Leave the Office to Think Strategically

I spent Saturday morning at Panera Bread in north Austin trying to figure out what I should do for my business over the summer. I like to get away from the office – family, dog, television, lawnmower… the  usual distractions – in order to think strategically about my business.

I have my best thoughts when my head is clear and my mind is free to roam. My thoughts can get as close to tabula rasa as possible short of deep meditation. (And I don’t do meditation!) That may be why I like to take walks in a park near my office. It de-clutters the cranium.

Epiphanies bubble up when my mind is less focused on pounding out emails, racing to meet a deadline or talking with customers.  Last Sunday, for instance, I realized I was missing a huge opportunity by not partnering more closely with some of my small business marketing buddies, Rick L’Amie of Moxie Marketing and Dawn Westerberg of Dawn Westerberg Consulting. As Duct Tape Marketing Coaches, they both are incredible resources for small businesses in need of marketing strategy and execution plans. Rick and Dawn, if your ears are burning right now, it’s because I’m thinking about how we can collaborate and grow our businesses together!

Another item that made last Sunday's strategic laundry list is the launch of Dave Manzer PR, a business I hadn’t even contemplated starting until three months ago when I began a PR campaign offering free press releases to businesses in Austin.

Note to reader: It’s amazing how many new doors of opportunity will open when you offer a valuable service for free. I highly recommend you try it out!

Suffice it to say, leaving the office has become integral to keeping my business on track with a strategic plan. What are ways you keep a sharp focus on your business’ strategy so that you don’t get bogged with busy work?