#69 Have you done a personal inventory lately? Have you asked if there is something you want to do, change or learn? What is stopping you?

We think the hardest thing to do is the strive for balance: balance of your time, desires, dreams, work, friends, family, and the list goes on. In the day-to-day onslaught of life, it can be hard to even think clearly enough to see where you can improve. The sheer fact of the matter is that nothing will improve, though, unless you take some personal time to look at your life make a list of things that you would like to learn, change, or add.

Set aside some time this week to make your list. We recommend writing it down so you can visually see what you feel you’re missing. Then you can take a realistic look at those items and see how hard they would be to integrate into your life. Some may be be easier than you think to incorporate, while for others you may need to make some tough decisions. For those, you’ll definitely need to work out a plan for change, but in the end it will be worth it.

We tweeted recently ” The future you see is the future you get.” - Robert G Allen. So this may seem trivial, but make your list and start planning where you can work on changing or growing.

#68 Utilize your social media outlets for research. Ask your connections via LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Also, think about Twitter as a search engine.

For some of you this will be old news. Or perhaps you have thought about it, but have yet to utilize your networking resources in this new way, as a research tool. Let’s say you’ve built a small (or large) army of connections on various social networking sites. Use them! Ask them a question or throw out an idea to see what kind of response you get. Your network will hopefully give back some honest opinions, insights, and other thoughts to consider. To make the most of it though, remember: be honest with what you’re looking for, participate if someone else asks you, and don’t get carried away. (No one wants to be your personal opinion survey).

Also, consider Twitter’s search function as a powerful tool to find live trends on any key word. To search, go to search.twitter.com. Type in your word and get ready for real time thoughts of what the masses are thinking. For more on this concept, read this article from Tech Crunch.

For more great Twitter thoughts, check out our last post on Twitter here.

How are you participating in your social networks? How are you using them? New business? Research? Or what else?

For some, working away from the office is no big deal. But what about for those of you who haven’t tried it yet? The good news is that it can work, but it does take some planning and flexibility.

The reasons for going remote are numerous. Perhaps you feel the itch in your office for some flexibility in this area, or maybe in this challenging economy you need to downsize and transition to having your employees work from home. Our particular scenario began when a member of our team got married and needed to move to where her husband was working. I was bummed to lose such a great friend and creative, but then we decided to try working remotely. It has worked out better than expected, and here are some things we have done and suggest:

1: Access, Access, Access
Creating a central online schedule such as a Google doc, iCal calendar, Basecamp, etc. is essential for open communication and tracking. Also, set up a VPN or a separate FTP to make sure all parties have easy access to files. The key is consistent communication and file transfer.

2: Say Hi Everyday
This may seem obvious, but daily face-to-face chats are a must. Using iChat or Skype, go over the day’s schedule, questions, and define expectations. It helps everyone feel like they’re part of both the culture and the day to day office happenings. Also, don’t downplay instant messaging: it’s a great tool for immediate check in.

3: Drab Won’t Do
For the remote worker, try to make yourself an inspiring work place. Is there some piece of the studio you can bring with you to feel a part of the team? Some favorite design posters to hang on the walls? Set aside a couple days to add creativity to your space. It will be well worth the investment.

4: Change It Up
Although a bunny slipper commute might sound nice, working from home can get stifling at times. Take walks, get coffee, read a new book, maybe even take a cat nap. Go to creative events (try your local AIGA chapter). Talk to your boss about sponsoring it or adding a couple magazine subscriptions as part of your employee package for an extra creative boost.

5: Keep the Conversation Going
In the end, make sure both parties talk about what is working and not working. It’s essential to talk about the smallest to the biggest concerns, as well as being open to a little change. This will only work if you commit to it; so be honest, flexible and ready to try something new.

Tell us what you think about working remotely, on either side of the equation. Or what suggestions do you have?

#67 Taking time to rest is an essential part of your day. Do you take time to unwind, kick back and enjoy your day? If not, start now.

I don’t know about you, but the current economic climate is not exactly conducive to getting consistent full nights of rest. Trying to stay on top of details, getting clients to pay in a reasonable amount of time (or just to pay at all), and staying motivated, inspired and creative can be very draining. Pile on that any other parts of your life, such as family, hobbies, etc. and you are worn out.

So how do we balance everything? Well, it doesn’t matter if we can’t keep our eyes open, so this tip is very simple - GET REST. That’s right, rest. Take some downtime every single day. Nap at lunch if you have to. Go to bed before 11pm. Take your vacation days. Take walks. Being refreshed and energized makes anxiety easier to handle and invites inspiration to come out and play.

What do you do to relax or chill out? Try one of these bad boys -they really work: http://tr.im/ppyO

#66 Promoting through design shows can be a good marketing, PR & team boost. Some shows cost money, some are free, like books. Start local.

There are a variety of opinions on this topic and there are a couple simple rules of thumb. For starters only enter shows you can afford or that you think your work has a chance of winning. Beyond that we think design shows or design books are a great way to create reasons to talk about work. And we are not talking about for your ego, we are talking reasons to reach out to clients and talk about accomplishments. Clients like to work with successful people. They also need to hear from you on a regular basis, and having the opportunity to mix in accomplishments with project news is a great way to stand out. Another reasons to enter, other than for marketing or PR, is to pat you and your crew on the back. Even though we think ego should take the back seat to new business we all like to be recognized for the work that we pour our hearts into. Employees like being recognized and being a part of a company that cares about doing great work and is recognized for it. Additionally it is a great way to attract future employees!

Ready to get started? or to look at more shows to add into your marketing plan? Well we suggest looking at your budget and the time you have available to enter first. There are endless shows and books to be a part of. Where do you start? Our thought is start with shows or books that align with the ideal types of work you want to be recognized for, or are really passionate about. Additionally some markets have market specific shows, those are also great because you can then say you are a leader or recognized in that particular space. Along those lines, entering local shows are typically more cost effective, if that is a concern. However, those shows are more likely to get you additional local publicity with clients and potential clients. Always be honest with the work, look at past show winners, is your work at least that good? If so enter it.

Here are some links for design shows: HOW, PRINT, CA, GRAPHIS, American Design Awards, GD:USA, Coupe, AIGA

Here is a site with design shows listings: Dexigner, Notes on Design

Some great resources to follow on Twitter: @HowMag, @Dexigner, @LogoMotives

Here are some publisher & paper company links for calls for entries that are FREE: Rockport, Crescent Hill Books, Neenah Paper, Appleton Coated - U Be the Judge

Tips on how to enter design shows, or things to know are coming up next week. In the mean time what shows or books do you participate in? Any stories of how they have directly brought you work or new employees?

#65 Consolidate & promote your social media with apps like extendr & card.ly by using as links in email signatures, website or other networks

One of the best aspects of social media is the sheer amount of options you have. But, at the same time, it can also be the most overwhelming. How can you promote your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blog, etc. all in one place? Should you? I’ve found that our clients and friends want to connect with us in various ways, but was having trouble finding a good way to consolidate our web footprint.

That is when we found Joseph Rueter’s extendr product. We have used extendr as a corporate wide email signature promoting our social media footprint and other sites. It has been great to give clients access to all of our networks in one simple spot. (We also have a version just for our websites.) Another interesting idea is the online business card. I have not used it as much yet, but check out card.ly. Although it seems a little limited right now, it’s a nice, simple set up. We put a quick one together here.

So if you want to simplify your promotion of the various sites you are on and have a more robust email signature, consider using something like extendr and card.ly to make that easier. Any other options out there? How do you promote your sites now?

#64 Think about ways you can connect your clients with each other. There are some great opportunities for you to create deeper relationships.

We all feel good when someone recommends us to a potential client (and even better when it happens to be an ideal client or a great connection). But have you ever stopped to think about yourself as the connector? Consider your vendors and clients. Do you have one that can help another out? Perhaps their products and services will be mutually beneficial, helping them become more efficient or successful. Maybe it won’t work, but it could be within your power to create a strong and lasting partnership.

Take some time and think about how utilizing your network can benefit your clients. Don’t expect anything in return, but more often than not the result is a stronger relationship that will reap much more than you can imagine in the end. Whether it’s through email, LinkedIn, coffee, hosting a lunch or other social avenue, there are many ways you can do connect your amigos for the greater good.

Do you do this already? Any great stories of success? Failures? Let us know.

#63 One of the greatest sources of inspiration is simply meeting new people. So…are you out there introducing yourself?

For some of you this is easy. Going to social events or client “mingling/networking” events, you find it almost second nature to work your way into conversations or opportunities. But for some of you, this experience is like getting hot pokers stuck into your eyes. Either way, getting out to inspiring lectures and going to networking events are crucial to building your personal and professional networks. I have come to love meeting new people and hearing their stories, what makes them tick and what inspires them in life. That gives me energy, ideas and exposure to different ways of thinking that makes me a better designer and communicator (especially when the people are very different then me).

Still not sure where to start? You can join your local AIGA chapter, Art Directors Club, Marketing Associations, or a community organization. Or you can meet new people through your favorite social media or build up courage by reading books. We recommend a combination of all of it.

For some book inspiration it’s hard to beat this classic:
How to Win Friends and Influence People

Something more recent:
Never Eat Alone

What do you do to get out and meet new people? Any great book suggestions? Who is the most inspiring person you have met or that is in your life?

#62: Have a good supply of unique gift items to send to clients & business amigos for birthdays, anniversaries and any sort of special occasion.

As we all are becoming more “wireless,” we must remember gifts, especially for business. Who doesn’t like getting a personalized care package recognizing an anniversary, promotion, new birth, or a random occasion? We talked about personalized notes a few tips back, but giving gifts is also a great relationship builder (plus it’s fun!). For more along these lines, we have a post coming up about listening to and “dating” clients, but for now we just recommend taking notes on clients’ unique interests. Then when a special occasion comes up you will have a better idea of what will really make their day.

Also, keep on hand a collection of your own note cards and other swag to send along. This adds a personal touch as well as extending your brand. One of the things we do is we buy several copies of our favorite something - usually a business book or a great kid’s book for our clients’ kids.

Some of our favorite business gift books are:
Brand Gap, Zag, The Designful Company, Made to Stick, Groundswell

Some of our favorite kid’s gift books are:
Where the Wild Things Are, Little 1, Charley Harper ABCs

We also send gifts that are special or unique from our locale. We have a great caterer/deli/sweets mecca in Geneva called Movable Feast. We send their brownies whenever we need to. We also will send Lou Malnati’s pizza or Eli’s Cheesecake.

Anyway, I think you get the point. Take a few minutes to brighten your clients’ days. I guarantee they will appreciate it.

Any other suggestions? What do you send to your clients?

#61 Think bigger & think beyond the world of design. Participate as a team in a community event that will impact others & escape the studio!

Admittedly this year I have been more stressed than usual. I think most of us have, due to the current state of things. Busy or not, it has just been an odd year so far. I’ve found that doing something to benefit others, more than anything gives perspective, but also helps to get my mind off the minutia of work, bills, clients, etc. Better yet, rather than doing something just yourself, get your team involved with an event or cause you all can rally around and be a part of.

Now I’m not talking about pro-bono work, or some design project, I’m talking about something completely different. Help raise money by doing a walk, ride, or run, or volunteer at a food bank – something other than a design project is the best. Now admittedly I have not done this yet with my team yet, only with family members and friends, but I plan to.

Their is no better “team builder” than doing something for someone else. Some of you may already… what do you do? Or what events can you recommend?