Social Media Faux Pas (Alias- BLUNDERS!)

Business Best Practices, Networking No Responses »
Apr 232012

Social media should be something that will enhance your life on the CYBER PLANET!Don’t make movements with that mouse that may detract from your personal and business goals.You may KNOW what you DID,but WHAT where you THINKING?!

Ref: LinkedIn- When you connect with a person or business, the first click will DEFAULT to an instant connect.  Spend the time to click on the “Include a Personal Note” box to relay interesting data to the recipient.  It may be important if you where trying to get a position with a government or business campaign that your Dad, Brother, and Uncle just gave 4 million dollars each to the recipient’s specific campaign (12 million bucks should get you an interview!).  Also, utilize the “get introduced thru a connection” prompt when applicable.

Ref: Facebook- Friending your current spouses ex-husband or ex-wife may not be the best thing for your current marital well being!  (can you say BLUNDER McFLY?)  Just call an old college friend to get the latest info of that ex-spouse from Hell.  Also, quickly accepting a friend named Charles Manson may better be served with a close check of other contacts you have in common to see if he is that infamous convicted murderer or a personal social friend of Bill Gates, the God of the Computer industry!
       In the case of both LinkedIn and Facebook, connecting and friending should be approached cautiously.  Beware of  competitors, vendors, customers, friends, enemies, etc.,  that may have questionable  intentions.   Sometimes familiarity breeds contempt or danger in the form of personal risk, embarrassment, or business loss!
Don’t create a CYBER MINEFIELD for yourself.  Social Media can and should be fun, entertaining, profitable, educational, enlightening, etc.
A professional carpenter is said to MEASURE TWICE before cutting, so you should THINK TWICE before you click that mouse!

NOTE:  How do two of the more recent additions to Social Media apply to your business?  Click these links to learn more.   Google+     Pinterest


Posted by Effective Business Solutions at 1:41 am

Back to the Basics

ACT! Database Best Practices, Business Best Practices No Responses »
Feb 072012

Do you find that sometimes you need to be reminded to get back to the basics in your business?
Recently, I attended a group of local marketing seminars. One of the seminars that I attended reminded me of a some proven practices that I have used with my database clients, but have not used consistantly. I could make all kinds of excuses, but mostly it is because I have not been religiously using my CHECK LIST!
Check lists have been used successfully for decades in aviation operations, and are also used now more and more in the medical field, resulting in fewer surgical and treatment errors.

What were some of the best practices that I was reminded of?

1. Either on a monthly or quarterly basis, take stock of your database. Are you getting the reports that you need? Is your database doing what you want and need for the growth of your business? Is it supporting your marketing and sales efforts? These are just a few questions that you can ask yourself when utilizing your database. If your database is just being used as an address book, your are missing a lot!

2. Who “owns” your database. One person in your business should be championing your database and the use of it, making sure that it is giving you what is both expected and needed. This utilization should be understood and promoted by everyone in your organization.

So, develop a checklist specifically designed for your business/service and adhere to it religiously. It may save you from CRASHING and BURNING on your next project flight!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke
ACT! Certified Consultant & Trainer
kvb@actcolorado.com


Posted by Effective Business Solutions at 4:58 pm

Spring . . . A New Beginning for your business!

Business Best Practices No Responses »
May 172011

Every Spring my favorite tree blossoms and reminds me of new beginnings. 

When was the last time you spent some quality time reviewing your business and all of it’s processes?  Why not make the season change a catalyst for you to do just that!

What do I mean by processes? I suggest that you look at the following and any other processes in your business.

  • How are your phones being answered?  Do you have a friendly person answering the phone relaying the image that you want for your business?

What happens to inquiries that come in?  What about complaints?  Do you have a process setup to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks?  Are your leads being followed up in a timely fashion?  Do you know where each of those leads are in the sales process?

Where do you keep information about your clients and prospects.  Paper files, legal pads, EXCEL® spreadsheets, an occasional sticky note?  Interested in learning how a simple database software tool can increase your profits and make you more organized?  Call me for a complimentary demonstration of ACT!  (719-538-6015) No pressure, just take time to learn what is possible!

When you go to a networking event, where do you enter your new contacts and how?  Have you considered a business card scanner?  Click here to learn about your options.

Have you considered moving to a paperless office, but have no idea how to make it happen?  Check out this article and then talk with your IT professional.

Do you have a marketing plan to engage your business in Social Media?  We have a complimentary seminar coming up to help you get started or move to the next step.

If any of these items have made you consider making some changes, wait no longer!

Kathleen Vanden Broecke – ACT! Certified Consultant & Premier Trainer – Effective Business Solutions


Posted by Effective Business Solutions at 12:54 am
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