Firing Someone with Class
27 Aug
Business Coach, Confidence Culture, Productivity, Team Management

We’re Letting You Go. How to Fire Someone with Class (and the Least Pain Possible)

Introduction

Firing an employee is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks a manager or employer has to face. The process can be emotional, complex, and, at times, overwhelming. However, handling the situation with empathy, professionalism, and respect can make the transition smoother for both parties involved. In this blog, we will explore the art of letting someone go with grace and compassion while minimizing the pain associated with such an event.

The Personal Connection

I remember the time when I had to let go of an employee, let’s call her Sarah, due to restructuring within the company. It was an experience that taught me valuable lessons about how to approach such a difficult situation with empathy and care. Sarah had been a dedicated member of the team for several years, and her performance had always been commendable. However, due to changes in our industry, her role was no longer aligned with the company’s evolving needs.

1. Preparation is Key

Before breaking the news to Sarah, I spent days preparing for the conversation. I made sure to have all the necessary documentation and performance records to back up the decision. This not only helped me feel more confident about explaining the situation but also ensured that Sarah would receive a clear and comprehensive explanation.

2. Choose the Right Setting

Understanding the importance of a private and respectful setting, I chose a quiet meeting room for our conversation. I wanted Sarah to feel comfortable expressing her emotions without the fear of being observed by others. This allowed us to have an open and honest dialogue.

3. Be Direct and Compassionate

As I sat across from Sarah, I knew the importance of being direct. I started the conversation by acknowledging her contributions and dedication to the team. I then explained the situation, expressing how difficult this decision was for both of us. My goal was to be honest while also conveying empathy and understanding.

4. Provide a Clear Explanation

I shared with Sarah the reasons behind the decision, emphasizing that it was not a reflection of her skills or commitment. I used specific examples to illustrate the company’s changing needs and how her role was no longer aligned with our direction. By presenting clear facts, I aimed to help her see the bigger picture.

5. Active Listening

As I delivered the news, I saw a range of emotions flash across Sarah’s face. I gave her the time and space to express her feelings. She shared her concerns, fears, and thoughts about the situation. Through active listening, I ensured that she felt heard and validated during this challenging time.

6. Offer Support and Resources

Understanding the uncertainty that accompanies job loss, I offered to assist Sarah in her job search. I provided information about job placement services, networking opportunities, and even offered to write her a strong recommendation letter. This gesture reassured her that her well-being mattered to me beyond her role in the company.

7. Respect Their Dignity

Throughout the process, I focused on treating Sarah with the utmost respect and dignity. I made sure that our conversation remained confidential and that her departure was handled discreetly. This was a commitment I made to ensure she retained her self-esteem throughout the transition.

8. Maintain Confidentiality

Understanding the sensitivity of the situation, I refrained from discussing the details of Sarah’s departure with other employees. This was crucial in maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere within the team.

9. Follow Up

After our initial conversation, I followed up with Sarah a few days later. I wanted to check on her emotional well-being and offer any further assistance she might need. This follow-up showcased my genuine concern for her as a person, not just as an employee.

Conclusion

My experience with letting go of Sarah taught me that firing someone with class and compassion is an art that requires careful planning, empathy, and respect. By preparing thoroughly, choosing the right setting, and maintaining open communication, you can navigate this challenging process in a way that minimizes pain and preserves dignity. Remember, the way you handle these difficult moments can define your organization’s culture and leave a lasting impact on the individuals involved.

If you’re seeking more guidance on handling tough workplace situations with confidence and empathy, I invite you to visit my website at AllisonTodd.com As a dedicated confidence coach, I’m here to provide support and resources to help you navigate such challenges and foster a positive and respectful work environment. Together, we can learn and grow, ensuring that each interaction, even the difficult ones, becomes an opportunity for growth and compassion.

07 Aug
Business Coach, Entrepreneurship, Grow Your Business, Productivity

Running a Business and Anxiety: Here’s How You Can Cope (And Still Be Successful!)

Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey with Anxiety

Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs and dream chasers! If you’re a woman like me, juggling the responsibilities of running a business while dealing with anxiety, you’re not alone. In a world where we’re constantly striving for success, the pressure can sometimes take a toll on our mental well-being. But fear not, because in this blog post, we’ll explore some practical strategies to help you cope with anxiety while continuing to thrive as a successful businesswoman.

Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

First things first, let’s remove the stigma surrounding anxiety. It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, especially when you’re managing the complexities of a business. The key is to acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to not be okay all the time. Remember, vulnerability is a sign of strength, and addressing your emotions is the first step toward finding coping mechanisms that work for you.

Embrace Self-Care as a Non-Negotiable

Running a business is like running a marathon – you can’t do it effectively if you’re not taking care of yourself. Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, indulging in your favorite hobby, or simply taking a walk in nature, these moments of self-indulgence can work wonders in reducing anxiety levels. Remember, a healthy and rejuvenated you is essential for making sound business decisions.

Master the Art of Time Management

Anxiety often thrives on chaos and uncertainty. Combat this by mastering the art of time management. Create a realistic schedule that allows for both work and personal time. Prioritize tasks and set clear boundaries to prevent burnout. When you’re in control of your time, you’ll find yourself better equipped to handle the unexpected curveballs that entrepreneurship often throws your way.

Seek Support: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

As women, we tend to shoulder a lot of responsibilities on our own. But remember, seeking support is not a sign of weakness. Reach out to mentors, friends, or even a therapist who can offer guidance and a listening ear. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can provide a safe space to express your anxieties and receive valuable insights that could benefit your business.

Celebrate Small Wins and Practice Gratitude

Anxiety can make us forget the progress we’ve made. Combat this by celebrating even the smallest wins in your business journey. Whether it’s closing a deal, launching a new product, or simply overcoming a challenge, these victories deserve recognition. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. Keep a gratitude journal or take a moment each day to reflect on the positives in your entrepreneurial journey.

Navigating Anxiety on the Road to Success

As a female entrepreneur, you’re a force to be reckoned with. Anxiety might try to cast shadows on your path, but armed with these coping strategies, you can overcome its grip and continue your journey toward success. Remember that your well-being matters just as much as your business’s success. By acknowledging your feelings, embracing self-care, managing your time, seeking support, and celebrating wins, you’re setting yourself up for a balanced and triumphant entrepreneurial experience.

And hey, speaking of support and resources, if you’re looking for more tips, inspiration, and guidance on your entrepreneurial journey, make sure to visit my website allisontodd.com. I’ve compiled a wealth of articles, tools, and insights tailored specifically for ambitious women like you. Together, we can conquer the challenges that come our way and create a thriving business while prioritizing our mental well-being.

So, go out there, tackle challenges head-on, and let your anxiety become a stepping stone toward growth and resilience. You’ve got this, and your success story is waiting to be written – anxiety and all!

5 Ways to Bolster Your LinkedIn Presence Today
16 Aug
Digital Marketing, Grow Your Business, Grow Your Expertise, Productivity, Social Media

5 Ways to Bolster Your LinkedIn Presence Today

LinkedIn is an excellent channel to build your personal brand and establish yourself as a thought leader in a network of professionals. Gaining traction on LinkedIn isn’t easy, however. You need to understand how it works, how to work with its tools, and what type of content generates the best response.

1. Post Consistently

Consistent posting is the single most important aspect of success on LinkedIn. Posting too often can harm your presence and makes your followers feel bombarded with your content. Likewise, posting too infrequently can get your posts lost in the newsfeed.

Ideally, post two or three times a week, and no more than once a day. Depending on your audience, you may get more engagement if you post in the morning instead of the afternoon or evening. Be sure to research your followers to see when they’re most active.

2. Share Visual Content

LinkedIn may not be TikTok or Instagram, but it still thrives on visual content. Research suggests that articles with images receive up to 94% more views than text posts. And it’s not just images – you can try videos, slide shows, or infographics to capture the attention of followers.

3. Support Your Fellow Professionals

Don’t just share your own content. According to the 4-1-1 Rule, for every post that’s your own, you should repost one relevant post and share four pieces of relevant content written by others. When you follow this rule, you’re providing helpful, industry-relevant insights for your audience and supporting your fellow business owners.

Another benefit is that sharing a post also shares your opinion. No industry is without its controversy or differing opinions. When you share content you like, you’re subtly providing your opinion on a topic. If you wish, add your own caption to expand on the topic and offer your own insights.

4. Don’t Be Salesy

The point of getting on social media is to promote yourself, but that doesn’t mean you need to turn into a pushy used car salesman. You’re there to provide value to your community, first and foremost.

For example, avoid posting directly about your business, products, or services. This just comes off as blatant promotion and may turn people off. 

Before you can self-promote, you have to engage in valuable discussions with your community and share information that may be interesting to them. If you make an impact, that can drive people to visit your website and your products.

5. Create Specific Content

If you’re active on social media, there’s a good chance you have followers on just about every platform. Instead of having them see the same things on all your social accounts, create specific content just for LinkedIn.

This is the perfect platform for it as well. You may have customers as followers on LinkedIn, but you probably also have a number of industry professionals on your page that you can update and share insights with.

Get Your Business on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is only growing in popularity and becoming an increasingly powerful platform. If you’re not on LinkedIn yet, or you’re struggling to boost your activity, use these tips to attract and engage followers.

Looking for guidance in marketing or scaling your business? Work with Allison directly to develop the skills you need to succeed with your business!

Should You Quit Your 9-5 to Work on Your Business Full Time? Here’s How to Know When It’s Time to Make the Move
11 Jul
Entrepreneurship, Grow Your Business, Productivity, Start Your Business

Should You Quit Your 9-5 to Work on Your Business Full Time? Here’s How to Know When It’s Time to Make the Move

Hustling at your 9-5 job while trying to get your business up and running is no easy task. At first, you may be so excited that you don’t notice the toll it’s taking on you. But over time, the long hours and stress will build, and as the months or years go by, you may feel like something has to give.

Holding onto both your full-time job and your business is a great strategy to ensure that you’re financially protected while you wait for the business to become profitable. That’s meant to be a short-term strategy, however, not a sustainable option in the long term.

Eventually, you will need to choose between your full-time job and your business. Knowing when is key to both your security and the security of your business.

When to Quit Your Job

We’ve all heard stories of entrepreneurs who quit their job one day and their business took off, making them practical overnight millionaires. Though it happens, that’s extremely rare. The more likely course is quitting too soon and ending up with no cash flow, or waiting too long and burning out.

Here are the signs you should quit your job:

You Have Good Income

There are suggestions for how much you should make or what percentage of your full-time salary before you can quit your 9-5. This guideline is helpful, but it’s not ideal for every situation.

If you’re making more money than you need to at this point with your full-time job. If that’s the case, you don’t need to wait until you’re making a certain percentage of it. Maybe half is enough for you to live comfortably for a while.

Consider how much your business really needs to bring in for you to feel comfortable. Are you willing to sacrifice anything to make this decision more feasible, like a streaming entertainment subscription, happy hours with friends, or that Sunday football package? Are you willing to prepare more meals at home, even if you’ve had a long and tiring day?

The answer and decision are yours and yours alone. No matter how much you make or think you can live on, it’s important to plan it out to make sure there are no surprises.

You Have Savings

If you have a robust savings account and emergency fund from your full-time job, you may have enough to be confident in quitting to pursue your business full-time.

Remember, some businesses and industries take longer to launch, have greater startup costs, or have a longer period before they become profitable. It doesn’t mean they’ll fail, but simply that you may need to wait longer before they generate a return.

If your savings account isn’t quite there yet, think about how much more you want to have before you’ll feel comfortable quitting. Then, consider whether you could put a bit more away each pay to reach that goal.

You Have a Plan

Going full-time with your business and leaving a stable 9-5 can seem exciting, but you still have responsibilities. Make a plan and establish your budgets before you make any rash decisions.

Though it may not be as fun as some dramatic exit from your job, having a plan in place ensures security and sustainability. Your story may not prompt anyone to make a movie about your dramatic path to success, either, but you’re more likely to succeed in a way that counts.

Are You Ready?

Quitting and going full-time with your business is a huge leap. Fortunately, with some planning and financial security, you can make your dream a reality in the smartest and most practical way possible.

Looking to get your business from startup to successful? Work with Allison directly!

28 Jun
Confidence Culture, Entrepreneurship, Grow Your Business, Productivity

Is Work-Life Balance Actually Possible When You Own a Business?

Starting a business brings a lot of responsibilities and tasks that can quickly eat up your time. If you’re starting a business while also balancing home and family time, or a full-time job, it may seem impossible to get any true work-life balance.

Is it possible? Can you achieve work-life balance while owning and running a business?

Yes! It takes some changes to how you approach work, but you can make it happen! Here’s how.

Reflect on the Big Picture

If you’re struggling with your work-life balance, or lack thereof, the first step is to give yourself some distance and reflect on the big picture.

For many business owners, this reflection only happens when something significant happens, such as a death or the birth of a child, but it doesn’t have to take such a big upheaval.

Consider your sources of stress or dissatisfaction. How are the circumstances affecting your performance? Your happiness with your work or personal life? How are your priorities? What are you giving up pursuing your business goals?

Once you have a clear picture, you can take concrete steps to change them.

Delegate Wherever Possible

Small business owners are go-getters, which is great for getting a business off the ground, but not so great for taking on way too much. For many, the idea that “if I want something done right, I have to do it myself” can quickly take over.

Delegating can free up a lot of time, provided you can relinquish some control. Remember, it’s a choice to continue doing tasks that could be outsourced or delegated to someone else. This not only impacts your work-life balance, but as your business grows, it will pull you away from mission-critical tasks.

Take More Time Off

I know, easier said than done. But taking the appropriate time off is essential to keeping your wellbeing and work-life balance intact. Otherwise, you can quickly find yourself working every day and losing a sense of satisfaction with your life.

One helpful way to ensure you get the time you need is with a four-day workweek. With this approach, you can still be productive and make money with just four days, and you’ll be able to devote more time to personal responsibilities and leisure.

Set Rigid Hours

One of the ways business owners can get too caught up in their business is by keeping a flexible schedule. For traditional employees, they typically have set shifts, so they can manage their personal time.

When you own a business, it’s too easy to work 10, 12, or 14 hours without realizing how much time you’re really putting into it. You try to get “just one more thing” done in the day, and before you know it, you’ve worked far beyond a normal workday.

Start by setting a clear time that you begin and end your workday, even if you’re working from home. Remember, more time isn’t necessarily more productive time, and you’d be better served by sticking to a set schedule and forcing yourself to manage your time effectively.

Find Your Work-Life Balance

No one said running a business was easy. In fact, business owners typically work more and longer days than a comparable employee, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With some tweaks, you can find your work-life balance and still run a successful and profitable business.

Are you looking for some guidance with your business from a professional coach? Work with Allison Todd directly and see how you can reach your business goals!

Break the Cycle of Toxic Productivity with Self-Love 
10 May
Business Coach, Confidence Culture, Grow Your Expertise, Productivity

Break the Cycle of Toxic Productivity with Self-Love 

With our always-on, always-available, fake-it-til-you-make-it hustle culture, there’s glory in being the workaholic, the go-getter, the workhorse.

We’ve normalized hustle culture, made it so that if you’re not always rushing, busy, and stressed, you’re not trying hard enough. Always go the extra mile.

Answer an email late in the evening? Sure! Put in extra hours on the weekend? No worries, you didn’t have plans anyway.

That’s not glory. That’s a fast-track to burnout and toxic productivity.

Being stressed and overworked is a toxic mindset skewed positive to keep you pushing harder and harder. But once you recognize it, you can prioritize self-love and break the toxic cycle.

What Is Toxic Productivity?

In recent years, our culture has been about the hustle and the grind. The “first-in, last-out” type is the one who gets the promotion.

The shift to hybrid and remote work only worsened this mindset. The boundaries between our work lives and our personal lives blurred more and more. Our phones and laptops are always on, we’re always available – and expected to be.

It’s difficult to turn the notifications off, especially with no physical separation between work and home. Our home office, couch, recliner, or even our beds may have become the new workspace, so of course we can’t just turn our work minds off.  

With no rest, no downtime, and no boundaries, we can’t enjoy our free time or focus on self-care and self-reflection. We may prioritize a project over date night, our child’s sports game or recital, or our own sleep.

Productivity is important, for sure, but it can be detrimental if it consumes our lives. If we think work is more important than anything else, to the point that we can’t relax and enjoy our families, hobbies, or time relaxing on our own, that’s when productivity builds to burnout.

Balance, rest, and self-love are vital to true productivity. If you’re running on fumes or struggling with concentration and focus, are you truly productive? Is the work you’re doing the best quality it can be?

Probably not. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

My Struggle with Toxic Productivity

“Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

We’ve all heard some variation on this quote, implying that if you’re passionate about what you do, it’ll never feel like work. You can’t get overworked, stressed, or burned out doing what you love, right? Wrong!

I was nearly claimed by my own toxic productivity. I worked all the time. It was easier to be productive.

Then COVID-19 hit. The lockdowns, stillness, and the claustrophobia of the pandemic made me feel like I had to move faster, produce twice as much, and push toward my ultimate goal.

I was buried in toxic productivity without realizing it – only to be buried by the bad news avalanche.

It was time to reconnect and recharge, focus a little on me. Time for a reset.

How to Overcome Toxic Productivity

The most important tool for overcoming toxic productivity is knowing how to recognize it.

Are you always focused on work – always checking email, even during time with your family or friends?

Are you checking or answering communications during off-hours, such as nights and weekends?

Are you measuring your self-worth through your work? Is excelling at your job or career the most important thing to you?

Are you missing out on quality time with your family, friends, pets, or hobbies in order to work?

Are you using work as a way to escape difficult life situations, such as a significant death or conflict with your partner?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you may be struggling with toxic productivity.

Fortunately, you can break the cycle of overworking.

Take an Extended Recess from Work Responsibilities

If you’ve been going and going, it’s time to take a break. Taking time away from work responsibilities to focus on fun and passions is important at any time, but it’s even more important after the tumult of the past two years.

We experienced a collective trauma together during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s time to take a moment to breathe, reflect, and shift the focus back to yourself for a bit.

Spend time recharging and reconnecting. Feed your soul, reflect, and reset. Rediscover a lost hobby, or take up a new one.

Go for a walk or a drive with no destination in mind. Lie in the grass and watch the clouds. Do the least productive things you can think of to give your mind and body a rest.

However you choose to spend your time, it’s important that it’s about what you want, not the professional you, but the personal you – the multifaceted you. Close your laptop, turn off your phone, and just enjoy.

Over time, you’ll get used to unplugging and enjoy some much-needed time for yourself.

Prioritize Work-Life Balance

Even if you work from home, you need clear boundaries between work time and private time. You can set a work schedule for yourself, much like office hours, or designate time slots when you can be productive that work around your family’s schedule.

Whichever you choose, it’s important to stick to your schedule. Adjust as needed but be disciplined in your work time and your personal time.

During your personal time, do the things you enjoy. Practice your hobby, spend time with family, cook yourself a meal, watch your favorite television show, meditate, or do whatever makes you happy. When you return to work, you’ll be refreshed and ready to go.

Create a Self-Love Box

We all need reminders to develop healthy habits, and the self-love box is just that. Having a self-love box on hand can reinforce the message and give you tools to prioritize you.

Drawing from my experience as a confidence and business coach, I put together a self-love box that has all the tools and resources you need to love you greater! I’m always telling clients to create flashcards for their niche, and now I’ve taken that idea 10 steps further to build the ultimate toolkit to end your toxic productivity.

End the Toxic Cycle with Self-Love

Toxic productivity can sneak up on you, but when you know what to look for, you can promote better work-life balance and unplug to unleash your true productivity.

Are you struggling with your career or business? Let’s chat! Schedule a discovery call with me!

how to automate your business
09 May
Digital Marketing, Grow Your Business, Grow Your Expertise, Productivity

3 Things to Automate in Your Business Right Now

Those menial, tedious tasks you hate doing every day? Automate. The technology to make your life so much easier is out there! You will boost your productivity and relieve yourself from the pressure of all the “to-dos” that you don’t really have to do. 

Let’s review my top 3 things you should automate in your business right now!

#1 Client Onboarding

Different from welcome emails, this is your internal process. It’s something you can create and set up once but use again and again. 

Using a productivity management system to send contracts, welcome packets, questionnaires, and client portal information automatically saves you time and puts the client at ease that you have it all together! It also ensures that everything is accomplished as quickly as possible, and nothing is ever missed. 

My Favorite Productivity Management Systems:

  • – Monday.com
  • – Airtable
  • – Asana
  • – Trello
  • – Zapier 

#2 Welcome Emails 

Did you know welcome emails usually have the highest open rates? These emails are your first access to direct contact with a potential client and are extremely valuable. Use them to engage with the lead and ask how they liked your resource. 

Using your CRM or email management system, set up welcome emails to fire off after a new contact is received and drip out over the following days and weeks. This keeps you at the top of their inbox while your name is fresh on their mind.

Leverage these notes to further establish who you are, what you do, and why they should care by providing practical, tangible value in their inbox. Slowly introduce other ways to connect with you and your higher-ticket offers. 

#3 Social Media Content

Automating content production can reduce the pressure on you or your team to be creative every day at the optimal posting time. While the content still has to be physically created or curated, there are tools and software platforms that help you automate the process. 

You can batch create your social media text and graphics using the free tool, Canva. If you run out of ideas, scroll through the feed of your ideal client or competitors and see what they’re engaged with. Use this to fuel your creation! 

Pre-made content calendars are also a dime a dozen, but apps like PostDeck also offer daily prompts and conversation starters to essentially generate content for you. 

When you’re ready to publish, upload your content to a platform like Sprout Social, Buffer, or Later. These services help you schedule content out for the week or even the month so you can “set it and forget it” and focus on engagement. 

Consider implementing Facebook’s “out of office” auto-responder for after-hours to connect with anyone who may reach out. Or, set up a chatbot to keep the conversation going and assist potential leads. 

Work Smarter, Not Harder!

Automation can be tech-heavy upfront, but the payoff is literally buying you more time! If you’re overwhelmed by manual processes and need support and encouragement to confidently make good business decisions, let’s talk! Book a consultation with me!

5 Ways Business Women Can Avoid Burnout
17 Apr
Business Coach, Confidence Culture, Grow Your Expertise, Productivity

5 Ways Business Women Can Avoid Burnout

As busy businesswoman, it’s hard for us to take a step back and put ourselves first. IT’s especially difficult when also faced with other demands on your time, such as children and family. 

Burnout is often hard to pinpoint or acknowledge. In a post-pandemic world, many of you may be running on autopilot because your cup is empty and dry. This leads to unaddressed trauma, unresolved emotions, and burnout that leaks into other areas of our lives.

Here are my top tips for avoiding burnout in your business and in your life. 

#1 Regularly Take A Well-Deserved Break

This one shouldn’t be surprising, but I know firsthand that when you have a jam-packed schedule, it feels impossible. Friend, you have to schedule time off intentionally. You have to choose yourself.

Block out time for a break on your calendar as if it were an incredibly important meeting that you cannot miss. This time should be at least 30 minutes to an hour every week or bi-weekly if that’s not possible. 

Sit outside and meditate in the fresh air, lay down and listen to an audiobook to rest your eyes, or go for a walk. Choose any relaxing or leisurely activity you enjoy. 

#2 Delegate

In order to preserve as much energy as possible, it’s essential to delegate tasks you don’t have to do yourself. This is the best use of your time and skills. 

Determine the tasks you’re weak in or that you simply don’t enjoy. What are the time-consuming little things that drive you crazy every week? What projects never quite turn out how you like, and you wish they were better? 

Assign these to your team or a virtual assistant who can ease the burden on your time and your energy. 

#3 Say No With Conviction

Burnout often shows up when you’re trying too hard to multitask on too many projects and are overwhelmed. Even the top performers in your industry, or any industry, must prioritize their time and manage projects efficiently. 

When new projects spring up, it’s ok to say no if it will help you avoid burnout. This is true for any stage of your career. Whether you work for someone else or own your own company, you need to focus on what matters. 

#4 Learn To Unplug

Unfortunately, most working women still perform as if we have something to prove. We take on projects that drag into the night and eat up our weekends. We miss out on things we value to “stay on top.”

Greater productivity is unlocked while you work only when you completely unplug when you’re not. Turn off your notifications and delete apps from your phone if you have to. Resist the urge to “check-in” after hours. 

#5 Get Compassionate Support and Accountability

I help businesswomen like you everyday to grow through burnout without sacrificing their careers or business. It’s my job! I love it, and I’m not ashamed to say I excel at it. If you’d like to take advantage of compassionate support and avoid burnout, let’s chat! Schedule with me here!

Mitigating the Impact of Inflation on Fundraising
15 Apr
Business Coach, Confidence Culture, Entrepreneurship, Grow Your Business, Grow Your Expertise, Productivity

Mitigating the Impact of Inflation on Fundraising

Everyone is seeing the impact of inflation, from a trip to the grocery store to monthly utility bills. In the past year, inflation amounted to 7.9% — the fastest pace since 1982 – according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

Inflation isn’t likely to resolve anytime soon, especially with the increasing energy costs due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This is especially troubling for nonprofits. Many charitable organizations receive a significant amount of funding at the fiscal year’s end – June 30 – and the budget implications are only just now obvious.

Nonprofit leaders need to navigate uncertainty and position the valuable work as critical, regardless of what economic indicators show.

What Is Inflation?

The simple definition of inflation is that it’s a sustained upward movement in the price of goods and services in an economy. If all else stays constant, this reflects a loss of purchasing power for a currency. It takes more currency units to buy the same goods and services.

Simply put, your money doesn’t go as far. You can’t buy as many groceries or essentials for the same amount as you did previously.

Many consumers associate inflation with the rise of a few key goods or services, such as oil or the real estate industry. but inflation is only present when the overall price of goods and services is increasing across the board.

When inflation increases faster than wages, it leads to a decrease in purchasing power that causes people to put up more money to buy necessities, but getting less for it. For the average consumer, this can create financial strain and reduced discretionary spending.

The problem here is that many people don’t understand what inflation really is. They believe the prices are increasing, when that’s not what’s happening. The value of each dollar is declining.

Why the distinction? If people believe that it’s prices, not dollars, donors may unknowingly reduce the value of their donations because they don’t regard inflation as the reduced value of money.

They’re not deliberately giving less – they’re accidentally giving less because they’re failing to recognize the diminished purchasing power of their donations.

Even if inflation were to return to its previous levels, it would take time before we see the effects of that. With the end of the year approaching quickly, fundraisers need to take a proactive approach to combat the effects.

Plan Ahead in Thinking, Giving, and Strategy

Donors want to make a difference – that’s why they donate. They’re not trying to decrease their gift, but they just don’t appreciate that it doesn’t have the same purchasing power.

We can’t expect them to know this on their own, however. They can be politely reminded that inflation affects nonprofits, too, and the cost of staffing, supplies, services, and more. It also impacts the lives nonprofits serve – if it’s this difficult for the people who can pay, imagine what it does for those who can’t?

Bottom line – we need more money to make the same impact. We need to ensure donors understand the need for the work and how the dynamics of the world impact it. Donors want to hear stories about those served by their donations, and how, so highlight some of your top stories.

If possible, show metrics of how donations allow impact. Whether the nonprofit is focused on food security, education, literacy, clean water, or support for families, showing the metrics ensures that donors know the impact of their investment – and why it matters if money doesn’t go as far.

How Can We Help?

External pressures like inflation can be a big catalyst for creativity and collaboration. How can we, as community leaders, partners, and corporations, plan ahead and be proactive in our efforts?

The simple solution is to increase the gift to account for inflation and ensure that nonprofits have equivalent purchasing power. But writing a check isn’t the only thing we can do.

Inflation not only decreases what can be done with the donations, but increases the costs for the nonprofits. Volunteering helps nonprofits do more with less, reducing the burden and ensuring that help goes where it’s needed.

Finally, there’s advocacy. You can spread the word about the efforts of nonprofits and encourage others to get involved. Whether they offer monetary gifts, volunteer their time, or spread the word themselves, it all makes a difference. 

Let’s Talk About It!

I’ve had wonderful conversations with innovative leaders ready to grow their community and “put their back in it.” I’d love to talk to other leaders and business owners who feel the same. Schedule a 15-Minute Discovery with me and let’s get started!

What is Team Coaching?
26 Mar
Business Coach, Confidence Culture, Productivity

What Is Team Coaching?

When it comes to coaching in the professional world, many people talk about the benefits and importance of executive coaching and 1:1 sessions. 

However, one form of coaching is often overlooked despite its touted benefits: team coaching. Similar to executive coaching, this form of coaching helps individuals hone their skills and prepare for their careers. It’s simply done in a team setting. 

Team coaching will typically involve one coach working with a group of managers or leaders from the same organization, usually one that has a team-oriented workplace. These sessions are focused on results, and that’s exactly what participants who work with Alison Todd walk away with. 

Helping Teams Reach Goals

Team coaching will have a heavy focus on helping the group reach certain goals. To do this, a coach like Allison will encourage engagement and sharing among the team so they can come together around their common purpose and vision. Each person in the team will have a chance to define and have their role in the team recognized, so each person’s responsibilities and expectations for future work are clearly understood. 

Before the team leaves the session, the following objectives should be accomplished: 

  • – A clear understanding of the team’s performance and development. 
  • – Strategies should be found through collaboration. 
  • – Boundaries should be defined and relationship issues addressed. 
  • – An understanding that results won’t be immediate but a commitment to progress. 

What to Look for in a Team Coach

If you’re considering enlisting the help of a team coach for your organization, Allison Todd and her team would be thrilled to put their expertise at work for you. If you’re not in their area and want someone local, you’ll want to find someone that properly navigates the intricacies of dealing with multiple personalities and working styles. Team coaching is unique in this aspect in comparison to executive or confidence coaching. 

To be effective, a team coach should exhibit the following traits:

  • – Holistic Focus: The ability to focus on the team as a whole. The coach has to be able to help the individuals gain insight and change behaviors that may not be helping the team unit. Giving individual feedback is typically a component of team coaching, however, it should be related to the team’s goals, not an individual’s. 

  • – Flexible Mindset: The ability to operate with ambiguity. Team coaching won’t always lead to a concrete answer or the strategy that the coach expected. Since this form of coaching involves multiple personalities, the coach has to be flexible in the way that the session develops and the direction it goes. 

  • – Ability to Set Boundaries: The coach has to be able to help the team members manage and set healthy boundaries. When dealing with the many relationships that make up a team, a team coach should be adept at understanding and identifying the need for boundaries. 

  • – Vision for the Future: One major difference with team coaching is that the results are rarely immediate or concrete. The goal should be commitment and dedication to the goal with the understanding that it’ll take time to achieve. 

Team Coaching and Your Organization

Team Coaching is a unique experience that’s guaranteed to produce results and strengthen relationships — if led by a skilled team coach. Coach Allison Todd and her team have helped countless professionals work through a myriad of issues as a unit and are excited to add more organizations in the future. 

If you’re considering signing up for a team coaching session, be sure to check the credentials and past results of your coach. As always, our team is ready and able to help you with all of your coaching needs. 

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