Posts Tagged ‘Networking’

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Be a connector

Friday, February 24th, 2012

I just recently read an article on Entrepreneur.com on the differences between networking and connecting. Read the full article here. It dawned on me that I am a connector. According to my friend and colleague, Sue Tellier, she has been telling me this for years (but I neglected to listen). In fact her email response to me said this:

“Ha!  This is another case of me telling you something over and over and over, and then you telling me like it’s a new idea.  I love that.  You made me chuckle this morning.” She then went on to say, ” You are the CONSUMMATE connector.  You need to make that a business strategy, precious.  Yes, you are a good marketer.  But you are an amazing business development person because people don’t just know you — they trust you.”

Precious aside, this really got me thinking.

The term and definition for ‘Connector’  comes from the book The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. I definitely encourage you to read this book, it will change how you look and approach situations or opportunities in your life. The Entreprenuer.com article sums up a connector quite well:

We all know people like them, people who seem to know everyone. They’re always able to help — or if they can’t, they know someone who can. You meet them for the first time and in 15 minutes, you’re talking with them like you’re childhood friends. They’re successful, smart and funny, with a likable touch of self-deprecation. And they’re interested in everything.

After I read the article and was told that I am indeed a connector, by someone who I trust and respect, I knew it was time to do something about it. At this point, I am not sure what it is, but stay tuned. Some exciting stuff is going to go down.

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A letter to small businesses

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Dear Small Business Owner:

There are companies thriving in this economy, including many small businesses.  In a highly competitive market, effective marketing can make a huge difference in the bottom line and contribute to a strong bottom line.   There are advantages to being small; by creating a marketing plan and increasing participation in the local community, you can create unique strategies that will help your business stand out from the crowd.  At 834, we challenge you to incorporate the following simple tips into your marketing strategy.  Follow this for one month and evaluate effectiveness.

  • The hand written note- writing a congratulatory or thank you note shows you have taken time to give kudos to someone else without asking for anything in return. It helps your company stay connected with customers as well as the surrounding community.  After all, when was the last time you received a hand written note, let alone a letter or email that was not generic, from a large company or corporation? Makes the one you receive that much more memorable, doesn’t it?
  • Just write it - Start a blog on your company’s website. Talk about what is new with business and intertwine stories from your personal life. Your customers want to feel connected to you, and by sharing some of yourself with them you are increasing loyalty. Engage your customer base by asking questions on how they view your business, start a dialogue. This is a great way to measure customer service and to find out how your business is viewed in the marketplace.   .
  • Engage in social media- Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn, engaging in social media will create awareness of your company, serve as a PR tool, enhance customer service and if retail based…help you sell. Through social media you can capture new customers with coupons, events, and promotions. Note: Develop a strategy so you aren’t willy nilly with your communication.
  • Support local – Reach out to your community with promotions, events and advertising. Get involved with a local charity, whether it be on the board or committee level. Champion a charity, choose a cause that is near and dear to you and tie it to your business.

Above all, give back…mentor a young professional, volunteer and always make time for other small business owners. We are a rare entrepreneurial breed and we need to stick together.

Sincerely,

834 Design

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Small Business Marketing Tips

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

You’re a small business and money is tight (or non-existent), so what do you do to increase your company’s visiblity? Here are a few tips that are tried and tested. (How do we know? We do it.)

Get Involved: Join a committee for your favorite charity that represents your company well. By getting out there and getting involved with other professionals, you are growing brand awareness.

Social Media: Create a company page on Facebook, write a blog (WordPress.com), join Twitter, create a YouTube channel – use these networks to communicate the happenings in your company, interact with potential customers, observe competitors and build relationships. Check out this new business that is doing it: Dognip.

Network, network, network: Form a group of peers that meet on a regular basis to share ideas, problem solve and make connections for each other. Volunteer at events – place yourself at the registration table to greet attendees as they arrive.

Write a note: Yep, we said that. Peruse the biz publications and send out notes to the businesses you see mentioned, drop in your business card and follow up in a week or so. Don’t ask for anything in the note, just acknowledge their success.

Make a connection…for someone else. Help other small businesses out, whether you give them advice, help them solve a problem or connect them with a potential customer. What goes around, comes around.

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Ringing in the New Year with Shelley

Friday, December 31st, 2010

I can’t think of a better way to end the last day in 2010 than another segment of “Your Biz, Your Town’ with Shelley Irwin on her Morning Show. Today we talked real estate, blind dinner dates, ADDY Awards and free lunch and learns.

This morning’s guests were Jennifer Feuerstein of Care Resources, Inc., Kristen Myers-Chatman of AAF West Michigan, Clay Powell of Rental Property Owners Association of Kent County and Mark Oberlin of the Grand Rapids Lion’s Club.

Each guest chatted with Shelley and I about their respective events, see below for links.

1. Care Resources, Inc. – Lunch & Learn, 1st Thursday of each month

2. Rental Property Owners Association of Kent County, RPOA Annual Conference & Expo, January 28 and 29

3. AAF West Michigan, Addy Awards, February 24

4. Grand Rapids Lion’s Club,Blind Dinner Date, March 8

Other upcoming events:

1. Alliance for Health & Grand Valley State University present West Michigan Health Care Forecast on January 6

2. The American Marketing Association, Marketing Higher Education, January 11

3. Startup Weekend West Michigan, January 14-16

Make sure to check out these great organizations and events….and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Your Biz, Your Town – December

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

‘Tis the season for much networking and professional growth. Today, November 30th we chat with GROW, Humane Society of Kent County and a returning American Marketing Association speaker.

A special shout out to Laura Pecherski (@lpecherski on Twitter), a great friend, who agreed to host today’s segment with Shelley Irwin as I was previously engaged.

This morning our featured guests were Bonnie Nawara from Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) and Nikki Outhier from the Humane Society of West Michigan.

GROW is hosting the AWE Sparkle Celebration on Wednesday, December 15th from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. The event will feature networking, beverages, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle. Learn more: www.growbusiness.org

In addition to launching a new brand, moving from a focus on Kent County to a focus on West Michigan, The Humane Society of West Michigan is hosting their Art to the Rescue event on Friday, December 10th from 2 to 7 pm. The event will feature a showcase from several local artists – all the art is available for purchase and proceeds will directly benefit the Humane Society’s programs and animals. Learn more: www.hskc.org/events

Other Community Events in December:

12/2 Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World Gala from 7-10pm. This special event features entertainment, cuisine from throughout the world and carriage rides through the illuminated sculpture park. Learn more: www.meijergardens.org

12/9    Grand Rapids Young Professionals Holiday Unwind

Join GRYP for their Holiday Unwind at Cygnus Private Dining atop the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on the 27th floor on December 9 from 5:30 until 8:30pm. They will have many holiday give-aways so bring your business card to enter to win a prize. Light appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available with drink specials and happy hour pricing running until 8:30 pm. Learn more: www.gryp.org

12/11   Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter: Jingle Bell Run, at Ada Elementary School in Ada.  This is a 5K competitively timed race, with a “Snowman Shuffle” for kids.  Form a team, raise funds, and put a little jingle in your step to support Arthritis research and programs. Learn more: Samantha Mertins at smertins@arthritis.org, or 800-968-3030 x 232.

12/14   Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation: Design One Fashion Event at Eve at the B.O.B.  6:30pm $150 Platinum VIP (Front row); $100 VIP (Second row); $75 General Admission. Learn more: www.design1.com/fashionevent

12/14   AMA West Michigan: Web 2.0 – Walking the Line Between Personal and Organizational Branding

This luncheon features Christopher Barger, the Social Media Director of General Motors, who will be talking about the fine line between representing your personal brand and your organizations brand on social media outlets. Learn more: www.amawestmichigan.org

12/16   AMA Southwest Michigan- Mainstream Mobile Marketing

Join AMA Southwest Michigan for their luncheon from 11:30 to 1:00 pm. The presentation will focus on mobile marketing and how Team Detroit has made Ford Motor Company a leader in this medium. Learn more: www.amaswmichigan.com

Also this month:

Rays of Hope for Haiti

Help Gina VanGessel, owner of Gina’s Boutique, raise money for her trip to Haiti with Rays of Hope for Haiti – an organization that helps to support children in orphanages whose families were destroyed by January’s earthquake. Women’s t-shirts are available for $30 at 40 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids 49503. Learn more: www.raysofhopeforhaiti.com and www.ginasboutiquegr.com

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