When Are You Off?

I am not a full-time entrepreneur.  I do it part-time, while maintaining part-time employment for a media company.  I almost never have a day off, unless I leave town.  Even then, it's hard to resist the pull of occasionally checking email or voicemail. 

A year ago I thought about buying an HTC touch phone, with a data package.  At the time, I only accessed the Internet when I was at a computer.  It looked like a great idea that I could check messages while in line at the store, or waiting in an office for an appointment.  My friend reminded me that once he bought his HTC, he lost privacy.  He has never had a day when someone didn't try to contact him.  If he wants down time, he has to turn his phone off, otherwise his email signal starts pinging.

I never bought that phone.  What do I do on my downtime?  Read.  Slowly savour tea.  Play guitar, or with the cats.  Chat with someone in line at the store.

Has your choice in technology affected your downtime?

Gastown House

The Olympics are bringing unprecedented amounts of people to downtown Vancouver, and they are shopping.  Business is really good if you're situated along the corridors of Granville or Robson.  The poor older uncle, Gastown, is left on the outside looking in.

Until innovative entrepreneurs came up with the brilliant idea of naming their community "Gastown House", in light of the other Olympic houses that have sprung up in the city.  How is this "house" better than Molson House, Heineken House, or Canada House?  According to the people handing out the Gastown flyers:

• no lineups
• lots of beer from around the world
• room to walk on the sidewalk
• unique shopping: Canadiana, vintage, local designs, brand names
• lots of restaurants that represent countries around the world
• parking

These guys were brilliant, sliding up beside the main event and making a name for themselves.  Yet they didn't overstep boundaries and outright copy the Olympic houses.  Brilliant!

Perspective

Moguls skier Jennifer Heil won Canada's first medal last weekend.  It was silver, not the gold that a lot of Canadians hoped for.  But she still happily accepted her bouquet on the podium.  Why? 

Because she WON silver, she didn't LOSE gold.  People need to remember she fell short of winning gold by TENTHS of a second.

Lesson: having a fresh perspective on things can make you instantly quotable in the media.

Olympic Effect

Have traffic re-routes affected how you are doing business February - March 2010? 

During the Vancouver Olympics, I am using transit and walking.  With the right weather gear, it is really pleasant to do so in downtown.  There's art and music playing everywhere.  It's also fun helping people not used to the transit system figure out what train they're supposed to take.

How is business going for you during the next few weeks?

TV Colours

It's a good idea to have an outfit ready, in case of a last-minute television interview.  When a newsroom calls and wants you to speak on-camera, they usually give only 45 minutes to an hour notice. 

When putting an outfit together for this type of situation, take note of the colours.  Clothing to avoid includes too much white or black (unless it's a shirt underneath a blazer, for example).  Stripes or small zig-zag patterns do not translate well to video; they create unusual wavy lines, which distract viewers.  Anything excessively shiny may end up looking terrible.  Muted, conservative colours are best.

Look in the mirror before meeting the crew as well.  Is your hair sticking up?  Any crumbs on your face?  Ladies, wear some makeup, but don't pile it on, or else you'll end up looking like a clown.

For more tips on how to prepare for an on-camera interview, email VanMedia (contact information below).

Back to School

Ever notice, when looking for new work opportunties, that a new technology or skill pops up repeatedly?  For example, when looking around for videography gigs, I often see HD or Blue-Ray terms pop up.  For photography, clients want special lighting, Photoshop-ing, and website-ready pictures.

There are easy ways to upgrade your skills.  The Vancouver School Board's Continuing Education program runs year-round.  Some businesses hold private courses in the evenings or on weekends.  It's easy to learn at home as well, with the plethora of on-line tutorials and manuals.

The times are a-changing -- and fast.  Keep your skills up to date and you won't lose!

The New Year

January of any new year is exciting, for goal-making reasons.  It's a reminder for you to look at where your career is headed, and what steps you will take this year to make things happen.

Dust off old to-do lists from 2009; review the steps and see if you took them.  If yes, congratulations!  If there are steps leftover, determine which ones you can and can't do.  Understand your time limits, and cross off any unecessary tasks.