Don’t be a Renaissance Woman!

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Do you practice what you preach?  I try to.   I urge potential clients to use professional public relations help when they’re setting out their strategy for a new product, service, or turnaround.   Very few of us are Renaissance women and men who can do every single aspect involved in running a business.   

The 2 most common pushbacks I hear are 1) We’re going to do it ourselves, or 2) We don’t have enough money right now.  

Every business owner needs to assess their financial situation accurately.    So I don’t have much issue with the 2nd reason, as I get it. I truly do.   But #1?   Please – do NOT do it yourself unless you get proper training first.  

I was thinking that today when I met for coffee and a tutorial with my fabulously patient web guru, Karl Knelson of Site Mechanix.    He’s smart, technically versatile, and best of all, personable.  He actually has a sense of humor!   He helped me get this blog/website up and running, and has been there to answer my questions and show me more advanced tips.   I’m driving my website, but I took driver’s ed with him first. 

I also have a specialized accountant and lawyer.   They don’t train me, however – I just gleefully flip the financial and legal “stuff” over the wall to them and focus on the things that bring me joy — analyzing, writing, strategizing (in addition to wine, chocolate, and donuts, in no particular order). 

Don’t do it all yourself.  Farm out the pieces, and watch your business grow.