Category: Inspiration

4 Good Things That Happened in 2020

Post author By Rallio
Post date December 29, 2020

There isn’t any modern year in history that’s impacted the world as monumentally as 2020. While it’s easy to get caught up in the difficulties, grief and sadness of the past year, there are also reasons to stay positive. There are many good things that happened in 2020. You just have to look for them.

This isn’t to say you should ignore what’s happening in the world around you. From a business perspective, there’s been a continual need to pivot in the face of closures, restrictions and other challenges.

As you’ve no doubt discovered, the plans you had both professionally and personally had to change in ways large and small. You don’t need us to tell you that. What you might need instead is a dose of good things that happened in 2020.

Turning your attention to these positives has a way of tricking your brain into looking for what’s going right — instead of what’s wrong. Are you in? Then happy reading.

We Learned to Appreciate the Little Things

Before the pandemic, many of us moved at a breakneck pace each and every day. Taking time to smell the roses was a luxury we couldn’t afford. The hustle was more important than the need to slow down, pause and be still.

Forced to be home more, many of us discovered that being still isn’t simply a luxury; it’s a necessity. In the moments of pause, we experienced life.

We waved hello to a neighbor from the front porch. We smelled banana bread fresh out of the oven. We discovered we can still exercise at home. Or we just got back an extra hour in the day to take a walk or read a book.

The good things that happened in 2020 revealed themselves as we peeled ourselves away from endless “busyness.”

We Rediscovered Family Time

Whether we were together at home with family or talking to them over Zoom or FaceTime, we got closer with the ones we love. We turned to each other to try and make sense of this uncertain time.

We went to drive-in movies and concerts together. (By the way, drive-in movies made a comeback — as did puzzles and board games.) We cooked, played and worked out together. We talked to relatives on Zoom we hadn’t talked to in years.

Parents who normally would be traveling frequently found themselves at home much more often. Kids who normally would be overbooked with schoolwork, socializing, sports and extracurricular activities found themselves getting to slow down, too.

Obviously we want to be able to find a healthy balance between time inside and outside the home. Kids need to be able to play and socialize at school. Travelers need to be able to vacation again or attend to business matters across the country. We all want some sense of normalcy to return, even as much as we want to hang on to the good things that happened in 2020.

But the pandemic has allowed us to appreciate the people who have been there all along in new ways — right in our own homes. And that’s a shift worth hanging onto.

We Saw People Pull Together

While there’s no shortage of bad-news stories in the media, there are also plenty of good-news reports to share. The phrase “we’re all in this together” might feel overused at this point. Yet it still rings true.

Whether it was seamstresses or companies pooling resources to make masks, or distilleries shifting to production of hand sanitizer, both individuals and companies found ways to support their communities.

There’s also been a greater connection with the community, and nature, itself. As people spent more time at home, they also spent more time walking, hiking, biking and generally increasing their outdoor activity.

United by a pandemic and the accompanying isolation that came with it, people discovered there could be joy in saying hello to a stranger on the street.

There could be satisfaction in being kind, in doing the right thing, even without being asked. Even when no one is watching. Even when it’s the harder thing to do.

Need more proof? See John Krasinski’s Some Good News.

We Confirmed That Not All Heroes Wear Capes

The heroes of the past year have come in many different forms, but some of them stand out as the ones who have truly saved us. Among the good things that happened in 2020, let’s never forget:

The frontline workers who have risked their lives to care for the ill
The teachers who have taught students over Zoom, and the parents homeschooling their kids
The grocery clerks who have worked overtime, dealt with customer service issues, and provided clean, safe spaces to buy our essentials
The delivery drivers who have brought packages and meals to our doorsteps
The food-service workers who have fulfilled our cravings for pizza, coffee and a really great margarita
The fitness professionals who gave us free home workouts or moved their operations outdoors to keep us moving
The scientists working as quickly as possible to find a treatment and cure
The musicians, artists, celebrities and other creatives who have kept us entertained
The pets, who have provided comfort, companionship and humor during dark times (it’s no wonder adoptions have skyrocketed in 2020)

Stay Focused on the Good Things That Happened in 2020

Focusing on the good things that happened in 2020 is not intended to minimize anyone’s pain, loss, heartbreak or economic devastation. The harsh realities of 2020 can feel much more prominent for those people feeling sad, frustrated or frightened for the future.

Rather, turning attention to these good things is meant to help us find gratitude even in face of hardship. We can remember the lessons of 2020 and grow from the challenges, while also staying thankful for the silver linings that have emerged.

We hope that 2021 proves to be a better year overall for everyone. We hope that the good things that happened in 2020 will pale in comparison to the amazing things that are coming.

In the meantime, let’s agree to keep looking for the good. After all, if you consider the alternative, it’s a no-brainer.

Tags 2020

Inspiration

5 Simple Reasons to Be Thankful in 2020

Post author By Rallio
Post date November 23, 2020

There have been too many challenges to count in 2020, and it’s easy to feel deflated, upset or downright angry if you’ve been personally impacted. Dwelling on the challenges only amplifies those feelings. On the flip side, finding reasons to be thankful gives your brain something positive to think about.

Whichever route you’re inclined to choose, give this article a read first. Although it’s important to address any challenges you’re facing with appropriate actions, it’s equally important to find gratitude.

Look Hard, and You’ll Find Your Own Reasons to Be Thankful

Focusing on reasons to be thankful might inspire you to do more of the things that are working — and less of the things that are not. Sometimes, it takes more effort to find the good when it seems like the bad is bearing down on you at every turn.

One way to ease the task of finding reasons to be thankful is to write them down. Pull out a journal, a blank piece of paper, a white board, a scrap of paper or even the Notes app on your phone.

First thing in the morning, write down three to five reasons to be thankful. Do the same thing right before you go to sleep.

Make it specific to yourself. Don’t worry too much about the complexity of your reasons, either. Maybe today you’re thankful you have a warm cup of coffee next to your keyboard. Maybe tomorrow you’ll feel thankful that you and your kids are healthy.

There’s no right or wrong way to find reasons to be thankful. Just make it a habit, and before long, your brain might just gravitate to gratitude. Here are a few suggestions to get your gratitude on — feel free to modify, delete or add to this list as it suits you.

The Great Pivot of 2020

When the pandemic hit, you likely were blindsided — as all of us were — by the changes that happened rapidly around us. Business doors were closed, people began staying home more, and just leaving the house to find toilet paper became a challenge on its own.

As a business owner, you might have had to shift to delivery services or curbside pickup. Maybe you had to build an ecommerce platform or a new app. You may have also stepped up your social media marketing, as people around the globe turned to technology for entertainment, connection, information and online shopping.

In this article, we discuss which social media strategies to keep even when the pandemic has passed:

As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce states in its reopening guide: “The businesses that will survive and thrive are the ones that can be flexible and adaptable to consumers’ new and evolving needs. You’ll need to plan carefully and understand not only what may need to change about your business, but what new growth opportunities may exist for you in a post-pandemic world.”

If you have successfully implemented new business processes and strategies because of the pandemic, then you’re even more prepared to go into 2021 strong. Among the reasons to be thankful in 2020, you can be glad that any weaknesses were exposed in your business.

Forced to pivot and adapt, you made your business stronger. Now don’t quit while you’re ahead. There’s still work to do, so don’t rest on your laurels.

Appreciation for the Little Things

There may be significant challenges you’ve had to overcome this year. Perhaps you’re still dealing with them. When the challenges are big, turn to the small things to find gratitude.

If you look around, you’ll find meaning in things you may have overlooked before. Maybe it’s your own health or that of your loved ones (those are actually not small things, but easy to take for granted).

Something as simple as cooking food at home can bring you satisfaction. (Banana bread, anyone?)

What are some of the little things you appreciate now more than ever? Your morning walk with your pup? Your neighborhood — did you get to know your neighbors a little more than you might have if you weren’t at home?

Let these little things make their way onto your daily gratitude list. In time, your list will grow longer because you’ll start looking for more and more reasons to be thankful.

Your Community

This year has included moments of unrest mixed in with moments of selflessness and bravery. Front-line workers in your own community have showed up day in and day out to take care of the community you love.

It’s not just first responders, either. Do a quick internet search, and you can find examples of selfless acts and community support around the globe.

Consider the Arkansas school district that “saved so much money from switching to solar power for their buildings, they were able to bump up their teachers’ salaries and eliminate their budget deficits.”

Or the fact that Zoom is lifting its 40-minute time limit on Thanksgiving this year to help families spend more time together, safely and virtually.

As a thank you to our customers, we will be lifting the 40-minute limit for all meetings globally from midnight ET on Nov. 26 through 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 27 so your family gatherings don't get cut short. ❤️🏡 #ZoomTogether pic.twitter.com/aubsH0tfxG

— Zoom (@Zoom) November 10, 2020

You need only look around your own business and customer base to find even more examples of community support.

The employees who put in overtime without complaint, take extra care with their cleaning and sanitizing routine, or go the extra mile to make a customer happy.

The customers who leave a big tip, post a positive online review, or smile under their mask as they see you wiping sweat from your brow after a busy day.

They’re all there, if you look for them. And the more you look for them, the more they’ll show up for you.

You. Yes, You

If you can rise in the morning, look at yourself in the mirror, and find gratitude that you woke up that day, your day will always begin on a positive note.

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to take a moment to tell you we’re grateful for you — our readers, our clients, our team members and everyone who makes Rallio possible.

Now go and pay it forward, and find some reasons to be thankful of your own.

Tags coronavirus, entrepreneurship

Inspiration

What Does It Take to Be Ranked Among the Fastest-Growing Companies? 5 Critical Factors to Know

Post author By Rallio
Post date August 14, 2020

This past week, Inc.com published its annual ranking of the top fastest-growing companies in the nation. Coming in at No. 1,226, Rallio has achieved its first-ever ranking on the national list. Previously, we also were listed regionally among the fastest-growing companies in California.

Earning a ranking on the Inc.com 5000 national listing of fastest-growing companies is a coup we’re quite proud of here at Rallio.

“SocialWise, Inc., better known as Rallio, is honored to be included on the Inc.com 5000 national list and counted among many other outstanding, fast-growing companies across America,” says Chuck Goetschel, CEO of Rallio. “Our ranking is a testament to the dedication and passion our team puts into serving all our franchise organizations and small businesses nationwide. Our unique blend of social media technology, employee advocacy and local social media services is compounding success for our clients and resulting in fast growth for our company.”

With three-year revenue growth exceeding 360 percent, Rallio has worked tirelessly over the past few years to fine-tune our franchise social media technologies and services. Our accomplishments are represented not only by the Inc.com list of fastest-growing companies, but also our Entrepreneur magazine Top Franchise Supplier listings, our client testimonials, and our continual efforts to offer best-in-class service and support.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be ranked among the fastest-growing companies, then read on for a few success factors you’ll want to know. Achieving this level of growth doesn’t come easily, but with hard work and perseverance — and maybe the help of a social media management company like Rallio with all-in-one solutions for businesses — you can make the list, too.

In short, the critical factors among fastest-growing companies are:

Grit
Teamwork
Flexibility
Marketing
Technology

Success Factor #1: Grit

To have one of the fastest-growing companies, you need a team that will do whatever it takes to succeed. It might sound cliche, but building this type of company takes good old fashioned grit.

Not everyone is equipped to work in a fast-paced environment where you often have to self-manage, problem-solve, self-learn and determine your own individual growth goals. There isn’t going to be someone holding your hand every step of the way.

Build a team that’s willing to go the extra mile. Make it a part of your core values and your recruiting process. True grit goes a long way when you’re building the fastest-growing companies.

Success Factor #2: Teamwork

Each team member at Rallio has been hand-selected for their roles to maximize individual talents. We work both independently and collectively to further our company’s goal of being the go-to solution for business social media technology and services.

Along with the grit factor, you need a team that meshes well. You want team members who can come together professionally, intelligently, with a good dose of positivity and good humor. If you can laugh together as you get your work done, that’s a bonus.

On a deeper level, your team’s ability to work well together speaks to your company’s culture and core values. When challenges arise, you have an opportunity to iron out the wrinkles and make sure everyone is not only contributing, but also being recognized and made to feel valued on your team.

https://www.facebook.com/rallio/photos/a.213849565434890/1554240711395762?type=3&av=207889606030886&eav=AfalKAyE8eUc40eYIjIKPP5A8Gehs5DwtnQRUd4HN3bOjl7RMbrxaYCBB0fRkXK2r9E

Success Factor #3: Flexibility

COVID-19 has taught us to bend, not break, in the face of challenges. When the pandemic forced business closures and restrictions, we helped businesses pivot to continue marketing themselves. Just a few examples include:

Offering virtual classes and events
Using “live” formats to reach customers
Offering curbside pickup options
Adjusting in-store shopping experiences to keep customers and employees safe
Ramping up employee advocacy to extend reach on social media

While these uncertain times are unsettling for businesses, they’re also an opportunity to expand and think outside the box. How can you continue to pivot despite the bumps in the road?

Success Factor #4: Marketing

Initially when the pandemic hit, some clients thought they should pull back on their marketing to save money. However, they quickly realized that slashing social media marketing budgets actually harmed their ability to connect with customers and new prospects.

We saw some of our clients experience massive drop-offs in engagement on social media when they paused their social media publishing and advertising.

At a time when the world is spending more time online than ever before, now is the perfect time to get in front of them. “People are social distancing, self-isolating or quarantined. Now, more than ever, they need to hear from you — with messages of hope, reassurance that either you’re still up and running or you’re following necessary safety protocols (depending on the nature of your business), and perhaps some levity here and there,” we write in Why You Need to Keep Up Your Marketing Despite the Coronavirus.

“Moreover, with more people likely to be on their phones, using their mobile devices to stay in touch, order online and connect with the world, you have an opportunity to connect with your audience like never before.”

https://www.facebook.com/petsuppliesplus/photos/a.433694682116/10157119056792117?type=3

Success Factor #5: Technology

COVID-19 has also taught us the critical importance of technology. Rallio was able to switch to remote work when the pandemic hit without missing a beat, due to the technology systems already in place.

Not only does technology keep us connected, but it allows us to continue providing the most cutting-edge innovations to our clients. The clients who likewise invest in technologies — like what we offer at Rallio — set themselves apart from their competitors.

And technology isn’t only important during a global health crisis. As we discuss in Top 5 Predictors of Franchisee Success, “The franchise companies that continually invest in innovative technologies and systems are the ones that thrive. In turn, their franchisees are able to thrive as well because they’re able to gain and maintain a competitive edge.”

Further reading: How To Grow A Successful Business: Everything You Need To Know

The Significance of the Inc.com List of Fastest-Growing Companies

The Inc.com list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.”

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands now. To view a press release about our listing, click here.

About Rallio

Rallio is a powerful SaaS combining social media technology, creative services and employee advocacy. As the supplier of choice for franchise organizations and small businesses, Rallio enables brands to manage their entire social media presence, online reputation and online directory listings in one dashboard for all locations. Business owners can either take charge on their own, with easy-to-use desktop and mobile technology, or recruit the help of Rallio’s in-house agency. Rallio’s motley crew of social media strategists, brand managers, designers, producers, writers, engineers, geeks, freaks, change-makers and born leaders helps businesses ditch boring content forever and light up their social media pages.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.

Tags awards, Top Ranked Social Media Company

Inspiration

Extreme Effort, Extreme Results: A Conversation With Rallio CEO Chuck Goetschel

Post author By Rallio
Post date May 27, 2020

Chuck Goetschel has held only one job in his lifetime — as a pizza delivery person, at 14 years young. Forever an innovator, Chuck figured he could do much more than just deliver pizzas.

So one day while on the job, he sold his branded hat to a customer, figuring the upsell would be worth it to his boss.

His boss didn’t agree. And that was the end of Chuck’s pizza delivery days.

However, it was just the beginning of his entrepreneurial pursuits. At age 15, he started his first two businesses, and he’s been a serial entrepreneur ever since — primarily in the personal development, business coaching and networking fields. That same desire to be of service to others has followed him into his current venture as founder and CEO of Rallio, a social media software as a service (SaaS) company.

While the medium of entrepreneurship may have changed, the mission to serve has not. As we all navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we sat down with Chuck — virtually, of course — to get his insights on doing business amid the pandemic, on entrepreneurship, on being of service, on extreme effort in the face of a crisis, and on being willing to do whatever it takes to survive trying times.

When You’re Extreme, You Expand

In one of our recent team meetings over Zoom, Chuck introduced the idea of being “extreme.” That word has special significance not only in the business world, but in Chuck’s own personal life as well.

“Most people live and work and play in their comfort zone. Extreme is anything beyond that,” explains Chuck.

The degree of “extreme” is different for different people, he adds. One person’s definition may vary from someone else’s. The key is kicking things up a gear to a point where you feel like you’re being challenged outside of what you would consider “normal.”

“For me, finding extreme takes putting myself in conditions that force into an internal dialogue,” says Chuck, whose version of extreme includes ultramarathons. In fact, he just recently qualified to participate in the April 2021 Marathon Des Sables, dubbed the “toughest foot race on earth” by the Discovery Channel.

In this type of race, he says, his body and mind will be screaming to stop — and, left with only the sheer will of his spirit, he’ll be forced to push beyond any perceived barriers to reach the finish line. “When it gets to that point, I can raise my gear,” says Chuck. “Only in moments like that can I locate that other gear and make the choice to expand.”

Want to Thrive? Extreme Effort Required

As we all navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve seen businesses locating that “extra gear” and expanding, while others have downshifted and contracted. When asked, “If you could tell small businesses anything right now amid the pandemic, what would it be?” this was Chuck’s reply:

“Stop complaining and start solving. We’re all in it. You can spend all your time and energy saying how you’ve been affected, or you can pivot and be a solution.”

In other words, when the water keeps pouring onto the figurative “boat,” you don’t sit there and wait for the boat to sink, right? You figure out how you can help get water out of the boat — or maybe you abandon that particular boat, pivot and try something completely different.

One realization that’s emerged from the pandemic is that pivoting in the face of a crisis is the only way to survive — not to mention thrive. If a business wasn’t already incorporating an online and social media component to their business, now more than ever they must adapt to the new reality.

Consumers are increasingly turning to social media to stay connected, to access essential services and customer support, and to share information and inspiration in their communities. Ignoring this method of connecting with customers could mean the death of a business.

“There’s been a shift in the world, forcing people to engage online. It’s habit now, and people are used to it,” says Chuck. “If you unplug from that conversation, that’s going to hurt you.”

If you instead accept these “habits” and use the time to connect with a captive audience, you can experience growth instead of declines. Online components and other new lines of business such as live classes, takeout, curbside pickup and other adaptations made by businesses should become permanent changes.

Want Extreme Results? Great Mentorship Makes a Difference

In his lifetime, Chuck has had four mentors, each of whom has contributed uniquely to his outlook on business and life. For him, great mentorship can make a world of difference when you’re facing unprecedented times and challenges.

His dad. “He’s simply taught me to look at the glass as half full, to be grateful and to have faith. That’s been the foundation of who I am with other mentors.”
His grandfather, an artist and a singer who taught Chuck the value of having fun. “Even when something isn’t fun, make it fun.”
His U.S. swimming coach, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Mike Troy (pictured in this tribute), who helped shape Chuck’s leadership skills and work ethic.
Dan Williams, a business mentor who helped Chuck define his path toward business success.

With mentors like those above, Chuck’s been able to find the lessons amid trying times and use them as fuel for the next best step. If you speak of failure, he’ll remind you there is no failure if a lesson comes out of it — and if you keep going despite the stumbling blocks along the way.

“Every day we have failures — but it’s just another challenge,” says Chuck, whose book Anatomy of a Comeback details the steps required to move forward after a setback. “You can pull a lesson out of everything. You can pivot.”

The very first step, he says, is to do something dramatic to change your state. “It’s really about doing something extreme to jolt yourself into a new state of mind.”

There’s that word again: extreme. Are you catching on to the theme?

So Does a Great Team

Perhaps it’s this extreme thinking that has allowed Rallio to continually evolve, pivot, grow and shift course when needed. We listen to our customers, to the trends, to what our clients truly need, and we respond accordingly. We’re recognized as an Inc.com fastest-growing private company, an Entrepreneur 360 company and an Entrepreneur Top Franchise Supplier for franchise brands. And we’re not resting on our laurels.

“It’d be a whole lot less work if we just sat back on our heels and relaxed,” quips Chuck. But that’s not the Rallio way.

The Rallio way is not simply to stay on the bleeding edge of our industry, but to do it with the best team possible. We have not only the talent, but the culture, too.

It’s a culture of having fun, yes — as you’ll see if you read our social media posts or hop on a Zoom call with one of our team members. “But the culture we create is one that’s about welcoming change, challenging your own status quo, self motivation and monitoring, fast growth and fast movement and no excuses,” says Chuck.

That mindset allows us to continue attracting the most phenomenal people for their roles — people who pour themselves into their work and care about the end results. Without the right people, Rallio wouldn’t be possible, adds Chuck. We can scale infinitely because we onboard talent that thrives in this type of fast-paced environment.

And the Mission Continues

While the pandemic has generated divisiveness in some ways — whether politically or within communities tasked with weighing business closures against the health crisis — it’s also brought about a shift in perspective for many. We’ll never again take for granted the simple joys of getting a cup of coffee, catching up with friends over a nice meal, attending special events and just seeing one another face-to-face, Chuck says.

As businesses start to reopen, Rallio will be here to continue the mission that’s been Chuck’s driving force throughout his life as an entrepreneur. “I’m on a mission to make a difference,” he says. “All COVID did was give me yet another reason to help others.”

We’ve helped to facilitate pivots among our franchise and small-business clients, many of which have had to restructure the way they do business. Get in touch with us to start strategizing how we can help you emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever before.

Learn more: Top Social Media Management Tools From Rallio

Tags entrepreneurship