This Could Be Revolutionary: Online Scheduling Services

Like the idea of promoting your company, booking clients and maximizing your time? How about all at the same time? Its possible with the likes of three new online scheduling companies: HourTown, Booking Angel and Genbook. These companies host and post your personal and business itineraries and offer the viewing public the available time slots or appointments. No more phone or email tag with clients wanting to know your availability. Potential or repeat customers can immediately see when you are available and book on the spot from the host's website. The really exciting part, as Bob Tedeschi writes in today's New York Times E-Commerce Report is they " will also transmit scheduling information for their businesses to search engines and online Yellow Pages directories". This works best for appointment based service industries like hairdressers, massage therapists, restaurants, healthcare providers and the like. But from a cost management perspective this is worth investigating especially since some of the services are free.

File this under: Morning Rituals

This is just good fun and a great way to start the day: Indexed by Jessica Hagy.

Innovation and Inspiration Through New Ways of Thinking

What do cancer research + a professional gambler and cleft palate surgery + an advertising executive have in common? Brand new ways of thinking about charitable business models. Read here for more "Bottom-Line Philanthropy".

Managing Stress

Burning the candle at both ends tends to be par for the course for most entrepreneurs. If its not the workaholic in you, it may be the pressure from deadlines that the responsibility of having your own business brings. Its also hard to say no to a client. For most, balancing work and life is a constant challenge. It takes active participation and a solid support system. And access to good (read: relevant) information. I can definately recommend this article from How Design called "Shedding Stress" by Pat Matson Knapp as being all the above. 

I have frequently turned to How Design since I discovered it (thanks Steve!) to help me with all sorts of things like dealing with difficult clients, pricing services and self promotion among other things. If you're not a designer, don't worry. This magazine is still full of relevant information.

 

Quote of the Week-March 12, 2008

"Figure out who you are and then do it on purpose."

-Dolly Parton

Business Pre-Nup or Post-Nup?

Yesterday I mentioned that I had rescinded my services from a client under uncomfortable circumstances.  Today I came across a great article "Making the Breakup Much Easier" in the New York Times. It outlines the importance of deciding ownerships in joint business ventures and co-development initiatives and how to go about them. 

Social Entrepreneurs: Mainstreaming of the Mavericks

Charles Leadbeater's article about social entrepreneurs is nothing new (published March 07) but I found it so heartening that when I read again, I wanted to share it.