Lillian Moya & Company

The Importance of Objectively Evaluating Your Business: Staying in Sync with the World

Dec 27, 2024

In today’s ever-evolving marketplace, running a business is as much about agility and alignment as it is about passion and persistence. As a business strategist, I’ve seen firsthand the critical need for entrepreneurs and leaders to step back and objectively evaluate their ventures. This process isn’t just about survival—it’s about ensuring your business thrives in harmony with the world around it.

Why Objectivity Matters

When you’re deeply involved in your business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day or to cling to methods that once worked. However, the world doesn’t stand still. Markets shift, consumer behaviors evolve, and new technologies emerge. Staying relevant requires a willingness to assess your business objectively.

Objective evaluation helps:

Identify blind spots: What are you overlooking because you’re too close to the problem?
Spot opportunities: Where can your business innovate or adapt to changing trends?
Prevent stagnation: Are your methods and offerings outdated or mismatched with customer expectations?
Build resilience: How can you future-proof your business to weather uncertainty?

In Sync with the World: What Does That Mean?

Being “in sync” means more than simply meeting customer demands. It’s about understanding the broader cultural, technological, and economic currents that influence your industry. Ask yourself:

Cultural alignment: Is your brand’s message and mission resonating with current societal values?
Technological relevance: Are you leveraging tools and platforms that streamline your operations and enhance customer experience?
Sustainability: Does your business model reflect a commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible practices?
Economic adaptability: Are you responsive to shifts in consumer spending habits and economic conditions?

When and How to Uplift Your Business

If your evaluation reveals areas where your business is out of sync, it’s time for an uplifting—a purposeful recalibration to align your business with modern needs and opportunities. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Revisit Your Core Values

Your values should act as the foundation for your decisions. Are they still relevant to your audience and reflective of your mission? Adjusting your messaging or focus can create stronger connections.

2. Refresh Your Brand

Sometimes, a visual or strategic rebranding is necessary. Update your logo, website, or social media presence to reflect a more modern and aligned image.

3. Innovate Your Offerings

Conduct market research to identify gaps in your current products or services. Can you introduce a new offering or improve an existing one to better serve your customers?

4. Leverage Technology

Invest in tools that enhance efficiency, improve customer interactions, and provide valuable data insights. Automating repetitive tasks and utilizing AI-driven analytics can give you a competitive edge.

5. Foster a Growth Mindset

Encourage your team to embrace change and innovation. Building a culture of continuous learning and adaptability ensures your business remains agile and forward-thinking.

Objectivity is a Superpower

Taking a step back and looking at your business through fresh eyes can be transformative. Objectivity allows you to detach emotionally and make strategic decisions that foster long-term growth. It’s not always easy, but the reward is a business that not only stays relevant but thrives in harmony with the world around it.

So, take a moment to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: Is my business in sync with the times? If not, where can I lift it up to meet its true potential? The answers may lead to the breakthroughs you’ve been waiting for.

From Chaos to Creation: The Fun of Building Websites

Dec 18, 2024

It seems like creating websites is a never-ending task—but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it can be one of the most rewarding processes out there. While it might feel overwhelming at times, there’s something truly special about watching everything come together step by step. It’s not just about the final product; it’s about the process of building something beautiful and meaningful.

I wouldn’t call it a “struggle” because creating websites can actually be a lot of fun. Each step is a chance to experiment, learn, and refine your vision. It’s like building a puzzle, except you get to design the pieces yourself. From picking the colors that set the right tone, to choosing fonts that speak to the audience, to integrating textures and elements that flow seamlessly—every little detail brings you closer to a work of art.

The beauty lies in the small victories along the way. Adding the perfect image? That feels good. Seeing the layout finally click? Even better. It’s a process of discovery and creativity that builds on itself. Every decision adds a new layer of personality, making the website not just functional but a reflection of something deeper—your purpose, your style, your message.

Sure, it might take time, but good things always do. And when you take a step back and look at how it all integrates—the colors, the textures, the structure—you’ll see how beautifully it all comes together. It’s a reminder that great things are built slowly, piece by piece, with patience and care. So embrace the process. Enjoy it. Because when it’s done well, the result is more than just a website. It’s a story brought to life.

You do not need a “Designer’s Eye” do be a UX Researcher

Mar 15, 2023

It may be that writing that blog title and what I will say will get me in trouble. In the long run, though, a UX researcher has NO NEED to have a “designer’s eye.” That is, of course, unless you choose to be a biased researcher. You may only provide analysis with designers in mind. By [that], I mean you do something-whatever it is-you learn something, and you share it. You only share the bits and pieces that designers are willing to listen to.

Experience has shown me that designers NEVER want to hear what UX Researchers have to say. You do not need to be a UX researcher to become “persona non grata” with designers, though. The only thing you need to do is provide truths based on proof. You do that and I guarantee that you will not be liked. It is okay. It’s okay because no one likes their work to be torn to shreds by a few points that would make the designer’s process so much easier. My job is not to make design simple or mediocre and sloppy. It’s not just about getting it done. No. The purpose is to design what works. And design that works is not based on any process other than the user’s appeal. For “working parts,” go to development.

UX Research is the scientific method brought into developing and creating things. Ultimately, your job is simply to show how something is done, provide the results, and do so without bias! If your work depends on a designer’s opinion, I suggest you find another job because you will never be happy. That doesn’t mean you’ll get fired. It’s very easy to go through the motions and keep our jobs. That’s not the hard part of working for someone or yourself. The hard part is being happy while you’re doing it.

If you’re reading this and you’re a researcher (which we all are because we have senses and thank about those perceptions), I want you to be honest and tell yourself if your seeing something that needs improvement is something you can share freely. Are you heard? To this include that you will ALWAYS be asked to do this. It is the main part of your job description and then some! What about when you deliver? What does that look and feel like? Maybe we ned to UXR our own experiences as UXRs!

HERE! This is why I told you. You could never be happy.

You must realize that the only organization in the world is NOT where you work. That you are NOT a cog. Not that designers work for you. No, it’s that you’re created to work together. As you learn from what they create and what a “user” experiences with their creation, they learn why you may be right and sometimes wrong.

Just one word of advice. Be willing to be wrong. Be teachable! Science is based on repetition, patterns, and a logical understanding of something with every right to change.