Articles Tagged with: life
Home / Blog Archives
February 8, 2018
Why Your Story Matters in Business

Many years ago Dave, my college instructor and mentor when I worked in the Correctional System, said, “Stories connect people.” This was 1984 and this mentor moment has become one of the foundations of my life and business.

I quickly learned in my first week of working on the violent offenders unit that everyone has a story. These stories give us insight into a person’s life and his/her choices and help us connect in a way that can transform lives and pave new futures.  

Jerry, an inmate who had spent more of his life on the inside of the bars than the outside, was an incredible artist. This inmate was verbally abusive and physically aggressive to staff and other inmates. Shifts on his cell block unit were ones I did not look forward to.

One afternoon, I noticed him sketching on the back of a napkin. His art was compelling, emotive, and told a story… a story that told a different side to Jerry. This drawing (and many others) became the door to building trust and respect with Jerry. It also became the outlet for him to deal with the issues that led to him spending half a lifetime in jail. It is a strange lesson that to learn peace he had to go to prison.

I kept that nugget about “stories connect people” front of mind many years later when I opened my own dispute resolution company.

As a mediator, I again discovered that stories help build understanding between people in conflict, and stories also became the bridge to some of the most difficult relationship building processes. Stories connected people. While they may see the world differently and their life experiences are nowhere close to similar, there are always touch points in stories where people connect.  

Fast forward to Raise a Dream, a business I co-founded with serial entrepreneur Rebecca Kirstein. Every day, we see in the work we do with entrepreneurs and our programs that stories connect the audience.

Stories are also what connect entrepreneurs to sponsors. When corporate sponsors are considering backing a project, it is the story behind why you do what you do that helps build a more meaningful (and often more immediate) connection with the sponsor.

As you meet people through your business, at networking events, etc. remember that stories connect people.  

Charmaine Hammond, Raise a Dream

www.raiseadream.com

January 15, 2018
Picking Up The Pieces When Collaboration Goes Sideways

Collaboration in business can be one of the best decisions you make.

Collaborating with the right champions and partners can advance your business, make it scalable faster, increase your reach and influence, and help you make a bigger impact or difference in the world.

At Raise a Dream, Rebecca and I hear success stories all the time from entrepreneurs who found the right partners and sponsors to collaborate with and where the results could never have been achieved on their own. These successes typically include collaborations where a relationship and trust has been built and nurtured, communication is strong, and where there is a shared vision and agreement about how the partners (and collaboration) will work together.

Sadly, we hear lots of stories on the opposite end of the spectrum… collaborations gone sideways or… worse, fallen apart. Perhaps what saddens us the most in hearing these stories is that relationships were often destroyed and a business suffers, which means the entrepreneurs suffer (and so does their family and the impact they want want to make in the world).

The Right Approach to Collaboration:  

Here are some suggestions from Rebecca and I about how to build collaborations right from the start so there are no pieces to pick up.

  1. Choose the right partners. Your best partner may not be your best friend; it may be someone you have never met but with whom you have the same vision and complementary strengths. This was the case with Rebecca and I and how Raise a Dream was formed. Our business coach knew us both and connected us. The rest is an amazing history (or do we say HERstory)!
  2. Have a plan and ink the plan. Collaborations typically result in high level energy, inspiring ideas, and a big vision. Ensure you work together to create the vision and plan, highlight the priorities, and monitor the plan as you go.
  3. Communicate clearly. Communicate often. Communication is one of the most common reasons that collaborations fall apart. Assumptions get made or communication is missed completely.    
  4. Have collaboration partner meetings. There is a tendency to get caught up and swept away by the details and the many tasks involved in running a business and launching a collaborative dream. Ensure you take time to meet not only about the urgent and emergent needs, but also for long-term future planning.
  5. Build FUN into the agreement. This was one of the priorities that Rebecca and I agreed on from the onset. Now that doesn’t mean all tasks and every step of the business path is fun, but it is important to make sure that the process brings some joy, satisfaction, and FUN!
  6. Learn from others. Watch how other businesses and collaborations work. Consider what the partners are doing to work together and explore where these attributes can assist you with your collaborative endeavours.
  7. Do “Review and Learn” processes. As your business and collaboration grows, ensure you take time to conduct “Review and Learn” processes (e.g. after a launch, an event, etc.). The questions that we use are a) What worked well? b) What was a challenge? c) What did you/we learn? And d) what will we/I do differently next time?

Remember, it takes teamwork to make the dream work!

As you build your collaborations, remember to choose the right partners, agree on the vision, create a plan (and review it regularly), communicate effectively and often, and nurture the relationship… all at the same time as you are having some fun!

Charmaine Hammond and Rebecca Kirstein, Raise a Dream

www.raiseadream.com

November 2, 2017
A Day in the Life of Women Serving in the Canadian Navy

I grew up in a military family. My Dad proudly served in the Canadian Air Force for 25 years. This career gave him an expertise, and our family a stable paycheck. Yes, we moved a lot but new schools aside, I loved our life.
It was probably hardest on my mom as she had to pack us all up, leave the house so clean that the floors gleamed, (yes, we had a military inspection), and then help us all to adjust to new communities. Being a kid, it never occurred to me that she also left friends and great jobs behind. Society dictated that she be a good wife. Mom never let on if she felt resentful. She supported Dad’s career with an attitude of ‘here we go, off on another adventure.’ I am grateful to her.
 

 
On July 5th, I had the amazing opportunity to experience life on board the HMSC Regina as part of Women Leaders at Sea. When the invitation popped into my email box, I couldn’t respond fast enough! This would give me an opportunity to see our modern military in action, and introduce us to the changed role of women serving our country.
 
Women are now serving equally alongside men in battle, flying rescue helicopters, or posted to positions in the submarine service and navel ships. By spending the day at sea with VIP’s such as Rear Admiral Art McDonald, Commodore Marta Mulkins, and Honourary Colonel Diane McCurdy, the day gave myself and 100 other professional women the opportunity to see both women and men contribute equally in day-to-day working operations of the ship.
 

 
In addition to traditional roles such as medicine, we were introduced to women serving as Engineers, Fire Fighters, Gun Operators, and Military Tacticians. The culture on board the ship was that everyone is equal, with each person playing a part in the safety and security of the ship, along with their team members. We were given tours of the numerous departments of the ship, and experienced how the modern-day military fights, but more importantly, protects and defends. Canadians should be proud that we still encourage our military to serve as peacekeepers.
 

 
I am grateful to the Women Leaders at Sea day with the Canadian Navy. It gave me lessons that translate to my business. We saw the navy demonstrate team building and negotiation skills, create a positive and respectful workplace, train in non-traditional careers, and best of all, actively support the belief that women can do any job. It validated that we just need to be given the opportunity, then trained and supported in our roles.
After an amazing day at sea, I now know that there really is, “No life like it!”

October 24, 2017
Retro-Chic Enthusiast & Honorary Captain: Mandy Farmer

Where did the inspiration for retro chic Hotel Zed come from?
 
As a business traveler on the road I was always amazed at how boring hotels could be… where was the fun?! On those trips I started dreaming up ideas as to how to transform a hotel into a completely unordinary experience. I coupled this with a love of mid century modernism and Hotel Zed was born.
 
Accent Inns is a family business. What #1 piece of advice do you have for others working in a family business?
 
The success my father and I have had in our family business is due to mutual respect and lots of love. We got creative as to how to make it work for both of us and made sure that we always had each other’s best interests at heart. We still do and it has been such a wonderful experience to have your dad as your not only your business partner but your friend.
 
Have you had a mentor or been a mentor? Should everyone have one? Why or why not?
 
Everyone should be a mentor and have a mentor. I find that the young people I mentor always end up teaching me way more than I’ve ever taught them; I’m really just there to give them encouragement when their doubts start taking over their heads.
 
What sparked your love of bikes?
 
I adore being out in the woods on my mountain bike. It’s a great place to think and spend time with loved ones.
 
What book(s) are you reading right now and what have you learned from them?
 
I’m the type of person that has a few books on the go, depending on what mood I’m in. Tim Ferris‘ Tools of Titans is pretty killer. It has so many little gems in it that either spark ideas or inspire me to do things differently. And The Awakened Family is a book on Conscious Parenting that is useful for being more mindful in all aspects of my life, not just parenting.
 
If you were to give a piece of advice to someone opening a business, what would you say?
 
The most important marketing is the actual product.
 
If you had to pick two of your top business focuses everyday, what would they be?
 
I love innovating and coming up with a crazy idea, noodling it around, bouncing it off other people and then building a plan of implementation. Second business focus is thanking my amazing team for the stellar job they do. They run an awesome company, I just cheer them on.
 
On social media, who do you follow and what influences do they have?
 
I am not really on social media as I find it distracts me from my goals. I do however seek out podcasts from Tara Brach on Mindfullness (perfect for folding the laundry). She inspires me to stop narrating a bizarre story in my head and open to the beauty of right here right now.
 
Have you had any major setbacks? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?
 
I believe that out of any misfortune can come an opportunity for awesomeness. I applied this to my life in many instances that were without a doubt positive game changers for me yet at the time they were catastrophes: flunking out of a 4th year university class in my last semester, giving birth to a stillborn, overcoming an eating disorder. These “disasters” are some of the best things that ever happened to me. They instilled a resilience and strength in me that is fierce yet still soft.
 
As an Honorary Captain in the Canadian Navy, tell us a bit about your military experience and how it ties into your business.
 
What a crazy ride I am on! I have no previous military experience and honestly, this does not tie into my business at all. What I love about the position of Honorary Captain is that I am serving the men and women who serve all of us Canadians. It is my chance to say thank you and let them know how grateful we are as Canadians for the amazing job they do keeping our commerce waterways safe, our waters free of drug dealers, first responders for any natural disaster, and so much more. It’s an honor to serve them.

June 13, 2017
Five Beliefs That Will Take You Far in Life

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

I’ve often been referred to as a “Pollyanna” because I really believe that no matter what you’ve got going on in your life, you can make it truly great. I’m not saying that it is easy to make it great, but if you make that decision and are willing to work on the changes required, I believe that anyone can have a great life.

Here are five concepts that can move you in that direction.

Five Beliefs That Will Take You Far in Life

  1. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
  2. You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
  3. However bad a situation is, you can change it.
  4. Do the right thing!
  5. The best is yet to come.
August 30, 2016
Five Ways to Become More Likeable

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

What does the word “likeable” mean to you? In my mind, it doesn’t mean that you’re a patsy, but that your personality enables you to move forward in life, having racked up enough “points” with others that you can call them in when you need them.

No matter how likeable you may think you are, here are five ways to become even moreso.

Five Ways to Become More Likeable

1. Be Authentic. 

Be who you appear to be and say what you mean. Don’t have hidden agendas.

2. Focus More on People Than on Things.

Always make time for the people in your life and communicate with them as individuals.

3. Respect Everyone.

Whether it’s your most important client or the guy at the coffee drive-thru, show respect to everyone you meet.

4. Smile.

Smiling is one of the easiest ways to gain a positive reaction from others, because when you smile others will just naturally return that smile.

5. Show your Passion.

Rather than acting bored or frustrated, be full of life; this will drive others to want to be with you.

 

August 11, 2016
Five Ways to Gain Two Hours Each Day

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

The best way to kill a day is to engage in time-wasting bad habits. They eat up an hour here, an hour there, and before long your day is gone.

Here are five ways to gain two hours each day by eliminating bad habits.

Five Ways to Gain Two Hours Each Day

1. Stop surfing the web.

Studies show that it takes 15 minutes to get into the groove on a task and when you jump from that task to surf the web it takes 15 minutes to get back into that groove.

2. Don’t immediately respond to e-mails. 

Check your email on a set schedule rather than continuously.

3. Tackle and eliminate ugly tasks first thing. 

You can waste up to two hours by continually postponing a difficult task. Just tackle that ugly thing first thing in the day and get it over with.

4. Stop trying to be perfect! 

Perfect is the enemy of done and you can spend needless hours trying to get there.

5. Cut back on meeting time. 

What would happen if you cut the time for your weekly staff meeting in half?

 

 

August 4, 2016
Five Ways to Better Relate to Others

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

Whether it’s with your staff, a co-worker, a customer or your spouse, to gain cooperation, you must first connect with them.

Here are five ways to create those important connections.

1. Go out of your way to understand how they see the situation.

2. Adapt your communication style to meet their needs.

3. Respond to what they say they want or need.

4. Acknowledge and honor their feelings about the situation.

5. Give them credit for their ideas and accomplishments.

July 26, 2016
Five Ways to Enhance Your Reputation

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

Sometimes we focus so much on being efficient, that we don’t think about how we come across to others. But your reputation is important, not just for present-day dealings, but for your entire future.

Here are five things you might consider to improve your reputation.

Five Ways to Enhance Your Reputation 

1. Show up on time. 

Everybody is busy. And something things happen. But if you’re always late, you send a message that your time is more valuable than mine. And that’s not going to win you points with me.

2. Apologize when you’ve made a mistake. 

And do so sincerely.

3. Show your consideration for others. 

Modify your behavior—if need be—to accommodate their situations.

4. Work hard to create win-wins. 

Life is not a zero-sum game where someone has to lose in order for you to win. Find a way for everyone to win.

5. Smile a lot.

That might not seem important to your reputation, but when you smile, you cause others to do so. As a result, everyone feels better.

 

July 13, 2016
Five Ways to Cut Down on Stress

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

Stress is one of the greatest enemies of successful women, particularly business owners.

If you can lessen negative stress, you’ll be able to accomplish a lot more in your business and in your life. You can increase the chances of winning the “battle” against stress by considering these five approaches.

Five Ways to Cut Down on Stress

1. Disconnect on a Regular Basis. 

Find a way to disconnect electronically for short blocks of time, like weekends. If you can’t disconnect for whole weeks on vacation, at least give yourself 24-hour blocks of non-connection time.

2. Wake Up at a Consistent Time. 

Though it might feel good every now and then to sleep in, sticking to consistent sleep times helps your body maintain rhythm. Sleeping later than your regular time disrupts your day, makes you less productive, and add to your stress.

3. Eliminate Unimportant Activities and Chores. 

When you fill your free time with unimportant activities and chores, you lose the chance to relax and unwind. If you must do these kind of activities, schedule them on your calendar so they don’t run on endlessly eating up all of your free time.

4. Schedule Time to Work Out. 

Exercise is one of the greatest stress relievers. I’ve found a huge ROI on energy for every minute I spend working out. So, rather than thinking, “I don’t have time to work out because I have to get this done.” I think, “I have to work out to create more energy to get this done.”

5. Schedule Time for Reflection. 

Schedule time to just “think things through.” I find that one of the best times for this is while I’m working out. So that’s another reason for me to exercise.

 

Copyright Pamela Chatry 2017. All Rights Reserved