Book a CallSelect a Time
Talk to Laura403-650-6519

All Posts

HomeAll Posts
No Time like the Present Avoid Procrastination

Using the The 10 Minute Tidy Strategy to Get Results

January 4, 2017
Share

When our children were small and coming up with excuse after excuse for why they didn’t have time to clean their rooms, the 10 minute tidy strategy helped us move through procrastination, resistance and get results. Thinking about all the tasks that need to go into accomplishing a significant goal can be daunting.  Just like helping our children engage in the room cleaning project, strategies that help me “just start” on a new project help me get results sooner.  What we discovered was that the 10 minute commitment often stretched into more time invested in tidying the room.  The kitchen timer was always set for 10 minutes with a choice to continue or not past the buzzer. What’s the 10 Minute Tidy Strategy? Rather than asking for a commitment to complete the entire project, we just ask for a 10 minute commitment to START the project.  Because the commitment is small…

word cloud with roles a man plays in life including father, husband, brother, worker, uncle, volunteer, friend, neighbour, husband and son

It’s “Just Business”— NOT

November 21, 2016
Share

I’m often asked, “Laura, how did you manage to build a professional career, raise 4 successful children, volunteer in your community and contribute to a successful family business?” I think they are looking for that silver bullet that they can copy! The silver bullet is grit, perseverance, and focusing on what matters. Accept that there are many different ways to achieve the personal, family and career goals. In a family, talking about your family’s purpose helps all family members align personal, family, career and business activities. We wear many hats and perform many roles in our lives. What I find useful is to focus on the few roles I am performing in the moment rather than trying to keep all the hats on at once – or feeling guilty if I am not performing one or more roles all the time.Focus on what matters to you, your family, your career, your…

toy bride and groom characters

“In Sickness and Financial Health…”

November 3, 2016
Share

    If you’re an entrepreneur or thinking about marrying one, this is no joking matter. Sure, lots of engaged couples participate in “marriage prep” courses or programs, but none of them are designed for you to really vet the partner for “fit” if you’re an entrepreneur.Even if your “head” knows you should be having these conversations, your “heart” gets in the way and they rarely, if ever happen prior to tying the knot. Ensure you’re not getting into a relationship without fulling understanding the financial health and circumstances of your future partner. My mother-in-law gave me this sound piece of advice, “Have you checked his wallet?” No one needs the surprises that come along with undisclosed credit card or student debt. Tip: Respect the JOINT finances. Treat your marriage like a business project – dedicate time to it, get on the same page, shared vision and values. Treat your…

Hallowe'en scene business fears

When You’re Scared Sh*tless

October 30, 2016
Share

  Hallowe’en is just around the corner and a time when zombies roam the streets along side Pokemon, princesses and favourite characters. Entrepreneurs encounter scary situations – and not just when the calendar shows October 31st! Own It! Ignoring your fears don’t make them go away. Remember when you used to hide under the bed or in the closet, thinking that if you couldn’t “see” the bogey man, then you wouldn’t be scared of it either. “Out of sight, out of mind” is a human response to fear. How many of us still hide our eyes when a scary scene arrives on the movie screen? Embrace being Human When we are scared, our brain goes into fight or flight mode. This happens automatically – our nervous system is programmed to protect us from perceived danger. The brain reacts the same way when we are afraid of taking actions, being visible,…

Family around a computer with a piggy bank

Chicken & Egg… Family & Business

October 20, 2016
Share

  We’ve all heard the adage, which comes first, the chicken or the egg? In our family business, our adage is, “Which comes first – the family or the business?”If you’re involved in a family business, you can likely identify with that statement. I know there are many times when I’ve felt the business came first and the family second. I also know that are just as many times when the family came first and the business came second. I don’t know about you, but it seems easier to remember the times the family played “second fiddle” than the times it was the star. My heart remembers those times, but my head remembers both. Jay Hughes has been working in the field of family wealth and family enterprise for many years. I recently watched a video interview series conducted with Jay. His explanation of family wealth was enlightening. His definition…

Are you a One Trick Pony?

October 17, 2016
Share

The urban dictionary describes a “one trick pony” as someone who has few talents or skills. As a business owner, I’ve fallen into the same trap many of you fall into: thinking I am skilled in all aspects of the operation and in the business. I am not a ONE trick pony, but I’m not an ALL trick pony either.  So now what do I do about it? I am now AWARE of the need to change SOMETHING to grow my business, reduce my stress or save me time. If you’re like me, you mull this idea around in your noggin for a few weeks, months, perhaps years until something spurs your DESIRE to make the change. This catalyst might come from within or from outside yourself. AWARENESS and DESIRE are critical elements that need to be in place before I am motivated to do the work to realize the…

“…. The Chaos is all so Beautiful”

October 15, 2016
Share

It’s a cruel and random world, but the chaos is all so beautiful. ― Hiromu Arakawa Do you feel that  you’ve found a way forward with your business when another crisis hits? Are you grappling with ways to respond in a way that is sustainable? If so, you’ve got lots of company! It’s no secret that businesses in Alberta have been struggling with many “whammies”. What gets my goat is the narrow mindedness of those who attribute all the woes to one cause. There are oodles of variables at play that contribute to successful business. Only two of those are the political and economic climate. Even those 2 variables have multiple layers – global, national, provincial and local. Are you ready to stop being a victim and to start focusing on building a predictably profitable business that is healthy enough and resilient enough to withstand the challenges? Join us at our Business Strategy Summit and get…

Key Financial Strategies in a Cash Crunch

Key Financial Strategies in a Cash Crunch

August 30, 2016
Share

Every now and then, managing cash flow poses a challenge.  Sometimes these challenges are temporary and seasonal and other times they are persistent.  Whether the cash crunch is a result of personal decisions (such as wedding, baby, personal purchases, investments) or for business purposes (such as buying a business, investing in capital, weathering a downturn in operations or financing growth) planning for a cash crunch is an important part of risk mitigation.  In my conversations with business owners, there is a constant struggle to understand the ideal use of debt to run their business. Operations The main source of cash into a business is through operations.  This is the act of selling your goods and services for cash or collecting accounts receivable.  This cash from operations is needed to fund the business – pay suppliers, employee wages, taxes and return a profit to the business owner.  It is not always possible to 100%…

Leveraging Your Success