I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Family Business
I’m with my mom this week and upon arrival she does what she usually does—pepper me with questions, requests, and worries about technology, money, the house, and her healthcare.
Usually, they’re the same worries and concerns we’ve discussed on the phone over the prior few weeks.
Many, I know, I’ve either already tackled or have addressed with her in some way or another, hoping to put her mind at ease.
But none of that sticks.
And so, I begin to tackle this visit’s list of to-dos.
I want, however, to try something different this time around, treating my mom like a client who needs my expertise rather than, well, my mom.
So, here's how that worked...
One of mom's recent complaints is that she has some new medications and is finding it challenging to remember what to take when and whether or not she’s taken what she’s supposed to each day.
I walk through her medications with her and gather the necessary information about which she’s currently taking, how often, and at what time of day.
Then, I search online for a medication tracker and find a whole bunch of templates. (Yay!)
After 20 minutes, I realize none of these is designed for self-management by patients (Boo!).
So, I spend way too much time creating a beautiful, color-coded tracker, which I proudly present to mom.
“Oh, good,” she says, "Thank you."
The next morning, I encourage mom to use her new tracker and she immediately makes a ton of ‘errors,’ checking off boxes for the wrong day, checking off night-time meds in the morning, etc.
As I watch my mom use the tracker (and continue to use a note pad to mark down the same information), I immediately know how I will improve things for version two.
By the end of the week, we should have a tracker and system for mom that is both helpful and easy enough for her to employ so she no longer needs her notepad for the same purpose.
This whole exercise is such a great reminder of the importance of user testing during the creation process via a prototype or pilot.
Honestly, there is nothing quite as valuable as observing your products, tools, or resources in the wild, i.e., in the hands of the people they are intended to support and serve before locking down content, architecture, and design.
Whether you're taking care of client or customer needs or taking care of your loved ones, don't forget this critical step.
Not only does it help you achieve the best outcome, but it gives your audience a sense of ownership through co-creation, which increases the likelihood of implementation and adherence.
Check out The Best Experiences if you want to learn more about usability and co-creation.
Until next week, remember that just like great people, great ideas need time to develop into their greatness.
PS - If you missed it, last week, I got you ready for tax season with Code-d Messages and helpful resources.
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Easily Said & Done
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
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