Inspire Ideas - Page 9 of 9

Staying on Task – Top 5 Tools to Adopt

Posted on May 18, 2021 - 8:13 am by Heather DeVine

Transcend ideas graphic on Top 5 Tools to Stay on Task and quote "Enrich your palette. Expand the canvas. There's always so much more to learn" - Martin Scorsese, a Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese through american movies

We all know that adopting new behaviors is so difficult. When it comes to keeping on the task it does help to look to new tools to see if they resonate with you. Listed below are the tools I use that you might be interested in using that’ll keep you on task. If it doesn’t resonate with you leave it behind and only take up what will serve you.

5. Notebook

A basic notebook that you can task out your goals for the day, week, month, and even year. The start of the week is the best way to begin here. How do you use a notebook? Personally, I like making checkboxes on the left margin with sub-tasks below. Start the week with a reflection on Monday, I make a list throughout the week. Using different colored pens helps me to keep my notebook looking more motivational and even entry items bolder.

4. Calendar

I personally use both Google Calendar and a physical Moleskine calendar. The reminder on my phone to “chime” into my day so I don’t forget meetings or tasks is crucial for me. I also love to utilize my colored pen in my physical calendar to keep it lively and give it that extra “pop” in my calendar.

3. Asana

I am very adamant with all my clients on how Asana can help task out work both internally to your team members and for external projects. You have the ability to assign and mention members and communicate directly task-by-task basis. Setting due dates and syncing dates on your Google Calendar can keep priorities in line. You can attach designs, photos, and files to tasks so it’s easy to review on the go or on your desktop for download. This App can be utilized for both your smartphone and your desktop. The App is free to use but also has a Premium package if you’d like more expansive features.

2. WIN Journal

Yes, another notebook or section of your notebook. Jot down your “wins” no matter the size. When we celebrate our wins we acknowledge achievements and that’s a healthy habit to get into. All too often we look at the big picture and spend less time recognizing the smaller yet important victories. Sketching alongside my wins and having general use of bullet points or writing a short description like a normal journal with the date.

1. Someone to keep you Accountable

Who’s your accountability person? Like Meredith and Christina in Grey’s Anatomy, you need “your person.” This person will check in with you to see how far you’ve come with reaching your desired goals. Depending on the goal at hand a weekly or monthly meeting might be enough to keep the ball rolling.

That’s my list of Top 5 Tools to Adopt to Stay on Task and I hope you took away something useful. If it doesn’t serve you, leave it behind.

Top 5 Things to Think About Before Hiring A Creative Agency

Posted on May 18, 2021 - 4:58 am by Heather DeVine

Here is a list of Top 5 Things to Think About Before hiring a creative agency to help with your small business or organization’s meaningful messaging.

5. Answer your “WHAT” and your HOW?”

The WHAT and the HOW are all in that clever business plan of yours. And some of those plans aren’t refined and that’s certainly at least a place to begin.

If your endeavor is to start up a life coaching practice, your HOW will look much different from a coffee shop and café. This HOW actually does help your creative team to meet your needs and propose specific tactics in marketing strategy both online and offline.

4. Answer your “WHY?”

The WHY of your endeavors will help grant you direction and stability in the product or services you plan to provide your audience. The WHY brings about in many cases the reason you are doing what you are doing.

Someone who starts a bakery locally may say for example;
My WHY is to provide freshly baked goods to my customers. They will find happiness in consuming the quality products I offer.

3. Answer your “WHO?”

The WHO is the target audience that you will be honing in on. Many optimistic entrepreneurs tend to step into this journey thinking everyone is their target audience. I am here to convince you otherwise. Knowing your target audience intimately means you’ve chosen to begin with a narrow market to begin. Who’s to say you won’t broaden your market down the road?

For example, Amazon begins its endeavors selling books online out of Bezo’s garage in Bellevue, Washington.

2. What’s your entity name?

Some folks have names they are quite attached to and others come in with a clean slate. Wherever you might be with this, bring that energy to the creatives because they can help polish ideas or propose brand discovery which can bring a fresh perspective to your vision. The entity name is just the beginning of the logo design and branding journey which helps present your business/organization to the world.

Keep in mind you don’t want brand confusion. The first step is to check in with the Secretary of State in their business name entity search tool to see if anyone has already registered the name you were hoping to utilize before even going down the road of branding. Also, a simple Google search helps to determine if there may be confusion in general with your audience finding you. Don’t be discouraged if someone else is utilizing your business name idea, as long as the name you choose doesn’t cause confusion in the state you are planning to operate and market to, you should be safe to proceed in your efforts.

1. What’s your mission and vision?

This #1 of the Top 5 is the most crucial to how you conduct business and attract the ideal client. Your marketing helps dictate who these clients are. They will respond to your messaging accordingly so a careful assessment of your mission and vision will help creatives hit it out of the park by delivering your message effectively.

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Good luck, there are SO many that can help bring your vision to light. If you have questions about hiring a creative agency or on how Transcend Ideas can help, email us at hello@transcendideas.com and we have that first free consult to see if we are the right fit for you and your meaningful journey.

Case Study: Teton County Weed and Pest

Posted on May 4, 2021 - 9:53 pm by Heather DeVine

Teton County Weed and Pest is a local government agency that’s mission is to protect, manage and restore ecosystem integrity through comprehensive invasive species management for the benefit of ecological and human health. They were looking for a brand identity package to convey their commitment to the community with a bold more modern look than their previous logo variation.

The simple shape of the mountains gives homage to the Tetons and the more geometric and modern fonts allow for a much more approachable design. Teton County Weed and Pest utilizes these new logo variations on all their published products, website, and social media campaigns. This helps TCWP to build brand familiarity and trust with customers.

Designed with Gliffen Designs. Are you interested in collaborating with Transcend Ideas on a new brand and identity package for your business? Contact us today!