Each week I'm looking through Slack conversations to find the hot topic the community is engaged in. This issue, it's a perennial discussion that is always changing. What are the best project management tools?
Let's take a look at what the pros, cons and costs are of 10 tools the community has talked about in nearly 500 messages over the last 6 months.
This week's hot topics included pricing for emergency support, setting goals for biz dev, cost management and digital brand guidelines. But the conversation I chose to dig into was on writing better proposals. It's a perennial topic with a lot of value. And one with over 1,000 messages in the Bureau Slack. So, let's see what members, new and old, have had to say on winning the day!
I rarely find someone in our industry who isn't passionate about the work they do. That passion brings with it strong opinions on how things should be done. Add to that the fact that many humans avoid conflict and others like to argue, and it can stall initiatives both big and small.
And that's where the GAF Index comes in. I first heard about this unique model of decision-making back in the days of my first shop, nGen Works. And today, I'd like to share with you how it works, why it works, and when it works. Let's go!
I can’t believe the year is already a quarter of the way over. For my part, there have already been triumphs and failures, and I’m really looking forward to some of the events the Bureau has coming up over the next few months. If you’d like to be in the know on how you can hone your leadership skills, I recommend signing up for our email list here. Each newsletter gives a rundown of upcoming events, as well as helpful resources. But I also collect the best of those resources here each month, so without further delay, let’s check out the best of the best from our March newsletters.
I just returned from the Bureau's Owner Excursion: Kentucky Bourbon Trail. I learned a lot, but one thing really stuck out. This quote from Pappy Van Winkle, a legend in the history of Bourbon, summed up how I feel about being a creator.
"We make fine bourbon at a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always fine bourbon."
It's a classic dilemma: the clients we have today might keep the lights on but aren't the dream clients we yearn for. So it can be easy to phone it in. Yet, every project has a hidden opportunity, no matter how far it seems from our ideal. It's about leveraging the now for a brighter, better tomorrow. Here's how going above and beyond on our current gigs can lead us to the work we've been dreaming of.
I recently finished reading Bruce Lee: Artist of Life and there are so many gems that relate to being a leader. Perhaps none as powerful as stop thinking so much. When you're thinking in a fight, someone else is making a move, and that's when you get punched in the face.
Overthinking can cloud judgment, delay decisions, and hinder progress. So let's explore what triggers overthinking and the challenges it presents. Then, we can find practical ways to get through these mental mazes and take clearer, more decisive actions.
As we see the first quarter coming to a close, it’s time to tackle the ever-present mystery of client payments. While most of us would prefer improving employee benefits or planning the next team retreat, without healthy cash flow, all the good things we want to do become a battle. And the worst is when we commit to our team and can’t come through because of sluggish receivables. If only there were a magic spell to keep clients paying on time. Well, maybe this isn’t a fantasy?
Steering your team through these recent rough waters requires more than just a firm grip; it demands a whole new way of seeing things. That's where emotional reframing comes into play, transforming not just how you lead, but how you see your team's challenges. Read on to see how this superpower can improve your leadership impact especially when all hell breaks loose.
Ah, l’amour. We just finished the most romantic month of the year (unless you’re like me and secretly find Arbor Day romantic), and there's nothing I love more than sharing useful info with fellow business leaders. In fact, I care so much that I can't help but send out a weekly newsletter as a token of my affection.
I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't think AI is going to change how they work. Some are happy about it, and others are worried. But most acknowledge it's here and we better adapt or get left behind. One thing I'm not seeing many people talk about is how it impacts the cultures we've worked so hard to protect and nurture. SO let's give the humans a little love while we improve the bottom line.
Most of us have had times when a relationship ended and we were wondering what to do with ourselves. But while eating your weight in gummy bears is tempting, it won’t bring you satisfaction. Instead, taking some time to work on yourself will get you in a better place to succeed in future relationships. This week we’re talking about how to make the most of a break in client work.
It’s time to reveal one of the Bureau’s most illuminating annual projects -- our salary guide! As always, we partnered with Promethean Research to figure out how the compensation situation is trending digital service companies, with data from over a thousand individuals. Prepare your mind for some knowledge, because it’s coming in hot!
Figuring out what's going on in the world of digital services can be tough to master. But we're going for it. Last week we asked for info on how 2024 is trending and what is selling. Over 100 shops reported in on their sales so far this year. Are things looking up? What are clients buying? Enlightenment awaits those who read on.
We’re all getting better in 2024, and I’ve already been feeling better about things. My goal for this week is to effectively communicate these goals to you and give a head start on achieving them. Enough with the meta conversation though, let’s dive back in!
You may not know this, but every week I send out a special email to members of a very exclusive club. Okay, it’s just people who sign up for our newsletter list, but they’re special to me. And in that newsletter I send out the cream of the crop from our Bureau discussions and Slack channel, featuring helpful articles and other resources so you can grow a healthy business. But if you’re not ready to get one more email a week, I also collect the top resources and share them right here every month.
As we step into February, let's talk about something we all face – the daunting task of keeping up with our plans for the new year. Remember the excitement as we wrote down those ambitious goals in the quiet of late December? Well, it's now time for a little reality check and, more importantly, a chat about adjusting our sails when the wind changes direction.
What are you hoping to accomplish this year? Better development, more financial stability, or focusing on the kind of work that you can put your heart into? This week we’re talking goals, so let’s get that optimism flowing!
How’s your 2024 going so far? Still sticking to those resolutions? We’re all about improvement, which is why we want to help you take your shop to the next level this year. We’re halfway through our list of challenges, so let’s see what else the community shared. Here are the remaining top challenges from 2023!
There’s something special about a fresh, new year, like sitting down with a clean sheet of paper that could become anything. But since in reality each year builds on the old one, it’s useful to look back and see what we can strive to do better in 2024. This week is part one of a two-part series on overcoming challenges faced by Bureau members. Let’s take a look at some of these issues and how we can make them a thing of the past.
We did it, everyone! We made it through 2023, and it’s gonna be smooth sailing throughout 2024! I mean, it could happen, right? Okay, I’m sure there’s good and bad in store for all of us, but through it all I’m so glad to have the Bureau community sticking with me. We share our laughs, challenges, and lots of great advice and resources with one another. Every week a selection of these go out in our newsletter, and you can sign up for our email list here. If you’ve missed it, though, here’s the best from what I shared in our December newsletters.
