Whistle while you work

I was doing some routine grocery shopping the other day and approached the checkout counter pretty optimistically. I like to make friendly eye contact and strike up a conversation with the people I come in contact with, whether that be in line or with the cashier. You never know whom you’re going to meet!

The thing that got me about this particular trip though was the conversation I had with the cashier. I approached him smiling and asked him how he was doing. Without reservation, he continued to run the items across the scanner, never looking up at me. He proceeded to tell me how many hours were left in his work shift, how much he couldn’t stand the long lines of people and that he couldn’t wait until Sunday when he had off.

This really made me think about how our interactions with others really sets a tone, whether we’re at work or not. I think most of us have worked a job that we really did not care for at one point in our lives or another. I remember stocking shelves, dipping fries in hot grease, working long retail hours over holidays and designing advertisements that put a limit on my creativity. It’s not fun, or easy, working a job that you do not see yourself working at forever.

Here's my personal reminder: Do what you have to do well until you can do what you want to do long term. 

The energy you put off is magnetic, good or bad. This scenario could have gone differently with a mind shift and outlook change. Does he want to be a cashier for the rest of his life? Probably not. Some people do, and that’s fantastic if that helps them to be the best version of themselves. This fella was probably working towards something that he has his heart set on and is doing this in the meantime. He’s doing what he has to do until he can do what he wants to do.

By shifting your emotions around, you can make the very best of each situation. If we have to work alternative jobs to meet our goals, let’s make the best of them! Here are a few ways you can incorporate this into your work life…

1. Make eye contact – when people approach you, acknowledge them by making gentle eye contact. A simple eye connection can speak louder than words. 
2. Smile – The more positive energy you put out there, the more you will receive. Make someone’s day by giving him or her a grin.
3. Listen to your tone – are you talking short and snippy? What do you sound like to people when you answer the phone or greet them in person? Softening your tone and slowing your speed can change an entire conversation. 
4. How are you presenting yourself? - Are you slouched over, sitting with you hand under your chin? Or are you standing tall and confident? Body language is sets a tone just as much as words do.
5. What is your goodbye message? - When you’re finished working with someone, what well wishes, if any, are you sending them away with? Thank them for their time and wish them a great day. Let them know you are sincerely thankful for your time with them.

These are all key communication tools you can use whether you’re working towards a goal or are working the career of your dreams. We’re all entitled to bad days because we’re human. But how we handle those days is what defines our character. It’s the people around us that will help to lift and carry you through those dark times. If you notice someone having a rough day, take a moment to give them something to lift their spirits, a kind smile, gentle word or even a hug sometimes is all it takes to turn someone’s frown upside down.

Most importantly, know that what you do matters. Your goals are important but so is what you are doing at the present moment. Achieving a goal is built on stacking one accomplishment on top of the last. Consider your current situation one of those building blocks. You’re already achieving so much!

Blackout day

You may be familiar with the concept of Blackout Days if you travel for business or pleasure. This is typically when your discounts, promotions or specials are unavailable, specifically around holidays or heavy travel times. We’ve taken the positive aspect of this, with the help of our business coach, and adapted the concept to our company culture. Blackout Days for us are not a negative; they’re an opportunity to thrive.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the answering game – answering emails, phone calls, internal questions, the meaning of life (ok, maybe that doesn’t cross our minds every day, but it happens). Every time we stop what we’re doing to answer a red dot and a ding, we are breaking concentration from what we’re intending to work on. That’s where Blackout Day comes into play.

The concept is for one day each month we eliminate all outside communication and solely focus on our success list. What needs our most attention? What have we been wanting to work on? What has a deadline that needs my focus on? Blackout Day is a chance to dig in our heels and get ahead. It allows us to better serve our clients.

There are 5 simple rules:

• No email – we close our emails for the entire day, eliminating the feeling, “I’ll just answer that quickly.”
• No phones – we turn off the ringer to the office and our cell phones.
• No meetings – with clients or with one another.
•  Create a success list – what do you want to accomplish during your time?
• Adhere to the rules – that means everyone, including the boss.

The result? Happy people who feel accomplished. We recap at the end of the day about what we each accomplished, celebrating each person. Everyone feels like they’ve put in a solid day and leaves feeling like they’ve gotten ahead. It clears our minds for the next day, knowing we’ve set one another and ourselves up for success.

When Blackout Day is not in full swing, we still try to practice similar habits. When there is a project or deadline that needs our full attention, we eliminate the distractions that would take us away from achieving those goals. Sometimes that means turning off our email for a few hours. Sometimes that means plugging in, listening to music and knocking it out. Each person has his or her own style.

I encourage you and your team to give it a shot. It may seem weird at first, but once you get in the groove of the day, you’ll experience just how much you actually can cross off your list. Don’t feel guilty for not answering people – you’re doing something to serve them better. You’re creating a healthy atmosphere for your team to thrive.

Create a kick-ass company culture

When I started Worx in 2007, I was a one-woman show. I never had formal leadership training or knew what it really took to be a "boss," so when I hired my first employee, a new world opened up. It's kind of like parenting - you don't really know what you're doing so you learn as you go. There are books that tell you how to do it "right" but what I've found, in both parenting and being a leader, it depends on your own unique style.

Being a boss is hard work. You're probably the one that everyone turns to for help, answers and guidance. Like leading a flock of birds in the air, you're the one at the front of the line, orchestrating the direction that everyone goes in. No pressure. Being a boss is a lot of fun, too. I love being the person that guides us all to success and can break the silence with an impromptu dance party. The way that the team speaks, acts, listens and performs creates a company's culture. It is the atmosphere you create at work that makes everyone feel a part of one collective mission. It's how you treat your employees, your policies, your atmosphere and your core values.

Providing a kick-ass culture is a priority for me. Why? Because the girls on my team are human beings and they deserve to be treated as such. Each one of them have their own passions, goals and strengths. There are two parts to being happy at work: do something you have a passion for and do it in a place that makes you feel appreciated and loved. My girls are doing their half by pursuing a career that they love. I'm providing the atmosphere that allows them to thrive.

As the Worx team has grown, I have learned a lot about what it takes to grow the atmosphere. Here are a few things that have played a valuable part in our success. Feel free to adopt any that feel right in your gut. Just remember, each workplace is unique - create a space that is authentic to your team.

1. I don't like the word boss. I prefer leader, honestly. I'm not here to boss my gals around. I'm here to lead them to success. Choose a title that suits your leadership style best.
2. We're approachable. We have an open and honest policy. I've created an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing information with each other, whether it's a pat on the back or a difficult conversation that needs to happen. My team comes to me just as easily as I go to them.  
3. Treat them like humans. They have lives, needs and desires. Listening to what is important them lets them feel heard. When they feel heard, they feel appreciated. If someone has a sick kid at home, their mom is calling or they aren't feeling well, I like to encourage them to take care of the things that matter most in their life. I do that in my own life so I created a culture where they can do the same. 
4. Give them time. We work on really heavy deadlines that are demanding, so the days pass by quickly. We've recently worked in "blackout days" which allows everyone to work uninterrupted from phone calls, email or inside input. This gives them time to feel extra accomplished. I also love random "let's leave at 3pm for no reason" and surprise holidays off.
5. Invest in your team. Inspiration plays a huge role in our company culture. That's why you'll find us attending inspirational conferences like Leadercast, developing The Green Couch Project and celebrating each other's milestones. I love to grow their minds! This is something we can each benefit from as an individual and as a team.
6. Share the inside stuff. I am very open about where we are and where we are headed as a company. I'm a huge fan of sharing my deepest desires with the team. I also share when things are rocky and I need patience. By inviting them in, we are collectively working towards the same goal. No one feels left out or on the outside. 
7. Play into their strengths. I love personality tests. We recently did the Gallop's StrengthsFinder test - this told each of us our top 5 strengths. I know who is the best executer, who's the best at relationship building and who's the strategic thinker. While I do challenge them to get out of their comfort zones, I know they are hardwired differently. Honing in on their strengths gives them power and confidence. 
8. Create a balance. It's great to have fun and be open, but make sure to set boundaries. By doing this, you let the team know that you're part of them, but ultimately the leader is responsible for making sure that everyone is accomplishing their tasks and performing to their best ability. You can have fun, but you also have to get stuff done. My team understands that and does not take advantage of it.
9. Cupcakes. When in doubt, give them cupcakes. Know their dietary restrictions and favorite flavors. Sometimes cupcakes are welcomed with a cold beverage from the fridge. It makes everyone smile. Just sayin'.
10. Have fun. We love to celebrate! We work really hard every day to reach the goals we have for ourselves and our clients. We also have some fun along the way. We laugh, watch silly videos on YouTube and make silly impressions of TV personalities. Laughing is an amazing way to break up the day.

I can't say that I've mastered company culture 100%; I'm always looking for ways to improve it. However, I can say that I'm really proud of the progress that we've made towards it. I love that my team talks about their day in a positive and upbeat way to their families at home. I love that they get excited to come back every day and that we're all part of this incredible energy together.

INTERESTING FACT: I polled everyone in the office, asking what makes Worx a kick-ass atmosphere. They all answered separately with the same results. I compared them to the list above and they are the same (except no one came out and said that cupcakes were an awesome perk, but I think it is). This tells me that we are completely aligned with our goals and core values. Share your values with your team - it creates a unified and passionate atmosphere.  

Creating a culture that is unique to you and your team will not only make for happier people, it will give them the atmosphere they need to flourish and succeed for everyone.

-Laura

Celebrating Our Risk Takers

2014 was a pretty incredible year for a lot of businesses. I could list all day why The Worx Girls love what we do. One of our biggest passions is being part of someone else's dream on a daily basis. We work with risk takers, big thinkers and passionate, driven people that are excited about making a difference in their life and the lives of others. We get to ride along in the side cart of their motorcycle and help them visually navigate through the twists and turns of entrepreneurship. We watch their success story unfold as they take the thought that once scared them and turn it into a lifestyle that fulfills them.

In 2014 we were blessed to have branded over 40 new or growing businesses (you can see a few of them above). 40 companies that are following their dreams, boosting our economy, solving problems and creating jobs for others. They took the first step into living the life they want!

In addition, we launched over 15 websites, kicked off The Green Couch Project and expanded our office space (much needed!). It's been a beautifully busy year for The Worx Family!

We're constantly blown away by the innovative and amazing people that knock on our email doors every week. Here are a few that we're especially proud of:

Innovative, Inc. and NOVA Corporation both made the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US list for 2014.

In addition, Innovative, Inc. has opened a second location in Frederick and continues to grow their dynamic team to serve growing IT needs.

Nova has created 170 new jobs in the past 3 years and was named the 2014 American Indian Business of the Year award.



Food Safety Training Solutions, Inc. has expanded their marketing reach with over 7,000 Facebook likes from 45 countries. Every month they email thousands of viewers from 8 countries to keep them informed on #keepingyourfoodsafe. They are Nationally training the hospitality industry on Food Safety and have worked with some of the countries largest corporations, such as McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.




Nothing makes me happier than to hear a client say, "WOW. You made this real for me. This is something I can now show people instead of just telling them. I can't wait to use it!!" As an entrepreneur, it is easy to get stuck inside your own head. But when you partner with someone that believes in your passion as much as you do, beautiful things can happen.

Are you one of the passionate, big thinkers that we'll get to work with in 2015? I want to see your logo at the top of this page next year because that means you'll have taken the first step to change your life forever. Cheers to 2015 friends.

Tales of a Workin' Mama

Deadlines are looming, the phone is ringing, your child is being needy and clients need your attention. I don’t know about you, but for me this sounds like a typical day at the office. My job allows me the flexibility to bring my daughter with me to work several days a week. Because she is under the age of three, this can be a blessing and a curse. I constantly juggle chunks of productivity and being fully present in the moments shared with my little one.

Last night I had the opportunity to discuss the balance of working and being a mom with a few of my peers at the AAF-GF Roundtable for Workin Mamas. We covered a number of topics, including mom guilt, leaving work at work, balancing work and home life, maintaining a professional appearance, and being present at the moment. Before we left, we all made a promise to ourselves to put some of the solutions we came up with as a group into action.

Mom Guilt. How do you handle it? There is no right or wrong way. While we may not be there for every milestone (ex. Getting braces put on) the relationship we have built with our children remains just as strong. Since many of us have been working since before our children were born, they don’t know any different. Some of us bring our children to work, into our world. Instead of completely separating work and life, they are blended together.

While including children in your work means you can spend more time together, there is a time when we need to leave work at work. One of the mothers shared that she takes everything in her head and writes it down on a sheet of paper. This includes all of the to dos, work or not. Everyday, she tries to do three tasks off her list. After a while, she could get more accomplished and had the satisfaction of crossing items off. Shutting off mobile devices helps us realize that the world will go on if that email isn’t answered until tomorrow. This conversation led into balancing your personal life with a career. Learning to say no is a big step. It is OK to step away from what you have been doing if it no longer serves you. Prioritizing what really matters, like family, will help tremendously in future decision-making. If it doesn’t matter to you, then don’t do it.

Maintaining a professional appearance could mean something different for everyone. Some women work in an environment where there are rules. Others work in a more casual atmosphere, where individuals can dress for the style of the business. The key to all of this is to be authentic and dress for whatever suits you.

Perhaps the most important topic of the evening was practicing mindfulness and being purposeful with what you are doing. Most take a week-by-week approach, allowing time for themselves to recharge, time to plan ahead, and a conscious effort to put the phone away and live in the moment. When we are working, we are working. When we are home, we are home.

Off The Clock Creativity

Do you have a list in the back of your mind waiting to be checked off of your to-do list? No, not the typical shopping list and errands to run. I’m talking about the project list fueled by your creativity and passion.

Don’t get so caught up in the routine of every day and consumed by work projects that you forget to create without limits or restrictions. That’s what got you started in the first place, right? 

Take time to make a list of the projects you want to pursue. As soon as one pops into your head (even those totally random ideas you don’t really know what to apply it to at the moment), write it down. Then schedule a time every day or every week to work on it. Maybe the smaller stuff can be done in one sitting, like learn a new skill by watching a tutorial and following along. Maybe it’s a larger project that would span out over a few weekends. Just don’t push it off. Being creative without limitations allows you to become a better problem solver while in an atmosphere of client criteria.

In Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind, Todd Henry expresses, “Unnecessary Creation gives you the freedom to explore new possibilities and follow impractical curiosities. Unnecessary Creation allows you to take risks and develop new skills that can later be applied to your on-demand creating.”

Take the creative downtime to make mistakes (good and bad). Learn a new skill (even if it’s accidental)! Being totally free-willed with your creative mind helps work through creative blocks you might be experiencing in other aspects of your life. 

Think Big

Have you ever had a crazy idea that would blow everyone’s mind? You start mentally elaborating the meticulous genius details - then, unfortunately, you start second guessing yourself. People might think it’s dumb, or that it’s not achievable? Then before you know it, poof it’s gone, and the opportunity is missed…

Fear no more!

Don’t be afraid of the big ideas: embrace them. Think BIG, be brave, and don’t be afraid to speak up! Most people will have respect for those who think out of the box. So what if it’s not totally realistic, it can easily be narrowed down to a more realistic, attainable version. It’s all part of the process.

Get the bad ideas, the expensive ideas, the totally non-traditional ideas out first. At least they will be out of your brain, where they could potentially be forgotten, and instead be put on paper as proof to be referenced back to.

Can’t find a “genre” that fits your idea? Guess what, there’s a genre just for that!

Guerilla Marketing n. innovative, unconventional, and low-cost marketing techniques aimed at obtaining maximum exposure for a product.

Your big idea is original, unexpected and attention getting. Bring them up in those brainstorming sessions or meetings. Get everyone’s mind out of the in-the-box RUT.  Who cares if it’s new or un-heard of…

…everything that exists now was once the new “weird” idea.

The core of business connections

The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for area businesses. Their purpose is to be the voice of local business and to serve their members. In need of a way to attract and recruit new members, they consulted our team to develop a presentation packet. We considered how the materials would function while enhancing the process. Great care was taken to maintain the integrity of the existing brand while creating materials that can be used together or separately.

Outlining each step creates more organization, streamlines the process and helps to decrease the chance of an error. Forms allow information to be collected in a thorough and organized manner and breaking down the process into manageable steps is a pleasant experience for both parties. A uniform look builds brand recognition and facilitates internal organization for preparing presentations and meetings.

Deliverables Included:

• Pocket Folder
• Informational Flyer
• Trifold Brochure for Yearly Events
• Member Application Card