Wear Your Tiara to Work

The FlatLorri Project

2011-10-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

The only thing about me that could ever be described as flat is my hair. Yet as I write this, my image has started on a new adventure called The FlatLorri Project.

A little history:

FlatLorri is me in the image of Flat Stanley, an activity done by elementary students who send a paper cut out of a boy out into the world to be photographed and have his travels documented.

Last February I was unable to attend the International Franchising Association Conference so my friend, co-worker, and boss, Deb Evans took me with her in her purse as FlatLorri (giving traveling Coach a whole new meaning). We even set up a foursquare account so that FlatLorri could check into the events.

Fast forward to this past weekend. FranCamp, a social media seminar, was held in Nashville - and once again - I couldn't attend - so FlatLorri was off on another adventure.

This time BJ Emerson and AK Stout got a hold of my image and I had my picture taken with the waitress at The Waffle House and posted to Facebook. BJ and AK (I may change my name to initials...sorry *something shiny moment*), wondered what would happen if FlatLorri interacted with other brands via social media (had pictures posted and twitter shoutouts). Are those brands listening? Would they interact and have a little fun? The FlatLorri Project was born.

If you would like to follow along and see how far a bunch of social media geeks can take a community based case study the blog can be found at http://theflatlorriproject.posterous.com/.

Let the Sparks Fly!

2011-08-02T06:31:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when you are an overly efficient multi-tasker, things fall through the cracks. For me, it’s my Google Alerts. I see them in my inbox, but usually they get deleted because I just don’t have time.

Google+ has added a feature that will help monitor your company or your favorite topics – SPARKS.

The Spark option can be found on the left hand side of your Google+ stream. Click it…go ahead..you know you want to…Type into the box whatever “stuff you’re interested in” and voila! Search your name, your company, your industry – and then when you have time, you can look at that stream and no longer suffer from ‘I deleted it’ guilt.

Google +

2011-07-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

Just starting out on Google + and as always am a little lost. One of my first and only posts thus far has been “Early Google+ reminds me of FB when I had 2 coworkers, 2 classmates and my sister as friends.” I love Facebook, but sometimes I do not see information or posts that I would like to see because they get lost in my newsfeed. There is a time when I want to see the pictures of my nephews at the playground, and they there are the times I want to see if my favorte website have published new articles.

With G+, you sort people into circles (groups). Then you can sort your stream (newsfeed), by group. I have missed this on Facebook – would love to click and see just posts from my family, or click and there are posts by the pages on technology education that I follow. That feature alone is great…or will be great, when more of the people whose content I depend on, are there with me.

It will be interesting to see how it changes or becomes useful once the business pages are made available.

Simplicity is not that Simple

2011-06-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel that the world is banging you over the head with a message? That has been happening to me lately.

It started quietly after Hurricane Katrina. There were piles of stuff everywhere. We saw all of the stuff from people’s homes on the news. There were piles of stuff all over the city that we were all able to donate to those who had lost all of their stuff.
The TV show ‘Clean House’ was on TV – people with loads and loads of STUFF, making their lives miserable.

With this sort of message all over the television, it is no wonder that there are those around the globe that think Americans are disgusting. I see this stuff and I think we are disgusting. Consumerism run amok.

As a result a few links have been caught my eye on Twitter as of late are about simplifying. These are a few of my favorites:

Project 333 – The point is to break your wardrobe down to 33 pieces that you were for 3 months. I might be able to do this – Its worth a shot – mine might be more like 40 but I think the spirit is still there. ….no one needs to trip over a pile of clothes in the morning only to decide they have nothing to wear. AND you don’t have to count your PJs and unmentionables in the 33..(WOOT! Honest I sleep in that pashmina)

100 Thing Challenge – Trying to pare your belongings down to 100 items. Things not included are:
• Stuff that’s shared between him and other family members. (Good, I can just see me asking princess to give up her flatiron so that I can have another purse)
• Non-personal stuff, like dishes, cleaning supplies, etc. (thank goodness! I really don’t want to give up something shiny so that I can have an assortment of frying pans)
• Books. (YAY!!!!)
• Tools.
• Collections count as one item. (is jewelry a collection? Is wardrobe a collection?..I hope so)

Tiny Houses - very cute, I love them –They are affordable and a great idea to reduce your footprint and live simply…but where are the closets? Where do you put your Christmas decorations during the off season? Where does the washer and dryer go?

The Burning House - if your house was on fire what would you take with you? Contributors take a picture of those things and post to this site. It’s a thought provoking idea. What would you save?

My electric company sent me reusable shopping bags. Great idea – but I haven’t developed the habit of taking them with me yet. It’s not that I don’t want to do my part for the environment – I use those horrific light bulbs that ruin your eyesight, but it is difficult to change from being a poster child for consumerism to something else. Maybe I will just follow my mother and Buddah’s advice and think moderation in everything.

Love You Forever, Like You for Always

2011-06-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

BFF – Best Friends Forever – who doesn’t have that written in a yearbook somewhere? It is a lovely, though a bit of a naive sentiment. Friends come and go out of our lives over the years. With facebook now, we can at least connect and send out happy wishes and look at pictures of graduations and births of our one time BFFs. Or even give a shout out when you remember something you did together. This sort of connecting is great, I honestly feel that I have connections with some family, who I may have gone the rest of my life without talking to again were it not for facebook.

I spent some time looking at a couple Facebook memorial walls today. These are walls put up when someone dies so that family and friends can share memories and pay respects. As I was reading messages about two young boys taken away too soon a year ago, I wiped my tears, and it struck me, the amazing part is what happens after the funeral. Ongoing wall posts – “I had a dream about you”, “ I miss you” “We talked about you today” and my favorite kind “Hey dude you won’t believe this but…”

How incredible is it that we now have a tangible way to reach out and say “HEY Guess what”. Instead of a whispered word on the wind to our loved ones, laughs and memories are still shared. These kids live on in a way. Long after the flowers have wilted and the tears have dried – they can be an active part of our lives. …Though I think I would still recommend reaching out and saying “Hey Guess what? I still love you" when our friends can write back.

Hatpin or Linchpin?

2011-06-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Author Seth Godin wrote about being a linchpin. Linchpins are thought leaders and influencers. Being a linchpin is a good thing as they keep the wheels from flying off. But I think of myself as more of a hat pin.

A hat pin:
Stays on top of things
Without it a hat could get lost
Can be decorative or utilitarian depending on the circumstances

In the early 1900, laws were passed in the US limiting the length of hatpins. There was a fear that they would be used as a weapon by suffragettes.

Yes – I am a hatpin – Just as important as a linchpin, doing basically the same job – yet somehow under-estimated and fear inducing at the same time.

I'm not dead yet! Marketing to Grown ups

2011-05-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

I received an email from a financial planner the other day that said “Do you sometimes think about leaving work? Many of us do as we get older. We want to try something new or maybe just relax for the rest of our lives. “

My answer…SHUT UP!

I understand that I am not getting younger each day, but is this really the way to reach out for customers? My number one rule for marketing is ‘Know Thy Customer’.

Reaching out to 40-somethings with ‘as we get older’ is a terrible idea! We are having mid-life crisis’s, not thinking about retirement. Maybe we should – but that is not the point. How about “Are you ready to live your passion?” “Is it time to change things up?” So many other things they could have done to build on the first question about leaving work, and left off the phrase “for the rest of our lives” all together.

I wonder if this company didn’t know anyone in their 40s. Or maybe the marketing plan was written by a 15 year old – because we look half dead to them anyway.

The tiara wearing marketer knows to proof and edit and then proof and edit again. Let someone else read it. Let someone with the same demographic as your ideal customer read it.

Either way, I hit delete on this email –they won’t be helping me plan anything.

Please hold my tiara while I blow my nose

2011-05-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been hard for me. My son has headed off to his new duty station half way around the world. As always, I am more than proud of this young Marine, but my mother’s heart doesn’t know how to deal with not seeing his face for a year and a half. I take solace in the fact that he is not heading to a war zone, but that doesn’t ease the missing him.

Yesterday, when he called to say I love you from tarmac, prior to lift off I did OK, but as soon as the good- byes were said – the water works started. As Oprah says – I was ‘ugly crying’. I turned to a friend, I sat in her office, she hugged me as my body shook with sobs, told me she loved me. She listened to me. There was nothing else she could do – but it helped.

Today, I talked to a friend as she was leaving the hospital. She has yet another appointment with an oncologist tomorrow, to find out if any treatment plan is available to her. She has been running her own business for 5 years, just as long as she has been fighting cancer. I wonder how she has managed to do this. How has she not given up? Then it struck me – she wasn’t afraid to reach out for help either.

Some days being tiara worthy means not being afraid to ask for help.

Holding out a hand of support does not mean having the answers or a solution. Sometimes it means handing over the tissues.

Dirty Dishes are NOT a Sin

2011-05-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

As we come upon Judgement Day Eve I find myself thinking about the saying “no one thought on their deathbed ‘I wish I spent more time at the office’”. Well that’s a no brainer. What about the other stuff that we stress out about?

I realize there are silly people who get joy from the vacuum cleaner marks on the carpet or a made bed in the morning. I get more joy from staring at the morning through the window while drinking my coffee, or even getting my AM news and deciding if the world it so crazy to join for the day. I will admit to the occasional zen moment of the hot soapy dishwater – but that is not a state of mind I can attain daily.

I see people running around, I HAVE to do this and I HAVE to do that. Try just once asking yourself ‘really? Why? What will happen if I don’t?’

I have heard of people who can’t relax and take a nap if something is out of place. I say, get help! You aren’t trying hard enough! – I mean really, your mind is on your dust or your laundry. There are many more pleasant things to think about.

Are you a soul-sucking co-worker from hell?

2011-05-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Do your co-workers:

• Always have lunch plans that don’t include you?
• Seem to always be engrossed in deep conversation when you come around the corner?
• Have strange frozen smiles when told you are on the same team project?

If so chances are that, yes, you are a soul-sucking co-worker from hell. The good news is you can fix it.

Realize that not everyone is spending their work day doing what feeds their passion either. They are paying the rent and buying groceries, just like you, they are just doing it with a smile.

Quit bad-mouthing the company that you both chose to work for. While putting it down, you are also bad mouthing your coworker’s decision to work there.

Unless you are talking to the person responsible for making you feel underpaid and unappreciated…to put it bluntly “shut it”.

For heaven’s sake, quit constantly ringing your own chimes. Unless you have the ability to fly and turn yourself invisible – you are not the only one with your knowledge base or talents. Get over yourself.

The question “How are you?”…is really a greeting. No one really cares about your cat’s hernia and your great Aunt Lucy’s colonoscopy.

Stop and think about what you bring into someone’s office with you the next time you walk through the door. Bring a smile, a genuine compliment, and offer to reduce their work load or a good feeling about the work they are doing.

Remember Maya Angelou said “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Make them feel good and they will feel good about you?

Tiaras on Mechanics

2011-05-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year, so I spent some time Saturday morning sitting at the garage waiting for my car to be inspected. No sooner was I out of my car and guy #1 (Bobby) asked what he could do . I said inspection please. He was very accommodating, checked my paper work and sent me inside to wait. I hadn’t even made it inside when guy #2 (who I later found out was the owner), met up with me to ask if he could help. I told him I was fine and he thanked me.

I thought to myself, “Self, these people are way nice and definitely into customer service”.

As I was sitting in the surprisingly clean waiting room, the owner came in and was doing owner stuff, when guy #3 came in and finished up with a customer. As he was heading back into the work bay, the owner thanked HIM…I knew at that point I had a blog post.

So Alex Barocio at the Castrol Service Center…whether he knows it or not wears his tiara to work – and so do the two men that were working with him on Saturday.

Bobby: “Ma’am, you need your brakes serviced, would you like me to show you”
Me: “You could, but I wouldn’t know what I was looking at”
Alex: “Come with me, I will show you”
Me: “I can’t take care of this today”
Bobby: “ I can get you 15% off when you are ready”
Alex: “Here is my card, call when you want to come in.”

Yes! Saturday AM, everybody and their brother needs an oil change. Houston is in the middle of a drought and record high temps ..garages are typically not air conditioned. It’s hot and busy and this place has it’s tiara on…with a clean garage, two mechanics that didn’t treat me like a stupid woman who would not understand, an employer who thanks customers and his employees and a low pressure atmosphere. And all three smiled!

Don't Throw your Project Manager out with the Bathwater!

2011-05-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

At one point earlier this year, I was not allowed to talk directly to one of our vendors. I admit I was getting a wee bit sarcastic in some of our interactions, but that happens when I get frustrated. In the current economic climate people are trying to do more with less (staff) and there are new start ups. Both have growing pains and those growing pains can irritate the bejeezus out of your clients.

From what I can tell, there is a school of thought that a project manager is not needed. You may think that a team member can handle the ‘to do’ list and maintain the customer relations. It really can’t be done. Customer priorities change, not always because of poor planning on their part. They may be responding to customer or stockholder needs. They need a point person. A person who understands them and their business, not someone who is trying to get the nuts and bolts of the job done and can answer the phone while doing it.

A good project manager:

• Can see the whole picture
• Builds relationships in all directions
• Can prioritize on the fly
• Can change direction without an act of congress
• Has the ability AND the permission to make decisions

Looking at the Bright Side

2011-04-20T07:25:00.001-07:00

When you look at this picture do you see the sunshine or the dirty window?

This tweet showed up on my tweetdeck this morning:

@Chris_Eh_Young Wednesday mission: Make a positive impact on someone around you. Tomorrow we put a dent in the universe. Start small.

It seemed like a good idea. I re-tweeted and said I was in.

Now I am wondering how to do this.

I looked at the bright side and was told thank you for always doing that. Is that all it takes?

A smile?
A hug?
An attitude?

You know the story that school kids tell “if everyone in china jumped at once it would knock the world off its axis” What if everyone on the planet tried to be nice for one day? One hour? Would we knock starvation and violence off the map?

Does being nice and having a positive attitude make a positive impact?

I’m going to try. Will you?

Social Media Savvy? maybe not...7 steps to getting started

2011-03-31T06:14:00.000-07:00

I read an article yesterday equating social media savvy franchise systems with facebook fans, friends or likers (for the purpose of this post I am using the terms ‘fans’). They were trying to draw a correlation between them and the ranking of the system in the Entrepreneur Magazine top 500 franchises. The idea was interesting, and the fact that I don’t think the idea holds much water is not sour grapes. I don’t believe that the number of fans equates to social media savvy.

There are some franchise brands that are so well known , and so large that they will garner a facebook following without even trying. McDonalds, Subway and the like have huge advertising budget s, they are everywhere and everyone knows them. More power to them, they use their facebook pages to offer specials and coupons. AWESOME! I love a deal on a Big Mac as much as the next girl. But the question still remains “Does a well fanned facebook page equal a social media savvy franchise system?” No.

• If you go to a local branch with your Foursquare check-in and the staff has no idea they are suppose to honor a special, that is not a savvy system.

• If the social media strategy consists of one person posting updates on a facebook page that is not a savvy system.

• If a customer looks for a Facebook page of their local store only to find there is no activity, or only a corporate page, that is not a savvy system.

So how do you build one?

1. GIVE UP CONTROL! When it comes to social media, the corporate office has never had control, the customer has, and all you can do is monitor and interact.

2. Webpages: Does the franchisee or someone on their team know how to update and keep their site current? Is there a facebook Like button? Newsletter sign up? If not question how much your web designer knows about the current marketplace.

3. Google Places & Merchant Circle: As long a s Google is returning business locations front and center of searches, these sites need to be claimed, updated and tagged. If you don’t know how to do it, ask a reliable service like AK Stout at Saying It Social or Thomas Scott at Brand Journalists.

During the next steps your job as a leader is to guide, monitor and support.

4. Email Signatures: If a franchisee doesn’t get social media, yet maintains email contact with their customers, they will need links in their signature to corporate maintained sites.

5. Blogs: IF and only IF a franchisee is a fairy good writer and understands the corporate mission, blogs are a wonderful way to build brand understanding.

6. Facebook: Building & maintaining a local or regional page with other franchisees. If they are unsure of what sort of things to post, encourage repurposing corporate postings or those of other franchisees

7. Twitter: If a franchisee is too verbose, I wouldn’t encourage it. However, if they are very social and understand the tools available to use it with ease then tweet on! I believe that twitter is a great tool for potential new franchisee to see the personality of the system and the interaction between team members.

Once these things are in place and you can see the entire thing working as a whole, then you see a social media savvy franchise system.

Spring Cleaning With a Little Help from your Friends

2011-03-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

As I got ready for bed the other night, I tripped over a craft project knocking beads all over the floor, followed by knocking over an OPEN bottle of antacids as I tried to set my alarm. It’s time for spring cleaning. Now my cleaning habits have been entertaining one of my friends for years, she loves to watch as I move something to the room it belongs, to then pick up a magazine that needs to be put away, realizing I haven’t finished reading it – I then sit down to read. Needless to say, I never get ahead. I know I need someone in the room with me as I tend to these horrible tasks. I don’t want them to do the work AT ALL. But in order to not be overcome with the desire for a nap, or the urge to watch a 15 year old romantic comedy. I need a friend to help me focus. And that friend is visiting me this evening.

What does it take to spring clean your business? Is your website up to date? Is your inbox spilling over? Are you tripping over equipment? Are you just having trouble getting out of your own way? Maybe you need a cleaning buddy too? Sometimes admitting the issue to yourself isn’t enough. Maybe it is time to admit your organization issues to a friend. By friend, I mean FRIEND, someone you won’t judge, has no vested interest other than your success. Let them in, let them help you. Let them move the shiny things so that you are not distracted.

Perspective: AKA Quit Whining

2011-03-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

It’s been way too long since I posted. I was having trouble coming up with a post topic. So I asked my network, and was more than a little please with myself for thinking of crowd-sourcing the issue. However, it wasn’t the crowd that brought me the answer. Once again, life handed me my lesson for the day.

That lesson is “stop bitching and be grateful”.

I went to lunch with a friend who has just lost her mother. She isn’t just strong, this woman is superhero strong. The only reason she is not wearing a tiara, is that I have not found one special enough for her yet. While at lunch we discussed a new acquaintance, who we realized, does not even own a belt. I can’t even find all my belts! Earlier this week I was uncomfortable with a new outfit because I didn’t have what I thought was the ‘right’ belt for the dress. Yes, I feel like a schmuck - my unworthy belt was needed purely for aesthetic reasons. This guy needs one to hold his pants up! He is using a makeshift piece of a t-shirt. PERSPECTIVE

Last night I poured a cup of coffee way too late, and so was up too late and today I am tired. Sucking it up and getting things done, but tired none the less. I returned from lunch, to an email from a friend who has beat breast cancer, only to run into one complication after another since then, and now it looks like the ugly disease has returned. She says she is afraid to ask for a break for fear that it will come in the shape of a broken bone! This woman has got to be exhausted! Tired day after day for years! PERSPECTIVE

Please today, take a step back and put your problems into perspective.

How I Spent the Morning Procrastinating

2010-12-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

I need to write a persuasive paper for my Business Comp class. I did not do as well on my informative paper as I would have liked, and I know the professor does not like my thesis.
The report is on corporate culture and how it must possess open communication. The professor’s view is that no one would argue the point. While I agree with her, in my experience, this is not the practice. Open door policies sound good, but when approached with new ideas or concerns, I believe that most employees are met with stonewalling, deaf ears or a pink slip. My point is that this needs to stop. But how do I prove that this is a regular practice so that I can persuade management to change its tactics.

Hence my own procrastination…

Made a work related call…it’s what I am paid to do, ok not on my day off – but this person needed my help.
Tweeted….nurturing relationships is important right? Maybe not as important as my degree and a decent GPA – but this is my story and I am sticking with it
Realized I left half of my research in the car. Fell coming back up the stairs, had to examine my knees for scrapes. Nothing needed first aid attention.
Panicked when I realized I had 4 sources on my citation page and had eleven sources in my lap.
Searched for a highlighter..And my glasses
Blackberry light flashing…checked messages
Contemplated the benefits of making fresh coffee now, or waiting until later
Checked the news…we need to stay informed!
Oh and let’s not forget this blog post

Stop Winning and Start Communicating

2010-11-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

I may have mentioned before that I instruct a course in Effective Communications to new franchisees and employees of ICED . The course is based on the principles of Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People. Some of the text is a bit dated, having originally been published in 1936; however the ideas are still valid today.
I am sitting here looking a poster based on part three of the book “How to win people to your way of thinking” and have decided it needs to be reworked.

Generally, people form their opinions based on their own filters and experience. Their way of thinking isn’t necessarily wrong, unless it is based on incorrect information. The book wants us to be friendly, avoid arguing, and show respect. Which are all fine and dandy, and principles that should not have to be spelled out to persons living in civilized society; however, I feel that principle 8 is the key. “Try honestly to see things from the other’s point of view”.

As any Mom will tell you, when two people tell you a story, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. This is probably true when it comes to most situations. “WINNING” someone to your way of thinking, insinuates that you have cajoled and badgered someone into changing their mind.

For example: If an employee believes they should be given a raise, and you believe they should not.
What are those opinions based on?
· Has the employee’s pay not kept up with cost of living? Have their circumstances changed and they need more income?
· As the employer are you staying up nights worrying about making payroll?
· Or are the opinions based sole on merit or lack thereof?

With the first 2 examples there is room to negotiate and see the others point of view and meet in the middle, or at the very least come to an understanding. The third however, there will probably be more of a conversation about expectations and performance.

It’s time to stop winning and start understanding.

Answer Me!

2010-11-10T14:42:00.000-08:00

One of my pet peeves was brought top of mind again this morning. People who do not respond to emails.

I do not mean the idiot who does a reply all to a joke (that's a whole other post).

I mean, the "Hey can we meet tomorrow at 10?" or "Is there a conference room available?" emails. They deserve a "Yes" "No" or "Kiss my Butt"...something! so that the person requiring the information can move on. It's just disrespectful and ill mannered.

Weren't you raised better than that?

Success Like a Pirate!

2010-10-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

My daughter looked up from her homework and asked “Do you know why I don’t need to learn algebra?” “No, why not?” “Because only pirates need to find X” (insert groan here).

The Harvard Business review published an article this month about using the pirate hierarchy as an example of job design. In What 17th Century Pirates Can Teach Us About Job Design by Hayagreeva Rao . I believe we should take this example a different direction. Old school pirates knew where they were going. They had a map and they knew that X marked the spot.

Do you know where your organization is going? If you stood in front of your peers and asked “Are you with me?” What answer would you get? A resounding YES! Or a Where are we going?

If you do not have a plan you are in trouble. STOP everything you are doing and figure it out. Do you have a definition of success? If not how will you know when you get there? Assisting new franchisees with a start up operational plan is one of the training sessions I hold several times a year. I ask the questions in a couple different ways. What is your definition of success? Leaders probably have a couple definitions.

One would be personal, maybe it is to have your operations self sufficient enough so that you can sneak away and golf a few mornings a week, or maybe it is being able to take your family on a vacation each summer. What are your business goals? Is it a certain number of clients? Is it a defined dollar amount in the bank?
If your organization is so overwhelmed with the day to day of keeping business afloat, then you are lost at sea.

Let’s get started

Define your goal in quantifiable words
Share your goal with your team
Determine who is on board with you
Decide what each person will do to help the organization achieve this goal
Each person should then submit a plan, in writing, with steps, numbers and deadlines to reaching their part.
Determine re-evaluation dates and milestones
Celebrate your milestones and reward goals met
Follow your map and find X

Motivate Employees with Common Sense

2010-10-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

I was talking to a friend who works for a large national company with a huge inbound call center, he told me a few things that shocked me.

• No drinks at their desks
• No family pictures in their cubicles
• If you don’t reach your goals, You’re gone

If this company were to hire me to help with employee morale and increased production, these are the first things I would change.

No drinks – These employees are talking all day long. They need to speak clearly and be understood. If you do not want them constantly wandering away from their desk, let them drink. Obviously the company is concerned about its hardware. If moms can get a no spill cup for toddlers, this company can find no spill cups for its employees. Buy them, logo them! Or better yet, have your corporate mission statement printed on them.

No family pictures – this needs to stop. Now going all Google, like this picture,at your office is probably not your goal. It works for the creative minds at Google, but not for the service industry. My first rule of managing happy employees is to KNOW that your company is NOT your employee’s first priority. You may think that you are paying them, so for 8 hours the company should be priority one. Let me tell you..you are not paying them enough to put you above their family. How much would YOU have to be paid to put company first?

Best practice according to me is to let them have a reminder at their desk as to why they come to work each day and get the job done. I have an awesome year at a glance calendar in my office that I can slip my own pictures into, and a similar desk top blotter. These are professional, I can see the pictures of my kids and do not turn my office space into my living room.

No Goals, you are gone – Obviously, I am not saying keep poor performers. Hiring new employees is expensive with recruiting and training. It would be best to keep your current employees comfortable and motivated. Provide a beverage and look at a baby or two, I think you will be glad you did.

What was significant to you in the 20th Century?

2010-10-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

My final project for my humanities course is to put together a virtual time capsule for my life time. I need to include the things listed below and I was wondering what was significant for you.

In case you were wondering - I haven't figured mine out yet.

A significant literary work (poem, short story, or novel)
A significant example of art or architecture
A significant song or group of songs
A significant film

Social Media Can Make You Stronger

2010-10-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Social media and social technologies have added a new dimension to our marketing and PR efforts. It has broadened our scope of what it means to provide customer service.

I have found it to be most valuable for building relationships within our organization. There are those that would argue in Franchising that the franchisee is our customer. However the franchisees that I work with are business partners. I support them from the corporate office, providing operational and compliance guidance. A large part of my day to day includes coaching, and some days it is more like cheerleading. It can become frustrating. Our franchisees run their businesses from home, so home comes into the equation a lot and I start to think I should have gotten that Psychology degree.

Using social media has allowed our relationships to become more developed. The franchisees and I follow each other on Twitter and they are my friends on Facebook. You may think that this is highly unprofessional, and if I were a doctor or lawyer you would be right. But in my case, the sick kids, the visiting in-laws and the soccer finals are all directly related to the lives and issues that we deal with in our coaching calls.

Remember when you were a kid and you saw your teacher at the store? It seemed weird, when you realized they didn’t live at the school and had lives of their own. I believe that this aspect of ‘friending’ my business partners has strengthened our relationships too. They now know when I may be dealing with a problem that is bigger than me, or realize that we are experiencing the same things as parents, or adult children. These commonalities bring us closer.

We have built closed LinkedIn groups for our franchisees and for their employees. These are spaces where they can ask each other question about best practices. They share frustrations and challenges. They cheer each other on. The corporate team monitors and participates in these groups with franchisees from all over the world.
Social technology brought us together and spawned a “we are all in this together” culture in which we all help each other to thrive.

Dear COMPUTER EXPLORERS

2010-10-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here in my living room on Saturday afternoon. The website went ‘live’ yesterday. This past week was crazy and stressful. Not bad stressful, good stressful, eustress ( I learned a new word in college), like conference. My body hurts, and I woke with a headache. I was reading my email before I could see well. As I was waiting for my coffee and Excedrin to kick in I asked myself “why are you doing this?”

I reflected on a conversation with a franchisee this week, as we looked at the new website. She said “look at that! ‘Find a Technology Consultant near you’, this is going to make us all look so good! This is so good for my business.” Then I thought of the reaction of those of you at conference when Michael St. Jacques first used those words “Technology Consultant”, there was an audible sound of agreement, you could almost hear the light bulbs going off.” The sound rose even louder when Michael said “We are the elite in education.”

Flashback almost 20 years, I was working in a Jr. Sr. High School, working one on one with one ‘troubled kid’ after another, I kept telling myself there has got to be a better way to provide education. Yet, It was painfully apparent to me as I worked there, I AM NOT A TEACHER!

Again, as I raised my brilliant son, I fought with the school district, I argued with teachers, and again, I thought, there has got to be a better way. I considered homeschooling, but lacked the time and resources…and again I AM NOT A TEACHER!

“So Lorri” I said to myself, “this is why you are here, this is why you do what you do. Working with CE, you are part of a better way to provide education. Your forte is communications, and your passion is education. Now make it work!”

Why are you here?

Professionalism vs. Me

2010-10-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

This week we launched our new website successfully, yes there are bugs…there are always bugs. I attribute our success, an ongoing positive attitude about the extermination of said bugs...to personality not professionalism.

Yes, the job is getting done. Issues are being reported and dealt with. The timeline is being discussed. Priorities, training and strategy are ongoing concerns. I don’t think our programmers have slept in days. I KNOW the Director was at dinner and back in the office within 6 hours in the last 24.

To accomplish the end goal, we knew we would be performing personal magic, we would need to break out the tiaras and super hero capes…and we did. They became a running joke in our emails. They did not slow the process, they made the process better. They made asking for yet another thing and being told where that one more thing was being put on the priority list easier to manage.

I do not believe that professionalism comes with a tie and wingtips, or with buttons and hose. It comes from performance. It shows in efficiency, attitude and end product. If the process is accompanied by humor and personality…so be it.

This is why true transparency is so important within your business. It is the people to people interactions that run the world. Not the spreadsheets and databases…they are not always going to upload right.

Life in the Slow Lane

2010-09-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Efficient…I have been described this way by more than one boss. Mostly this means that I get tasks done quickly. So I have time to think. I choose to earn my pay check so I read industry materials, and I think about work.

How can we do this better? What more can we do? And being an innovator of sorts – I can come up with answers. Which inevitably ends with me hearing the words “Great idea, go ahead and do it! “

Awesome…more tasks. So what is a girl to do?

I am not a leader by title but I do play one on the internet and if I were to come to myself for advice what would I tell me?

1- While presenting an idea be sure to include the party you feel should be responsible.

2- Stop being a control freak! Yes others can do as well as you do while implementing your ideas.

3- Act like a leader…not a doer (should probably be careful not to be seen as a slacker while attempting this.)

4- Ask yourself, if I were to leave here today, what mark have I left? What is better for you having been a member of this team?

5- Stop seeing yourself as a doer and hopefully others will stop seeing you that way too!

Your future is in your hands...go out and get it

How to get the sale and Keep the business

2010-09-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

I am the Ops Manager at COMPUTER EXPLORERS and as part of my job, I field phone calls. Usually I manage to avoid sales calls, but one particular day I was in my happy place and decided to listen to a call.

The caller from IntramediaSolutions started out with a normal pitch. I politely said no, he was a nice guy, but the first thing he offered..printing, we do in-house or the franchisees take care of locally. But then...he offered a solution to a problem!...They warehouse logo'd items!...wait what?....I could get bulk rate on logo items for my franchisees AND not have to find a place to store them....I was listening and agreed to let their representative come visit.

Bob, was on time for our appointment, (actually a bit early, I saw him standing in the parking lot). Since this was a 'cold call'...Bob brought me ice cream and the world's best ice cream scoop. he totally had my attention. I am a sucker for stuff....(hint: the only sales materials I open obviously have a pen, planner, or one of those cool LED lights in them).

We started doing business with them. The eventually built a website for us.

Now Bob is great he always comes to say hi when he is in the area to see if there is anything else they can do. When we need something from them they are ALWAYS there.

But this is why I love them....there was a hitch in an order...not a giant one, just one of those "things happen" occurrences. Their Ops Manager Wendy Hatch, she got on the problem....she OWNED the issue, She felt it to her core. ....I knew that we all mattered to her. She has not met me face to face. She has not had the opportunity to attend one of our conferences to meet the franchisees...yet, fixing this issue haunted her...well past the resolution of the problem. ...I bet she has one of those "The Buck Stops Here"signs on her desk.

Their IT Development division is great to work with - Dana Lopez is there at the drop of a hat to answer any question....even if it isn't their issue - he is more than happy to share his expertise. If we need him to do something BOOM it is done - and he seems to take pleasure in doing it. I have worked with other web guys, who I am pretty sure had unpleasant names for me...or at the very least a less than stellar opinion of my brain power...But Dana always shows us the utmost respect...because he has gotten to know us...because we matter to him.

So there you go...how to get the sale and keep the business

1- Solve a problem
2- Let your customers know they matter

"Mean Girls" grow up

2010-08-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

This is a very difficult blog post to write. I am sure somehow that there is a lesson to be learned by this experience.

As I write, my daughter is in her room preparing for her first day of high school. A day that is clouded by emotional turmoil caused by a woman who believes it is her place to pass judgement on those she does not know. As if high school isn't hard enough for those poor kids actually going through it. It seems some never lose the mentality they developed there.

The baggage from these 4 years, stay with us forever. For me, there is a self consciousness about my nose brought on from comment by a boy that I didn't even like. There is also a feeling that people forget about me when I leave the room, because my soccer team 'forgot' to tell me about the team dinner (let's not analyze this episode and my tiara). ..Then there is a mistrust of women...yes... because of the snide comments and giggles directed at me ..not even behind my back.

Now, I don't pretend to think I was the only one to endure this rediculousness - Most of us have.

I have had more than one man ask me "why are women so mean to each other, you would think they would support each other." Why? because we learned not to trust them. It is a strange dicotomy, because we also learned to have deep and abiding friendships.

With the on set of social networking, I have reconnected with many people from HS. I have picked up with my best friend like no time has passed. I have developed a friendship with the woman that I always liked, but we were never in the same circles. I have had the pleasure of reconnecting with the boy that was voted most likely to succeed...this boy...if I thought I had it rough...My experience was NOTHING compared to what he had to have endured. I am thrilled whenever I read his posts..he is happy with great friends...and is still completely true to himself - I always hope that I was never on the hurting end of things with him.

It seems we don't outgrow it. Look around any organization - work, the PTA, the booster club, they are all there:
The golden boy who can do no wrong in the eyes of the boss, or we all agree with, stupid grins plastered on our faces.

The over achieving star of the show who appears to be screaming 'look at me' with every move.

The Nerd who we wonder how they every manage to NEVER learn social skills.

The Mean Girls who treat everyone like their assistant or like to point out your short-comings before anyone can notice theirs.

For me it is time to make it stop - Time to stop walking with my head down until they pass.

If we don't outgrow it...will we take it to the retirement home?...just in case, I'm going to save my pennies to buy a red scooter to drive to the bocci ball game.

Your Neighborhood Heroes

2010-08-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about heroes lately. What defines a hero? For me and I am sure for you too it is someone who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of others. My heart still aches when I see something on TV about the NYC Fire Department or when I think of the passengers on Flight 93 laying down their lives in a Pennsylvania field. I think of my son and the other 550 young marines at their boot camp graduation last fall. All brave and ready to take on whatever life or the Corps hands them. But what about the heroes next door.

When my son was an adolescent, somewhere between 11 and 13, he came home one day, thrilled to have made a new friend. All evening, each statement started with the phrase “Mom, wait until you meet Steven!” I did eventually meet Steven. He was tall for his age, where my son was not so tall for his age. They looked like Mutt and Jeff, walking around the neighborhood getting into all sorts of mischief…doing things I am sure I do not want to know about.

As they grew up, they remained friends moving from bicycles & snakes to trucks & women.

These two boys grew into beautiful men. My son to the Marine Corps and Steven to the Texas Department of Prisons as a guard (despite a side trip into modeling that landed him in a Giorgio Armani magazine ad). These boys, these men…chose the road to give back to their community.

Ten days ago we buried Steven.

He lost his life, not while he was serving his state at work. He lost his life helping a friend. Pulling himself out of bed at 3am, while fighting some sort of illness, to help a friend…He ended up in the middle of a domestic dispute.

Please take time to thank those that are givers in your life. They may not have chosen to put on a uniform daily. But you know who I am talking about, the friend that you can always count on ….the one that would crawl out of a sick bed to help you. Hug them now. Love them now. Thank them now.

Acknowledge your neighborhood heroes.

What I Really Want to Do is Direct

2010-07-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

I don’t not think that we are in any danger of me becoming the next Oprah. I am just not at my best when I am LIVE! Always has been that way. When I was in High School I was on a “Scholar’s Bowl”…basically a Scholars for Dollars for the Radio. During the rehearsal I knew things. The instant we went live, my mind resembled a Clint Eastwood movie…empty except for tumbleweed and a strange whistling music.
My boss is co-host of an Internet radio program – SocialGeekRadio. I have been a guest once and a guest co-host once. Now I wasn’t horrible, but I was not my normally engaging self. Put me in the show chat room and I can feed info and ask questions like a Pro! But make it live and I will put you to sleep.
Gary Vaynerchuk says in his book Crush It! that we need to embrace our DNA. Be who we are and find our success within our own parameters. I have discovered that I am a producer or director. Some refer to this as being a control freak. I beg to differ. I can and will take care of the details. I don’t care to be the ‘Star’…however, being a tiara wearing girl…I will demand proper recognition in the credits.

Lesson for today: Define your own success. Find your own path.

If I keep this in mind I can move onward and upward, within my comfort zone and hopefully attain some level of success. So in the future when asked, I can respond like any Hollywood starlet…”what I really want to do is direct.”

Preventing Mr. Cellophane

2010-06-22T13:46:00.001-07:00

One day at work I over heard a co-worker,Ray (name has been changed to protect the innocent), say that he felt like Mr. Cellophane from the musical Chicago. Hearing him voice this broke my heart, mostly because it was true. He is treated like Mr. Cellophane. He's not the smartest guy, or the most charming, or best looking...he's just sort of ...well...there.

As a woman that occasionally wears a tiara around the office, I cannot relate to this feeling. I strongly believe that everyone should feel like wearing a tiara at some point or another. What must it feel like to NEVER feel that way?

I made a decision, from that point on to ALWAYS speak to Ray. I say his name when I say good-morning. I hope this helps...I hope that for at least one moment during each day that he does not feel like Mr. Cellophane.

Strangers on a Plane

2010-06-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid...this one time at church camp...we made a habit of giving each others warm fuzzies. In our case, it was usually a shoulder rub - but in general it is doing something that makes another feel better.

Life gave me a warm fuzzy the other day. I was traveling home to Houston. Seated in my awesome aisle seat ready to go,when the pilot announced that we must sit there a while longer because of weather along our route. At which point the two men next to me started talking...and talking...honestly I was amazed at the lack of breaths they took. But their constant chatting and sitting on the tarmac made me cranky.

After take off, the younger guy sitting next to me, finally put his head on his tray table, declined food and went to sleep. I watched as his face slowly turned red and his body started to twitch. This kid was getting sick. In my not so happy mood, I determined that he must have e-coli and we were all going to die. I mourned the little boy sitting in the seat a head of us. Then the inevitable happened. The airsick bag did it's job.

The guy then looked at me, apologized and asked if I could get a flight attendant. I rounded up an attendant and he apologized to me again. I told him not to worry about it, that I was a Mom and could handle it. He asked the ages of my kids. After I told him they were 14 and 18, he shared that he too was 18. He had been traveling for 20 hours from Norway to get home to Phoenix.

At that moment, he stopped being a random traveler, and became someones son. He could be my son traveling between Marine bases. ...so when his next request came...."Would you mind if I put my head on your leg?" I had to say yes. This poor sick kid needed to lay down, he needed a mom.

That is how we landed in Houston. His head in my lap and me rubbing his back. A weird sort of bond with stranger on a plane. I was not a cranky traveler when I got home. Life had forced me to connect with another human being, and I felt better.

So the next time that you seem to be sitting on the tarmac, open your heart and see what the universe hands you.

Are your Employees Practicing the World's Oldest Profession?

2010-05-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

I’m not asking if you run a brothel.

What I am asking is – Are your employees just going through the motions waiting for a paycheck? Do they have passion? Are they building relationships?

Even in the smallest businesses you can improve your business and your sense of community by helping your employees embrace their passion.

Is Mary passionate about the environment? Have her help implement a recycling program.
Is Bob a music aficionado? Work regularly to a soundtrack he has created.
Is Melody an animal lover? Ask her to coordinate a way for your business to benefit the local ASPCA.
Does Sue have an eye for design? Let her set up displays

At a loss? – Ask them…build a relationship with your employees and see if you can find a way to bring their passion to work

It's more fun to Engage

2010-05-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

It is the end of my week of no self promotion via Twitter.

Yes my blog hits were down, but I had more fun. AND most importantly it lead to some engagement with a couple of great people.

I talked with Paula Pollock of Pollock Marketing Group about a Marketing Workshop she is developing. She and I will be talking offline this week. For those of you who are skeptical about using Twitter...that is how it is suppose to work.

I also got to 'talk' via twitter with David Garland. David's Twitter Profile can explain him better than I can -
" Founder/Host of The Rise To The Top on ABC and Online. The #1 Non-Boring Resource For Building Your Business: Smarter, Faster, Cheaper".

His show The Rise to the Top is now part of my RSS feed and I am hoping for time to watch the shows in his archives. David is personable and laid back in his approach to social technology and web-based business growth.

It has been a great week and my online strategy is going to continue to have "Promote the other guy" as it's top priority.

Communication Rocks!

2010-05-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

Foursquare has been having technical difficulites. Foursquare is a mobile networking platform that allows you to explore your location and share tips with your friends in a gamelike manner where you accrue 'badges' and 'mayorships".

Yes is it frustrating, when a site you use regularlly goes down, but I need to give these guys a HUGE bravo!

In this age of social technology, communication is key. It is the reason we use the various platforms. To engage. ...Well it is how we are suppose to use the platforms, I won't get into those that use it as a soapbox.

In my experience, usually when there are technical difficuites (short of my local tv station) we hear nothing. Be it your inhouse tech department or your favorite website. If the system goes down you are stuck...you don't know if it is you or the system. You reboot. You sit tight. You wait. ...it is though all other means of communication ceases to exsist.

But not Foursquare! They maintained customer service in 140 characters no less!

A look at their Twitter Feed will show post after post of @replies explaining to users what was happening and offering assistance for those still having mobil app issues.

Thank you Foursquare for keeping the communication going, for using social technology to provide customer service.

How do you handle communication in your industry/department when you hit a bump in the road? Do you take a "let them eat cake" attitude and make them wait? Or do you embrace and respect your customers and keep them informed?

Edited to add:

As a follow up you may want to read this interview with Foursquare founder, Dennis Crowly about Growing your business, and his view on this topic.

For One Week - It's not about you - Try it

2010-04-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I read "Social “Me”dia Syndrome: A Deadly Epidemic" on PersonalBrandingBlog.com.

I started thinking "What would happen if for one week your social technology usage was not about you?"

My tweetdeck has become a feed of shameless self promotion, and honestly it is making me a little cranky. The social media rockstars will tell you that the industry is about engaging. Engaging is why I have been connecting with people online for a decade.

So for one week lets try this.

No self promoting of your blog posts
No self promoting within your blogs
No self promoting of your latest webinar, podcast or speaking engagement - let them speak for themselves!
No retweeting those who retweet you
No retweeting ANYTHING with your name in it
You can say Thanks for the RT or Thanks for promoting my blog without including the original message.

You can say Thanks for the FollowFriday recommendation without including their recommendation.

Let's see what a week of engaging and supporting others looks like -

Ah...so that I do not seem hypocritical - FYI as soon as I hit the 'publish' button on the post it will automatically hit my faceook feed & my Tumblr page>twitter. That will be it - I will not schedule via su.pr for better publishing times.

Cyber-Bullying has GOT to STOP

2010-04-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

I am not an educator. I am not a psychologist. I am a Mom.

Oops I need more Cows!

2010-04-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Not long ago I became fed up with my Facebook newsfeed being overloaded with game updates. I hid them all! - I have a beautiful newsfeed now. I play the games, but I was missing what really matters, updates and pictures that my friends and family post.

The problem now is - I still play the games...and now I am missing out energy boosters and claiming extra treasure for my play time! -

With all the facebook changes that have taken place I could not figure out how to "unhide". ...I am sure a very uncommon problem. I know my fellow social networks are driven to the brink of insanity by them.

My friend Dana Lopez came to the rescue.

to UNHIDE:

go to your news feed and set to "top stories"
scroll to the bottom - click 'edit options'
click the "applications" tab in the window that pops up
you will see all of your hidden apps
click the "add to newsfeed" button

VOILA! - you can now play again.

Who Are You?

2010-04-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

I will be celebrating my birth later on this week. Once again I find my life in a state of change. Recently I have gone back to school, bound and determined to complete my degree this time.

I am working on getting some credit for life experience. As part of this process I had to write a Learning Autobiography. This process was almost painful, but I learned more about myself during this process than during any other thing I have ever done. I learned that I have made a difference. I learned that my niche is communications...group communications. Funny because I always said - I just want to be heard.

Some times the stars just happen to align just right. As I was going through this process my boss determined that we should all work personal branding into our inbound marketing strategy. Read her blog post on it here.

I also found MindMapping . A writing tool to organize your thoughts. I thought they were really cool - but didn't work with the way I write - I am more of a stream of consciousness writer (is anyone surprised?)

I tried using a MindMap today to work towards personal branding, and I love the results!

What is your BHAG (big hairy audacious goal)?
What is your mission?
Why are you in the industry you are in?
Self-describing words
Words others use to describe you

Make it colorful - make it graphic - and see where you find yourself.

Play Nice

2010-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

My favorite ad on TV right now is this one by Liberty Mutual .

Not only is the music great, but so is the message. Liberty Mutual calls it taking responsibility, I call it being nice.

I was raised to be nice. My friends were raised to be nice. We would be sent out to play with the reminder “Play nice”. One of my friends even thought it was a game we were suppose to play.

When did we stop being nice in America? When did name calling become OK? We use anything we can as an insult. We use a person’s ethnicity, religion, age…what have you – as a way to sling mud – to hurt them. We disagree politically and the next thing you know we’re are almost at the point to where we are going to draw blood.

I have seen people be down right rude because they disagree with someone. This is America - a melting pot of people and ideas - We are going to have differences of opinion. You are not always right. I am not always right.

Let's keep this in mind:

If two men on a job agree all the time, then one is useless. If they disagree all the time, then both are useless. - Darryl F. Zanuck

If I am having a day when I cannot behave – I try to stay home, or at the very least keep my mouth shut. I beg of you – enough is enough – stop with the ugliness and name calling.

Play nice!

Twitter - Getting Started with 5 Tweets a Day

2010-04-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

I know many people that are somewhat interested in twitter but have no idea what to tweet. They know they do not want to send out updates that they are having Cheerios for dinner or that a toddler just threw up on their shoes.

I have ranted in previous posts about people only tweeting what they have read. I also suggested different sorts of information that you may want to share given your area of expertise.

So let’s do this by the numbers – to get started try to send out five tweets a day.

1. Tweet one link that you find informative. This shows your area of expertise. You may have found this online link on facebook, your RSS feed, your Google reader or your favorite online news source…that doesn’t really matter.
2. Tweet one link to something that you find entertaining. This shows us who you are.
3. Retweet an informative tweet from someone you respect. This serves two-fold purpose. Expertise and Engagement
4. @Reply to someone you are following. Engagement, Engagement, Engagement!
5. Tweet an original thought – again so we know who you are.

These five will slowly turn into more as you find you have @replies to which you will need to respond and Thank yous for RTs. (Twitter requires manners)

How to make Facebook less Creepy

2010-03-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is slowly finding her way into social media. Trying to make it relevant to her business and not just a "time suck".

Well, "creepy" is how she described Facebook to me today.

To make it seem less creepy, I suggested working those privacy settings. Maybe it is time for you to take another look at your settings. Who can see your updates? Pictures? Videos?

If you are like me, Facebook is for family and friends and I prefer that they be the only ones that can see all of my rants no matter how silly or ill advised.

To check yours:

go to the upper right hand corner and click the down arrow next to ‘account’ chose ‘privacy settings”

…then one by one you can change each thing so that only your ‘friends” (those you accept can see them)…that should help you feel better.

Happy Posting!

You are on Facebook - Now what

2010-03-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

Many of you have a facebook account but are at a complete loss as to how to use it for your local business. Other than building a fan page, you can also become fans of organizations within your area. Once you are a fan, their updates will appear in your newsfeed and you can join in a conversation or just be aware of any upcoming events to which you may want to contribute.

To find Organizations:

Log into your account

Type keywords into the 'find people and more' box in the upper left hand corner. The key words should be the name of your city, county, region or state as well as an industry term like "plumber" "business" or "Education"

Facebook will return results to your search people first. At this time look to the left hand side and you will see a list that starts with all results...click on the word 'pages'. This will narrow your results down to fan pages that fit within your criteria.

One by one click on the pages that interest you and click the "Become a Fan" button at the top of the page.

Their updates will now show in your newsfeed bringing what's new with them to you.

Are you Corrosive?

2010-03-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

According to Dictionary.com

cor·ro·sive [kuh-roh-siv] –adjective
1.having the quality of corroding or eating away; erosive.
2.harmful or destructive; deleterious: the corrosive effect of poverty on their marriage.
3.sharply sarcastic; caustic: corrosive comments on the speaker's integrity

It should be clear by now that I strive to be an optimistic person. I strongly believe in adding to whatever groups or teams to which I belong. Corrosive people are my pet peeve.

Being corrosive eats away at achieving goals. One corrosive agent can weaken the cornerstones of any organization. Bitching, complaining and finger pointing stops progress. Can you imagine being excited about the direction you are heading only to have someone insist on pointing out the downfalls and faults you have?

You cannot turn a blind eye to the corrosive agent in your midst. They will keep eating away, weakening and destroying what you are building. Corrosive people are in a negative place. They do not want to hear suggestions to improve their situation. Corrosive people are complete "know-it alls". The agent must be neutralized or removed.

A good team member does not turn a blind eye to the speed bumps in the way of progress, they acknowledge the obstacle and suggest ways to remove or work around it. A good team member is thrilled and excited about the goal and forward momentum.

...All corrosive people be warned - I am on a mission.... Everyone deserves encouragement and We all need to move forward...I won't let you stop progress. ...And I am not alone!

Building Buzz in your Bathrobe

2010-03-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

I love love love my job. When you are lucky enough to be in this position, your mind never stops working on "What's next?". I am also a Taurus, which means I am all about comfort and luxury. This morning this means that I am still in my pajama's since it is my day off, but my mind is on our conference that starts in 7 days!

Using social technology makes this a productive time.

My blackberry helps me to respond to my boss' panic.

Twitter and Facebook updates about our search able hashtag (#CE2010) helps me to get the word out to those that cannot attend about how they can follow the events and stay informed. They can be there virtually.

This conference is going to be very "Hands On". Hands on smart phones. Hands on laptops. Who knows I may even show up with my pajamas on!

How to Prepare a Presentation....Or OH NO I have Writers' Block

2010-03-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

The last time I sent someone advice via email, the next thing I knew was that the same "HOW TO" advice ended up on some high profile blogs. No they did not steal my content - I just missed the timing on when that information was hot.

Tonight I sent a friend advice VIA Twitter - and decided not to miss the opportunity again!

@DebCE tweeted "I need to work on my presentation for conference. It's all in my head but won't spill out to the paper."

These are the steps I take when preparing a presentation.

- I imagine myself giving the talk, taking notes on what I am saying.

- Then take the notes and put them in some sort of order that makes sense using in full sentences.

- Then I read it out loud. At this point I fill in the blanks, adding more information to the places that I feel I have not been clear or have not explained a concept.

VOILA - I have my presentation.

Then I need to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE...and when I think I have it I practice some more. It doesn't kill the intimidation factor or stage fright - but it makes it a lot easier.

Choosing Happy

2010-02-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

I want to tell you about Alba. Alba spreads happy. Alba is in her 30's and from Honduras. She is beautiful.

Alba works in the housekeeping department of my company. Her job is to empty trash cans, clean the bathrooms and vacuum among other things. I have worked many places and there are very few names of housekeeping staff that I remember, let alone ever met. She knows I am a coffee addict and always offers me a cup before closing down the pots for the night. She does her job well, but this is not what makes her remarkable.

She comes in each day with full hair and make up. She wears pretty sweaters and sparkly jewelry. A walk through the kitchen during her lunch is a veritable fiesta for your nose. She has made her lunch hour into an event worthy of engraved invitations and a VIP section.

I would not want to do her job. I wouldn't feel good about myself. But not Alba - Alba takes care of herself, She takes care of those of us whose offices she dusts. How can we not be happy when you hear a sing-song Latin tinted "Goood Moorning!"?

One has to be happy to get up each morning and make yourself pretty to run the vacuum cleaner.

I have been to after-work happy hours with Alba. While others were drinking too much and whining about work. Alba sat next to me leaned over and said "I don't like that" - "Why do they have to be ugly? It's not good, they should be happy." Those whining, complaining co-workers easily make much more money than Alba. They get to sit in offices with comfy chairs. Yet they were not choosing happy.

I am lucky enough to see this example of happy every day. I try very hard to live by Alba's example. It's difficult. Stress can make you crazy. But I think the next time that life starts to get me down. I am going to ask myself "What would Alba do?"

How to Play Rock Paper Scissors

2010-02-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

How can you have fun at work if you do not know how to play the simplest of games OR settle disputes in playground manner?

I was actually just told by a tiara worthy co-worker that she did not know how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors.

So for her and the rest of you out there that probably spent your childhood pursuing education and sports...here you go.
How to Play Rock Paper Scissors

Stand facing your opponents
Count to 3

You each throw a sign for either Rock (a fist), Paper (hand held flat), or Scissors (2 fingers out like scissors)

Rock beat scissors (they can break them)
Scissors beats Paper (they can cut)
Paper beats Rock (it covers it)

You DO Have Something to Offer via Social Technology

2010-02-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

Maybe you are finally convinced that social technology and personal branding is not going anywhere and you want to get started before it changes. You understand that it is about sharing, but have no idea what you are suppose to share. Let me help you think outside the box.

I have taken a sampling of my facebook friends and will use their professions as examples of what I would do if I were them.

Use Blogs, Micro Blogs, Video and Podcasts:

Teacher- Give those lessons you always wanted to teach, but don’t have the opportunity within the confines of the school system. Online book club and reading discussion

HVAC installers – blog the product options, video do-it yourself maintenance

Dental Hygienist – Oral health, product optinions, how to floss, why smiling is good for your mental health

Hair Stylist – How to blow dry or flat iron, using At-Home products. Changing your cosmetics when changing your hairstyle or color

Retired Police Officer – Public safety, Using headlines – how to prevent issues in the future, Examples of how a department or agency has done it right.

Home Inspector – Home maintenance, when to do it yourself, when to hire an expert, Vinyl vs. Brick etc.

Office Supplies – Office organization! (Who doesn’t need that!), Pros & Cons of different office equipment, Highlighter art & Paperclip chains

This is just a sampling of the options – the beginning of the brainstorming. Keep going. Nothing is too silly – you would be surprised at what people do not know, or what will enterain them and keep them coming back.

After you have made your list of professionally related topics, mix in some of your personal interests. This is where the personal banding comes in. Posts about your latest kitchen masterpiece, your workout, fishing trip or little league coaching lets people know who you are and helps them to bond with you.

Remember to keep it positive and don’t be afraid to go there!

How to Make Change

2010-02-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

I was reading Deb Evans' Blog, and when I read this sentence “I plan to be a strong leader and dig much deeper into the how I plan to lead.”, I thought how that statement would strike fear into some people. That statement would elicit a ‘great what do I need to do now’ out of some. Others would start whining about what changes would come.
Employees hate change. Most times after a staff meeting where changes are announced, water cooler talk and closeted conversations are full of negativity and bitching. This turn of events always makes me a bit crazy. Announcements of change usually excite me.
I love being able to look my job in a different way. New challenges! Change keeps us from becoming stale. Change prevents burnout. Change keeps us learning.
As a leader how do you present change? Do you dictate and mandate?
As a leader, announcing change by saying “we are going to work harder”, “we are going to do things differently” is a BIG no-no. Your employees hear “You are going to work harder” “You have to change things up”. Employees know that by saying ‘WE” – you mean them and that you, the leader has no intention of changing.
Change must be announced with enthusiasm. Change must be announced, by letting the people you lead know YOU as the leader intend to change, even if you are excited about announcing mandates from the parking lot instead of your corner office. Your people need to know what YOU are going to do. You must lead by example. If you want your team to dig deeper, you must dig deeper. Lead by example. Be positive. Open your door to your employees, acknowledge challenges. And most importantly, before asking your people if they are willing to follow you, tell them where you are leading them.

Can Franchising Save Small-Town America?

2010-02-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

I grew up in small New England towns. The people in these towns are an independent lot. Generally, we did not have national franchises. There was the local bakery, no Dunkin' Donuts. There was no Dairy Queen or Sonic to hang out at after school, mostly we all went to work after classes, if a job could be found. Ironically, we moved from each of these towns shortly after they each got their first McDonalds (purely coincidental). I believe the feeling was that national chains would detract from the individual identity of the area.

I work for an international franchisor and attended my first International Franchising Association Convention last week. The first bit of information that I took away is, the values of the majority of these businesses align with small town values: Quality, Commitment, & Customer Service.

As I write this, the unemployed young man that is working on my car came inside. We discussed his job hunt, he has applied at one franchise store several times, and not the local store, because of the service he has received at the establishment. He said he noted that the manager at the local store was rude, and mistreated his employees, making a bad work environment. Small town workers want to be part of quality & customer service focused businesses.

When I return to my hometowns, I am sad. They are dying. They are small and dark. People need to drive for miles to get a spool of thread or a pot holder.

One can tell from the number of farmer's markets and craft fairs that the entrepreneurial spirit lives in the hearts of these people. However money and opportunity prevent most from gaining the experience they need to run a successful business. If small town business-person were to invest their money in a franchise system instead of an independent business, he would have the benefit of a proven system, the experience of the failures of those who came before him.

Successful businesses provide jobs and grow local economies. Those looking at a start up business as well as franchisors should look at the small towns. The memory of having a donut with the locals at the town bakery can be as warm and pleasant as the memory of having to drive 120 miles for a chocolate honey-dipped Dunkin' Donut.

Personal Branding Lessons Learned from Brett Farve...NOT

2010-01-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying that this post is in no way meant to dismiss Brett Farve's football playing abilities. The man has been playing for years and has an arm like a cannon. However, they way in which the sports press deals with him grates on my last nerve, making me wish that the man would just retire already. I have noticed this "Brett Farve" trend all season, and it came to a head for me during the NFC Championship game on Sunday.

Announcers insist on saying his full name repeatedly, and giving him so much coverage that one wonders...is anyone else playing? Is he part of a team? During the first quarter of Sunday's game the announcers said his full name fifteen times! Yes, I counted. At the end of the first quarter I decided to write this post and in the name of fairness noted the number of times I also heard "Drew Brees". Final Count for quarters 2 through overtime (it was a good game)...Brett Farve got 34 mentions and Drew Brees had 16. Over twice as many! I did not count the times last names or first names alone because I realize they need to be referred to in some way.

To add insult to injury..Fox sports also treated us to a quick "Brett Farve" Interview about the noise level...apparently noise is not an issue for Brees...and a short video bio clip informing us of Farve's connection to New Orleans...My guess is that Brees is now connected to the city he plays for. If I had counted the number of times the camera cut to an adoring shot of Farve on the sidelines watching the game, I would now me suffering for carpal tunnel.

What does this have to do with business or personal branding you may ask?...Well, there comes a point when the general public is aware of your name, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the product or service you provide. Let your cusomter service speak for you. Be great, have longevity & become an icon...don't become just another name.

We want to root for Old "What's his name" the Vikings Quarterback with the killer pass.

Rules of Engagment

2010-01-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

I hear a lot that social media doesn't work or I don't believe in social media. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and if this is what you believe then fine, move along and embrace what works for you. However, if you want to give it a chance, you must use it properly for it to work.

Initially, you must understand that what you are trying to gain is the new ROI - Return on Influence. Meaning that the more people that want to connect with you, the larger your sphere of influence, and eventually they may become business partners, clients or customers. Simply following, friend requesting or linking does not "connect" you. In order to really connect, to build real ROI - you must engage.

I don't want to sound like Pollyanna here, but the truth of the matter is that people will want to engage with you if you are positive. No one wants to engage with someone that is going to challenge their opinions all time. No one wants to engage with someone that is going to use their social media venues as a soapbox. These situations are uncomfortable in person, and no one is going to seek them out online.

To engage properly, be positive & be helpful.

You can disagree with an opinion expressed, no problem. The best practice within social media is to either, ignore it or respectfully disagree with a point and give a reason why.

Being helpful is nothing more than being a fan. Posting a link or giving a review to your favorite restaurants, authors, stores, TV shows...whatever you really enjoy is helpful to them. This also adds to your transparency, as your connections will know the real you.

How to be a Great Boss

2010-01-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

I have been very very lucky when it comes to bosses. I have learned much from each one I have had. I now know what it takes to be a great Boss.

Boss # 1...was kind of a creep, but he taught me that there is always something to do. He made his expectations clear

Boss # 2...When you see potential...foster it, find a way to help your employee grow

Boss # 3...Listen...when a new employee, has an out of the box idea - give it a shot. It helps inspire a sense of ownership of the task.

Boss # 4...say 'Thank You' at the end of the day, they will be glad they came to work and happy to come in tomorrow.

Boss # 5...acknowledge your employee's expertise, they will be proud of the job they do for you.

Boss # 6...When reprimanding an employee...take responsibility for any training you may have failed to provide (this sucks for the employee - but it WORKS!)

Boss # 7...my current Boss...provide constant challenges for the employee to meet. Do not let them settle.

and just to make it an even 10

#8 - Be a team leader not a tyrant
#9 - Be the Boss...do not fear the wrath of your employees
#10 - Show them respect...unless you are hiring High School students, you have employed adults..treat them as such.

How to be a Great Employee

2010-01-13T19:36:00.000-08:00

I have been an employee for 25 years, and for many of those I have been a great employee. I have learned a few things over the years that can help anyone become great.

The first thing you should know: Your employer is not required to employ you. You are not doing them a favor by showing up everyday. Unemployment is high and under employment is higher. There are others out there that would be more happy to have your job. So suck it up and try to have a good attitude most days.

Second, you are not entitled to a raise. You accepted your job at an agreed upon wage. Why should your employer pay you more for performing the same task. If you want more money...do more work. On the same note: Employers if you have an employee that is going above and beyond on a frequent and regular basis...pony up more cash.

And lastly you were hired to do a job. You were not hired to text, surf the next or spend 8 hours taking care of your personal business. Any boss worth their salt will respect that occasionally you have things that need to be taken care of during business hours, but DO NOT take advantage of them.

Show your employer respect, realize that times are tough and step up. Be great!

What Social Media is NOT

2009-12-30T19:16:00.000-08:00

I am preparing a presentation on what social media is and what social media is NOT.

I decided that social media is NOT:

It is NOT a one way street - I have talked before about my utter displeasure with people that constantly post or retweet articles - one after another - nothing they have written, nothing original. No one will know who you are or even why they should consider your reading recommendations.

It is NOT a platform to be someone you are not - in the social media world, you will be found out. LinkedIn links to Twitter links to Facebook and on and on. Feigning an interest or some uber-cool persona and you will be found out - you will be found out and you will not build trust. In order to build interpersonal trust online or off you MUST show integrity. ...so let your freak flag fly!

It is NOT just another sales platform - There are plenty of people and companies out there that just post sale information or offer their services through an automated setting. This is just tacky...The public gets that via traditional media, Television and Radio - automated sales pitches. Sure plenty of people may follow or fan you to get the inside scoop on specials you are running. But if you are only using social media in this way, you are missing out on an amazing opportunity to offer individualized customer service and build a real bond with your customers.

What other things is social media NOT?

I hate it when that happens

2009-12-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

I am reading Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchk. To be more specific, I am on page 13. I have already jumped up from my chair once to bring an idea to somone down the hall.

My Twitter Bio says I am an "Idea Muse"...which basically means I have good ideas and take joy in implementing them. I wonder if I will ever be able to inspire the passion in others that he can do in a few pages. To ever be able to say more than "I have this gret idea for you, you should do it." I want to inspire action instead of "Lorri that's great! but what is my return on in?"...I want to scream...trust me just do it!..because when I KNOW something, I KNOW it in my gut, without a lot of concrete facts to back it up.

I can't wait to finish this book and see if there is any way I can have my inner Gary help me help them!

A Black Belt in Simple

2009-12-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

Last night I helped a friend by Digging her article. Since I logged onto Digg.com with my Facebook account, the article was also posted to my Facebook news feed. I mentioned this to her and she linked accounts also. Her response to me after doing this easy step, was "Do you have a black belt in this shit?"

I laughed and thought "NO!" all of this social media stuff is so easy, why are people so confused by it? Or maybe it is just me, I have been using social media for years - I have a great friend in Ohio that I have never met face to face, but we chatted on message boards, hers and mine. We found each other on Gather, MySpace and now Facebook. And now I can take those skills I learned at home and apply them at work. I have been clicking buttons for years and asking "What does this do?".

The one tip can I share with you about using and connecting your social media - Look for those "Sign in with Facebook or Twitter" and use them - it's that simple and you can get your Black Belt Too!

Video

2009-11-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

My recent mission has been to figure out podcasting and streaming video. My conclusion has been that you should broadcast frequently about whatever you are passionate about. Don't be too careful, Be yourself and just put it all out there. Eventually, it should catch on with others with the same passions. Easy enough. And WOW had no idea it was so easy to add a video to my blog!

Link-ing In With a Little Help From My Friends

2009-10-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

It's time for me to come clean. As much as I love social media, I do not spend the time on LinkedIn that I should. So I took a stroll through some of my favorite places on the net to find some usable advice that would be easy for me to make LinkedIn more manageable.

Some 'best practices" from the people I respect.

Everyone and his brother will tell you to be sure that your profile is at 100%. Not a problem, I always take those little percentage bars as a challenge and that has been done since day one.

First stop, Gini Dietrich over at The Fight Against Destructive Spin . She recommends "Spend 10 minutes going through your LinkedIn groups and answering questions where you have expertise and can position yourself as a thought leader."....OK I think I can do that over my after-work cup of coffee.

My Franchising Friend Paul Segreto recommends "making sure to use each networks "notifications" features effectively". I am pretty sure that when I set up my profile that I probably did not how to do this. Classic social media newbie that I was, I just didn't know how this could be effective and helpful. You can keep up with Paul on his blog Franchise Essentials .

The LinkedIn Man himself, Jason Alba, Author of "I'm on LinkedIn. Now What?" recommends on his blog, to use the questions and answers features to build your network and to be involved in intelligent conversation.

Decided: I can follow Paul and Adam's advice is Gini's recommended 5 minutes a day. If I become a LinkedIn addict....I am sure I can find plenty to do on http://www.linkedintelligence.com/.

Are You Engaging?

2009-10-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

We are all familiar with the old adage "it isn't what you know it is who know". Well, there are many on Twitter that apparently have not heard this saying.

A constant barrage of articles you have read does not encourage me to engage with you. I can set up my own RSS feed or set up a reading list like the USMC Commandant has done. (for a list of what the well read Marine is reading click here ).

Twitter is about engaging, telling us who you are. Telling us why we care what you are reading. Any idiot can post links to sales articles, why should I believe you? Tell me who you are and what you are doing. I cannot respect your opinion if I have no idea if you are authentic. Do you have integrity and the respect of your peers? Are you honest?

I can only tell if I get to know you. So please go ahead and tweet me links to articles of interest, but mix in some info about yourself and those that you know, love and respect.

Know Thy Customer

2009-10-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

This post was originally published in the September 09 issue of the P29 Consulting e-Journal.
http://www.p29consulting.com/knowthycustomer.htm

The effective use of social media is to understand your customer before implementing a social media plan. Whether you sell B2B or B2C, having a fundamental understanding of the buying process of your customer is as imperative for social media as it is for any other form of sales, marketing or PR.

Best Buy and Ford Motor Company are two large corporations that have implemented social media programs that work to reach their customers.

Best Buy gives us a great visual of their “TwelpForce” in a television ad that shows one person getting advice from a stadium of Best Buy employees. Best Buy stock has shown gradual growth over the last six months and in July implemented “TwelpForce” .

What is Twelpforce?

According to the company website posted on 08-21-2009 04:08 PM

“Twelpforce is a new service from Best Buy for people to ask tech questions to Best Buy employees via micro blogging site Twitter.

The promise we’re making starting in July is that you’ll know all that we know as fast as we know it. That’s an enormous promise. That means that you will be able to ask us about the decisions you're trying to make, the products you're using, and look for the customer support that only we can give. And with Twitter, we can do that fast, with lots of opinions so you can make a decision after weighing all the input. It also lets others learn from it as they see our conversations unfold”

Best Buy employees sign up to be part of the TwelpForce visiting this website http://bbyconnect.appspot.com/about/ .The process, as well as Tips & Expectations are posted for employee reference.

Best Buy encouraged its employees who are already using Twitter and familiar with the practice to participate; the corporate office monitors the activity through the hash tag #Twelpforce. (A hash tag is the practice of using a # in front of a word to make it more searchable on the web.)

Best Buy understands that its customers normally go to their stores and ask the staff to help them make decisions about purchases. The customers believe that the staff is knowledgeable and can assist them in making an informed decision about a variety of products.

Ford Motor Company has approached their social media plan by recognizing that most customers are researching vehicle options prior to an automotive purchase, have strong brand loyalty and that our cars become part of our lives.

Facebook and Twitter profiles have been set up in the name of separate divisions and Models.

On Twitter: @FordDriveGreen addresses environmental issues and plans that are so important to car buyers recently. @FordCustService is monitored Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm EST by Shawn and Mike. They tweet about car maintenance and specials being run. Followers will begin to know Shawn and Mike as well as their local mechanic, thus making a huge corporate machine seem close and in touch with their needs.

@FordMustang and @FordTrucks have Twitter identities as well as Facebook pages. Information about changes to upcoming models is released. Pictures and video of the exceptional performance of their products are posted as well as pictures comments of their raving fans. Ford has been able to bring the local car show to the internet.

The best businesses are built on fulfilling customer needs. What do your customers need? If they need a lot of input and guidance, do as Best Buy has done and find a way to get them the assistance of more than one customer service representative. If your customer needs to be approached on many different levels, consider a segmented approach such as Ford.

The beauty of social media is that it is as flexible as you need it to be and can be customized to showcase your brand or product to your customers in a way that is best for them.

Social Media: an effective business tool

2009-09-25T04:39:00.000-07:00

This post was originally published in the P29 Consulting e-Journal August 2009
http://www.p29consulting.com/augustnl.htm

As an introduction to Social Media, I should follow conventional wisdom and discuss the benefits of the "Social" aspect; I think, however, it is more beneficial for traditional business to focus on "Media". As a time and cost saver, social media is a practice well worth exploring.

On Wednesday, July 22th I read the following post on my Tweetdeck (www.tweetdeck.com):

Big Day! Email I sent to Zappos employees today about the Amazon acquisition http://blogs.zappos.com/ceoletter

In less than 140 characters and a link to a blog post, Tony Hsieh (known as @Zappos in the Twitterverse) brilliantly accomplished two things: controlling the story and boosting public opinion.

Most importantly, he took control of the 850 million dollar news story about his company. Public information wasn’t left to be speculated on and then dispersed by mainstream media and talking heads. The public was able to read for itself, in Hsieh’s own words and tone, about the stock transfer. He dispels any myths about large cash transfers and corporate takeovers.

Secondly, we were all able to see the respect with which Hsieh treats his employees. In the Email, made public in the blog posting, he addresses employees’ top three concerns: job security, corporate culture and leadership as a priority. By addressing these issues the public sees that Zappos leadership appreciates employees as team members and values their contributions to the company’s success.

In the current economic climate, corporations are falling one after another and CEOs are seen as greedy and out of touch. This simple use of social media to disperse an internal memo to the public has probably done more for the Zappos’ reputation, than many thousands of dollars spent to have the story spun by traditional public relations and news outlets.

The reason that this tweet was not seen as a publicity stunt to thwart bad press is that Zappos had already built a relationship with its customers and the public with social media. Hsieh has built a Twitter following of over a million people with less than 2000 updates.

Zappos’ blog has posts about products and culture. It also has a CEO/ COO section that along with the above mentioned letter features a picture of Hsieh in a bunny suit handing out candy to children and a PowerPoint® about e-commerce lessons. We have already learned to trust him as a person and a business leader. So when he tells us that he is excited about a major change within his business, we believe him and are excited-not skeptical.

Now is the time to determine how you and your company are viewed by the public, your customers, employees and stockholders. Are you in a place socially, that should a major event happen within your company, that you can handle it as swiftly and successfully as Tony Hsieh did?

A Private You in a Social Network

2009-07-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

You are probably at the point where you accept that participating in a social media network is valid but it just doesn’t sit right with you since you are a private person. A couple of things may make you feel better.

Under no circumstances are you required to update your network with what you are eating for lunch, if your pet hamster has a cold or make any comments on sex, religion or politics (general societal rules can still apply). I have checked and no social media police will insist that you divulge the intimate details of your personal life.

Because you have different levels of involvement, you can pick and chose what works for you because there are as many personalities in the virtual world as there are in the real world, and just like in the real world – the variety is what makes it fun! Keeping with the Cocktail party scenario that is Social Media – here is a quick guide.

Level One: The Wallflower
Sit back and absorb information.
Set up Google alerts, read blogs and watch videos.
Set up a Twitter account, activate all the privacy settings and just monitor conversations.

Level Two: Punch Server
Level One activities plus:
Leave comments to blogs that elicit a reaction from you
Re-Tweet comments that you find interesting

Level Three: Polite Guest
Level 1 & 2 activities plus:
Tweet links to the blogs you have read w/ topic
Join Facebook to monitor network ‘newsfeed”

Level Four: Here for the Party
Level 1, 2, &3 activities plus:
Tweet general information and comments
Become an active participant and fan on Facebook
Start a blog

Level Five: Party Animal
All of the above AND
Post links to all relevant articles and links to Facebook
Build and Manage your own Facebook group
Tweet, Re-tweet & Comment
Blog and guest blog
At this level you may feel the need to tweet your breakfast…go ahead as long as YOU are comfortable doing so.

Random Acts of Kindness

2009-04-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have been accused of being an optimist. Maybe I am. However, I think "Random Acts of Kindness" is one of the best concepts ever. Can RAOK work in your business? If you want there to be a "World Wide Rave" about you and your brand - YES!

Remember that it is not all about you. It is about your customers.

There are 2 Starbucks close to me - I go to the one that is slightly further, because they make the experience - even at the Drive thru- about me. "How are you?", "Oh that sounds good!" in refernce to my order. "It's a great evening, what are you up to?" They are feeding into my need to be special. And I am thankful...because when it comes to my latte - it is about ME!

Act locally grow Globally

2009-03-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Most small business owners have a secret desire to be a global power.

Question: Are you a local power? Chamber of Commerce, JCC, Rotary Club - are you involved?

Do your local politicians know you by name? -

A great product and awesome customer service will keep the customers...but to grow them you need help, support and to play the game. Playing the game does not mean selling out, does not mean smoozing those you despise - but you must be open to dialog.

How Tweet It Is

2009-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

I am loving www.TweepSearch.com!

pop in search terms and it crawls BIOs....woot -

Key word search and find tweeps by local, interest, job title...perfect for network building.

Stop being a Wall Flower

2009-03-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

Great! - You have set up a LinkedIn profile, are following people on twitter and have joined Facebook groups.....but where are the promised opportunities?

If you do not PARTICIPATE is social media - you are like the girl that wears a new dress to the dance and then stands in the corner.

Most social media platforms have an interactive element: discussion boards, Q&A opportunities, Comment sections -

Discuss! Answer! Comment! - Or else no one will know you are an expert in your field -

Be a good date, remember it isn't all about you, that relationships are a two way street or you will just end up serving punch.

Transparent Business

2009-03-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

My last few posts have centered around your employees and the recession. Michael Schneider in his Blog Peer to Peer talks about being transparent with his employees. His post here .

Transparency - it's the buzz word of the moment - new word for an age old concept...'open honest communication'

Use social media to help keep open and in touch -

Follow each other on twitter - easy way to spread the praise, ask for help, and keep everyone in the loop. Particularly if you chose to implement virtual offices to cut overhead costs .

Who knows Best?

2009-03-04T19:35:00.000-08:00

You know your business' bottom line (if you don't, stop reading NOW and find out), but is there a slow bleed somewhere? Are you spending money that you think is necessary - but may not be.

Take some time to really listen to your employees - Chances are they feel some loyalty to your business, having invested time and energy into it...they aren't just there to bask in your charisma. Sure the paycheck is nice, but have you tried to live on what you are paying them?

Talk to them...but more importantly LISTEN to them. They will let you know if you are paying someone to text all day. They may not really want that perk you are giving them. They may be willing to sacrifice something that you hadn't thought of in order to save their jobs and your business.

Be a Lean Mean Economy Fighting Machine

2009-02-25T17:33:00.000-08:00

It's Official we are in tough times. Time to take a look at your bottom line.

Are you wondering how to cut expenses in your business?

Take a look at where your money is going?
are you using all subscriptions? If the daily newspaper is stacking up in the corner unread..cancel.

Do you have services that can be provided in house?
use a water filter instead of a water service
cut cleaning or grounds services in half (If you own a cleaning or landscaping business offer part-time services and GROW your client base so you are ready to BOOM when the economy turns. )

Turn off unused energy sucking appliances
Adjust your thermostat a few degrees so that the AC or heat doesn't run so hard.

Do you have an employee that wants to go part-time - let them.

More tomorrow on getting your employees on board - they are experts on how your run your business...trust me.

Slow down you're going to fast

2009-02-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

Social Media Networking...you have changed the world. But has the business world changed with you?

A few tib bits to remember -

In a bad economy - take care of those who have always been there.

Check them out - websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn...what ever you use - if your curent customers are there - fan them, friend them, tweet them and join thier network and rejuvenate your relationship- ....if they are not - Don't forget them.

With these tried and true clients - remember the tired and true way you got them. Keep calling them, Keep stopping by to say hi and check on how they are doing. What can you do to help?
Some relationships need to be kept the old fashioned way, but earning them.

What are your energizers?

2009-01-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

I spent my morning working on a script for a marketing video, early afternoon in a Strategic Planning meeting and the late afternoon working out financial data issues. Needless to say, I was exhausted on the drive home.

For me, Numbers are not an energizers - they are energy suckers. Days that I am able to do creative things at the end of the day - leaving me bouncing and my brain firing on all cylinders.

If you have a choice in your schedule - I highly recommend doing your energizing task at the end of the day.

I have always had a hard time working after lunch on Fridays - now with the onset of Social Media Marketing - I have found my clouds parting, chorus of angels singing task dropped in my lap. Website posting, blogging, networking...perfect - Thank you Gods of Marketing!

No, Really...

2009-01-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, I do own a tiara. No, I did not win it in a pageant. I just believe that sometimes we need to see ourselves as special.

I am not the only one at work with a tiara - There is one other woman there with one..but she is not as bold with it...though we do occasionally, when things are crazy, declare a Tiara Tuesday. Tomorrow is not such a day.

Ocasionally I will be asked why I don't have it on. My usual response is "I don't need it today".
Most days I do not, but it sits on my credenza in case of an emergency that chocolate cannot handle.

Don't write me off as some silly administrative clerk. I am not...I am well respected in my position.

Which brings me to the point of this blog...to be successful, you must live outside the box.