Stepping into Q4
Stepping into Q4
"Avoid making choices triggered by urgency or frustration, or you’ll regret them later." - Stacy Igel
As Q3 comes to a close and we prepare to enter Q4 of 2023, the horizon of 2024 looms just ahead. Unlike long-term planners who extend their visions to 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years, my approach has always been focused on the immediacy of each quarter. I thrive on setting short-term objectives and crafting the strategies to achieve them. The question remains: What do you aspire to accomplish, and what pathways will you tread to reach those aspirations? So, as we stand on the threshold of this new quarter, I'm curious: How do you currently feel about the journey ahead?
RECENT INTERVIEWS:
I had the pleasure of joining ALIZA LICHT on her podcast, "LEAVE YOUR MARK," and the experience felt like a delightful round of speed dating. 😄
With over 18+ years in the corporate world, Aliza has masterfully constructed her personal brand. While our paths diverge in some ways, there's a striking similarity in our journeys. Being interviewed by a fellow woman in business, someone who comprehends the twists and turns of this road led to an exceptionally authentic conversation.
Aliza, your willingness to share my story of cultivating my impact brand BOY MEETS GIRL® brand from scratch, as well as my new venture as an author 🖋️ with my book 📕 "#EMBRACINGTHECALMINTHECHAOS," fills me with gratitude 🙏🏼.
I left exclusive gems 💎 during our talk, so be sure to catch the podcast. You can also find the complete interview on YouTube.
I'm thankful for the spirit of women supporting women in women in business. Building something from the ground up can be a solitary endeavor, but discovering others who are eager to champion and amplify your narrative, journey, and accomplishments brings a moment of pause to appreciate the journey. Aliza, our conversation was a true pleasure.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
✓ Join me live on August 29th at 6 PM ET on Talk Shop Live (we sold out last time and I am coming back) with my sister @SportsMore3 & Denise Albert founder of My Cancer Family. It is free to come in and listen. Please come with questions and join us as we celebrate life.
✓ Professor Igel continues with Zibby Classes. The link to sign up is here. Space is limited. About: Stacy Igel, Founder of global impact brand BOY MEETS GIRL®️ and newly minted author of her Memoir/Biz book EMBRACING THE CALM IN THE CHAOS will guide you on what it takes to market a personal and business brand that aligns with your greater purpose. After 20+ years of building her brands and speaking on this topic globally, she will help you understand how to humanize your brand in a crowded landscape.
BOOK:
✓ Where to buy #EMBRACINGTHECALMINTHECHAOS
✓ Where to leave a review for #EMBRACINGTHECALMINTHECHAOS
✓ THANK YOU!
✓ MY ACTIONABLE Q4 TIPS:
To create a plan for Q4 2023, here are the steps you might consider:
Assessment: Reflect on the past quarter. What were your successes? What challenges did you face? What can you learn from both your achievements and setbacks?
Define Goals: Determine what you want to achieve in Q4. These could include revenue targets, customer acquisition goals, product development milestones, or any other objectives that align with your business priorities.
Actionable Steps: Break down your goals into actionable steps. What specific tasks, projects, or initiatives will help you reach each goal? Assign responsibilities and deadlines for each of these tasks.
Resource Allocation: Consider the resources you'll need for your plan. This includes budget, personnel, technology, and any other necessary assets.
Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges that could arise during the quarter. Develop contingency plans or strategies to mitigate these risks and keep your plan on track.
Execution: Implement your plan by following the timeline and completing the tasks you've outlined. Regularly track progress to ensure you're staying on course.
Communication: Keep all stakeholders (if it is just you that is ok) informed about the progress and changes in the plan. Effective communication helps maintain alignment and manage expectations.
Review and Adjust: As the quarter progresses, periodically review your progress. If you find that some strategies aren't yielding the expected results or if external factors change, be prepared to make adjustments to your plan.
End-of-Quarter Assessment: At the end of the quarter, evaluate your performance against the goals you set. What did you achieve? What didn't go as planned, and why? Use these insights to inform your strategy for the next quarter.
Setting Up for the Next Quarter: As you approach Q1 of 2024, use your end-of-quarter assessment to inform your next quarterly plan. Build on your successes and learn from your challenges to continue improving your business performance.
Remember, while focusing on short-term planning is valuable, it's also a good idea to consider longer-term perspectives periodically to ensure your short-term actions align with your broader business goals.
BOOK EXCERPT, Chapter 3, DISTINGUISH YOURSELF FROM THE PACK
“At first, I was sewing and screen printing almost everything myself. Brian also helped me create line sheets, which are documents showcasing your styles with style numbers and pricing for the buyers. We did them in Photoshop with Polaroid pictures he’d taken of me wearing my clothing and based my costs and pricing on our general impression of the marketplace, although my margins were definitely not completely mapped out like they are today. I knew how much I was spending on things like fabric and screening, but I didn’t have a factory yet, so it was just a general cost structure and sort of what I knew the market would bear based on shopping and working in stores. Understanding your margins—meaning every bit of money spent on design, fabric, trim, sewing, shipping, and so on—is essential in business, so that you can set your price to cover your expenses and know what you’ll actually make on a product. As my friend Alicia Quarles, a journalist and media personality, pointed out: “If you’re in a creative field, money doesn’t have to be the only motivating factor. Truth and artistry are just as important,” which I wholeheartedly believe. However, a bottom line is a bottom line. And, in our case, we were winging it, because I’d never outlined a “real” business structure prior to this show, which was okay for me in the beginning. My friend and colleague Dana Pollack, who’s the CEO and founder of Dana’s Bakery, weighed in on this: “Often, entrepreneurs spend so much time working on their business plans that they’re not actually working on their business. You have to figure out the first five things you need to accomplish. Check off those things and then start to outline the next five. If you’re truly passionate about what you’re doing, the most important thing is to keep moving.” And that’s what I did.” Pages 29 & 30
MY BACK TO SCHOOL FINDS:
I found the perfect black dress
The perfect tracksuit for your little ( hoodie & sweatshirt )
Eyeing this bag
STACY IGEL CREATIVE:
A Creative Ideas fashion generator who has worked with the most prestigious stores in the U.S. and around the globe - plus buyers, brands, editors, artists, non-profits, activists, and top musicians around the world. Learn more here.
Thank you for being part of my newsletter family and my journey ;)
Have a great weekend!
XO,
STACY IGEL