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How Could You Be Misunderstood?

What I’ve learned from asking interviewee’s “what are your three biggest weaknesses?”.

What I’ve Learned From Asking Interviewees “What Are Your Biggest Weaknesses?”

I recently read an article that featured Stacey Valy Panayiotou, the senior vice president of global talent and development at Coca-Cola. She shared that her favorite interview questions were “How could you be misunderstood?” and “How can people get the wrong impression of you, and what do you do about that perception?”. I liked her alternative to the age-old interview question “What is your biggest weakness?”.

While conducting job interviews, I have asked dozens of individuals what their “three biggest weaknesses” were. I typically received one of three types of answers:

  1. Spinning a strength into a weakness.

    I’m sorry, but saying you “work too hard” is a cop-out answer.

  2. “I can’t think of any.”

    If, after sharing a weakness of my own, the interviewee still couldn’t pinpoint a weakness, I would tell them I don’t hire anyone without weaknesses. Because we ALL have weaknesses and what matters to me is that you’re aware and working on them.

  3. An honest, articulate, self-aware answer.

    This was the minority of individuals I’ve interviewed but it was always refreshing to hear. There were the few who shared startling honest weaknesses which were red flags for hiring (you can work on your theft problem elsewhere) but, for the most part, their honesty spoke to their credit.

I’ve learned that sometimes asking this question proved fruitful; however, it was often too flat and generic. So I adopted Panayiotou’s questions into my interview process as they are less intimidating for the interviewee. Her questions bring in a dualistic dynamic by accounting for not only the individual but how self-aware they are towards how their actions are perceived.

While this is technically an interview question, I think it’s good for everyone to ask themselves this question. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to wait until I’m prepping for a job interview to figure out how I could be misunderstood. Unsure where to start? Get input from those around you — family, friends, coworkers. Learning how you are perceived can reduce frustration for you and the people around you…and we all want that!

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Checklist for Launching a Squarespace Website

Looking to DIY a Squarespace website? Stressed you’ll miss a step? I’ve created a simple checklist to give my clients before we start their website design and thought it would helpful to share with you!

Looking to DIY a Squarespace website? Stressed you’ll miss a step? I’ve created a simple checklist for use with my clients and thought it would helpful to share with you!

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Generally, the goal for a website is to create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website to promote or sell your offerings, share business information + content, and grow your email list. Keep in mind your big picture goals and future user experience during every step of building your website.

Website Checklist

TECH

  • Sign up for Squarespace trial and choose template

  • Link domain name, business email, and other business information

  • Sign up for a e-mailing service (Flodesk, Mailchimp, Squarespace, etc.) and connect to website.

  • Create a Stripe, or Paypal account to process payments

  • Consider adding a chat box service like Pure Chat to website

SITE ORGANIZATION

  • Create website outline of what you want included on website

  • Outline user journey

  • Write content (i.e. about, home, services / products / work with me, blog (categories and tags), contact, careers, pick up locations, ordering, FAQ)

  • Gather images

  • Organize navigation

  • Build out pages

SEO

  • Connect Google Analytics

  • Write page descriptions

  • Turn on SSL

  • Turn on AMP

  • Check Google Page Speed insight

  • Install Moz Bar in Chrome

  • Install Google Search Console

MARKETING

  • Create newsletter opt-in freebie

  • Implement strategic newsletter sign-ups across site

  • Connect social media accounts

  • Turn on share buttons

  • Include trust signals (i.e. testimonials, etc)

LAUNCH

  • Test on mobile

  • Test links

  • Activate Squarespace subscription

  • Promote!

Have questions related to building a Squarespace website? Comment below and I’ll do my best to answer you!

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Four Entrepreneurs Share Their Biggest Lesson in Business

I asked four entrepreneurs what their biggest lesson has been since starting their businesses. Here’s what they said.

Some of the best advice I’ve received has come not from business textbooks but from individuals or entrepreneurs who have experience under their belts. If you can learn from someone else’s journey, why not? I’ve asked a few entrepreneurs I know and respect for what is one lesson they’ve learned in business. Here’s what they said.

Know your biggest strengths and weaknesses. Find someone whose strength is your weakness and ask them for help and guidance. For me, Strength: Visionary leadership and Weakness: Financial controls.  

So I make a good CEO, but only if I have a good CFO.
— Gregg Rozeboom, Fruitive
 
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I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned has been to be more kind and understanding to myself and my abilities. To listen to my body and know that I’m doing all I can.

This helps me stay positive. Meditating daily twice a day and slowly digesting my thoughts. It may not always be the most productive, but if I’m not ok, everything stops.
— Nez Nelsen, nezlife studios
 
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My biggest lesson in starting my own business is to come in with clear intention, to be very focused on my goal on helping individuals, families, & businesses with my highest ability, for their highest good. I take each client in as if they were someone in my family. I concentrate on staying focused, no multitasking, and get it done with respect, love, & understanding.
— Jen Van Horn, Jen Van Horn Health
 
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Aside from the obvious - understanding what your services are, pricing them correctly, and having a robust client roadmap with clear understanding of deadlines and deliverables on both sides - I’d say the most important thing I’ve learned is that business takes place outside of Instagram and even social media in general.

It’s crazy to say that in the 21st century, but it’s true. I believe I spent more time coming up with the perfect Instagram caption and grid pattern in my first year than I took making sure the few clients I was lucky enough to have in my first year on my own were taken care of.

Instagram and other social outlets are an awesome tool. But to build a business that has depth, meaning and a potential legacy? It has to live outside the digital realm. It has to have a functionality in the real world. It has to have a mission beyond gaining new followers and more eyeballs to your content.

Otherwise, you’re building a digital sandcastle. The bits and bytes of trends and new platforms will crash like a tidal wave over your kingdom. And I want to build something that has a deep purpose and meaning. That can withstand a trend. That can sustain.

In the next year of my business, I am going to work to make my digital presence as a business into the real world. Meaning, I won’t spend more time on Insta Stories than I do creating meaningful content that makes an impact.
— Brett Tubbs, Valor Media Group
 
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My advice? Surround yourself with individuals in different industries and various seasons of life who can challenge you, encourage you, and maybe even help you to not make their same mistakes!

Cheers,

Emily

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What To Do Before Starting A Business, According To A Business Manager

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Thinking about starting your own business? It can be overwhelming to know what your first steps should be and who you should have on your team. If there is one person who has had the biggest impact on my business it’s my bookkeeper, Crystal. I’ve been lucky enough to have her on my team since day one and she has made a world of difference for both my sanity and the health of my business. Not only does she keep my books straight, she helps me make smart business decisions and acts as a general sounding board for me. Some people think they can’t afford a bookkeeper but, for me, I can’t afford not to!

Crystal is not your average bookkeeper. She’s a full-time Business Manager with many years of experience who really understands everything that goes into making a business successful. Naturally, I thought she’d be the perfect person to give some advice to those of you who are looking to start a new business. Here’s what she said:

Take the time to set up your business properly. Start with a business plan that includes budget & cashflow projections for your 1st year through the next 3 years. Select a team of experts who can advise you on the various areas of your business – Attorney, CPA, Bookkeeper. Meet with each of them & show them your business plan.
— Crystal S.


ATTORNEY

  • Talk to them about the type of entity your business should be and the cost to create that entity. 

  • Do they have a recommendation for a bank & why?

CPA

  • Talk to them about how to pay yourself. 

  • Do they know a reputable bookkeeper? 

  • Ask what the estimated cost to prepare your annual tax return will be.

  • Do they have a recommendation for a bank & why?

BOOKKEEPER

  • Try to find someone with 5-10 years bookkeeping experience. Ask for references and take the time to check them.

  • What accounting software would they recommend & what are the associated costs? 

  • What payroll company would they recommend & what are the associated costs? 

  • How much will they charge to do your bookkeeping? 

Review your business plan periodically. It’s good to be reminded why you started your business & it allows you to make any necessary adjustments to your plan as your business evolves & grows.
— Crystal S.
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Congrats on taking the step to start your own business! Stay tuned for my next blog post on business advice from some of my favorite entrepreneurs.

Cheers,

Emily

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