Uncluttered Office with Catherine Avery

Diane Jones is a public relations and communications pro, who explains the right way to do communications during this crisis.  Diane teaches us how to break through all of the noise in the marketplace. The key is to know who your target audience is and what they need to hear and where they will hear it. Not every audience is on every platform.  We discuss how there’s no amount of PR that can replace great customer service. But if a company makes a mistake, and mistakes do happen, then it’s the way the company fixes the mistake that leaves the lasting impression.  Tune in for the good, the bad, and the ugly stories of the world of PR.  About Diane Jones –  Diane Jones is a 25-year veteran of public relations and marketing. She has worked for businesses, nonprofits, local governments and for agencies, so you could definitely say she has done it all.  Diane specializes in working with local governments and nonprofits, but is also passionate about helping small businesses with their communicatio

Catherine’s guest today is Nika Stewart of Streambank Media. Nika breaks down exactly what’s advisable with social media marketing at a time of crisis, especially that we need to know our audience before reaching out to them. Personal is better. She assures you that our customers still need things. And if we have in person jobs, we can figure out ways to offer those services virtually. Even if it’s hair products for a woman who doesn’t presently have hair! Come get your social media shine on with Nika. Bio Nika Stewart is CEO of Streambank Media, a full-service social media agency. She helps personality-driven brands grow their visibility and influence with Done-For-You social media programs. Learn more about your host, Catherine Avery: Website Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Catherine   *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.  

Today’s guest is Brynn Breuner, an unconventional brand strategist and wonderful friend. Brynn lives in Reno. Brynn speaks her truth unapologetically, which is why Catherine asked her to be on the show!    Brynn and Catherine discuss how your “Why” is the essence of your brand.  Then learn how you can take the power of your Why story to up level all aspects of your business. Brynn will use an experience she had with an orchestra to bring it all together.    Tune in because a conversation with Brynn is absolutely magical.    To learn more about Brynn Breuner -    Brynn Breuner is an unconventional brand strategist for unconventional people.  She brings 30+ years of visual design, branding, and wordsmithing to helping visionary leaders communicate “what they really do” with ease and impact.    ​When you can describe it, you can sell it.    http://www.mindsparkbranding.com/    Links:   Start With Why by Simon Sinek    To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:    Productivity by Design  Facebook Page and L

A special note from your host, Catherine This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive. Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first.   Rochester based marketing specialist, Tamara MacDuff is today’s special guest. Tamara is a Certified SCORE mentor and especially adept at all things small business.    We start by discussing how you can access money during this challenge. And Tamara offers ideas of expenses you can cut now to help make ends meet. We share some non-icky marketing strategies so you can stay in business.    Finally, we take an amazing left turn to bust stigmas, particularly around mental illness. Tamara is co-host of Roc Voices on Rochester Free Radio.    Bio –     Tamara helps businesses drive sales & become known in their industry using social media and content marketing strategies.    Tamara can help you create your online pres

A special note from your host, Catherine This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity.   If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive.   Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first.   This week’s guest is BodyMind Coach and dear friend, Lori Hoffer. Lori has been a massage therapist for over 20 years and helps people understand who they are in their body. Lori and I discuss how you can heal by getting in touch with your body. This time is one of a worldwide trauma and self-care is such a high priority now. We delve deep into the connection between our bodies and our minds and how our bodies can hold trauma. Releasing it is crucial. Join us for some massage for your mind and your soul!   To learn more about Lori Hoffer -   BodyMind Coach and Licensed Massage Therapist, Lori has been helping people awaken to and understand the language of their body for over 20 years.    She uses intenti

Catherine’s guest is Laura Prisc, a coach with a specialty in all things Human Resources. Laura and Catherine start with what it takes to upgrade our skills, especially at a time when the world is upside down. Instead of simply waiting for your company to offer you a course, we can take personal responsibility to learn the skills we enjoy that can take us to the next level. We don’t want to be tomorrow’s typing pool. They discuss StrengthsFinder, a research-based tool, that lets you know what you’re inherently great at and the areas where you don’t excel. Laura explains that you would never move your pitcher to second base because they need to get better at that position. Our success comes when we build on our strengths, instead of focusing on our weaknesses. Tune in for an amazing take on this unusual time and learn how we can become better people both in business and life. To learn more about Laura Prisc -   Laura Prisc has a burning desire to awaken you so you may live a more creative, fulfilling, and

A special note from your host, Catherine: This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive. Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first.   Today, Catherine’s special guest is Ingrid Prueher, the founder of Ingrid Baby Sleep Whisperer™ and the creator of the Good Night Buddy child’s sleep clock. Ingrid and Catherine outline the ways in which you can ensure a good night’s sleep for you, your children and even your babies. The number one strategy is to remain calm. If you’re anxious and stressed, your family will pick up on it, even your pet, and then be afraid and clingy or act out. They talk about the importance of keeping schedules and a semblance of routine at a time when everything feels off, especially at bedtime. Finally, Ingrid explains the intersection of sleep, nutrition and exercise and how they affect not only your productivity but you

A special note from your host, Catherine: This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive. Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first. This week’s guest is Jen Liddy, who is founder of The Idea Space and a content creation coach. She lives in a house that’s 115 years old and describes how they re-thought their home including using their underutilized dining room as a home office space that works for her and her family. Jen guides us on how to share content and continue to market our business in a time where pushy sales feels even more icky than usual. She suggests sharing content that helps and encourages people. People want to stay in touch. Jen offers lots of ideas for focusing on BEing not just DOing. Hear why you don’t have to Pinterest the apocalypse. It’s ok to be ok. To learn more about Jen Liddy – Jen Liddy is a teacher-turned-entrep

A special note from your host, Catherine: This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive. Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first. Catherine’s guest, Veronica Cole, is a Holistic Psychotherapist who anxiety, depression, grief and loss. With the world suffering a traumatic event, COVID-19, they focus on the coping strategies you can use today to manage the emotional rollercoaster. From setting up a stress-free zone and creating a routine to healthy eating and exercise, Veronica offers slews of resources to help you stay healthy and keep your center. Tune in to this lively discussion to learn how to have more calm and less chaos in chaotic times. Hint – short meditation and gratitude practices are a great start.   Bio – Veronica Cole is a Holistic Psychotherapist and Eating Psychology Coach. She specializes in anxiety, depression, grief a

A special note from your host, Catherine: This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive. Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first.   It’s week 2 of working from home in the time of social distancing. How’s everyone holding up? Catherine and Patty Lennon keep it real around what it’s like to work from home with the entire family home and how lucky they are to have enough space to close the door. They offer strategies for managing this time even if you have less space. With empathy, humor and a dash of magic, they discuss how to receive everything – the good, the bad and the ugly – and why that’s more important now than ever. Patty reassures us that now is the time to go inward, so we can better serve the people we love.    About Patty Lennon: Patty Lennon is a keynote speaker and best selling author that helps women create space for magi

A special note from your host, Catherine: This series is all about how our well-being affects our productivity. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, we won’t be able to be truly productive. Considering the world is working from home, it’s more important than ever to put the oxygen mask on first.   What does a turkey have to do with a pandemic? Not what you think.   Tune in as your host, Catherine, talks through preparing for the pandemic without panicking. She details exactly what she’s done for her family, her travel plans, and getting ready to quarantine if necessary.   This episode is chockful of strategies, down to earth advice, and a very funny story about a rogue turkey.   To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:   Productivity by Design Facebook Page and LinkedIn To connect with Catherine: http://bit.ly/SchedCallPBD   *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com

 Since Tuesday is Organize Your Home Office Day, the episodes in March will be about setting up your home office for massive success.   Catherine explains the best locations for your home office and why. She takes a left turn into the evils of electronics. And returns for a on choosing the perfect ergonomic office chair for you.     Whether you’re still balancing a laptop on your lap on the sofa or already have a home office space, you won’t want to miss this series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussing cyber risk and your technology, today’s guest is Ann Marie Van den Hurk of Mind the Gap Cyber.   Ann Marie describes cyber risk, cyber crime and cyber insurance. She gives her 3 favorite easy strategies to help prevent a cyber breach. And she details the consequences of a cyber breach. They’re terrifying enough to a small business that you’ll be implementing these strategies today!   Tune in to learn these simple strategies to reduce the chance of your business and personal information being attacked!   To learn more about Ann Marie Van Den Hurk:   My mission is to make it harder for cybercriminals to attack your business. In founding Mind The Gap Cyber, I combine all of my professional and educational experiences into fighting cybercrime by working with companies to understand their cyber risk then implement a cybersecurity program.   Mind the Gap Cyber   To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:   Productivity by Design Facebook Page and LinkedIn To connect with Catherine: http://bit.ly/Sch

If you want to build your empire, you need to have a plan and do the preparation to make the work happen effectively and efficiently. Join Catherine as she takes you through each step in her 90 day planning process: from color coded post-it notes on her calendar to tasks in Asana. She explains how she uses a mix of paper and digital planning to get her goals accomplished. She wraps up with the importance of her team in the planning process. If you want to get things done like the bad*ss business owner that you are, you need a team. Links: My Calendar: Purchase here Post it Notes: Purchase here Asana To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:   Productivity by Design Facebook Page and LinkedIn To connect with Catherine: http://bit.ly/SchedCallPBD   *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate adverting program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega

In honor of National Clear Your Computer Day on Monday, February 11th, Catherine is focusing on digital decluttering for the month.   Today her special guest is Judith Guertin of All Ways Organized. Judy is a pro at all things email. She offers several strategies to tame your email inbox. She also offers a great email naming convention she calls FAME. Yes, that’s name with FAME.    Join us as long-time productive environment colleagues and friends share their experiences with getting out of email hell and into a happy inbox! You can too.   Learn more about Judith Guertin:   Judy Guertin is the owner of All Ways Organized. She loves to help entrepreneurs, business owners and sales executives be more productive and organized. When her clients want a new app or a new piece of technology, first she wants to know why. Then together they look at what they may already own that will accomplish the task without adding more places to look (think wasted time), and often increased operating costs (lost money). Her clie

Today, Catherine delves deep into an explanation of brain-based challenges and how they affect executive function. She takes all of that medical mumbo jumbo and distills it into plain speak with examples. She tells a few stories about her experience with chemo brain and depression. And assures you that you are ok, even better than ok, just the way you are right now. See how a meaty subject is tied together with Catherine’s usual wacky sense of humor and maybe even a bit of song. Links: Faster than Normal by Peter Shankman: purchase here Understand Your Brain, Get More Done by Ari Tuckman: purchase here Indistractible by Nir Eyal: purchase here To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:   Productivity by Design Facebook Page and LinkedIn To connect with Catherine: http://bit.ly/SchedCallPBD   *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate adverting program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.

In this final episode of planning, Catherine interviews her podcast producer extraordinaire, Phyllis Nichols of SoundAdvice Sales and Marketing. Catherine and Phyllis have a lively discussion about balancing it ALL. Phyllis runs two businesses and still has time for a life. Phyllis describes her planning process from starting with an Excel spreadsheet and the details in her head to the apps and standardized operating processes they now use. They also focus on the criteria needed to hire a great remote team member. And how Phyllis and her team use automation and apps to bring it all together.  To learn more about Phyllis Nichols: Phyllis Nichols is the founder of SoundAdvice Sales and Marketing a company that helps entrepreneurs build their business infusing sales strategies with a daily action plan. She has a passion for sales, telling stories that inspire and empowering others to embrace their potential. Phyllis uses her expertise to help creative entrepreneurs grow revenue resources and infuse confide

Catherine and Curt discuss project management software in this fourth episode of Planning month. Catherine uses Asana and Curt uses TeamGantt.   They also use a whiteboard and post-it note technique to track the daily to-dos. They agree that mix of hands-on visual cues with technology works best for them. Curt explains that he used what he calls the ACE factor to choose project management software: Accessible, Cost and Ease of use. Curt applies process management to his advisory work with craft beer brewers. What’s better than taking a dull topic like project management software and livening it up with beer!?! Last but not least, Curt introduces, drum roll please, the imminent launch of the Brewery Adventure Tour. And he speaks specifically to the process he used to launch it. Grab a pint of your favorite craft beer and have a listen.   Links:  Team Gantt Asana Capterra   To learn more about Curt Battles:   Curt has over 25 years of strategic development, financial assessment and operational expertise in

In keeping with the month’s theme of Planning, Catherine and Lou focus on Lou’s process for creating and launching a course. Much like Catherine he plans on paper as his first step. Lou is a master at audience research and builds the content as he receives feedback.   Hear about Lou’s latest course that’s running right now: 7 Must Have Videos from the Student (Catherine) and the Master (Lou).   Join in on the laughs, Lou and Catherine have been friends for many years. Chuckle about Rocco the pug and learn a little something about launching a program along the way. And discover that introverts can be funny.   To learn more about Lou Bortone:   Lou Bortone is known as The Video Godfather.  We’re not exactly sure why and, frankly, we’re a little afraid to ask.  What we do know is that Lou Bortone has been a pioneer and thought leader in the video space since the launch of YouTube in 2005.  He’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs and companies create and leverage online video to build their brands and dramatically

In this second episode of 2020, Catherine shares why it’s ok if you’re already “behind” in the New Year and how important rest and fun are to productivity. Catherine explains how her two words of the year, Possibility and the Impossible, work together to create magic. Then she lays out her planning process step by step. She assures the listener that the only right way to do something is not how you should do it, but how you will do it. Catherine reminds you to plan for some flex time because life gets lifey. She wraps up with the 20 Day EPIC Office Organization Challenge, which starts on National Clear Your Desk Day, Monday January 13th. This is her gift to you for 2020 – a way to start your year right in just 10 minutes per day. Links: 20 Day EPIC Office Organization Challenge Cena Block’s Planapaloozah My Calendar: Purchase here Post it Notes: Purchase here Asana  To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery: Productivity by Design Facebook Page and LinkedIn To connect with Catherine: htt