November 8, 2006

In this issue:

IDEA: The Cobbler's Children (and other clichés)
PERSONAL: Ann's big news
Bevans Group News

IDEA: The Cobbler's Children (and other clichés)

Email Ann

I am in the habit of spouting off a dizzying number of clichés, most of which are totally indecipherable to my kids. "That's the pot calling the kettle black," I say. They stare at each other, incredulous. Max shrugs, then they both burst out laughing. It's a scene that has played out many times over the years.

Another of my favorite clichés is this one: "The cobbler's children have no shoes." If you are a Gen X'er or younger, allow me to remind you that a cobbler makes shoes, so the idea that his children would go without seems strange.

It seems strange until we remember that the cobbler is so busy making shoes to sell to his customers, he's likely to forget to make shoes for his own children.

This tired cliché applies to me all too often. I hear myself uttering it everytime a prospect pulls up my website during a meeting and I am confronted with a portfolio that is at least eight months out of date. It seems I am too busy making marketing stuff to take care of my own marketing stuff. Like it or not, this undermines my credibility. If I don't practice what I preach, why should anyone else listen to me?

Ask yourself, are you as guilty as the busy cobbler? Are you a printer with lame business cards? Maybe you run a technology company, but you still have an AOL email address. Or maybe, like me, you just haven't taken the time to update your portfolio/references/client list so your prospects know and understand what you do.

Today, I updated my portfolio. What steps can you take to make your walk match your talk? Behaving in a way that is congruent with your message can only help you achieve even more.

My best,

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PERSONAL: Ann's Big News

A personal note, gentle reader.

I'm pleased to announce (in writing, no less), that Dave and I are expecting our first child in March. Looks like it's (another) boy! This is Dave's third child and my first.

Everything's going along swimmingly, so I expect to be available through February, but I will be taking some time off for maternity leave after my son is born. If you have any work you'd like to have done before the big day, don't delay! My schedule is sure to fill up at least as quickly as the nursery...

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