Why your sliding scale is failing and how to fix it
Most of our business is based on what I call “pay from the heart,” so I am very much in support of flexible pricing. However, there are places where it can really fail. And here’s one of the biggest reasons I see sliding scales fail. It can be a little embarrassing to see, but it’s […]
Protecting seedlings so your best ideas don’t die
Back in the spring, I had ten hazelnut seedlings that had been doing well, but I transplanted them too soon, and they all died. An idea that isn’t discussed very often is protecting new seedling ideas in your business, and not rushing to be public with them so quickly. Walk with me? https://youtu.be/AqLGLwS-0uc What do […]
Conditional Empathy + 3 podcasts
I’ve recently shown up on three different podcasts, which is fun. They are all so different, I wanted to share them in case they are helpful, fun… and, the hosts are each doing really good work.Each of these episodes was surprisingly vulnerable and touching in different ways. I’m grateful for how these folks hold space. […]
Why I got fierce on a coaching call
This past Thursday on the Learning Community coaching call, a member asked about prioritizing and too many projects. In my response, my wife Holly thought I had been too fierce on the call. She was worried that newer members might not know that I’m rarely like that, that I’m 95% of the time more gentle. I […]
Don’t network for clients
Today’s topic is a simple one, but an important reframe. It’s on the topic of networking in business, which I’ll be teaching in-depth within the Learning Community starting June 30. Here’s the simple reframe: don’t network for clients, network for referrals. That might be enough of an aha, in which case, you’re done! Go take a […]
Facing the polycrisis with your business
Although on my socials, and with friends, I’ve been talking about polycrisis for a long time now, I haven’t ventured too much into it in this email. Mostly because I’m not a climate expert, and it’s such a complex topic that I don’t know how to enter it without abandoning the business thread, and/or leaving […]
Don’t pull punches when you talk about your work
Quick reminder that later today I’m hosting Kendra Cunov to lead a “Boundaries in business” webinar – no cost, nothing for sale – that is surprisingly important, especially in these times. Today, June 3, 1:30pm-3pm eastern. Here: Boundaries in Business Now, about not pulling punches. In the Learning Community we were having a conversation about promoting […]
Boundaries and business
Boundaries are definitely something we’ve touched on at Heart of Business, and yet it’s not a topic I’ve delved into deeply. When it does come up, folks are worried that if they set boundaries, it will push away people they care about, including clients and others in their wider community. What if a client asks […]
How to keep your business from being a luxury
“Things are so hard for people now… is my business just a luxury that no one needs in these times?” A client was asking this, because they were wondering where the clients were. It’s a question I’ve heard more frequently lately, although I’ve been hearing versions of it for more than twenty years. There are, […]
What if you didn’t need the money?
A popular question in so-called “transformational” business circles is to ask, “What would you do if you didn’t need the money?” I understand the value of this question, and in a culture that is so single-mindedly extractive, it is really useful to break out of the “gotta earn money!” mindset. However, I don’t know how […]