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Think Big and Start with the Why

by Rachel Dukeman | Nov 7, 2016 | Strategy

My Goal: Travel the World to Experience Different Cultures

It’s difficult to get anything done without planning in advance. You can say “I’m gonna lose 10 lbs” or “I’m going to take a month off to travel” but you most likely won’t get there without taking a step back, thinking about how to accomplish it, and making a realistic plan. The same rules exist in business.

The first step: Start with the why. Why do you want to lose weight? Why do you want to travel? To achieve your goals, you must be really clear about what’s motivating you. You’re going to need to find the willpower and the drive to continuously push yourself toward your goal. So you’ll need to always remember why. Ask yourself why until you identify the true reason deep down that is motivating you. Maybe you want to lose weight so that you are ultimately a healthier person. Fitting into those jeans from college may be a strong motivator, but feeling good emotionally because you are more physically fit may be closer to why you really want to lose weight. Constantly remind yourself of that “why.” Simon Sinek gave a great TED Talk about the importance of “why” that you can watch for inspiration.

Once you understand why, don’t be afraid to think big. Eventually, you’ll break your goals down into smaller, more digestible pieces — objectives that will be realistic for your specific life and business needs. But from the start, you should aim high and think big. Don’t sell yourself short! Remain true to yourself and true to your passions. If you set yourself out to achieve a sweeping goal that only so-so aligns with your interests, it going to be that much harder to push yourself to achieve that goal. So find a goal that motivates you and gives you something to work towards.

The best part of all of this: If you start with the why and really think big, then your business goals will naturally align with your personal passions and you’ll be one step closer to creating a mission-driven business. Empower yourself with a mission. It’s much easier to come to work if you’re accomplishing more than a bottom line. And if you’re the one setting the goals, then you’re able to be your own boss. Which is a great goal, isn’t it?

Be More Proactive With These Day-to-Day Planning Tips

by Rachel Waxman | Oct 29, 2016 | Action Planning

Proactive Planning Simplified

I swear by the daily paper planner. I like having a tangible list and I like having a neat, organized, pretty little piece of paper. I love the feeling of crossing things off and throwing out the paper at the end of the day. I first got hooked when I discovered this template from Etsy. And I made it my own by creating sparkly glitter flower covers that I got laminated and took the whole thing over the Kinkos to get bound. SO worth it, by the way, because those stupid sparkles made me do a little happy dance every time I looked at them (not to mention, they serve as a GREAT conversation starter right before a meeting).

You should find what works for you. Do you like adorable fluffy pets? Do you like fashion magazines? Do you love everything at Anthropologie? Whatever it is that can bring just a tiny bit of happiness to your day, stick it right on the cover of your planner (or on your computer background, or tape a pic of it to your desk…)

Each Monday I get into work and spend 15 minutes to make a list of projects that I aim to complete that week. Then I spend another 15 minutes writing the day’s meetings into my daily planner, and scheduling tasks for appropriate chunks of time based on my availability outside of meetings. I find it helpful to doodle quick tasks along the side, so I can still be productive when I have a quick 10 minutes to spare.

The biggest challenge in this game is avoiding distractions when you set aside time for specific tasks. When working from home I put my phone away and make sure it’s set not to make sounds or vibrate, sometimes I’ll also put my computer on “Do not disturb” so the iMessages don’t come through. Log off of Gchat, close all social media tabs (or any non-relevant browser tabs). You’ll likely be surprised at how focused you can be when you eliminate distraction! It’s a bit more challenging in the workplace, where people are your biggest distraction. If you have the possibility of using a private space, take advantage of that. Or ask coworkers not to disturb you when you’ve got headphones in. Just be honest: when you need to be working, tell those around you that you can’t speak to them until you’re finished. (Pro tip: I also found these playlists made specifically for productivity, which I swear works)

Each day I start off with a new daily list, taking 10 minutes to get settled at work and be intentional about my plan for the day. The more I plan in advance, the more I can be proactive, not reactive, in the workplace. And that’s the main goal, right? Be proactive.

Catapult Productivity With Core Values

by Rachel Dukeman | Oct 25, 2016 | Entrepreneur, Marketing, Policy, Thought Leaders

Who doesn’t love Wegman’s?

The fresh produce. The large beautifully designed aisles. Carefully chosen offerings that are sustainable, healthy and delicious. Each decision that goes into making Wegman’s such an inviting space to load up on crunchy apples and aged cheddar is guided by the institution’s core values. Which means everyone from the CEO to the person stocking the prepared foods knows exactly the environment that Wegman’s strives to create – and more importantly doesn’t waste time with choices that run counter to those values.

What are core values, exactly?

Well, first a definition: Core values are attributes shared by key stakeholders in the organization. They embody the brand identity, are used in the tone of the value proposition, and describe standards held by the organization. Most simply, core values are adjectives or common phrases that describe the personality traits of the people involved with the organization – from staff to investors to the clientele. You with me?

How can core values increase productivity and efficiency?

Core values increase productivity by aligning personalities and standards in a work place. This increases efficiency by focusing attention on work that will be most productive or eliminating the work that is not.

It’s simple and you’re probably already doing it. Let’s say you’re hiring. In the interview process, you’re most likely going to look for someone who complements your existing team. If you acknowledge what traits your staff share that make them work together so effectively and look for those traits in a new hire, you know you’ll build a stronger team.

You’re already doing this, right? Keep going.

So take it a step or two further by keeping those traits identifiable to all stakeholders. Likewise, not taking on a client or vendor who doesn’t share your core values helps you avoid situations that won’t be a good fit.

For example, one of the core values at R&R Creative is creativity. If someone approaches us with a project where there’s absolutely no room to propose new or innovative solutions then chances are we won’t be happy doing the project. Unhappy teammates make for an unhappy work environment which could result in our product suffering. The beauty here is that clearly stating our core values increases efficiency because they enable us to say no, and focus on what will end up being more productive in the long run.

What’s next?

Now, if you don’t know your core values or those of your organization I suggest you find out. If their answer is: what core values? Then maybe it’s time to make the case. Lucky you, R&R Creative knows just where to start. We can show you how to feature those values throughout your organization and marketing strategy to make sure you are attracting the right vendors, customers and team members, which means winning half the battle right from the start.

Find Freedom in Your Budget

by Rachel Dukeman | Oct 21, 2016 | Strategy

Get Some Budgeting Clarity

Budgeting is a dreaded task. But it shouldn’t be. Budgeting should be a freeing task that clarifies where your organization will spend money and ways to generate revenue. So then why do so many people dread it?

Budgeting is scary because it involves money. We all like money, right? So why’s that scary? It’s the connotation about financial success that puts pressure on us.

Our materialistic culture has raised financial status to be a measure of success. So naturally we’ve begun to think that our success is directly linked to the amount of money we have. And sometimes, we can be just as scared of being successful as we are of failing. Success raises the bar of standards to maintain. If we’re consistently maintaining the status quo and failing at budgeting, then we haven’t let anyone down.

Plus, for many start-ups, small businesses, and nonprofits, cash flow is a consistent challenge. We are constantly bombarded with having to prioritize which vendors or bills we pay first, or thinking about how long we can wait until the next big payment to clear. This creates decision fatigue and a sense that financial management is stressful. If we’re consistently stressed about financial decisions, it becomes a chore and something we dread.

So how can we change these two reasons we dread budgeting, and budget effectively? Here are three simple tricks to increasing your ability to manage a budget.

Start with what’s in hand. Too often, we fall into a Goldilocks situation when it comes to budgeting. We either budget for an ideal to give us a goal to work towards (or we pad the budget in expectation of cutbacks). Or we budget too conservatively to set us up for success… or a worse case scenario. Having a contingency budget is a great idea. Be sure to have a practical budget first. A trick: view your finances as enough. You have enough. You have what it takes to do what you want or need. If we stop wishing for more, or thinking we need more, we will manage what we have better. Sounds cheeky, I know, but it works. If you look at the money in hand, or the income your are confident about generating, and start a budget with that, you’ll suddenly be less stressed about revenue goals. Then, you can use money above and beyond to do more. Build out the “what if” plans, for if you were to spend more, not how you can be more conservative or get by with less.

Build out contingencies. What if that contract falls through? What if this event gets cancelled? Worrying about money is stressful. But what if you didn’t worry about what ifs? Have contingency plans. And I’m not just talking about the worse-case-scenario planning. While you should have a baseline budget and an exit strategy, you should not always be planning for the worst. On the contrary, plan for how to grow. Have a vision. Draft an action plan for your current needs, and build contingencies for what you’d like to do when you grow.

Create a system that works for you. Quickbooks too complicated for your day-to-day budgeting needs? Skip worrying about debits and credits and put together an Excel Spreadsheet. Always on the go? Use Google Sheets or another cloud-based software. Visual learner? Use a visual template. Go with pencil and paper. Do what works for you. That way you will actually use it.

Personally, I love Excel. I build out program areas or specific project budgets in separate sheets. This allows me to edit smaller details without messing up formulas or assumptions on larger department budgets. Then I take the the column with all of the totals and aggregate them on a simplified sheet.

Want to a copy of a tried and tested budget template of mine?

Click here to enter your email to receive a copy today.

Social What? A Workshop on Social Media Marketing for Libraries

by Rachel Dukeman | Aug 26, 2016 | Marketing, Social Media

Libraries are realizing the marketing and development potential that social media sites possess. Tapping into that potential, however, requires more than the set-up of a profile or the occasional update –- it requires research, planning, creativity, and consistency.

In this day long workshop, we reviewed digital media strategy from determining the best site(s) to generating social media content, and shared lots of marketing tips in between.

Thank you to all who attended for making this an enjoyable and informative workshop!

Stay connected with Rachel Dukeman on LinkedIN. And, please, feel free to email with questions or inquiries.

Best Practices in Digital Marketing with the New Jersey Historical Commission

by Rachel Dukeman | Apr 6, 2016 | Heritage Tourism, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Social Media

Like it or not, social media is here to stay. It is a new form of communication and participation in cultural experiences. Across the nation, nonprofits are realizing the marketing and development potential that social media offers. Tapping into that potential requires more than establishing a profile or occasionally updating your page. It requires research, planning, creativity and consistency.

In this day-long, interactive workshop, Rachel Dukeman covers the best ways to use social media and digital media marketing to enhance grant proposals, fundraising campaigns, audience participation, and communicating your brand to a larger audience online. From determining the best sites to using content generation, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop, smartphone or tablet to experience professional social media strategy and implementation.

In Spring 2016, the workshop was offered in three locations throughout New Jersey: Rutgers University Alexander Library in New Brunswick, Morris County New Jersey Public Safety Training Academy in Morristown, and Ocean County Bishop Memorial Library in Toms River.

A big THANK YOU to our Sponsors:

Sponsored by the New Jersey Historical Commission, New Jersey Historic Trust, New Jersey League of Historical Societies, Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and Rutgers University Libraries.

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Philly is now a World Heritage City

by Rachel Dukeman | Feb 9, 2016 | Heritage Tourism

Philadelphia…The City of Brotherly Love, Birthplace of America, Home of Rocky and the Cheese-Steak, The Mural Capital of US.

And Now…

The First City in the United States to be named a World Heritage City by the XIII World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, or OWHC.

So what does this mean for the Philly we know and love?

People….and by people we mean $$

First and foremost this designation has the potential to drive more people to visit, invest, dream, and build in the city of Philadelphia. People are slowly starting to catch on to the fact that Philly is on the movers and shakers list for 2016. With the influx of attention from the 2015 pope visit, the 2016 DNC, the upcoming Love Park and PMA renovations, and the ongoing growth from the music and food scene, Philly doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. With an increase in people, this means more money toward infrastructure and increasing Philadelphia’s presence on a global scale. All of this attention will hopefully lead to increased visibility of the interconnected diversity that makes Philly so special. According to a study commissioned by Global Philadelphia, global visitation could increase 10% to 15%, while domestic visitation has the potential to increase about 1% to 2%.

Safeguarding Philly’s heritage

With this being said, money isn’t the whole driver behind this designation. By adding its name to a list that includes Rome, Paris, Cairo, and Quebec, Philadelphia is getting its time in the historical spotlight. One of the main goals of UNESCO, the governing body behind the selection of World Heritage Cities, is to provide the World Heritage City with “programs and projects, which aim to promote and support the maintenance, recognition and development of their world heritage.”[1] This could mean more support for Philadelphia’s historical sites that lie beyond Independence National Historical Park

Bigger and Better Connections

By entering into the list of over 250 cities with the same distinction come very tangible opportunities for networking in the private and public sectors. Educational opportunities between universities and business deals between corporations are now on the table between parties that might not have spoken before. As the miles between countries grow shorter and shorter with every new technological development, these networks and partnerships will prove essential in the growing global economy.

While the effects of this designation, won’t be immediately felt, it is important to be aware of the opportunities that may arise. From the looks of it, Philadelphia is on the move, and doesn’t look like it’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

[1] http://www.ovpm.org/en/presentation

What is Fractional Marketing and why you should consider it in 2016?

by Rachel Dukeman | Jan 19, 2016 | Marketing, Thought Leaders

As we enter 2016, many of us are considering changes and new approaches. Perhaps that involves spending more money on marketing and communications, or outsourcing content development. Whatever the case may be, if you find yourself needing a hand, Fractional Marketing might just be your best friend.

What is Fractional Marketing?

For most small to mid-size organizations, a full time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is out of financial reach. Additionally, many find their marketing needs vary from project to project, season to season. In an age where organizations need to be working smarter, not harder, a fractional marketing plan fills in the gaps providing the knowledge and know-how of a full time CMO on-demand and within budget, only when and where you need it.

And they rarely work alone.

Fractional CMOs enlist the skills and experiences of their networks of in-house personnel and subcontractors to assist in the implementation of strategic marketing plans.

So in short…

Fractional Marketing means you get the skills and experience of a full-time CMO AND access to their network of marketing professionals to tackle all kinds of projects, from content strategy and execution to impartial executive marketing development.

Sound Interesting?

It is estimated that for non-profit organizations operating below the million dollar mark, there is only one full time employee dedicated solely to marketing.[1] This can make things difficult as reaching and retaining audiences becomes more and more time consuming. Marketing professionals struggle with creating interesting, informative, engaging and impactful content on time and on budget. For small to mid-size organizations, this can mean a loss of big picture planning or the ability to implement strategic marketing initiatives. This is where Fractional Marketing becomes a way to have your cake and eat it too. When it comes to marketing in today’s world having the tools and expertise to market you and your organization is absolutely necessary for long-term success. Utilizing tools like fractional marketing is just one way to meet and exceed your goals in the coming year.

R&R Creative excels at providing fractional marketing plans for the organizations on-the-go. Get the personalized attention of a highly qualified marketing professional and the resources of a marketing firm for a fraction of the cost. Schedule a consultation today to discuss options.