BUSINESS: THE INBOX

Setting a New Business Vision

by Rachel Shepard

At the beginning of each year, we often set ambitious personal goals for the new year.

These goals may be related to fitness such as weight loss or gaining muscle. The goals also may be related to finances, personal relationships or spirituality.

If you are like me, you also set goals for your business.

When we get in the car, we often have a destination in mind. While there may be detours along the way, we eventually make it to our desired destination.

In business, it is necessary to have an ultimate vision for your company. This vision should reflect the desired future outcome for the business (our destination). This vision will help guide when setting goals.

Goals should be S.M.A.R.T., meaning that they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound.

For example, instead of writing, “I want to read more books on business in 2024,” rephrase this goal to: “I want to read two books per month for a total of 24 books in 2024.”

According to Dr. Gail Matthews of the Dominican University of California, people who write down their specific goal will be 42 percent more likely to achieve it.

Harvard’s Office of Employee Development suggests that S.M.A.R.T. goals provide evidence of forward motion and progress toward an outcome using sample language such as: increase, provide, improve, decrease, and save.

Once a list of goals is made, break these goals down into actionable tasks. Each task should have a timeframe, an understanding of resources, milestones, and measurable results.

What are the benefits of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals?

They can boost energy and provide motivation. They provide a way to measure progress and improves accountability. It may positively impact creativity and problemsolving abilities. It also may help to manage resources by understanding priorities.

When goals are set, it is a choice to live intentionally. By living intentionally, it is possible to then create the desired life, relationships and business. Intentionally setting goals, allows us to dream big and go beyond our comfort zone.

Motivational speaker Les Brown once said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Rachel Shepard is the founder of LonaRock, LLC, and a Medina County resident. She specializes in helping businesses understand financials and access capital. Learn more about Shepard at https://bit.ly/3h0LFEY Shepard can be reached by email at rshepard@lonarock.com

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applause!

New hires, promotions, certifications earned, and announcements

A $1,500 scholarship is being offered to a local high school senior by the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The scholarship recognizes and supports those pursuing a career that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. Funds for the scholarship are raised by the Donated Funds Committee through a variety of fundraisers.

Applicants must be a current high school senior and have been accepted into an accredited training program in a field that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities. (i.e. special education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, behavioral sciences, and more).

Involvement in or having provided services to individuals with developmental disabilities through activities such as, but not limited to, Special Olympics, classroom activities, volunteering, and job shadowing is a must to be considered.

Application forms are due before Friday, March 29, 2024, and are available by calling 330-725-7751 Ext. 318 or by visiting www.mcbdd.org/donor-scholarship/

Has your business or an employee done something that should get applause or does your nonprofit have an announcement? E-mail the information to Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com and put “Applause” in the subject line.

BUSINESS: THE NETWORKER Networking With Insight

by Bob Arnold

Life’s twists and turns are sometimes exhilarating and at other times frightening. No matter what, they come upon us at unexpected times and in variable intensities.

My first book was a book of insight that focused on where the ‘real’ power is in networking. This was a result of hearing from a variety of networkers who believed that networking is scary.

I found that real power rests in one simple observation at the beginning of a relationship. Then the scary feelings simply melt away.

The exhilarating times come when we find out something that makes our day and brings a truth to mind that makes so much sense for us to engage with.

Over the last three months, I have found that there are those who recognize and accept that change is a constant. They seek to help others change their world in ways they never imagined.

In fact, it is becoming very clear to me that change is a superpower; a power that sees through the fog of the obvious to expose our presence.

Networking insight involves listening, being present and gathering ideas.

Instead of starting with the end in mind, we should focus on the process and see how we can arrange, and build, the pieces that will grow our network. This is the result of listening, presence, and gathering.

Insight is not stagnant. One of the reasons we should not start with the end in mind is because the end should never arrive. We should reach destinations which become stepping stones to other destinations.

Reaching these destinations opens up whole new worlds for our networks, worlds they did not know prior to knowing you.

I see someone I just met as one who can teach my network new ways of seeing and reaching new opportunities.

Instead of shying away from those in your network or avoiding the new person at a gathering, consider how you could help them to change. Who knows, you may find out they were the destination you were seeking.

That is the power of networking with insight!

Business Owners and Decision Makers: You know reputation is everything and whom you hang out with matters. Want your company to be seen with the very BEST area companies and get your message to our readers?

Call 330-461-0589

Bob Arnold is the founder of ONward Networking and the international best-selling author of “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil,” which can be purchased at https://amzn.to/2KSy3Xm. Learn more about Arnold at https://bit.ly/3VLzr1S Contact Arnold at TheNetworkingPencil@gmail.com