Are You Aware of Subconscious Communication Tactics?

You and I are the hottest commodity on the market today. Between our time, energy, attention, and dollars, everyone wants a piece of us.

We’re inundated with information. Never in the history of the world has so much information been funneled to us as it is today on a near-constant basis.

Here’s something people don’t typically account for—how the information we consume interacts with and impacts our subconscious mind. We all need to be aware of this when consuming business and news media communication (and political communication, but that’s another post for another day) because advertising and public relations agencies are specialists in crafting messages that target the subconscious mind.

Before we get into that, you may be wondering—what is the subconscious mind? We have both a conscious and subconscious mind.

Our conscious mind is the part of us that’s actively aware of how we process information, our perceptions, and how we make decisions and make sense of the world. It’s 5-10 percent of our mind.

Our subconscious mind is the part of us that functions outside of our conscious awareness and is 90-95 percent of our mind. It contains our deepest-held belief systems, values, memories, and unresolved emotions, all of which influence our thoughts, perceptions, and behaviour without us realizing it.

The subconscious mind is highly symbolic and is programmed by repetition. It doesn’t know the difference between reality and non-reality. This is key when consuming business and news media communication for the following reasons:

Advertisements rely on symbols to create an emotional connection with customers and activate a reaction (e.g., fear of missing out leads to impulse buying).
Public relations campaigns develop key messages that are repeated to craft narratives that over time form views about people, events, and institutions.

As entrepreneurs, more than likely we’ve been taught subconscious tactics for interacting with our clientele. It’s not a bad thing per se, but one to be aware of, so we ensure our communications are aligned with integrity.

Here are a few key questions you’ll want to ask yourself for further reflection:

How might the business and news media communication I’m consuming impacting me and my behaviour?
How can I bring more awareness to the communication I’m consuming so that it supports my growth and success?
How can I ensure my communication with my clients is based in integrity and service?

Awareness is the first step to making the subconscious conscious. I recently led an event that dove into the details of subconscious tactics used in politics, business, and news media communications, which I invite you to check out here. May its insights and the information in this article help you navigate complex times in communication.

Submitted by:

Fazeena Haniff is a leadership and communication trainer, speaker, and coach. She applies a holistic approach to her teachings that gets clients looking at leadership and communication problems from unconventional angles that challenge the status quo. You can learn more about Fazeena at www.theconsciouscommunicator.ca or follow her @theconsciouscommunicator on Instagram.

May 2, 2023October 17, 2023

Employment and Non-Employment Work Relationships: Navigating the Complexities

As a startup or small business owner, it’s important to understand the complexities of the employment and non-employment work relationships that exist in Ontario. There are three main types of service contracts, each with its own unique characteristics and legal implications.

Independent Contractor Agreement

The first type of contract is the Contract for Service, also known as the Independent Contractor Agreement. In this type of relationship, the service provider is considered to be operating their own business and is not an employee of the company they are providing services for.

Additionally, independent contractors are responsible for their own equipment, employees, and financial risk, and have the opportunity to profit from their work. The company has limited control over the activities of the independent contractor and is not responsible for providing termination compensation or liable for torts committed by the independent contractor.

Employee Agreement

The second type of contract is the Contract of Service or Employee agreement. In this type of relationship, the service provider is considered to be an employee of the company they are providing services for. The company has complete control over the employee’s work hours, tools and equipment, work methods, and has the right to terminate their employment.

In the case of termination without cause, employees are entitled to statutory minimum notice of dismissal, reasonable notice of dismissal under common law, or pay in lieu of notice. The company also has the right to expect employees to act in good faith, avoid conflicts of interest, protect the company’s assets, and maintain the confidentiality of the company’s business information.

Dependent Contractor Agreement

The third type of contract is a hybrid of the first two, known as the Hybrid of Contract for Service and Contract of Service or Dependent Contractor agreement. This type of relationship is most commonly found with commissioned sales agents and professionals such as physiotherapists and chiropractors.

In this type of agreement, the service provider is economically dependent on the principal and may have limited control over their work. Dependent contractors are not considered employees but may be entitled to termination compensation if the contract does not address it.

Differentiating between these types of contracts can be difficult, but it is important for employers to make the distinction as it can have legal implications. For example, if an individual is considered an employee or dependent contractor, the employer may be held responsible for termination compensation and vicarious liability for any torts committed by that person.

Understanding the nature of these relationships is also critical in cases such as union certification applications before the Ontario Labour Relations Board and workers’ compensation claims. Employers must carefully examine the specific facts and circumstances of each case and seek guidance from an employment lawyer to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.

In summary, understanding the distinctions between independent contractors, employees, and dependent contractors is vital for employers navigating the complex landscape of work relationships. The implications of these distinctions extend to matters such as termination compensation, liability for civil wrongs, and workers’ compensation claims. By carefully examining the nature of these relationships and seeking guidance from an employment lawyer, employers can make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.

Submitted by:

Roberts Obradovic Law | admin@robertsobradovic.com | (647) 724-5179 | www.robertsobradovic.com

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July 19, 2022December 28, 2023

Hackers are Real: Are you Cybersecurity Ready?

By Michael Castro

As businesses grow more complex and interconnected, they need a robust cybersecurity posture. This is especially true in the fast-paced, digital world. A secure business can respond quickly to changes and protect its data from unauthorized access. Michael Castro, founder of Canadian-based cybersecurity firm, RiskAware, has led cyber security teams at some of Canada’s largest companies and currently provides Board of Director Security Consulting and virtual CISO services to a variety of organizations.

Here are Michael’s top five tips for business owners and executives to increase their cybersecurity benefits:

Protect Your Business Reputation

Your business has a reputation to protect. You need to make sure that your business is not the target of cybercriminals. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to steal sensitive information and target your company. To protect your business, you need to create a solid cybersecurity plan and implement it. Cybersecurity for business executives should have the ability to determine what their business needs to protect and implement a plan.

Better Website Security

A secure business website does not have a weak link in its cybersecurity chain. You need to make sure that your web server is protected and secure, and you must have an active firewall. A good firewall can protect against hackers, viruses, spyware, and other malicious attacks. A robust cybersecurity plan also needs to include a secure website.

Assists in Remote Working

Cybersecurity can be a challenge for businesses located out of the country. Many companies are based in foreign countries and rely on an international workforce. To maintain a secure working environment, you must have a robust cybersecurity plan in place. Your goal should include remote working policies and procedures. A safe business should also have a policy on how employees will be trained and vetted for access to sensitive information. The cybersecurity business importance, for business executives, is to ensure that their data is secure.

Enhanced Data Management

When you have a strong cybersecurity plan in place, you can ensure that your data is protected. You can also save your business information by implementing an excellent cybersecurity policy. Your business should also have a data handling policy and procedures. These policies will help to improve the organization’s ability to protect its sensitive information from hackers and unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity is a need for business executives who want to protect their company’s data and information. Cybersecurity is an essential aspect of your business, and you need to make sure that it is appropriately managed. To ensure that your cybersecurity plan is effective, you need to ensure that your information is protected from hackers and cybercriminals.

Ensure CEOs/owners understand the risks within their organization

The board of directors has a primary role in developing an organization’s risk management program and must be familiar with its operation and evolution. Risk management is identifying, quantifying, and controlling risks in a project or the entire organization. Projects that do not incorporate risk management are often at a higher risk of unsuccessful.

The Board ensures full awareness and comprehensive understanding of the risks within their organization. The necessary measures – such as policies, procedures, processes, and control mechanisms to address these risks – are in place. This is a crucial responsibility of the Board, and it is an area where many boards fall.

Submitted By:

Michael Castro, founder of Canadian-based cybersecurity firm, RiskAware | info@riskaware.io

June 29, 2022February 1, 2023

Four Steps For Entrepreneurs To Get Out Of Your Own Way!

A fixed mindset holds people back because they believe that their talents and abilities are set in stone, which limits their ability to learn and grow. In order to succeed, entrepreneurs need to overcome their own mindsets. On the other hand, a growth mindset recognizes that skills and talents can be developed through effort, practice, and learning from mistakes. This type of thinking is critical for entrepreneurs who want to achieve high levels of success.

“Be real. There is no bigger magnet to attract your ideal clients than your authentic self. – Puja Misra”

The first biggest barrier to business growth is a lack of confidence.

This can manifest itself in different ways, such as second-guessing yourself, not taking risks, or being too perfectionistic. However, all of these behaviors have one thing in common: they stem from a fear of failing. Instead of seeing failure as a setback, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. The only way to achieve great things is to embrace failure and adopt a growth mindset.

People with a growth mindset see obstacles as learning opportunities. They are not afraid of failure, because they know that it is only through trial and error that they will find success. They listen to their inner voice and intuition, trusting their gut instinct to guide them. And they are not afraid to take risks, because they know that this is how the big wins are made. This shift in thinking will open up new possibilities and help you reach your full potential.

The second barrier is personal brand reputation.

In today’s digital age, our personal brands are more important than ever before. And many entrepreneurs are so worried about what other people will think of them that they hold back from really putting themselves out there and lose out on an immense amount of opportunities. But the truth is that if you’re not actively working on your personal brand, you’re not going to get very far in business.

Additionally, always remember that you are your Brand and your personal brand reputation is an asset so don’t be afraid to promote yourself and your business.

The third barrier is brand marketing.

Building a brand, marketing and advertising is an important way for any business to reach new clients. Too often, entrepreneurs think that they can’t afford to invest in marketing, or that it’s not worth the effort. Reality is that without a strong brand presence and marketing strategy, your business will struggle to reach its potential and stand apart in a crowded marketplace… If you want to grow your business, you need to invest in branding and marketing.

The fourth Barrier is time management skills.

As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate. From sales and marketing to product development and customer service, there are a lot of moving parts to your business. And while it’s important to be involved in all aspects of your business, you can’t do everything yourself. That’s why time management skills are so important for entrepreneurs.

By learning how to manage your time effectively, you can free up more time to focus on brand strategy, business marketing, and other activities that will help grow your business. And when your business is growing, you’ll be able to show potential investors that you’re serious about making profits. In addition, good time management can help you to build a strong reputation for customer service and quality products or services.

Submitted by:

Puja Misra, the President of Zoom Into Life Studio. A creative branding agency helping businesses & entrepreneurs transform into Brands for over a decade. Proudly serving small businesses in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Mississauga, Toronto, and the Greater Toronto Area.

www.zoomintolife.com
puja@zoomintolife.com

June 27, 2022July 17, 2023

Reasons versus Excuses

What did I learn today as an entrepreneur?

Often, we offer a reason or excuse when something didn’t happen, or is not done.
First, let me start with my perception of the difference by defining each concept as I see it.
Excuse* – to me, this says, it was avoidable, and within our control to change the outcome.
Reason* – to me, this says, it was maybe not avoidable, but still within our control to change the outcome. Let’s look at Reasons versus Excuses.

*Disclaimer: I know and get there are other factors and circumstances where what I am sharing is NOT the case. Those instances are not what I am discussing in this article, but rather those situations where we have control of our decision-making processes involving our business.

Reasons versus Excuses

I want to pause us here and ask: Why is it we don’t spend as much energy on using a reason or excuse when something is successful, completed, or done? Is not the learning moment and evaluation of what led to the successes or accomplishments equally important as the time we invest in justifying why something did not happen or is not done?

When do we find ourselves articulating a reason or excuse?

Do we more often work on coming up with either of these when it comes to feeling the need to offer others one? Are we looking for empathy? Understanding? Justifying?

Do we in our own mind craft one for ourselves to make us feel better about the lack of a result?

I have finally come to the place where I won’t offer, volunteer, or blurb out a reason or excuse when something is not done, unaccomplished, or has not happened. It doesn’t change the fact! It doesn’t alter the outcome!

Don’t get me wrong – if I am asked, I will share my perception of why something has not gone as planned or has not occurred. Too often, however, I find the sharing of the reason or excuse is nothing more than providing myself or another party with the opportunity to play the ‘blame game’. This game does not, again, alter the outcome but boy how it can feed or deflate one’s ego! What are the differences between the words?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I do see the reason as being outside of our control happening, occurrence, and or the moment but that does not mean it has to dictate the outcome. We allow that. I see ‘reasons’ as being a problem and I try my best to live in a world where all problems have solutions. With this thought in mind when the reason appears, even outside of my control, I should be able to pivot around it and regain control to get the outcome I am needing.
Therefore, any reason and or excuse (for the most part) is not acceptable as to why something did not get done or occur.

I have started to phrase things differently. I feel this has been a huge moment in my personal and professional development, to be honest. I am at a place where I say (to myself), “This did not happen, and this is how I see it moving forward.” It takes the pressure from the disappointment and puts the focus on the forward movement. Movement is about finding a solution. That is powerful for both and all parties. Why linger on the “ugh” of what happened, or why it didn’t happen? Don’t we all just want to focus on the forward movement and momentum of how it is now going to take shape and occur?

Reason or excuse? Fact and movement? Let’s state the fact and get to the moving!

Submitted By:

Cheryl Clark of Clark Strategies | team@clarkstrategies.ca | www.clarkstrategies.ca

June 13, 2022July 17, 2023

Make A Lasting Impact

What did I learn today as an entrepreneur?

As business owners we drop the ball. As business owners we make mistakes. As business owners we screw up. As business owners our actions and our lack of actions has an impact. I intentionally put a period there after the word impact. Impact – PERIOD. This will not be a light and fluffy, heart-warming blog. This will be as real as it gets from many angles.

Recently I had a client trust me to do certain tasks for them. Without a lengthy list of excuses and reasons – I did not get the said tasks done.

In my mind, this has created a Tsunami.

Tsunami Definition: a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance. It can also be an arrival or occurrence of something in overwhelming quantities or amounts.

As business owners, we hear repeatedly the client is always right, and we need to see things from the client’s perspective. From the client’s perspective, it is quite possible my name is mud!

Now, I have not asked how they are feeling about my lack of performance, I have not reached out to take a poll or get the low down on how they are feeling. I have not asked about their frustration level and or anxiety level centered around their expectations being crushed. I have not asked.

Instead, I am assuming, and yes, I know what that word breaks down to be. In my assumptive state I am thinking they will blacklist me; talk to everyone they know about how horrid “I” am. See what I did there? How horrid “I” am rather than how horrid my service was! There is a difference.

So now I sit on an unfinished task, not communicating out of fear and waiting for the wave to hit me and leave me gasping for air. That is what I can articulate on one level. Yes, there are levels to this thing called business ownership. Level 1 completed – I am waiting for the wave.

Level 2 is being played out simultaneously. Level 2 looks something like this! I go to bed every night knowing I didn’t face the ‘task’ or ‘client’ and thinking tomorrow I WILL! I will make this as right as I can! Level 2 includes me waking up every morning carrying the weight of I must get this done and how in the world do I even make this right now?? At this level I find I am equipped with no free hands because they are busy picking up every piece of baggage I can manage to find to carry. The baggage of “I messed up”, “I failed”, “I disappointed someone”, “why do I do this?”, “who is going to do business with me now?”, “screw it”.

Crazy enough the point of this post is: Yes, care for your client and how they feel but, dang it, as a business owner be attentive to how you are feeling and handling things for your own mental peace of mind.

Failure is an event.
Disappointing one is not disappointing all.
Feelings change.
LET IT GO!
Stop carrying it.
Come to a place of peace.
I messed up and own it. I can’t fix it and own it. Move forward and OWN THAT forward movement.

Submitted By:

Cheryl Clark of Clark Strategies | team@clarkstrategies.ca | www.clarkstrategies.ca

June 6, 2022July 17, 2023

What I Wish I Knew When I Started This Journey

Have you just started your entrepreneurial journey? Let me share with you some lessons learned.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was attending my first networking event as a new entrepreneur, and on the drive there, I almost talked myself out of going.

Public speaking wasn’t new to me. Before starting my business, I had built an award-winning 15-year career in public relations and corporate communications. I advised, wrote for, and trained managers, senior executives, and politicians on communication.

But this was different. This was me talking about me. I had no idea how challenging that was going to be.

When my turn came to introduce myself and my business, I stumbled through my intro. I felt wholly inadequate as I compared myself to other entrepreneurs in the room. I admired those who appeared confident, clear, and who knew exactly how they served. I wanted to be like them.

That day served as a touchstone moment for me. It showed me how much I needed to learn to believe in myself and I didn’t yet know-how. It provided me with the opportunity to see that entrepreneurship was a journey of becoming – a journey that’s not talked about enough, and one which new entrepreneurs would benefit from learning more about.

You don’t know what you don’t know, right? Here are three lessons that flowed out of that day that I wish all new entrepreneurs knew:

No matter how awesome you were in your 9-5, entrepreneurship is a different beast. I don’t mean to scare you. The reality is in your 9-5 you had a specialized role. In your business especially at the beginning, you’ll wear many hats. Some you’ll master. Others you’ll need help with. You’ll learn. You’ll fail. You’ll get back up and adjust.
You’ll come face-to-face with feelings of inadequacy. “Not enough” and “not worthy” will show up a lot. Avoid believing these stories. A large part of the entrepreneurial journey is learning to let go of self-limiting thoughts and beliefs, and continuously moving forward with purpose.
You’re not alone. I developed relationships with entrepreneurs who were present at my first networking event. We talked about our challenges with growing confidence and learning what it meant to be an entrepreneur. We found comfort knowing we weren’t alone. There are many entrepreneur communities. Find yours and lean into them.

May these lessons serve you as they served me in the brave and fulfilling journey of entrepreneurship.

Submitted By:

Fazeena Haniff | CEO & Leadership Communication Coach | The Conscious Communicator hello@theconsciouscommunicator.ca | www.theconsciouscommunicator.ca

May 27, 2022July 17, 2023

Possessing the Radar For Opportunity

What did I learn today as an entrepreneur?

I learned that not everyone sees there is always a verb before the word opportunity.

Think about that for a minute.

We need to LOOK for opportunities.
We need to CREATE opportunities.
We need to GIVE or be GIVEN opportunities.
We need to TAKE opportunities.
We need to CAPITALIZE on opportunities.
We need to PASS on opportunities.
We need to USE opportunities.
We need to RECOGNIZE opportunities.

I am sure I am missing a few on my list here but I think you get where I am going with this. Opportunity and or opportunities always take work and or action on our part.

The famous Ann Landers wrote, “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” Her point has two aspects that ring so true for me. #1 – They are work; and #2 – They are disguised.

Opportunities do not just arrive and materialize into all we hope they will be. They do not self-install or work for us and our businesses, though they do seem to have a mind of their own. For some, opportunities will sit and wait forever – it seems; and for others, opportunities will be there when we are ready to receive them; and yet for still others, opportunities arrive and leave so quickly it is in hindsight that they recognize they were even there.

Another point on opportunities is often “you” don’t see what “I” see. This viewpoint goes two ways. You don’t see what I see for you, and I don’t see what you see for me. What do I mean by that? I believe there are a lot of factors to this point but to me, this says so loudly we should be pointing them out for one another and be open to seeing from one another’s perspective.

Another verb I should have added to the list above is ‘chasing’. I have been guilty of ‘chasing’ an opportunity only to find it is not within my reach and by reach, I mean capability, but yet, I have spun my wheels trying to take something I was not capable of holding onto and working effectively.

Not every opportunity is for us. Hardcore fact! This is my second favorite part of my thought process on opportunities. My first favorite part was the knowledge there is always action associated with opportunities. My second favorite part is we truly need to know where we are going, what we want to accomplish, and what our core goals and values are to determine what opportunities are meant for us! Not every opportunity is for us.

Be willing to do the action/verb for your forward movement and be a team player. Keep an eye out for fellow business owners. I, we, they need your perspective at times and community is so valuable for just that – perspectives around opportunities.

Submitted By:

Cheryl Clark of Clark Strategies | team@clarkstrategies.ca | www.clarkstrategies.ca

May 19, 2022July 17, 2023

“Validation” a Game Changer?

What did I learn today as an entrepreneur?

I learned a long time ago that we are in the ‘People Validation’ business. Recent events had me reflect on just how this knowledge is not common, nor are the benefits of operating from this perspective well known.

It does not matter what product or service you monetize on, you are in the ‘People Validation’ business. I intentionally use the word monetize and not the word sells, and in another blog I will explain why!

I think at times we get it backward as business owners. We think it’s “Us” that needs to be seen and heard. Now don’t get me wrong I love a good marketing campaign! I love businesses putting out content. Again, note my choice of word ‘content’ – not sales pitches.

I see content as being educational pieces, creating awareness, providing opportunities that lead to sales, sharing accolades and accomplishments, and branding one’s self as an expert – I love seeing it all. We shine when we show up like that! If this is how you are showing up – KUDOS! If it is not how you are showing up, please keep reading.

Stick with me here.

You can show up for yourself and your business and do so in a way that others will feel seen, heard, and validated. You know those posts that share how you served another, the posts that share a pain point and how you may be able to help others, the posts that share you doing something online or in your real community – you are showing up, but others are also feeling the ‘love’, the validation. It’s not just about you.

Recently I sent out a series of emails to a group of business owners in my circle. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? 44 emails in total. 44 emails sharing news and positives for the receiver and in some cases information that was requested. All these sent emails equaled 4 replies in my inbox, validating the content I sent, and sharing how it was received. Now, don’t get me wrong I do not need the validation, it is what it is … however, it made me pause and think about Validation.

How many emails do you receive in a day? Newsletters? Informational content? Opportunities for connection? Alerts? A few, I am sure.

Who are the folks sending emails to you? Fellow business owners, clients, friends, or, strangers not yet friends?

How about seeing those who are sending emails as referral partners, potential collaborators, cheerleaders, supports, encouragers, teachers, mentors, or someone who will be instrumental in your business growth – think they warrant a few seconds of your time to share a ‘Thank you’, ‘I appreciate your email’, ‘Email received and read’, ‘Appreciate your time in sending this’, or maybe, ‘Loved your point in this email’.

The ripple effect is:
#1 – they feel heard and seen – THEY FEEL VALIDATED! The warm fuzzy! The positive vibes! And when people feel good, they keep coming back for that feeling.

You are in the people validation business. See that as your main role and the rest will fall into place!

Submitted By:

Cheryl Clark of Clark Strategies | team@clarkstrategies.ca | www.clarkstrategies.ca

February 24, 2021February 22, 2023

Personal Vs Business Expenses: A Key Decision

A very important decision that small business owners regularly have to make is whether an expense should be considered a business expense or personal expense. This is a very important topic and can have a large impact on businesses when they come under scrutiny during a CRA review or audit. Many businesses do not have set guidelines or policies on making these decisions and owners often have to use their personal judgement when evaluating whether an expense is business or personal in nature. The CRA has very specific guidelines on criteria that businesses should consider when making these decisions.

The most important criteria would be whether the expense was incurred to earn income for the business. This is a very straightforward way of considering whether or not the expense is related to business activities. The logic is that the expenditure was necessary and vital to business activities. Using this metric will ensure that business owners will minimize their exposure by accidentally expensing items of a personal nature.

During a review or audit the CRA will review the general ledger and, should expenses appear that are out of the norm for the business’ core activity, ask why the expense was claimed. Failure to provide a good and clean answer will often result in the CRA agent digging deeper into the books and records of the company and will likely result in an unfavourable outcome for the business.

The importance of separating business and personal expenses appropriately cannot be overstated. If business owners use the criteria mentioned above, they will minimize their risk of having expenses disallowed during a CRA review or audit. If the CRA investigates and finds a large volume of personal expenses, not only will they be disallowed but the entity may be subject to non-deductible penalties and interest, and those responsible may have other legal consequences including further audits of the shareholders’ personal affairs.

Remember, if the expense was incurred by the business to earn revenue for the business, it is allowable. If it is at all questionable, professional advice should be sought or it should be considered personal in nature.

Submitted By:

Jonathan Carter, CPA, CMA | KATA Accounting Solutions Professional Corporation | (800)491-4803 | contact@kataaccounting.com | www.kataaccounting.com

December 17, 2020February 22, 2023

The Most Powerful Marketing Tool You’ll Ever Need!

Adriene Mishler is the producer and host of Yoga with Adriene. She dominates the online yoga space with over 8.53 million YouTube subscribers.

She is called the ‘People’s Yogi’.

But,

It wasn’t always like this.

Back in 2012 when Adriene got introduced to the online space and started uploading weekly yoga video content to her YouTube channel, little did she know that by 2020 she would have built a very successful business and an online global community of over 8 million people.

What was her secret?

The MOST powerful tool you can have in your marketing toolbox.

Consistency.

By sharing free high-quality yoga content on her channel every single week for over eight years she eventually became the online Go-To yoga instructor she is today.

Adriene is quick to point out that she was NOT an instant sensation.

For three solid years, she consistently uploaded weekly yoga videos – that’s 156 videos- with no love in return.

What she got instead were crickets.

Silence.

No subscribers.

Zero engagement.

When she eventually reached 100 subscribers, it was a moment of great jubilation.

Undaunted, Adriene stayed committed and consistently upload high-quality yoga videos every single week without missing a beat until she got to the tipping point, three years later.

That’s well over 600 videos in eight (8) years. Impressive!

Seth Godin Too

This level of discipline and consistency also reminds me of my personal marketing hero – Seth Godin, one of the world’s leading marketers, and Mr. Purple Cow himself.

If you subscribe to Seth’s newsletter, you’ll get an email EVERY SINGLE DAY, bar none. I mean 365 days of the year.

I guess that’s why he is worth millions.

So, it bears repeating.

CONSISTENCY is the MOST powerful marketing tool you’ll ever possess.

And, it’s FREE.

By harnessing the power of consistency, you outcompete, outsmart and outsell your competitors even if they are more talented and have more resources.

Consistency doesn’t mean you are always winning; what it means is that you are always taking action and moving one step closer to your goals.

Here is the flip side, inconsistency makes you stale, out of touch, and out of mind.

Just imagine if Adriene had thrown up her hands in despair during those three barren years when nothing seemed to have been happening.

What if she got frustrated and exited YouTube altogether? She would have missed the huge wins she now enjoys.

How about Joe Girard?

Considered a marketing genius and title holder of the World’s Greatest Salesman (conferred by the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records), Joe Girard sold a whopping 13,001 vehicles over the span of 15 years,

Joe was a car salesman at a Chevrolet dealership in the United States between 1963 and 1978.

In 1973 alone he sold 1,425 vehicles; an average of 127 per month or 32 per week.

In his best month, he sold 174 vehicles, and on his best day 18.

Let those numbers sink in for a bit.

Did Joe sell to the rich and famous?

Nope.

Did he sell wholesale or in bulk?

Nope.

He sold the old-fashioned way. One vehicle at a time.

Amazing! Right?

Are you wondering how could ordinary Joe accomplish such an extraordinary feat?

The secret to his mega-success?

Maybe he had a large team.

Maybe he had a HUGE network.

Maybe he wooed prospects with expensive gifts.

None of that was true.

For sure, he worked hard and was likable – so were his peers.

But what did he do that was so superior that propelled him to a league of his own?

He harnessed his marketing superpower. The power of consistency.

For 10 years, month after month.

Year after year.

Joe stayed top of mind without missing a beat.

Joe’s extraordinary system

Here is what Joe did extraordinarily well:

Every month he would send a personalized greeting card to his entire customer list
At the beginning of the new year (in January) he would send a card saying: “I like you”
Every February for Valentine’s Day he would send a card saying: “I like you.

Just imagine the time and labour it took to send out 13,000 cards to his customers each month.

Eventually, Joe had to hire an assistant.

Every card was handwritten, addressed, and sent through the postal system.

Joe was so successful that eventually, customers had to book an appointment in advance to see him.

His sales pipeline overflowed while other sales associates paced back and forth, praying and hoping for foot traffic.

What if:

Adriene had given up in frustration after three barren years when nothing was happening?

What if she had exited YouTube altogether?

She would have missed the huge wins she now experiences.

Would Seth have become a multi-millionaire and be recognized as one of the world’s top marketing influencers?

Would Joe have been awarded the prestigious title of World’s Greatest Salesman if they decided to throw in the towel when the going got rough and tough?

What if this group of standouts got up one day and ‘didn’t’ feel like it’ or got so ‘busy’ they slacked off or caved to someone who ticked them off?

You see, this is what truly separates the mediocre from the extraordinary.

Staying focused and remaining consistent with your marketing.

How about you? Share your thoughts.

Submitted By:

_{Dorothy Vernon-Brown helps business owners and entrepreneurs grab attention, convert leads faster and scale more quickly by using a proven end-to-end digital automation solution. She is the owner of AKB² Small Business Marketing}

December 16, 2020April 8, 2022

Dimensions of Modern Accounting

pensive female worker choosing folder with documents in modern office

Accounting as a discipline has evolved over a period of centuries. In the initial phase, it was thought to be restricted to mere bookkeeping or record-keeping of business transactions. However, gradually the importance of numbers contained in the accounting records of businesses became prominent and experts started generating a variety of reports to assist businesses to make informed decisions. In modern times accounting has thoroughly integrated with information technology to transform itself into a real-time information-based system that serves the needs of a variety of stakeholder groups interested in making an objective assessment of the financial health of a business. However, it is pathetic to know that majority of small businesses still regard accounting as mere bookkeeping and thus they remain oblivion to many of the benefits that modern accounting can render to enable them to make informed decisions.

Since the owner is the primary beneficiary of a business, therefore, it is imperative that he or she must take accounting as an essential support system to monitor the performance of the business from a variety of perspectives. Some of the key dimensions of modern accounting that are ironically ignored by owners of small businesses include the following.

Price setting of your products and services

The majority of small businesses set the prices of their products and services by following a rule of thumb approach or based on gut feeling. However, this is a naïve approach to price setting. Unless a business knows about its costs and their classification into fixed or variable components, a sustainable pricing policy cannot be adopted. Since price is a critical factor in generating sales, therefore, it must be viewed from a strategic or long-term perspective, which is not possible without analyzing the business’s cost structure. A variety of accounting methodologies, such as activity-based costing, marginal costing, absorption costing, and breakeven analysis may be used to determine a realistic pricing policy that ensures long-term growth in sales and profitability.

Proper understanding of profitability and liquidity of a business

For the majority of small businesses, profitability is the key determinant of the success of their business. However, it must be understood that profitability alone is not a guarantee that a business may survive in the long term unless its liquidity or solvency position remains intact. Profitability is the outcome of matching business expenses and receipts, while liquidity focuses on cash generation and the spending capacity of a business. Since cash is the king, therefore, a business with a strong liquidity base is more likely to survive in the long term than a business that merely generates more profits by relying on overtrading.

Knowing about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of a business

For many small businesses, the only KPI is the overall profitability of a business. However, if a business is asked how that profitability has arrived, they remain clueless about the factors that are responsible for the profitability or losses of a business. These factors may include classifying business expenses as avoidable and unavoidable, fixed and variable, marginal and incremental; and classifying sales of products and services as profitable and loss-making, stagnant and exponential, retrograde and progressive, etc. By developing and monitoring KPIs that focus on critical factors impacting a business, a successful business strategy may be developed that ensures long-term profitability and growth in the net worth of a business.

Tax impact of capital and revenue expenses:

A proper understating of the tax impact of capital and revenue expenses is vital to arrive at an accurate profitability figure. Many small businesses wrongly classify certain capital expenses as revenue expenses and vice versa. Consequently, the profitability figure may show erratic patterns and the tax liability of a business may be miscalculated.

Real time accounting systems:

Many small businesses keep their record in a conventional manner. However, nowadays many bookkeeping software are available in the market that may be used to develop a real-time-based accounting system that can be connected with spreadsheets for financial analysis.

Submitted by:

Baqar Bhatti LLB, CPA, CMA, CGMA | CEO & Owner of Panacea at Zenith | 289-952-3494 | accountants@pazca.com | www.pazca.com

November 27, 2020April 8, 2022

10 Essential Tasks for Year End

The year is quickly coming to a close, and many businesses are well underway with their Q4 prep. This is a crucial time to get organized, so you don’t miss an important item on your to-do list. To help you close the year off strong and start the new year off on a good foot, make sure to add these items to your list to tackle before year end.

1. Meet with your accountant or bookkeeper

Meeting with your accountant or bookkeeper prepares you well for the coming tax season and allows you to be proactive with your finances in the new year. Avoid the stress and headache of scrambling for receipts when tax time comes around. Use the meeting to ask questions, get organized, and create a system that will ease the overwhelm of bookkeeping.

2. Record all transactions

Make sure that all transactions up to the year-end date have been recorded, including unpaid bills and invoices. This is a good time to gather all of your receipts and get organized. The length of time this takes will depend on how organized you’ve been during the year.

If you’re finding that this step becomes overwhelming, speak to your accountant or bookkeeper about creating a system that will help you stay organized and maintain your books throughout the year. Take advantage of modern software and apps to easily store your supporting documents.

3. Do a bank reconciliation

It’s important to make sure that the transactions you’ve recorded match what’s on your bank and credit card statements. Quickbooks Online makes bank reconciliations much easier. Speak with your bookkeeper about this process.

4. Review your financial statements

This includes your income statement and balance sheet. You want to look for items that stand out to you or don’t make sense, including balances that seem too high or too low, large differences in balances from the previous year, and mistakes that you can correct before handing them to your accountant.

5. Check accounts receivable

Look through your list of invoices and investigate any that are outstanding. You’ll want to regularly go through your accounts receivable throughout the year to make sure that you are being paid.

6. Check accounts payable

Go through each item in your aged payables report and pay any late bills. Recording all of your appropriate expenses helps reduce your tax bill.

7. Check your inventory

Record what you have in stock and identify what sold and what didn’t this year. If your business only offers services, determine which services sold and what didn’t. This is a great way to establish a strategy for the coming year and focus on items in demand and discontinue the ones that don’t produce an adequate ROI.

8. Prepare your tax documents

You can either prepare your income tax yourself or send over the documents to your accountant. A cloud-based accounting software like Quickbooks Online allows your accountant to access your business records online, making for a more streamlined and efficient process.

9. Plan for the new year

Once you’ve completed all of the necessary financial tasks and laid the groundwork for the coming year, you’re ready to strategize and build a solid plan for the new year. Whether it’s a goal to hit a certain number in sales, hiring for a new position, or strategizing a way that you can have more downtime, it’s essential to have a target to aim for. Be sure that your goals line up with your long-term objectives and that they are moving the needle for your business.

10. Take time to reflect

Often, business owners become immersed in the business’s day-to-day operations that the bigger picture takes a back seat. Going through the year-end checklist not only gives you a view of where your business is at, but it also gives you the opportunity to reflect – a critical piece of the puzzle when running a business.

Did you achieve the goals that you set out at the beginning of the year? Is your business providing you with the time, income, and joy that you had hoped for? Are you enjoying being a business owner? Taking the time to look back at all of what’s happened through the year helps you slow down and make the right decisions so you can hit the ground running in the new year.

Submitted By:

Sal Rezai – Cloud Accounting Specialist, Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisor & QuickBooks Training Advisor and Founder at: www.accountingbysal.ca | info@accountingbysal.ca

November 18, 2020April 25, 2024

How Dark Is The Dark Web?

The dark web probably isn’t something you’re thinking about while checking your inbox in the morning. Most of us will only ever access a fraction of the surface-level web content our browsers show us. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be aware of the dark web and its role in data theft.

In this article, we are going to demystify the dark web. We’ll be exploring what the dark web is and what you can do to keep your data safe from bad actors within this hidden part of the web.

What is the dark web?

Imagine mapping out a city. On the surface, you would have a widely available street map that could get you to most public places. However, the city also consists of private buildings, service tunnels, sewers, and routes that aren’t readily accessible. The deeper layers of the web are essentially like these restricted areas.

The dark web is a large but hidden part of the web. It is accessible by using a special browser and other tools. It and the deep web make up most of the web’s content, even though they are not nearly as accessible as what we see every day.

Are the dark web and deep web separate entities?

The deep web is simply the part of the web that isn’t accessible through regular browsers. The deep web consists mostly of private networks. The dark web exists within the deep web and has a broader user base.

Why do people use the dark web?

The dark web offers its users anonymity. Anybody looking to communicate without surveillance can use the dark web. This user base can span from people exploring socially taboo subjects to those dealing in illegal activities.

Why should I be concerned?

Dark web users aren’t all up to the illegal or unethical activity. However, the dark web is a significant facilitator of identity theft. Credit card numbers, user credentials, and a plethora of other sensitive information are traded on the dark web every day. This poses a serious security concern for everyday web users and organizations alike.

How can they get my information?

We live in a digital age. Chances are, you’ve provided some personal information to an e-commerce site, social networking site, or a credit reporting agency at some point.

Your workplace is no different. Chances are that employees will provide some of their sensitive information to third parties your organization deals with. Your organization also has a significant amount of its own sensitive data it needs to protect.

Third-party companies can become tempting targets for security breaches. These breaches can result in large amounts of sensitive data being stolen.

Even if you deactivate your accounts or leave a job, the data you leave behind can be compromised. Proactively securing your personal information is the best way to protect against these threats.

Where does the dark web come in?

While hackers can be recruited on the dark web, your biggest concern is on the other end of the process. As we’ve discussed, the dark web is an ideal platform for illicit transactions. If your data is going to be sold, it will likely be done on the dark web.

Is there anything I can do?

Aside from following cybersecurity best practices, there are services like Dark Web ID and Norton LifeLock. These services scan the dark web for your personal information and notify you if you’ve been compromised. From here, you can take steps to protect yourself, depending on what was stolen.

Submitted By:

Jonathan Bullock of BlockIT, an Ontario, Canada-based company that offers Managed IT Services and Cyber Security Consulting | www.brock-it.ca | 613.499.9960 or 1.833.BROCK.IT | sales@brock-it.ca.

April 30, 2020August 7, 2024

A Leader’s Journey

What does management actually mean? Does it automatically make you a good leader? I mean just because you are gifted at what you do, doesn’t mean you will be able to step into your boss’s shoes, does it?

“Congratulations, you are hired!” …words we all long to hear when we take a chance and apply for a job, that we are confident we are skilled at.

We work so hard to become great at a skill or an ability that makes us invaluable to others.

For many of us, our growth goals are synonymous with getting some form of promotion and a dream would be just becoming part of the coveted management team, which often means higher bonuses, company shares, maybe an office and ultimately a better connection with fellow C-Suite.

But what does management actually mean? Does it automatically make you a good leader? I mean just because you are gifted at what you do, doesn’t mean you will be able to step into your boss’s shoes, does it?

The part most fail to realize, in their leadership dream, is that becoming part of management doesn’t translate to you being a great leader, but it’s something you work at and learn over time in steering the course of an organization and its people.

Managing a team, whether big or small requires the ability to be able to step back and let others take the lead in their tasks, see the big picture, and, most importantly, become the coach and mentor on a regular basis for those who now look to you.

More often than not, many newly appointed leaders often end up more insecure and frustrated because of the spotlight on them from both above and their direct reports below. It’s so important to recognize that it takes time to develop your own leadership style and it will not be the same as someone else.

As you transition into a leadership role, you have to shift your focus from doing the job to coaching others to do the job, from looking up to others to being looked up to. The reason you are now leading a team is because of your expertise and how you chose to transfer your knowledge is what can define your leadership style

In my experience, there are a few important factors that any leader must always remember.

✔️ Trust in your team’s ability to do their job, until they prove you otherwise.

I have come across many leaders who either can’t let go or just feel they can do a better job. What they don’t realize is that this undermines their staff and destroys confidence, which is a basic need for any individual. Stepping back to allow another to shine and recognizing their achievement has a lot more mileage than just taking over.

✔️ Seek opportunities to coach your team as often as possible.

Both positive and negative experiences are great opportunities to reinforce the business strategy and goals. Frequent team meetings or just checking in with individuals is a proactive approach to make sure the ship is on course.

✔️ Make sure you adhere to and continuously evaluate your processes, as they are your checks and balances.

The appropriate controls in place give your team the autonomy to operate within their boundaries. Your team should always be clear on when to escalate or communicate potential situations, good or bad. As a leader, your role involves recognizing industry trends, evaluating strategy and seeking new opportunities to ensure your organization continues to grow, rather than micromanaging day to day activities. The right checks and balances is a combination of clear processes and procedures, coupled with regular evaluation and communication.

✔️ Recognize effort and forgive blunders.

Now the latter is very situation-specific, as some costly mistakes have no recourse but regardless of the result, use the situation as an opportunity to coach your team to prevent re-occurrence.

I have worked in many environments where extreme or negative reactions have become a part of the culture and a poor reflection on the organization as a whole. Good or bad situations happen all the time, the key to handling it is our reaction. As a leader, a negative reaction and resulting actions can prove more costly than the blunder itself. Not only are your direct reports watching you but so are your peers and other leaders. To me, a good leader is a combination of expertise, ability and being a good coach. A leader should always be open to seeking coaching and mentoring themselves and recognize when they need to brush up on their own skills.

Submitted By:

Ritu Kohli-Sethi, Managing Director at Greater Toronto Executive Centre. Ritu has over two decades of experience in operations, marketing, and business development. Married and a proud mama of two, Ritu enjoys writing about her professional and personal life experiences. For more articles by Ritu you may visit her blog.

“Forget race, forget gender, forget religion, and become a human my friend. Become a human above everything else, and all great things shall follow.” Abhijit Naskar