Creating a TEST PATTERN in your business TODAY 

Some of you will recognise this image - It represents a holding pattern.

It was what happened on your television when life was NOT 24 hours.

Wikipedia describes it as "A test card, also known as a test pattern or start-up/closedown test , is a television test signal, typically broadcast at times when the transmitter is active but no program is being broadcast (often at sign-on and sign-off)."

Yeah - that's me

I have been a human test pattern lately.

I haven't had a voice for a few reasons - possibly you think this is because I have been too busy - no - I wish that was the reason.

I have had some 'incidents' take place in my life - most of which I will happily publicly share in the next few weeks when I am officially allowed to do so without reprisals.

But enough of the unwanted melodrama - time will let the truth out about that - it's not why I am writing today - I'll tell you about that another day.

I am writing to you to say "I'm here". And that I am also not open '24hours".

Have you ever wanted a 'test pattern' in your business - when you just say STOP - I need to get off this roundabout?

How do you get that ?

Here are my top 5 tips for putting up a test pattern in your business

1. Phone - with technology at our fingertips - why are we a slave to our phones ? If you must have a mobile phone in your business it is so you are mobile NOT so you are contacted in the wee hours of the morning - use voicemail, bump messages with an auto text, divert to the office/voicemail, engage an answering service, respond with auto emails - set expectations around your availability .
I carry 2 phones - 1 personal and 1 work related - If you have the personal number you usually do not have the work number - get it ?

2. Email - consider disconnecting your email from your phone - do you really need to be that contactable? - I gotta say - I broke this rule - I still have my email connected to my phone - but that's because I triage - I delegate to staff and I generally swoop in before emails back up - however consider your resources and if you really need this? There are plenty of email out of office replies and auto responders - make your self actively unavailable and set a clear expectation around WHEN you will reply and HOW to escalate if it is TRULY an emergency. Your sense of urgency is NOT my state of emergency. It does not mean I do not care.

3. Unappointed appointments - drop in visitors are cute BUT seriously counter productive to my flow - people think bookkeeping is not a creative process - wrong - most people have NO idea what my day is like - I have to be on the tips of my toes all day, dealing with businesses who are new, on the edge of extinction or just wanting clarity over their numbers - #exhausting - I bring to each conversation my best practices and tool kit of awesome resources - this creativity and bespoke delivery is emotionally exhausting. Drop ins challenge my ability to divert my attention from the rabbit hole I am in .

4. Going dark - every Friday I go 'dark' - the office is not open for appointments - I am free to make client visits, percolate my latest ideas and generally be free of the constraints of a To do list , a schedule and meetings - if I choose.

5. Delegation - if you are going to institute a Test Pattern in your business life - who is on deck to deal with queries, questions ? Can you delegate to a staff member or colleague ? Just a tip on delegation - set expectations upfront and clearly so there are no disappointments. I recently engaged with an accounting practice who expected I was at their 'beck and call' yet when I contacted them I was very often unanswered or wanted weeks for follow up. They saw this as normal - I saw this as dysfunctional . Needless to say I don't think I will make their Xmas Card list - oh well !

So be a human test pattern in your business - take the pause - reconnect and be a better business person

#watchthisspace

"The beauty of truth ; whether it is good or bad, it is liberating" Paul Coleho