by Sue Horner | Jan 24, 2011 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
Four years and 455 blog posts — I suppose for more prolific bloggers, that’s nothing. But for someone who had a hard time updating a journal more than once every couple of months, it’s a pretty significant achievement. So happy anniversary to me and...
by Sue Horner | Jan 10, 2011 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
Are you getting paid what you’re worth? Anyone can appreciate the value and attraction of that concept, but perhaps independent business owners most of all. I attended a networking/professional development event on just that topic, put on by IABC/Toronto’s...
by Sue Horner | Nov 8, 2010 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
Two things jumped out at me about the 2009 IABC/Canada online salary survey*: 1. “Nationally speaking, men do appear to make more on average than women.” According to the survey, the mean (essentially the average) yearly salary / median (the middle-most value when the...
by Sue Horner | Oct 1, 2010 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
It’s October, and Halloween costumes and decorations have been in the stores for weeks. What better time to talk about scary things? And by that I mean, doing what scares you. Over dinner last night, one of my friends confessed that she is afraid of doing...
by Sue Horner | Jan 29, 2010 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
While at the dentist’s office getting my teeth cleaned, the dental hygienist mentioned something we both found shocking: The dentist got his sister-in-law to buy everything for his wife’s Christmas stocking. Okay, so spinmasters will say Dr. P. was...
by Sue Horner | Aug 31, 2009 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
Updated July 13, 2018 You have to be disciplined to be productive when working from your home, and usually I am. I’m at my desk at 9 a.m. After a quick check for e-mail, I keep the sound off to avoid hearing the siren song that more has arrived. A to-do list has...
by Sue Horner | Jan 26, 2009 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
I’m having lunch later this week with an acquaintance who is considering launching her own business and wants to “pick my brain.” While I don’t claim to know it all, I’ve had my own business for about 18 years, so I must be doing some things right! I’m happy to share...
by Sue Horner | Jan 8, 2009 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
If all your money was invested in the stock market, you’d be feeling pretty nervous when prices start dropping. That’s why financial advisors suggest you diversify — mix it up between stocks, bonds, guaranteed investment certificates and other products with...
by Sue Horner | Sep 17, 2008 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
Don’t you almost hate to watch the news, open a newspaper or check your stocks these days? The bad news is unrelenting. Formerly solid companies going bust. Layoffs. Gasoline prices through the roof. Catastrophic weather. It’s definitely an uncertain world we live in....
by Sue Horner | May 14, 2008 | The Red Jacket Diaries blog
(Updated October 2016) Freelancers sometimes run into clients who question quoted rates and ask for less. Should you give in? Most seasoned professionals will agree that you shouldn’t let yourself be “had” on price. State what you are worth, making...