Lauren Walker

We live in an amazing time. Technology allows me to work from my home office here in North Carolina, with clients all over the United States and even around the world (well, the UK right now). Between Skype, email, text messaging and instant messaging, Tony and I are able to work for people who don't even share our time zone, much less our zip code.

But there's a downside to that. I'm nearly impossible to get on the phone.

When my daughter was not quite 3, she pointed to my headset and said I look like the lady at the place with the fries. And we all know what place *that* is. She is so used to seeing a headset on my head because, since before she was born, I have conducted most of my business this way.

Because I can't stand chaos, I schedule my calls. As best as I can. So chances are, if you call me, you'll need to leave a voicemail.

But I promise to call right back. I just need to get my headset....

When you work with your spouse, there is a fine line between simply asking about the status of project and nagging about it (yeah, I'm talking to YOU, Tony Walker.) 

*cough cough*

But when working with clients, I have found that the line isn't fine at all. In fact, it's zigzagged and polka dotted. 

I use Basecamp to manage all our projects. It's a lifesaver and I don't know how I'd function without it. But only a few projects actually have clients as users on the platform, so for many projects, I can't assign the client tasks, such as "Get Lauren your content" or "Send Tony your domain information." So I make those tasks my own and follow up via email.

The nature of this business is "hurry up and wait." Our clients are small business owners and entrepreneurs, so while they are all very excited and motiviated about their new or redesigned web sites, they are also busy actually running their business -- or "gittin' 'er done", as one of our home builder clients loves to say. And I'm all for that.

I'm planning a short weekend away,  and I'm embarassed by the amount of gadgets that are coming with us. There are easily more gadgets than people. But I'm also comforted by the fact that at any point on my trip (barring wireless black holes) I will be able to tap into the information I might need: where to go apple picking; what is a woolly worm and why is there a festival about it; what time does the Mast General Store close? (anyone guess where I'm going yet?)

And that reminds me: we gotta start pushing mobile sites on our clients. Here's why.

Once, many years ago, I saw a crazy 18 wheeler careening down the highway. So I did something I’d never done before: I called the number on the back of the truck to complain. Just the other day, I realized I ought to place a call again, this time complimenting a nice tractor trailer that actually slowed down and moved over as my MINI raced in from the on ramp. It was right there, on the back of the truck: How's my driving? I have since wanted to ask the same thing of my own clients.

Okay, just the word “audit” gives me the heeby-jeebies. There is a reason I am not a financial advisor, a CPA or... you know... someone who deals with money-stuff. I don’t like it. Hence: I am a writer. (And yet, all I can come up with “money stuff.” Heh.)

When it comes to your brand, it’s not only possible but necessary to put your (or my) negative associations aside and embrace all an audit has to offer. Because a brand audit is an excellent way to get a true perspective on how you are positioning your company. In fact, we recently performed a brand audit and formulated a new strategy for a client that you can read about very soon! (note to self: write the darn case study already!)

You know what a rebound is: the person you date after a major breakup. Where you’re all raw and bloody from the last go-round and either overly eager to try again or hesitant that you can ever make it work.

The same concept goes for web designers. And recently, we had the opportunity to become a rebound designer.

Quickly now, look at your posture. Are you slumped forward? Are you leaning on one arm? Sitting on one leg? Are your wrists or forearms resting on your desk? That, my friend, is what’s called bad ergonomics.