Iesha Small’s Post

The difference between viewing your role as an employee versus a profit maximizer can shift your entire approach to work. I was reflecting on this after reading an insightful piece about the mindsets we adopt in our careers. There was a time when I viewed work merely as a task to complete, often clocking in and out without truly engaging with my contributions. It wasn't until I began to think about how I could genuinely add value that everything changed. I started taking ownership of my projects and sought ways to optimize processes, which not only improved my team's efficiency but also my own satisfaction and growth. The takeaway? Embracing a profit maximizer mentality not only benefits the organization but transforms your professional journey. It's about finding purpose in what you do and understanding how your work contributes to the bigger picture. How do you view your role at your job? https://lnkd.in/ekDE5bpJ

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 Efficiency isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about doing the right things the right way. This mindset has been a game-changer for me as a Virtual Assistant, Social Media Manager, and Content Creator. Here’s a thought to inspire you: 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁. 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. This quote resonates with me because it reflects how I approach my work and life. Staying focused, organized, and intentional leads to the best results. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀? 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿! #Day26Challenge #EfficiencyMatters #VirtualAssistant #ProductivityTips #Inspiration #30daysLinkedInChallengewithChinwenduOkeke

There’s always that moment when a new client wonders, “Is this really going to work?” or “Are we a good fit?” And I get it. It’s normal to feel unsure at the beginning. As a work-from-home mom, juggling so many things, I understand how important it is to feel like everything is lining up just right. 💖 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨: The best connections don’t always happen right away. Sometimes, it takes a little time to truly see the magic in a partnership. When a client tells me they’re not sure if we’re a fit, I don’t just push or walk away. I pause. I listen. I ask questions, because I want to understand what’s making them feel that way. I work with them to find out how we can align our goals. And honestly? Most of the time, things do click. We find common ground. Sometimes, it’s just about adjusting expectations. Other times, it’s about showing them how what we’re doing connects to their bigger picture. 🌱 But here’s the advice I always give myself (and my clients, of course): If it’s really not a good fit, don’t force it. Don’t waste each other’s time. Run, but don’t feel bad. I know, it’s tough - these days, we all need work - but work with a partner who values what you bring to the table and where you can truly use your strengths. 💪 It’s better to part ways early than drag things on when it’s just not right. And don’t let it make you feel bad. It’s a learning experience, and there’s always a better fit out there. At the end of the day, it’s about finding the right connections that make sense for both sides. And when it clicks? Magic happens. ✨ #virtualassistant #linkedinmanager #growth #adminsupport

PR maven Shauna Nuckles learned the hard way that success doesn't have to mean burnout. Her journey from workaholic to advocate for sustainable work practices offers valuable lessons for all of us navigating the evolving landscape of modern business. Key insights for entrepreneurs and professionals: ◼ Redefine productivity: Speed isn't everything. True effectiveness comes from balancing attention to detail with big-picture thinking. How can you shift your focus from constant urgency to strategic progress? ◼ Embrace the hybrid workforce: The future of work involves a mix of remote, in-office, and freelance talent. Are your systems and processes ready to support this blended team approach? ◼ Perfectionism as an addiction: Recognize when the pursuit of perfection is holding you back. How can you create a healthier relationship with failure and learn to appreciate incremental wins? ◼ Invest in work-life boundaries: Setting limits on availability and prioritizing personal time isn't selfish—it's essential for sustained success. What boundaries do you need to establish in your professional life? Read the full article by Scott S. Smith to dive deeper into Nuckles' strategies for thriving in the new world of work: https://lnkd.in/dSBd27V5 Advocation #leaders #pr #marketing #futureofwork #entrepreneurialmindset #burnout #mentalhealth #worklifebalance

I mastered a skill that lets me work from anywhere, putting in just 3 hours a day. I work on weekends and take a week off (sometimes). I have clients who support and value the work. And no, it's not luck. It's a mindset. You've probably heard this advice: "Work hard, hustle every day, and grind until you make it." Sure, that works for some, but I think there’s a better way. I believe in working smart, upskilling constantly, and nurturing an abundance mindset. When you focus on your skills: You open new doors of opportunity. You attract clients who match your values. You create a reality aligned with your vision. I didn’t start by working 24/7 or sacrificing my well-being. Instead, I believed that balance and growth could coexist. I invested time in learning new skills, not just for clients but for myself. That’s what it means to have an abundance mindset, believing there’s always room for growth, a new skill to master, and opportunities waiting. "These days, there's a rush to measure success by the number of hours worked." But real success comes from the quality of work and the joy you find in the process. - Taking time off doesn’t mean you’re lazy. - Investing in yourself is never wasted time. - Finding clients who value you is possible with the right mindset. - Don't fall into the trap of 'hustle culture.' Be positive, trust your skills, and build a life that feels right. The freedom to design your reality isn’t luck, it's a choice. ______________________________________________ Hi, I'm Sneha, an executive PR expert and writing coach. DM me if you need help with Personal Branding or Ghostwriting! #business #personalbranding #freelancing

Just finished an intriguing book titled From Clueless to Success written by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi and it was truly eye opening and motivating to say the least. I studied Lingusistics, Media and Comms for my undergrad but my career has had many twists and turns that didn't include what I studied. Not directly atleast. I have worked as a receptionsist, as a comms intern in a medical tours start up, as a call center agent for a year in multichoice and until recently as Customer Experience Executive for a telcomm company for 7years. A role that has given me great exposure to excellent customer engagement lessons yet stagnating for my comms career. A few months ago, I made a deliberate move to get back on track to pursue not only my comms and PR career path but share my multiple gifts to the world as an emcee/moderator/visionary leader/founder/voiceover artist/writer and an all round conversationist. I came across this wonderful book and website in a whatsapp page for comms, media and PR specialists and I truly needed it in this season. Here are my few and deep takeaways; 1. God as the center of it all "Holyspirit Help Me" is my new silent & short prayer. 2. Importance of self awareness- Your calling, purpose, gifts and how you respond to criticism. Learning to develop a thick skin. Not letting criticism affect my self-worth. Dont wallow in self pity too long. 3. What do you really want? What are you seraching for? Pursue impact and fulfillment than money. For me its wellness and women and I am gassed up! 4. The mental mountain is what must be conquered. There's always a way. ALWAYS. What happens if this goes wrong? Important question; What happens if this goes well. Stay curious. Ask the Right questions always. 5. Add Value, Always; reading how Adedoyin Jaiyesimi consistently volunteered, shared ideas and knowledge is a great wake up call for me. She empasized on the importance of generosisty to become a thought leader . 6. As a start up; put value ahead of money, invest in creative energy, learn the art of proper pricing, know your value then do the latter, profile your clients, learn from msitakes, seek help, mentorship, Posistion yourself well well. 7. Know when time is up. When to leave and pursue other things. listening to your intution and knowing when to exit/change direction/build afresh. #grateful #comms #unlearningRelearning

This is…4 years! 🎉 I accepted my job offer as a senior editor covering marketing at LinkedIn in March 2020. I’d been running a media consulting business for the past 2 years and was eager to get back into an office. Have a desk. Be expected to show up somewhere. I was asked to start June 1, 2020, so that I could join…in person. Well, we all know how that went, and it would be about a year before I regularly went into the office. Starting a new job remotely — let alone at a gigantic company — in the earliest days of a global pandemic was so daunting but what I’d soon come to learn was that LinkedIn’s culture was built on generosity. So many busy people gave me their time as I onboarded. Over the last 4 years, I’ve had 3 different roles with 3 different scopes within Editorial. Change is constant: It’s one of my favorite things about working here. It’s given me an opportunity to learn and grow in so many different ways. I’ve struggled to write this post because everything I feel about this time is so cliché, but if I had to reflect on what’s made these years so meaningful and so impactful, I would say it comes down to 4 principles I operate in: 1️⃣ Read the emails: Read the weekly updates sent by other teams. Yes, there are a lot. No, you don’t have infinite time. But try to read a handful every week. Things that look like they have nothing to do with your work are always connected in some way. Be curious beyond your scope. 2️⃣ Ask your questions: This is part of reading the emails and being curious. Hit reply to that really long email someone spent a long time writing. Ask them a question. Sometimes you may be the only person to have replied. Showing interest alone can open up a new relationship, conversation or collaboration. 3️⃣ Learn the business: Principles 1 and 2 are key ingredients here but not the whole recipe. Understand how the company makes money, its biggest competitors, challenges, etc. Know where you fit into that equation. 4️⃣ Cheer people on: Everyone else’s success is your success. Go out of your way to reach out to people and say hi, offer support or kudos. A Slack message or a Teams message that it takes you 10 seconds to send can go such a long way. Take opportunities to find touch points with people for who they are and not what they do. There is opportunity for growth in every role if you look for it. So much gratitude and appreciation to everyone I’ve worked with in this time, including Jessi Hempel who, 4 years ago, told me over lunch in LinkedIn’s cafeteria, “I think there’s a role here you might be great for." Also thank you (and sorry) to Daniel Roth who I used to email for technical support (yes, really 🙈) before I joined. 😂 Glad you decided to hire me anyway.

Do you manufacture serendipity? Consider it a way to foster the lightbulb moments that connect the dots . . . between philanthropists and opportunities that align with their interests between donors and volunteers - and the people they know between potential board members and your organization (not to mention many other things at work and in life.) Here’s an example of how this played out for me: 🔹 Looking to identify external candidates for a school advisory council, I searched online and found a list of leaders in the related discipline. 🔹 I identified someone who looked promising because of her location (close to my institution), industry (not currently represented on the council), and other nonprofit links (known board service and philanthropy). 🔹 I asked the Prospect Research team to take a look and learned that she served on a board with one of our trustees. Since we were still discussing the strategy for the council with academic leadership, I tucked that info away. 🔹 Months later, two things came in short succession – 1) I looked up the speakers at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the potential council prospect was among the speakers, and 2) I looked up the list of attendees of a state dinner at the White House, and the trustee attended. 🔹 I brought this to the attention of my colleague who had the relationship with the trustee, immediately contacted him, and learned that not only did the trustee and council prospect serve together on another board, they were classmates in school. The trustee thought she would be a strong candidate and agreed to contact her and explore her interest in getting involved. And what manufactured serendipity led to this post? 🔹 Yesterday, thanks to mutual connections, I read this in Callie Schweitzer’s post https://lnkd.in/gjDvahwx about her 4 year milestone at LinkedIn: “Things that look like they have nothing to do with your work are always connected in some way. Be curious beyond your scope.” Yes! 🔹 This led me to recall the excellent 2014 EAB Curious Chameleon study which uncovered the traits and behaviors of the most effective major gift officers, developing a model persona – the Curious Chameleon: someone who “accesses a deep and wide repository of knowledge” and “identifies the link between seemingly disparate ideas”, among other valuable behaviors. 🔹 And, finally, I thought of a presentation I did when I was asked to share some of my best practices with a group of fundraisers and prospect researchers. I titled it Manufacturing Serendipity [I’m certainly not the first person to put those words together]. For some of us, this is an innate skill (more on that in the comments), but for others, how do we encourage this kind of curiosity? This behavior does not show up in fundraising metrics but it may be the margin between someone who is adequate at their work and one who truly excels. How do you manufacture serendipity?

How much time do you spend on LinkedIn Engagement as a Coach/Founder? Is half of your day spent on replying to comments, and emails, Scheduling posts, and Collaborating? That is because you are being Jack of all the trade and Master of None Yes, it will keep you busy But at the cost of cutting your precious hours which you can utilize to create systems and improve your products and client relations. It's Natural to feel the urge to do everything on our own as Founder/ Coach. Your brand is your baby But is this approach helping you grow your business? Don't feel the guilt that no one would do better than you. Hire a team that is genuine and aligned with your goals If you find some skills missing give a few hours initially to train them to meet your expectations. Learn to Delegate smartly And your road to success and work-life balance is clear take the decision now Let's get you rid of this unproductive Routine together Where you create systems, courses, and beautiful Strategies and I do the rest. Hi I am Gauri Bellad 🤗, Your go-to Creative Virtual Assistant for Coaches and Founders As a Virtual Assistant, I specialize in making wellness and personal development content. I love dabbling my feet in both being Virtual assistant and Creating Content I can buy you more time at a reasonable cost. Does this solve your budget problem too? let's talk  DM me if you wish to free yourself from an unproductive Routine

Any other business owners feeling the strain? Trust us, we get it! Wearing all the hats—therapist, accountant, social media manager, unpaid intern— It. Is. Exhausting. 😫 At Proud Empowerment Business Solutions (PEBS), we help entrepreneurs streamline their workflows, scale their businesses, & reclaim their time.⌛ In just 3 months, one of our clients boosted engagement by 40% and got HOURS back they thought they’d lost forever. Imagine what *YOU* could do with that kind of time back. Ready to find out? 💜 Check out our latest post for the full story and drop by the PEBS page: