Newsletter; February 2025

Welcome to the new and improved Crum Consulting newsletter! Each month we strive to provide you with a variety of helpful resources, tips, and practices to support your continued success, both personally and professionally. Because we work with a diverse demographic of clients, industries, and backgrounds, we aim to provide content equally as diverse. If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more about any particular topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! If you are a new client, please click here to fill out a consultation form, and we will be in touch to schedule a session with you.

Article Spotlight

Communicate vs. Connect

When we truly listen to others, we not only understand their needs and concerns, but also validate their experiences and emotions. This creates a sense of trust and respect, which is the foundation of any strong, lasting relationship.

If you have any questions surrounding this month's article, or would like to further explore opportunities, please feel free to reach out to schedule a session with us! You can reply directly here if we have worked together in the past. If you are a new client, please click here to fill out a consultation form, and we will be in touch to schedule a session with you.

Sustainable Growth

Asset Review

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, it’s crucial to periodically perform a comprehensive asset review. This process involves taking stock of both current and unused professional assets and intellectual property (IP) to ensure that you are leveraging everything at your disposal for maximum benefit. Let’s break this down into actionable steps to guide you on this journey.

First, let’s consider the untapped potential of your unused professional assets and IP. These could be anything from dormant patents and trademarks to unused domain names, proprietary software, or even unpublished research. Assessing what can be monetized is your first step. For instance, you might find that an old trademark can be sold or licensed, or a piece of software can be repurposed for a new market. Similarly, consider what can be marketed: could that unpublished research serve as the basis for a new blog series or industry report? The action steps to onboard these new assets typically involve organizing and cataloging them, evaluating their market potential, and then developing a strategic plan to monetize or market them effectively.

Next, let’s review your current assets. Start by identifying what’s working well within your business. These could be your best-selling products, your most engaging marketing campaigns, or your most efficient processes. Recognize and celebrate these successes, and make notes of how to replicate that success in future iterations. Conversely, identify what’s not working. Perhaps there are products that consistently underperform, marketing efforts that fail to generate leads, or workflows that are bottlenecked. These areas will require a careful analysis to determine whether they can be revamped or if they should be phased out entirely. Additionally, this review process should uncover new opportunities for improvement. Could your customer support be more efficient? Are there guarantees or warranties that could be enhanced to improve customer satisfaction? Are there new technologies or methodologies that could streamline your workflows?

By executing regular asset reviews, you can ensure that you’re not just maintaining but also continually enhancing your business. Embrace this process with confidence, knowing that every step you take helps solidify your business’s foundation and propel it toward future growth.

Highlights

Discover the Values of Your Brand:

A Free Downloadable E-Book by Crum Consulting

At Crum Consulting, we believe in the power of the individual behind the brand. Our innovative methodology centers around supporting the human element of entrepreneurship. As a business owner, your brand is a reflection of you. To truly capture and convey your brand's essence, you must first understand and embrace your own identity.

Our e-book is filled with insightful content and engaging exercises designed to ignite your curiosity and promote self-discovery. It begins with the insightful section, “When Values are Clear, Decisions are Easy,” emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in achieving business success. Are you ready to lay a sustainable foundation for your venture?

Embark on the Road Less Traveled

In this e-book, you'll explore:

*Learn how clarity in your personal values can streamline your decisions and amplify your business success.

*Begin your journey of self-discovery with thought-provoking questions that help you define your true self.

*Delve into the core reasons behind your entrepreneurial journey and learn how to align your business goals with your personal mission.

*Continue to unravel your identity with deeper introspection and reflection.

*Culminate your exploration with advanced exercises that tie together your discoveries and enhance your brand’s authenticity.

Join us in paving the path to a more authentic and successful business journey on the road less traveled. Download our e-book today and start transforming the way you perceive yourself and your brand.

Beyond Business

Level Up Your Life Quest: Opportunity Edition, Part 1

Today, we’re diving headfirst into the infinite realm of opportunities. Picture this: You’re standing at the crossroads of Destiny Street and Serendipity Avenue. The air crackles with possibility, and your trusty compass (which suspiciously resembles a coffee cup) points north—toward Greatness Falls. Are you ready? Buckle up, because here come the tips:

Self-Assessment and Realism

Grab your thinking hat (or a sensible spreadsheet) and assess your situation. What resources do you wield? What dragons—err, challenges—might you encounter? Acknowledge your limitations; they’re like the quirky sidekicks in your hero’s journey. 🐉

Imagine you’re playing “Opportunity Quest: The Board Game.” Know the rules, spot the traps, and strategize like a caffeinated squirrel planning a nut heist. 🌰

The Prioritization Checklist

Unique Talents and Abilities: Channel your inner badass. Will this opportunity let your hidden formula talents shine?

Impact on People: Think ripple effect. Positive impact = XP (Experience Points) toward your life quest. 🌊

Personal Growth: Level up! Is this opportunity a secret passage to the next skill tree? 🌱

Business Value: Does it make your treasure chest (or bank account) go cha-ching? 💰

Referral Potential: Could it lead to new allies? Referrals are like magic—approach wisely. 🍵

Rank each factor on a scale from -1 (dragon pit) to +5 (conquering the boss level). Tally your score. If it’s 15 or lower, maybe skip this quest. But if it’s 20 or higher, you’ve got a clear win! 🌟

Thank you for being a pivotal part of our journey here at Crum Consulting. We would be nothing without you, and your continued support. Please feel free to share our content with others to pay it forward. We relish in receiving feedback, so if you have any suggestions or if you'd like to share your opinion on any of the content we have provided here, please let us know! If you have any questions about anything we covered here, or if you'd like to explore potential opportunities with Crum Consulting, we are here for you! Reach out anytime!

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." - Kevin Olson, President, Chairman and Founder of Digital Equipment Corporation,1977

Until we meet again, take care of yourself, and others. Thank you.