Can Anything Replace a Real Conversation?

March 9, 2010

My blog is one big conversation on business and life! I like the sound of that slogan. I believe it, too. One of my good friends, Reagan Dailey will be blogging soon (his blog is in development). So will another friend, Tracie McCormick at Shinguards and Leotards. (Tracie is also a guest blogger on my most recent project, Pizza Game Night, Creating a Culture of Family and Fun.) I think I have helped to encourage them to do so. I love it and I am looking forward to carrying on the conversation with both of them.

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Social Media for Insurance Agencies

March 6, 2010

Over the last few months I have spent a considerable amount of time “enhancing the web presence” of one of my businesses in Texas. Much of this time has been spent on the intricacies of getting our website, www.spinstx.com, to move up in the rankings of the search engines. I have done this by registering with various local search sites, industry specific sites, blogging, updating content, and the list goes on and on. Through this process, I delved more deeply into the “Social Media/Networking” arena and have learned a few things in the process.

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A Place To Get Work Done

March 4, 2010

I have an office. It is for my insurance business. Many of our customers want to know they are dealing with a bricks and mortar operation, even though it is not absolutely necessary to have a location in the insurance business. From time to time, I need to get away from the office to do my work. This might seem counter intuitive, but it is true. I have found that getting out of the office to get work done is an effective method of managing my time. The key is finding the right location.

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Creating Value in a Commoditized World

March 1, 2010

Much has been said of creating value for clients. I trained at a company that focused on values based selling. This company does not monopolize the idea that focusing on value is a key differentiator in winning the deal. Competition is fierce and will only get more fierce moving forward. With the economy tightening daily, it is important for businesses to determine the value they bring to their clients and devolop sound methods for articulating this value. Displaying value is not enough as clients also expect you to deliver on that value proposition.

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Things I Learned This Week (don’t delete your twitter account)

February 27, 2010

I am 38 years old.  That’s not too old, and it’s not too young.  My quest to learn is relentless.  I want to learn about new ideas and people.  I want to learn about different cultures.  I want to learn Spanish.  This week (and mostly today), I learned quite a few things and I hope [...]

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Dealing With Blogger’s Block

February 25, 2010

No, it’s not a cop out. I have blogger’s block. I was extremely happy when I realized that this was my issue this evening, especially since I thougth I had discovered a new term. Of course, I was incredibly upset upon Googleing “Blogger’s Block” and discovering that I am not alone. And of course, there is the text book (Urban Dictionary) definition: Inability to think of anything to blog about.

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Being at the Right Place at the Right Time

February 23, 2010

I know people who always seem to have good things happen to them.  They always seem to be in the right place at the right time.  I was watching an old re-run of Seinfeld last night and saw a perfect example of this (watch the first minute and a half for the illustration and the whole thing if [...]

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Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits

February 21, 2010

Social media marketing and networking is a necessity for non profits. As a business, you are subject to the same competitive rules as for profit businesses. As a non profit, you have more limited resources than many businesses and you need to find a way to efficiently market your non profit. There are only so many resources to go around and you are competing with other businesses and interestes for these resources. Social Media is one of the methods that business of all sizes, including non profit businesses can achieve these goals effectively and effeciently.

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Social Media as a Small Business Strategy

February 18, 2010

Social Media is a big deal. If you don’t believe it, you are living in a dream world. Millions of people flock to social media sites each day. As a small business owner, you need to develop a small business strategy that fits your business, your time and your needs. As a definition of small business, I will focus on companies with 10 or fewer employees here, though I know that small business encompasses a much broader range.

Social Media/Networking is growing exponentially at this time. You’ve heard of Facebook and Twitter and you’ve probably heard of LinkedIn. But have you heard of Plaxo, Ning, Fast Pitch, Merchant Circle or Biznik? I have, and I have spent a vast amount of time in each of these networks. Social Media is a way for you to participate in the conversation related to your interests and industry. It is a way for you to network with others and advertise your business. I have read many places where “social media is free.” Let me dispel that notion immediately. This is not the case as some social media sites require a premium for some of their services. Even so, the dollar cost of social media is essentially nothing for the basic services.

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What to do at the end of the day?

February 17, 2010

Daughter is asleep. Wife is asleep. I’m watching the Texas – Missouri basketball game. I have caught up on my reading on selected articles from my Google Reader. I have read and posted feedback on the blogs and articles that I found relevant. Now, what should I do? According to Gary Vaynerchuck, now is the time to Crush It! (I just completed his book of the same title. I do recommend it, especially since I like short books).

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