Four years in business – a few reflections

Milestones call for reflection.

When I left a job with people and work I loved back in 2019, I knew I wasn’t ready for retirement. I had the luxury of spending a little time to reflect on what’s next and how to re-package my passions and skill set for the next chapter.

Ironically, COVID was a real blessing to this process. The change in workplace norms opened doors for me that wouldn’t have been available in the old traditional workplace.

The four-year anniversary of the Medway Group puts me in a reflective mode to consider all I’ve learned from my clients, my freelance community, and about myself and my goals as a business owner.

A few takeaways:

Relationships matter

Every job change throughout my 35+ year career resulted from a connection with someone who knew of my work. That hasn’t changed as I’ve grown the Medway Group’s client list.

Sure, having a measurable marketing plan and an up-to-date, polished and professional website are very important (TY to Danielle Salley Creative for that!). But a nice website alone isn’t going to bring in business. My business development focus is on maintaining relationships and connect points and letting my work tell the story.

As the Medway Group client list grows, I send a huge shout-out this year to everyone who has made introductions and established connect points to my niche of expertise. I am increasingly grateful for the network of colleagues, clients, former clients, family and friends who have been cheerleaders, mentors and front-lines supporters.

I’m especially thankful this year for two full-circle clients – SCETV/Public Radio and The Buckley School of Public Speaking – that both grew out of long-established relationships and friendships maintained over 25+ years.

Narrative + Data = Compelling Story

I’ve long believed that the best storytelling comes from overlaying strategically crafted narratives with accurate and well-researched data.

I’ve especially enjoyed my work over the past couple of years with the Litmus Policy Solutions leadership cohort of educators led by SC TEACHER that focuses on framing advocacy narratives. We’ve spent substantial time exploring the “why” behind the “what” in crafting advocacy messaging and digging into how things get done when developing state policy.

I’m a bigger believer than ever in the importance of honing speaking and writing skills – even when writing and speaking are not part of your official job description.

I’ve seen it at every level of organizations – the people who can speak and write with confidence are the people who leaders want around their leadership table.

This belief led me to carve out a line of training targeted specifically to professionals who don’t necessarily write or do presentations as part of their daily work. It’s been some of the most gratifying work I’ve done.

I don’t have all the answers

The most valuable feedback I’ve gotten from writing and speaker coaching has been the positive response on one of the first comments I always make.

I start with the disclaimer that “I don’t have all the answers.”

Writing and speaking are such subjective topics. I like to acknowledge that age, education level, geography and culture all impact how we speak and write. I try to ask questions and encourage people to challenge what I’m teaching. In the process, I’ve learned far more than I would have just putting “rules” of speaking or writing out there.

Plus, this interaction makes every session far more fun for me and the people I’m working with (see how I broke a grammar rule here and ended a sentence with a preposition:).

Every opportunity won’t necessarily be a good fit

Every opportunity that comes to the Medway Group won’t necessarily be a good fit. I’m becoming better at discerning what’s a good fit for our expertise. An old friend told me years ago that his business wasn’t for everyone. I finally understand what he meant.

I’ve learned how to turn down those opportunities that aren’t a good fit without burning a bridge. This has allowed me to often help a potential client find someone else who can help them.

For example, while I don’t do graphic design, hands-on social management or web development, I do have a network of talented and trusted partners who are experts in areas I’m not.

Keep learning

The rapid onslaught of artificial intelligence has reminded me that no one can stop learning. Re-engaging in professional organizations, intentionally networking with colleagues, staying on top of trends and remaining open to changing ways of doing things have kept me learning and growing this year.

The training and coaching work I’m doing has changed significantly in the past year as I’ve adapted my work to this rapidly moving communications environment.

It’s OK to veer from a plan – if it’s done with intention and thought

While I still abide by my dad’s advice that “you’ve got to plan the work before you can work the plan,” I’ve learned sometimes it’s OK to veer from the plan or even change the plan – as long as it’s done with intention and thought.

Change management and crisis preparation need to be part of any strategy or plan in today’s world. I’m keeping this in mind with every type of planning work I’m doing these days.