Joie de Vivre
From Wikipedia, “joie de vivre is a French phrase often used in English to express a cheerful enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit”. None exhibits this phrase more than today’s Blog Photo of Vlad the Poodle. He is clearly in his happy place and you cannot help but smile at the photo!
Speaking of happy places, are you in yours? It may seem an odd time to consider this question, but I believe many business owners should be asking this very question during these unprecedented times.
When you consider where you are at, business wise, are you where you would like to be? If not, here are three (3) activities to consider which can help bring some joie de vivre back to your business and its brand.
First, when was the last time you updated your Website? I have found that many small businesses cannot afford a full-time social media employee or website editor. So, like many other tasks, the owner takes this upon herself or himself. If this describes you, take a moment to look at your website. Do you write a Blog? If not, perhaps you should – give people a reason to come back to your website frequently or bookmark it. Perhaps there is a new project you have been awarded and, with the owner’s permission, highlight it on your website. Use photos, people are drawn to color and active photos, be creative, give viewers a reason to smile and to feel your zest for your business. It is a very simple task to add some vitality and color into branding your business.
If your website is not able to be edited for a Blog or an Announcement, you likely have other Social Media platforms for your business. Write an article, with photos, on Facebook or LinkedIn. Twitter and Instagram may not offer the length you need but you can certainly write an upbeat paragraph with a vibrant photo. Whichever platform you use, color your world a bit, share your passion for what defines you and the viewers or readers will certainly feel that excitement and, hopefully, absorb it into their own approach. Now, more than ever, we need this boost.
Second, when was the last time you reached out to your clients, prospects, centers of influence? Send them an email or a hand-written card, let them know you are thinking of them, and that you are here should they need anything. It is a subtle reminder about your business and a good reminder to them that you care and appreciate them.
I received a package recently and the envelope had a heart and the hashtag #wecare on it. I can tell you I smiled when I saw that envelope and I was excited to open it. A colorful card or a branded card will make someone feel good knowing that you reached out and expressed your concern for them. If it turns into business at some point, great, and, if not, likely sending it made you feel better and certainly they likely felt better receiving it!
And, lastly, be sure you are communicating to those integral to your business. If everyone is still working from home, call them or schedule a fifteen (15) minute Skype or Zoom call. Check in, ask how they are doing and share some laughter with them. We can never have enough laughter in our lives. Since you likely will not be able to take them out for a lunch given social distancing, it is a good time to remind yourself why you pay for that phone land line. We can all get caught up in the turmoil of today. Ask yourself what would make you smile and then reach out and perform that act with your clients, employees, shareholders, referral sources or office neighbors.
The catch phrase going around of ‘We are all in this together” does have real meaning. But it is up to each one of us to do our part, be positive, add some color to the world. And, if you can do this while also promoting your business goods and services, it is a true win!
Be like Vlad, run through the wildflowers, treat this as an adventure, and find some joie de vivre in your business! We will all be a little better for it!
Be Well.
