In these times of tight revenue streams marketing has become more important than ever. Many misunderstand marketing or abuse the science behind human behavior to exploit others. They believe it is the art of convincing people to buy things you want them to have. Convincing them to spend money on items they do not need. This is not how to build a sustainable business or brand.
Marketing should be instead about finding out what people want and/or need and then educating them on how they can obtain these items or services. This will create sustainability. People speak of identity and branding and yet fail to address integrity and authenticity which in business are as if not more important. Would you rather have large sums of money money one time or multiple streams of sustainable cash flow because you are solving a need?
The question at hand is what sort of business are you running? What are its core values?
Just as a good consultant looks for what their client needs and find a way to supply them a good marketing or sales person does this with the good and services they source.
Over the past 2 years my friends and family have warned me to watch out for people trying to screw me. Sadly their words have proven true more often than not. As a result Effective Sept 1 new policies and rates are going into place. Long term contracts are now $85/hr. All other work is a min of $100/hr and all clients will be converted to a monthly prepay retainer depending on past business. With smaller clients paying $100/mo and medium paying $400-$1000/mo in advance each month. If payment is not received no work will be done.
I apologize for anyone this affects adversely however too many have opted to not pay their invoices or monies due in a timely manner and while I dislike having to make this adjustment I must put personal feelings aside and get people to understand that payment is required for any service rendered.
Force, violence, rough play - whether it be against people or animals is an indication of issues within the person perpetrating because of a need to use force to control, manipulate and subjugate to compensate for their sense of inferiority (sometimes masked as superiority) and fear resulting in the need to dominate others to bolster their self worth and feelings of insecurity - beware of the bully - these people may do you great emotional and/or possibly physical harm
Never try to be what someone else wants or think you should be
Treat everyone with respect as your equal
Stay only where you are wanted
Leave quietly when told to
Be courteous to everyone
Treat people not how you want to be treated but pay attention and treat them as they want to be treated (example - rewarding someone with opera tickets who likes fishing or a country western concert) aka knowing the difference between giving someone what they want and giving them what you want them to have
Listen to people more than you talk
Let your yes be your yes and your no be your no
Remember: Those that matter will accept you and those who do not it is their loss not yours - this is a lesson I learned early in life and was reminded twice today once was a conversation I had with my close friend about a joint negative experience he and I both had recently.
Why: Because regardless of what you do people will see you not for who and what you are but for who and what they are. As such it is best to just be yourself and remain authentic because it is far better to be rejected for who you are than accepted for who you are not.
Driving back these thoughts kept creeping to my mind – what do they mean? Bottom line it is the reason why some people achieve great things and others fail. So often people play at relationships regardless of whether they are business or person. They seek playmates instead of partners and wonder why things do not work.
If life is short should we not?
Treat children like children
Treat adult like adult
Let your yes be your yes
Let your no be your no
Say what you mean
Mean what you say
Let your actions match your words
Let your words match your actions
Respect others
Behave in such a way others are required to treat us with respect
Make constructive use of our time
Not allow others to waste our time and respect the time of others
Let’s look deeper
A playmate is someone who entertains you and does what is in their interest at the time because it is fun to them your thoughts and feelings are of little consequence
A partner is someone who believes in and compliments you and does what is in your best interest at the time both short and long term because they care about respect and want what is best for you
Which type of people do you surround yourself with?
Playmate - A companion in play or recreation (excitement or entertainment)
Partner - One that is united or associated with another or others in an activity or a sphere of common interest, especially a business partnership or a spouse
In business people often wrongly believe business people do what they do to take on risk and excitement – while this may be true for some it is largly a misunderstanding – a business person has a vision – a mental image that they are willing to work to make a reality.
How do we fail?
We do not believe people when they tell us who they are – examples: Business:
Someone tells you they do not respect you and you keep allowing them to use or take advantage of you
Someone steals from you and you allow them back in your business to continue to liberate items at your expense
Someone lies to your face to allow them to do so
Personal that can be applied to business
Someone tells you they plan to use you and you convince yourself they did not mean it
Someone tells you that they will be unfaithful and you dismiss it as a joke
Someone tells you they are in love with someone else and you continue to stay with them
Someone only comes around when they want something from you
Someone curses you out and you allow them to do so repeatedly
So what is commitment?
Being true to yourself
Knowing that you have value and making sure you are treated with the respect and courtesy you deserve
Making statements and sticking to them
Respecting your time enough not to waste others nor allow them to waste yours
Quotes on Commitment and Responsibility:
I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen - Frank Lloyd Wright
I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got - Walter Cronkite
We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort - Jesse Owens
We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world - Woodrow Wilson
Whatever happens, take responsibility - Anthony Robbins
Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness - great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy - Jim Rohn
Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It is we who control these, and not another - Richard Bach
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today - Abraham Lincoln
Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame - Erica Jong
So here are the real questions:
Can I trust you with my life and livelihood?
Can I believe you when you tell me someone?
Are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals?
If you answered no to any of these questions – I would reconsider entering any serious relationship especially if it involves starting business.
Also ask yourself these questions:
What do you want?
Who do you place first?
Who are you (Are you a child seeking a playmate or an adult seeking a partner)?
So what to achieve - here is something to consider
What is the bottom line? If you are wanting to stay the same - not grow and change then respectfully you are not even committed to yourself so how can you be committed to another person or a business?
Why - because insanity is doing the same things over and over again expecting different results. If you want different results you must do different things!
For far too many a painful negative or unproductive known is better than an unknown even if that unknown is better - why - people confuse comfort with health, growth and change with pain, and allow fear not faith to dictate their lives.
I think I will start out with a little humor (albeit with a message) before getting into this post
Today a someone attempted to commit a robbery of a local store. The description given was "black man" driving a vehicle like mine. As a result today I was pulled over and questioned 3 times One time I was cleaning out my vehicle minding my own business an officer drove by then came back around and approached me from the rear. Then another officer came hand on gun. Sure after they spoke to me they decided I was not this person. I asked why and their explanation was that description and the words - we had to check you out to be sure.
Here is my though - with technology being in the state it is now would there not have been some sort of surveillance footage that if nothing else would have shown what that person was wearing so that a cursory visual inspection would have ruled me out. Next would be did the person have a beard and was it the same color as mine? Sure after quested and being determined it was not me the officers were polite enough but it reminded me of many bad experiences in the past and the fact that we as a society still have a long way to go.
I know there are some who are saying the officers were just doing their job - people I am not disputing that rather I am the systemic bias which exists in our society that affects how people do their job in every aspect of life. Consider these discriptions:
caucasian male in a blue car
asian male in a red car
hispanc male in a black car
etc
Now be honest - which of these pairing do you think would have resulted in the leos stopping every vehicle that matched the description?
My solutions were simple
Always be polite and respectful when addressing leos
Come home to remove myself from any further chances of exposure
Here are the thoughts that today inspired
We live in a society that is not equitable or fair and a bias toward ethnic minoirties exist
Knowing a bias exists we have a simple choice - allow this bias to affect us negatively and internalize their chortcomings causing anger or knowing this exists conducting ourselves in such a way where as much as possible it is obvious their misconception regarding me are extremely misguided
What lessons can we take from this that can be applied to business knowing there is a bias:
Always conduct yourself with dignity
Always work to give your best
People will assume the worst of you - do not allow their expectation s of you to define you
Listen critically to what people are saying them work to remove their excuses
Let your actions speak for you
Keep i mind no one is any better or smarter than you so conduct yourself as their equal and treat them with the dignity you expect from them
Anyone can react and allow others to define their actions, it take a mature person to excercise self control and not allow others to control or define them
Remember bias and prejudice as much as people and society try to mask its are nothing more than projected self hatred and fear - people trying to push and deny their own shortcomings and issues by blaming you because you can only dislike or hate another when that hatred has taken root in yourself - so you cannot give what you do now already have or own.
Most of you know know me already know my thoughts on the myths of race and its design as a control system to create arbitrary separation where none exists to distract people from focusing on the real issues of importance - but that is a topic for another time.
I will post these as a closing thought
I did some serious but as I started ended using humor (with a point) and then with some serious food for thought!
What do you think?
What would you do?
Have you by your action or inaction perpetuated this?
Here is my closing point:
People's opinions of you are like any other gift (ties at Christmas, the strange sweater, etc) - you can choose to accept it and make it your or you can decline it and say no thank you!
So many are discussing all of the circumstances around his actions of late and to me at least the core issues are not being discussed or at least not the ones I think should be:
Incorrect priorities - instant gratification, adoration and pleasure was more important than the commitment to his partner
Instead of focusing on what he had - a loving wife and children the focus was on what he felt is was missing
Breach of agreement - when the wedding took place certain promised were made which in business terms constituted a breach of agreement
Not fulling grasping the nature of his position - what man people who seek positions of fame, prominence or influence forget is that these roles in life come with a price and one must be willing to accept that people will look to you as an example and that any mistake you make will be magnified for some to make themselves feel better by devaluing you and others because their faith in you and hopes of finally finding a worthy role model were destroyed
How could this have been avoided - what is the solution (note: this are only my opinions)?
Focus on your goals - what is important and them ask yourself how this person or action moves you toward your aspiration (if they are a destructive influence remove yourself)
If a person is a sex addict much like an alcoholic for some the only way to deal with the problem is never to put yourself in a position of temptation (like waling into a liquor store). In the case of a sex addict one would avoid being in situations alone with anyone other than your family.
In business contracts are agreements stating the base line expectation which ideally your conduct will exceed such that the paperwork is redundant and never needed - same in a marriage - a person should strive to conduct themselves in such a way the agreement is never examined or brought into question
Focus on what you have. Too often people complain about things that do not really matter and overlook what is important. Let me put it this way which person is more beneficial Person 1 - fun to be with, great at parties, says all of the right things in public, makes you laugh, great sex, is exciting, undependable, disrespects you , breaks commitments, complains about what you are not doing for them, is self absorbed, does nothing to help you and upon closer examination leaves a path of destruction behind them. Person 2 - Loyal, respects you, is willing to inconvenience themselves for you to have what you need, acts in your mutual best interests, keeps their obligations to the best of their ability, tries to take an active interest in what you are doing, edifies you where possible and always treats you will respect because they are interested in your well being vs what you can do for them.
I could go on however I think you get where I am going - the topic being discussed while never addressed directly to me is a matter of emotional maturity.
An underlying question that is not discussed but I will bring up is the self image of ethnic minorities - could it be possible that the actions were in part due to the fact on some level despite all of the hard work there was a feeling of being unworthy so instead of focusing on the root cause and resolving because they were unaware situations were created to self sabotage and make their life better match their self image - just a thought to ponder.
These are my thoughts - what are yours?
I will close with this thought:
If you are a person lacking integriety the rules do not matter
If you are a person of character the rules do not matter
The only difference between the two is in the first society will hold you accountable where as in the second you hold yourself
You exist so serve me - I have no obligation to serve you
Do as I say not as I do - I know what is best for you
I cannot do that work - it is beneath me
So much of society these day is based on entitlement. People wanting things they have not earned. The whole healthcare debate is a prime example of this. I will not be political rather I will explain it with a question - if the programs and reforms are so good for us then should not the people crafting the legistlation be themselves willing to enroll ihemselves and their family into the program and prop their seperate system.
I am all for helping others and making sure that people are provided for and I am not even going to get into choice, rather I am speaking of a time old leadership principles.
How many of you remember:
Never ask people to do anything you are not willing to do yourself.
Never think you are any better than anyone else.
Lead by example.
Any work you do is a reflection on you regardless of what it is
So, what is the point of this post - a few simple questions:
When did we become so insecure and exploitative?
What happened to the dignity of work?
What happened to the concept of integrity?
When did appearance become more important than substance?
When did pride become the norm?
What happened to service before self?
Why when people are successful or achieve some feat do the seek to tear them down, find flaws or in some manner destroy them instead of asking how did they do that and what lessons can I learn from them?
First some humor - the first person has their cell implanted in finger, second in nose and the third is receiving a fax - care to guess where it is coming out?
Seems like the past few days I have been sharing my thoughts on prorated fees for data both land line and cell based. Instead of various sentences explaining my position figured it would be good to put most of my thoughts in a single place.
The simple version is I do not think it is ethical or right for me to pay for someone else’s mistakes. When a company leader or leadership team decides to pay themselves and their staff large bonuses instead of investing in infrastructure due to poor planning and then complain because the consumers did what was requested and punish them for listening and doing only what they were asked it is wrong. Further when a company is loosing money executives do not deserve any bonuses period – how can you reward someone for poor performance or when a company reduces work force artificially or cooks the books. If we want to keep the same structure in place with little changes then instead of basing on quarterly or yearly do so on a weighted 3 year performance so that strategy is required. However I think factors such as customer satisfaction (rating on meeting of real and implied customer expectations and service) should factor into compensation as well as the performance of all departments with at least a third based on customer service and a minority based on meeting your own personal objectives.
Long version using analogy. I equate exploitation to strip mining or to plowing a field using a crop that you know will after 1 or 2 seasons leave the soil infertile. Sure you can do it and it is your choice but it is not wise because sue the cash crop will get you $3-4/unit for two seasons but does it not make more sense to run crops that will consistently ensure you get a $2/unit over 10-15 years while allowing you in off seasons to use that same soil to grow other items which will also allow you some gain say another $2-3/unit and leave the nutrients in place and with proper planning albeit more work allow a longer effective yield of about $4-5/unit. Or look at it this way – you can rob a bank and provided you do not get caught get away with say $200K one time but you cannot spend the money and must launder it say for 20-40% so you make say $120-160K and when that money is gone if you did not invest you have to rob another bank and home you are not caught and in the process of taking money from others you did not in fact earn you harm the bank customers or you kill some people – get where I am going? Yet, you start a sound business or you get a nice paying job – you are making say $20-30K/yr – 10 years = $200 - 300K providing a service and risking no potential harm or loss of life.
So lets move on to the sell of bandwidth. My question is why has more money been invested in the equivalent of hub technology – shared bandwidth. Example – 100 GB and 50 users = max worst case 2 GB/user instead of switch (more efficient) so 100 GB and 50 users = 100 GB/user. Any here is how I explain what has been done in the industry overall but I will use cakes as an example of my opinion of the pay for more bandwidth scenario:
XYZ Cake Company - Buy our new flavor of cake it is great and has all of these layer of icing – you will really enjoy and it will dazzle your taste buts and improve your live – is you are diabetic – no worries there either we have a formulation that is sugar free
Consumer – that sounds great I will get on
XYZ Cake Company – great – do think any of your family members want one
Consumer – sure - want two (2) more for them?
XYZ Cake Company – Happy to hear that here you go
Consumer – Thank you and takes cakes home and presents cakes to family. Family members take a bite of their own cakes and there is a knock on the door
XYZ Cake Company – For each bite of the cake here is the cost/bite
Consumer – but I already paid for the cake and the container to carry it and now you are telling me I have to pay for each bite I take
XYZ Cake Company – that is correct – in the past we thought the cost of the cake covered the materials and the extra we charged for the container to take it home in covered our expenses but we realized demand for the cakes was so great we were loosing money because we did not anticipate demand and our manufacturing plants and the container maker cannot keep up so we are charging you for each bite of the cake to generate money to cover our poor planning
Consumer – you are joking right – this cannot be right
XYZ Cake Company – see the fine print on the contract you signed – we can assure you it is perfectly legal – further – we see you are using you own silverware and napkins – that is unacceptable – you must use our (here is the cost) or you will not be able to eat the cake and should for what ever reason you find a problem since you were not using our items we can not nothing to make matters right by you.
Here is the question – would you buy a cake from a company who sold them like that?
So what are your thoughts want to know your opinions
Disclaimer - this post in is strictly my personal opinion and posted in part because I personally believe I or my partners in my new venture could do a better job of running most companies while assuring that they are both sustainable and profitable with a focus on innovation leading to profit instead of profit in and of itself. No company is identified and the only one's mentioned are done so for humor or to explain and differentiate the technology used.
all have in common (this may take a while and is a long post and near the end I hope I have pulled it all together and would like to know your thoughts.)
Sex - so often the focus of many and for some a goal and a mean unto itself. Some would argue it is a powerful driving force and the reason many things happen in this society, some an evil and still others nothing more than a powerful tool designed to allow our species to survive via reproduction. BTW - I will add this personal editorial - I do not believe in race as it is often misused in our society because it implies various species and in nature different species cannot reproduce a Homosapian can not breed with a monkey or horse or bear because they are not the same species, people regardless of ethnic group are all members of the same species.
Ok, back to point - there has been much discussion of late on infidelity and sex in the media having listened and read so many comments I felt the need to comment. Growing up often I felt something was wrong with me because I did not have the same drive or libido of most and then it occurred to me that there was nothing wrong with me rather that as people we each are unique and there are people with whom sex or the urges is a focus of their life there are others with whom it matters little. This is no different than the fact I tend to be very analytical in my thoughts and approaches while there are some are more emotionally centered. No one is right and we should not try to change who we are to fit some preconceived mold of what others think we are.
Lets look at sex and fidelity and then tie it to business. Sex is a natural part of the human condition a drive and yet as people we have the intellect to make (albeit not without shortcoming or occasional failures) the ability to decide the people we will engage. it is a tool that while intended to continue our species also can either support, enhance and build trust or abused can decimate those same characteristic in a relationship. For some it is am outward expression of a person's feelings for their partner and for others it is a tool used simply for self gratification and its use is defined by the dominate characteristics of the people using it. That said lets explore this - often people put themselves in positions of high risk some knowingly because their thoughts are only of self gratification with no regard to the long term consequence or how their actions may affect the people involved with them on an intimate level (not to be confused with an assumed sexual involvement). Unless specified otherwise most people assume relationships to be exclusive and to become involved with others sexually is a violation of the trust placed in you as well as your ability to keep you r commitment. Heck, fact is for some their desire is the sex and short term gratification with little care of regard to the long term consequences it may have on the other people because it is not about the quality of the relationship but the quantity of the sexual encounters and the person who is the participant is not that important. For others it is a tool to they use (regardless of sex) to exploit and attempt to manipulate or control others. The first two focus on self and these with these in your mind I will transition to business.
Let me ask some rhetorical questions for you to consider:
Would you buy a car from a dealer who promised you a certain make and model and them sold it to someone one repeatedly?
Would to put your money in a bank who made a commitment to have your money available but each time to check the balance or tried to make a deposit or withdrawal found your funds were depleted because the bank thought a company trip or party was a better use of the money?
Would you take on a business partner who make commitments to you but each time you looked to them to deliver on the commitments they made they failed to deliver and yet found plenty of time to play or knock off but never any time to work?
Would you invest in an employee who thought as the emplyer it was your responbility to support with without them somehow contributing to the well being of the company?
As a comporation would you retain a desity manager who thought their job was to discourage the development of introduction of new business who spending the company money to attend conferences and entertain themselves?
Entrepreneurs understand one thing almost universally - the easy past, the fun and entertaining one often is rarely the best. Conforming to the lowest common denominator instead of striving to be and achieve the best in the best mutual benefit or all involved is at best counter productive at worst mutually destructive. Regardless of the application in one's personal or business life character (not pleasure) is what we appreciate and respect. Consider this - in your life who stands out - those people who agreed with everything you said and gave you everything you wanted or those who did and acted in your best interest even if sometimes that meant depriving you of (per your preconception of the time of an experience). A child feels heat and wants to stick their hand in a fire the adult knows the damage that can cause depending on exposure and discourages the action and too often for this the adult is chastised. Taking a different example while not getting to deeply religious Jesus Christ, Gandhi, Mohammad, Sun Tzu, Martin Luther, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and many others are remember and respected not for their ability to conform and blend in to the status quo but are respected because they strive to achieve something more and did not subscribe to conventional wisdom.
Can you name Romans who stood around in Christ's time telling him he was wrong?
Can you name the people who told Steve Jobs Apple was a pipe dream would never work?
Can you name the people who told Michael Dell the ideal will not work?
Can you name the people who laughed at Bill Gates and Microsoft?
Can you name the people who told Colin Powell he would never be a General?
Status quo is easy. Doing what everyone else does is easy. Following our instincts to think of self first with no regards to others is easy.
Let me close with this thoughts to tie it all together:
What do you think would have occured with Enron if instead of tring to exploit their customers, employees and investors they asked - how would this benfit the company long term and will this decision contribute to or take aware from the reputation and financial stability of the company long term?
What do you think would have happened with GM if they asked the question - how would this decision affect the company, it reputation and profitability and are we truly listening to and providing our customers with the goods and services they want?
What do you think would have happened with AIG if they adopted the attitude of we exist to bring value to the clients who entrust their moneys with use and lived up to their vision: To be the world’s first-choice provider of insurance and financial services. We will create unmatched value for our customers, colleagues, business partners and shareholders as we contribute to the growth of sustainable, prosperous communities.
Some more thoughts to consider:
How many times have to said something in anger and felt good at the moment only to realize in hindsight your action irreparably damaged and cost you a relationship?
How many times have you looked at a bigger house or a car and wanted that even (while extreme) cursing or bad mouthing the person who had them not even knowing if they could afford them while forgetting about the fact your needs were taken care of?
How many times have you begrudged the work that you had thinking this is beneath me or I am unhappy forgetting that you had your health, employment and the ability to do the work and earn some income (the dignity of honest labor)?
What do you think?
Is a relationship about personal gratifacation and explotation regardless of the cost or damage to the others involved so long as it allows a person to derive personal short term benefit and pleasure or to bring mutual benefit with effort to everyone involved to varying degrees?
Does a business exist to make money by exploit share holder, employees, and clients/customers or does it exist to create values, worth and wealth to varying degrees to all of this constituents?
Which is the the most constructive and sustainable?
So many people ask me in various circles recommend or suggest them. Because of this I have a simple rule - when people ask me to refer or reference others I do it often no questions asked, but when they ask me to promote themselves I ask why?
Let me explain - I ask them: What do you talk (or tweet) about that others may be interested in? This is also a way to find out why this person is self promoting. What so few seem to get is that because they promoting and focusing only on themselves and what they want no one is interested in them. I think their is an axiom that says it best - people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care!
If you only care about yourself and what you want then what should anyone else care about you and yet if you show a genuine interest in others you would be shocked the response oyu get from them!
Why - simple really human nature - we all want to feel special and important because in our hearts we know we do not exist to fulfill your needs because we are all unique and special and the person who recognizes and respects that win our appreciation.
Often through the years people have spoken to me about wanting to own a business. They speak of the money they will earn and so often think that is all there is to it when in fact that is not even a small percentage. Fact is your business in many ways is an outward manifestation of who you are as a person, your values, ethics and personal belief systems. How you respond to a challenge is telling and your motivation is also important.
Why do you want to be in business?
What product or service do you have to offer?
Would someone be willing to compensate you for your time, knowledge, product or service?
What makes you unique?
Are you willing to grow into the person you need to become?
Do you believe you are here to service your clients or be serviced by them?
Change - to often people misunderstand or fail to take it into account - people and businesses do the same things over and over again expecting often with the same people sometimes with a new cast of the same characters and are shock when what worked marginally before or flat out did not work fails time and again.
Still others confuse a simple understanding of the fact being adaptable does not mean forgoing or abandoning your core values and though the form my change the basic rules that govern it remain unchanged - water is always water regardless of if it is steam, liquid water or ice. Same holds true for social media - it is still media like advertising and though interactive should be treated no differently - there are no new and wonderful rules.
Look at the cell phone, there was the phone, the walkie talkie, the analogue phone, the telegraph, the phonograph, and least we forget megaphone, drums and smoke signals all are methods of communication with their respective strengths and weaknesses but all have a universal underlying rule - they are meant to convey messages and ideas to a person other than yourself in a method both can understand.
So often people focus on what can be done for them. Some people even believe businesses and corporations exist to employ them. What people miss is businesses exist not to make money but to bring value to all involved albeit their stock holders, owners, employees and customers/clients. Additionally as entrepreneurs and business owners we must focus on what value we bring - this is true of employees also.
Power - so many think the only way to obtain it is to take it from someone else - when people or businesses do this avoid them - this is a tactic used to distract from that person or businesses lack of substance or inability to perform.
If you run across a person or business who bad mouths another suggest checking out the business they are bad mouthing because there may be some merit however also suggest not doing business wiht the negative firm however that is just a suggestion will leave the decision to you yet I will ask this - if that business had merit would they instead be talking about how they can add value to you instead of trying to devalue another?
So often integrity, honor, trust and many other character attributes are not discussed with respect to business - only profit, wealth and the bottom line and yet without this foundation no business can be sustainable.
Social Media – how to grow your following/friends!
I have gotten many questions especially on twitter about how do you build a big following. The answer is simple – know why you are using the form of social media. While this material is applicable to most any form of social media this particular post focuses on twitter.
People often get frustrated because they start out and do not have hundred of people following them and as a result some quit, some get frustrated and others become negative and yet the answer is sort of simple – looking are your material – would you follow yourself?
So you want a big following – here is the first thing you here?
Is it
To learn about different people and cultures around the world?
To promote your business or personal brand?
To share what is going on in your life with your friends?
To problem solve with your peers?
To keep track of the news and politics?
Other?
Once that question is answered you can build a simple strategy around it Lets assume you are here to build your business brand.
What is your business?
Who is talking about the things of interest to you?
Are you tweeting them?
Are you following them?
When they share something profound are you retweeting them?
Do you share new and current events that you find interesting and that impact your business?
What would other people gain by following you?
Are you communicating well?
A dynamic to consider is twitter is global and fully democratic – people can opt to or not to follow you based on if they personally feel you bring them value. This value is determined by the follower be it your style, conversation or information you share. Next combine that with the fact that you have 100s of countries and thus different cultures and languages. While Tweetdeck and others programs allow you to translate you should still have a working understanding of that language and as well as the culture to ensure you what you communicate is received as intended.
So, here is a simple step by step
sign up for the social networking site – like twitter
search for people who have similar interests and engage them
Follow or connect with those people
Retweet or share information that they provide that you find interesting because others may also
Respond to those who make a direct quest of you
Use tools to like truetwit.com or what ever works for you to cut down on robots and spam followers
Listen and pay attention to what the people communicating with you are saying
Conduct yourself in a manner to respect those you interact with
Repeat steps 2-8
Granted they are people who simply say follow or indicate these people but the question is why would anyone want to. On twitter I would tell anyone feel free to follow 99% of my followers because each has something unique to offer ranging from business insights, cultural insights, food, motivation, wellness and health, community development, poetry, spoken word – it all depends on what you are looking for.
On Dec 20, 2008 I had 149 followers and I think I can safely say I consistently have more than 1000 now. Each followed me for different reasons – reasons as unique as they are and I respect each one of then. Also I learn a little something everyday from each of them so it is not
Granted could have posted trick and other strategies to build a large following but that is not a secure one – you want people who have a genuine interest in you. In summary – you have to answer why you are doing what you are doing and then set a plan in motion and your following will grow.
As for my followers - I recommend 99% of them - they discuss topics ranging from community development, poety, technology, business, politics, law, ethics, motivation, spoken word and a myrid of other interesting topis.
If you have any questions or need further detail feel free to contact me directly
My friend Dewey Yeargin is considering retirement and is looking to sell his manufacturing business.
This is the Realastic side of Dewey’s business. It is a prosthetic manufacturing facility www.healthrelatedproducts.com with national and international clients and sales. Among others, we have clients in Germany, Finland, India, Canada, Australia and South & Central American countries
This may be a huge deal for someone with energy and new ideas.
Dewey has been ready for retirement for quite some time. $500,000 is the asking price, but it is negotiable and getting more so every day.
They plan to keep the medical distribution business. The tremendous mold inventory alone is valuable enough and the customized breast prosthetic is a marvelous with huge franchise-worthy potential…for someone with fresh energy. if you want more information contact Despina Yeargin and she will send more information.
