Master of Your Domain

 I don't know if you are like this, but I find my productivity goes in spurts. I am an insane workaholic for a bit, then it slows down and I get lazy. This ebb and flow usually comes when I start and complete a project. When I am working on a  project I feel like I am overwhelmed but that the world is within my grasp, but then when the project is complete I slack off.

I recently read about a system that Jerry Seinfeld used called "Don't Break The Chain" and I think it may be just the thing my compulsive mind needs to get things in order. I am going to experiment with it, and it starts with me explaining it to you.

Basically, you need to target the every day things you need to work on. For me that includes Writing my book, reading business articles, writing my blog, growing my company and getting some exercise. Now you print off a calender for each task and set out a minimum requirement. Using writing for example, I am forcing myself to write for 30 minutes a day. Most times I will write for much more, but this is the minimum time needed for me to feel satisfied with my progress.

Once I have completed the task, I can go to my calender for that task and put a big X on it. Then, I will try not to break the chain of X's that are on the calender.
I think setting low minimums for the day and also allowing yourself vacation time is a must. The calenders need to be in a place you see every day as well, so that if there is a day without that coveted X, you feel shame, I mean... you couldn't find 20 minutes to run on your treadmill?!?!

In theory it sounds great. I bought a bulletin board for my bedroom and printed off some calender from HERE so that every day when I wake up and when I go to sleep I see the calenders, and those Xs can cheer me on!



Shane Goodfellow
Squeak E Cleaners
www.SqueakECleaners.com
(519) 402-3401

Your Other Clients

Management is always tricky. It's even trickier when you realize that you have two sets of clients you need to be concerned with.


The obvious client is the actual client. The people that buy your goods or services. It is your job to keep them happy with the product and service they recieve. You have the power to make their problems go away and to steer your company in wise directions.


The second set of clients you have are the people you manage. What you are selling them is the idea that their time is appreciated and well spent. If you fail in that task, the people you have invested time, money and energy into, will take their skills elsewhere or to a competitor. 


Your subordinates are as much clients as the people that pay you in money, only your workers pay you with someting much more precious... their time. Everything is a trade. Money for goods and time for money. Make sure you respect both sides of your business, because any client can jump ship at any time, and finding good clients is the hardest part of any business.



Shane Goodfellow
Squeak E Cleaners
www.SqueakECleaners.com
(519) 402-3401

Dream World

One of the truly wonderful things about my job is all the great people I meet. I have made some good friends and, when our business days overlap, we tend to talk a little shop.


Yesterday I was chatting with someone about a client I had recently acquired because the previous service provider was not doing a satisfactory job. When the client asked about the service, the provider got upset and was rather inappropriate in his responses.


This business owner has been wandering around, lying to people about what went wrong with the client, washing his hands of the situation which doesn't just hurt the people around him, it also robs him of an opportunity to improve his business.


When we have problems with employees or customers and things come to an end, it's an opportunity to look back at the entire situation and try to learn from it. Where did the problem start? Could I have handled it better? What could I have done to solve the problem earlier? These are questions that are vital to your growth as a person and a business.


This guy has chosen to favour a fantasy over reality, so he will continue to make the same mistakes and live n the same dream that lead to similar outcomes. Things go wrong, but rather than worrying about perception, try to turn it into a learning experience to help you down the road. Remember, when you're running a business, you're not just learning lessons for yourself, but all the people that rely on you.



Shane Goodfellow
Squeak E Cleaners
www.SqueakECleaners.com
(519) 402-3401

My Amazing Haircut

I just got back from a little weekend trip to Toronto. There was a comedian that I like playing there, so I made a weekend of it. One thing I NEVER forget to do is make a stop at Monsieur Barber Shop and Spa. It is a mens only hair place that will give you a hot shave, haircut and/or manicure. The staff is VERY knowledgeable in how to cut a mans hair and the shop is beautiful on the inside, sporting antique barber chairs, huge mirrors and some nice TVs with news and sports playing.

The picture I posted is actually one of the stations and here is the LINK to their website. This is not an ad, rather I think they are an excellent example of how to run a customer oriented business.

First of all, the place looks fantastic. It's fancy but not intimidating. The price is not insane either. $25.00 for a shampoo and cut with a TON of extras. The guys there know how to cut a mans hair, and understand the different issues we have. The guy I had, showed me that I was doing around my ears wrong and gave me tips on how to correct it.

The service started with a shampoo where he tucked my collar in so as not to get it wet, then did the shampoo and escorted me to my station. He asked what I wanted and I told him, and he made a few suggestions about just some minor things. He asked me what I used and I told him so he suggested another product, that he did not try and sell me. Instead he told me where I could get it, if I wanted to make the change.

After the haircut he pulled out a warm wet towel to spread over my head to remove the small clippings and relax the follicles. This was followed by the brush, with a touch of talcum powder. My barber never had to leave to answer the phone or help the next person. They had someone there specifically for that, so he was totally focused on the task at hand.

It's all the small touches that make me look for excuses to drive to Toronto for a haircut. That, and I look FANTASTIC!


Shane Goodfellow
Squeak E Cleaners
www.SqueakECleaners.com
(519) 402-3401

The 3 Books You Need To Read (Part 2)

Here we are in the middle. I hope everyone gets a chance to look at my first book suggestion, even if you have to go to the library take a quick look through one of Dale C's books. 

So on to book number two, “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. This book is a must for anyone who is trying to get organized, or anyone who has to use there brain for there job. Unless you’re bagging fries, this book will be a great asset to you at work and at home. 

The key to understanding this book and it’s method of organizing is realizing that you;

A/ Can’t remember anything without writing it down in its proper place

B/ The worst thing you can do for your stress level is try and keep a mental list of anything

C/ You shouldn't agree to anything you probably don't have time to complete

The book also gets a little deeper into what things you should be doing in the different roles out of your life. It doesn't just tell you how to organize things but it gives you ideas regarding which areas of your life you should be looking for "Action Items.” An action item is anything that you need to do. Email your boss , cut the grass, call your mother are ell examples of “Action Items.” If an action item has more than one step than it needs to be a project , for instance "call you boss" could be a single on action item about calling your boss to tell him you want vacation time in July. If you don't know exactly when you need time off , you may need to turn it into a project with multiple action items (see below).

Mini Project - Book vacation time with boss 

1. email wife to see what time she has off work 

2. email other coworkers to see if your vacation has any conflicts

3. email HR to see how many vacation days we have left 

4. call friend Bob to get the name of that resort that he stayed in last year 

5. login to air miles site and check balance 

6 email gramma about watching kids for a week in July 

As you can see a one step action item can turn into a multi action project with 5 different people involved. 

This book will really help you GET THINGS DONE. Its available in audio book and paper back.  It is a must read for any one who needs to sort through the piles of information and to-dos and emails that are all wanting there attention. 

I personally have been using this method since 2008 and have found it irreplaceable. 

Aaron Weir
Leadwave Technologies Inc.
www.leadwave.ca
(519)704-1463

Know Thyself

I recently did a personality test. No, not to find out which Harry Potter character I am or what song best describes me, but to find out which personality type I am. The test can be found HERE if you want to take it and I have to say, I really learned a lot about myself.

I took the personality type that I am and did some research and learned that the problems I encounter in my day to day life are quite common among my personality type, which them let me discover how similar people have dealt with them. If nothing else, it's nice to know that things I consider "uniquely challenging" to myself are not unique at all.


I gave the test to some other people i know and they were also amazed at how accurate the test seemed to be. They have also researched their personality types and it has helped them understand their own decisions and how to make better ones in the future.


We've all heard the saying "Know Thyself" but here's a chance to really put it to the test. If you understand WHY you do what you do, you can be in the drivers seat of your life instead of just a passenger.

Reporting on the Report

I am proud to say that my company was nominated for an OBA in the category of Customer Service. While I was very touched that one of my clients nominated me, I must admit I am finding it difficult to write about myself and my company. It is so moving to have my clients have sent me letters of support that I can use in my presentation. I honestly get a little choked up about how kind my clients are to me and my staff.

Like I said, writing about my company for the presentation has been quite a challenge. I am much more comfortable occupying space where I have a lot to learn. I don't consider myself an "expert", rather I like to be a person who loves learning new things and so writing a ten page report on why we are the best is a particular challenge.

I suppose with that being said, our struggle to be the best may stem from always learning. New skills, new product lines, new strategies... These are all part of the process and if you are always working hard to learn with your employees, then it will be hard NOT to be on the top of your game.

Maybe that's what my submission needs to say. If we are the best, it's because we love the journey. The journey is learning and growing, as individuals and as a company. The destination is writing a report on it.

Shane Goodfellow
Squeak E Cleaners
www.SqueakECleaners.com
(519) 402-3401