6 Unexpected Ways UX/UI Can Take Your Career to the Next Level

In this segment, Paige Wiese, founder & CEO of Tree Ring Digital in Denver, CO, walks us through some of the ways she encourages clients to double down on marketing when business is slow. Paige built her business as a solopreneur graphic designer to a team of 15, helping clients with SEO, online ads, and social media management. Here’s her Take 5, plus more tips for surviving the business lulls below!

What's a recent small win for you and your business?

Paige: A recent small win has been just seeing business pick up again. I am seeing businesses start to engage with their marketing efforts and really trying to get to the root of why their website might be underperforming. We look at what they can be doing to see their money actually go to a place that it should be going.

What's a big piece of advice that you give to your clients?

Paige: A lot of them want to back off anytime there's a little bit of scarcity. I really think that's the time to double down, whether it be your digital presence, your website, or just adjusting how you're spending your money. But instead of just saying, ‘Hey, we're going to stop [investing in marketing],’ ask ‘How do we double down in the correct way and make sure we're seeing measurable results out of it?’ I do it myself anytime business is a little slow. I think we have to either change or we need to be doubling down. A lot of clients come to us when the pipeline is already dry and money is tight and they’re hoping for a quick fix. Marketing, unfortunately, isn't a quick fix.

See more tips for surviving business lulls below!

What's an unexpected business challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Paige: I think one of the bigger challenges that we've run into has been more on the employee side, some of the retention or the hiccups that come along the way and then just learning from them. So how can we be a better, stronger company coming out of this and how do we use it as a growing opportunity?

How has the Verizon Small Business program helped propel your business forward?

Paige: I learned about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). It's a free resource that’s self-paced and very digestible. The variety of topics it covers is a large gamut for any size business. The Selling with Storytelling course, especially, was really valuable to me, just really getting your messaging out there. I laugh that I sometimes enjoy the marketing ones a little bit more just because it is a refresher or another take on how we do this.

Thanks Paige!

Here Are More B+C Tips For Surviving The Small Business Lulls

1. Refine Your Strategy
   • Review your business plan and goals. Are you on track? What can be improved?
   • Analyze customer feedback and sales data to spot trends and areas where you can grow.
2. Boost Your Marketing Efforts
   • Refresh your website or social media profiles. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready’s free Put Your Website to Work course will help you get started with best practices for building your business website.
   • Create engaging content through blogs, videos, and newsletters. Verizon’s free Creating Compelling Content course can help you create consistent, quality content for your target customers.
   • Offer promotions or limited-time discounts to attract new customers.
3. Invest in Learning
   • Take an online course related to your industry, like Verizon’s free Planning for the Unexpected course for building resiliency in your business.
   • Stay updated on industry trends and innovations.
   • Engage with customers too. Send personalized emails to loyal customers or clients. Ask for reviews!
4. Improve Your Processes
   • Streamline operations or explore new tools to increase your efficiency.
   • Organize your workspace and declutter your digital files.
5. Self-Care and Rest
   • Take advantage of the slower pace to recharge. A refreshed mindset is exactly what you need to bring forth fresh ideas!

1. Clarify & Confirm

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a wild remark from your boss that practically made you do a double-take? If so, don't be afraid to respectfully ask for clarification, forcing them to expand on their perspective without any ambiguity.

For instance, saying something like, "I just want to make sure I understand you currently. Are you saying that..." and paraphrasing their comment is a powerful tool. Not only will it avoid miscommunication, but it will also make your boss address their issue with you head-on.

2. Ask For Their Feedback

We can only learn and grow in environments that challenge us while supporting us along the way. However, passive-aggressive bosses may resort to beating around the bush, making offhand critiques about your work that are vague yet still hurtful.

You can urge your employer to be more straightforward with you by telling them point-blank, "I value your feedback." Asking for open dialogue as opposed to one-off comments will show that you're receptive to constructive criticism and encourage your boss to be a stronger leader.

3. Politely Challenge

Whether your boss tries to guilt-trip you by implying you're not doing enough or praises you in a sarcastic manner, you can always politely challenge them, too.

Try saying, "It seems like you're hinting at something. Could you be more direct so I can address it appropriately?" Your boss will be put on the spot and driven to share their true feelings without the white noise.

4. Show Understanding

Passive aggression shouldn't be acceptable in workplaces, but sometimes, showing compassion and understanding can help diffuse these all-too-common situations.

As hard as it may be, giving your boss some grace and acknowledging their apparent frustrations may be enough to get you both on the same page.

For instance, saying something such as, "It sounds like you might be feeling irritated. Let's figure out what we can do to fix it together," can encourage teamwork and put a stop to the indirect blame game.

5. Maintain Professional Distance

When passive-aggressive statements start to feel catty in the office, it's not just hurtful; it also retracts from productivity and can lessen the quality of completed work.

To cleverly call out your boss while shifting attention back to the matter at hand, you can respond with, "I'm not sure I follow the tone of your comment. Let's focus on our work so we can move forward."

6. Stay Calm & Collected

It can be tempting to go on the offensive in passive-aggressive situations. Even so, staying cool as a cucumber will reinforce your professionalism and prevent a full-blown stand-off from occurring.

All you have to say is, "I hear your concerns, and I'll focus on improving that moving forward." It's direct, indicates you understand your boss' grievances, and should keep them from harping on.

7. Redirect To Next Steps

One of the biggest issues with passive aggression is that it makes someone's issue with you indirectly apparent. Yet, it can be tough to know exactly how to fix their problem moving forward, given they're beating around the bush.

Let's say your boss makes a snarky remark about a PTO request or acts unsatisfied with a project you completed. Don't hesitate to ask, "So, what next steps should we take to ensure this doesn't happen again?"

8. Make It Clear That You're There To Grow

You could be early in your career or an industry veteran. Either way, vague passive-aggressive statements about performance can be equally hurtful (not to mention unhelpful).

A smart way to respond is by saying, "I'm here to learn and grow." It makes your intentions crystal clear, reminds your boss that you're only human, and could open up conversations about avenues for improvement.

9. Share How You Value Your Professional Relationship

All relationships, from romantic and platonic to professional, rely on mutual respect and communication. Passive aggression is a sign of disrespect, but you can help turn interactions with your boss around by saying, "I value our professional relationship."

It will successfully set a positive tone and convey that you want a healthy working relationship. It may also help your boss realize that they haven't been treating you the way they'd like to be treated.

10. Set Boundaries

Finally, the most direct approach is to confront your boss' passive-aggressive attitude by setting firm boundaries. This can be uncomfortable, but with the right tact and professionalism, it can be very powerful.

For example, consider using this statement: "I believe in having open and honest communication. Can we make sure we're on the same page moving forward?"

It makes your desire for transparency clear and forces your boss to rise to your expectations.

Sophia Bush thought Peyton and Lucas leaving 'One Tree Hill' was "really weird."

One Tree Hill season 6 ended after Peyton almost died giving birth to her and Lucas' daughter, and after introducing baby Sawyer to the rest of the crew, they just...drive off into the sunset.

"I don't even remember where they moved. Where did they go?" Bethany Joy Lenz says, to which Robert Buckley replies, "They left in a convertible, so I'm gonna guess maybe the West Coast where it's a bit warmer and less rainy."

But no matter where Peyton and Lucas moved, the One Tree Hill cast can't quite wrap their heads around the fact that, in the story, Brooke literally never hears from Peyton again. "I used to ask, 'Why can't Brooke [Davis] be getting text messages from Peyton? Why can't you see them texting? Like, why am I not getting photo updates of this baby? It feels really weird.'"

And while Lucas returns for an episode in season 9, he was also radio silent for his three-season absence, as was his mom Karen. "Everybody, they just faded off into the distance," Bethany says. "I do wish they had kept that up in some more clear way. I don't think it would have been hard."

While Bethany Joy Lenz think is was because of "personal beef" behind the scenes.

But Bethany theorizes the onscreen confusion boils down to behind-the-scenes drama with creator Mark Schwann, whom the cast accused of sexual harassment in 2017. The women of the show wrote an open letter explaining how “many of us were, to varying degrees, manipulated psychologically and emotionally," and how "more than one of us is still in treatment for post-traumatic stress."

"I think it was some sort of personal beef behind the scenes," Bethany adds in the Drama Queens episode. "He was hoping the audience would just forget about them."

"Which seems so stupid because it's a choice rooted in ego," Sophia adds. "It's like, 'Dude, you wrote those characters, so you knew they were great. So why are we suddenly pretending they're not?'"

Hopefully we'll see all our favorite Tree Hill Ravens return for a One Tree Hill sequel series. While the show hasn't been officially greenlit at Netflix yet, Hilarie Burton exclusively told Brit + Co that everyone involved in the show is "really proud of the work that we did back then too. And so to see the public support this little show we made 20 years later, that's so special and it's so rare."