This is one of those tips that you’ve always known to be true. You just hadn’t thought about it so… well… pointedly.
I was thinking about it because recently I found myself having to backtrack to make it work. Fortunately the opportunity to backtrack was available because I was replying to an email. Thank heavens I had not vocally inserted my foot! I had a second chance.
What did I have to do? What required backtracking?
“Oh honey! Let me see if I can button that for you!” Those were the words I heard on a recent visit to see a friend in an assisted living center. Then I watched “honey” cringe and roll her eyes…
“I am NOT a child!” she snapped.
“Elderspeak,” the tendency of younger people to speak to frail-appearing elders in a tone of voice not unlike baby talk makes me cringe, too. Hearing such baby talk to an older adult goes right up my backbone. I can only imagine, when someday I’m in a nursing home and some sweet-young-thing speaks to me as if I have only half a brain, what I will say to him or her. When I am underestimated, I am not kind in return.
Seems like an odd question, right? Why would you want to think about going out of business?
Simple. Because many of your most important business decisions, especially early ones, should be at least partially dependent on what you plan to do eventually with your business.
Doesn’t it drive you crazy when you are trying to fill out a form, or log into a website, or anything else that requires you to use a login ID or password – and it just won’t let you log in?
It happens on computers – Macs and PCs both. It happens on tablets, and phones. And it happens anytime you’re expected to use your private info to log in.
Then it will tell you – oh! – just reset your password! So you do. Only to realize that whatever device you are using has saved your old login information and keeps overwriting the new info.
So frustrating!
One of your goals as a business / practice owner is to be sure your name becomes synonymous with excellence and expertise. That’s true whether you’re talking about excellence and expertise for current or potential clients, or fellow advocates and care managers.
This concept supports your reputation and branding, the professionalism of your work, and the marketing of your abilities.
One way you can make your name known is by intelligent comment on other people’s blogs and articles. When you are roaming the web and learning about the healthcare system, or reading the news, or finding TIPS – often you’ll see a comment box at the bottom of the page, providing you with the ability to showcase your thoughtful response.