B2BMixers

Need Motivation? Understand Your "Why"

2010-05-31T21:00:00.006-04:00

In his book "8 Ways to Great", peak performance coach Dr. Doug Hirschhorn explains that understanding "why" you want to achieve a particular goal in life is more important than knowing "how" you are going to get there. If your reason "why" is compelling enough to you on a personal level then the "how" becomes almost irrelevant. Having a powerful reason "why" will motivate you to overcome obstacles that keep you from your goal. Even more importantly, a powerful "why" will help you bounce back when you experience a setback.

How Having a Compelling "Why" Works
This was illustrated to me in our town by a remarkable mom who was not happy with the local school system. She felt strongly that not enough attention was being paid to the interests of the children in the district and the changes that needed to be made to correct this. When she realized that the best way to accomplish her goal was to get involved, she decided to join the school board. Now this mom did not know anything about public office, or politics, she dreaded the thought of speaking in public. She had no experience with school administration or education. If you were to meet meet her you would say that she is generally shy and quiet.

None of this stopped her however because she was passionate about why she should run for the school board. She did not know many of the "hows" in this case but she had a strong enough reason "why". She had children in the school system and personally knew many more children also in the system. She wanted to assure that decisions made by the school board always accounted for the best interests of the students (vs. the many special interests that had representation at school board meetings). She worked tirelessly to communicate her message and once elected to the school board, worked relentlessly to assure the board looked out for the best interests of it's students.

Know Why You're Running Your Business
Running a business can be a chaotic mass of never ending tasks that demand personal attention. The smaller the business the more this is true - as you are most likely doing mostly everything, if not everything, yourself. It's important to take the time to ask yourself why you do what you do. Your reason why has got to be meaningful to you, energize you, and motivate you in good times and bad.

The Two Questions

1 - Why have I chosen to do what I do?

2 - Why am I still doing it?

Dr. Hirschhorn suggests that one's initial response may be: to make money. That however is a reason, not necessarily the reason. There are many ways to make money. Take your time and really think about your responses to these questions. How did you get started on your current path? Find the "why" that resonates within you and ignites your passion.

It is also possible that after all this introspection you may still not be able to find the right answer. This too is a wake up call. It may time to examine a third question:

What would I rather be doing in life?

Knowing your answer to these seemingly innocent and simple questions will help you as to strive to reach your next level of success, whatever that goal may be. Write the answers down! Refer to them periodically. Once you have good reasons "why" you're doing what you're doing then you can consider the "what's" and the "how's"

11 Reasons Your Small Business Should Blog written by Janet Thaeler

2010-04-02T11:14:00.002-04:00

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You’ve all heard it, but do you know the benefits of blogging for a small business? Blogs are wonderful tools for businesses because they are so versatile. They can serve a PR purpose, a promotional purpose and act as a hub of interaction between your customers/potential customers and you.
1. Attract customers

If you’re posting regular and good quality content, your blog is a great way to keep existing customers coming back and to attract the following of prospective customers. It acts as a useful tool in establishing your brand, and you could even feature excerpts of your latest blogs in email newsletters. Your blog is also a way to establish and sustain customer relationships. It can provide useful tips and encourage feedback thanks to the informal tone that allows a welcoming forum for discussion.

Source: http://www.siliconbeachtraining.co.uk/blog/top-tips-businesses-blog/
2. Create content for social media sites

Your blog can create valuable content that you can reuse on social networks like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. There are great plugins you can use to automatically tweet the title and link every time you post (if you use Wordpress).

Other tools also send your tweet or post to Facebook. A LinkedIn application will let you put tweets on your profile there. Pictures can be used in blog posts and put onto your Flickr account. Video can be added to posts and also on your YouTube Channel. Each one of these sites gets you additional exposure and links for your content. It also increases the chance that your content will be found and shared by others.

Even comments to your blog can generate new blog posts.
3. Gain Expert Status

Not everyone can or should do this, but if you sell to other businesses, then gaining expert status is important. Blogging can lead to speaking engagements, book deals, and fame. However, if you’re an ecommerce site who is more interested in sales than leadership, this isn’t the best advice. You’re better off to blog about the benefits of your products or tips on how to use them.
4. Reap the search engine benefits of blogging

Blogging is a great way to get higher placement on Google and the other search engines. However, you do need to do this strategically. OrangeSoda coaches and writes blog posts for clients that incorporate their keywords in a way that helps them in search engines.
5. Try before you buy

When you blog you give people a taste of your strengths and an idea of the culture or personality of your business. Before making a commitment they’ll get a pretty good idea of the type of services and expertise you offer beyond sterile descriptions.
6. Reminds people you’re there

Part of the reason for blogging or being involved in social media is to be visible. If no one knows you’re there, they will never become your customer. Stop letting people know and you’ll start going backwards.
7. The process of writing your ideas gives you new ideas and keeps you up-to-date on your industry

Blogging is good motivation to keep up on what is happening not only in your industry but in your own business. It’s a good way for your company to keep up on what’s happening, too.
8. Get valuable feedback and ideas from your audience

Rather than wondering what people think about your new concept or product, you can ask. Once you have a following, feedback is a valuable benefit of building a blog.
9. Blogging is a great PR tool

A lot of journalists look for story ideas or experts by reading blogs. Be sure to blog about your news and link to press releases.
10. Blogs can build loyalty

People can subscribe to your blog and get every new post. This builds loyalty because the more time someone spends learning about or interacting with your business, the more likely they are to actually do business with you.
11. Brings more traffic to your web site

According to studies, blogging can bring 55% more traffic to your site and even 97% more inbound links.

Source: http://www.syscomminternational.com/blog/blogging-for-businesses-results-in-55-more-traffic-97-more-inbound-links

Want some ideas to get started?
10 Corporate Blogs Worth Reading
Business Blogging Tips
1 Reason not to Start a Blog

Blogging is not for every small business. A small business should not blog for only one reason: they either don’t have anyone dedicated to writing in it or there are no good writers at the business. In that case Twitter may be a better option. It’s easier to update, simpler to use, and if you don’t post very often it doesn’t look as bad as an abandoned blog.

You luck has been completely changed today.

2010-04-01T14:48:00.003-04:00

Our hostess gave me my fortune cookie. I stuck it in my pocket. I exchanged thank-yous with Mei, the owner of the restaurant. I went out and chatted with Jack Hillman before I got in my car. I took out my fortune cookie and for once the message was really in synch:

As long as I've been organizing meetups, five years or more, for writers, photographers, models, marketers, entrepreneurs, I have always carried a sense of anxiety that something might go wrong: not enough people will show up, someone will get upset, I did or didn't do or say something that should have or should not have been done or said.

One thing I have learned is that most all of the people who attend these events are happy, helpful, cooperative, thoughtful, thankful, warm and welcoming. It always leaves me with a great feeling. It is one of the driving forces that has pressed me on. It is the 'bug that bites you'. It is the thing that 'gets in your blood' that won't let you quit, even when you feel like it's all for naught.

All of those awful things have happened... a 7-year-old girl got bit by a rottweiler (not injured, just a torn blouse and a lot of tears!)

An amateur model had an anxiety attack, got cold feet and had second thoughts about those risque lingerie poses she did at a "My Sweaty Valentine" Photo Model Session and started freaking out and started bombarding me with frantic phone calls, emails and legal threats even though I instantly agreed to remove all of her photos from our group web site. ( I missed one and she thought it was deliberate).

I've had people complain that their $3.00 fee to a Breakfast Meetup didn't include breakfast. I've had people go absolutely vitriolic and calling me names because I had to take care of a friend's critical medical emergency; thereby missing a wine & cheese mixer that I scheduled and wasn't able to change my RSVP for.

I could go on...you can count on that! But for now I will just say that everything felt different for the first B2BMixer at China House III in Allentown. There were no pre-event butterflies; no anxiety. I wasn't even terribly organized, but managed to get everything together.

I knew exactly why I was there...to meet people, to help them with their business, thereby helping my business. That's basic networking. The magic of networking is meeting other business owners and entrepreneurs in a social setting, getting to know them over good food and drink in a pleasant, non-threatening environment. Then when it's time to meet for business you're more of a friend than a cold-call.

Everyone was so gracious to me and thanked me for organizing the mixer. It was comforting to see two long-time friends, Jack Hillman and Abe who were both very supportive. It meant a lot to me that they were in attendance primarily to glean the value of the group.

Michael Madden was enjoying the food and conversation. I was fascinated to talk with Jessica Eyth about her new Internet Marketing company, Above the Fold. Jessica creates web sites and I hope to hire her for special projects.

Of course it was a great pleasure to chat with the charming Beverly Jones, as she will be the Feature Presenter at the upcoming B2BMixers Breakfast Club on Tuesday, April 13 at Bob Evans Restaurant on Lehigh Street. Beverly brought along her special guest, Richard, who also gained and contributed a great deal of valuable information to the conversation.

Talking at length with Baj, I gained great insight into the function and process of a personal coach. And to Baj agreed to speak at our second Breakfast Club on May 11, same time, same location. Very interesting. When I told Baj that I could use her help, because I can be so disorganized, she told me that she sees me as quite the opposite.

"You are organizing all these meetup groups, you drive limousines, you are a writer and photographer". Not only that, she said, "You are living the dream! You aren't confined to a job or a routine. You are pursuing your passions and dreams. You are very fortunate and it didn't happen by chance...you worked hard to get to this point".

How flattering! And what a warm, wonderful--and productive--feeling from the whole evening.

Our hostess gave me my fortune cookie. I stuck it in my pocket. I exchanged thank-yous with Mei, the owner of the restaurant. I went out and chatted with Jack Hillman before I got in my car. I took out my fortune cookie and for once the message was really in synch:

Join us for an always productive and always delicious Breakfast Club B2BMixers each month. You can also have fun and get down to business at our special After Work B2BMixers. Meet, mix and mingle with other entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, vendors and consultants.

WANTED! Writers, artists, photographers, sponsors, advertisers and independent reps.

The Power of Just Showing Up - I

2010-03-24T21:00:00.005-04:00

Filmmaker and comedian, Woody Allen famously said that "80% of success is just showing up".

That is a clever statement; somewhat comedic; it's a little funny but not real funny. It may draw a smile, but it won't make you laugh.

It's certainly not as funny as when Steven Wright says, with a straight face and a monotone voice,
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, please raise my hand" or "I made instant coffee in the microwave and went back in time".

Why, then does Woody Allen's simple, and not-so-funny observation persist? Decades old, it is always near the top of the quote lists. Evergreen, it appears under 'success' and 'Woody Allen' search categories.

Here in the digital age, face-to-face marketing is often considered old-school. We can leave the 80% open for discussion, but there must be some nugget of truth in his remark. It may, in fact, be a brilliant observation of a very real but subtle truth.

In sales, we can be sure that the big orders will go to the reps who show up. Business will not naturally flow to the ones who don't make the phone calls or return the emails.

Woody Allen speaks from his context in show business. He knows that you won't get a part in a movie or a play unless you first show up for an audition. If you get the part without an audition, you're already a success because you already did the showing up thing!

Just showing up puts you way ahead of all the others who don't. Just showing up lets you be seen and heard. Just showing up allows you to become known. Familiarity may breed contempt, but more often people fear the unknown.

Just showing up lets you state your case; make your point and be understood. If you're talented or likable, showing up allows you to display your talents and to be liked and remembered.

Just showing up does all that and much more. It engages all the senses and creates an inner holographic image of you as a real person. The thought of you brings the memory of your smile, your handshake, your appearance, the colors you choose, the sound of your voice, your choice of words, your attitude, the way you move. And, of course, much more.

Just showing up does 80% of all the things you want your sales and marketing; corporate identity awareness; brand building and credibility-seeking to do.

In other selling situations, it quickly becomes abundantly clear that you will get the order--or at least an opportunity to bid on the job--simply because you are the one standing face-to-face with the mover and shaker who needs a product or service that you can provide.

Phones, fax, emails, tweets and brochures are undeniably powerful tools, but fact-to-face is where the most significant and lasting connections are really forged for your business or personal life.

You need to get out. Talk to strangers. Make business a pleasure. Please click here to learn more and to join us at our upcoming B2BMixers in the Lehigh Valley. We currently have a Breakfast Club, and a Sushi Bar Business Card exchange on the calendar. We're looking forward to doing business with YOU!

Getting down to business--in fun, social settings--B2BMixers.com

2010-03-09T16:38:00.002-05:00

Getting down to business--in fun, social settings

You need to get out more! B2B Mixers are all about getting down to business.

B2BMixers are a great way to bring business executives, startups, entrepreneurs, vendors, suppliers and established companies together with an exciting variety of networking opportunities and cutting-edge business information.

B2BMixers will give you great opportunities to meet, mix and mingle with other area business owners and representatives in interesting settings. Build your brand, expand your operations, establish your company while meeting potential clients and suppliers in fun, social settings.

We are not a referral club that only allows one business of each category. We believe in fair trade and competition.

Whatever your business, we invite you to participate; to network; to share your ideas and information in creating a healthier and more dynamic business environment.

Our B2BMixers are all fun--and all business. If you are in business or plan to start a business, you need access to other business people. You need to meet and identify prospective clients; to find suppliers, advisers, consultants, agents and more.

You need information. The best and most up-to-date information comes from the crowd. B2BMixers are your ticket to the information and the people you need in a fun, 'Down-to-Business" environment.

Here are a few great ways to get started and get involved:

Upload some photos AND your logo into your profile. Need photos? You can get great new photos at our mixers.

Create your own 'About' page on our site with photos, video, logos, links and text. Feel free to post a comprehensive ad for your business. Then you can link to that page on your other sites, blogs, tweets, & social media.

You can email the entire group at http://www.meetup.com... Please keep your messages business-related. Spam and affiliate links are prohibited.

Would you like to learn more about other members? Just click their name or photo and send an email or a greeting! Ask a question, say hello or congrats!

Get out to our real world B2BMixers! This is NOT an online chat group. This is about face-to-face, smile-to-smile, B2BMixers!

Help us organize an event! We need lots of help from: speakers, presenters; advertisers, sponsors; greeters, promoters, tweeters, marketers, printers, emailers, designers and more.

We expect to grow rapidly. Our business will grow by helping your business to grow! Need help? Just let us know. Just click to Contact the Organizer at http://www.meetup.com...