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Entrepreneurship Isn’t a Solo Activity

January 31, 2013 by Rosemary

By Rosemary O’Neill

“It’s a way more fun world when we’re all winning.” Liz Strauss, at SOBCon NW 2012

Attending SOBCon NW last year was a highlight for me (and you can still get in on SOBCon Chicago), and one of the most memorable quotes was the one above, from Liz herself.

She didn’t mean it in a “kid sports team where everyone gets a trophy” way. She meant that when we help each other achieve, we often find ourselves achieving our own goals along the way.

Give Your Gift Generously and Without Reservation

Of course, everyone has competitors. Particularly in the online arena, it’s exceedingly difficult to provide a service or create a product that’s truly unique. But you know what can’t be copied? You.

Your personality, your style, and your experiences don’t belong to anyone else in the world. Your gift to your customers is your unique approach, based on your life and perspective. That can’t be copied.

So it’s OK to share your ideas, suggestions, and support with those around you. Give a leg up to your fellow entrepreneurs, and you’ll be surprised at how great it makes you feel.

Embrace Your Competitors

I have several people I count as friends who work for companies that compete in the same space with me. My daily task is to create a huge pie—so huge that we can all have big slices together.

In fact, if I’m dealing with a potential customer who will be better served by the services of a competitor, I’ll send ‘em over. Call me crazy, but if I’m the instrument by which someone achieves their vision (even if it’s with a competing product), then it’s all good.

You’re Not Alone

It can seem as if it’s you against the Internet sometimes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are so many smart, funny, generous people out there who are ready and willing to share their time and treasure to help you get unstuck. Since SOBCon Portland last November, I’ve stayed in touch with a lot of my fellow participants, shared business leads, offered support, gotten support, and kept my tank full!

Want to meet a huge group of amazing entrepreneurs and doers who will help you win? Register for SOBCon Chicago 2013.

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Filed Under: Community, management, SOB Business, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Community, sobcon, support

Being There

January 17, 2013 by Rosemary

Editorial Note: This post deviates from our regularly scheduled programming because I thought it was timely as Liz kicks cancer’s butt. ~Rosemary

By Ric Dragon

Life plays math tricks on us.

First is diminishing time. Each hour and each day is still an hour and a day, but as we age, that passing day represent a smaller part of our lives. At two days old, 24 hours is half of your life. At 50 years old, it’s 1/18,250th.

When we were in high school four years seem to linger on interminably, whereas those same four years of our child’s high school seem to flash by. Tempus doesn’t simply fugit, but takes on the exaggerated swiftness of the Keystone Cops in a silent movie.

Another lesson in arithmetic is that in time, it’s only natural that we come to have more memories of people who’ve died. After living in my rural neighborhood for over 25 years, a drive down the road can be marked with remembrance of deceased neighbors in a house there, and another yonder – like a monk counting out prayers on rosary beads.

Of course, all life ceases, so certainly if you live to the outer rings of average life expectancy, you will experience many losses. Some people experience death early in life. I was fortunate in that I recall very few deaths until my twenties. The passing of a great uncle afforded me the opportunity to witness a genuine wake in the Deep South of Alabama. As the man was a stranger to me, my impressions are marked most vividly by the chicken farm and kudzu-covered forests.

Occurrences of life-threatening illnesses increase. Before your own chess game with the grim reaper, you’ll come to know many, many people to suffer from illnesses such as cancer. As you gather with any other two people, consider that there is a great chance that before you die, one of you will develop cancer. Before 50 years, though, only about one out of 36 men, and one out of 21 women. As we age, it’s only natural that we’ll know a lot of people to develop cancer, and so many more that are touched by it in their close circle of family and friends.

Sitting With Friends

When you’re given anesthesia for surgery, it can be the deepest dreamless sleep. Once, when I was under for a minor operation, I woke up for a few seconds, and saw my mother sitting at the bedside chair. I fell back asleep, but seemed to feel comfort that she was there.

In many cultures, it’s commonplace to visit sick people and sit with them. In Judaism, it’s called bikkur holim. In the very different world of the deep South, it’s just called sittin’ up with someone. I’m aware of the practice, but it wasn’t really passed on to me – it’s not something I did. As people I have known became sick, or experienced great losses in their own lives, I haven’t been a good friend. Death and sickness make me uncomfortable, and I’m overcome with a feeling of awkwardness.

Visiting Friends

I’m reminded of this sick-people-avoidance tendency as I have a front-row seat, visiting a friend in the throes of chemotherapy. I’m reminded of my own youthful reticence to encounter the ill. No one deserves to be alone in his or her struggles. But I can see that it isn’t easy for my sick friend to reach out.

People are social creatures. Other species may prefer to go off and hide in the tall grass when sick, but we humans draw sustenance and power from the presence of others.

Often though, our sick friends don’t ask for us. They might feel miserable and misanthropic. They might be restrained by the hundreds of unspoken cultural niceties, which we don’t even remember where or when we learned. As my friend said, “it’s poor form to show weakness, even with cancer.”

Yet another friend reminded me, though, that someone who is ill and depressed is going to have trouble reaching out to even her closest friends. She added that you shouldn’t wait for her to call you, but be proactive. “If you’re going to the supermarket, call and ask what you can bring her – not IF you can bring her anything, but WHAT you can bring her, because otherwise she may say, ‘oh that’s ok, I don’t really need anything.’ Call her and say, ‘I’m in the mood for a chick flick tonight – if you’re up to it, I’d like to bring over [fill in the blank] and watch it with you – it’s so much more fun to watch with a friend.’”

She said, “Don’t offer to be there when needed, just go and be there. If we can’t handle your visit, if we don’t want to watch a movie, if we don’t want your leftovers, we can tell you. It’s easier for us to do that than to reach out.”

I know that to pull away is only human. It’s frightening to be reminded of the inevitability of mortality, and of the fear of losing someone. But it’s human, too, to reach out and touch – and to let each other know that we’re scared, and that we’re here.

A recommended site: Invisible Illness Week

Author’s Bio: Ric Dragon is the founder and CEO of DragonSearch, a digital marketing agency with offices in Manhattan and Kingston, NY. Dragon is the author of the “DragonSearch Online Marketing Manual” and “Social Marketology” (McGraw Hill; June 2012), and has been a featured speaker at SMX East, Conversion Conf, CMS Expo, and BlogWorld, on the convergence of process, information architecture, SEO, and Social Media. You can find Ric on Twitter as @RicDragon.

 

Filed Under: Community, Motivation, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Community

Measuring what Matters – #SOBCon chat for 1/17/2013 w/ @philgerb @starbucker and more!

January 9, 2013 by SOBCon Authors

This is the year we get beyond likes, followers and hits and start measuring what really matters. But how do we get more of what really matters and stop focusing on the numbers?

Phil Gerbyshak, Chief Connections Officer, Milwaukee Social MediaJoin Phil Gerbyshak, Chief Connections Officer of Milwaukee Social Media (and our first ever SOBCon speaker) for his thoughts on this for the January SOBCon chat. We will also have an update about SOBCon Chicago from Terry @Starbucker St. Marie, and visits from Heidi Thorne, Amber Cleveland and a whole lot more fun and excitement.

We look forward to seeing YOU on on SOBCon Twitter chat on January 17th, 2013 at 1 PM EST/ 12 Noon CST / 11 AM MST / 10 AM PST.

Filed Under: SOBCon Site Posts Tagged With: bc, Community, metrics

Growing Your Business: Four Tips for Female Entrepreneurs

September 10, 2012 by Liz

by
Ken Myers

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What’s the key to small business success? There are many aspects to creating a successful small business — having a skill that others will pay for is only the first step. With more women than ever before getting involved in entrepreneurship, it’s important to be fully prepared with as much information on small business success as you can get.

Growing Your Business: Four Tips for Female Entrepreneurs

What’s the key to cultivating a lasting small business? Below, you’ll find four tips that other women in small business have used to reach their goals.

1. Connect in the Community

No matter what business you create, there are two major avenues for you to think about: Your “business-to-consumer” strategy and your “business-to-business” strategy. Even if you focus mainly on making sales directly to consumers, you can find great ways to achieve institutional contracts by addressing a need that others may not realize is there. Meet with other local business owners to find ways that you can cooperate for mutual benefit. Consider the needs of nonprofit organizations such as schools and libraries, too.

2. Build Your Expert Credentials

To create an enduring business, it’s essential that you become known as an expert in your field. Showcasing your expertise allows you to find customers more easily and put them at their ease. There are many different ways to do this — you can become active in industry associations and volunteer organizations, for example. Publishing books and articles on your subject is also a road to becoming a recognized expert. Help people get comfortable with your reputation! They will reward your efforts with repeat business.

3. Don’t Neglect the Internet

When you have a steady source of local business, you are at a huge advantage compared to competitors who mainly use the Internet to find their clients. That said, you should never neglect the Internet. Local clients and those who will be visiting your area for a short time will both use Internet search engines to find you. Make sure that your business is listed in “local search” features across the various major search sites; also ensure that your site allows potential customers to contact you, make purchases or set reservations. The longer your site is active, the easier it will be to discover you online.

4. Leverage Local Resources

Women in business can benefit from a large number of local, state and national resources. In addition to major volunteer organizations such as Rotary International, you’ll also find excellent resources at your local chamber of commerce and similar concerns. Don’t forget that, as a female entrepreneur, you can often qualify for grants and other assistance from the federal government and a wide variety of pro-business establishments. It is a good idea to gain some knowledge of grant proposal writing and fundraising!

Remember that a business does not typically turn a substantial profit in its first year. Many small businesses close within five years — and it may take up to three years for a business on a successful trajectory to begin showing a healthy balance sheet. During this time, it is important that you gain as much insight as possible into the aspects of business that support your main operation. Always be on the lookout for ways to expand your marketing efforts using word of mouth and direct contact within your local area.

Author’s Bio:
Ken Myers as an Expert Advisor on multiple household help issues to many Organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance. He is a regular contributor of “www.gonannies.com/”. You can get in touch with him at k.meyerst20@gmail.com.

Buy the Insider’s Guide to Online Conversation.

Filed Under: management, Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, business success, Community, female entrepreneurs, social community, social media community

Have Cool Traditions, Inside Jokes, and Shared Experiences

May 3, 2012 by Rosemary

by
Rosemary O’Neill

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Traditions, Inside Jokes, and Shared Experiences

If you’re trying to build a true community, you must incorporate this type of shared experience. It creates fodder for conversation, bonds people together, and acts as the glue that keeps members coming back for more.

Here are some ideas for creating shared moments in your community:

  • If a discussion starts to look like a “meme,” highlight it. Make t-shirts, write a blog post about it, create a Twitter hashtag.
  • Celebrate things. It could be birthdays, anniversaries, made-up holidays within your community…when people come together to celebrate something, they bond.
  • Practice some mild hazing. Welcome new members and make them feel included by having them accomplish some task or ritual.
  • Explain some of the traditions. It’s always good to have an “intro to our community” page where you spell out why every Friday is “post a picture of your desk” day.
  • Offer a shared “scrapbook” space where your members can post picture or videos.
  • Host offline meetups or video events. Seeing someone’s face definitely creates a shared experience.

Do you have any cool traditions in your community? How do you honor them?

_____

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out their blog. You can find her on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee
_____

Filed Under: Community, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Community, connections, culture, LinkedIn

Influence: 7 Keys to a Trust Network that Will Grow Your Business

April 9, 2012 by Liz

IRRESISTIBLE BUSINESS: A Trust Network

The Strongest Networks Thrive on Trust and the Truth

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Last September, a man I admire and respect gave me what is possibly the highest compliment of my business life. We were speaking of filters and sharing information, when he said …

Even those who see the world differently, trust you to tell them the truth.

Good news, bad news, exciting developments, dire warnings — Data is simply information.

Information is nothing if we can’t trust it.

Without information we trust, we can’t move without risk.

7 Keys to Trust that Will Establish Your Business, Your Brand and Your Reputation

One of my most popular interactive presentations is called “Who’s Telling Your Story?” It outlines a clear strategy to enlist and inspire a deeply active community of fiercely loyal fans who spread your story and protect your brand. The first key point in that presentation is to know your story and to build your network before you need it.

But not all networks are equal. The network that builds a business, a brand and a reputation is connected by deep trust and consistent behavior.

That trust network is not simply a contact list, a customer base, or even a team of people who love the company and it’s customers. That trust network is people who tell our best true story, move to action when we ask, and protect us from threats. A network like that doesn’t happen by happy accident. It takes deep commitment, consistent trustworthy behavior, and relentless focus.

Here are the 7 Keys that attract the people who will join your truest trust network and bring their fiercely loyal friends.

  1. Identify and hold true your deal-breaker values — the qualities that define you.
  2. Communicate your goals and intentions. Let people know the why behind the what you’re doing.
  3. Make and keep promises and commitments to yourself, your team, and your larger community.
  4. Anticipate needs. Don’t assume others’ needs are what yours would be.
  5. Be aware if you offer treat people differently and know why you do. Those of us who care know, do you?
  6. Own your actions and their impact. Apologize quickly, well, and concisely for bad judgment, bad behavior, and bad math.
  7. Tell the truth … as gently or as firmly as the people and situation suggests you should.

Think of your best bosses, your best teachers, the best team you ever were on, your best friends and coworkers, how many of these seven did / do they have? How much better would they have been / be, if your answer was all seven?

To build a community network that brings you information you can trust, do all 7 for the people who love you now and the word will get out faster, easier, and more meaningfully than any story you might tell.

Start by doing the first with a vengeance. Then get moving on the second. As you do them, notice how the way you see your business changes and the they way people respond. Move sure and slowly. Keep all 7 Keys in the decisions you make and notice how your decisions become more focused and how those decisions attract people you trust.

The value of information is in how much you trust the source.
The essence of influence is trust.

A reputation of trustworthiness is a barrier to entry that’s hard to cross.
A trust network of people who share that trust and act on it — employees, volunteers, vendors, partners, customers, shareholders, advisors, friends, family — amps that barrier up exponentially to irresistible.

How will your own trust network that will grow your business and your brand?
Get started.

Be irresistible.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

Buy the Insider’s Guide to Online Conversation.

Filed Under: Business Life, Community, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Community, influence, LinkedIn, network, reputation

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