Monthly Archives: November 2010

So Much To Be Thankful For

Posted by

November 24, 2010 | 3:31 pm

On this eve of Thanksgiving 2010, marketing guru Seth Godin gave me this list to ponder of REASONS WHY WE WORK:

  1. For the money
  2. To be challenged
  3. For the pleasure/calling of doing the work
  4. For the impact it makes on the world
  5. For the reputation you build in the community
  6. To solve interesting problems
  7. To be part of a group and to experience the mission
  8. To be appreciated

Godin challenges us to consider how really important #1 is when what really ignites the passion in our souls are #2-8. Which brings me to more reasons why I’m thankful. (Of course family and friends, good health, pets I adore and a really nice little life…are all things for which I am ever grateful.) But I own this small company—Fixation Marketing—and I know how fortunate I am to have it and share it with a dedicated and caring staff. We are continually challenged to learn more and do better work. We solve interesting problems each day. I’d like to think we’ve built a nice reputation in the community. It is a priority for the company to give back to the community and we do so through our volunteer and pro bono work. We appreciate our clients and we love to be appreciated. And for all that, I am happy to come to work every morning. And I know that’s a gift. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

Categories: Fixation in the Community | 1,150 views No Comments

Go Ahead, Make Someone’s Day. Pretty Please.

Posted by

November 5, 2010 | 12:38 pm

This weekend at my daughter’s soccer game, I sat down next to a commercial builder and a lawyer who were in the middle of a somber conversation about business. For the most part, things were looking up—new clients, new projects, an uptick in billable activities. However, we all agreed that basic civility has taken a big hit. I’ve been wondering ever since—why is it so hard to be nice anymore?

I believe stress and fear have a lot to do with it. A segment on this week’s Today Show supports this idea and also suggests that our growing disengagement from face-to-face communication is part of the problem. Everyone has learned to do more with less in this recession. The problem is that less staff, less budget and less resources also mean less profit, less time and less fun. The people who are lucky enough to have their jobs have to work twice as hard and the bottom line—and holding on to business—has become the driving factor in how we behave. We are distracted and harried. For most of us, though, the majority of our waking hours are spent at work and those work relationships can either make or break our days.

I am hopeful that a new trend will start. A sincere compliment, some genuine gratitude and a smile really do go a long way. We should all try to practice random acts of kindness toward one another. Surprise your colleague with their favorite Starbucks drink; offer some unsolicited positive feedback and stop there; pick up the phone and have a conversation instead of exchanging cryptic two-word emails; say thank you at the end of a long day. It is really not that hard to do.

Categories: Communication | 1,088 views No Comments

Saying Goodbye

Posted by

November 2, 2010 | 9:03 am

The recession is slowly ebbing. How do I know this? Because in the past few weeks, two of our favorite clients announced they are moving to new jobs and a long-time employee of Fixation shared his decision to follow his heart and move to the Big Apple. The news was stunning as I realized how long it’s been since I’ve heard much about anyone leaving jobs (of their own volition).

Like most people, I’m not crazy about change. When things shake up in a client’s organization, for example, it can, at least for awhile, make things a little shaky for the marketing firm. And, on a personal note, I really hate losing touch with someone I care about and is beloved by our clients. But at times like this, I try to embrace change for all the good that it can bring: new opportunities, new perspectives, new energy, new relationships. I recognize that an organization can become stagnant with no staff turnover, and movement, from time to time, is a positive thing. But breaking up is hard to do, even if it’s healthy for all of us in the end.

Categories: Fixation in the Community | 993 views No Comments