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• WHOS IN YOUR MIRROR TODAY

WHOS IN YOUR MIRROR TODAY

written on August 27, 2008 by Jeanne Bluffstone

TAKE A GOOD LOOK IN THE MIRROR 

Like it or not,  my business is a mirror of who I am.  My business expresses my values, my personality, and looks and acts exactly as I do.  Some might call it a small business culture, but I like to think of it as a mirror.

So, who's in your mirror today?  Regardless of whether you have employees or work solo, your business is a reflection of yourself, so who ARE you and WHO is your company?   

When I first went into business I tried to reflect a persona that was what I saw in others.  Businesslike.  Professional.  Stoic. I used to think it was important to act big, think big. I always did a good job for my clients, delivered fine service and certainly achieved lots of publicity or them, but personally I tried to be stiff and removed-- as I thought a business person should be. Then one day a client and friend reminded me of one basic truth. My clients don't buy the image, they buy me.  I'm the one working with them, and in the end, I am the one responsible for everything. That made it easier and that's when everything changed. What a relief. I could be myself and believe me, business became a lot more interesting and a lot more fun.

My tag line is "because image is everything," and it is if you know who's in your mirror and project that in your worklife.  

 I KNOW WHO I AM AND I KNOW THAT IS THE BUSINESS. THE PERSON IN MY MIRROR IS SOMEONE WHO:

• Knows she has to do her best, because she is the business.  I like that.  It makes me feel successful and in doing my best I feel strong.
• Understands that it's easy to be honorable, because she is the business. My clients trust me and I trust them and we share mutual honesty above everything else.
• Has to be tough and hold her ground sometimes for the good of the business.  What's good for the business is good for me since I am the business.  I make sure, however, that I always treat others with respect, even in difficult times, because that's what I expect from myself and from them.
• Knows her clients drive her business, but they are more than that to her.  My clients are people, and companies and most importantly, they are individuals who enable me to particpate in their growth and profitibiliy, and when I have helped to further those goals it's a celebration for both of us.

My clients like that  I am responsible for everything.  I can make decisions quickly and stand by them. Everyone knows who's in charge and who I am.  The person in my mirror is everything to this business, and so I protect that image very carefully.  I have a sign in my office that says, "Character is who you are when no one is watching."  Well, I'm always watching and so is that person in the mirror who looks back at me every day. 

 Who's in your mirror today?  Is is the person you want it  to be?