See, I’m the youngest in my family – by 10 years from my sister who is the closest to me.  My oldest brother is 17 years older.  My parents divorced when I was 6, so in my reality, there were two separate families – but with all the same people.  My three older siblings were one family, and I was another.  Holidays, for me, were when the older kids got to go home and I was pushed away.

I can see now that it makes sense.  They were in different phases of their lives, but at the point, I just felt like an outsider.  From a distance, I’d hear about stories they all had growing up in different places they lived before I was even a thought.  I just didn’t feel connected.

In school, I felt like an outsider too.  Some remember me as popular, but I was more of a floater.  Never in with the “in crowd” but friendly with everyone.  I’ve had the passion to make people feel happy and special, although misguided at times.

Well, all of that history has shaped who I am now.  I’m always craving that connection.  That is why I spend so much time on social media.  It allows me to connect without the nervousness of meeting new people at networking events.  Plus, I feel like people are more “real” online.

Now, take that to a new level -> my business.  I’ve figured out that I want to connect my clients to their numbers.  I want to share that security.  I don’t ask people to understand debits and credits, that isn’t what business is about.  It’s about what you want to create.  This is what I call the vision (others may use the term differently in management).  For me, the vision is what you want to live and breathe in your business.

Think about your children – who do you want them to be at their core?  It isn’t when they grow up, but what is that core?  We’ve gone through an exploration of this recently.  You may see different variations in previous posts, but here it is: Our vision is to connect business owners to their vision.

You’ll see some great things from us as we are able to clearly define who we are and be able to communicate that to all of you out there.  In the meantime, I’d love to hear how you feel connected.  Is that something you crave?  I know I do, so connect with us and share your thoughts.

The responses I’ve gotten tell me a vision, but the first question I have every time is “What do they do?”  Should a vision include this?  For example, the vision I wrote was “To connect business owners with their vision.”  That doesn’t tell you that we are going to use the numbers and our experience to connect you – but does that matter?

Maybe it is as simple as the difference between a vision, mission statement, motto, etc.  I just want a clear and inspiring message.  One that has always stuck with me is the vision of my Alma Mater – Oglethorpe University.  I heard it a million times – and it still rings in my head frequently – “Make a life. Make a living. Make a difference.”

That statement embodies the school, professors, students, and alumni.  I’m proud to be living it everyday.  I’ve actually made a life – my daughter’s.  I’ve learned my craft (accounting) and it provides for my family.  And now I’ve turned my focus to making a difference.  I’ve always wanted to change the world, but now I’ve focused that attention on helping other business owners succeed.  Can you imagine a world where people can freely create their vision and be successful?  It would have a HUGE impact on our economy and society.  I get so excited about the thought.

So, I turn my attention back to my initial questions.  What’s YOUR vision?  Does it have to include how you are going to get there?  Should it just be inspirational and get people to ask for more?  I’m on the fence, but I do know that is important to know where you are going so you can spread that feeling and mission throughout your company and your network.  Without that, you can’t make a difference.

The idea was brilliant for their business and the content was even better!  “This is the first event of its kind to virtually engage all who are interested in social TV, facilitating a unique dialogue about how, why and when social TV will change the television industry as we know it today,” said Kevin O’Connor, president of User Insight. “After spending nine months observing and talking with TV watchers and immersing ourselves in the social TV industry, User Insight is excited to share the findings from our in-depth consumer research and provide unprecedented access to those who are diligently working to be first to market with social TV products and services.”

The Business Perspective
It can be really hard for businesses to share their process and help potential clients understand the real value of what you do.  User Insight invested in themselves and put together their own study.  It was a big investment, which I think will have a huge payoff.  By just viewing the event and the material they were able to present, you can really see the passion behind their research and how valuable it can be to product developers.

They were also true to their culture by using cutting edge technology to present the event AND highlighting other cutting edge technology that are marrying social media and television.  Brilliant!

Social TV Perspective
This is where I learned even more!  What some are saying was the best tweet of the event, one of the twitter MC’s, @desireescales said this: “Whoever figures out social television will be the next Steve Jobs of their generation. #socialtvevent”

This is an intriguing emerging market – the marriage between social media and tv.  User Insight’s research was able to provide developers with insight into the different personas.  They were able to show what motivates different types of users.  Product developers can take that information to maximize their potential.  (Talk about value-add!)

We were exposed to some new cool technologies!

• Watchitoo is a leading interactive live streaming platform. With Watchitoo embedded on a website, the host of an event can stream live or recorded HD video, or any multimedia content, to thousands of viewers via the Watchitoo platform. (The platform used for the event!)
• TweePlayer is the worlds first Social-Media DVR. Veiwers can watch a TV show online days or years later and still read and add messages synchronized to the moments in the show they are watching.
• SnappyTV is a new service that allows you to share the best moments from live TV and share on Twitter and Facebook.  (You can view clips of the event on their site.)
• Yahoo! Connected TV delivers a personally relevant, Internet-enhanced television experience that complements the more traditional “lean-back” TV viewing experience.

Cool stuff, right?  We also heard from a ton of experts from this arena on their thoughts about the future of social media and TV.  We all know it is an emerging industry with new technologies behind every door.  I also see this from the business perspective and think it is a HUGE opportunity for small business owners to create something HUGE.  They just need to be smart about their investments and keep their hands on the pulse of their users.

What’s your next big idea?  How are you going to come to market?  What’s your advice for product developers?  I love it all and want to hear your thoughts.  It’s another great representation of bringing together creatives and business.  So, are you the next Steve Jobs?

Healthy doesn’t mean lack of disease!  It’s so much more than that.  She shared with us a spectrum and I want you to visualize this.  Think about a scale from -10 to +10.  The more negative you are, the more diseased you are and the more positive you are, the more healthy you are.  Most people think if they are without disease then they are in the positive range, but Dr. Buck’s point is that being without disease just gets you to zero.  You’re even, but not more.

Let’s relate this to your business and your books.  Since the books tell the story of your business, they are the vitals we check to diagnose your health.  If your books are in disarray, then your business is diseased.  It is my belief that you can’t do more until you are even.  You can’t get truly healthy and reach your business’s potential without getting to zero first.

Here are some items to watch to see if your books are really JUST without disease:

• You reconcile your bank and credit cards monthly
• You can foresee your cash flow for the next 30 days
• You are accurately recording transactions in the right categories (asset vs. expense, revenue vs. deposit, etc)
• You can run either an A/P aging or an A/R aging and get an accurate picture of money that you owe or that is owed to you

Once you get to a state without disease, then you can start getting really healthy.  This is the fun part of our jobs – helping business owners really maximize their potential.  We can start creating strategies on how we are are going to reach those goals and determine how we are going to measure success.

So, here is my question to you – How healthy are your books?  Are you comfortable that they are accurate and the information you get from them is timely?  If not, it might be time to dedicate your resources to getting them and your business really healthy.

I see business as an extension of my family. I went to Facebook and downloaded pictures of my clients and staff with their family. All very happy looking back at me. I envision myself and my company helping to create that happiness for them. My clients aren’t just the people I talk to, but also their kids and spouses.

I challenge the thought that there is a separation between family and business. I’m in business to allow myself to create a better family life. I believe other business owners should have the same expectation. Your business shouldn’t suck the life out of you – it should provide!

The next, and some what related topic, is that I want to be an inspiration to business owners. Our goal is to uplift the business owner and help them realize their dreams. In order for us to be able to do this, we need collaboration. So, teamwork will be something you see us talk about even more.

Another part of being a family is knowing that you can’t do it all. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Instead of fighting that, we harness these differences for the betterment of all of our busineses.

See, I can’t have success in my business unless I help you have success in your business. So, we are on the same team and we need the help of our client’s to bring the most value to them. This is just done by talking to us and letting us know what is happening with their business.

I wish I could share my vision board with the masses, but since there are pictures of my extended family I’m going to keep it private. Just know that they bring me inspiration and the task itself of creating a vision board has taught me a lot about my business.

Our core values: family, to inspire, teamwork, collaboration

What are some of your core values? Are you going to create your own vision board? Please share your thoughts/ideas/comments with us.

Before my career as a Business Relations Manager began, I was a classroom teacher.  As you can imagine I had a strict schedule and not much flexibilty.  With two small children at home, I felt the strain.   My oldest child was starting kindergarten in the fall and I began  to have stomach aches when I thought of his first day.  I knew that I would be unable to walk my baby on this important day because I would need to be in my classroom, greeting my students.  As I worried about missing yet another milestone, I began to wonder if my job was affecting my family.

The stars aligned in a sad but clear way over the summer when my school was unexpectadly closed.  I was out of a job and even while panic about finanaces set in, I was releaved.  I could walk my son into his class on the big day!

It was a few days later that I received a gift from a close friend. Cathy called me in August to ask if I would be interested in working for her part-time. She needed some help and believed that I would be able to do the job from my home.  She enabled me to be home with my youngest, volunteer at my oldest’s school, and pick him up after school everyday.   What an amazing friend!

The other benefit was unexpected.  I love what I am doing!  I am challenged and engaged every day!  I am learning new skills and bettering myself.  I even get to wear high heels sometimes, a luxery I could not afford as a teacher expected to be on my feet all day!

Basically this is a long thank you note to my boss and friend!  Thank you, Cathy for helping me get things in order, grow as a person and have control over my time!  I wish all mothers could have this chance.

I was extremely saddened to hear the news last night – reading the news on facebook from my dear friend and employee, Jenny Githens. Like her, I just relayed the link of the news – no real comment other than it is sad. I’m not sure how to respond because it is such a profound loss. It is not just the end of a man’s life, but also the end of his era of innovation and invention. We won’t see him introduce the next great thing. Even though he has changed technology, he won’t have his full impact on a new product from beginning to end again. That is gone.

I see people posting “RIP Steve Jobs” and something doesn’t sit right with me. I have no doubt he would want world peace and to feel no more pain from his illness, but I think he strived for more than peace. Peace just doesn’t seem enough for him. Would it be better to say to rest in inspiration and innovation? A mind like his never stops.

You always want more – not because you need material things but because you want to give more to the world. You want to change the world for the better. That is why we push ourselves and reach for greatness. We see the good and what can be. We want to be a part of that future. So, for Steve, I wish for more than peace. I pray that he is able to do what he has done on Earth but at a whole new level. His ideas will live forever here and I hope his mind and spirit have the chance to keep going after the “more.”

But, it is still important for me to visualize where I want to go – because sometimes ADD kicks in and I find myself going in circles.  Someone recently suggested to me that I create a vision board.  Have you seen on HGTV how designers create inspiration boards – or maybe you’ve done this yourself?  A vision board is the same thing, but instead of what your living room will look like, it shows you what your future will look like.

I loved the idea and was on the path to find one and start putting it together.  I was told there were a bunch of sites that could help.  Once I started looking – all the sites looked terrible.  Luckily I ended up on Oprah.com.  Of course!  The queen of inspiration can help me!  She calls them Dream Boards and you can create yours here.  It’s free!!

Great idea, right?  Well, I’ve hit a snag.  I started putting pictures on there, but they all related to my personal life.  I’d love to have another baby one day.  I want regular massages.  I want a hot tub!  But what does that have to do with my business?  I’m still stuck on the end results of fortune, but not focusing on what my business will look like.

I need inspiration from you!  Where do you see the future of your business?  Here is what I’m thinking now…  I want a happy team of professionals focused on helping our clients.  I want to keep helping small businesses achieve their goals and show them that being an entrepreneur doesn’t mean tireless hours of work and stress.  I want to be a leader in the CPA field, showing them that there are even more lines of business out there for us.  I want to be an inspiration to others while also being true to myself and my values.  I strive for success with balance.

That was even inspirational for me!  But, how would you suggest showing that on a vision board?  I would love to hear your ideas, thoughts, and comments.

As a part of my job, I sometimes need to research different things.  Whether it is a topic or a company, I often find myself at Google.  Isn’t it amazing how that word has become part of our nomenclature? You can Google things now.  I am faithful to Google.  Bing and Ask annoy me.   So more often than not, I see those cute little pictures that someone has the fortunate job to create.

I wonder if I am being efficient though.  Is there a more professional way to do this?  I just type in a phrase and hit find.  Couldn’t a trained monkey do this?    I need to create my niche.  I know I do keywords better than my dad but is that really saying anything?  The man is 68 and has a way cooler phone than me, but that southern accent makes the
voice search feature a challenge.  I know what SEO is now, so that is a start.

Also, Google does not get homonyms.  When I am searching for a production person (someone to produce) I do not feel like the International Farmer’s Market should pop up
(produce-like fruit).  Finding things that are Atlanta specific can also be a challenge even when I enter the word “Atlanta.”

Tomorrow, I am off to a training with Google that will hopefully help me navigate their deep caverns a bit more adeptly and use it to the advantage of the Iconis Group.  Here’s hoping I don’t ask questions only someone in there 30’s would ask.