TNNWC Publications

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Networking at a Magic Show

Everyone is sitting excited about the show. No one is sitting still, they are pointing to various parts of the stage when they see movement and trying to image what is happening. There are clowns and actors in the aisles entertaining the crowd before the show begins. All the children in the audience, and that includes me, are squirming around looking at everything under the tent.

A costumed actor comes flying down the aisle and is making fun behind an unsuspecting attendee. Everyone is laughing. People are commenting to each other about other shows they have seen. The couple sitting next to me has their grand daughter with them. We strike up a conversation about grand children (I have a grand daughter as well).

The conversation leads us into our business lives and how grand it is to be able to spoil grand children before they go home to their parents. I learn they have a business that employes 50 people and they have been doing well but need some help with a particular area of the business. This is my opportunity - we exchange cards and agree to talk next week. Afterall, the the lights are dimming and the show must go on.

Now it is time for intermission and I am not about to let the opportunity to keep connected go. I ask if I can get them anything from the concession stand as I am heading that way. The answer is yes they would love to get some popcorn for their grand daughter and didn't think they would have time to line up with her and also get her to the restroom. Problem solved and the connection gets stronger.

This is only one of four people I was able to connect with at the magic show. I met some great people in the line up at the concession and even more lining up for the restroom. You really never know when you will get that great contact. It just seems like Magic at times!
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How To Network In A Bowl, by Maria Marsala

Summary: Sponsoring a contest is a powerful, inexpensive way to promote your business and build relationships, too!

Buddy networking is when you find a complimentary business to market with, and the process ends up being mutually beneficial. Sponsoring a contest giving away a gift certificate to another business that attracts your ideal client is a great way to buddy network. Not only do you get some free publicity, you also get the contact information for several of you ideal clients.

If you speak or teach classes, you can use the bowl concept to run contests there, too. Chamber member? Run a contest there. You don't have to give away "big" prizes - cups, quote in a frame, and other appropriate items are sure to make your students heart smile!

1. Identify 3 businesses
Where does your ideal client shop? What restaurants do they visit? Create a list and then prioritize. If you travel for your business, or do business with brick and mortar companies that also have an Internet presence, feel free to identify these businesses, too.
2. Contact the owner
Ask for an in-person (preferred) or telephone meeting (ok if you are doing business virtually or from another city). Make an appointment to meet with them, and bring credible information about your business to the meeting like newspaper articles, brochures, etc. Remember to market with integrity! Let the business owner know up front what you plan to send to the contest entrants when you contact them.
3. Swap literature
Ask the business owner for additional literature about their business. Ask if there is any way that you can assist them, etc.
4. What's in it for them?
The business owner can reap promotional benefits. Contest information can be added to their newspaper ads, web sites, flyers, posters, menus, press releases, etc. Announcing the winner offers a second chance for promotion. Let's not forget that the winner will be spending "whatever prize you paid for" at their establishment, too.
5. Purchase a bowl
Help a local charity by purchasing a jar, bowl, dish, or fish bowl with a large enough opening for business cards. Some places to check out are Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Discovery Centers. Make a sign for the front of the bowl.
6. Don't limit yourself
Not everyone has a business card. Design your own entry form. Sam's Club www.samsclub.com has boxes of blank business cards that are ideal to use. Or cut some index cards. The form should include a line requesting the entrant's name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
7. Cost to you?
For the price of a gift certificate to their establishment, you'll receive a bowl full of business/personal cards from people you've established are your ideal clients.
8. What's in it for you?
Benefits may include the opportunity to:
* build a relationship with a business owner who attracts your ideal clients.
* tell your ideal clients about your services.
* advertise your business by sponsoring the contest.
* advertise the same contest in your store for added benefits!
* the list goes on!!!
9. Write to the contestants.
Send a letter of introduction to each person and do some permission marketing. Things you might mention in your correspondence are:
* the name of the winner, and city they reside in
* a short description of your service and how it can benefit them.
* as much of your contact information as possible - phone number, address, email, web site
* any free services you offer
* ask them to subscribe to your newsletter on or off line
* include a consolation prize like a pen with your name on it or discount certificate to your services on a postcard.

©2006 A former Wall Street trader, Maria Marsala helps women in financial services fields; small businesses owners, independent agents, and branch mangers, to boost profits, productivity and have more playtime by providing no BS, practical, results-based strategy sessions and seminars. Subscribe to Powerful Business Strategies Ezine to receive your free one-page business and marketing plan audio in your Welcome Note http://www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com
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Inspirational Poem by Alex Chua

Namaste,
Alex Chua
What Else is Possible?
http://Share.YourSPARKS.com/
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On the Road alone? #77 to be sure!

*_MUST KNOW #77_*
>>
>> *I knew about the red light on cars, but not the #77. It was
>> about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to
>> visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her
>> and put his lights on. *Lauren's parents have always told
>> them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of
>> the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station,
>> etc. * *
>>
>> *Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and
>> promptly called #77 on her cell phone to tell the police
>> dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She
>> proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked
>> police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind
>> her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars
>> where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep
>> driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the *
>>
>> *way. *
>>
>> *Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked
>> car behind her. *
>>
>> *One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the
>> car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him
>> to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for
>> other crimes. *
>>
>> *I never knew about the #77 Cell Phone Feature, but
>> especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull
>> over for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect
>> your right to keep going to a safe & quiet place. You
>> obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them
>> ( i.e. put on your hazard lights) or call #77 like Lauren did. *
>>
>> *Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you
>> this little bit of wonderful information. *
>>
>> **Speaking to a service representative at **Bell ** Mobility
>> confirmed that #77 was a *
>>
>> *direct link to OPP Dispatch.** So, now it's your turn to let
>> your friends know about #77. *
>>
>> *Send this to every woman (and person) you know; it may save
>> a life.*
>>
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Holistic Employment Service

A NEW WAY OF DOING BUSINESS

Holistic Employment Service for Healthy Businesses – Big and Small

Did you see the cover of Newsweek, July 17, 2006? The New Greening of America: from politics to lifestyle, why saving the environment is hot. Funny, for some of us, it has been a way of life.

A new powerful consumer group being dubbed, Lifestyle of Health & Sustainability (LOHAS) is similar to the previously named Baby Boomers and Generation X. Mainstream companies are seeing the potential of this once grass-roots industry and want a piece of it.

Traditional marketing and advertising executives and agencies have advised their clients to shy away from the LOHAS community, because it used to be a low-yield market. That is certainly changing if you check the statistics found on www.lohas.com. According to their studies, the current LOHAS community is a powerhouse growing market with deep pockets amounting to $228 billion. Armed with that statistic, it doesn’t take too much market research to convince those same executives to gear efforts and products to attract some of this revenue.

The gap between big business and this growing movement is closing rapidly. LOHAS-minded executives come to the table with responsible business practices such as environmental care, balancing family and work, and an awareness of the need and benefits of supporting personal growth. Whereas mainstream business focuses on structure, strategy, business planning, generating revenue, and accountability. Blended these two different disciplines make a potent recipe for success.

Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Information Technology, Financial and similar industries have been utilizing employment services for years and their bottom lines show it.

Enter Natural Life Employment Services (NLES), a recruitment firm specializing in businesses serving the LOHAS market. Lynda J. Mastronardo and Susan L. Olson, have founded NLES to help bridge that gap. NLES is among the first recruiting agencies to address the LOHAS niche, bringing their own unique blend of natural lifestyle choices and traditional corporate and professional backgrounds.

“Understanding that the people you hire today will define your company’s tomorrow, NLES strives to unearth the most talented professionals that meet the “soul” of our clients’ businesses, allowing them to focus on other important aspects of growing their business,” said Mastronardo.

Employees want more balance between work & family, while aligning their careers with their ideals, and savvy employers see the benefits of supporting these values. Just chart the amazing success of progressive companies like Starbucks, Ben & Jerry’s, and Whole Foods to see how this formula can work. Companies want hard workers that will go the extra mile for them, and understand that if their employees are happy they will do that.

As with any industry, recruiting has its challenges. Olson explains, “a good recruiter has the ability to unearth the gems, those individuals who wouldn’t necessarily be looking for employment opportunities. We have found that people are willing speak to an unbiased, confidential third party about utilizing their unique talents with a company that respects them and has a vision for growth. Some of these professionals are ready for their next challenge and ask us for assistance in moving forward. While others have been the product of down-sizing and need to let potential new companies know of their abilities.”

Employing traditional business sense, NLES strives to help companies with their bottom line in creating an efficient way of saving time, money, and resources. NLES makes an effort to understand the culture and environment of the company and the specific needs of the position needing to be filled. On the other side, they comb through hundreds of qualified candidates to make the best matches possible.

“When we started this, we knew there was a need, but we were nearly overwhelmed with the amount of resumes that came through. We planned to start slow, but had to gear up much quicker than anticipated, which is great!” exclaimed Mastronardo.

If you are a LOHAS business or a potential employee of one and want to find out more about NLES, visit their website www.NLESLLC.com or call 866.410.NLES (6537).

Lynda J. Mastronardo

Phone: 908.222.9475
Fax: 908.222.9475

www.NLESLLC.com
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