Mary Gillen, Co-Developer of Idea Site for
Business, has
over 20 years experience in freelance commercial
copywriting, graphics design, web design and creative marketing concepts.
Idea Site for Business was featured in Microsoft Corporation's TV series "America At Work: A Roadmap To The Internet", and highlighted in such publications as The LA Times, PC Novice Magazine and many others.
Mary has developed Web sites for such organizations as The World Bank, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Cancer Research Foundation of America, Allergy Supply Company and many others.
She also teaches Web development courses for EEI Communications (http://www.
eeicom.com) in Alexandria, VA that include HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, CGI Scripting, XML, NetObjects Fusion, Web Graphics Using Photoshop and Cold Fusion.
Mary can be reached by phone at 703-339-7400
or by e-mail at jacgill
@idsonline.
com
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The Creative Circle
by Mary GillenCo-Developer - Idea Site for Business
Off the southwest coast of Ireland you'll find a sharp dark mountain looming in the wilderness of the ocean, five miles out to sea. It's called Skellig Michael, and in the 6th century, monks sought this different ground. In leather boats they approached this monument, carving their quest for something new upon the mountain's face, using rocks and metal crosses to chip away 600 stone steps that would lead to the mountain's top...and a new life.
The path they carved was circular, around and around the mountainous pyramid until they reached the place where they could build their simple rock shelters. Their work started in April and was finished by August because they had no choice. Once September came, the weather wouldn't let them survive without shelter or the ocean allow them to escape.
The courage and creativity exemplified by these travelers so long ago reminds me of many small business folks I know. Constantly seeking what's new and willing to pay the price for a journey that at times seems impossible.
Like the monks, these entrepreneurs comprise a gathering of disciples who gladly follow this path to independence, for in seeking it they find a grace in their lives that can only be identified as creative. Unwilling to remain on dry ground where they are left longing for more, these souls will use whatever they have available to get the job done, welcoming all opportunities to improve on what they consider to be important.
The Creative Circle Exercise
If you are determined to improve your business in 1999 and beyond, thinking in familiar ways may not get you very far. You may be searching for new possibilities, but are overwhelmed by the process. Remember the monks. It would have been too difficult for them to carve their pathway straight up the side of the mountain, due to the environmental conditions and the tools that were available. So they proceeded in a new, circular manner to achieve their goal.
1) Take a piece of paper and draw a circle. Around the inside edge of the circle (similar to how numbers sit on the face of a clock), write down 12 resources that are now available to you that can help you grow your enterprise. Let your mind wander and write down the first 12 that come to mind. These can include time, receivables, talents, marketing materials, networking groups, Web sites, newsgroups, etc.
2) On paper, you now have a circle with the 12 resources written around the inside edge. You also have a blank circle in the middle of your band of resources. In this blank space, write down 12 individuals you know and respect, personally or professionally. These can include business colleagues, friends, clients, relatives, partners, etc. Again, write down the first 12 that come to mind.
3) Once step 2 is complete, quickly draw lines from each individual's name to a resource that you have listed in the outer circle. Don't hesitate and think too much - just connect each name to a resource.
4) Study each connection you've made and the possibility it creates. Can you:
- Trade your services for theirs?
- Seek new advice?
- Team to gain new business?
- Offer services to someone new?
- Introduce a colleague to one of your clients?
- Ask for referrals?
- Offer new services to existing customers?
Copyright © 1999 Mary Gillen. All Rights Reserved.
Other Articles by Mary Gillen
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