the services for me. I was trying to find a single set of words or a pitch that covered the needs of both clients and associates but it ended up confusing the message.
What if you get your sharewords clear for your clients – builders, then think about how your services benefit the suppliers & why they should advertise with you?
I’m finding it hard to articulate but hopefully you (or one of the shareword community) can see where I’m coming from.
Looking forward to following the outcome of this one and learning along the way – thanks!
June 8, 2010 at 8:02 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
So good to see you in Shareword Forest with Robin Hood and his merry women and men.
I have to agree with Suellen’s that your focus needs to be ‘diamond tipped’ on clients rather than ‘double barrelled’ at clients and advertisers.
When you look at any news outlets for example they primarily project they have the latest news the most original news the etc they never say ‘we have great deals for advertisers’.
I believe that if you met a potential advertiser but didn’t know it at the time and said you ‘Support residential builders with state of the art annual compliance training’ for example they would know that getting involved with your business would be a smart move on their part.
So those sharewords are a bit long but they are really collateral for Robin and the group to work with. Here it is again and few more for good measure.
‘Support residential builders with state of the art annual compliance training’
‘Free, online or take away compliance training for residential builders’
‘We give free CPD points to builders who listen’
All the best Kathleen, you are going to enjoy this process I promise you.
June 8, 2010 at 8:07 pm |
You are conjuring up some great imagery, Tony.
Love your emphasis on diamond tipped focus. Yes! Thank you for your ongoing, load-bearing support of this community.
Best, Robin
June 8, 2010 at 8:05 pm |
This is very useful, Suellen. Sharing your experience helps a lot. Thank you.
June 8, 2010 at 11:24 pm |
Wow! You are right Tony. This is a wonderful experience. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful contribution. I agree with you – the newspaper analogy was a great way to start developing my “diamond tipped focus”
I like your shareword contributions too.
Suellen, it feels nice to know that other people have/are grappling with the same dilemma as I am. I think I get your point. I think I started this journey with a clear focus on the builder and somehow mixed the sales pitch in with the elevator pitch. It looks like I need to keep the sales pitch for sales calls and focus on the builders.
Sally, you have made such a great contribution to my sharewords, it’s hard to imagine how good your original, lost in space first lot of advice was
I like the focus on compliance – it’s fresh for me. I have not thought about using it that way.
Erik, like the others, I think you have hit the nail on the head by pointing out that only have one client. I like the words ‘platform’ and ‘connect’. Your sharewords have definitely got me thinking.
After reading Tony, Suellen’s and Sally’s comments about the need to focus on the builder, do you think I should keep your understanding of my service “I see your service as a platform that helps your sponsors connect with you subscribers topped by relevant information to keep builders up to date” for the development of a better sales pitch and focus on the builder for the sharewords?
Thank you Robin.
I am going to sleep on all of your wonderful suggestions. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
June 8, 2010 at 11:55 pm |
You’re very welcome Kathleen,
Already some of the group are giving you some outside in perspective which you just can’t do on your own. I am very happy you are already enjoying this energising process and I also can’t wait to what else get contributed. And remember the whole time Robin will be digesting it all to extract the pure essence of your shareword and ultimately what you really are about.
June 9, 2010 at 8:58 am |
Hi Kathleen,
You have so much great feedback already, I just want to add a couple of key points which might help.
In my world (financial advice *securing your best interests*) compliance & cont education is essential – to keep my licence, and to ensure I can deliver the best strategies for my clients. I also struggle with time in the normal work week to fit this in, and then to ensure that the CPD points are registered.
So, your offer for builders is superb. Here is my take on the really big benefits:
- you keep them building (no licence, no job)
- you keep them safe (personal safety as well as reduce risk of being sued for poor work practices)
- you offer it ‘on their terms’ (ie minimise imposition on their time)
This last one, I believe, would be very attractive to tradies – my experience (far more limited than yours!) is that most tradies like their work because it offers a degree of control and freedom.
Hope this helps
Kate
June 9, 2010 at 6:41 pm |
Hi Kate,
It seems I have lost a comment I thought I posted to you.
Thank you for your contribution. I will get back to you with the real response soon.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 10, 2010 at 10:28 pm |
Hi Kate,
Your feedback and ideas have most definitely helped
I love your Sharewords *securing your best interests* really works. It sounds strong, positive and interesting. What an excellent play on words.
I’ve been thinking about the Sharewords that you have contributed towards my cry help for help. Like you mentioned, there appear to be a lot of similarities between the need for convenient, time-efficient and low cost CPD activities for all professions who need to do it.
I like the way you have identified the benefits of Broadcast Builder. You have provided me with a fresh perspective on the value I provide. A few words that came to mind after reading your contribution:
Broadcast Builder makes CPD relevant, free and easy to complete
Free, 24/7 access to CPD
Improve OHS on your site
However, I am not confident that any will work as my Sharewords. I have found that despite the growing number of people that need to do CPD to maintain their qualifications, many people do not know what it means. I think this feedback indicates that I need to save ‘CPD’ for use in discussions about the benefits of Broadcast Builder.
What do you think?
June 9, 2010 at 3:34 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
A few quick ideas to put out there for others to build on:
- Broadcast Builders – our compliance tools keep your team on the tools.
I think if you get your sharewords right for your clients, your advertisers will find you!
good luck
June 9, 2010 at 6:27 pm |
Much appreciated Suellen.
Like you, I have come to the conclusion that I only have to focus on getting the message to builders right.
Thanks for the new Sharewords suggestion too:
Broadcast Builders – our compliance tools keep your team on the tools.
I like the focus on team and keeping you at work. I have been limiting my self to words like time efficient and fast. I think ‘on the tools’ is a great way to convey some of the key benefits of Broadcast Builder.
Thank you
June 9, 2010 at 4:53 pm |
Hi Kathleen ~
Adding to the pot!!
The benefit to the builders is they’re building their business with knowledgeable foundations, virtually on the job -
Broadcast Builders builds your business on site
Broadcast Builders builds your compliant knowledge
June 9, 2010 at 6:21 pm |
Thanks Linda.
I appreciate the way you have added to my ‘pot’ of Shareword ideas. Thank you for taking the time to come up with these great ideas.
I have not tried using the words ‘foundations’ and ‘virtually’ when I talk about what I do. I like the way you play with words.
I am going to think about your suggestions. Thank you
Yes Robin, this IS the second time I have posted this comment! I lost the first, put the second in the wrong spot and now it’s third time lucky
June 18, 2010 at 10:36 am |
Excellent input, Linda. Thank you.
June 9, 2010 at 12:24 am |
Hi Kathleen
Whilst I havent had a chance to focus on your sharewords I have read the comments regarding the dilemma between the stakeholders (sponsors/advertisers) and your clients (builders) – what a great service you are offering – I know in our business in a regional area focusing on financial management and business development we come across “tradies” all the time and a key and crucial worry for them is keeping up with compliance, finding time to cover the CPD hours and the costs – especially when a lot of the CPD isnt offered locally and means travel into the city – whilst essentially trying to operate a successful business in a seriously competitive environment where margins are always being pressed to decrease – so the benefits that you outline are real and tangible – on the other side you have industry stakeholders – your benefit to them is the conduit/communication channel you provide and pivotal to that is the one to many channel using a variety of media to get this important education and compliance message into the industry space
Hope that makes sense – need sleep I think – Ive lost my diamond focus for the day
Cheers
Leanne
June 9, 2010 at 6:32 pm |
Dear Leanne,
Just a short note to say thank you for your positive and encouraging words.
I have to go offline for a few hours but I am keen to engage in a discussion with you soon.
BTW congratulations on the work you do and thank you for the significant contribution you are making within the Sharewords community. I visited your site the other day (a link on one of Robin’s tweets about you).
June 10, 2010 at 10:26 pm |
Hi Kathleen – I have been pondering on your sharewords too – perhaps something as simple as ‘Broadcast Builders – we are your partner in industry compliance”
Partner is a word you can leverage from – partnering with you to provide easy access platforms, partnering with you to get results etc
or one thats a little cheeky
Broadcast Builders – your compliance collaborators – you could cartoonise this to appeal to the blokey builders (sorry guys!)
Both terms give a feeling of ease, a sense of trust and security which I think is important in softening the dread of compliance
Hope that helps
Cheers
Leanne
June 10, 2010 at 10:35 pm |
Hi Leanne,
Thank you for building
on my Sharewords.
I agree with you. Words like ‘partner’ and collaborative’ sound more trustworthy and helpful to me too.
I am going to sleep on this one. I am excited to see where this finally ends up.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 18, 2010 at 10:38 am |
Well done, Leanne. Top inputs!
June 9, 2010 at 12:38 pm |
Last night I presented to Sydney’s Social Media Women – ‘preventning social media exhaustion, better than a one cassette solution” and had a lot of fun demonstrating the tools I use in and out of social media to efficiently run my business.
At the beginning of the session we all get about 10 seconds to give our ‘pitch’ and it was so exciting to hear some fabulous shareworders clearly stating what they are about. I LOVED that from tracking this post I already knew these people and their sharewords.
Congratulations to all especially Rosemary, Joanna and Annalisa. Robin you would have been proud of them – I really do wish you had done the drag queen thing and snuck in with a wig and skirt
ps I really do feel as if I was transforming technology into productivity up on the stage – a great night!
June 9, 2010 at 1:19 pm |
Last night some of us had the opportunity to hear Helen speak about transforming technology into productivity and it was very evident in the way Helen delivered her speech just how excited and passionate she is. I really do feel, having been touched by Robin’s mastery myself, how much clarity and direction you can gain from knowing what your sharewords are and what they mean for you.
It’s a very powerful feeling and I think it would be an injustice for these words and contributions not to be published into something that each person has contributed to and how quickly this tribe – Robin’s Mastery Tribe – has been formed. This is a group of – now friends – that have come together to share and support each other and that’s a beautiful thing and it’s truly inspiring!
June 18, 2010 at 10:40 am |
Thank you, Annalisa. That’s very encouraging!
June 9, 2010 at 3:09 pm |
Helen I found it so empowering to use my four sharewords, “I generate amazing publicity,” at last night’s Social Media Women event and felt a tingle every time I heard another woman use hers as developed and workshopped through this amazing community.
Robin you have facilitated this group so well and encouraged us all along the way that it has almost taken on a life of its own (in a good way). It’s become a bit like standing room only for an incredible performance, but we’re still making room to squeeze newcomers in.
Johanna
June 18, 2010 at 10:41 am |
Well said, Johanna. Thank you!
June 9, 2010 at 4:01 pm |
Helen
(and Rosemary, Johanna and Annalisa)
Your feedback about how you feel when using your sharewords is so inspirational. I bet everyone could tell – feel – your passion for what you do, how you do it and the sharewords to describe it.
Thank you for sharing how the sharewords are landing.
June 9, 2010 at 6:13 pm |
Hi Helen,
Thank you for telling us about Sharewords in action. I feel really excited and motivated to get mine nailed down so that I can feel the power and joy too.
BTW your presentation sounds like it was just what I needed to learn about. Perhaps we should catch up and chat about Sydney Social Media Women.
Let me know if you are going to do a similar presentation anytime soon. I would be keen to come along.
Kathleen
PS Annalisa and Johanna – Congratulations on the successful use of your new Sharewords.
June 9, 2010 at 6:37 pm |
Thanks Kathleen
My sharewords are ingrained in my conversations now and I have added them to my email signature so they have become part of me!
June 18, 2010 at 10:44 am |
Wonderful!
June 18, 2010 at 6:40 pm |
Hi Johanna,
I can’t wait to be able to do that.
I am excited about the development of my Sharewords. They will mean less tongue tied conversations, greater confidence, diamond-tipped focus, less stress.
Congratulations on your Shareword success
June 9, 2010 at 3:01 pm |
Hi Robin.
I have finally been able to comment on this post.
We have been working on a new business strategy, where we are heading, where we want to be, and who we wish to target. Although we are closer now than 3 months ago, we have not narrowed it down to a single sentence.
One of the things I have struggled with is finding a unique selling point. In the graphics industry we are all specialists, we can all design, and provide excellent service. Well not all but everyone thinks they do!
So when I pick up the phone to call I want to say………
Here is what we have narrowed it down to:
We have 3 points.
1. Better Sales Results – We have increased sales for our clients
2. We make your life easier – We problem solve. We print manage.
3. Our culture – We only bill 75% of our time, the remaining 25% is left for innovation. Creating innovating ideas leads to passive income for the business and expands our creative minds.
We have 2 sides of the business, the graphics and the digital.
Graphics is called Push Creative and Digital is Push Interactive.
Push Creative services are:
Photography
Graphic Design
Point of Sale
Marketing Collateral
Signage
Packaging
Print Management
Push Interactive Services:
Customised Content Management System
Website Design
Ecommerce
Realestate microsites – now global. Just launched in the U.S
Campaign Tracker
Job Tracking System
Social Media Strategies
Are you able to narrow it down for me please?
Regards,
Mardi
June 10, 2010 at 7:40 am |
Hi Mardi
My first look at your site and from reading your post I really wanted to make shareword suggestions using the word ‘push’, but as I think up benefits to go with ‘push’ I get a negative impression and that’s not what this is about, we’re here to recommend
I’ve now looked at your site a few times and re-read the post, and I want someone to say to me, “Go with Mardi’s company because….” I have to admit I’m struggling to get a clear picture of the ‘…’ just yet.
-Go with Mardi’s company because they Create Better Sales Results –
That doesn’t tell me what you do, it’s a result (which is great), it can be considered a benefit but it’s not enough for me. (Is the company name Push Interactive? or should we be using Push Creative?)
What have clients said about using your services? What benefits, in their own words, have they mentioned? Please share some here?
Wow, I fear I may give the impression of being negative, that’s not my intention. Yours is the type of company I would approach for services, so that’s the mindset I’ve used to approach this with: what do I want to hear that will draw me to this company?
June 10, 2010 at 8:23 pm |
Top-shelf input and questions here, Sally. Well done!
June 11, 2010 at 1:38 am |
I love your website, very clean and well designed.
“Pushing innovative designs with creative expertise.”
June 11, 2010 at 7:17 pm |
We really appreciate your input, Deyson. Thank you.
June 15, 2010 at 5:03 pm |
Sorry Deyson I completely missed your post, do accept my apologise.
Thank you for the compliment.
The Push/Pull phrases being created are quite interesting and very diverse.
So everyone these are my favourites:
- Pushing innovative designs with creative expertise.
- Push Creative – the engine driving your design
- design excellence through collaboration
If I said this to you on the phone would you immediately understand what Push Creative does, believes in and sets out to achieve?
Kind regards,
Mardi
June 9, 2010 at 6:19 pm |
Thanks Linda.
I appreciate the way you have added to my ‘pot’ of Shareword ideas. Thank you for taking the time to come up with these great ideas.
I have not tried using the words ‘foundations’ and ‘virtually’ when I talk about what I do. I like the way you play with words.
I am going to think about your suggestions. Thank you
June 10, 2010 at 2:13 pm |
Hi Sally
Thank for your response. No I don’t think you were negative. We are putting together case studies and getting testimonials from clients at the moment. So I will have a clearer understanding of their thoughts on our business.
The name I will sell on the phone and networking is Push Creative.
Our MD just walked out of a meeting and said the client thinks we are the best thing since sliced bread! Always nice to hear!
One client who we have worked with for 4 years has said he likes working with us due to our honesty and trustworthiness. He knows the work will be true to the brief, finished on time and within budget.
I gave the Push Interactive website address as it is has just been created. The Push Creative one is still in development, http://www.pushcreative.com.au. (the current one is quite old, we have 3 more staff now).
What I have been saying to people is: We are a Creative studio in the Northern Beaches. We design marketing collateral and develop websites.
It isn’t enough, it doesn’t have a hook!
I would love to know how other design studios express their unique selling point. I have spent quite a long time researching competitors and they all say the same thing. I want Push to stand out.
Ideas using the Push theme are:
We push your business to greater heights
We don’t need to be pushed to be innovative, we already are
Push your bottom line
Thanks
Mardi
June 10, 2010 at 3:05 pm |
Hi Mardi, Sally and fellow ShareWorders,
Ok … this is an interesting one for me … as you’re right Mardi, all ‘creative’ agencies say they do the same thing … so how do they stand out?
It’s not about the process (design, branding, websites etc) … it’s what you *do* – what do you deliver to your clients to have them say “you’re the best thing sinced sliced bread”?
You say one client says “He knows the work will be true to the brief, finished on time and within budget” … they are great customer service deliverables … but what is the *work* that he comes to you for … and I don’t necessarily mean the finished product, but the benefit.
The branding agency that we worked with delivered an complete trademarkable identity that reflected us – that’s more than just a logo. The creative agencies I work with now elevate that brand and make me look good … effortlessly. That’s their real *work*.
So what does *being pushed* do for your clients? Do their brands get *pushed*? Are their businesses *pushed to centre stage*? or are you *pushing the boundaries* of great design?
random thoughts …
we push your brand to pull in the right clients
we push your brand’s potential
creative push for productive pull
Not quite sharewords yet … but still clarifying what your *ultimate* offering is.
Looking forward to the next build …
C
June 10, 2010 at 3:54 pm |
mmmmmm
Thanks Cat. This is making it clearer for me now.
In answer to what we do:
We listen
We make sure the brief is correct before production
We deliver
We make it a priority to know the client and their brand.
We have core values that are encouraged within the team and are signposted in the office.
They are:
1. To strive for design excellence
2. To create innovative solutions and increase competitive advantage
3. To design and achieve the best results
4. To provide our clients fast, efficient and accurate service
5. To become integral partners with our clients through the process
6. To design strong personal relationships with our clients
7. To always be prepared to go ‘the extra mile’ for our clients
I appreciate the help coming through, it is really ‘pushing’ my thought process. Thank you.
Mardi
June 10, 2010 at 8:55 pm |
So Mardi, when I see your phrases
we listen
we make sure the brief is correct before production
we deliver
we make it a priority to know the client & their brand
I start to see
design excellence through collaboration
| or |
collaborative design that pushes commercial advantage
| or |
pushing commercial advantage with collaborative design
(all these translate well to the interactive side of the business too)
The collaboration comes from your strong *push* to partner with your clients, get the brief right and *listen* … and ultimately, any design work needs to create some kind of business/commercial advantage – if it’s just aesthetics then it’s not enough.
Hope this helps fuel your thinking … look forward to *discussing* more
June 10, 2010 at 9:33 pm |
Whoa! you’re good Cat.
I agree about the aesthetics.
I really like “design excellence through collaboration”.
and “pushing commercial advantage with collaborative design”
I am away for a few days and will think it through some more.
Thank you for your help.
Mardi
June 10, 2010 at 9:39 pm |
Hey Mardi, great to see you here. Isn’t it wonderful to have such top-shelf input from amazing professionals like Cat and Sally?
Best, Robin
June 10, 2010 at 8:19 pm |
Excellent input and guidance, Cat. Well done! You are outstanding in your contributions
June 10, 2010 at 9:45 pm |
Hi Robin
The input from Sally and Cat has been very impressive. I have been reworking my thought patterns over and over and a few things have twigged. The wonderful part about Sharewords is that it isn’t giving you answers it make you use your brain to develop outcomes. A brilliant workshop. Well done Robin and to fellow helpers.
Mardi
June 10, 2010 at 9:47 pm |
Hi Mardi,
Have just joined this collaborative space, (and I used to work in design and branding) … however I think Cat is onto something with her use of push and pull, branding is all about telling the customer what you want your brand to stand for … and then in turn they tell everyone else (a lot like sharewords actually
)so, what, above all else do you guys do better than anybody else?
I think differentiation of creative agencies is found in the creative that you deliver … if you check out the agency SMART, their differentiation is the creative they produce – they also have a lovely connection with their business name … just a thought .. can you supply me with a link to your website?
June 10, 2010 at 10:41 pm |
Hi Mardi
Love the interest generated in your sharewords – I think using the word engine to get the push pull message out there might be useful
PushCreative – the engine driving your design
Engine gives a feeling of something with force (push/pull) with cogs turning (the creative) with power (the WOW/punch) and driving gives you the propulsion to move the designs above and beyond the norm
Hope that helps
Leanne
June 15, 2010 at 9:03 pm |
Excellent thinking, Leanne. Well done!
June 11, 2010 at 2:33 pm |
Robin, since you’ve started this ground breaking discussion, and helped me (amongst others in this workshop) to come up with my own sharewords, I’ve done some professional soul-searching, and found that Linkedin is where I can make a difference.
Since having this “eureka” moment, this is what happened:
1. I’ve been INVITED to speak to AGSM and TEC members/ students about Linkedin
2. I’ve been invited to work with a large accounting firm (800 accountants) and work with their marketing team, as well as their accountants, to get them all “Linkedin”.
3. I’ve worked with recruiting firms (4 so far)…
4. Been invited to work with a PR firm on Personal Branding online strategies, for them and for their clients…and some more….
But this is the big one:
5. I’ve just finished writing an ebook, ’8 steps to Linkedin Success’, which hand-holds the reader to have Linkedin working effectively for them.
This ebook is a great resource for any professional, sales person, recruiter or even someone looking for a job in the professional world!
So thank you Robin, and everyone on this panel who helped my Linkedin success!
Raz Chorev (getting people Linked-in)
June 11, 2010 at 7:14 pm |
This is an outstanding report, Raz. I really appreciate you sharing how you’ve been succeeding with you sharewords. It’s a real encouragement to us.
Shine on, Raz. Keep up the excellent work.
Robin
June 11, 2010 at 2:39 pm |
Hello Sharewords Community,
I would like to pull together all of the ideas and feedback that you have contributed towards my Sharewords to reflect on where we are up to.
What have I learnt so far?
Online communities:
- Opportunities to collaborate online can be extremely powerful.
- Online collaboration can provide a cost effective (free) way to work with like minded people for mutual benefit without the restrictions of time (I can respond to you 24/7), geographic location and the number of people who can participate.
My business:
- I need to focus on what I do for builders and the building industry. Sponsors will want to participate if they see the value for the builder.
What have I received so far?
Sally – contributed a lot of good ideas focusing on ‘compliance’. She connected compliance with some words that described some of the benefits of using Broadcast Builder to help achieve compliance.
Her suggestions included
‘compliance with ease 24/7’, We ‘keep builders compliant’, We provide ‘easy, accessible, relevant compliance for builders and the building industry’
She also reminded me that sharewords “must resonate with you/your business;
- it must match what you want your customer to see, feel, experience and benefit from;
- you can stand in front of a crowd and say your sharewords with authenticity and passion
Erik – was the first identify that there is only one target group. He proposed that Broadcast Builder could be viewed as a “platform that helps sponsors connect with subscribers”. This idea was further developed by Cat, Suellen and Tony
Cat suggested the word ‘scaffold’ and the Sharewords:
“Broadcast Builder: Your platform for ideas, development and solutions”. This helped me think of:
‘Our platform gives builders an easy way to stay up to date’
‘Our platform keeps the building industry up to date’
Suellen challenged me to consider builders as my target *client* and potential sponsors as my target *supplier*. She encouraged me to focus on the builders first and then the benefit of what I do for suppliers. She also built on Erik’s idea by suggesting:
*I provide easy to use, time efficient, 24/7 CPD for builders* and * Broadcast Builder – our compliance tools keep your team on the tools*
Tony reinforced the need for using only ONE set of Sharewords and like Suellen, suggested that the focus should be on the builder and not the sponsor. His analogy about newspapers was particularly helpful (‘they project that they have the latest news, they never say ‘we have great deals for advertisers’). This reduced the pressure I was feeling to SELL in my Sharewords and increased clarity about their purpose.
Deb Pilgrim provided positive feedback about the benefits of Broadcast Builder. Her husband is a builder. Discussions with her husband revealed that he liked the idea of having control over when and where he completed his CPD and how this flexibility could help him minimise the impact of CPD on his day to day work (time off the site and financial costs). She used the word ‘deadline’. This was interesting. I have never used it to describe the benefits of my business
Kate also provided fresh input into the benefits of Broadcast Builder. She needs to complete regular CPD to maintain her qualifications to deliver financial advice. Kate suggested that a lot of tradies are in business for themselves because it provides them with a degree of control and freedom. One of her Shareword ideas was that I offer CPD on their terms (minimise the imposition of CPD on time)
Linda added to the pot too. Her contribution included:
*The benefit to the builders is they’re building their business with knowledgeable foundations*
The word ‘foundations’ and ‘virtually’ were great additions.
Leanne Berry focused on the benefits of Broadcast Builder to regional builders. She highlighted how these members of the target group often worry about keeping compliant because they have less options available to them. She suggested:
- that Broadcast Builder provides a conduit/communication channel that enables better access to professional development
- and that we are “your partner in industry compliance”
Leanne also highlighted how words like ‘partner’ can help to build a sense of trust and security.
Pool of key words generated so far:
Conduit, Deadline, Load-bearing, Platform, Scaffold, Foundation, Communication channel, Your partner, Flexibility, Minimise time off site, Fast-track, Time efficient, Easy, 24/7, On your terms, Solutions, Building industry, Virtually, Access, Compliance, CPD, professional development, up to date, innovative, we nail, Tool, On the tools, Facilitate, educate, no cost, free, Value for money
My ideas/comments thanks to you:
- We engage builders in learning about …
- We provide a platform that connects builders with up to date information and solutions to common building dilemmas
- I think I would like to leave compliance in the list of benefits
- I like the word building industry instead of builders
- I worry that CPD raises too many questions (What is it? May not be easy for non industry professionals to share)
- I want to come across as reputable, professional, reliable, authentic, believable
- I am after something that articulates what I do for builders with a bit of HOW mixed in.
- I should not mix my sales pitch with your Sharewords – they have two discrete and very different purposes.
What do you think?
I am especially keen to hear if you agree with my comments at the end of this post. Do you think I am on the right path? Or, do I need to go back to the drawing board? Do you think we are getting closer to identifying the essence of what I do?
Thank you for helping me to clarify the benefits of Broadcast Builder and what I actually do. I am humbled.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 14, 2010 at 5:53 pm |
Hi Kathleen
You’ve pulled together a fantastic summary. You’ve asked if we think you are on the right track. I find that a difficult question to answer; I want you tell me (us) if we are on track as this is your business and I feel/believe that when the right words come through you know it. When *Advancing Your Personal Best* was suggested it was as if all else could just fade away; they ‘shouted’ at me as being the right ones. I’m not sure if others would say the same thing or experienced the same thing, this is just how it happened for me.
Do any of the words, sharewords, really rock your world and shine as being on target and matching?
- If not, that’s fine, let’s keep going and see what we can further create?
“Do you think we are getting closer to identifying the essence of what I do?”
- do you need clarity around what it is that your business does? [just thought I should ask this - I suspect you are clear]
- this makes me think that we haven’t hit *your* right sharewords yet.
Maybe after a day or two away some words, ideas will rise to the surface.
What do you think?
June 15, 2010 at 2:20 pm |
Dear Sally,
Thank you for another considered and helpful response to my Sharewords request for help.
Yes. I think we are on the right track.
I think the words are there. The suggestions I have received have been very helpful. They have expanded the key words I can use to describe what I do and helped me refine and identify the essence of what I do. However, I’m still struggling to find the combination that ‘rock’s my world’
I think I’ve got clarity on what I do, however, I am not sure which part of what I do would be most appealing and attention grabbing to others (so perhaps I don’t!).
The Sharewords that rock my world are going to be the ones that will rock the world of home builders. I think they need to sound like an innovative solution that will make their life easier.
I appreciate your continued assistance.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 15, 2010 at 9:01 pm |
This is an excellent build to the process, Sally. Thank you.
June 18, 2010 at 8:28 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for being a part of this sharewords workshop. By already summarizing the generous contributions of this community (see your comment above), you have made it much easier for me to offer my ideas.
I would specifically like to acknowledge the efforts of Sally, Erik, Cat, Deb, Suellen, Tony, Kate, Linda and Leanne in helping you to succeed. It’s incredible that you’ve had the creative input from nine amazing people!
Over 5000 words have already been written in these comments pursuant to your sharewords, so I will make this as succinct as possible.
So what does Kathleen do?
She’s building business the easy way.
Here’s my thinking:
a) ‘Building’: this works very hard for you
* Building (v) – to construct by assembling and joining parts or materials: to build a house;
* Building (v) – to base; found: a relationship built on trust;
* Building (v) – to establish, increase, or strengthen: to build a business; to build up one’s hopes;
* Building (n) – the act, business, or practice of constructing houses, office buildings, etc.
b) ‘Building business’: this works strongly in two ways:
• the ‘building business’ is key to both your target audiences (builder and advertisers);
• building (i.e. growing) business is an essential driver of your primary target audience of builders.
c) ‘The easy way’: this is the commercial high ground. It’s your major point of difference.
• You said: “From a personal point of view, I see myself as a facilitator.” To facilitate means to make easier;
• Everything you do is about making things easier for builder e.g. free; 24/7 access; convenient, time efficient to complete; I decrease stress associated with compliance; an easy way to stay up to date; Less time impact away from a project; minimise imposition on their time;
• It also works hard for your advertisers and sponsors – giving them ‘easy’ access to the building industry.
d) “Building business the easy way” is simple, and easy to say. It also alludes to your ultimate benefit of helping builders succeed in their business.
• “I provide practical solutions and ideas that could assist them to operate more successful building businesses.”
• “have a better impact on the overall bottom line of the project”
• “trying to operate a successful business in a seriously competitive environment where margins are always being pressed to decrease”
d) Your sharewords are framed in a way that makes them ‘multi-purpose’ around various elements of your offering.
For example:
Building compliance the easy way.
Building professional development the easy way.
Building CPD points the easy way.
Building business profits the easy way.
Kathleen, you wrote “The Sharewords that rock my world are going to be the ones that will rock the world of home builders. I think they need to sound like an innovative solution that will make their life easier.”
I believe these few simple sharewords deliver to you a solid ‘platform/foundation’
onto which you can build your fantastic business.
All the details of what you do and how you do it can be unfolded on your website, in your collateral and/or in the rest of the conversation that your new sharewords beg!
Let’s see what others think.
Best Robin ☺
June 18, 2010 at 10:36 pm |
Thank you Robin.
I love the Sharewords that you have developed for me.
Let me soak them in.
I will be back in touch soon.
I feel ever so grateful to all of the people that have contributed.
Xx
June 19, 2010 at 2:50 am |
Robin,
this is brilliant!! Love it!
Erik
June 19, 2010 at 10:03 pm |
Great to see your encouragement, Erik. Thank you.
June 19, 2010 at 7:27 am |
Robin and Kathleen C,
I like the simplicity of the shareword statement. And simple is great, it has capacity to deliver on everything it says. The variations lend themselves to so many different contexts; awesome value there! Wow, Robin!
I look forward to reading your feedback Kathleen, once the words have settled/soaked in.
June 19, 2010 at 10:06 pm |
Well done, Sally. That’s excellent input. Robin
June 19, 2010 at 4:46 pm |
Dear Sally and Erik,
Thank you for your feedback re the Sharewords that Robin has created and put forward for me. I have spent time reflecting on them and I agree with you both, they work very well.
What’s even more exciting than the Sharewords is the flexibility in their design. As you know, I have struggled to date to find consistent ways to talk about what I do, largely due to the pressure I had been feeling to differentiate my USP to both my target groups (builder and sponsor), usually without knowing who was who. This dilemma has been solved thanks to all of the people that helped confirm that I only need to sell the benefits of what I do for builders and the rest will follow. The interesting thing about Robin’s contribution to my Sharewords is that he has selected words that talk to builders, people that know builders and potential sponsors.
Kathleen’s building business the easy way.
I build business the easy way
etc.
They create interest and intrigue. I think that they are a good conversation starter that will create a desire for people to know more and lot’s of opportunities to explain what I do in more detail.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to my Sharewords for helping me to clarify the benefits of Broadcast Builder and what I actually do. I am humbled.
We are exhibiting at DesignBuild (a trade expo) next week. What a perfect opportunity to hone my new words and to market test a few variations
I have developed a plan for how I am going to test and evaluate them. I have edited some marketing collateral and developed some new procedures for myself and other staff to use when we speak to builders and potential sponsors at the show. I can’t wait to tell you how I go.
Thank you Robin
Best regards,
Kathleen
June 19, 2010 at 7:20 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
Congratulations on receiving your sharewords as always delivered with much thought and commercial consideration from Robin.
Kathleen Crone
Building business the easy way
Looks awesome in my opinion, I use mine in this fashion in my signature block as a gentle reminder to my clients why they are using me.
It took a day or so for my sharewords to really sink in too. When you actually get to use is when they really make sense. I am very excited for you being able to give them a test run at the trade show next week and I will be watching for your report on the experience.
Your help to others has also been amazing and its fantastic to see how much you have given back to others in their search for their sharewords.
all the best, have a powerful week ‘building business the easy way’
regards
Tony C
June 19, 2010 at 10:02 pm |
That’s a wonderful message of encouragement, Tony. I love the way you played back Kathleen’s sharewords and spoke of your own experience.
Thank you for your continued support of this community effort to help each other succeed.
Best, Robin
June 19, 2010 at 10:57 pm |
Thank you Tony C and Robin.
I appreciate your kind and thoughtful comments and your practical advice re the placement of my Sharewords on emails etc.
I will keep you posted on my success.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 20, 2010 at 11:54 am |
Best of luck at your trade expo, where you’ll be showing all those builders how you can build their business the easy way ~
And these certainly do, yet are so pertinent ~ that is their brilliance!
The beauty of *sharewords* is that they roll of the tongue easily so as to be shared verbally
Tag lines are often so construed and convoluted while they ‘may’ look OK in print there is no way you can naturally spill it out in a conversation – But this…
Have you heard of Broadcast Builder? Oh they build business the easy way!
June 20, 2010 at 5:36 pm |
Excellent, Kathleen.
June 19, 2010 at 9:59 pm |
Well done, Kathleen. I ‘share’ your excitement and look forward to talking through with you how you can unfold your sharewords to best commercial advantage.
As Tony pointed out, you have been a generous contributor to this community. Thank you for your efforts to help others succeed.
Best, Robin
June 20, 2010 at 5:15 pm |
Yes, Kathleen, Robin & fellow sharewords,
“Building business the easy way”
is just awesome for you Kathleen … just awesome
Woo-hoo.
C
June 11, 2010 at 2:51 pm |
Robin,
I think there is an opportunity here to go beyond this online discussion, and share it and its’ success with the world!
For example:
This post should be submitted to the Guinness World Records committee, as “the largest ever online workshop!” not just the most views or comments, but the largest interactive workshop ever held on an individual blog!
Also, I think Mumbrella and Mashable and Social Media Club need to be notified of this blog existence, as the epiphany of online collaboration.
If anyone here knows Tim Borrows (Mumbrella), or Pete Cashmore (Mashable), please let them know.
I’ll tell Darren Rowse (ProBlogger) and Kristen Wells SMC Global president.
Keep up this great work!
Raz
June 11, 2010 at 7:11 pm |
That’s an amazing idea, Raz. Very interesting. I’ll do some research on the practicalities. I also very much appreciate your ideas and efforts to share the message “beyond this online discussion”.
Thank you, my friend.
Robin
June 13, 2010 at 1:30 am |
great ideas Raz!! let’s get onto it shareworders! If anyone finds the links of how we do this let’s post them up asap!
June 14, 2010 at 2:17 pm |
Hi Raz
Great ideas! I think there are many opportunities and methods in which we could all promote, encourage, use, drive and benefit from Sharewords.
For example through:
- a comparison to other [topic, length, multi-participation, etc] face-to-face, online, and/or virtual workshops;
- listing any studies that people are aware of which support (and even refute) the process/es and outcomes of Sharewords. I say refute only to cover both sides; to allow for any ‘point/counter-point’;
- any ROI, that can be disclosed, drawn directly from the sharewords workshop; e.g. my husband and I have engaged Multiforte (Kate McCallum) solely because of sharewords;
- any other supporting evidence people can think of.
The above are only quick suggestions/ideas, I’m sure others can think of more. I believe these can work in favour of supporting Sharewords against any possible criticism that may arise as this workshop/community becomes more well known.
June 16, 2010 at 9:18 am |
Great angle Raz. Macmillan distributes the GBR so you’ve got me thinking…
June 12, 2010 at 11:24 pm |
Help?!
June 14, 2010 at 8:28 am |
Hi Roger, thank you for joining us. We are going to need some context to help you with your sharewords.
Sharewords make it easier for us to recommend your services/ products to our friends and colleagues.
Could you please tell us a little more about yourself and the way people typically recommend you and/or your product/service/company?
Best, Robin
June 14, 2010 at 2:20 pm |
Hi Roger
Looking forward to helping you with your sharewords. Here’s a copy of a post Robin has posted before. It has great questions that will help get the focus clear on creating …
If you have a website, please also add the link.
Cut & paste:NOTE TO NEW PARTICIPANTS:
Thank you for joining this sharewords workshop.
Please don’t be put off by the huge amount of commentary and participation going on here. It’s just the buzz and hum of outstanding souls – like you – leaning in and helping each other succeed.
If you would like us to help you with your sharewords, you will make the process easier and more effective if you could answer three simple questions:
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
We look forward to sharing this experience with you and helping you succeed.
June 15, 2010 at 8:58 pm |
Good job, Sally. Nice facilitation.
June 15, 2010 at 2:36 pm |
Hi Roger,
I would love to help you with your Sharewords.
While I have only met you a few times, I found you to be a most generous and helpful person.
Your considered and insightful participation in discussions and practical tips are always a highlight of #nscm for me.
Let me know how I can help.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 15, 2010 at 7:39 pm |
Thanks Sally and Kathleen (& of course Robin)
I’ve been following this thread with some interest, and love the collaboration here. My biggest concern I guess is that contrary to “best practice” I don’t have any one particular skill, service that I focus on, or can describe easily.
I have a passion for people. What makes them tick, how to influence them, what combination of technology, process, environment, and group dynamics enables them…
I have an equal and abiding passion for Information and Communication Technology. If it’s new, shiny, and more importantly, enabling, I want to make it work for people. But this passion for technology doesn’t stop with computers and mobile devices – I too love photography and videography, using technology to observe, and tell stories to inspire.
I love being a parent – I have 4 daughters. Of course I also love being a husband, and am inspired by my wife, who apart from running the house is a school teacher, seamstress, and musician of note.
Talking about music, we all play instruments, and both Lu and I lead worship at our church. Me on the guitar, and. Lately the drums, and Lu pretty much on whatever instrument she can lay her hand on, but primarily the piano, clarinet, bass, drums, and arranging.
My history will show you a love for travel, by any means possible, including trans-oceanic sailing, small power-boat, and the usual suspects, car, train, plane, bicycle, and foot. Did I mention I used to teach people to scuba dive, and once was a youth pastor.
All of my roles thought have required teaching, leading, managing, or facilitating (consulting) people. Often in high pressure situations. Again most roles have required understanding, implementing, and using technology to achieve what’s been necessary to achieve.
My personal “strap line” since the age of 19 has been “Bringer of Colour, Enabler of Power.” Which of course is (debatably) cute, but doesn’t actually say anything.
Currently I’m working as a Product Marketing Manager for a Programming Consultancy, and loving the role. But I also have been working over the last year on a couple of start-ups:
http://www.faarms.com and http://channel42.fm
Faarms is a high-tech startup looking to save water by putting intelligence and automation into irrigation systems for farmers.
The vision for Channel42 is to create an academy for IT Professionals to become great consultants. To train them in the professional skills (as well as the technical) they need to be able to, e.g, put together a multiple-million $ proposal, or present to the board of a bank, or lead a team of people from various disciplines.
Again here I see my passion for both people and technology coming through.
So what does Roger do?
Draft 1: “He helps enables people to reach their goals using technology and interpersonal skills”
Sent from my iPad on the train back from the airport in my “Zero Latency” world
June 16, 2010 at 8:59 am |
*Roger – a rich and colourful resource!*
Wow Roger, what a diverse range of interests, skills and experiences.
From your 1st draft:
“He helps enables people to reach their goals using technology and interpersonal skills”
- helping IT do big business
- helping IT engage big business
- clarifying the Business of IT
- bridging IT and Business
- skilling IT for Business
(Are we aiming for sharewords that capture the essence of you or would you like to focus on the individual projects in any specific way?)
June 16, 2010 at 11:39 pm |
Great suggestions Sally.
Adding to them:
- Roger makes IT a virtual breeze
Do you like the IT theme? Are we on the right track?
Would you prefer a focus on facilitation, business solutions, interpersonal skills?
Regards,
Kathleen
June 17, 2010 at 1:35 pm |
I originally posted this reply this morning – it’s at the end of the comments. But I wanted to put it in the thread here where it belongs
Thanks Kathleen and Sally,
I love the suggestions, & especially the breeze metaphor.
I’m not sure it is just about IT though. I think it’s more about people. Something like “Roger? He gives you the tools you need to….” become outstanding/succeed….
Time for a quick story:
I took Lu to South Africa on honeymoon. At the time we had very little money and we ended up borrowing a car from some friends who were in Germany as missionaries. We drove some 5000km in 3 weeks this 10 yr old Corolla.
Whist we were driving from Jhb to Port Elizabeth on a Sunday afternoon, a trip of some 1500km, the car blew a radiator hose. We were about 5km outside a small town called Cradock. We limped into this country town, maybe the size of Dubbo. Remember in those days, shops closed at lunchtime on Saturday. The only thing that was open was a General Store, or “Algemene Handelaar.” Certainly not a Toyota Dealer, spare parts shop, or even garage mechanic.
Yet in that store, where you could buy anything from condensed milk to a fishing rod, miraculously the owner had a radiator hose for a 10 year old Corolla. Exactly the one I needed. We fitted it and continued on for a spectacular time.
I am, and aspire to be like that store, or the owner of that store. I have the skills, experience, resourcefulness, and desire to bring you exactly what you need to make a disastrous drive into a honeymoon adventure.
thanks again for helping with this. See you at #nscm
June 17, 2010 at 10:26 am |
Roger,
Having only met you the one time and only really in passing, you struck me as an exceptionally intelligent man and now that I’ve read more of your story it seems also a man with a very big heart.
Sharewords coming to mind for me are:
Roger, he combines ITC smarts with heart.
Just a quick addition to add to the mix.
June 18, 2010 at 10:46 am |
Thank you, Suellen. Greatly appreciated!
June 15, 2010 at 9:00 pm |
Good for you, Kathleen. You offer to help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
June 17, 2010 at 1:39 pm |
Thanks for your comments Suellen
I like it. Although as mentioned earlier – it’s not only IT that I use to enable people.
I had a really powerful session with Kathleen earlier today, and I ended with the observation to her:
“Now that I’ve helped you, how would you introduce me to someone new at #nscm? Because those are my share words.”
She observed “You’re right, and we should all be practicing them for each other.”
June 22, 2010 at 10:16 am |
Hi Roger
I’ve been thinking about sharewords for you and based on the experiences you have shared in the stories; I keep thinking of you as the ’7/11 of support for specialists to make it in business’.
More inspiration will come I trust.
Sally
June 22, 2010 at 11:12 pm |
Hey Sally,
Thanks for persisting with this. Yes, I’ve been thinking about it too. As you may’ve guessed by now, I’m an intuitive. Ideas, observations, thoughts, comments, suggestions, critique, feedback all just whirl around in my head, then… …crystallise.
Last week at #nscm Kathleen and I considered practicing everyone’s sharewords by introducing those we know (with sharewords) to newcomers. Kind’ve a practical, not to mention, aural user test. This would really show whether the sharewords worked pragmatically or not.
With that thought in mind, I noticed a tweet from a colleague introducing me to someone yesterday. He said,
“Rog42 is a great communicator, and all round good guy”
I loved that what came first to his mind, as he sought to intro me in 140 characters, was that I’m a communicator.
What do you think about that?
Robin, how would you weave that as the central thread of my Sharewords?
June 24, 2010 at 3:59 pm |
Hi Roger,
Thank you for participating in this sharewords workshop. Your contribution to helping others create their sharewords is also greatly appreciated.
The creation of your sharewords has been made easier by the valuable inputs gifted to you from this community including:
Sally: He helps enables people to reach their goals using technology and interpersonal skills;
Kathleen: Roger makes IT a virtual breeze;
Suellen: Roger, he combines ITC smarts with heart.
My contribution is this…
What does Roger do?
He enables people with technology.
Here’s my reasoning:
a) ‘enables’: is such an excellent word for you:
• to make able; give power, means, competence, knowledge or ability to; Roger’s help enabled me to get the most out of my technology;
• to make possible or easy; Roger enables us to reach our goals;
• to make ready; equip (often used in combination): the team is now Roger-enabled.
• You wrote of yourself: “Bringer of Colour, Enabler of Power.”
b) ‘people’: – people are your passion:
• “I have a passion for people. What makes them tick, how to influence them…”
• “I love being a parent – I have 4 daughters. Of course I also love being a husband, and am inspired by my wife”;
• “All of my roles thought have required teaching, leading, managing, or facilitating (consulting) people.”
c) ‘technology’: technology is *your* means to the end result;
• “I have an equal and abiding passion for Information and Communication Technology.”
• “most roles have required understanding, implementing, and using technology to achieve what’s been necessary to achieve.”
d) people with technology – ‘with’ is used two ways here:
• you help people who have/use technology – i.e. you enable people who have/use technology;
• you use technology to enable people – i.e. you enable people by using technology yourself.
e) enabling people with technology;
• “I want to make it [technology] work for people”;
• “…using technology to observe [people], and tell stories to inspire”;
• “I have a passion for…what combination of technology, process, environment, and group dynamics enables them…”
Whether working as a Product Marketing Manager for a Programming Consultancy, an advisor to a start-up or inspiring friends and colleagues at a Tweet-up, you ‘enable people with technology.’
You do this with colour, with vision, with a very big heart and strong smarts, with interpersonal skills, experience and resourcefulness.
By enabling people with technology, you turn a disastrous drive into a honeymoon adventure.
Your first draft “He helps enables people to reach their goals using technology and interpersonal skills” – was very close to the mark – which proves the value of this facilitated exercise.
Well done, Roger. You’re a good man.
Thank you to all shareworders.
Let’s see what others think?
Best, Robin
June 24, 2010 at 5:59 pm |
*He enables people with technology*
I like it! ‘Technology’ goes beyond the IT where I had you placed. I do like the power of ‘enable’.
June 15, 2010 at 2:51 pm |
Hi Brooke
Thank you for your response and I am sorry for the late reply. Yes SMART utilise their name well. Our website is http://www.pushcreative.com.au.
Is this who you mean, http://www.smartinc.com.au?
Mardi
June 15, 2010 at 2:57 pm |
A big thank you to Sally, Cat, Brooke, Leanne and Robin.
I am really enjoying the collaborative efforts of Sharewords. Taking time out of your busy day to help others with this post is simply amazing and is to be congratulated.
We are getting close now and I need to have a power chat to the MD to discuss all your suggestions.
Big hug and Kisses to all of you.
Mardi
June 15, 2010 at 6:24 pm |
Hi Mardi
I look forward to reading the outcome from the power-chat!
June 15, 2010 at 8:57 pm |
Me too, Mardi.
June 16, 2010 at 10:39 am |
Yes power chat happening today. Stay tuned…
I did come across this site this morning: http://sixpointtwo.net/ which I will learn from.
I think they have nailed it.
Their site reads: We are a global business consultancy working with companies and organisations on growth and the future.
On the About Us page:
6.2 is a consultancy firm that works with clients to create positive outcomes for people and organizations.
Mardi
June 15, 2010 at 11:06 pm |
Australian site giving parents access to quality and enriching information about raising happy & successful children – helping parents raise children with emotional intelligence with practical information that gets to the essence of raising a happy child. You can see I am having trouble being concise here – the site is also going to have Forums, bloggers and a great parenting bookshop – but the essence is outstanding information for parents about raising emotionally intelligent children.
June 16, 2010 at 11:29 pm |
Hi Yvette,
Welcome to Sharewords. Your site sounds really exciting and helpful. I like the fact that you are planning to focus on Australian content and resources.
Can you tell me a little more about yourself? I am interested to know why you are developing this site? Is the reason for your site to sell books or to be a portal/platform that parents can use to connect with useful products and services?
When we know what your core reasons for being in business and what you want to sell, we will be able to help you do it.
Regards,
Kathleen
June 16, 2010 at 11:47 pm |
Thank you Kathleen, I appreciate your feedback. Why am I launching this? Because I passionately believe that all children should be offered social and emotional learning at school (emotional intelligence skills). Children are the next generation of parents and this aspect of their education is critical – see a 5 min video where I go on and on about this here! http://www.igniteshow.com/videos/making-school-curriculum-more-touchy-feely Why this site? The intention is to provide parents with reliable and accessible articles about all things related to their children’s social and emotional development, to sell and recommend books and resources on these issues, to create an online community of parents interested in this issue (who will also advocate for change in education), to provide events (e.g. seminars) for parents that give them easy access to the best and most interesting information on these topics…and generally spread the word about the importance of emotional intelligence in raising and educating kids.
June 17, 2010 at 12:39 am |
Hi Yvette,
Thank you for providing the link to the video. It was a great way to demonstrate your expertise to us.
I will think about your Sharewords for a while and then get back to you.
I admire your skills and passion.
Regards,
Kathleen
PS I am guessing you must know Toni Noble!?!?
June 17, 2010 at 9:16 pm |
Thanks so much Kathleen, I look forward to any feedback – no I don’t know Toni Noble but the name sounds somehow familiar?
June 17, 2010 at 10:31 am |
Hi Yvette,
As the mum of a 6yr old, I love what your about.
A few ideas to throw into the mix:
Yvette, advocating a more emotionally connected curriculum.
Yvette equips parents to develop their children’s EQ and well as IQ
Yvette, encouraging parents and schools to develop emotionally connected children.
Love the video you shared – thanks.
June 17, 2010 at 9:18 pm |
Hi Suellen, thank you – I like the phrase “emotionally connected curriculum.” and I am grateful that you took the time to watch the video
June 17, 2010 at 10:39 am |
Hi Yvette
The video presentation is great, thanks for sharing it.
I like Suellen’s shareword suggestions.
Would it be worth having ‘touchy-feely’ included? – Advocating t-f for happier, safer, more successful kids.
June 17, 2010 at 9:20 pm |
Hi Sally, thanks so much to you for watching the video – I’ve been thinking about whether to use that phrase “touchy feely” in the context of marketing and one liners about my site but I am never sure – it sometimes has a negative or ‘tongue in cheek’ connotation…but interestingly a magazine editor friend said she thought it was quite a useful and catchy phrase for my message if put in the right context…
June 17, 2010 at 9:44 pm |
I know what you mean about “touchy-feely” Yvette – can be tricky where kids are concerned. Parents are super duper sensitive about that sort I thing I find.
Maybe:
Teaching kids that having feelings is smart too.
I’m also trying to work something up around the traditional three R’s (reading, riting and rithmatic?) but not coming to me yet – think I’ll sleep on it.
Nite shareworders
June 24, 2010 at 8:06 pm |
Hi Yvette, it’s just so good to see the outstanding help this community brings forth to help you. It’s very moving to witness. I’m getting some great thoughts about your sharewords. Talk soon.
Robin
June 17, 2010 at 10:06 pm |
My first response to ‘touchy-feely’ was that it would be negative in the context of children – particularly in a short unqualified statement; but seeing it in the context of your presentation it conveyed a strong, immediately comprehensible and compelling message ~
First words that come to mind are ~
emotionally well-rounded
learning to live with your heart on your sleeve
putting hearts on sleeves
the future hearts of humanity
June 24, 2010 at 8:23 pm |
Thank you, Linda. You’ve just sparked a really good idea for Yvette’s sharewords. Outstanding!
June 24, 2010 at 11:13 pm |
Great ~ Look forward to seeing where it goes
June 28, 2010 at 7:03 pm |
Hi Yvette,
It has been really exciting to have your participation in this community. Thank you.
What your site does for our community is outstanding – such a positive contribution to the growth and development of young people.
The interaction you have already had with Kathleen, Suellen, Sally and Linda has generated some great thinking and ideas.
Building on this generous input, my thinking is as follow…
What does Yvette do…
She helps you raise heart-happy children.
Here’s my thinking – very much influenced by the input from the above shareworders:
You said that your site is “giving parents access to quality and enriching information about raising happy & successful children – helping parents raise children with emotional intelligence with practical information that gets to the essence of raising a happy child.”
This is a lot to say, but the essence shines out. You help parents raise happy children – but you focus on a crtically important area – their emotional intelligence.
The term – ‘emotional intelligence’ errs towards the technical side.
The term – ‘touchy feely’ can sometimes be perceived in a negative context.
Linda wrote “emotionally well-rounded” and “the future hearts of humanity”.
In keeping with her focus on conveying “a strong, immediately comprehensible and compelling message” – we arrive at ‘heart-happy’.
‘Happy children’ is such a strong benefit. ‘Heart-happy’ – even stronger.
What parent wouldn’t want the resources to equip their children to be not only happy, but also, heart happy i.e. emotionally intelligent, connected and well-rounded!?
Heart-happy also works strongly for children. It’s simple and easy to explain. “It’s when your heart feels happy!” Wow! What child wouldn’t want to know more about that!?
Yvette, I thought it was important for your sharewords to be useful and catchy – and to instantly connect with both parents and children (AND sponsors). You’ve probably got a book in there somewhere!
The rest of your many capabilities can be unfolded on your website.
So Yvette and the rest of the sharewords community, what do you think?
Yvette helps you raise heart-happy children.
Best, Robin ☺
June 16, 2010 at 3:37 pm |
Just read Virgin Atlantics, I am not sure if I am impressed with it.
“Your airline’s either got it or it hasn’t”
What are your thoughts?
Mardi
June 16, 2010 at 11:32 pm |
Mardi I don’t think this is a very attractive slogan at all!
ps don’t forget to head on over to gravatar.com and register your email address with a photo so we can see your gorgeous smile!!
Helen
June 17, 2010 at 9:14 am |
Thanks Helen I was wondering why I wasn’t showing up.
June 17, 2010 at 2:11 pm |
Mardi, so lovely to see your smiling face !
Yep the Virgin Atlantic one is not really grabbing me at all. Maybe Robin should have a chat with Richard?!
Did you speak to your MD yet??
Claire
June 17, 2010 at 3:07 pm |
Thanks Claire, it is nice to see your beautiful face too. It has been a few weeks!
Ok, I have had the chat with the MD. Just had to get a few things out of the way this morning before I shared it.
Jason was most impressed with the collaborative efforts of Cat, Sally, Leanne, Brooke, Deyson and Robin. The line that stuck out the most was “Pushing innovative designs with creative expertise.” (thanks Deyson)
The words that keep appearing when we chat are:
innovation
interactive
creative
push
Out of those words I have together:
“Through innovation Push creates interactive experiences”
or
“Pushing creative innovation through interaction”
I am also thinking of these words, keeping the start letter ‘I’:
Innovation
Interactive
Impressive
Intuitive
Integrated
The end result of the sharewords experience will ultimately drive the creation of the new Push Creative site.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts
Mardi
June 17, 2010 at 7:05 pm |
Hello Mardi & shareworders
I’ve been watching this wonderful collaboration from the sidelines, and until tonight haven’t been clear what I can add. A couple of things really struck me with your post Mardi, so I wanted to add an ‘outsider’s’ view.
I love that your process engages with the client. I would love to see ‘engaging’ in your sharewords, which to me stands out more than interaction (I think of my kids playing nintendo) or collaboration (which tends to get overused).
I’m put off by the word ‘push’. I think it works in your company name just fine, but doesn’t engage me in your sharewords. What ‘push’ does make me think of is a sieve – where you coax out a whole lot of creative ideas, and then you push them through the sieve and just keep the precious ones.
I hope this helps. I’m not having any brainwaves on actual sharewords!
June 18, 2010 at 10:06 am |
Excellent, input Kate. You’ve articulated my thoughts on this.
June 21, 2010 at 10:01 am |
Hi Kate
I like engaging, I actually like the word engagement quite a bit. But I am wondering if it too is getting overused by social media. However that is not a bad thing as we are doing Social Media Strategies. What I am asking is I guess, will it date?
Here is a questions for the board – how often would you change your sharewords, every 2 – 5 years? Or if they are strong enough not at all?
Love your thoughts.
Mardi
June 20, 2010 at 7:49 pm |
Hi Mardi,
Thank you for participating in this workshop and giving us all the opportunity to help you with your sharewords.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding inputs and ideas from this generous community:
• Sally: who helped to facilitate our thinking;
• Deyson: “Pushing innovative designs with creative expertise”;
• Cat: who ‘pushed’ the envelope with our thinking – “pushing commercial advantage with collaborative design”;
• Brooke: who contributed thinking from her experience in design and branding;
• Leanne: “PushCreative – the engine driving your design”;
• Kate: who suggested keeping ‘push’ out of the sharewords.
These efforts have certainly shaped my thinking, Mardi. Having studied everyone’s input and reflected on the previous discussions you and I have had, my thinking is as follows…
What does Mardi/Push do?
She designs your best results.
Here’s my thinking:
a) ‘Designs’: this word works hard for you because it clearly states what you do…
• Design = to create designs: you design – creative and digital – marketing collateral and websites;
• Design = to have as a goal or purpose; intend: your purpose is to ‘push’ or deliver results; an easier life, innovative ideas, strategies, systems etc;
• Design = to plan and fashion artistically or skilfully – you ‘design’ strong personal relationships with your clients; design and achieve the best results; design excellence through collaboration etc
b) ‘Best’ – this is really a reflection of your core values:
* Best = innovative solutions and increase competitive advantage
* Best = design excellence with creative expertise
* Best = fast, efficient and accurate service
* Best = prepared to go ‘the extra mile’ for our clients
Best also = “We make your life easier.”
c)‘results’: you described this key selling point – “Better Sales Results – We have increased sales for our clients”.
Whether it’s Push Creative or Push Digital, I get the impression that your ultimate focus is on helping clients be more successful by generating ‘best results’ – sales, advantage, web metrics etc – with innovative marketing collateral and websites.
Putting it all together…
Yes, *you* cut through the clutter – you push for the best result for the client – you design the best results – *your* best results.
Four very powerful words that work together simply and effectively to help us share your value with others.
Push Creative: designs your best results.
All the details of what you do and how you do it can be unfolded on your website, in your collateral and/or in the rest of the conversation that your new sharewords beg!
Let’s see what others think.
Best, Robin
June 21, 2010 at 10:17 am |
And Robin brings it home!
WOW Robin! You have definitely studied the flow of the posts. I really like it and am impressed.
Love to hear what the others think of “Push Creative: designs your best results”.
I design new business ventures with better client management.
Everything we do creates better results. I think it works on all levels.
THANK YOU, you are a genius.
Mardi
June 21, 2010 at 10:52 am |
Spot on!!
June 21, 2010 at 1:44 pm |
Hi Mardi,
I love your new shiny sharewords. The pack a punch in so few words as always Robin makes the perfect cup of shareword coffee from all of those coffee beans genererously donated by the group.
‘Push Creative designs your best results’ kind of hits you after you read it the first time just how clever it is.
So happy for you Mardi gettting such an amazing result.
Must catch up soon for a coffee!
Tony C
June 22, 2010 at 10:25 am |
Hi Tony
Thank you for your kind words. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of peoples brains and times.
I am not sure if we are at a final stage, I am hoping so!!! But the MD is not convinced. It will be my job to talk him through it.
Definitely love to catch up with you. If it is not raining on Thursday I may come to #nscm. Are you making appearances these days? Otherwise we can organise another time.
Mardi
June 22, 2010 at 10:50 am |
Hi Mardi,
I guess the MD would need to read all of the comments leading up to the final sharewords Robin came up with along with his explanation. Out of context he may not understand the full benefit/power of those few select words.
I am predominately at #wscm (West Side Coffee Mornings in Leichhardt every Wed from 8-10am) these days and only make surprise visits every now and then to #nscm. So you know where to find me when you get a chance.
Great photos on you gravatar and twitter images I might add, you really are beaming in them.
June 24, 2010 at 7:03 pm |
You’re welcome, Mardi. It’s very powerful how this team brings out the best in us all.
Robin
June 21, 2010 at 7:12 pm |
Hi Mardi dear!
Wow, I really like Robin’s proposal for your sharewords!! At the end of the day, I think a shareword should say enough about your business (so that everyone has a basic understanding of which industry we’re talking about), whilst remaining intriguing enough so that your prospect’s natural next step is to ask “Wow, and how do you do that?”
In that sense, I think “Mardi / Push designs your best results” works really well. Another hit from Robin
June 22, 2010 at 10:47 am |
Thank you Myriam and Sally
I do feel Robin has hit the mark and I will be using “Push Designs your best result” on the phone and when networking with others.
It is a stepping stone to our overall business strategy and it was my intention to find words or a voice to use to sell the company’s services. Because in every aspect of our day to day roles we are designing and the end result is to better the client’s business.
Mardi
June 24, 2010 at 6:58 pm |
Excellent, Mardi. Love your description of the stepping stone to strategy. That’s a powerful use of your sharewords.
Well done.
Robin
June 21, 2010 at 8:45 pm |
Awesome, Robin!
So glad you like them, Mardi!
*Designs Your Best Results* seems to really speak volumes without the bit of ambiguity of the push/pull. I also agree with the versatility with these sharewords.
Once again, Robin, you rock!
June 22, 2010 at 11:17 pm |
Yep Mardi,
I love them tool. “Push designs your best results” succinct, useable, but not corny.
Well done Robin.
June 23, 2010 at 9:00 am |
Thanks Roger.
And yes Tony you are right. Not sure when I will make it to #wscm to get there I would need to leave home at 6:15am!!!
Mardi
June 24, 2010 at 6:49 pm |
Thanks to the team!
June 18, 2010 at 10:11 am |
Thank you, Mardi. I guess it would depend on what “it” is. Out of context, it’s hard to judge. I’m probably not Virgin’s target audience.
Robi
June 17, 2010 at 7:56 am |
Thanks Kathleen and Sally,
I love the suggestions, & especially the breeze metaphor.
I’m not sure it is just about IT though. I think it’s more about people. Something like “Roger? He gives you the tools you need to….” become outstanding/succeed….
Time for a quick story:
I took Lu to South Africa on honeymoon. At the time we had very little money and we ended up borrowing a car from some friends who were in Germany as missionaries. We drove some 5000km in 3 weeks this 10 yr old Corolla.
Whist we were driving from Jhb to Port Elizabeth on a Sunday afternoon, a trip of some 1500km, the car blew a radiator hose. We were about 5km outside a small town called Cradock. We limped into this country town, maybe the size of Dubbo. Remember in those days, shops closed at lunchtime on Saturday. The only thing that was open was a General Store, or “Algemene Handelaar.” Certainly not a Toyota Dealer, spare parts shop, or even garage mechanic.
Yet in that store, where you could buy anything from condensed milk to a fishing rod, miraculously the owner had a radiator hose for a 10 year old Corolla. Exactly the one I needed. We fitted it and continued on for a spectacular time.
I am, and aspire to be like that store, or the owner of that store. I have the skills, experience, resourcefulness, and desire to bring you exactly what you need to make a disastrous drive into a honeymoon adventure.
June 17, 2010 at 1:52 pm |
I have a practice management, business growth and person development business expressly for the dental field.
I implement systems, procedures and policies in dental practices to motivate and develop the dental professionals to make them run more efficienly and effectively and to empower the practice members.
My business is unique that I attend the practices and work one-one-one with the providers and the staff to get the most from them.
Thank you and HELP!
Kathleen McKellar
June 17, 2010 at 5:31 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
Welcome to Sharewords. Good to see you here. I am sure you will benefit from the creative powers of the group.
Regards,
The Other Kathleen
June 18, 2010 at 8:42 am |
HI Kathleen C.
I love it. I love words. Thank you so much for recommending me to this sight. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the comments and look forward to contributing.
Kathleen McK
June 18, 2010 at 6:08 am |
Hi Kathleen (McK)
I hope you enjoy being amongst Sharewords just as much as everyone else here seems to!
I can’t open your site at the moment (failed to open); I’ll try again later. I really like checking out the sites as there’s lots there to help understand where the person is coming from and where they are aiming.
If you’ve had a chance to read through all the posts and great insights you may notice a pattern/process. Robin started this fantastic community by asking some key questions which help get to the ‘diamond focus’ of being able to create sharewords.
Here’s a cut and paste for you to have a read through and provide some insight for everyone:
NOTE TO NEW PARTICIPANTS:
Thank you for joining this sharewords workshop.
Please don’t be put off by the huge amount of commentary and participation going on here. It’s just the buzz and hum of outstanding souls – like you – leaning in and helping each other succeed.
If you would like us to help you with your sharewords, you will make the process easier and more effective if you could answer three simple questions:
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
We look forward to sharing this experience with you and helping you succeed.
If you can provide some insight around those 3 questions it would help everyone participate and create.
So glad you’re here and I look forward to sharewording with you
June 18, 2010 at 4:20 pm |
Hi Sally,
Thank you so much for your Welcome at 06:08am this morning. Love the morning myself. I have thoroughly enjoyed the site so far and look forward to contributing.
My web site it down at this time. I will work on the information that you have given me. Again, thank you. Kathleen McK
June 18, 2010 at 6:54 pm |
Hi Kathleen (McK),
The first words that comet to mind:
- shine
- enable (sounds like enamel)
- clean
- Kathleen get’s your practice on the straight and narrow
- Kathleen enables efficient practices
- brace (supports) Helps you brace your business for better results
- Brace yourself. Once you get Kathleen in …
- polish your practice
- sparkle
- floss
- refresh
- remove the plaque from your business
- Use Kathleen to refresh your systems and procedures
I hope these words start inspiring the creation of some awesome Sharewords for you.
I can’t wait to see what Robin contributes. I am sure he has a few great lines up his sleeve from his dental hygiene and product management days!
June 29, 2010 at 9:08 am |
Hi Kathleen,
We’ve started thinking about your sharewords, and receiving your answers to the questions that Sally has posed will really help us to help you.
Best, Robin
June 17, 2010 at 3:59 pm |
I notice with amazement that this is the 800th comment – what a milestone! I love being part of this inspiring community: I introduced my new friend Yvette Vignando to your blog Robin. Yvette and I first met at one of my Gelato tweetups in March:
http://twitter.com/hollingsworth/statuses/12256191122
I then encouraged Yvette to participate in #sharewords – I’m thrilled to see she has and is getting value from the community. I see Yvette has already received advice from Kathleen, Suellen and Sally.
I love seeing Kathleen embrace this community too: we first met at a business course last year and I recommended Kathleen join Northside Coffee Mornings for inspiration (her Twitter handle was @BroadcastBuilder initially)
http://twitter.com/hollingsworth/statuses/5415255664
http://twitter.com/hollingsworth/statuses/6516636426
Now Kathleen is a regular contributor here too and I am sure getting great value for her business.
It’s interesting looking at the outstanding contributions made by the community on this post. The analysis isn’t complete (more to come on this), but I am excited by the number of extremely generous people giving their input time and time again.
Great stuff!
Best,
Tony Hollingsworth
June 17, 2010 at 5:47 pm |
Hi Tony,
It was great to catch up with you this morning at #nscm. Thank you for the encouraging comments and also, for inviting me to #nscm. I have found it to be a most valuable opportunity to meet and connect with a diverse and interesting group of people and received support and advice that has helped me move forward both personally and in my business.
Roger made a good suggestion this morning. We should practice our Sharewords by using them at #nscm to introduce people to each other.
Are you up for the challenge?
June 18, 2010 at 9:22 am |
Nice idea, Kathleen.
June 18, 2010 at 10:15 am |
It might be quite cool to start listing where and when you have used your sharewords. To capture the spread of the use of your sharewords may also contribute to the publishing / GBR idea???
E.g. *Advancing Your Personal Best*
- Social media: Twitter handle, Linkedin, facebook…
- Business Card, Letterhead
- Website
- During intro at speaking engagement
Placement: Without wanting to detract from, or create confusion amongst the posts of actual workshopping sharewords, where this list lives and grows might need consideration
June 21, 2010 at 6:59 pm |
Hi Kathleen,
Lovely to meet you. I’ve been part of Robin’s “shareword community” from the get go, and I keep on being amazed by the level of the conversation – so stimulating! I was radio-silent for a couple of weeks (had a good excuse, was getting married in France!) but I’m glad to be back, enjoying everyone’s shareword…
I’m really looking forward to meeting you in person at one of the next #nscm coffee mornings. And what a great idea about practicing our own sharewords “live” there, I’m definitely up for the challenge!
June 22, 2010 at 10:53 am |
Hi Kathleen
I am very keen to practice our new key words. Will see you at #nscm.
With Sharewords in hand.
Mardi
June 18, 2010 at 10:03 am |
Thank you, Tony. Your continued support and encouragement of this sharewords community is greatly appreciated.
Robin
June 17, 2010 at 5:11 pm |
Hi Mardi,
Thrilled to hear that you guys are making headway with your #sharewords … I know this isn’t ‘quite’ right … but there is something very catchy around … pushing creative that pulls …. just a thought!
June 18, 2010 at 9:24 am |
Great to see your continued participation, Brooke. We appreciate it.
June 21, 2010 at 10:06 am |
Hi Brooke
Great to hear from you thank you for your reflection on pushing and pulling. I just don’t know where the pulling would come into it.
Pulling in research, resources, clients?
Mardi
June 21, 2010 at 10:15 am |
Hi Mardi,
When I think of the concept of sharewords. I believe it is the ‘action’ around what you do for clients. My personal perspective is that if I was talking to a design agency and they told me that the creative they produced pushed boundaries and created more sales for their clients, then I would be very interested in talking about what they could do for my business. Apologies if my ‘push/pull’ commentary was a little ambiguous … From having run an agency myself for over 10 years it’s imperative if you want to create cut through .. you need to be different. Especially with so many designers out there these days thanks to the wonders of Apple and Adobe agencies need to be bolder, smarter, sharper if they want to be around in another 5 years. So, I would be stepping outside of the comfort zone … getting your team to “push” the boundaries of their creative work … to “pull” either more brand awareness or sales for your clients … of course to be able to do this kind of creative it needs to be aligned to the goals and values of the business and depending on who your target market is .. may or may not be suitable … just my 5cents worth on a monday morning
Cheers
Brooke
June 21, 2010 at 10:35 am |
Thanks for clarifying the Push/Pull Brooke. I agree the need to stand out above the $500 website and free templates of wordpress is imperative. We know we are better than that so we need to tell everybody about it.
Mardi
June 17, 2010 at 7:45 pm |
NOTE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS
I just want to acknowledge how humbled I am by all of you who are participating in this workshop.
To see souls helping other souls succeed is the height of a functional community. It inspires me to want to put even more effort in to help you all succeed.
To see people reaching out – taking risks by forwarding their ideas into this public forum encourages me to be bolder, braver – to step forward with more confidence.
To see leaders taking action and serving others is powerful. It makes me want to lift my game and make sure my walk reflects my talk.
You are teaching the world how people can willingly come together and help each other, not to get something in return – but because they can!
Thank you.
Shine on and stay close.
Robin
June 22, 2010 at 1:06 pm |
Hi everyone,
I need some assistance if you could all help I would be so grateful. I am an Intimacy, Relationship and Sex Coach I educate and assist couples and individuals to create brilliant relationships with their partner and primarily themselves. So it is much more that sex, it is the embodiment of all you desire for yourself.
My media presence is building quite rapidly and as you have identities like the Love Doctor or Sex Guru and so on, for media I need to create one.
Robin suggested I post it in this sharewords workshop, which I love and my PR Manager Johanna from Strawberry Communications suggested I contact Robin, so after doing all of the above I am putting it out there to you.
Thank you
Mel
June 22, 2010 at 4:29 pm |
Hi Melissa,
congratulations for braving the public eye to workshop your sharewords. Its a daunting thought to talk openly about your business but we are here to help so welcome to the shareword community.
I think its fantastic to have such an interesting business like yours to discuss and work with. At first glance people may be a bit stand off-ish of the subject but after looking at your website blog post I am really impressed with what you are doing.
So a few suggestions off the cuff to get the ball rolling.
Melissa ignites passionate relationships
Melissa reconnects couples with their sexuality
Melissa builds bedroom confidence
All the best with your journey here.
June 24, 2010 at 6:55 pm |
Excellent ideas, Tony. Thank you.
June 24, 2010 at 6:56 pm |
So glad you joined us Melissa.
June 22, 2010 at 1:30 pm |
Going to have lunch and think this over Melissa. Helping you be brilliant in and out of the bedroom…?? After a name or a tag? There are so many love doctors nowadays would be nice to come up with something more original.
June 22, 2010 at 2:42 pm |
Thank Philippa and you are so right there are far to many love doctors so something original would be great, thanks for the tag, liking it.
Cheers
Mel
June 22, 2010 at 3:10 pm |
Hello Melissa
I had a quick look through your website, and identities like ‘Love Doctor’ and ‘Sex Guru’ don’t seem to draw me to you and what you do; it doesn’t connect for me. With your media presence increasing I can understand it would be great to have something that is a great, credible, sellable, approachable identifier. I see you as having sharewords that draw people to you ‘comfortably, freely, and openly’ given your work in the field that still has the ‘shhh’ / taboo stigma.
I would encourage you to read through some of the previous posts. You’ll see lots of brilliant insights from so many. You’ll also come across Robin’s key questions that help get the ‘diamond focus’ for your (and all of our) sharewords. It’d be great if you could give some info around those questions.
Enjoy your time here, we all do
June 22, 2010 at 10:10 pm |
Hi Melissa
I must admit on first seeing the post on twitter to help Sex Coach Melissa craft her sharewords my couriousity was certained piqued however having spent some time browsing you website and reading some of the testimonials I can see why your media presence is rising so rapidly – congratulations on all youve achieved so far! – I might have to invest in Divalicious myself
But to your sharewords – what struck me in your testimonials was the atmosphere you have the ability to create – comfortable, relaxing, trusting were some of the words that struck me – along with inspiring, insightful and communicator as terms to describe you and your personality and all your bring to what you do
So what do I think Melissa does – Melissa launches you into the love of your life
All the best for your future success
Cheers
Leanne
June 22, 2010 at 5:19 pm |
I thought this would be a good opportunity to revisit a simplicity about what I do and what I’m interested in. Essentially, I’m about ideas to shift the way we do things and to leverage the activating force of that in a personal and business sense.
This post shows that direction: http://www.pixelalchemy.com.au/_blog/Transforming_Pixels_to_Gold/post/They‘ll_seek_your_marketing_and_fund_it/
Or perhaps the ideas presented here: http://www.theconsciousenterpriseproject.com/
Apologies if it seems I’m link spamming. I’m not. I wanted to give you guys a little more bearing about this.
I like:
uplifting style marketing
conscious enterprises
social enterprise
social media
the relevance of business / personal intent
That all sounds like a lot of hullabaloo it’s just ooohhh so much…
My Twitter bio says: “Web designer / digital marketing – Always on the lookout for ideas to shift our minds and uplift our hearts”
Although my website has somewhat more a different focus.
What sharewords do you suggest? Perhaps this one’s a too hard basket case? (help)
Thanks @hollingsworth for your continual tweets on this one! It’s got me thinking…
June 22, 2010 at 11:09 pm |
Hi David
Great to meet you here
I have browsed your website and your suggested links but I think we need a little more information – Robin has a set of questions that would really benefit both you and the community in answering
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
Look forward to your answers so we can start your sharewords journey
Regards
Leanne
June 23, 2010 at 11:30 pm |
Hi Leanne and Robin – thanks for this brilliant idea – it’s a great real world example of reciprocity stuff… and thank you for looking at sharewords to suit what I do. I’ve answer you questions below
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
A holistic digital strategies: I have a very hand’s on approach to this and work in the majority of digital areas: social media / design / copy-writing / e-marketing / project management etc.
Cost effective strategies: For me the scale of the budget has little to do with scale of success
——————————————————————–
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
Trust – most of my clients realize pretty quickly that I’m not at all about trying take us much as I can from our dealings (often the opposite – I go more than just an extra mile for the best quality and experience
Guidance – it a new area for a lot of my clients, the above paves way for this
Value for money – because of the above (and the my breadth of experience with a host of professional companies) my clients feel they get a lot of value from it
——————————————————————–
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
Deep Insight: I have a unique philosophical take on this area: I see it as a catalyzing force for change – a huge potential for business to be more authentic, conscious, life affirming and highly successful. I have a knack for understanding how to align ourselves with this what some see as a paradigm shift, which in many ways is why we’re here talking about this
——————————————————————–
June 24, 2010 at 6:41 pm |
This is excellent input, David. You expansive offering is impressive.
Robin
June 24, 2010 at 6:55 pm |
David, it’s wonderful to have your participation in this community. We’re excited to help you craft your sharewords. Robin
June 22, 2010 at 5:19 pm |
Help help help! I’m not great at sharewords.
Would ‘Timesolving cheap Personal Assistant for hire’ cut it? Am I too boring?
1) I’m a Personal assistant for hire per hour with no setup costs saving working from own office for time poor clients saving them time and money by doing their typing, PowerPoint charts, diary entries, concierge duties like booking flights and restaurants; chasing up invoices, data entry etc.
2) Clients have described the service as ‘a god send’ as they’re time poor, they feel organised as I get them organised, grateful, its quick and efficient.
3) Unique element: Personal assistant on tap only a phone call away and cheaper than a temp or permanent employee and tax deductible?
Eeeeeek see I need help!
June 22, 2010 at 10:30 pm |
Hi Sylvia
The first thing that strikes me about -‘Timesolving cheap Personal Assistant for hire’ is that you are completely undervaluing yourself and your services – the words “cheap” and “for hire” certainly brought a quick catch of the breath to me cheap certainly for the value but also for hire – because anyone who delivers a service using their labour is for hire – so there is not diferrentiation there – I dont believe that these are the major benefits you want to shout to your prospective clients???
Virtual PA’s are everywhere and you have to find what sets you apart in your marketplace – so what are the major benefits clients get from using you as opposed to the next web address advertising Virtual PA services?
Sylvia has been our ‘rock star’ virtual assistant for the past 6 months – this is a testimonial from your website – nothing cheap about this – why does this client think this – what have been the deliverables to this client that have made them think of you as indispensible to their business?
All those services you offer are so valuable to business people who want to concentrate on delivering their core good/service and often leave these tasks to “quiet times” or nights and weekends
Robin has also had an interesting conversation going about time in another post – this might be worth a read
Can you tell us more about what makes your clients “feel the love” for you so we can keep delving into creating your ideal sharewords – Im sure they are out there somewhere!!!
Cheers
Leanne
June 24, 2010 at 6:51 pm |
This is top-shelf input, Leanne. Thank you.
June 22, 2010 at 10:50 pm |
Hi Sylvia,
Congratulations on joining this amazing community – you’ve made the right move!!
I have to say, I agree 100% with Leanne here, using words like “cheap” and “for hire” don’t really do your business justice… Playing the devil’s advocate for a sec, I’d say this sounds a bit mercenary, and if “cheap” was the 1st quality someone was looking in a VA, they’d hire someone in India over the Internet… Providing good value for money is essential, I agree with you, but if someone is cheap but doesn’t really deliver, I wouldn’t want to trust them with my business – so to me this element is not as important as skills / expertise / trust / ability to deliver.
It seems to me that you have many quality services to offer, such as concierge duties, PowerPoint charts, etc, so I’d focus on these.
Leanne already asked you all the relevant questions, so I can’t wait to know more about ***YOUR*** special skills and talent, so that we as a group can help you the best we can!
June 22, 2010 at 11:25 pm |
Hi Sylvia
Great to meet you. I couldn’t agree more with Leanne and Myriam. “Cheap” talks about cost, not value. Your service and skills are ALL about value.
Think about Apple products, they’re expensive, no discount – ever, but people flock to buy them. Because of the intrinsic value to them. That value may be “cool,” or it may be “features” but they brand on value.
Thinking about the value that you bring:
“Sylvia spends/gives her time so you don’t have to” I like spends because it appeals to the cost.
But I’m still new at this, and haven’t achieved my share words yet.
Looking forward to your answers to the questions.
Cheers
Rog42
June 24, 2010 at 6:48 pm |
Excellent input, Rog. Thank you.
June 23, 2010 at 10:52 am |
Hey thank you so much for the great responses. Its fantastic to have someone to share thoughts with when you work alone and it’s wonderful to get another’s opinion. I’d love you to be honest with me please.
You’re right…
1. it’s evident I’m awful at sharewords hahaha and
2….what AM i offering to differentiate my business from other Personal Assistants for hire?
To be honest all of my services are what everyone can do already, businesses just don’t have time to do it. Everyone these days is a wizz at PowerPoint, Word etc and can organise themselves. That’s why I thought maybe I could be cheaper but you’re right, a lovely person in india could do just the same but cheaper still. All I can offer is I’m a very happy hard trustworthy worker with 17 years of skills under my belt who’ll go that extra mile to help. My clients just ‘like’ me that’s all. Other PA’s have the same qualities. To be brutally honest, that’s hardly hire worthy is it. So here I sit stuck.
I thought if i can get some share words maybe I could increase business? I still need help sorry.
June 24, 2010 at 6:46 pm |
We’re on to it, Sylvia!
June 24, 2010 at 6:50 pm |
Wonderful input, Myriam. Thank you. We love your input here.
June 24, 2010 at 6:53 pm |
Welcome, Sylvia – we’re here to help you! Robin
June 22, 2010 at 5:22 pm |
Strange – that link didn’t work (above), here it is again (shortened): http://bit.ly/bqIPFL
June 27, 2010 at 12:59 pm |
Hi David, Leanne & Robin,
I’m quite intrigued by what you’re talking about here David … and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can collectively ‘pop’ for your sharewords.
You say your key differentiation is:
Deep Insight: I have a unique philosophical take on this area: I see it as a catalyzing force for change – a huge potential for business to be more authentic, conscious, life affirming and highly successful. I have a knack for understanding how to align ourselves with this what some see as a paradigm shift, which in many ways is why we’re here talking about this
I love this and ‘get it’ … but I’m curious … what does this ‘deep, philosophically catalyzing insight’ *do* for your clients … what is the key benefit of such an insight and such a paradigm shift?
I’m also interested in who is your target market – from reading your post “”They’ll Seek Your Marking & fund it” it appears to me you’re talking to a very specific psycographic … I think if you can describe your ideal market we (I in any case) will be in a better position to help craft your sharewords.
There are some very potent words that you have already mentioned or use …
alchemy
catalyzing / catalyst
paradigm
holistic
on their own some of these words can lose potency if they become too esoteric … but I suspect with clever, value-orientated crafting, they can become quite magical for you … looking forward to your further distinctions and subsequent builds.
Cat
June 28, 2010 at 1:05 pm |
Thanks so much for the comment – this has made me really review what I’m doing and the purpose of the business, which struck me that not being aligned 100% with my personal perspective has left it a little weak or diluted. Basically, I’m generally open to any type of client but for some, the insights which I think are the major strength and point of difference aren’t of a direct benefit (at least not overtly). So I’m moving my efforts towards a niche where I can provide the most value. I’m changing the business name too (will tell once I’ve secured the name).
So, I came up with this over the weekend:
“[new business name] is a digital agency that uniquely caters to enterprises or projects that have a higher intention.
We can shift the world together.”
I’ll have a new website | url | logo | content etc. etc. in the near future. With links / feeds to what I’m about: http://disorderlyhappiness.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscious_enterprise
http://pixelalchemy.com.au/_blog/Transforming_Pixels_to_Gold
So this might seem odd but rather than taking on every client, I believe they’ll be greater and mutual benefit working with select clients – so I can provide the full service of my offering that ultimately equals more client benefits.
It won’t be so much about offering a single spoke in the wheel such as a website, email marketing, social media plan, copy-writing, design etc. independently but by taking into account the whole digital strategy and concentrating on connecting all the spokes to form a strong consistent and hopefully world-changing wheel.
I’ve worked with couple of clients that ‘get’ what I’m about and I can do so much more for them. I also believe the ‘Pay what you think’ (PWYT) model, which is the only model I’ll now work under will likely be more feasible and equitable.
Anyway it’s thanks to the community that I had this brain-storm!
So thanks again
(esp. Cat)
June 30, 2010 at 7:35 pm |
Hi David,
I just wanted to thank you for participating in this sharewords community. It’s great to see that Leanne and Cat have already generously contributed to helping you focus your sharewords. They have got me thinking too. I will report in with my ideas very soon.
Best to you, David.
Robin
July 6, 2010 at 2:23 pm |
Hi there – name change you can see on my Twitter account. Now just to build the website!
Anyway thanks again for thinking about my sharewords Cat, Robin & Leanne. On the commercial benefit part, potentially these type of ideas might point in that direction (for Twitter lovers) – http://mumbrella.com.au/nova#comment-46805 on Mumbrella.
What do you think?
David
July 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm |
Hi David,
I’ve had a good look at your website, Twitter and responses on this post. You’re a talented man and I can really relate to your creative approach.
Here are some thoughts around your sharewords:
The word ‘alchemist’ is strong for you. In the context of your service, ‘high-end web design and marketing’ the following ideas sprang to mind:
David ‘transforms web solutions into higher value’
This makes you an alchemist who creates value – a ‘val-chemist’.
But more than that.
You create ideas of ‘higher’ value: value for money AND shifting our minds and uplifting our hearts AND world-changing – shifting the world together.
David transforms web solutions into higher value.
You understand the clients problem, create a solution and then transform it into higher value using your unique magic of ‘val-chemy’.
I’m keen for you to anchor your sharewords into the reality of you core deliverable i.e. ‘web solution’ (or similar).
Let’s see what others think.
Best to you, David.
July 14, 2010 at 3:43 pm |
Thank you very much Robin for this – your community contributions & altruism is also of a very high value too! I like it. I really like it. I’m just wavering on this variation:
transforms web solutions into higher value
transforms digital solutions into higher value
Although, I’m thinking the usage of the word “digital” although more encompassing & generally more ‘now’ is a bit vague?
What are you thoughts?
Thanks again
July 14, 2010 at 3:53 pm |
That’s a good question, David.
As your hard core sales guy, for me simplicity rules. The more complexity and abstraction, the less I sell.
It’s easier for me to share you to others as ‘web solutions’ rather than ‘digital solutions.
‘Web solutions’ is easier to say (one syllable) and has less ambiguity.
Best, Robin
July 14, 2010 at 4:06 pm |
Thanks for you insight. Web it is!
Thank you.
June 22, 2010 at 9:57 pm |
I’ve been giving the whole notion of ‘personal branding’ and sharewords a lot of thought in the last few weeks. I’ve had this slogan for over 10 years now – “Creator of impressions | stimulator of imaginings” – and had stopped using it because I didn’t feel it really fitted anymore.
I’m a designer, artist and educator – more educator than designer these days. I want to be taken more seriously as an academic, so my focus has shifted from creating impressions to inspiring students to create an impression.
I’m passionate about being an agent for change, inspiring young designers to think differently, to challenge the status quo and to be innovative, creative thinkers. So I was thinking along the lines of “Inspiring designers become great design thinkers”
I like the words creating, impressions and stimulating though… what do y’all think?
June 22, 2010 at 11:15 pm |
Hi Bea
Welcome to this amazing community – its great to see educators who are willing to challenge and inspire young people to achieve their best and also to be independant and creative thinkers!!
In order to get more of a handle on what you actually do are you able to answer Robins set of questions
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
Perhaps you can substitute “students” for customers to really focus on you as an educator
Look forward to seeing more as we journey through your sharewords
Cheers
Leanne
June 23, 2010 at 4:02 pm |
Hi Leanne,
Ok – key benefits:
1. Expert knowledge, tips, techniques and skills in design and design software, creative lateral thinking and brainstorming
2. 1-on-1 mentoring in project production and completion
3. Encouragement and advice on actively seeking out information and resources, initiating and self-learning to keep skills up-to-date after college, and how to find work through networking
4. Encouragement to think and look more deeply into things, to innovate rather than rehash, and to consider social responsibility, meaning and purpose in design
5. Thorough, up-to-date, clear and easy to digest course notes and auxiliary materials
6. Friendly, patient and open approach
7. Progressive education model rather than traditional educational model – I focus on teaching to meet passions and interests rather than meeting outcomes and ticking boxes. When passions and interests are pursued, the boxes are all ticked and much more, as students are more engaged in the tasks and more inspired to self-initiate.
Satisfied customer descriptions
Um… hmmm. Might have to get back to you on this. My TEVALS are always excellent, but I don’t get to see specific details! I was presented with an award for Excellence in Teaching in 2008. Students often say things like, “How do you know so much?”, “Bea is excellent and knows EVERYTHING!”, “I wish I could take your class again just so I can have you as my teacher”, “You’re always so patient and kind with me and never make me feel stupid” and “You’re the best teacher here.”
Point of difference
I genuinely enjoy working with young people. I love their enthusiasm, their creativity, their energy. I believe that education is a two-way journey; the teacher is not there to fill up the students’ heads, but is rather there to encourage them to seek out and fill in the gaps in their knowledge. But I also learn from my students and together we can create new, deeper pools of knowledge. I have a passion for lifelong learning and I try to enthuse this on my students as well. I am always learning, updating my skills, attending events and posting about industry happenings so that students can get involved in things themselves.
I don’t really like the idea of focusing on ‘customers’ rather than ‘students’ – for me it’s all about the students.
June 24, 2010 at 6:45 pm |
These rich inputs are very useful, Bea. They present exciting food for thought. My mind is buzzing with words. I’ll just let them bake a little longer.
June 24, 2010 at 6:50 pm |
Brilliant, Leanne. I love your contribution to this community. Thank you. Robin
June 23, 2010 at 8:56 am |
Hi Bea
This is interesting for me as having gone through the process of sharewords from a designers perspective.
My questions are:
Who are your students?
- Are they straight out of school entering design college for the first time?
- Are they designers expanding their skills and knowledge to keep abreast of new and updated software?
- What is the target age group?
- What is the benefit they take away with them when they have completed the task?
- What is it that you are actually teaching? Art, Photography, graphic design?
I agree with Leanne in removing focus from the word ‘students’. To me it puts an age to the tag-line.
Words that spring to mind for you are:
Facilitator
Expert
Leading man
Thought provoker
Looking forward to your response.
Regards,
Mardi
June 23, 2010 at 4:35 pm |
Hi Mardi,
I mainly teach at a college, so undergrad students are usually high school leavers. Average age is 19-21, but I also teach mature age students. (I’ve had students ranging from 16-70). I occasionally supervise postgrad, but I’m not technically qualified for this yet – working on it. I’m one term from completing a BA and then I’m applying for a Masters.
I specialise in interactive media, primarily web design, with some overlap in multimedia, digital photography, graphic design, animation/motion graphics and gaming. I teach both design and front-end development (markup/scripting). I provide software training in Adobe CS3/4 (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash) and CMS applications. This term, I was also asked to teach a marketing subject.
I’m keen to steer away from businessy buzzwords, as I feel that many have become empty rhetoric. I prefer words that have warmth, meaning and reality. I’m really adverse to the idea of ‘leading man’ (I’m not a man), but I do like the idea of ‘thought provoker’.
I believe in student-centred/led education, so moving away from the idea of being student-focused is problematic. My ‘customers’ are students, not clients.
If I were running a training company focusing on retraining industry professionals in the workplace, then I would see it differently. But I am working towards becoming an academic – this is where I see my future at the moment.
June 23, 2010 at 4:36 pm |
To get a better sense of what I do and what I’m about, check out my website – http://www.jellybeaps.com
June 28, 2010 at 10:59 am |
Hi Bea
I really like the essence of ‘innovate rather than rehash’ and you give your ‘learners’ (my suggested compromise between student and client/customer) a safe and encouraging place to further learn, develop and get inspired. From reading your answers to the ‘diamond focus’ questions I want to join one of your classes!
I’ve been thinking about your desire to be taken more seriously academically as being somehow incorporated into your sharewords…. not too sure as yet… still thinking.
June 28, 2010 at 10:24 pm |
Hi Bea,
I have to say I’m 100% with Sally here – you just exude passion for your work, and all I want to do now is to join one of your classes!!
Good luck with your sharewords
June 24, 2010 at 6:47 pm |
This is top-shelf input, Mardi. Thank you.
June 24, 2010 at 6:52 pm |
Thank you for joining us here, Bea. It’s great to have your participation in this community. Robin
June 25, 2010 at 8:16 pm |
Welcome Bea to this nurturing community. I’ve spent some time on your site and it’s very inspiring!! I feel as if once you are happy with your sharewords everything will spring to life there again!!
kind regards
Helen
June 29, 2010 at 10:21 am |
Hi Bea,
I’m really excited about your participation in this community of givers – especially as I know how much of a selfless giver *you* are!
The kind and generous responses to your information from Leanne, Mardi and Helen have been really helpful in getting us focused on your sharewords.
And that’s the key to sharewords, focus – diamond focus. Getting to the core remarkable essence of what you offer people.
Yes, we can see how you’ve moved on from being a “Creator of impressions | stimulator of imaginings” – especially with your shift to becoming more of an educator.
Having thought about your sharewords a lot, Bea, the phrase that just keeps coming back to me is this…
What does Bea do?
She inspires your creative best.
Your incredible combination of creative and communication gifts – fuelled by a passion for people expressing their creatives gifts, makes these simple sharewords very strong for you.
• You inspire students to create an impression;
• You inspire designers to become great design thinkers;
• You encourage people with a friendly, patient and open approach;
• You attract and find excellence – winning awards and praise from students;
• You have a passion for lifelong learning – helping you unlock our best – your best.
Bea, your sharewords are not meant to be the definitive statement of Bea Pierce, rather the starting point for a conversation about what you bring to the professional table – your remarkable offering.
Bea inspires a student’s creative best.
Bea inspires my creative best.
Yes, indeed, Bea inspires your creative best.
The rest of your skills and abilities can be easily unfolded on your website, in your CV and/or marketing materials.
Your sharewords work well for you Bea.
Let’s see what others think.
Best, Robin
June 30, 2010 at 7:02 pm |
I really love Bea’s new sharewords, well done Robin! Simple, to the point, inspiring and heart-felt. And a great conversation starter as well – as I imagine people would immediately want to know more about Bea’s magic…
June 30, 2010 at 7:05 pm |
Thank you, Myriam. You have been a wonderful support and inspiration to this community since it started. We really appreciate it.
June 30, 2010 at 8:36 pm |
Wow – I’ve been mulling over the idea of being an “expert thought provoker” for the last week or so, while attending an international design education conference, and haven’t been checking what’s been happening here!
Imaging my surprise to return and find a statement like “Bea inspires your creative best”!! I LOVE IT – it’s brilliant Robin. You’d make a great creative director
Thank you – and to everyone who has commented, made me think about what I do exactly and made me blush with such kind words.
So, now do I get to jump in and contribute to (inspire!) others? How does this work??
July 1, 2010 at 7:22 am |
Hi Bea
I really like your sharewords, Robin does have the ‘gift’! I agree with Myriam, I see your sharewords as being so easy and natural in a conversation.
Your contribution to the sharewords community, like everyone, is welcomed…. just add your thoughts, suggestions, questions where ever and whenever you are inclined. It’s the old adage that we can’t always see the forest for the trees so input from others is valuable – it’s the clarity of distance which helps. Jump on in and enjoy!
July 2, 2010 at 8:11 pm |
You’re very welcome, Bea. This creative and generous community certainly stimulates my thinking! I love that you want to contribute something back to inspire this community. Well done! As Sally says, just jump in and encourage, create, pitch in an idea – it all helps.
Best to you, Bea.
Robin
June 23, 2010 at 7:32 am |
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, I absolutely love this community, I love that a community can brainstorm together and the creativity flows, the suggestions that are put forth for all the unique individuals and their businesses are inspiring. I will sit with the suggestions and keep you posted.
Blessings
Mel
June 24, 2010 at 10:45 am |
Hi Mel
As you know I’ve been thinking about a title for you for a long time and nothing has quite fit, but I have thought of some sharewords for you: “The Art of Intimacy brings love to relationships” or “The Art of Intimacy makes relationships work”.
June 24, 2010 at 5:53 pm |
This is great encouragement for us, Melissa. Thank you.
We’d also love to see your avatar (from http://www.gravatar.com).
Robin
June 29, 2010 at 9:13 am |
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for participating in this wonderful community. It was great to talk with you on the phone the other day.
I love the inputs that fellow shareworders have gifted you already, including those of Tony, Philippa, Sally, Leanne and Johanna. What a team!
Congratulations on your success to-date. And I guess that’s what has struck me about you, Mel. You’re an inspiration. You inspire the people whose lives you touch.
You not only inspire relationships, you take that gift to the next level and inspire that sacred part of all of our relationships – the intimate part.
Through your professionalism, trust, credibility and gifts as a caring communicator, you are an ‘intimacy specialist’ who inspires intimate relationships.
What does Mel do?
She inspires intimate relationships.
These are powerful sharewords that clearly separate you from the hype and headline grabbing that has hijacked much of the caring and credibility in this market.
These words are approachable and sellable. They imply that no matter how good we think our relationships are, there is always room to take them to the next level – in a caring, positive and inspirational way.
Let’s see what others think.
Best,
Robin
June 29, 2010 at 6:46 pm |
That, (dare I say as usual!!!) is brilliant Robin
Love the ‘inspires’ as it implicates the heart
June 29, 2010 at 7:16 pm |
Hear, hear!
I really like how these capture and maintain the professionalism with the intimacy (well, that’s what I get)!
June 30, 2010 at 7:18 pm |
Thank you, Sally. Your ongoing support of this community is priceless. We really appreciate it. Thank you.
June 30, 2010 at 7:03 pm |
Thank you, Linda. I love your encouragement.
June 23, 2010 at 4:43 pm |
I’ve been offline alot lately, but Helen Crozier kindly used my sharewords (I write bankable copy) on twitter yesterday, which lead to a referral for my business. Just to prove sharewords do work. Thanks to Robin and Helen.
June 24, 2010 at 5:38 pm |
That’s awesome, Rosemary!
On one hand, the power of the sharewords is amazing, but then on the other hand, of course they’re amazing!
June 24, 2010 at 5:54 pm |
Brilliant, Rosemary. We love sharewords successes. Thank you for sharing it with us. May your business thrive!
June 23, 2010 at 6:41 pm |
Hi all,
Thank you for getting me to think A LOT about my personal assistant business. What do you think about “professional assistance spending time on your business”.
It’s a start. I’m walking around like a zombie tossing words in my head…it’s great. I know it needs fixing as I’m too wrapped up in it to look at it objectively so any assistance would be so greatly appreciated, but only if you have time.
Cheerfully yours
Sylvia
June 23, 2010 at 7:06 pm |
Hi Sylvia
I recently used a virtual personal assistant, so thought it may be helpful to share my initial concerns, experience, and after-thoughts!
My primary barrier to using a virtual assistant is that I don’t have a lot of time to spend briefing them and following up. I am also very concerned about outsourcing anything to do with my clients – my client relationships are everything in my business (financial advice that *secures your best interests*). SO, that means that if you can offer (a) that you get up to speed quickly; (b) have experience dealing with busy execs; (c) have mechanisms that make it easy for me to see where you are up to (and not a series of emails); (d) have exceptional client service skills – then, hey, you look very good to me!
My experience didn’t meet this expectation. There were a no. of holes in the delivery which left me feeling deflated. Several clients also commented that ‘some person’ had phoned them, which didn’t do much for my brand reputation.
So as for sharewords, I’d be looking for:
= flawless executive assistance at your fingertips.
Over to you fellow shareworders!
June 24, 2010 at 6:10 pm |
Excellent thinking, Kate.
June 24, 2010 at 6:40 pm |
Hi Kate,
Thank so much for your honest input I really appreciate it.
It’s such a pity you had a bad experience with a virtual pa. It is always the actions of a poor few that ruin it for the rest of us professionals. I am sorry that it didn’t work out for you. All I can suggest is, should you try it again in the future, maybe get a few references from the pa and see what testimonials they might have. A great pa has a lot of happy clients that would definitely recommend them to others. That virtual pa sounded incompetent.
Your business is everything and should be treated with the utmost importance and reverence. You’ve spent a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears into building a brand and making something great with a great reputation. Whoever you hire should respect that immensely and be extremely professional on your behalf. With over ten years experience as an executive assistant working with CEO’s from some of the largest companies in Australia, I cringe at the thought of the poor service you received. Big or small a company should receive the the utmost professional service from a pa. I love giving it my all and giving it 200% and I’m disappointed you didn’t get this type of service. A good pa should be your right hand and be very organised and alleviate your stress not add to it. Apologies again on behalf of all virtual personal assistants.
Thank you though taking the time and effort to come up with some sharewords. I know you are very busy and I greatly appreciate the time you took to share. I think they fit perfectly. You’re a genius. Thank you very, very much Kate.
Have a great day and best wishes for a prosperous future!
June 24, 2010 at 5:47 pm |
Hi Sylvia
I’ve not been overly active here of late, (lots going on). I have to agree with Kate’s comment about wanting to know that when I pay for a VA / VPA they are, in essence, one step ahead of me. Kate made the comment today, and I agree, if the service is flawless then the cost consideration would come 2nd. (To me, these links to earlier comments about staying away from ‘cheap’.)
I have had a look back through the pages and I can’t find your answers to Robin’s key ‘diamond focus’ questions. If you have then please disregard this. If you haven’t, please consider them as they will help the community to get more focused with creating your sharewords:
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
June 24, 2010 at 6:36 pm |
I know just how you feel, Sylvia. It’s a great exercise to get you focused on the ‘remarkable’ part of your offering.
Best, Robin
June 24, 2010 at 7:14 pm |
Hi Sylvia, your love of your work really comes through in your response to Kate. Kate’s sharewords are wonderful. And your comment to Kate makes a number of great points you could include on your website or when you are speaking at more length to prospects about how you can help them:
“With me, you get flawless executive assistance at your fingertips
I’m always professional and leave no stone unturned to deliver everything you expect
I’m 200% committed to my clients
I reduce your stress by taking on all those tasks that get in the way of your real business
I’d be delighted for you to speak to my clients”
If you haven’t already done so, include testimonials on your website.
Rosemary
June 24, 2010 at 8:37 pm |
Wow Rosemary thank you so much.
I know you are really busy so I really, really appreciate it when someone spends just a few of their precious minutes helping me. It’s amazing. I honestly thank you.
I love your input. I’m going to replace my first paragraph on my website with your text. And you are right, I am also going to get my clients to give me some more testimonials.
Thank you again. This really means a lot. I’ve never had such great support. Thank you!
June 25, 2010 at 8:23 pm |
Dear Sylvia
– shall try to do that over the weekend.
)
Congratulations on arriving at the sharewords community – I can see excellent work from Kate, Sally and Rosemary – such compassion is so wonderful to see. I’ve been on your site and agree if we could see a few more testimonials that might help. For me I’m not so sure about the ‘fingertips’ – I don’t know why and what it means is I will have to come up with a suitable alternative
PS Have you seen tungle.com? Free scheduling software – I think ALL VA’s should use it – such a time saver for their role and also their clients. (no i’m not on commission …
Helen
June 28, 2010 at 2:30 pm |
Hi Sylvia,
Agree with the previous comments about “cheap” and your passion really showing through.
Given Kate’s excellent feedback on her experience and needs, would you be prepared to add some of “guarantee” to your sharewords? You said you give 200% so just wonder whether saying something like:
- Flawless virtual executive assistance guaranteed
would help you to stand out?
Also agree with Helen that fingertips don’t quite work for me because you’re not really at their fingertips. That’s why I added the virtual in above.
So much more compelling than “cheap” eh?
Suellen
June 28, 2010 at 3:01 pm |
Wow thank you so much for spending your time on helping me. You’re right, I really like ‘guaranteed’ as I like to make sure I complete jobs right or not charge. No one deserves to pay for poor service. That’s a great word. Virtual is also great I’ll use that too (although I’m having a time of it explaining what a ‘virtual’ assistant is to some. Should I used ‘home sourced’ or is that worse and sounds dinky and not professional?)
Again, honestly I really, really appreciate the help. Working on your own sometimes leaves you feeling support-less and I’m loving that perfect strangers are so willing to help me. WOW.
June 28, 2010 at 2:48 pm |
Hi Sylvia
I’ve had a look at your website and it is very impressive; I’ve already got a job in mind (a little later down the track). Your response to Kate’s post re-affirms ‘cheap’ is out! Flawless, proactive, focussed, professional, reliable, attuned…. are all IN! I’ve got my thinking cap on
June 28, 2010 at 3:18 pm |
Thank you for your help Sally. All of you are right. I did sound unprofessional with the word ‘cheap’. I see the error in my way now
. I really like all of your words and I really like ‘proactive’. I love to work outside the box to find solutions for anything and everything so ‘proactive’ feels right, like a well worn glove.
- Proactive, flawless virtual executive assistance guaranteed
Is this too much? This is so exciting and fun!
June 29, 2010 at 9:48 am |
Hi Sylvia,
It’s great to see you participating in this wonderful community. The help that you have been generously gifted by Leanne, Myriam, Roger, Kate, Rosemary, Sally, Helen and Suellen is outstanding. To have these eight super-stars at your fingertips is rare help indeed.
Now that you are familiar with the sharewords process, you can see we are seeking to help you find that part of your offering that is remarkable – that part that makes us want to share you with our friends and colleagues.
It’s all about discovering your diamond-focus, from which the rest of your remarkable offering can be unfolded.
Building on the ideas already presented to you, I also really like the word ‘flawless’ for you suggested by Kate – especially with Rosemary’s recommendations on how you unfold it.
What does Sylvia do?
She delivers flawless executive assistance.
I love the word ‘flawless’ for you, Sylvia. It sets the gold standard that few, if any will be able to deliver to. It’s only the strength of your solid track-record that allows you to make such a bold statement.
Your sharewords are clean, simple and professional. They beggar a response.
‘Flawless’ can be unfolded on your website and in your documentation to include benefits such as:
• fast start: I get up to speed with your business quickly ;
• highly professional: have vast experience dealing with busy, demanding executives;
• 200% committed to every client: have exceptional client service skills;
• extra mile: will do whatever it takes to deliver to your expectations;
• stress-reducing: by taking on all those tasks that get in the way of your real business;
• easy tracking: I have mechanisms that make it easy for me to see where you are up to.
Suellen’s suggestion of ‘guaranteed’ is strong. Something for your to consider from a marketing perspective.
This has been a fantastic team effort, Sylvia.
Let’s see what others think.
Best, Robin
June 29, 2010 at 9:55 am |
I can see myself recommending you, Sylvia…. “you should contact Sylvia, she delivers flawless executive assistance.” Really like it!
I’m not keen on ‘guaranteed’ being in the main sharewords (it tends to make my think, ‘just how can you guarantee?’) but as part of your marketing strategy I think ‘guarantee’ is a must.
June 29, 2010 at 10:08 am |
Great sharewords, well done Robin!
Best of luck with your new sharewords Sylvia, keep us posted on how they impact your business
June 29, 2010 at 3:44 pm |
Wow. I think I need to go hire Sylvia right now – these are brilliant recommendation words!!
June 30, 2010 at 7:23 pm |
Sally, Myriam and Ricky,
This feedback is incredibly valuable for us and Sylvia. Thank you!
June 25, 2010 at 5:52 pm |
Sharewords- What a great concept! Helen Crozier put me onto this fantastic online community and I jumped at the chance to sharpen my description as it is something I have never been able to pinpoint.
I am a Professional Organiser, Personal Assistant and Personal Concierge. The main nature of my business (Little Miss Sorted) is home and office decluttering and organising. It’s a hands-on service that I provide by working with the client. I also run errands and can step-in to assist you in your business when things get busy, or handle a project you are too busy to get around to yourself. PHEW! How do you make that short and snappy?
I currently use “planned*sorted*sourced*delivered*done”
HELP!!
June 26, 2010 at 9:07 am |
Welcome Sophie and thanks for reading my newsletter!!
Here are some questions that might help us put something together for you….
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
This extra information will help the Radsmarts Experts facilitate something excellent!
Don’t forget to register at gravatar.com to add a photo to your avatar as well!!
So glad to see you here – do pass on the word I don’t want people like yourself to miss out!
Helen
June 29, 2010 at 9:58 am |
Hi Sophie,
We’ve started thinking about your sharewords and receiving your answers to the questions that Helen has posed will really help us to help you. We’re looking forward to your answers.
Best, Robin
June 25, 2010 at 11:03 pm |
(here via @helencrozier on Twitter)
My blog ATMac discusses all things related to disability and assistive technology for Mac computers, iPhones, iPod, anything made by Apple. Current elevator pitch is:
The blog tagline is “Assistive Technology for Apple and Mac users” which is actually narrower than what I do. It’s more like “All things Apple for all people who aren’t perfectly able-bodied.” if you look at the blog content.
I’ve had ongoing trouble trying to tie all of that mess up in a simple sentence! Perhaps because the focus is quite broad, and there’s no neat word which ties up people with a disability, people with chronic illness, people with affects from ageing, people with injuries, etc. Well, technically they’re all “disabilities” but most people don’t identify with the word so that’s unhelpful.
Help would be greatly appreciated!!
Ricky
June 26, 2010 at 9:15 am |
Dear Ricky
Thank you so much for coming here! I have just had a look at your sites and wow am amazed at the resorces you have there – what an amazing service you provide.
You are right – those technical words don’t do it justice or probably attract the people who need your information but don’t worry help is on it’s way.
You are in information provider for people in great need – we need to make it easy for everyone to refer you.
What do others think?
Helen
(weird captcha this morning ghanian month)
June 26, 2010 at 4:00 pm |
Thanks for the compliments Helen!
You are right about people not finding me with technical words like those – that’s why I’m here looking for better ones
I’m still reading through others’ comments and workshopping, and I had lots of trouble with the key questions but here’s my best shot:
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
Most important benefit is information that’s directly relevant to their needs – disability-relevant information is usually hidden in cracks and crevices and not easily found or put together. I do the finding and pulling together and explaining (when needed) so all the readers have to do is read and implement.
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
Erm, I don’t know honestly … given they’re blog readers and most (80% or more) are new readers who came via search engines I don’t often get a lot of feedback. Sentiments I remember from people I emailed are generally along the lines of “It was exactly the information I needed” and that they’d had trouble finding that info anywhere else.
3) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
ATMac posts articles relating to all disabilities. There are other disability blogs that cover Apple products but they’re specific to a single disability or a small group of disabilities (eg “DeafMac” covers hearing impairments/Deafness). ATMac covers everybody from users with mild RSI to users who can only move their eyes to users with autism or intellectual disabilities – the whole range.
r
June 26, 2010 at 9:05 pm |
First up Ricky I understand that feedback and responses are very hard to come by in the online world no matter how much you have changed someone’s life!! That said I would love you to be receiving MORE as a reward for all your hard work so for you this is the point of this workshop!!
Secondly I am interested in the ‘all disabilities’ side of things so shall keep pondering on this aspect.
Have a lovely weekend. I may not get back to this until Monday but wish you the best
Helen
June 28, 2010 at 11:13 am |
Hi Ricky,
I agree totally with Helen, I’d love to see you getting far more testimonials and feedback around the great information you provide. To be able to recommend you (which is why we’re here) with sharp, inclusive, and accurate sharewords is not only awesome but necessary.
Words that are coming up for me are:
- Apple and Mac for absolutely all (maybe too vague)
- enables
- informs (rather than ‘covers’)
- answers
… hoping others can keep building.
June 29, 2010 at 3:50 pm |
Thanks for those thoughts, Sally!
Interestingly, I’d thought something similar to “Apple and Mac for absolutely all” when I was brainstorming blog taglines a few years back, but then I figured it was too vague when there’s no mention at all of disability in it. I’ll take another look to see if there’s a way to sharpen it.
I’m saving all the email notifications of everybody’s feedback so I can read them all in a row and let it roll around my head and see what happens. I’ll add yours to the mix and see what rolls out!
r
June 29, 2010 at 3:47 pm |
Thanks for the feedback, Helen. I wonder if firing off a mailing list message asking people why they read, what they get out of ATMac, etc. – basically soliciting testimonials – would be helpful? I’d be up-front in saying I was looking for testimonials and asking people’s permission to publish them. Wonder if anybody would respond? Has anybody done something like that before?
r
June 29, 2010 at 4:11 pm |
Hi Ricky
GO FOR IT
(not shouting at you, just being encouraging)
Absolutely, ask for those testimonials and permission to publish. At first, it can feel uncomfortable asking for them yet you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how willing people can and will be. Most people like to support those who have done a great service but they are often unsure how to support, so we need to ask!
June 29, 2010 at 11:23 pm |
I so agree with Sally, Ricky!
Yes ask the people on your mailing list – I’m sure you will get some interesting feedback that will help this wonderful cause!!
It’s exciting isn’t it?
Helen
June 28, 2010 at 2:20 pm |
Hi Ricky,
I’ve just read through your shareword comments and have a few more questions for you sorry:
1. Who is your main audience? (understand it is difficult to know who’s actually reading your blog).
2. Is AT a well known and used term among your target audience?
What a great service / resource you’re offering – well done.
Some thoughts that came to mind when I read through your blog and posts:
- a window (pun intended) to everything Apple: pro ability
- something about you having done all the research/ hard work to make Apple accessible
Will continue to think and share
Suellen
June 29, 2010 at 4:00 pm |
Ohh, I like the idea of promoting that I do all the hard work! (who wouldn’t like to be known like that!
).
Questions are good – questions make me think and thinking is good!
Who’s my main audience? People who have disabilities, special education teachers, and parents with disabled kids. All of them either already use Apple products (I think this is the majority) or are considering using Apple products in the future and want to know how to make best use, given their disability needs.
Is the term AT (assistive technology) well known? Wow, great question! I have always assumed it is but perhaps that’s because it’s a well known term to me? I’m going to have to poll my readers about this one – it’s an incredibly important question. Until the evidence is in, I’d have to say “yes” though – in the disability world in general, “assistive technology” is a well known term.
“A pro-ability window on all things Apple” sounds like a great blog tagline to me – I may in fact use that in future – but it doesn’t really sound like sharewords … “What does Ricky do?” “She provides a pro-ability window on all things Apple” “Huuuuuuuuuh?”
I think I’m going to grab a text file and put in my existing words at the top and then everybody’s suggestions and contributions into the file and see what I can pull out… thank you!
June 29, 2010 at 8:54 pm |
Ricky,
I was having dinner with my cousin last night and she works for Dept Human Services – Ageing, Disability, Home Care and I was telling her all about your site. She was very interested so I sent her the link today.
I asked her if AT was a commonly used term and she said that she had heard it and knew what it was but even though she works in the area, that it isn’t a term she uses often – so good idea to check with a few other people but perhaps not good to use just the initials in your sharewords.
Just adding a bit of feedback for you – hope it helps.
Suellen
June 30, 2010 at 7:29 pm |
This is very useful input, Suellen. Thank you.
July 8, 2010 at 2:09 pm |
Suellen, I’ve been thinking about what you said about me doing all the hard work and I keep coming back to the word “distilling”. I go through all the information and distill out the bits that are valuable and then it’s just the important/relevant parts that my readers get.
I’m not sure where that is going, but I thought I’d post it so everybody could think on it!
Ricky distills information about Apple products … ????
July 8, 2010 at 4:40 pm |
Ricky,
I like the word distil. Saying you distil information is a bit broad I think. As Robin says, you need the diamond focus – I’m thinking something along the lines:
Distils essential pro-ability elements of Apple products?
Not quite right but I’m sure others will have some contributions to add.
Keep thinking, it’ll come!
Suellen
June 30, 2010 at 7:28 pm |
Hi Ricky,
I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to see all of the generous and clever assistance you have been getting from the sharewords community. They are inspiring me to come up with further ideas for your sharewords. I’ll report back to you soon.
Ricky, your participation in this community is highly valued.
Best, Robin
June 26, 2010 at 9:58 am |
Hi Ricky ~ Great to see you here
Have to be honest, I found the opening statement: “ATMac covers all Apple products with a slant towards disability” a little ambiguous as on first reading it, it made me think that it was the products with the disability (as opposed to the users?);)
But onto *sharewords*… Some of our manufacturing is carried out by Endeavour, who’s tag line now is ‘Opportunities for people with a disability’ -
When we started with them a few years ago their tag line was Endeavour: pro ability
I really liked this (and as you can see it was a statement that has really stuck in my mind!)
Wondering whether that tack could be used here for you Ricky (since they don’t use it any more!)
So, to get the ball rolling here…
ATMac is pro-ability for all Mac users
June 26, 2010 at 3:51 pm |
Thanks for your feedback, Linda. I totally agree that the tagline isn’t very clear – I just haven’t found anything that’s better yet!
I like “pro-ability”, or rather the general idea of increasing one’s abilities by using Apple products … ATMac does show people how to increase their abilities using Apple products.
I’ll have to think and brainstorm along those lines… I like it but it needs to be refined
r
PS
I really really REALLY hate captchas. I have recognition issues so it usually takes me 3-4 tries to find one I can decode correctly… CAPTCHAs are really not pro-ability
June 26, 2010 at 8:48 pm |
I’m the same re the captchas, which is why my comment above isn’t connected to your post
– It WAS connected, I then put in the wrong words, went for a second try and in my haste just hit ‘Reply’ instead of ‘Reply’ to your thread – At least I’ve learnt (from dogged experience) to highlight & copy my comment quickly before (sometimes ‘as’) I hit Submit to avoid having to re-write my comment x times!!
That initial suggestion above certainly does have to be refined, but the way this post works is that people keep putting their suggestions into the mixing bowl in response to what you tell us along with those key questions you’ve answered above so the input all gets bounced about/fed off each other until voila Robin spouts the answer
July 14, 2010 at 2:43 pm |
Hi Ricky,
Thank you for participating in this community, and for your patience with this process. It has been wonderful to witness the care and ideas that have been generously gifted by people to help you create your sharewords.
I’ve given this a lot of thought, reviewed the terrific inputs on this post and studied your website.
My input is this…
I like sharewords to unambiguously cut to the chase. You provide a brilliant information service to the community that not only informs people – many of whom have more than their fair share of issues to deal with in this life – but also empowers them.
‘Empowers’ is a word that I like to use sparingly. It fits what you do. The information you provide your special audience equips them, enables them i.e. empowers them.
What does Ricky do?
She empowers disabled Apple users.
‘Disabled’ used in this context speaks to your widest possible audience – from the fully able person who doesn’t know how to use a particular Apple product i.e. technically ‘disabled’, to the severely disabled person who just needs some basic guidance.
‘Apple users’ covers off Apple products and the sub-set Mac. There will be no confusion with ‘apple’ the fruit – they would be Apple eaters
Avoid jargon and keep it simple, I say.
Ricky empowers disabled Apple users.
Bang! There it is.
The rest of the who, what, how etc can be unfolded in the ensuing conversation and/or on your website.
Let’s see what others think.
Best to you, Ricky.
Robin
July 15, 2010 at 2:31 pm |
Oh Ricky/Robin I like these sharewords so much.
So easy to remember, so ‘you’ – I hope you feel like a new woman!!
Let us know what you think and thanks for joining in.
Helen
June 30, 2010 at 7:31 pm |
Top-shelf input, again Linda. You’re wonderful!
June 30, 2010 at 7:08 pm |
Hi Robin,
There are few words that would express my sincere gratitude for your analogy of my business. I LOVE IT, thank you as it represents the heart and soul of my passion which is to inpsire others to be brilliant and have brilliant relationships in every aspect of their lives.
I am sincerely humbled by your words and the community has made an incredible difference to the way I see myself as a professional.
Blessings
Mel
June 30, 2010 at 7:25 pm |
You’re very welcome, Melissa. We love the way you have responded to this community and its efforts on your behalf.
Wishing you every success in your business and in life.
Robin
July 2, 2010 at 11:53 am |
Hello Shareword Buddies.
I am back from the trade show and most happy to report that my Sharewords worked a treat. I will report on which variations were most successful and easy to use on the weekend.
Congratulations on all of the creative Sharewords you have developed during the past two weeks. Your hard work and willingness to assist others has produced some fantastic results.
I want to add to some previous posts that I think Raz and/or Tony Hollingsworth may have started about related to apps etc. for Sharewords.
I came across an elevator pitch builder this morning. It did not work very well for me, however, I thought it may provide stimulus for some interesting discussions and ideas.
http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/
Note – it takes a little while to load.
Regards,
Kathleen
July 2, 2010 at 8:08 pm |
That’s great news, Kathleen. We love that you are succeeding with your sharewords and appreciate your feedback. Look forward to catching up with you soon.
Best, Robin
July 6, 2010 at 7:24 pm |
Hello Shareworders!
I’m itching to re-issue the PDF document again once it hits 1000 comments so let’s keep the discussion and facilitating going. Who do YOU know that would receive the gift of sharewords? Help change someone’s business today!
Helen
July 7, 2010 at 8:14 am |
Hi Helen
Sent three emails this morning promoting sharewords
BTW: Went to a function last night and funnily enough I didn’t use my sharewords…. hmmm, what’s that all about???? Might need to reflect on that.
July 7, 2010 at 8:48 am |
Hi Sally thanks for sending the emails. Re your share words last night –
that’s odd that you didn’t use them – was it because of the particular ‘audience’ at the function? Was it any different to the normal situations you attend?
if not maybe you need to bring them back for a tweak – they have to feel right enough to fly out of your mouth I feel
Best wishes
Helen
July 7, 2010 at 8:54 am |
The function was the perfect event for rolling my sharewords off my tongue… I’ll have to think this through a bit and work out why they didn’t fly….
July 8, 2010 at 12:03 pm |
Hi shareworders,
I’ve been buried for the past few weeks so haven’t contributed but have been watching the updates coming through and tweeting and encouraging others to try sharewords out. A few people have had a look but find it a bit intimidating or are not sure what to do. Helen your PDFs are great and really help to pull it together.
Hoping to make some time to contribute more in coming weeks.
I’ve briefed by graphic and web design people around my “kick start your best life” sharewords so can’t wait to see what they come back with – v. excited.
Suellen
July 12, 2010 at 12:50 pm |
Well done, Suellen. We can’t wait to see your website.
July 8, 2010 at 11:12 am |
Robin
My new share words, thanks to you and the team, work like a charm. They have become a fantastic ice breaker in most conversations and introductions I’ve had since acquiring them.
The ‘making tax less taxing’ line truly hits the nail on the head about what I and my brand set out to achieve.
With sincere thanks,
Janna
July 12, 2010 at 12:49 pm |
Thank you, Janna. This is excellent feedback.
July 8, 2010 at 12:47 pm |
Hello shareworders
As part of my ‘re-invention’ 12 months ago (thanks to Cat’s Bright Sparks program), I came up with ‘sharpening your writing’.
I’m an Accredited Editor (one of fewer than 200 in Australia who has been accredited by the Institute of Professional Editors Australia), I help business and technical writers sharpen their writing. While my main activities are editing and proofreading, I also train business writers (Writing Strategy workshops) and technical writers (Tech Writing and Style Guide Implementation workships), and do some copywriting.
My logo includes a pencil, pencil sharpener and shavings. So it all fits together very well.
However, I’m trying to come up with a ‘catch-name’ to use, so I can sign off as ‘Desolie, the writer’s editor’ or some such. Any ideas? – thanks.
I love browsing this trail of suggestions and seeing how many creative people there are, and how the sharing helps clarify ideas.
Desolie
July 12, 2010 at 12:45 pm |
Hi Desolie,
Isn’t Cat a wonderful person!?
When signing off, perhaps…
Desolie, the writer’s edge.
‘Edge’ as in advantage, editorial savvy and sharp blade.
Best, Robin
July 14, 2010 at 1:52 pm |
I wonder if ‘page’ could come into play here!
Just a thought!
July 8, 2010 at 2:12 pm |
Hi Robin,
Just wanted to say a quick congratulations on reaching 1000 comments for this post. Helen I know you were waiting for this to occur for your PDF tool you made earlier to get an update.
Janna already got her prize for being the 1000th commenter too, amazing sharewords.
best regards to all
Tony
July 8, 2010 at 2:46 pm |
Fantastic result shareworders – 1000+ comments! To think only a few weeks ago we were creating the interactive visualization and analysis based on only 660-odd comments. We are fortunate to have team-player Matthew (@smiffy) Smith who analysed the data for us, in town next month and I hope to bring him to #nscm to visit you all. As Helen has said, 1000 comments warrants another tag cloud and analysis of contributors. Ideally Tony C, we need an export tool for WordPress to export comments out to a format like plain text or comma-delimited (CSV) – as per your tweet ( http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/commenter-emails/ ) would you mind assisting Robin in installing the plugin, then extracting the comments – I can then have @smiffy use his hand-coded “parser” to take the data out to @KateTribe’s Tribal Tool Kit CloudMaker for analysis. Great team effort all round hey?
See you all at #nscm next week where I believe even the elusive Iggy Pintado will be making a long awaited appearance.
Best to you all,
Tony Hollingsworth
July 8, 2010 at 3:01 pm |
Wow, awesome results – happy 1000th comment Robin, and big kudos to everyone in the share-wording community!!!
See you guys at the next #nscm, I’ll bring in some chocs to celebrate
July 12, 2010 at 12:48 pm |
Thank you, Myriam. Yes, bring on the chocs!
July 12, 2010 at 12:48 pm |
Thank you, Tony. I really appreciate your support.
July 15, 2010 at 5:33 pm |
Robin, i’m in, all my details are correct and i think radsmarts is a brilliant concept! thankyou for the exposure!
July 20, 2010 at 4:13 pm |
Thank you, Julie. You are very welcome.
July 15, 2010 at 8:48 pm |
As my website is not complete, could you please put in the link to my twitter account.
Legend.
July 20, 2010 at 4:24 pm |
Sure thing, Marko!
July 26, 2010 at 10:11 am |
Ahead of the Tweet-up, and after some thinking about what I stand for in business, here’s my shot at Sharewords for my business from here on: “Enable people to create healthy businesses”. Not sure about ‘Enable’, but ‘Help” isn’t quite right either. Looking forward to feedback!
July 26, 2010 at 10:28 am |
Hi Kate
What about ‘empower’ – giving the power (be it tools, education, inspiration) to create.
July 26, 2010 at 11:58 am |
Hi Kate
I agree empower is such an overused word and often in the wrong context too – it is also a very harsh word – these days when I hear or see the word empower I groan!
Having looked at your website is your focus only only franchises?
So my thoughts are “Guiding (Leading) franchisees towards their best business performance”
This has a friendly tone – I like guiding or leading – it gives a sense of “hand holding” or taking people on a journey of discovery – both are also softer terms
Hope this helps
July 26, 2010 at 12:16 pm |
I agree with Leanne, ‘empower’ tends make me want to groan due to it’s mis- & overuse. ‘Guiding’ feels good!
July 26, 2010 at 1:15 pm |
Hi Leanne,
Re franchising focus – Franchising is my background, and I have a lot of experience with the challenges of working in that world to achieve performance improvement. However, I’m now being intentional about broadening my field of view.
I like the notion of ‘guiding’ – maybe ‘Guiding businesses towards their best performance’?
The outcome (vision?) that I am aiming at is to enable people to create healthy businesses; by which I mean they go through the business lifecycle in a way that leaves them with a rewarding experience and the financial and other outcomes they seek. I help people (who might well be stuck and frustrated, but know they want more) look at where they are now, decide where they want to go, create a plan get into action.
Thanks for your input on this.
July 26, 2010 at 1:48 pm |
Hi Kate,
I like guiding more than helping or empowering. What about “stimulating businesses to achieve their best performance?” Guiding could be a little passive, whereas stimulating has a sense of excitement about it.
See you at the tweet-up
Suellen
July 26, 2010 at 3:01 pm |
*Stimulates* is more stimulating than ‘guiding’… Enjoying the building going on
July 26, 2010 at 3:19 pm |
Hi Kate,
You have been receiving some valuable suggestions from Suellen, Leanne, Sally and Desolie.
This conversation reminds me of the words that were being floated around to help me develop my Share words. You may find some more inspiration by reading some of them.
Ideas and words that come to mind:
What does Kate do?
She helps franchises succeed.
She builds business success
She enables business success
She enables better business
She builds franchise fitness
What about “Gives you power to ” instead of empower.
Build business fitness
Enables better business
Builds Powerful Business Strategies
Up-skills
Lend a hand
Supports
Facilitates
She drives business success
Makes possible
Supports franchises to succeed
She leads business growth
I think guide is a bit wishy washy. I am not sure that “healthy” is strong enough either.
I am keen to see if these words spark any ideas are appealing to you.
Regards,
Kathleen
July 26, 2010 at 3:22 pm |
P.S. I agree with Sally. Suellen’s suggestion to use “stimulating” or “stimulates” is good.
July 26, 2010 at 3:58 pm |
Hi Kate,
So good to see you here to join the shareword challenge.
Feeling like I know you reasonable well from a number of coffee morning chats I want to contribute as much as I can to help you get some killer sharewords.
I have some left field options to provide some variety
Kate teaches your business life skills.
(to me ‘life skills’ are what our family and teachers give us to go and face the world which is what came to mind when you said ‘giving people the tools and confidence to drive their business forward with purpose’)
Kate calls business to action
Kate sharpens your business tools
Kate strengthens business foundations
See you tomorrow for an amazing afternoon Kate.
July 26, 2010 at 4:43 pm |
I love this contribution Tony
July 26, 2010 at 7:40 pm |
Agreed, a great contribution. Thank you, and see you tomorrow!
July 26, 2010 at 8:13 pm |
Hi Kate and Kathleen,
Glad you liked my burst of inspiration, it’s amazing what can out when brainstorming from all angles.
See you both soon.
July 26, 2010 at 10:36 am |
Thanks, Desolie! I like ‘empower’, and my doubt about using it is that it’s so overused. But it is what I am about – giving people the tools and confidence to drive their business forward with purpose. Great to hear what others think of the word choice.
July 26, 2010 at 3:28 pm |
Thanks so much for your contributions here. Will contemplate all the great ideas overnight and see what emerges. Looking forward to sharing the new Share Words with you tomorrow.
July 26, 2010 at 8:55 pm |
Hi Kate and #sharewords team,
I really feel like diving in here as, like Tony C, have gotten to know you better at the regular tweetups/coffee mornings we have attended together since last year.
You opened the discussion with:
“Enable people to create healthy businesses”
I suggest simplifying further to: “enabling healthy business” or that Starfish Consulting “enables healthy business” I believe we should aim to cut down to the bare essentials with #sharewords.
I note in your additional comments Kate you define “healthy” businesses as those that provide their employees with a rewarding experience and the financial and other outcomes they seek. How about saying you “provide a business health-check”?
Looking at your LinkedIn profile, you describe your experience thus:
“I specialise in helping franchise and multi-unit business networks develop and implement strategies to increase profit.
I work with owners and leaders to look inside their business today and use what they discover to take a course that delivers a better business tomorrow.
My passion is inspiring leadership. What it is, why it matters and how we can do more of it.”
I like the last paragraph. How about “Inspiring leadership that matters” or just “Inspiring leadership”
One of my clients uses the words “Better Business for Everyone” which reminds me of Kathleen’s input:
“She enables better business”
Remember, our #sharewords are the words that make it easiest to recommend you, and easiest for you to start a conversation with someone anout what you do. I would be proud to recommend you as someone who “enables better business” or “provides business health checks” or (my favourite) “inspires leadership”
Cheers, see you at the tweetup tomorrow, can’t wait!
Tony Hollingsworth
July 26, 2010 at 9:09 pm |
WOW! Thanks, Tony. We will have much to talk about tomorrow. Looking forward to it
July 27, 2010 at 11:14 am |
The men are on fire with this one
Tony and Tony, I love your contributions.
I look forward to seeing if Kate feels the same.
July 27, 2010 at 5:46 pm |
Yes indeed, love the contributions. Just taking some breathing time now and will post revised sharewords tomorrow for feedback.
August 2, 2010 at 11:26 am |
I’ve kicked off my Sharewords with “Strengthens your business foundations”. I’d like some more feedback. Here are my thoughts:
Does foundations suggest I work mostly with new business? I’m in the performance improvement business, and the foundations are things like goals, planning and financial understanding. My ideal clients include businesses that need help with the process of goal setting and planning and who also need simple tools to help them stay on track.
Does strengthen sound too much like *I* do the work, rather than enabling others?
I like the idea of strong foundations for a healthy business, but how to capture this?
August 2, 2010 at 11:54 am |
Hi Kate
I love your last line – how about
Building strong foundations for a healthy business
I love “foundations” and the first image I had was just as you said the corner stone of any business – goal setting, planning and a strong understanding of financials
Cheers
Leanne
August 2, 2010 at 1:08 pm |
Thanks Leanne, that’s a great build and I appreciate you letting me know your thoughts. I’m going to settle on your revised version and see how the words perform for me.
Kate
August 2, 2010 at 10:10 pm |
Hi Leanne,
I really like your contribution. Foundations are definitely the corner-stone of any business.
I agree that Kate is definitely on the right track with her words.
Just to confuse things … have you thought about the word “optimise” I had a quick look through the posts and could not see it used (sorry in advance if I missed it)
Have you considered “I optimise business …. operations? success? profits?
Regards,
Kathleen
August 2, 2010 at 10:46 pm |
Since you said you work with newer businesses, I really like “building” rather than “strengthening” of foundations. “Building strong foundations” definitely makes me think immediately of new businesses, whereas “strengthening” did not.
Ricky
August 3, 2010 at 10:04 am |
Excellent point, Ricky. How are *you* going with you sharewords?
August 3, 2010 at 10:01 am |
I agree, Leanne. ‘Foundations’ is a great word for Kate.
August 2, 2010 at 2:02 pm |
Hi Kate,
So honored you liked my sharewords for a starting point.
I think ‘strengthens foundations’ when used together can apply to new or established business. If it said ‘building foundations’ it would be more targeted to new business I think.
Would be interested what others think in regards to ‘strengthens’ sounding like an ‘i’ statement.
August 3, 2010 at 10:23 am |
Well done, Tony! Top effort and result.
August 3, 2010 at 10:19 am |
Outstanding sharewords, Kate. Fantastic offerings by the community that continues to humble me with the action-orientation clearly demonstrated here. Imagine – seven people helped you succeed with real, tangible help! Love it! Love them!
Best, Robin
August 3, 2010 at 9:57 am |
This is generous and well-placed input, Tony. Thank you!
August 2, 2010 at 8:40 am |
Not sure about my share words. They are:
Helps people win business online(1)
Just worried it soundS spammy (negative connotations with dodgy Internet marketing types) and also too vague. Thinking of changing to the less sexy but more specific:
Internet designer, writer and consultant since 1995 (2)
Thoughts? Which web designer/web copy writer would you rather work with – desciption 1 or 2? Which words would you feel more able to share with other people? Thank you!
August 2, 2010 at 11:10 am |
Hi Annabel ~
*sharewords* are for sharing!
They’re not the cold dry ‘what’ you do, they’re the heart of ‘why’ you do it that’ll stimulate interest and beg more questions
They’re not a tagline per se so if I was in conversation with someone who I’d want to share you with they are words that have to easily flow off the tongue so:
‘Do you know Annabel? She helps people win business online’ will prick up my ears if I’m trying to win business on line (and who isn’t!!)and begs me to ask – ‘How does she do that?’ which lets the ‘story’ unfold
Whereas:
‘Do you know Annabel? She’s an Internet designer, writer and consultant since 1995′is really the end of the story.
*you helping me win business online* has something in it for me -
What you ‘are’ is really immaterial to me – why you can benefit me is paramount!
As a further example ~ Who is Linda?
She’s a publisher/distributor – (*yawn*)
Really – So what? How can she be of any benefit to you?
Linda’s publications highlight your holiday adventures
That is ‘why’ I do what I do
Hope this helps
Linda
*highlights your holiday adventures*
August 3, 2010 at 10:28 am |
This is fabulous input, Linda. I love how you have spelled out how sharewords work!
Well done!
August 2, 2010 at 11:50 am |
Hi Annabel,
What about ‘designing your perfect image online’, ‘getting you in the hot spot online’?
Best to be something modern and up to date to align with your own online image.
cheers,
Ana
August 3, 2010 at 10:29 am |
Hey Ana, your ongoing contribution to this community is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Shine on!
August 2, 2010 at 12:02 pm |
Hi Annabel
I think #2 just buries you in the proliferation of other designers
As others have said #1 is the conversation starter and piques the interest to ask further questions
August 3, 2010 at 10:30 am |
Yes – buries rather than builds!
August 2, 2010 at 1:00 pm |
Hi Annabel,
I have to agree with Linda, Leanne & Sally that option 2 is not really a set of sharewords. Sounds more like a statement of authority in 3 areas which makes gives no
a) diamond tipped focus or
b) conversation starter for us to promote you
If after this length of time you have not settled in to your sharewords we can always workshop them again and come up with a new angle. I still think they are a stellar set of sharewords though.
I would be happy to help you setup a poll for visitors to your website to see what they think of them if you wanted to.
Tony
August 3, 2010 at 10:31 am |
Well done, Tony. That’s a generous and smart recommendation.
August 2, 2010 at 2:18 pm |
Hi Annabel
I agree with the others you want it to be positive and something I want to do now. We all want business now so
‘win your business online’ is short snappy and you want to take action/
August 3, 2010 at 10:32 am |
Thank you, Robin. Have we lost your avatar?
August 3, 2010 at 3:55 pm |
Hi Robin,
I’m really enjoying all the comments. Can you please tell me how do I get my avatar on?
August 2, 2010 at 11:03 am |
Hi Annabel,
Not 2! Too boring, stiff & doesn’t allow for creativity which is what I’d want a bit of if engaging/employing your services.
No. 1 is too vague, how? What is missing for you?
August 2, 2010 at 1:10 pm |
Well thank you everyone:) I feel much better now I have the seal of approval from all of you.
Linda – your words are good. The mention holidays and publishing, a very specific niche area which is good.
Ana – If everyone else is (mostly) happy I am. I like having the Helps People because really I’m only interested in people! Computers and technology are just the medium.
Leanne – Great
Tony – Thanks for offering to do a a poll. I think this was it. Sorted now. You know I do feel the need to sell myself on authority because there are still some dodgy people out there but I know being recommended by all of you will be a huge differentiator:) Hope we get to work together some day!
Sally – I guess it covers everything people need to win business online:)
Ah, I feel better now. Sorted! Thanks everyone:)
August 2, 2010 at 3:50 pm |
Fantastic result Annabel,
I am so glad you asked the group for confirmation you were on the right track with your sharewords. And it helped remind us what a brilliant service you provide at the same time.
I too hope we work together some time soon in the future.
Have a powerful week now you are refocused.
August 3, 2010 at 10:36 am |
Phew! How fabulous to have this dream team of six super heroes instantly stepping forward to help you, Annabel. Now that’s priceless!
Well done, everybody.
Robin
August 3, 2010 at 10:33 am |
Great questions, Sally. I was thinking the same thing.
August 3, 2010 at 10:13 am |
loving sharewords – using my catch phrase suggested on twitter and getting a positive response! thanks robin and everyone involved!
August 5, 2010 at 8:51 am |
Thank you, Julie. That’s excellent news.
August 3, 2010 at 11:53 am |
Okay, I’m here because Tony made me come. No, just kidding, I’ve been dying to jump in but feel a bit intimidated. I feel like I should be better at this, but figuring out my own sharewords is difficult. I love what you’ve done for others though, so here goes nothing.
when I think about my blog, Everyday Bright, the word “illumination” is the first word that comes to my mind. My current tag line is “Luminations on a happy life.” What I think I do is help people see the obstacles that are preventing them from living a happier, more fulfilling life.
I’ve also been somewhat successful at creating a thoughtful dialogue with my readers. I learn as much from them as I do writing the posts. The word that comes up most often in terms of feedback is “clarity,” which I think links back to the illumination ideas. But there is also definitely a community there, albeit a small one.
So here’s where I struggle. Everywhere on the web people want to solve your problem (quick to value), but doing that successfully involves understanding what the problem *is*. Many people don’t spend enough time getting to root causes, and I like to think this is where my blog comes in. I don’t necessarily provide recipes, but I do help you figure out what problem you should be solving and where you should put your energy.
Thoughts?
August 3, 2010 at 1:07 pm |
Hi Jen,
YAY!! You made it over to sharewords. I am so pleased and proud of you. I know its challenging to put your heart and soul on display for all to see and examine. But we are really here to help you in a very similar way to what you are doing for your website readers. So you are also leading by example there too.
Now watch this space as there will be more feedback on its way, but first I want to have a really good look at what you’re about before suggesting some words for you.
kind regards
Tony
P.S. You have made my day.
August 3, 2010 at 2:43 pm |
Hi Jen
Welcome!! The first thing to say is dont feel intimidated this place is as comfy as an old sweater and everybody is so supportive and friendly and ready to assist – I felt like you in the beginning but this community has been my “illumination!!!”
Ive had a look at your website and what you have said above and I have a couple of questions
1. How do you want your sharewords to help you – are you looking to monetise your services or just engage with followers to your blog?
I reckon in order to help you it might be a start to answer Robin’s burning questions
a) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your service delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritise these from most to least important?
b) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
This focus might help us to better workshop the ideal sharewords for you
A phrase from your website that struck me – “in pursuit of happiness”
I also love the word illumination it really gives a sense of the light bulb going on and also perhaps a new perspective on old problems!!
Hope this helps – look forward to getting into it more
Cheers
Leanne – Maximising Your Business Profits!
Captcha – “introduced number” – I feel even captcha is getting diamond focused and supporting my sharewords!!
August 3, 2010 at 10:50 pm |
Welcome Jen, good to see you here. Well done Tony for *encouraging* Jen.
I’ve had a look at your blog Jen and I love it. Clever writing.
I think *luminations on a happy life* is great for your sharewords and can already hear the conversation:
Me: “Jen provides luminations on a happy life”
Other: “What does that mean?
Me: “Well, you know how everyone’s quick to jump in and offer solutions to problems?
Other: “Yes”
Me: “Jen’s different. She brings clarity to the problems and offers some recipes for solving them.”
I think Leanne raised a good question – what are you wanting commercially from your website?
Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with for you. Rest assured, whatever it is, it will be great!
August 4, 2010 at 4:55 am |
Whoops! Realized I put my reply in the wrong place, so am reposting to keep the thread intact.
Hey, thanks for the great responses so far!
Tony- You crack me up. If this is all it takes to make your day, I look forward to doing it many more times in the future.
Leanne- Right now, all I want it more readers for my blog. I’ve decided to pursue a career as a writer (my own path to happiness), and want to build a reader base for future books. I think what I provide is clarity. People hopefully see life, and their own problems, in a new light after reading my blog. And I think a resulting benefit of clarity is confidence. Once you really understand the problem, you often don’t need someone to solve it for you. You may need a cheerleader, and I try to provide that service as well.
Suellen- Thanks for the reassurance. I get frustrated because I have reworked my About page so many times and am still not happy with the lead in. That’s where I think the sharewords should be, right up front, but they have been elusive. Good to know my current tagline is close though. I just worry that, as you point out, people won’t know exactly what “luminations on a happy life” means. If you offer clarity, I think the sharewords also need to be clear!
Jen
August 3, 2010 at 4:05 pm |
Hi everyone,
Like Jen I struggle with my sharewords. As a personal image stylist and consultant my aim is to make men and women feel comfortable in their own skin so they are confident in their life.
It’s a holistic approach that looks at how you present yourself from top to toe, including hairstyle, jewellery, shoes, makeup as well as your clothing according to your colouring, bodyshape, lifestyle and personality.
I call it personal branding so your personal brand matches your business brand so the way you present yourself relates to your role and industry,.
I have been saying I am a Style Guru who ‘defines your signature style’ though I think it is too much jargon. My clients tell me they love me because ‘I make it easy’, they ‘love their new look’, and ‘feel more confident’. They say a session with me ‘saves them time and money’ and ‘they develop their own signature style’.
I know its a bit long, I await your feedback.
Cheers
August 3, 2010 at 7:27 pm |
Hi Robin
So what does Robin do she *defines your signature style* – why go any further – I love it – it leads into the interesting conversation of colours, style, wardrobe, accessories, makeup etc uniquely defined for each of your clients
Interestingly enough I spent the afternoon with an image consultant here in Bathurst discussing strategies to monetize her services even further and hook into social media – a great conversation and yes I spent some money too!
Regards
Leanne
August 3, 2010 at 11:05 pm |
Leanne,
I have some ideas about how ICs can monetise their services and I’d be more than happy to share if you’re interested.
Suellen
August 3, 2010 at 7:29 pm |
PS: go to gravatar.com to get your avatar working for you
August 3, 2010 at 11:22 pm |
Hi Leanne
Many thanks for the website to go to create my avatar. Now I have a face! Cheers
August 3, 2010 at 11:03 pm |
Hi Robin,
As you know, I work with quite a few image consultants (IC) across Australia and I’m sure you’ll know from your own networks that *signature style* is a phrase used by many so I’d encourage you to try some sharewords that differentiate you.
For example, I know an IC who is all “Stress-free dressing” which I think is great as many people (men & women) do get stressed about what to wear.
A couple of questions for you:
1. You mentioned that you use *personal brand* (also a term a lot of people use). Who are your ideal clients / target market?
2. What are the benefits your clients get from working with you?
You mentioned *save time and money*; what else do they get on an emotional level? I know from my experience, people say things like: “I feel so happy just looking at my wardrobe” “I love that I can quickly put an outfit together that looks great” “I love going shopping for clothes now because I know what I’m looking for, what styles and colours suit me and I don’t waste time trying lots of things on”
Robin, I’d love to help you out with your sharewords so that I can promote you to my clients! Thanks for the opportunity
August 6, 2010 at 11:23 am |
Hi Suellen
Thank you for your offer of help. In answer to your questions:
TARGET MARKET
Men and women who want to
• invest in their image to position themselves simply and easily.
• discover their own personal style to give them an edge in their personal and professional life
Is this too wordy?
BENEFITS
• clear understanding of your style personality
• learn to dress with a wardrobe of key pieces and accessories
• wardrobe is more functional and wearing colours and combinations never considered and love the results
• look forward to shopping, rather than dreading it!
• Gain confidence to dress and shop effectively
• know exactly what looks best as it is based on their lifestyle, personality, preferences and the image want to portray.
• professional yet friendly advice and apply it in a practical yet fun way.
• revitalized more confident self
These benefits I’ve taken from what my customers say.
I hope this gives you a little more insight into how I work. Sometimes when you are so passionate about what you do and how you help people it’s hard to put into words.
Cheers
Robin
August 6, 2010 at 12:18 pm |
Hi Robin
Lovely to see you on Sharewords. Here’s my 2 cents worth. I think you help people achieve a personal look and provide them with a sense of ease and assurance – you take away the fear of making mistakes.
I know from feedback from Tony my partner (who used your services) that he liked the fact that it felt like a ‘tune-up’. You didn’t try to change his look, but enhanced his current look. Your advice was practical and easy to follow. And your advice is enduring – you give people the tools to make the right choices themselves.
So, to me, your sharewords need to get to this idea of enhancing your personal look.
Hope this helps
Kate
August 3, 2010 at 11:19 pm |
Hi Leanne and Suellen
Thanks for the feedback. I was at the ‘Let’s Talk’ Sydney business seminar tonight and they were talking about how to differentiate your business. And everyone is saying ‘ signature style’ and ‘personal branding’. I will look more at the feedback I receive from my clients to come up with my sharewords.
August 5, 2010 at 9:39 am |
Great to have your participation, Robin. It will be really help us to help you if you could post your answers to Suellen’s questions.
I agree with the thoughts around ‘personal brand’ and ‘signature style’. We can improve on them!
Best, Robin
August 6, 2010 at 8:31 am |
Hi Robin
Thanks for your reply, I will answer Suellen’s questions. Stay tuned.
August 6, 2010 at 9:04 pm |
Great!
August 4, 2010 at 10:11 pm |
Hi Jen,
Well I am sure there will be a lot more input but here are some words to get the creative juices flowing
Jen empowers self healing
Jen explores happiness through personal discovery
Jen empowers your happy life
Jen illuminates your path to happy living
Jen removes barriers to your happiness
Jen re-calibrates your happiness compass
Jen clarifies your happy medium
I hope others will add some brainstorming words also to help the group come up with some really well focussed words for you.
Tony
August 5, 2010 at 5:21 am |
Tony,
This is a really good start and I’m very appreciative of the time you spent on this. I’m most drawn to your “removes barriers to your happiness,” but I know some people actually have a negative reaction to the word happiness. What do you think of “removes barriers to better living”?
Thanks again and again,
Jen
August 5, 2010 at 9:16 am |
Great to see your participation here, Jen. With the efforts of Tony, Leanne and Suellen, you are clearly in good hands.
Yes, it can be a little intimidating stepping in to this space. We are so glad you did.
The discussion so far has triggered the following thinking…
Jen ‘lights your path to happiness’.
‘Lights’ is such a wonderful word for you and what you do…
‘To light’ (verb):
* bring to light, to discover or reveal;
* to clarify; clear up;
* to make or become cheerful or animated;
* to guide or lead by light;
* to turn or switch on;
* to cause (the face, surroundings) to brighten with joy, animation.
I appreciate what you are saying about the word ‘happiness’. In my opinion, it works very strongly for your brand and beautifully with ‘lights’ and ‘path’.
*Your* path – appreciates that we all have our own path – our own unique journey.
“Lighting your path to happiness” has a gentle ease about it, and an inviting and intriguing feel to it. Not pushy. No hype. No uninvited intrusion.
Just some thoughts to be considered.
What do others think?
Best, Robin
August 5, 2010 at 11:46 am |
Robin, you are so persuasive! LOL I think you’ve certainly made a solide case for “lights” over “illuminates.” And I think the inclusion of “your path” is also quite right. I’m still a bit niggly (sorry, made up word) over “happiness.” Does “lights your path to a happier life” sound too long or clunky?
But this: inviting and intriguing feel to it. Not pushy. No hype. No uninvited intrusion
Absolutely and toally describes the feel I’m after. We’re so close, maybe even done if I can just get over my own weird hang-up over a word I use all the time! LOL
Would definitely like to know what others think!
August 5, 2010 at 11:56 am |
Perhaps stating it as it is, may work
“A life to breaks all bounds”
August 6, 2010 at 9:13 pm |
Excellent build, David. Thank you.
August 5, 2010 at 12:09 pm |
Hi all
A quick late entry… have been watching this one evolve. I like Robin’s suggestion – yet like you Jen, the word ‘happiness’ doesn’t sit well with me. It’s become an industry in itself.
Can I suggest a word that I think is more solid: ‘purpose’. So, Jen lights your path to (your) purpose.
What do others think?
August 5, 2010 at 12:16 pm |
Having been to your www I think Robin’s got it!
Jen lights your path to happiness
‘Happiness’ is a benefit you can emotively connect with now ~ to be ‘happier’ is as yet unattained so its harder to relate to!
Being a person who likes definitive words, while I originally liked the word ‘lumination’I feel for an intro conversation its too contemplative, maybe even introspective, whereas ‘lights’ is uplifting and with ‘happiness’ makes me optimistic about a bright future
August 6, 2010 at 9:14 pm |
Wonderful, Linda.
August 5, 2010 at 8:23 pm |
Hi Jen,
Awesome job Robin as always you are the master of saying the most with the least amount of words. I absolutely love
Jen ‘lights your path to happiness’
Jen from my experience it takes a few days for the power of Robin’s sharewords to sink in.
Happiness also means happy living but is faster to say so has more impact by having less words to absorb for the recipient.
Just my perspective, always open to alternative opinions.
August 6, 2010 at 11:22 am |
I think where I’m having trouble is that I can’t imagine *myself* saying to someone at a party, “Have you heard of Jen? She lights your path to happiness.”
I think it’s true (or at least, I try very hard to make it true), but does anyone else have this niggle? I do understand what you’re saying, Tony, about being more succinct. Kate suggests “purpose,” which I am still mulling over.
At one point I told someone in conversation that my blog “provided insights on living a life with optimism.” Probably too long, but avoids the happiness cliche. What do you think?
August 6, 2010 at 11:57 am |
A few more thoughts Jen: ease, balance, grace, harmony. And maybe ‘way’ is simpler & more colloquial than ‘path’.
Lights your path to ease
Lights your way to balance
LIghts your way to a balanced life
Ciao
kate
August 6, 2010 at 9:15 pm |
Excellent, Kate. Your continued inputs are greatly appreciated.
August 6, 2010 at 9:10 pm |
It’s important to think this through, Jen.
Yes, it may seem strange for you to say those words. However, the power of sharewords is in the receiving rather than the giving. The real key is how they sound to the person hearing them. Do they spark interest? Do they trigger a question seeking more information?
If I heard that you “Light my path to happiness” I would certainly be curious to know more.
Best, Robin
August 7, 2010 at 9:29 am |
Hi Jen
I understand where you are coming from. It is sometimes easier to talk about a tangible benefit than an intangible one. It also has to do with truly believing that’s what you do and how you make a difference in making people happy. Sometimes when you try and write the words it complicates things. When you talk it through like in conversation it sounds more natural and rolls off the tongue.
Kate offers some lovely words and she has such a natural way of putting thoughts into words.
‘lights your way with grace’
‘creates light and harmony in your life’
‘helps you on your way with clarity’
‘Jen is a beacon of light that guides you on your way’
‘lights your way to happiness and fulfillment’
Hope this helps
Cheers
Robin
August 5, 2010 at 11:58 am |
ops typo (maybe it’s was mean’t to be)
“A life that breaks all bounds”
or
“A life to break all bounds”
August 6, 2010 at 12:17 pm |
Hello All,
Sharewords was recently recommended to me by a friend as I have found myself stuck by too many “tag lines” going through my head, this looks amazing so I thought I would see what others may suggest for my business.
In essence my new business has been born from the experiences of my past. The business name is “Look Twice Promotions” and essentially what we do is promotions that are edgy, fresh and new. I have been locked down brainstorming the structure that I want for this business and in short I am going forward with this main frame listed below.
“Look Twice Promotions” is a fresh and new edgy agency. Our concept is to provide fresh new promotions to our customers via new streams of media and to help to bring your businesses into the new era of modern advertising and promotions.
With over a decade of experience in the industry, management understands that your business needs to be set apart from your competitors and to raise awareness of your brand.
What we do is link your campaigns with other means of media from your web site to expo’s. events, launches and any other forms of promotion using attractive professional speakers and models to put your brand forward.
Our resources can help your web site to stand out from the crowd. Firstly engaging your audience through visiting your web site and being introduced to a professional “Look Twice” speaker via CLIVEvideo, your visiting consumers will be greeted and welcomed to that part of your business first and foremost.
Next, our promotional speakers/hosts will remain with your concepts/web pages/campaign and tie your brand into an impacting campaign that will remain in your customer’s memories appearing at any of your company’s launches, expo’s, billboards, events etc. or maybe to MC your next meeting or publicity event.
We ensure that the people we can provide for you have been trained or have had extensive experience to go beyond our customers needs. All of our friendly staff are specially selected and are qualified by our management to provide only the best service to the client.
“Look Twice Promotions” has derived from the concept of “fresh and new” marketing strategies.
Taking into account the experience of the past and bringing the promotions of today into the ”now”.
With the shift in advertising and media today, “Look Twice Promotions” sees another angle to the industry that will enhance your brand and help to set your business as the benchmark in the industry.
From product launches, events, promotions to even public awareness “Look Twice Promotions” years of experience, customer satisfaction and up-to-date media strategies’ can help produce for you an effective campaign that turns heads and turns all your efforts into bottom line profit.
So, this is the essence, my passion and the company’s mission – taglines have been plenty and long. Comments, ideas and questions more than welcomed
Thank you in advance for any input. All greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Cheryl Bartley
Website under construction: http://www.looktwicepromorions.com
August 6, 2010 at 9:44 pm |
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for joining us.
We would love to help you with your sharewords.
For us to be most useful for you, just a few quick questions for clarity. In the simplest terms possible (avoiding industry jargon and specialized language)…
a) What are the *key* benefits that customers do/will get from your service delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
b) How do/will your most satisfied customers describe the experience ofdealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these frommost to least important?
c) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there – the WOW Factor!
d) How would ‘raving fans’ of what you do recommend you to their friends/colleagues? i.e. “Robin, you should use Cheryl, she…(insert words)”.
Thank you, Cheryl.
Best, Robin
August 12, 2010 at 10:24 am |
Hi Robin,
Here is my reply from your August 6th questions:
a) What are the *key* benefits that customers do/will get from your service delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
Key Benefits = Personalized service direct with account manager (accessibility). Attention to detail – we know what works. Delivers a “Live” experience of driving your brand to the consumer whilst interacting to the masses at an event/expo. A broader range of options and ideas from internet promotions through video streaming, to campaigns that tie together with polished well spoken hosts/hostesses that will represent your brand and bring awareness to your product/service.
Also, interstate businesses save money while still being able to quickly create an effective presence at tradeshows and special events. When hiring local staff thru Look twice Promotions.com you eliminate the need to bring in your own extra staff and therefore eliminate expenses such as travel, accommodations, meals from your budget and your bottom line.
a) How do/will your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words)? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
Describe the experience = 1/ ensure personal service for the client. 2/ offer up to date data and strategies that can help enhance client’s campaigns 3/ monitor client’s brands and present them to the consumer with an effective solutions. 3/ help with your ideas and turn them into reality. 4/ Provide data built up from the consumer’s response to their campaigns and let the clients know the progress on a day-to-day basis where they can monitor the progress through figures/percentages and therefore access their money/budget spent.
b) What is the *most* unique element of your business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there – the WOW Factor!
Most Unique element = is that Look Twice Promotions offers a point of difference when packaging your promotional needs. Look Twice Promotions bring companies campaigns to LIFE incorporating client’s web sites into memorable events/campaigns. They give the business/customers web sites a personable talking face – not at all like the common picture in the box. We offer Hosts/Hostesses to appear on your web sites delivering a welcoming message or opening to the consumer with a message directing them to what is on offer or assisting the consumer to use/utilize the functions of the clients very expensive web sites. Specially selected experienced, polished speakers (some trained by us in video presenting) who present on the clients web site then can be the “live” promo person representing for that company/brand at expo’s/events or MC/speak for special occasions.
d) How would ‘raving fans’ of what you do recommend you to their friends/colleagues? i.e.
“Robin, you should use Cheryl, she…(insert words)”.
…Manages you promotional ideas from start to finish. Cheryl takes your business promo ideas and works with you in making them happen. Cheryl uses new and fresh media ideas that you probably have not thought of and packages them into a campaign that resonates with your target audience getting the maximum effect for your budget. Cheryl supplies promotional hosts/hostesses that are approachable, educated, classy and you can even brief your chosen host/hostess towards product knowledge so that when they represent your business they make you/your business look good and remain in the memory of the consumer.
I have described the questions best I could so nothing is lost in translation. Recently while explaining the business at an expo, the response was like ‘wow’ sounds amazing.
If there is anything else, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Thanks,
Cheryl Bartley
August 23, 2010 at 11:20 pm |
Hi Cheryl
You’ve put in a lot of effort and provided a lot of information, I am a little overwhelmed by it all.
I apologise up front for being blunt, had a look at your site and have to say I didn’t get far, ‘About us’ didn’t open and the landing page didn’t tell me (someone well and truly not in the same industry, a potential client as such) what you do and why I want you over anyone else.
I feel the need to drill down your responses to the questions as I struggle to get to the diamond focus of what you do and what will make me ‘buy’ you. I want to ‘get it’ so I can be of assistance. The following is what jumped out at me as I read through your responses, key words as such:
a) BENEFITS
- personalised, accessibility, live, cost effective,
- what do you mean by broader range – how do you have a broader range than your competitors (is this something that can be highlighted here for the sake of finding sharewords???)
b) EXPERIENCES
- personal, up to date, strategic monitoring and strategic leading to solutions
Do you have any testimonials that you could share – what are the words clients have used>
c) DIFFERENTIATION
- I see this linking to a)
- There are lots of points of differentiation listed. Is there one or two only that really are out in front of the rest of the crowd?
- packaging, bring to life, websites, ‘presentable’ options for websites, events, etc
d) RAVE FACTOR
- from start to finish (I like this but it still doesn’t tell me what you do)
- new and fresh media ideas
- maximum effect for your budget
- staffing you/your event with the best
From here I hope all the Shareworders will start suggesting and ideas sharing….
If there are any key words missing please add so I can get a really clear picture of you and your business, leading to the best fitting sharewords.
August 30, 2010 at 12:25 pm |
Thank you for this focus, Sally. It helps me a lot.
August 7, 2010 at 11:44 am |
Robin D- You’re right, of course. I’m not the one saying it, and that’s an important distinction. Good reminder!
Robin P- Somehow, the phrase “lights your way to happiness and fulfillment” sounds right to me. Changing “path” to “way” sounds more natural (to me), and adding “fulfillment” somehow softens the happiness. Perhaps if one wanted to simplify, it could just be “lights your way to fulfillment.” Thanks for your awesome brainstorm. That REALLY helped!
Tony- In the end I suspect you are right. It takes a few days to sink in.
Thanks you guys. I feel…done! What do you think?
Jen
August 8, 2010 at 1:37 am |
Hi Jen,
You are going well and I am pleased other have given you some feedback to digest your sharewords.
I will wait for Robins thoughts on your new sharewords but I think you may have cracked it with the help of the group.
Jen ‘lights your way to fulfillment’
It does have a nice ring to it the more I say it. So pleased you have been part of this group.
Tony
August 8, 2010 at 1:44 pm |
Hi Jen
I think it’s decided ‘Jen lights your way to fulfillment’
August 9, 2010 at 4:00 am |
VERY cool. You guys are the best. Thank you!
August 11, 2010 at 8:37 pm |
Excellent result, Jen. Well done to you and the very generous and supportive team around you!
August 8, 2010 at 2:41 pm |
Thankyou for your kind thoughts Kate, I love the words you use ‘enduring, present with an ease and assurance.
One thing I’ve been mulling over is whether to call your ‘look’ ‘style’ or ‘image’. Any thoughts.
I say to my clients I want them to
be who they want to be
feel comfortable in their own skin
Some phrases I like based on Kate’s comments
• Provide enduring style advice
• Enhance your current look
• Enhance your personal style
• Help you present yourself with an ease and assurance
• Help you create an everyday style that is effortless
• Feel comfortable and confident with your look
•
Your thoughts?
Cheers
Robin
August 8, 2010 at 3:26 pm |
Robin stylizes your persona
August 11, 2010 at 8:39 pm |
Excellent build, Linda.
August 9, 2010 at 4:03 am |
Robin,
I’m only speaking for myself here, and I know I’m in the minority when it comes to women, but if someone told me “Robin helps you create effortless everyday style” I would be VERY interested in hearing more. My big issue with many stylists is they seem to think I want to spend 30 minutes in front of the mirror in the morning, and then another 20 washing everything off in the evening. The words “effortless style” carry real value–at least for me!
Jen
August 9, 2010 at 1:43 pm |
Hi Robin,
Some great ideas here from others and good to hear direct feedback on Tony’s (Kate’s partner) experience.
One of the reasons I asked about your target market, is that I thought it might help you focus your offering. You seem to be focusing on the professional market and offering advice about using style to “position themselves” and “give them an edge”.
If you are targeting the professional market, then sharewords that talk to that group might be things like:
* Career enhancing personal style
* Confident, self-assured dressing
* Personal image to give you the edge
If however, you are not focusing on the professional market exclusively, then I love the “effortless style”. Jen, I don’t think you’re in the minority! I think a lot of women would love dressing to take less effort.
* Teaches effortless, confident dressing
* Draws out your natural personal style
You said you are tossing around image, style, look and now I’ve added dressing into the mix too – sorry.
Hope this adds to your thinking a little more.
Suellen
August 11, 2010 at 8:40 pm |
They are very important distinctions Suellen. Thank you.
August 9, 2010 at 6:34 pm |
Thank you girls, I’ve been running this all through my head and I do like the words – effortless and self assured.
Suellen I don’t want to tie myself to just corporate as I see so many people who do not need to power dress, just want to look great. When I say, gives you an edge I meant it more as and edge in the way you look.
I like
• provides effortless, confident dressing
• Draws out your natural personal style
• creates natural style that is self assured and confident.
Cheers
Robin
August 11, 2010 at 8:49 pm |
Hi Robin,
These are strong ideas and there has been outstanding input from the group.
Thoughts and builds from me are…
Robin ‘creates your natural confident style’
Robin ‘styles your best looking self’
Robin ‘styles effortless, confident dressing’
Thoughts?
Best, Robin
August 13, 2010 at 4:02 pm |
Hi Robin
Thanks for your comments. I do like the thought of effortless style though I find it too difficult to say. It doesn’t flow off the tongue. I like the phrase that ‘Robin makes the most of who you are’ though this could be anyone, not necessarily a personal image stylist.
I like
• Robin ‘creates your natural confident style’
August 16, 2010 at 8:28 am |
I’m with you on that Robin.
Robin ‘creates your natural, confident style’ is very powerful.
August 16, 2010 at 2:20 pm |
I love it too:
Robin creates your natural, confident style
More than anything you want to feel confident with how you look and to feel comfortable I’d want a look that naturally fits my persona ~
Brilliant
August 16, 2010 at 2:48 pm |
Hi Robin,
Firstly, apologies for not contributing on the build of your sharewords process to date.
Linda, Jen, Suellen and Robin and yourself have done a fantastic job with your sharewords.
I think Robin ‘creates your natural confident style’ is brilliant, it just draws me in. Here I am commenting because it’s so good.
I can picture your sharewords from email sign-offs to major branding banners and it just sits to well.
I hope that helps give you some external client oriented perspective.
August 11, 2010 at 9:39 pm |
Hi Robin,
I am attracted to the ‘natural’ and the ‘effortless’. I dislike ‘confident’, unless combined with ‘natural’.
I feel a bit tired of ‘look’ personally.
What about ‘Robin teaches you how to be your natural confident self with effortless styling’
Robin teaches how to discover your natural unique style.
Robin supports you in discovering your natural and unique style.
I think I like the learning part of it, because that is empowering.
I would love to learn how to discover my own natural effortless style with you!
regards,
Ana
August 16, 2010 at 8:30 am |
Thank you, Ana. I really appreciate your continued input here. These are excellent ideas and builds.
Best, Robin
August 16, 2010 at 3:03 pm |
Thank you Linda, Ana, Tony and Robin
I’m really liking ‘Robin creates your natural, confident style’
I’ll start using it now. Thanks everyone for your help and ideas.
Cheers
Robin
August 16, 2010 at 3:28 pm |
Hi Robin,
Apologies for my absence in this workshop as well.
I really like your new Sharewords.
Congratulations.
August 23, 2010 at 10:52 pm |
My apologies for not being around in here (this post) for some time.
Robin, as I read ‘Robin creates your natural, confident style’ it just seems to be a statement that flows easily, makes sense and seems obvious. I say ‘obvious’ in the sense of ‘of course, that’s Robin, that’s what she does’ … it’s comfortable and approachable. That’s what I get from all your online presence thus far.
August 30, 2010 at 12:03 pm |
Well done, Robin. That’s an excellent result.
August 23, 2010 at 9:22 pm |
Hello. Just got sent here by Sally on Twitter when asking for feedback about my blog’s elevator pitch.
I LOVE the whole concept behind Sharewords – it’s brilliant. I’ve always been a fan and user of elevator statements, but this just seems to go one step further.
I’d love some help with my blog’s statement. I run a blog called DesignLuv (http://designluv.com) which is written by designers and developers, for designers and developers. This is what I have come up with:
#1: “DesignLuv injects a weekly dose of design, development and business advice into creatives who are serious about what they do.”
#2: “DesignLuv injects a weekly dose of design, development and business advice into the creative community.”
Help!
August 23, 2010 at 10:47 pm |
Hi Marnie
Given I sent you here I guess I should pitch in first. Robin started this post with 3 very diamond focused questions. I threw the word blog into the questions as this seems to be where you want to get your sharewords focused on for now. Have a look at the questions and once we get some more information around these points you will see creativity and sharing spark!
1) What are the *key* benefits that customers get from your <> service/product delivery (in your words) – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
2) How do your most satisfied customers describe the experience of dealing with you (their words) <> ? Again, – best if you can prioritize these from most to least important?
3) What is the *most* unique element of your <> business that truly differentiates it from anything else out there?
Sally
*Advancing Your Personal Best*
August 30, 2010 at 12:16 pm |
…I just noticed ‘blog’ didn’t appear in the questions, it was meant to appear in the !
August 28, 2010 at 12:28 am |
Hi Robin,
This is an outstanding idea that brings so much value … it is just remarkable!
I would actually love to get some help with my sharewords. I am starting a Personal Branding Advisory Program. My goal is to help entrepreneurs, business leaders and small business owners define, develop and communicate their personal brand online by developing and executing social media strategies, so they can build their position in the market and, as a result, create more leads and business development opportunities.
Connected with the 3 key questions:
1. Key benefits: – Creating and maintaining a professional online presence – Open opportunities to engage in a closer relationship with their customers and fans (particular case for artists and celebrities) – Opening potential business opportunities – Education and support connected to their marketing strategy (blogging, video producing, social media marketing, etc)
2. Passionate, engaged, open, fun, thought provoking, creative and very supportive (great listener)
3. My international background (work experience in 7 different countries), my diverse experience (leisure industry, media, consulting, executive search, career coaching, social media, university lecturing), strong focus on customer service and long-term relationship building.
Thank you and all the best!!
Greetings from Poland!
Ivan
August 28, 2010 at 7:54 am |
Hi Ivan,
Great to see you here. I’ve had a look at your website and coupled with what you’ve shared, my ideas to get the sharewords ball rolling:
Ivan makes your personal brand fly, socially.
Flying high on your personal brand
Raises your personal brand to new heights
Makes your career fly through social media branding
Over to other shareworders. Looking forward to seeing how your sharewords progress.
Cheers from sunny Sydney!
Suellen
August 30, 2010 at 12:29 pm |
These are great, Suellen. They have inspired the following builds from me:
* Ivan lifts your brand to new business heights.
* Ivan gives your personal brand a flying start.
Best, Robin
September 1, 2010 at 2:30 am |
Hi Suellen!
Thanks so much! Actually is an interesting idea to connect the “Fly High” them from my personal blog to this business idea … haven’t consider it. Good idea.
For BrandsLab (the name of the program/website) there will be a different website than my personal blog. However, your idea of connecting the “flying part” in both is very cool.
Thanks for your help!
Ivan
P.S. BTW, in case you may be curious, the “Fly High” comes from my times as a trapeze flyer. Every time we moved to another team or location, we did not say “all the best”, “good luck”, etc; what we say and wished to other fellow flyers was “Fly High” … and I just thing that is one of the coolest things you can wish to somebody .. in life, at work, in business, in your career … so, that’s my take on “Fly High”
August 28, 2010 at 10:32 am |
Ivan
“I want to recommend Ivan because he helps you take your personal brand to social media.”
“You should get in touch with Ivan, he’s great at connecting your personal brand with social media.”
… bringing your brand to social media – blur
… helps you strategise your brand in/on/with (social) media
… helps you optimise your brand online
Time for others to build on from here…
Sally
August 30, 2010 at 12:33 pm |
Great inputs, Sally. My builds on your ideas are:
* Ivan delivers brand new brand performance.
* Ivan takes your brand through the roof.
* Ivan lifts your personal brand to new heights.
Best, Robin
August 30, 2010 at 12:39 pm |
ooh! I like ‘brand new brand performance’!
August 30, 2010 at 2:22 pm |
My reaction, too. I can picture the reaction – ‘Did I hear that right?’ They’ve then got to ask questions – a perfect conversation starter.
September 1, 2010 at 2:40 am |
Hi Desolie,
Great point! it is definitely a conversation starter
Thanks for your input!
All the best,
Ivan
August 30, 2010 at 5:15 pm |
I like
Ivan delivers brand new brand performance.
Ivan lifts your personal brand to new heights
Ivan is a master in personal branding
Ivan takes your branding to new heights
Your online presence is secure with Ivan
Your online presence is assured with Ivan
September 1, 2010 at 2:42 am |
Hi Robin,
Thank you for putting together these sharewords. I like them all as well!
Thanks for your help!
Ivan
September 1, 2010 at 2:55 am |
Hello my friend!
That’s great man! All three are excellent! Now I need to figure out how to translate these to Polish so the local market understands the double meaning
I have a question. As I’ve mention in a previous comment, I am working on having a concise statement that simplifies the advantages of building a professional presence online. So for example, for celebrities / artists I emphasize the “opportunity to engage directly with their fans” and” “being able to express their own points of view, regardless of what the gossip magazines write about them”.
For entrepreneurs and business owners, the focus is sales and business development. So I need to shortly and concisely evoke the advantage of having a solid presence online and the impact it could have in their business. Any ideas?
Thanks for everything man!
Cheers,
Ivan
September 1, 2010 at 2:37 am |
Hi Sally,
Thanks so much. Those are very good statements particularly with people that are familiar with social media. I am actually struggling a bit dealing with people that (a) do not ‘get’ social media or (b) they are focused on money/sales/ROI. So I am thinking on how to bring in those people in, in the shortest, clearest way.
Thanks again for your help!
Ivan
September 1, 2010 at 2:41 am |
By the way, just wanted to let you know I updated my About page to include my sharewords. I think it works really nicely.
Thanks again to the smart folks at Radsmarts!
Jen
September 1, 2010 at 7:51 pm |
Excellent idea, Jen. Thank you.
September 2, 2010 at 9:57 am |
That’s great news Jen,
I am so glad you went through the sharewords process and it has appeared on your website. Amazing how a simple decision to try something out of your comfort zone can take down a totally new path.
I have really have enjoyed participating and observing your journey.
Tony
September 2, 2010 at 10:37 am |
Some people are just gems of a find on the internet. I mean, it’s not just anybody I’d trust to take that journey with! I include the people here in that category. A million thanks.
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