SOB Business Cafe 11-19-10
Filed Under Great Finds, Marketing, Successful Blog | Leave a Comment
Welcome to the SOB Cafe
We offer the best in thinking — articles, books, podcasts, and videos about business online written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.
The Specials this Week are
Ramblings from a Glass Half Full
There to meet us was the building’s concierge. As he helped us get our luggage into the elevator, my wife said to him “It’s a really gray day”.
He smiled, ear to ear. “Yes, it’s a GREAT day”
You could literally feel the positive energy coming out of him as he ever so cleverly “mis-heard” my wife’s comment.
At that moment, we forgot about the gray, and the rain. He was right – it was a GREAT day.
Social media today
More than ever, it makes sense – particularly for students right now – to get to work on enhancing their irresistibility factor in order to show up and stand out in this over-crowded and over-saturated environment. Of course, that’s exactly what creating a personal brand can do for you. It’s not only one powerful tool for getting ahead. It’s a total game changer.
How and Why We Blog
Give this checklist a try if you think your business blog needs a revamp; it’ll help you get started reinventing your site. I’ve broken the checklist down: look and feel and content items.
Six Pixels of Separation
People tend to shrug their shoulders, roll their eyes or simply get freaked out at the slightest thought of making something that is not like us “human” (if you don’t believe me, watch science fiction movies like A.I. or Blade Runner). Before getting into a philosophical and semantic debate over what it actually means to be “human,” first think about what a brand really stands for.
What’s next blog?
Only 11% of teens email each day, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg told a Nielsen’s Consumer 360 conference in June. “Email is probably going away,” she said.
Related ala carte selections include
Do you think this would work?
Experience the Message
I just love this story: Nordstrom is rumored to be opening a concept store in SoHo where all thprofits are donated to charity.
Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Social Media Book List: 42 Rules to Turn Prospects into Customers and Success Secrets of Social Media Marketing Superstars
Filed Under Business Book, Business Life, Great Finds, Successful Blog | Leave a Comment
A Weekly Series by Teresa Morrow
I’m Teresa Morrow, Founder of Key Business Partners, LLC and I work with authors by managing their book promotion and publicity. As part of my job I read a lot of books (I love to read anyway!).
This week I will be highlighting two books; one author I am currently working with ’42 Rules to Turning Prospects into Customers’ by Meridith Elliott Powell and one book on the social media Amazon list ‘Success Secrets of Social Media Marketing Superstars’ by Mitch Meyerson .
The books I discuss in the Social Media Book List Series will cover a range of topics such as social media, marketing, blogging, business, organization, career building, finance, networking, writing, self development, and inspiration.
’42 Rules to Turning Prospects into Customers’
by Meridith Elliott Powell
“Between the specific action steps and the simplicity of Meridith’s ideas, I found myself eager to try what I learned in this benefit-rich book. I gained ideas for my business in almost every chapter and have been effortlessly taking new steps forward with my sales process. Meridith just makes the sales process so easy!”
Misti Burmeister, CEO Inspirion, Inc., New York Times Best-Selling Author, Boomers to Bloggers: Success Strategies across Generations
“Sales can seem overwhelming and scary to so many, but thank goodness for Meridith. She approaches the topic of sales in a unique way in her new book by laying out easy steps that lead to great relationships that close that deal. This book is ideal for everyone from the sales professional to the professional who never thought they would have to sell. By the time you finish Meridith’s book, you will be a salesperson with a smile.”
Marquesa Pettway, DTM, Reinvention Expert, Speaker, Author, Coach
About the Book*:
The economy is changing. Trust and value have become the new Return on Investment (ROI). Consumers are the new drivers of the market; they are in control of where, when, how and from whom they buy. To succeed in this economy you need to do it all – build relationships, establish trust and value, maximize efficiency and generate bottom line results.
In her new book, 42 Rules To Turn your Prospects into Customers, Meridith Elliott Powell draws on her 20-plus years in sales to give you a practical step-by-step guide on how to find the right prospects, build profitable relationships, close more sales and turn your customers into champions for your business. Through her experience, research and interviews with sales professionals, clients and executives, Powell has gathered valuable information that will help you navigate this change, get ahead of the curve, and succeed.
For sales people, business owners, and executives who need to know how to identify the right prospects; build quality relationships, and maximize their sales efforts, this book provides solid, actionable answers. The rules can be learned quickly and implemented immediately so you and your teams can develop your most critical skill – striking the balance between relationships and results.
Powell answers these questions and more:
• How can I make sure my networking efforts are setting me up for sales success?
• How do I maximize my time and minimize my expenses?
• How do I handle the stress of producing and meeting sales goals?
• How do I get my customers to buy my best and most valuable products or services?
• How do I standout from the competition?
Powell, a life-long student of sales and the sales process, is passionate about helping her clients succeed. Her experience, dedication to research and her desire to listen and learn from the ultimate teacher – our customers – ensure readers gain first hand knowledge of how to Turn Prospects into Customers.
This book is divided into three parts, each representing an important process in approaching prospects and turning them into customers.
Part I is The Foundation. It contains everything you need to consider before you go on your first sales call. I will walk you through every step and encourage you along the way. When you finish this section, you’ll actually look forward to setting up a sales call, and you’ll be eager to get started on your strategy.
Part II is The Call, your first visit with a potential customer. We will address how to use the foundation rules, and how to engage your customer so you design a sales experience that is positive for both of you.
Part III is The Follow-Up. These rules are so much more than just a thank-you card or a phone call; these are the rules that complete the movement of prospect to customer. They provide the opportunities to offer additional services to an already satisfied customer base, and to solidify relationships and retain business for the long term. A well-executed follow-up process will create a strategy strong in repeat business and
referrals.
About Meridith*:
Meridith Elliott Powell is a coach, speaker and business development expert. Meridith is passionate about networking, sales and service, and has dedicated herself to discovering why some people struggle and others succeed when it comes to developing these critical skills. On a self-described mission, Meridith uses everything she has learned to develop programs, coaching techniques and strategies to help people ignite their internal sales/networking flame.
Upbeat, energetic and cutting edge are just a few words used to describe Meridith’s selling and writing style. Prior to founding her company, MotionFirst, Meridith spent more than 20 years working in sales and leadership in the fields of finance, sales, marketing and strategy. In addition, she has been recognized numerous times for both her professional and charitable achievements.
Today she works as a certified strategist, coach, and human behavior specialist, working with a wide variety of clients ranging from health care to finance. She is an active member of the National Speakers Association, Lessons in Leadership and the American Society For Training and Development. In addition, she holds certifications as both a business and emotional intelligence coach.
You can purchase a copy of ’42 Rules to Turning Prospects into Customers’ online on the publisher site, Superstar Press, a Happy About imprint or on Amazon.
Next, I would like to introduce you to a book on the social media list on Amazon and on my reading list is ‘Success Secrets of Social Media Marketing Superstars’.
Success Secrets of Social Media Marketing Superstars
by Mitch Meyerson
About the Book*
Online marketing expert Mitch Meyerson presents you with an unmatched advantage into the world of social media – the priceless secrets, strategies, tactics and insights of more than 20 of today’s social media elite. Handpicked to cover almost every aspect of social media marketing, Meyerson and this distinguished team of experts open their playbooks and teach you how to create effective social media campaigns to cut through the clutter, reach out to millions and grow your business.
Features:
* Proven tips and tactics from 20+ top social media marketers
* The biggest mistakes businesses make with social media and how to fix them
* Actionable plans for all areas including social networks, blogs, web TV and mobile marketing
* Real-world case studies, best practices and proven techniques from the experts
* Detailed list of resources
Contributions from World-Class Social Media Experts:
* Keith Ferrazi & Tahl Raz: Relationship Strategy
* Brian Clark: Psychology of Social Media
* Mitch Meyerson: Online Marketing
* Ann Handley: Creating Content
* Gary Vaynerchuk: Building Mega-Followings
* Andy Willbes: Personality
* Chris Brogan: Building Communities
* Joel Comm: Success Qualities
* Craig Valentine: Communicate with Impact
* Starr Hall: Building Profits
* Dan Janal: PR Strategies
* Michael Stelzner: Go Viral
* Denise Wakeman: Business Blogs
* Mari Smith: Facebook
* Deborah Cole Micek: Twitter
* Barbara Rozgonyi: LinkedIn
* Julie Perry: YouTube
* Paul Colligan: Podcasting
* Chris Garrett: Social Bookmarking
* Kim Dushinski: Mobile Marketing
* Shama Kabani: Online Video
* Dave Evans: One Hour a Day
About Mitch Meyerson*:
Mitch Meyerson is a speaker, trainer, and the author of 9 books including Mastering Online Marketing, Guerrilla Marketing on the Internet, and Six Keys to Creating the Life You Desire. He has been a featured expert on Oprah and is the Founder of the Guerrilla Marketing Coach Certification Program. For more information, visit: www.MitchMeyerson.com
*courtesy of book website and Amazon
You can purchase a copy of ‘Success Secrets of Social Media Superstars’ on Amazon or on his website Mitch Meyerson.
I truly hope you will check out these books and please comment and let me know your thoughts on them.
How Will You Find Out Whether Your Community Is Bored, Broken, or Inspired to Take on the World?
Filed Under Community, Great Finds, Inside-Out Thinking, Marketing, Successful Blog, The Big Idea | 3 Comments
10-POINT PLAN: Assessing and Setting a Benchmark
Finding Out Before You Start
Ever asked someone to change something she’s been doing for years? It’s not the easiest endeavor. Even when we hate what we’re doing it’s become comfortable to us. For some people in some circumstances, it might even be part of our identity. Change is heady stuff.
No matter the value of the reward. It comes with the thought, “maybe the situation I’m leaving is somehow better. I wonder …”
One way to overcome the psychology of change is to measure.
Measurement proves to the people involved that the change is providing the progress that was promised, even when the progress only feels like work.
But before we can measure progress, we have know where we are when we start.
How to Benchmark Who’s Bored, Who’s Broken and Who’s Inspired to Take on the World
It’s an art and a science to gather the people who help our businesses thrive into a true community.
A community isn’t built or befriended. It’s connected by offering and accepting.
Community is affinity, identity, and kinship that make room for ideas, thoughts, and solutions.
Wherever a community gathers, we aspire and inspire each other intentionally . . . And our words shine with authenticity.
How do we know whether any of this is truly happening? How do might we benchmark our community connections before we start moving forward?
Evaulating Individual Relationships
A few years ago, Gallup came up with the Q12, a 12 question survey to measure employee engagement. Though they were intended for employees, they work well for any person, any barn raiser involved in creating a working community — employee, manager, vendor, partner, customer, friend of the business. Here they are:
- Do you know what is expected of you at work?
- Do you have the materials and equipment you need to do your work right?
- At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?
- In the last seven days, have you received recognition or praise for doing good work?
- Does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person?
- Is there someone at work who encourages your development?
- At work, do your opinions seem to count?
- Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important?
- Are your associates (fellow employees) committed to doing quality work?
- Do you have a best friend at work?
- In the last six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress?
- In the last year, have you had opportunities at work to learn and grow?
In the Q12 test it becomes easier to see which points of performance are being frustrated by resources and which are being frustrated by personnel issues.
Evaluating Social Relationships and Networks
When the q12 is paired with a simple informal social test called a sociogram, we can lay out an important picture. A sociogram points out channels of influence, communication, and interaction. Simple questions such as
- Which person would you ask to teach you something new?
- Which person would you ask to attend or a gathering of your friends?
- Which person would you want to offer you a recommendation on the quality of your work?
Those choice that receive many choices are stars. Those who receive none are isolates. Groups who mutually choose each other have formed cliques.
Whether we’re working with few freelancers, a team, or a corporation having firm idea of where we stand before we move forward is ideal. If we find someone from outside the system — someone who looks something like me, easy to talk with and sure to keep thing confidential, we can learn by using these two two sets of questions how people feel about the community that is forming. We’ll draw an idea of how bored, broken or inspired the community might be.We’ll be well on our way to pick out the champions who can pick up the tools and begin building new things with us.
They will raise a barn, not work away as they build our coliseum.
What are you doing to find out whether your community is bored, broken, or inspired to take on the world?
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To follow the entire series: Liz Strauss’ Inside-Out Thinking to Building a Solid Business, see the Successful Series Page.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!
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SOB Business Cafe 09-24-10
Filed Under Great Finds, Successful Blog | 2 Comments
Welcome to the SOB Cafe
We offer the best in thinking — articles, books, podcasts, and videos about business online written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.
The Specials this Week are
Social Media Explorer
“Who’s Jeff and why are we getting rid of the garage refrigerator?”
“Some guy from Craig’s List and it’s missing a couple shelves and the freezer doesn’t get cold enough.”
After a short discussion about how Jeff wasn’t from Craig’s List and hearing her explanation of which device will now keep our cookout beer cold, I learned she still had seven outstanding items left on the website. I was relieved neither of my children were among them, but what that meant was Nancy’s cell phone didn’t stop ringing the rest of the day.
Spin Sucks
Last night I participated in #SBT10 chat (or Start Blogging Today), as a guest, with moderators Danny Brown, Grant Griffiths, and John Haydon. Never have I so violently been reminded about how unethical, demanding, and just plain old wrong some professionals are in our industry. The first few questions I received were along the lines of, “As bloggers, how do we pitch PR firms so they pay attention to us?”
TRIB Local by Karen Putz
“I think Facebook is a huge waste of time,” a relative remarked recently. “I really don’t want anyone knowing what I’m up to and I don’t see the point in Facebook.”
I personally think my relative is missing out on some great stuff, because both Facebook and Twitter have enriched my life in different ways.
Marketing Profs
Nearly eight in 10 of the nation’s smallest companies (79%) say marketing is a major success factor for their business and nearly one-half (46%) of such firms, or microbusinesses, say they are using some type of social media for marketing, according to a survey from Vistaprint.
Chris L. Jordan
When we remove ourselves from our safe zones, we force ourselves into an enhanced state of decision making.
Related ala carte selections include
Business Opportunities Weblog
Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
I’m a proud affiliate of
SOB Business Cafe 09-17-10
Filed Under Great Finds, Successful Blog | 1 Comment
Welcome to the SOB Cafe
We offer the best in thinking — articles, books, podcasts, and videos about business online written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.
The Specials this Week are
AdRants
BBDO is out with some new work for FedEx. Four commercials highlight…wait a minute. What the hell is there to explain about FedEx that everyone doesn’t already know? Nothing. Why does the brand still advertise? We have no idea. Oh wait, yea, we do. Because people are so fickle that if you don’t slap them upside the head with your message 3,000 times a day, they’ll defect to your competition.
Hub Spot
This will give you the headlines, but you may want to take the additional time and understand why these experts came up with their practical advice. I cannot remember when I’ve received this much solid advice in such a short amount of time.
JeffBullas
I don’t know if you can remember your days at school where how many friends you had was something to be valued in the school playground.
If you only had one or two friends you were viewed as something of a loser.
Being the leader of a group or “gang” you were seen as influential and could wield power and make your followers take action through coercion or through your influence.
IT Professionals
Don’t get me wrong, is some cases, every detail needs to be perfect. However, the problem with always trying to strive for perfection is that it takes much longer to perform tasks.
Smart Blogs On Social Media
You go where your customers are. We have a pretty robust presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. On those platforms we are reaching consumers of all varieties (enthusiasts, gamers, media experts, etc.) We have consistent presence on LinkedIn where we are reaching our business audiences. Our forums and communities on Intel.com are where our developers and IT audiences are highly engaged.
Related ala carte selections include
Sales Rescue Team
Is Social Media ROI on your mind? This list can help.
Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
I’m a proud affiliate of
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