Should You Be the Leader of Your Small Business?

Some entrepreneurs are born to start businesses -- often more than one. But not all of these idea people really want to lead a company. They simply don't have the leadership traits that would make them the best choice to head the company, especially as it grows larger. That's why so many founders are replaced before a company goes public -- investors want to know that a vibrant, inspiring figure whose core competency is leadership will be there to drive growth.

It's common for founders to step back from being CEO and take on some other role -- common titles for founders who have stepped away from the top spot include chief technology officer, board director, chief operating officer or research and development director. Some people are full of creative spark and have a passion for coming up with new concepts or for marketing their idea. Others love to lead teams of people and inspire them to do their best.

But rarely do these two innate drives reside in one person. Many entrepreneurs cling to leadership simply because they fear the loss of control, even though their business would be better off if they brought a passionate leader to the helm and focused on the part of the business they love.
So how do you know if you should lead your business? Here are some questions you should ask yourself:

• Do you get a bigger thrill out of energizing workers and seeing your employees succeed than you do when you are successful yourself?
• Do you feel that you wouldn't know what to do with yourself if you weren't heading the company?
• Do you know instinctively what you want to do when confronted with managerial problems such as a team that has failed?
• Do you feel compelled to lead? Dave Logan, a management consultant and an associate dean at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, recently wrote, if you feel you could do no other job,that's a strong sign you have the drive to continue leading your business to success.

On the flip side, if managerial tasks bore you, and you find yourself wishing you could get back to the lab/computer/workbench to tinker, your company might be better off without you at the top.
Do you feel driven to lead your business? Leave a comment and tell us if you'd rather take another role.

Don’t Make This Mistake When Selling Art – Connecting with Collectors Series

by Maria Brophy

ONE MAJOR KEY TO CONNECTING WITH COLLECTORS: SOLVE THEIR PROBLEM!

Last month I almost lost sale on a large painting, and admittedly it was my fault.

But I learned a lesson and luckily, I was given a second chance.

Here’s what happened:

We thought we would try something new at Drew Brophy studios this holiday season to pump up sales and to create a personal connection to Drew’s collectors.  We held a studio “open house” the four Saturdays before Christmas.

It was a success; we had existing collectors show up and many new people who had never been in our studio before.  We sold over two dozen original paintings!

However, I almost lost the sale of the largest painting that month.

That’s because, in the hustle of being busy with many customers, I forgot one of the golden rules of selling art:

Make it easy for your customer to buy.  Solve their problems and you’ll make the sale.

One of Drew’s regular collectors, Tim, had showed up to open house and was interested in a very large painting called The Circle of Life.

His problem was this:  he needed to have it transported to his new home in Hawaii.
When he suggested that he look into shipping options himself, I agreed to let him do the work on solving that problem.  That was a mistake on my part.  It was my responsibility to take care of the shipping.  I shouldn’t have made the customer do the work on that.

A few days later he called and said that he couldn’t buy the painting after all; the shipping service that he was using for all of his other belongings wouldn’t insure the painting.

This is when I realized the error of my ways and said “let me see what I can find out about shipping and get back to you.”

I made a few calls to others who ship large items to Hawaii and got leads on different companies that insure artwork.  Then I called for price quotes and insurance information and chose the best option.

I called Tim and said “I found a good shipping price from a company that is willing to insure it.  How about this; we will build the crate for it, package and ship it and all you have to do is pay for it?”

There was a good chance that he had changed him mind on buying the painting.  But happily, he agreed to the shipping quote.  SOLD!  The Circle of Life is going to its new home Hawaii this month, and all is well.
The moral of the story is this:

Make it easy for your collectors to buy your art.  Solve their problems for them.  Ensure that their experience with you one of ease and joy.

PS:  There are many different aspects to connecting with your collectors.  I’ll be hosting a live call with expert Artist Coach Ariane Goodwin to discuss her own wonderful ideas on how to connect with collectors.


 Similar Posts:

• Eight Things You Must Do When you Sell An Artwork
• Art Licensing 101 Lecture RECAP
• 6 POINTS ABOUT PRESENTING YOUR ART TO A PROSPECT

Why People Secretly Fear Creative Ideas

Why creative ideas are often rejected in favour of conformity and uniformity.

Does society really value creativity? People say they want more creative people, more creative ideas and solutions, but do they really?

For one thing teachers don't generally like creative students. Primary school teachers in one study liked the most creative kids the least (Westby & Dawson, 1995). This isn't an isolated finding in education and probably a result of the fact that creative kids are generally more disruptive; naturally they don't like to follow the rules.

For all the talk of creativity in business, industry and academia, there's evidence that it's implicitly discouraged in these areas as well. Although leaders of organisations say they want creative ideas, the evidence suggests creativity gets rejected in favour of conformity and uniformity (Staw, 1995 cited in Mueller et al., 2011).

An unconscious bias against creativity

 

A recent study has tested this idea that there's a disconnect between what people say about creativity and what they unconsciously think (Mueller et al. 2011).
They used tests that typically assess implicit or unconscious racism. Racism is something that almost everyone knows is wrong, but psychologists have found we can still measure hidden or unconscious racism in some people using this test. Instead, though, it was used to measure a hidden or unconscious bias against creativity.

Across two experiments Mueller and colleagues found that when people felt uncertain they were:

• more likely to have negative thoughts about creative ideas,
• and found it more difficult to recognise creative ideas.
•  

This supports the idea that people don't like creative ideas because they tend to increase uncertainty. The thinking goes like this: we know how to do things we've done before, but new things are mysterious. How will we achieve it? Is it practical? What could go wrong? And so on...



People don't like to feel uncertain; it's an aversive state that generally we try to escape from. Unfortunately creativity requires uncertainty by definition, because we're trying to do something that hasn't been done before.

People deal with the disconnect by saying one thing, "Creativity is good, we want more of it!" but actually rejecting creative ideas for being impractical.

And, the more uncertain people feel, the harder they find it to recognise a truly creative idea. So as a society we end up sticking our heads in the sand and carrying on doing the same old things we've been doing all along, just to avoid feeling uncertain.

Instead we should be embracing uncertainty because it's only when we're unsure that we can be sure we're in new territory.

Image credits: Kristian Niemi & Nicolo Paternoster

Starting Out As an Artist? Here is a list of what you need to know

Bookmark this resource

New links are being added to this site on a regular basis.

If you like this site please feel free to

• create a bookmark or link within various social network sites
• add a link to it on your website
• e-mail this site and share it with your friends

STARTING OUT - what do you need to know?

source Squidoo

A variety of information for those minded to pursue an angle within the art business. I suggest you start with the two Alan Bamberger articles which address questions like the ones below and then go on from there

Don't forget to check out the other sections of this site - on separate pages. (coming soon)

• Artist Tips to be Famous and Make Lots of Money
• Make Money; Be Successful - Artist Questions Answered
• Making a Mark: The "stickability' factor
• Making a Mark: Will you be a success if you blog your paintings daily?
• Making a Mark: What increases your artistic productivity? 
• Making a Mark: Feedback on what increases your artistic productivity
• Self Discipline for Artists by Nita Leland
• About.com: Developing Your Career as an Artist
• The Painter's Keys Community :: The Most Comprehensive (Free) Resource For Artists Worldwide
• Art Blogs at absolutearts.com - "Rejection/Perseverance" by Paul Dorrell
• Making a Mark: Maggie Stiefvater - two of everything
• Making a Mark: From ACEOs to powerseller
• Making a Mark: Six secrets of success - more butt-kicking advice from Maggie Stiefvater
• Art Blogs at absolutearts.com - "Posterity or Prosperity — Can Artists Have It Both Ways?" by Barney Davey?" 
• "Making their Mark" - an audit of visual artists
• Paul Dorrell's Blog - Friday Tips For Artists : Index
• Art Biz Blog: Ask for what you want--the right way
• Art Calendar | 25 Golden Rules of Success by By Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach
• Artists Who Sell: How to Write a Killer Sales Page (and why) - The Abundant Artist

  Bookmark this resource

• 
  New links are being added to this site on a regular basis.\  If you like this site please feel free to
  create a bookmark or link within various social network sites add a link to it on your website or e-mail this site and share it with your friends

  DISCLAIMER

  Please note that I am not engaged in offering professional advice and I take no responsibility for and have no liability in relation to your reliance on any of the information offered by the sites listed here. I'm just sharing what I've found. Most of the people writing on the internet are sharing their experiences and offering their opinions. It's up to you to make sure your research is thorough enough for your purposes. If you need professional advice then I suggest you contract with the appropriate professional.

PRICING YOUR ART... HOW???

 



 I think the question above is the most difficult questions we as artists ask ourselves. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Of course you need to consider your expenses which include materials, rent, utilities etc. as well as the number of hours put into creating a particular work of art. You also have to consider how well known you are as an artist. You may feel that one of your paintings is worth $800.00 but you don't have that much notoriety or experience under your belt to fetch much more than say $200.

If you would like more information please follow the following links:

•  The Ten Commandments of Art Pricing

•  How To Price your art work (Youtube Video)

• Don’t Sell Yourself Short: Price Your Art for What it’s Worth

  
  

Do different colors affect your mood.

Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. It is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms?

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

Black

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula

, often wear black.

White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing

. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

Colors of the Flag

In the U.S. flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun's rays.

If you want to learn more about Symbolic Use of Colors in Flags click on this link

Food for Thought


While blue is one of the most popular colors it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.


This article was from Infoplease.com

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How to Live With an Artiist

article from eHow

By braniac

• Print this article

                                                                      Living with an artist is not easy. They can be moody and eccentric to say the least. They are also usually very passionate about the things they care about, one of which is the person they love. This article is for those of you who have chosen to live under the same roof as an artist. Being an artist, I understand the ups and downs of being creative, but also married to another artist, I am able to see things from the other side, and how truly crazy it can seem at times!

Instructions

How to Live With an Artist 

1. Don't nag. This is a hard one, especially for those who are not artists. But being an artist myself, I still find myself nagging my husband. There are better ways of asking for something to be done or reminding him about something. Asking in a nice way is key. If they forget, instead of nagging in an angry way, try to convey the way that it hurt you. After all, anger is a byproduct of being hurt.
2. Watch for depression. It's a wonderful thing that whoever you are with is lucky enough to have you in their lives. Artists can become very alone in their creative depression bouts, and that is a dangerous thing. Make sure that they do have their necessary alone time because that is also necessary, and will make your life a lot easier. But also remind them that you are there for them. Be a shoulder to cry on if they need it.
3. Be careful when you are arguing about money troubles. Try to figure out how to work through it together instead of placing all of the burden on them. Being an artist isn't easy. At times, my husband and I both wish we could be satisfied with regular jobs that bring in regular cash. However, we wouldn't trade in being artists for anything in the end.
4. Give them their space. This doesn't mean that they don't love you or are tired of you. Artists need their space to breathe for their own creativity. Give them what I like to call "alone time."
5. In general, artists tend to be a bit messy! My husband is a tornado and I am not much better naturally. I've had to learn to be more organized, otherwise the house would be more of a wreck than it is! For one, you cannot expect the house to be spotless all the time. Artists will have books, papers, supplies, and everything else, everywhere! This will be extremely hard for people who are used to having everything in its place. If possible, have a specific room for creating art, or at least a good sized area in the house. This area either needs to contain or be close to books and the computer. Also think of things in big sections. These sections will be easier for the artist to separate things (i.e. hamper for dirty laundry, basket in the front for mail and other papers that need to be looked at). Artists can see the big picture, and once that is maintained, will pay attention to the details. Also, categorizing things where you can visually see them will help keep things organized.

 Read Next: How to Research the Career of an Artist