My annual reviews are personal, but I do take stock of where I am in all aspects and where I want to be, recognizing the journey this has been and planning steps to take it to the next level. It took me a few years into adulthood to understand that this process, the expectations and the outcomes, as well as the sentiments attached to it all are going to be different for everyone, and even for me at different stages in my life. The past year sure put everyone through the wringer, and I was no different. Overall I think I fared quite well, without any major threats to professional or personal wellness, and plenty to do on both fronts to keep me occupied. My prime concern was not being close to my family in India through it all and worrying how I'd get there should anyone fall ill so I am glad they've been in good health through the whole year. Here are my observations and takeaways...

I've always enjoyed reading and was a voracious reader all through my teen and young adult life but somewhere along the way, work-life balance took a beating and reading just ended up being something I only did for work as I worked with words all the times. After typing away all day writing stories, editing text or interacting with the written word in some way, reading at the end of the day simply didn't;t seem like an option anymore. I tried shifting that to the morning and keeping aside an hour a day for some reading for pleasure but that ould quickly be taken over by the day's new or other updated. This year I've made a conscious decision to read more. I enjoyed it and have missed it so I've chosen to do something I used to love and hope it will give me the same joy it used to. 

Thanksgiving might look a little different for your employees this year. They may not be doing much traveling due to COVID-19, and their family gatherings are likely to be small, quiet affairs. But Deb Boelkes, author of Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring, says leaders can make Turkey Day special by giving workers the heartfelt “thank-you” they deserve and need right now.

When growing your brand and managing your business, there is no more important or powerful tool than your own website. This is the #1 tool you and your business fully control and should be the spot to start any successful public relations and marketing campaign.  This invaluable weapon in your public relations arsenal can boost your visibility and reach, and a great website strategy can spell financial success for you and your business. If you are wondering where to begin, read on!

All businesses need attention, positive attention, from their target audience. Good PR and marketing take some focus, critical thinking and strategy to have your customers find you and appreciate you, and the rewards are worth it. ​When you advertise your business, you pay someone to tell the marketplace about its features and benefits and what it can do for them. You pay, they play. Sometimes people trust it, sometimes they don’t. Often, when people know you paid for the message, they tend to glance over it, or delete it, like undesired noise. So, how do you make yourself, your business and your  message heard in a marketplace that is drowning in noise? How do you stand out from the crowd or compete with much larger, well-established companies? How do people trust what you are telling them?

I recently participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by PR pro Ronjini Joshua of Silver Telegram in California. Joined by another industry colleague, we presented our thoughts on some fundamental questions Ronjini posed and then fielded a few questions from attendees as well. To read the recap on the Silver Telegram website, head here.
 
I will list a few more pointers that I shared on that discussion, from my experience as a freelance journalist, editor and writer, if it helps with your efforts.