"Strategy is buying a bottle of fine wine when you take a lady out for dinner. Tactics is getting her to drink it." Frank Muir
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The Year of Blogging Honestly: Day 6
![]() The weather has been beautiful this month. Typically we get a few weeks of "false spring" in February and then March reminds of that winter is not quite over. Not so much this year. Like everyone else, I loaded up on plants (drought tolerant) and potting soil (organic) at Home Despot. With a little help from the Tiger Team staff, I re-planted a few old water troughs. With temps in the 70s and 80s, it's impossible not to think about climate change. Talk about keeping it real. Recently I discovered the David Suzuki Foundation web site. There's a list of the little things anyone can do to make a difference. Given that our congressional leadership are cynically denying science, I appreciate having a way take personal action. It may be small, but not insignificant. Happy Sunday. The Year of Blogging Honestly: Day 5 ![]() Everyone is geeking out because it's Pi day. Twice today we get 10 digits of Pi: 3.14.15 9:26:53. I'm not a math geek (probably because Mr. Rettig threw a book at me in sophomore algebra) so no big deal here. However it's the perfect day to recommend "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel - a thrilling story, great read and a gorgeous movie. Plus the tiger is pretty sweet. Definitely in my top 10. The Year of Blogging Honestly: Day 4 ![]() It's party time. We’re celebrating 12 years of running a successful small business. This is an aha moment. It’s been such an integrated part of our life, Centerline Farm hardly seems like a business. It was built around a dream of living out in the “country”. Based on a passion for all things equestrian. Somehow it turned into a community of people who share a love of horses, the sport and the adventure. Like many small business owners, at first, we were in way over our heads. The learning curve was ridiculously steep. We bootstrapped the farm, as we turned potential into reality. Sometimes it really sucked. Now, most of the time it’s simply great. ![]() Here’s the point. Lots of businesses are a result of one’s avocation. However getting from that passion to a “day job” is a gigantic leap. For some, it never becomes full-time, and that’s OK. Regardless, to grow from avocation to successful occupation, the small business entrepreneur must start by doing these 5 things:
With some good luck, smart choices and lots of previous business experience we were able grow Centerline Farm into a profitable and fun business. We’ve downsized a bit – but it’s still a joy. And what I realize now, the most important thing is learning how to do this: Keep it real, be true to yourself, and live the moment. Let’s get the party started. The Year of Blogging Honestly: Day 3 ![]() How to Have a Year That Counts This is a beautiful article in the Harvard Business Review written by Umair Haque. It merits a re-read every now and then. I've worked in silicon valley for more years then anyone should admit. So it's refreshing to read an article about 'keeping it real' in HBR. There's a theme going on here. Humair's four resolutions:
"I believe, first, in a humble, simple truth: that each and every one of us is here to live a life that matters. And we must do so by making each and every moment of each and every day of each and every year that we are privileged to live count". "Free yourself. Want a year that counts? Maybe you have to end a bad relationship so that you can have your heart shattered into a million tiny aching pieces…so it can beat with a fiercer rhythm. Maybe you have to tell your NeanderBoss “no” instead of smiling and nodding like a spineless flunky. Maybe you have to apologize to someone, and look your shortcomings straight in the eye. Or maybe you have to start that company, marry that person, and put down roots — even when the ground beneath you feels like shifting sand." "So stop. Stop scurrying. Stop chasing. Stop worrying, envying, hoarding, scheming.You’re free. (You always were.) And you have a choice–and a chance. At making it all count. Not just this year. But every instant. Every moment. It. Your life.You." Stop for 5-minutes and read it. Right now. Especially if you're doing what you do, just because that's the way it's always done. The Year of Blogging Honestly: Day 2 ![]() I don't mean to get all touchy-feel. However, one year into this Tiger Team thing calls for a little reflection.
The Year of Blogging Honestly: Day 1 |
AuthorGeorganne Benesch is the principal of Tiger Team Marketing, CMO of Centerline Farm and a over zealous Yoga practitioner. With 25+ years in high-tech product marketing, she consults for start-ups, small businesses and technology companies. Categories
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December 2015
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