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In other words, they don’t spell words completely and accurately.  (4 represents for; u for you, etc.)

I’ve wondered how this will affect spelling in the future.  Will our youngsters cease to learn correct spelling?  Will adults forget correct spelling? Will this become the language of business?

I wrote about this on one of my other blogs, Will Texting Affect Children’s Spelling, and received a thought provoking comment regarding texting and business, especially as it applies to international business.

John’s comment in part:

Proper spelling will not matter in the future due to the rise of “Chinglish”.  International business is very common via email, blackberry, texting, and instant messenger. It would be considered highly rude and inappropriate to correct a Chinese or European coworker for grammar or spelling issues when English is not their first language. The same goes for correcting a VP who uses acronyms when communicating via blackberry. Since many people today, who work for the same company never meet each other in person or talk on the phone, it is rather presumptuous to assume that they were born in or are located in America or the UK…

 But the technicalities do not matter. The goal of any communication is to convey a message that the re cipient can understand and take action on. In business we can live with poor spelling and grammar, provided it enables us to add value. You would be hard pressed to find any investors who would put the business on hold to send everyone to English class so their reports and memos would be perfect.

I found this an interesting insight into the situation.  What do you think?

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• What information would prove helpful for you?
• Would you like to hear more about other home business?
• Do you need organizational tips?
• What types of promotional information would be helpful?
• What types of entrepreneurs would you like to hear about….young people, retirees, boomers, moms, just anyone?

Let me know how this blog can be most helpful for you.

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I’m not talking simply about how you talk to people on the phone.  I’m also referring to your constant use of the cell phone when you’re in public.

You’re representing your business when you’re outside your home, as well as in.  Your dress, your manner of treating people, your smile (even when you don’t think people are looking), and your actions reflect on your business.  When you’re in business, you “live in a glass house,” someone once told me.

• Do you constantly have a cell phone glued to your ear?
• Do you answer calls or text messages when you’re carrying on conversations with other people? 
• Do you continue talking on the cell phone when you’re in a store, ordering a meal, going through the check-out, discussing a service or driving your car?  Are these calls so important (occasionally there will be an emergency) that you must ignore other people or refrain from giving them (and your driving) your full attention?
• Are you looking at text messages and answering them when talking with other people?
• This frequently gives others the impression that if you tend to ignore the people around you for a cell phone call, you wouldn’t give them full attention if they came to your business.  The cell phone would take priority over the needs of your customers.

That’s my take.  What’s yours?

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One of my friends is doing this with her business and planning an Open House this weekend.  A number of her friends and acquaintances have said they will attend.  This gives her an opportunity to share with them the gift giving ideas she has available.

Ideas for a Holiday Open House:

• Set a specific time and plan it like a party.
• Set a more flexible time; for instance, from 2-5 or 7-9.
• Provide small giveaways and samples
• Plan refreshments, either from your products (if you sell food items) or simply festive treats.
• Give demonstrations of your products and gift giving ideas.
• Put together a gift basket idea, with suggestions from your products.

What do you do for an Open House in your business to promote holiday sales, or at other times of the year?

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Back in the 1970s, when I was doing quite a bit of painting and selling my work on consignment and commission, the economy went into a downward spiral and art sales were flat. Just at that time we had the Bicentennial celebrations in the U. S. and interest in quilts revived.  So I accidentally (that’s a whole other story) got into making and selling these.

As a result, a different aspect of my art/writing career opened up, and I’ve never gotten back to my painting and sketching except to illustrate a couple of my books. My friend’s success in selling her art through today’s methods has  inspired me to dig out my paintings. And I find I’m impressed! Could a Grandma Moses career be in the making?!!

I’ve been following my friend through e-mail, Facebook and Twitter (we live some distance apart so don’t chat in person).  I’m impressed with how she’s utilizing these methods, as well as eBay to promote and sell her art.

• When your art business is adversely affected by changes in the economy, by weather, by disasters, become creative and “think outside the box.”
• Learn about new methods for selling your work.
• Search how can you adapt to the times.
• Can you reproduce your art work into posters, postcards and notepaper?
• Check out what others are doing to promote art sales?

How do you increase your art sales in a poor economy?

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 When I see all the personal information people write there on social media and photos they post, I wonder if they realize how they appear to others.  Perhaps they don’t care.  But those words and photos could follow them for years.

Do your words and photos portray you as want the public to view you as a business person?

For instance, if you’re a beauty consultant, do you want to show pictures of yourself in grubbies and with no make-up.  That would be okay on a personal page that only select people can view.  But  what about your public and potential clients?  Yes, it makes you seem “real” and approachable, but will it also turn some people off?

If you’re a photographer, do you want to show your worst work, unless you’re presenting a “do” and “don’t” tutorial. 

If you have a daycare in your home, do you want to show  or tell about  your children doing something funny, but potentially dangerous…even if it’s at a time the daycare isn’t in session? 

If you’re building a business as a home decorator, do you want to show pictures of your home when messy?  Unless it’s a before and after. 

If you have a home business, what you write about your personal lives…and some people have very few restraints about their language and actions…reflects on your business.  Also, you may decide to start a business in the future.  Will some of that social media information pop up to haunt you?

You’re building your image wherever you are, in whatever you do, whether it’s in your hometown or online.  Consider how you want to represent yourself and your business.

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You often can’t predict what will happen, due to circumstances beyond your control.  However, there are some things that you can control that will help or hinder your success.  

I’ve been involved in fairs when I operated a quilting business and more recently fairs and book signings as an author.  I’ll share a few tips.  If you have strategies that worked for you, I invite you to share them.

• Arrange an attractive table/booth with simple, yet colorful displays.
• Offer hand-outs (people like something free).  These might include bookmarks, business cards, free pattern, a bio sheet about your business and you, information about your product, brochures.
• Be friendly and smile.  However, don’t be a pushy salesperson.  Some people like to chat, while others like to browse in silence.  Learn to read people and discover those who want to chat.
• Invite a friend to accompany you whom you can chat with.  Then customers can join in or not.  (This also enables you to have a break occasionally and someone to help with set-up.)
• Don’t talk about bad weather, poor crowds, lack of sales (if this occurs).  Make those who stop by feel good because they came your way.
• Demonstate or work on some aspect of your art or craft.  This often attracts people to your area.
• Dress appropriately for your audience.  Some authors dress in character or have a particular hat, necklace, vest, etc. that they wear depicting their craft. 

What has helped you have a successful craft fair?

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However, some of the realities present a different story.  Yes, it is possible, but very, very rarely do you achieve this immediately.  It requires working up to a substantial income, being diligent, productive, finding a popular topic and more.

A guest post, 5 Things to Know When Starting Your Blog, by Adrienne Carlson at Daily Blog Tips contains some great advice for bloggers who, wish to develop this type of writing into a career, or at least an income stream.  Adrienne helps your recognize the realities of blogging so you can set up a plan.

What have you learned about blogging?  Is it a career for you?  A hobby?  A way to promote your business?

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Dr. Jean Murray’s “Swipe” File Tip for Marketing Your Business

Are You “Taking Flight” with Your Home Business

Is Your Home Business Safe on Your Cell Phone?

Pets for Branding Your Business

Fun Promotional Tips from Author Janet Elaine Smith

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Many of us will encounter illnesses, disabilities, whether short term or long.  Jean’s was knee replacement surgery, and she’s looking at having the second knee done in November.  She should find her own tips helpful in preparing for this next surgery.

If you’ve encountered illness or surgery, how did you manage your business?

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