The ADD Business Owner

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Why I Don't Barter My Services

I've seen a number of articles this week about how bartering products and services can help businesses save money. I strongly disagree.

Every now and then I get a request to "barter" for my coaching services. Usually, the person on the other end is offering marketing or administrative services, two things that I have paid for in the past and will no doubt pay for again in the future.

However, I turn down barter offers every single time. In fact, a few years ago I made it an ADD Management Group "company policy" to not barter services.

Here are the 2 very simple reasons why I don't barter my services, and why you should think twice about bartering in your business:

1. I don't value free or "bartered" services as much as I value the ones I'm paying for.
2. YOU (i.e. the person on the other end of the deal) doesn't value free or bartered services as much as you value the ones you're paying for.

Think about it... If I allowed you to attend for free, you might show up, and you might not. You might use the strategies, and you might not. What's the difference? You didn't pay for it. No skin off your back.

If you pay $197 to attend my Time Management Masters Seminar, you'll likely attend the sessions and do the work because, well, you paid for it, dammit! It's human nature to want to get your money's worth.

If your products and services are really worth something, then don't give them away. Charge for them, and then prove their value. If I need what you have to offer, I'll be more than happy to pay for it.

Successful AD/HD Business Owners Aren't Panicking

In my book, Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD, I make a distinction between those adults with ADD who are happy and successful, and those who are not. I point out the 5 essential ADD management skills that the happy and successful ADDers have worked to build.

Lately, I've made a somewhat similar observation: The happy and successful business owners with ADD are not panicking in this economic slowdown.

Rather, these business owners recognize that:

1. The economy moves in cycles. It slows down, and it will pick up again.
2. A down economy presents different opportunities than we find in a thriving economy.
3. Leaders will emerge amid the turmoil. Now more than ever, your client and customer base need you to take a leadership role and prove to them that you and your company have valuable contributions to offer.

Jen Recommends: Web Design & More

One of the most popular questions I'm asked by ADD business owners (especially coaches) is "Who is your web designer?"

Actually, I am no longer working with the person who designed the main ADD Management Group website or the templates for the AMG blogs, but I do have a fantastic web designer who I enthusiastically recommend.

Amy Taggart of DesignFormare designed the following websites for us:

• Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD
• Virtual AD/HD Conference (she did the logo, too)

And she designed the following product packaging for us:

• Master the Art of Time Management
• Kiss Your Clutter Goodbye!
• Taming the Family Circus

Here at the ADD Management Group, we consider Amy a part of the team. She's got a real talent for turning our ideas into beautiful and effective designs. She's down-to-earth and easy to work with. And she's got that maverick streak in her, as well, which everyone knows I appreciate! (If you work with her, ask her about her band and you'll see what I'm talking about!)

Amy recently came through for us in a major way, and I thought it would be fitting to thank her in a blog post while recommending her services. If you need a designer for your next project, look no further!

Perfectionism: Are You Doing a Two-Ass Job?

In working with a client recently, we had a discussion about some tension with her non-ADD business partner. "It's just that she always does such a half-assed job," the client said. "I'm busting my butt and she's hardly trying."

In fact, this client does work really hard. Too hard. She gets caught up in perfectionism, works long hours, and is always stressed out.

"So she's doing a half-ass job," I said to the client, "and you're doing a two-ass job."

I have no idea where the term "half-ass" came from, but it certainly is an interesting way of describing a shoddy job, isn't it? And it stands to reason that if there is such a thing as a half-ass job, then there is also such a thing as a two-ass job.

While you might think that ADD would cause a business owner to do half-assed work, I find the opposite to be true. ADD business owners often get caught up in old patterns and belief systems, worrying about what others will think of their work and overcompensating as a result. They do two-assed work. This is a form of perfectionism, and it leads to overwhelm and, ultimately, burnout.

My client laughed and agreed. And the point became clear: the best work is done with one full ass. No more, no less.

Will You Be In Minneapolis on July 10th?

I'll be in Minneapolis at the 13th National ADDA Conference next month. The ADD Management Group will be exhibiting, and I'll be presenting an interactive session on "Overcoming the Chronic Overwhelm Associated with Adult AD/HD."

I'll also be available for some face-to-face coaching/consulting with ADD business owners.

This is your chance to meet with me, spread out your papers and plans, and:

1. Take a look at the big picture of your business to determine what's working and what's not, and outline a plan for moving forward.
2. Review your business revenue and cash flow, and create a plan to maximize income.
3. Review your role in the business, and the roles of your team members (or lack thereof) to ensure that the right people are in the right places for maximum efficiency and minimum stress.
4. Explore your vision  to ensure that your business is aligned with your dreams and goals.
5. Work on any combination of the above, or anything else you'd like to get help with.

Off course, the entire time we'll keep in mind the "5 Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD" and ensure that you're working with your ADD in your business.

If you live in the Minneapolis area or are attending the ADDA conference, and you think you might be interested in some face-to-face coaching/consulting with me, then please contact me at coaching [at] addmanagement.com for more information.

My availability is limited, and time is being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

I love working with business owners, and I'm really looking forward to some face-to-face coaching/consulting in Minneapolis!

Business Travel & ADD: Lessons Learned

I attended the AD/HD Coaches Organization annual conference last week and I thought it might be helpful to post my 'lessons learned,' especially as they relate to my earlier posts on 'business travel and ADD."

Lessons Learned:

1. Do NOT tell clients I'll be available via email. I had some problems with my Internet connection at the hotel and couldn't download a bunch of emails. This isn't the first time I've had this problem, either. (Solution: answer emails if possible, but don't commit to it.)
2. DO take the following day off. The conference was a Friday-Sunday, so I am now on my 8th straight working day, and have a full week ahead. A recharging day after returning home would have been helpful.

Lessons Reiterated:

1. DO plan ahead for self-care. One of the easiest things to "fall off track" with when traveling is food. I know that certain foods will screw with my energy and mood, and that includes hotel food. So the night of my arrival, I found a nearby Whole Foods and stocked up on the kinds of food I eat when I'm home. I felt much better at this conference than I did at the last one I attended, during which I ate a lot of hotel food.
   
2. Do NOT plan to get work done. I broke my own rule on this one! I know better than to expect myself to get things crossed off my list while away on business. It creates too much stress and pressure, and it's often an unrealistic expectation. But I did it anyway this time, thinking I'd do some work on the plane. I might have, if I didn't have two screaming kids and their neurotic mother behind me. Better to not plan on getting work done, and consider it a bonus if I do.

For more posts on business travel and ADD, see:
ADD Business Travel Tip #1
ADD Business Travel Tip #2
ADD Business Travel Tip #3

Freedom to Make the Rules

Last night I finished reading Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote, a book recommended by our vet. Unlike Dog Whisperer Cesear Milan's authoritarian approach to dog training, Ted's all about letting his dog be a dog. Merle looks a lot like my Punky, and stories of his independent personality often had me giggling in bed as I read, thinking about how much I love my 10-year old Punky.

Reading in bed at 1.30am this morning, I had about 70 pages left in the book when it became apparent that we were getting into the subject of Merle's death. I knew it was coming. I had been dreading it. I decided to face it head on and get it over with. That meant finishing the book right then and there, which also meant being up all night.

I spent two solid hours bawling. I whaled and sobbed to the point where I had to stop reading--multiple times--because I couldn't see the words on the page through my watery eyes.

It was a great book, but probably my last 'I-love-my-dog-so-much' book. I just can't handle them.

At 5am I was still awake, trying to fall asleep and thinking to myself that I had screwed up my work day. Now I would be tired and fall behind in my work. Leaving for a conference tomorrow, I couldn't afford to take the day off. I started to feel guilty, and then I had a moment of clarity.

I can sleep in. I don't have kids to get up with. I don't have clients or appointments in the morning. I own my own business, and I can adjust my own hours. This one of the reasons I own a business to begin with. Because it allows me the freedom to make my own rules.

Of course, staying up all night to bawl my eyes out over a dog I never knew isn't ideal. But it's nice to have the freedom to make that choice.

Save the Drama for Your Mama

Adults with ADD crave stimulation. When we don't have enough stimulation in our work or home lives, we can easily get sucked into drama.

Think back to high school, when phrases like these dominated conversations:

• She told him and he told me that _____.
• I hear that he said _____.
• Did you hear what she did?
• I can't believe he _____!

Of course, many of these statements get spread, twisted, and overblown. Before you know it, the whole school hates some poor person who probably doesn't deserve it. That is, until the next target emerges.

As mature as we like to think we are, the drama doesn't stop in high school. Drama and gossip prevail throughout our lives, and only the most enlightened are able to detach from it. ADDers, in particular, can get wrapped up in drama because it's often much more interesting than the day-to-day stuff.

As business owners, however, we have to be extra careful about getting caught up in drama. For starters, YOU set the tone for your staff. If you devote lots of your time to gossip, you can expect that your staff will, too. Additionally, your conduct sets the tone for your brand. A business owner who gossips sends a message of being untrustworthy.

Perhaps the biggest danger of all when it comes to getting caught up in drama is that it can turn around and bite you in the ass. Just like in high school, those who participate in the drama will always end up as a target eventually. That can hurt your reputation, and thus hurt your business. And you probably won't even see it coming.

It's perfectly normal to get caught up in drama every once in a while, although it's no doubt better to avoid it altogether. If you do find yourself engaged in some drama, here are a few tips to keep it under control:

• Restrict gossip to a few people you know very well and trust whole-heartedly. Note that this does NOT mean your staff, clients, or customers!
• Don't believe everything you hear. There are three sides to every story: your's, mine, and the truth.
• Remain objective whenever possible and give people the benefit of the doubt. You'd want them to do the same for you.

What are your thoughts about drama at work? Have you or your business ever been the subject of drama? Please share your thoughts!

A Tale of Two Accountants

I've been doing my own taxes since my very first after-school job at 15. I remember the days when filing that 1040EZ form took 10 minutes and resulted in a nice refund.

Then came full time jobs, itemized deductions, and Schedule C forms, so I moved over to TurboTax for my more complicated tax filings.

Last year, ever-increasing complications with my taxes along with a desire to delegate the stresses in my life had me searching for a good accountant. I found a firm that had a lot of experience in filing business taxes, and counted many local businesses as their clients. Let's call them The Firm. They were quite thorough. But they were stuffy. A little dry. Dare I say boring?

So when it came time to make Erin a partner in the business last summer, I shopped around for a new accountant. I found someone I liked--let's caller her The Other Accountant, and then proceeded to write a post entitled HELP! My Accountant Has ADD!

The Other Accountant was very friendly, a little kooky, and insanely upbeat. She even told me that she thought she might have ADD! She wasn't as knowledgeable as The Firm, and had to look up a couple of thing. But we got along fabulously, and I thought she would be a better match for me and the business.

Man, was I wrong.

In January, The Firm sent a large envelope in the mail. It contained a 20-page questionnaire, along with  a list of all the documents we would need to file our personal and business taxes for 2007. And, there was a postage-paid envelope included in the packet. They made it as easy as possible--answer these simple questions, gather these documents, mail everything to us in this envelope, and we'll get to work! Talk about ADD-friendly!!

I heard nothing from The Other Accountant.

While I technically didn't need to meet with The Firm this year, I scheduled an appointment because this was the first year that we were filing as an S-Corp, as opposed to a single member LLC, and I had questions.

First, I was a little embarrassed when I had to explain to The Firm that The Other Accountant filed some papers for us. "We cheated on you," I told the Managing Partner. "And we learned our lesson." Thankfully, he laughed. Little did I know that there was even more lesson to learn.

When The Firm looked at the papers The Other Accountant filed, they immediately saw that she had filed the papers incorrectly. She filed us as a multi-member LLC, not as an S-corp. Needless to say, I was pissed.

The Firm then proceeded to explain that they didn't think we should file as an S-corp for various reasons. Of course, we had this discussion with The Other Accountant last summer, who was obviously in over her head in this matter. I felt a little stupid but, hey, how the hell was I to know? I'm not a CPA!

Everything is being straightened out now, by The Firm, of course. And I have learned a very important lesson: Accounting is not like coaching.  When choosing a coach, personality plays a large role. When choosing an accountant, knowledge and experience trump personality. Boring accountants in suits  will save you time and money in the long run...at least in my case, anyway!

Only 13 days left til April 15! Have YOU filed your taxes yet? :)

For Your Distraction AND Education: The SEO Rapper

Do you do business online, or does your business at least have a website? If so, then you'll want to check out The SEO Rapper on YouTube. He's got rap lessons on topics such as Design Coding, Conversion Closing, Paid Search.

Business education has never been so entertaining. I'm ready to hire him!