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CoWorking is Cutting Edge ( and Cool! A Primer. ) by @SBSLEducSoltns

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Coworking is a remarkable concept that will enable many additional citizens to pursue their callings in entrepreneurship without the pratfalls of the prior 2 eras, the blue & white collar industrial ages.

 

No longer will the price tag, complexity, or fear of having to sign a multi-year lease, or rent to (eventually) own agreement be a stumbling block to the dream to be in control of your income stream(s); you’re now sharing costs & concurrently joining an entrepreneurial tribe.

 

What is coworking?!

 

This is a superb definition

 

Think it over: We’ve really only had this option for little more than a decade. Running parallel to the astonishing rise of social media & the proliferation of smart devices, co-working grew from humble beginnings.

 

At this point, choosing to become a member of an existing co working space, whether it’s new, or well established, tags you as a late ‘early adopter’ or at the onset of the ‘early majority’ class(es) of business owner/professional.

 

Intrigued to know more?  Please click here.

 

Options for your business’ physical presence

 

All things being equal, there are 4 choices:

 

  • Work from home.  The flexibility of merging personal & professional lives under 1 roof always has appeal. Yet, if you’re a mom-preneur, have other neighborly commitments, or are easily distracted by the mass media, you might want to ask the hard question: will you be productive, or will you be ‘’busy’ ?

 

  • The ‘coffee shop’ = office.  Whether its an independent cafe, Starbucks, or Panera Bread, maybe you arrive early in the AM, order coffee & bagel, set up your notebook/tablet in the far corner near an outlet, & start working; that remains viable for some amongst us.

  • Conventional ‘bricks & mortar’.  Some business models & professions simply must have their own physical space:  Medical office/clinic? Restaurant/bar? Retail, esp. a clothing store?

 

  • And, then, there’s coworking. This article breaks down common options that most any space in your metro area will, or already is, offering.

 

Click to Tweet

 

“We break down walls so that we can breakthrough in our businesses!”

 

— Cynthia Chiam

 

Plusses of Coworking

 

Choose from the 4 above; none are ‘wrong’ – each option will appeal to someone & that someone might be you. However, let’s focus on the benefits of coworking.

 

You quite likely will …

  • Save a significant amount
  • Opt into various perks ( who doesn’t love ‘complimentary’ coffee?!? )
  • Find flexibility ( month to month arrangements are commonplace )
  • Learn how easy it can be to ‘barter’ services &/or products with your community/tribe

 

What if …

 

… co working hasn’t yet come to my area?

Take heart: many visionaries haven’t yet pushed outside the top 25 metros.

As always, there’s a trail of ‘breadcrumbs’ that the profit motive will enable, bringing facilities to your city.

 

One pioneer shares his vision – click here to read a short Q&A w/ him.

 

How Does Co Working fit into the Gig Economy?

 

Jim Collins, in his terrific book, ‘Great by Choice’, taught us to be able to zoom in & zoom out.

 

Let’s zoom out …

 

… & answer this Q.

 

  • 1st, co working is similarly flexible.  Do your research & check as many options as exist in your area; most spaces heartily welcome entrepreneurs who don’t want to sign multi-year deals.
  • 2nd, the Gig economy spotlights project ( ‘gig’ ) based ‘work’; so does a co-working space. You can run this type of business easily & find much joy in the process
  • Next, this economy encourages interdependence, as does the coworking option. Your ‘benefits’ ( insurance, investment vehicle/s ) could very well come in a barter agreement with a sales pro who offers them to solopreneurs & sits right next to you in the space.
  • Last, your ability to be cash flow positive is accelerated; you can keep your prices aligned with your ideal avatars & earn more without having to pay steep lease or rent payments.

Suggested Profiles

 

Using hashtag #coworking as a starting point, I suggest 3 Twitter handles worth a follow:

 

Deskmag

 

kowrkdotcom

 

New Worker Magazine

 

If you happen to be in, or looking to move to, central OH …

… the options are a plenty! Here’s a quick primer on some tip top choices:

 

CoHatch

 

Brickhouse Blue

 

Haven Collective

 

&  Serendipity Labs

 

Fantastic ‘All in 1’ Resources

 

As with any topic, the internet is a treasure trove of goodness, when used for altruistic means.

 

Co-working is no exception to this mantra. Here are a handful:

 

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-rise-co-working-spaces/

* the BEST. The infographic on the above from December 2018 is amazing!

 

Top 60 CoWorking Blogs, Websites, & …

 

From coworking spaces to who is …

 

In the Gig Economy, Coworking spaces …

 

In short …

 

  • What exactly is coworking? Let’s explore.
  • 4 options you have for locating your business.
  • The positives of choosing coworking
  • Coworking’s a big trend, yet it’s not everywhere yet. It will be, though. Stay tuned!
  • Coworking & the Gig Economy are ‘fellow travelers’ = deeply interrelated.
  • The Twitterverse, unsurprisingly, has valuable handles worth following

 

Thank YOU for reading!

Why Community Matters Now, More Than Ever by @annamcafee

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by Anna McAfee | Featured Contributor

“What tribes are, is a very simple concept that goes back 50 million years. It’s about leading and connecting people and ideas. And it’s something that people have wanted forever” says Seth Godin.

You’d have to be living under a rock to not have recently heard the words ‘community’ and ‘tribe’. But why does it matter so much, and why does it matters now?  We need to take a look at the world, where we are as individuals, and where we are as a collective.

But what is a community?  As individuals we are members of multiple groups of people, which are defined by geography, work, study, interests, online social networks, and online group participation.

The lack of real community

As humans we have a basic need for community but modern lifestyles are squeezing this out.  Community is more and more absent from the way we live our lives.  We have evolved in tribes, always lived and hunted as groups, but we are living more isolated lives online and not interacting with individuals and groups around us.  Social change has meant that many of us have moved away from where we grew up, and we don’t have a support network around us. Its alarming that for many its becoming the norm to go for days without seeing another human face to face.   

The internet and social media have created unprecedented opportunities for connection across the globe.  A hyper-connected world, always online, has provided considerable advantages, with greater opportunities for remote work and flexibility, in particular for women.  We have information at our fingertips and the ability to find customers and build business relationships remotely. 

At what cost though? 

Where there is an upside, there is also a downside.  Social media is eating humans. Estimates show that 2.95B people on earth (one third of humanity) will use social media by 2020. It connects us in ways we’ve never before seen or imagined. It disconnects us in ways we take for granted. In a time when social media shapes our world view and drives our daily interactions, we need to define a new balance between online and offline, between global and local, between virtual and reality.  Modern life is creating a human connection gap, there is lack of social cohesion around us, and less of a sense of belonging.

What we can and are doing about it

Photo by Slava Bowman on Unsplash

In recent years there has been a shift towards authentic connection in what has become a fast, technologically advanced world. Social media has added so much to our world and our businesses but we have lost something in the process. We have become accustomed to define ourselves by the job we do, who we know, how many likes we get.  Yet we are so much more than the superficiality of all those things.

As a result of change we are seeing a shift in consumer demands, a craving for a more human experience.  In our DNA there is a desire to be a part of a community, or multiple communities, that support us and help us grow.

Brands and companies are being expected to deliver a more human experience to its customers and followers.  We now have #O2O movements (online to offline) and #H2H (human to human) delivery of content, products and services. 

Another example of this change is the #letsgethonest campaign in late 2017 and re-run again in 2018.  26 million people shared their failures and weaknesses via content, on the basis that what we share as humans aren’t perfections and successes, but universal flaws and failures.

Online brands such as Fiverr and Asana are now delivering a community experience to customers and contributors.  #LinkedInLocal, a campaign to take online connections offline and come together to meet in groups face-to face, has spread to over 85 countries in less than two years.  We continually see the rise and growth of Facebook communities for like-minded people, anything from mothers groups to soul-centred entrepreneurs, there is a Facebook group for literally everything.

Bridging the Human Connection Gap 

Even in a digital world it is so important to build our own “villages” to support us. Social isolation is damaging to health, education, business and society.  As humans we need to find the balance between an increased need for privacy, and shutting ourselves off from the world.  Human interaction must be meaningful and when we recognise this we need to picture what our own ideal in-person villages look like, and use technology for good in order to seek them out.

Trends to Watch in the final 365 days of the Decade by @SBSLEducSoltns

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by SJ Barakony | Featured Contributor

 

2019 awaits. How ready are you & your business for these 13 trends?

 

Can you believe it?! Yes, its true: we’re less than 2 weeks away from another New Years’ Day; so, let’s dedicate a toast to our businesses, our families, & friends!

Not only that … did you notice?  It’s also the last year of the first decade of the ‘new’ century.

 

Where were you on 01 Jan, 2010?

 

Was your business even open?

How did you communicate with your clientele?

Have you rebranded since then?

 

…  That’s NINE years ago, believe that!

 

The Mindset of the Futurist

 

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”  — Buckminster Fuller

 

#quotestoliveby #futurist 

( Click to Tweet the above )

 

Many thought leaders, chief amongst them the futurists, visionaries, and creative disrupters, know of Fuller. He laid this cornerstone of thought and its now part of his legacy, to be embraced by generations not yet born. It is from this core thesis that we’ll push ahead – unveiling a market basket of trends that your business will be impacted by in some manner in 2019 ( & beyond. )

 

 

A Bakers’ Dozen

 

Laying out 13 that I, as a futurist, am personally invested in tracking; each of these are invigorating and, in the hands of the benevolent & bold, will usher in as yet unknown amounts of potential energy to our nation(s), states/provinces, and localities:

 

Mobile revolution

Smart Cities

Blockchain / Crypto currencies

Gig Economy ( Conceptual Age )

Automation ( AI, Machine Learning, Robots )

Autonomous Vehicles \ Drones

Holistic Wellness ( > sickcare )

Decentralized [ social & news ] media

Self directed education & learning ( schooling & credential seeking )

Communities / tribes

Social enterprises ( modern mutual aid societies )

Principles > politics

Holocracy ( future of ‘work’/places )

 

 

In pursuit of a deeper understanding of the bright future which awaits

 

Even a rudimentary understanding of 1, some, or perhaps all of the 13 trends shared above won’t be embraced at deeper levels of awareness, acceptance, and consciousness without continually reading, listening ( podcasts, audio books ), & watching ( videos, webinars )

 

Two #mustread books in this space are linked below, to further illuminate your path.

I wholeheartedly suggest investing in them as a holiday/Christmas present for yourself & for those whom you hold most dear.

 

A Whole New Mind

The Code of the Extraordinary Mind

 

Suggested Follows out in the ‘Twitter’verse

 

Futurist Rankings by Ross Dawson

Generations Timeline – After the Millennials by Anne Boysen

Gold vs. Cryptos: Invest or divest … Here … from Gerald Celente

4 questions to test your intellectual humility via Daniel Pink

 

 

Don’t Argue, nor Debate

 

Instead, as we see, hear, and experience more & more creative disruption which impacts our professional sphere ( inc. our business’ cashflow, income streams, etc. ), shall we abandon the negativity, time loss, & win/lose (or worse, lose/lose) outcomes from arguing & debating?

I propose an equivalent swap of the above two non futurist, consumerist terms for those that produce & add value:   Discussion & rational discourse.

 

As 2019 dawns, I thoughtfully (channeling one of my many informal mentors, Mr. Dale Carnegie), throw down a challenge:

 

Whether with yourself ( self talk ), your staff, clientele/customers, or a prospect, engage in thought provoking win/win discussion or a structured rational discourse with him/her/them in the next several weeks

 

Word Play: Choices to make to embrace the transformation underway in our workplaces  

 

As we ascend the ladder from unconscious incompetence on up to unconscious competence, let’s fully embrace how exciting each of these trends will be in our ongoing entrepreneurial journeys & resolve to learn new words

Some which are becoming anchored to the past as these 13 futuristic trends continue to evolve, expand, & replicate:  ‘employee’ ; ‘hierarchy’ ; ‘college for all’ ; ‘health care’ ; ‘cash’.

Does this indicate that these (let alone others) will disappear forever? Not necessarily. Yet, the early adopters in our business networks will already grasp the above, and quite a number more will eventually ‘see’ as you have/will!

 

 

Websites, articles, blogs, & organizations: Learn More & Take Action

 

Define. Learn. (then) Do.

We’ve defined a vision for 2019 & beyond. With numerous resources are embedded in the post already, let’s expand your learning zone:, what if you want to self educate even more?!

 

Ever more important, investing time in additional concrete steps to ‘future’ prep your business venture would be wise. I’m applauding you proactively, if you choose to do so!

 

 

Trends Research

Future Frontiers

A-speakers

Mind Valley

 

Future Today

AdWeek.com

Visual Capitalist

Futurism Blogs

 

In short …

 

  • 9 years down, 1 to go in the decade #ThinkItOver
  • Suggested Twitterverse follows
  • A bakers’ dozen trends
  • The futurist rankings & further resources to dig into
  • Don’t argue, debate, or fight the existing; discuss & set time for rational discourse
  • Word swaps:  let’s ‘play’ on a 2020’s field
  • What’s coming is exciting & transformational; fear not!  Embrace. Encourage. Uplift.

 

Thank YOU for reading!

& …

Time = Gold (and … money = silver) by @SBSLEducSoltns

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by SJ Barakony | Featured Contributor

Putting Productivity ahead of Busy-ness in Business

 

“I’m so busy!”

“How are you? How’s business?  Busy!”

 

There are mild variants,  yet, the theme is constant: The individual is … say it with me now …. B-u-s-y.

Since when did our nation’s backbone, entrepreneurs, decide that this status was the end all, be all, in conversation, let alone in practice?

Let’s reframe. First, though, empathy & grace are necessary.

I know: There’s a LOT on your plate;  I’m sure many of these are on your calendar, scribbled on sticky notes, and/or are pop up reminders on your smart device:  Payroll. Review insurance coverage. Talk to the V.A; accountant; and/or financial advisor. Respond to client messages. Etc …

Still, we shouldn’t aspire to busy-ness; when we stop, if merely for a moment & reflect, we realize that as entrepreneurs, we’re solution providers & producers.

Thus, the more we produce, the more pro-ductive we are: it’s productivity which we should strive for, a 1:1 replacement for the ‘busyness’ that is our default answer to so many questions.

Painting a picture to aid in this mindset shift, we revisit the 1st few words …

 

Time = Gold.

 

… and now can move to implement this truth in our business first ( self-leadership ), then, model it for staff + customers, lastly, replicating it to other entrepreneurs in our network.

 

Those who are wise won’t be busy, and those who are too busy can’t be wise.”
― Lin Yutang

Click to Tweet

Lin Yutang #quote

 

 

Precious Metals

 

Gold :  

Time is an irreplaceable asset, just like gold. Gold is finite & very rare: Its value has held firm for thousands of years & once was used regularly in commerce worldwide. Just like there’s always been a 24 hour day, the amount of gold available for mining is constant; fluctuation in the ‘price’ of gold is due to the underlying currencies, just like your productivity ties to how well you lead yourself.

Silver :

Money is a reflection, a flag, which signals how much value you’ve added to the marketplace; your monetized service, product, &/or specialized knowledge is your entrepreneurial bridge b/w problem identified & solution provided. We look to silver now, as its value is also stable, yet it’s more abundant in nature than gold. So, with an abundance mentality x growth mindset, you know you can grow your share of this not fixed pie.

 

 

Two must read books

Without a shred of doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend both. Each has a high ceiling of potential energy which can be tapped to lead to dramatic improvements in your productivity & reduced busy-ness.

 

E-Myth: Revisited

The Fifth Discipline

 

Stephen R. Covey

He passed away over 6 years ago, gone & not forgotten as a pioneer; through his off the charts levels of contribution, we have much to tap into. The 4 quadrants is something to study often, & implement in short order.

 

Covey’s Time Management Matrix, in the written word

Or perhaps you’d learn better from a visual?

 

 

Suggested ‘Twitterverse’ Follows

 

A Helpful Guide to Becoming Unbusy by Joshua Becker

How to Stop Being Busy All the Time from Gus Razzetti

4 Ways to Break Free From Being “Too Busy” penned by Rikki Rogers , culled from The Muse

 

Leverage = Legacy

 

This concept is transformational.  Pulling from the vastness of the internet, here are two marvelous resources. Once you take this small two-step seriously, my advice is to keep going!

 

Kelly Azevedo

Amanda Abella


Systems Thinking?  

 

Its powerful.  In a previous post, you learned all about the power of principled self education.

Here’s a superb opportunity to practice what you read by visiting Donella Meadows ‘s website.

And if you haven’t yet bumped into this infographic, please, I implore you, dive in over the next 24 hours. Your income can become systems driven wealth through active application of this business truism.

 

In my ongoing discovery, I’ve repeatedly shared these maxims with those whom I mentor, in coffee 1:1’s, & elsewhere: Why? They’ve allowed me to run multiple business ventures at the same time, all while making strides towards being productive = gold = time & (more) passive = silver = money.

 

Next steps:

 

 

What can Westminster Abbey teach about implementing this content?!  

 

This inscription, when understood at a deeper level, reflects the ongoing value of lifelong learning.

 

Action Time

 

As with anything you choose to read, listen to, or watch, the truest formula = what you do next, how you proceed, & why?

Reflect, through meditation, prayer, yoga, or in a moment(s) of silence on this post, please, & thank you for reading!

 

In short …

 

  • A producer is productive; a consumer is busy. ‘Busy’ shouldn’t be a status, symbol, or state of being for the wise entrepreneur
  • Time = gold.  Money = silver.  Prioritize your irreplaceable asset;  focus on it and not on money (income, wealth) as #1.
  • Review the links to invest in 2 highly recommended books
  • Covey’s quadrants/matrix is a terrific tool in and by itself
  • Suggested Twitter follows & some of their scholarly tweets. #MustReads
  • Understand systems & leverage in your entrepreneurship education
  • Leadership starts with self

 

Soft Skills aren’t ‘Soft’ by @SBSLEducSoltns

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by SJ Barakony | Featured Contributor

“Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast” … and …. soft skills are the breakfast of  winners!

 

Did that subtitled quote ( thank YOU to the late Peter Drucker ) catch your eye?!

Good!

(It was meant to do just that, dear readers.)

 

We now dive into a deep pool …

In truth, an entire online library could conceivably be dedicated to nothing but them!

Thought leaders all across the globe, including many in your LinkedIn network, have spoken of their past experiences, spun stories, & shared wisdom nuggets through books, webinars, podcasts, & even created whole curricula focusing on these immensely valuable skills.

So, we’re just skimming the surface: Becoming self educated, role modeling a better ‘You, Inc.’ to your staff, clientele, & fellow entrepreneurs & revisiting your business culture would each be forward thinking outcomes.

 

Foundational Definitions

 

Soft Skills :  

Please click here , here , & here.

You might already be asking …  Are these the same as people … interpersonal … or life skills?      Yes.

 

Culture :

Excellent articles

1 … 2 … & … 3

 

 

Let’s now briefly discuss the inexorable connection between culture & soft skills in your business(es).

 

Are soft skills a necessary part of a vibrant entrepreneurial [workplace], culture?

 

A great number of signs point to a clear, resounding ‘yes’, since these skills are so often not taught in classrooms in all ‘tracks’ ( K-12, up to & including graduate level studies )

An entrepreneur is likely to become a magnet to others if she offers them as part of ongoing professional development for her staff, regardless of industry. If you’re dealing with confounding challenges that coaching or some other service pro hasn’t yet solved, or, maybe you just seek to expand, laser focus here;  you are onto something BIG.

 

What do others say?

 

Here’s a post well worth reading …

 

And this author comes to a like conclusion.

 

A personal story & opportunity to serve

 

My own entrepreneurial journey wouldn’t be nearly as rich without the visceral impact of these skills on my own ventures.

 

Through the fall of last year, I had the high honor of being a member of a nationwide committee

And, for that same organization, I was asked to be a co-panelist on this webinar.

 

If you’re offered anything similar, what’s commonly known as an influencer, as I was, please, I implore you: take it!

 

Our discourse at networking events, in business dealings with peers, levels of customer service, engagement & satisfaction amongst your staff, decreased turnover:

I truly believe all would benefit positively.

 

A Sampling of @Twitter Thoughts [from across the ‘Twitterverse’]

 

Future Learn

Vala Afshar

Scott Hartley

 

What soft skills should I focus on to improve my business’ culture?   

 

The answers will vary considerably from venture to venture, industry to industry. After all, this field is not barren; it is richly blossoming in content of all kinds which you can surely beta test, or go all in & fully invest your development dollars from the get-go.

 

 

Should I hire, fire, outsource, and/or promote with these skills as the key determinant?

 

Yes.

You can always get someone up to speed on ‘harder’ (read: technical) skills if you have an individual who understands how to prioritize ( time management ); whom has a good attitude;  who can work on any team and contribute; who knows how to resolve a conflict; and whom can build her leadership abilities through influence, vision, & service rather than expecting others to follow a title, or positional authority.

 

What’s the best way to deliver them?    

 

This, too, is flexible.

In a hyper competitive industry (e.g., real estate, insurance, financial services, banking), encouraging your staff, & leaving room in your own day for lifelong learning would be smart. Many of these professions already require ‘CE’ , however, incentivizing ongoing development of soft skills through ‘comp time’, bonuses, etc., will offer you a clear edge. Everyone else is aware of the former, while you also recognize the latter = difference maker.

Finding ways to collaborate with a services professional who offers group facilitation, mentorship, business coaching, or a consultant with focused training program would be a clear win:win.

 

Next steps:

Take action!  The Gig (Sharing/P2P) Economy moves infinitely faster than its predecessor eras. And, expecting that the conventional schooling institutions will begin to offer these skills so you won’t have to invest wouldn’t be advisable.

 

Learn more. If this post & the related links doesn’t yet convince you of their importance, attend a conference, lunch & learn, register for a webinar, or listen to a podcast that discusses professional development.

 

In short …

 

  • Soft skills should be taken very seriously
  • Culture is a foundational necessity.
  • If offered an opportunity to spread the word about soft skills, accept it with a smile
  • Fundamental challenges ( i.e., turnover, satisfaction, engagement ) can be solved at the root
  • Reconsider your standards for hiring, firing, and promoting staff.
  • Delivering soft skills into your culture can be done in numerous ways
  • Don’t stand still

 

________

Thank YOU for reading!

The Marketing Magic of Exhibitions by @WeAreMarsBook

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Table at Kelowna Comic Con for We Are Mars book promo

My booth at the Comic Con. NOTE: the slightly messy table items. The imperfections made it more welcoming.

by | Featured Contributor

Everyone’s attended at least ONE exhibition in their lifetime as a visitor. I’ve attended dozens. I love the energy and productive engagement that happens at trade shows. The experience of seeing rows of interesting vendors displaying wonders for me to experience. And I love having it all in one place to explore, investigate and get the inside scoop on!

But what is it like on the other side of the table? What if I told you that, as an entrepreneur, each exhibition you attend as a VENDOR is like marketing GOLD? How many of us can say we’ve attended a trade show as an exhibitor?

There are plenty of exhibitions that entrepreneurs can attend that are affordable and reach a good chunk of their target market without breaking the bank. Consider how much of your marketing budget you would spend trying to reach the same group outside of that exhibition hall. Just a quick mental look at that picture should be enough to convince you.

I recently did a Comic Con to promote my science fiction novel, We Are Mars. I chose it for a few reasons:

  1. It was inexpensive to participate.
  2. I was getting a booth in the HEART of an interesting segment of my target audience.
  3. I can relate to the Comic Con environment, being a HUGE sci-fi geek myself.

I set sales targets for the weekend and achieved them easily. I made connections with the regional library to have my book put on their shelves, and I made a number of valuable new contacts and a few friends while having the greatest time! It was a WIN-WIN-WIN for me. It was worth the additional outlay for travel costs, food and display preparations.

When I first saw mention of Kelowna Comic Con, I knew I had to take advantage of it. With only a week to go, they still had space for late sign-up vendors. I worked, with the help of my family, on creating an eye-catching display and preparing a variety of marketing materials.

In acting quickly, I was able to achieve some major annual growth goals for my business:

  1. I attended a major regional event in my market and got my book in front of a large audience of potential readers.
  2. I collected data on my market – their likes and dislikes, their fandoms and genre preferences and enough email addresses to start a great new fan-based communication stream.
  3. I spoke to my customer base. They got to see me, interact with me, ask me questions about the book and engage about their experience of the exhibition.
  4. I sold books !!
  5. I networked and established some very useful contacts.

As an entrepreneur, little else will give your business more forward momentum than attending an exhibition in your business market space. The internet gobbles up so much of our time and marketing budget these days and I think we’ve lost sight of other ways to get our message out there. If you haven’t attended an exhibition as a vendor representing your business, now’s the time to try it. The attendance numbers are staggering (I won’t get into stats, they’re not the point of this article, although you are able to find many useful stats to support this argument elsewhere on the internet).

Knowing how to put a show-stopping exhibit together is also part of the secret, and the best part is, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Use a little creativity and enlist the help of co-workers and family to get you over the prep. The most solid advice I can offer is BE PREPARED! Yes, that old Boy Scouts motto is your best friend when it comes to getting ready for a show.

Here’s the formula I followed that I found was really successful:

  1. Create an eye-catching display. Google award-winning displays and find something that appeals to you and looks easy to put together, then adapt it to fit in with your product or service, and get creative. I created a wall of ‘crates’ that mimicked those in some dusty storage room in my Mars colony. They look a little messed up, a little old, but they also look a little ‘sci-fi’. They are a collection of moving boxes with some quick paint and a bit of duct-tape – that’s it! And they made an impressive display area I could hang pictures and accolades from, including a replica of Mars I made. I also put stacks of books into some of the spaces. Visually, it was a strong attractant.
  2. SHOW the product if you have one. Put it out on the table so people can touch it, pick it up, see it, and ask about it.
  3. Have as many payment options at your disposal as you can arrange. We use SQUARE to capture credit and debit transactions and cash, of course, is still king!
  4. Make marketing materials people can take away with them and HAND THEM OUT. A lot of people won’t take something, unless it is offered. Offer it – over and over again.
  5. Create a contest to collect valuable audience data. It also creates a ‘stickiness’, and people hanging around your booth is a great attractant for other visitors. It also provides you with an opportunity to start a conversation and to HAND THEM YOUR MARKETING FLIER!
  6. SELL your product or service. Speak highly of it. So many people asked me if We Are Mars is a good book. I said it is – OF COURSE!
  7. Make the displays a little messy. People are reluctant to touch things if the pile of fliers is too neat and the book stacks line up perfectly. A little crooked, a little casual and not so much attention to detail and, VOILA! – you get crowds hanging around and PICKING STUFF UP.
  8. Lastly, STAND. Have as few people as possible tending the booth. More booth helpers behind the tables or milling about makes for an intimidating and unapproachable booth.
  9. PROMOTE the event LIVE on social media. Invite specific people to attend the show and have them stop in to say, ‘Hello’. Take photos and make memories to share. This gives the experience a lingering marketing footprint that you can refer back to time and again.

I hope I’ve given you the encouragement you need to jump into the exhibition experience. If you’re like me, you’ll be hooked and scouring the media for your next opportunity to show your wares. Do your research, set goals and budgets and don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t hit your stride until a couple of shows in. Consider other factors that can influence the success of the event – competing events, weather, seasons, etc. when making decisions about attending. And best of luck to you all! Maybe I’ll see YOU at one of my exhibitions. Don’t forget to stop by and say, ‘Hello’.

Your Business’ NQ : Networking “Q” Score by @SBSLEducSoltns

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by SJ Barakony | Featured Contributor

 

How It’s Measured & Why it Matters to Entrepreneurial Success

 

This month marks another milestone in my lifelong learning journey.

What milestone, you might being asking?

A: 5 ½ years.

Q = how much time has passed since I attended my first ever business networking event?

( And, I still remember where that event took place & 2-3 people whom I met! )

 

Jumping in the wayback machine & rewinding 2-3 years, I consciously made a servant leadership driven decision then to take focused action on 1 of my 13 resolves:

Leave a legacy by paying forward as much of what I know about networking to those who truly want to learn.

 

For those who invest time in personal, professional, or leadership development, you will likely recognize 1, some, or all of the below:

IQ

EQ

AQ

CQ **

So, what’s NQ ?!

 

Your NQ, or networking quotient/’Q’ score won’t be as obvious, however, if you’re an entrepreneur, sales professional, or considering starting a business, you should know the what, how, & why behind it.

 

How’s it Measured?

 

There are five separate, interdependent inputs which comprise your NQ score.

Each can be weighed proportionately, with 1, maybe 2 being more impactful to your professional life.

 

What are the five?

 

  • Follow Through  

 

Have you attended an event lately?   You likely left the room with many small rectangles in your pocket, purse, or wallet popularly known as business cards, didn’t you?

Now, here’s the acid test:

Have you reconnected with the persons who gave you those cards within one week, or less?

Give yourself a self high five if you honestly can say ‘yes, I have.’

You already understand the immense & lasting value of a timeless maxim –  “The fortune is in the follow up.”

You haven’t yet?  That’s OK. Chalk it up as a teachable moment.

Go back to them, yes, even if you haven’t yet finished reading this, and complete what you meant or should’ve done.

Then, the next time you venture out, learn, grow, and build this habit.

 

  • Asking creative , counter-intuitive Q’s

 

“What” do you do?    How often have you fielded, &/or asked this question?

This is a LVQ: Least valuable question. Let’s infuse some energy, create & use MVQ’s instead.  [ Click HERE to Tweet this.]

 

Here’s a success law :

Make your questions bigger than your [expected] answers.

 

Here are some MVQ’s:

Why did you get started in (your) business?  

Where do you see your business going in the next year?  

What brought you here today?

Describe your typical day; how do you go about your business?

 

  • Listening > talking

 

“Two ears, one mouth; use them in proportion.”

Wise advice:

Yet, the art of active listening isn’t often practiced at networking events, is it?

It’s not. And after all these years, I can say this, since this input remains my biggest challenge.

You’re rightfully excited, as I am, about your business; you’re also passionate, and think your service, product, or story is meant for everyone you meet; so why not talk a lot about it, right?

Put yourself on the other side of the conversation; the other individual doesn’t know you yet. You’ve yet to build a win:win relationship. Listen to him/her 1st; pick up on any pain, challenges, problems that might arise from your MVQ’s; then, as you’ve established likeability & trust, you’ll eventually have plenty of opportunity to share.

 

  • Give > Get mentality

 

Here are three easy to recall networking equations:

 

  • Serve > be served
  • Act like a producer & connector > be ‘consumerist’
  • Pull > push

 

In short, always give first : I suggest studying this article for more on this must have mindset.

Relationships triumph transactions at all times; in order to build the former, you’ll need to serve 1st always.

Deliver results for the other person, perhaps by creating virtual or live, on the spot introductions.

 

  • Match your digital ‘footprint’ to your physical presence

 

RSVPing.

Doesn’t it seem like its is no longer taken as seriously as it used to be?

You’re not imagining this, trust me.

If you don’t show up where & when you said you would, you’ve subtracted from your character & relationships scoreboard.  And these take effort to rebuild once they’ve been depleted.

Instead, how about always aligning your online/digital commitments to your physical self?

 

Said another way: When you commit online, be there in person; if you truly have a viable reason for not attending, be certain to invest a moment to let the organizer know so he or she can adjust.

 

Why it matters

 

Business networking can & remains feared by some, is considered ineffective by others, and/or is misunderstood, yet when you apply these five principle centric inputs,it’s actually worth your very best effort, investment of time, and willingness to be humble & honeable.

 

Thank YOU for reading!

________________________________

** a big thank YOU to friend & fellow entrepreneurial mind, Chad Willett, for also bringing to my attention.

9 Tips On Networking For Introverts by @XLConsultingGro

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Networking For Introverts

by Elaine Slatter | Featured Contributor

We think extroverts have it easy when it comes to networking at business events, but the truth is networking for introverts isn’t that hard if you follow these simple tips.

Networking Is A Conversation, Not A Sales Pitch

If you are a friendly person, even if you are an introvert, it’s not hard to find opening phrases to start a conversation such as:

My name is xxxxxxx and I’m from xxxxxxx, and you are?

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

This is the first time I’ve been to an event put on by xxxxxxxx how about you?

I love the events that xxxxxx has for xxxxxxxxx business owners, what do you think?

Have you attended many of these events before?  Are there others that are good?

Would you like to exchange business cards? (This is a segue into many different topics)

If you walk into a room and you don’t know anyone!

Yikes, this one is the scariest for most people.   If there is a bar, it is a good idea to head that way because a lot of people congregate around the watering hole.

Next, look for groups of more than 2 but no more than 4.  Why?  If you see two people talking together, they might be having a private conversation and you don’t want to interrupt.  In a group of 3 or more, they are more likely to be having a general conversation.

When approaching a group already in a conversation, wait until there is a natural break in the conversation before you introduce yourself.  It also gives you an opportunity to listen to the conversation ahead of time so you can add something intelligent.

If this is your first time networking and you are feeling nervous, take a wingman (woman) with you to the event. The wing person acts as a recommender of you and your work and helps ease the way for you to naturally enter a conversation. Once you have attended that first networking event, the wing person can help you de-construct the event and clear up any questions you might have.

Have A Purpose To Your Networking

This could be approaching someone you would like to invite as a speaker to your own event.  It might be making a connection with a person from a particular company.  Possibly people to interview on a podcast etc.

Quality Not Volume Is The Key

Networking for introverts isn’t that hard when you think that at an event getting four great connections is fantastic and 20+ is usually spammy (business card drops).  Four meaningful conversations are better than 20 random sound bites. Once you’ve started a conversation, it isn’t that difficult to keep it going.

Don’t Drop Personal Bombs

Now an introvert isn’t likely to tell the world about their 5 job losses, 6 failed relationships, their domineering MIL etc. but just in case, keep that stuff under wraps because it simply doesn’t make a good impression

Good News About Networking For Introverts?

One of the top skills for being a great networker is to LISTEN.  Yup, introverts have that in spades because they would rather listen than speak, putting the focus on other people rather than themselves.

Wear Appropriate Clothes for the Event

Business casual is the norm for most events, but since that covers a lot of ground, it’s sometimes hard to figure out what is appropriate.  Now introverts, don’t go out to every event dressed head to toe in black so you shrink into the background!  Ladies, you can make a statement, wear interesting and colorful jewelry, a bright purse or shoes and maybe a sharp color spray in your hair.   Why?  It makes it easy for people to comment on your appearance and start the conversation with YOU.

Use Networking Events To Develop Relationships

Business is a transaction between people.  We buy from people we know, like and trust and we recommend people the same way. Meeting people is therefore at the top of your ‘to do’ list.  If you do it right, it will be the beginning of a great network of people who will become your tribe.

Following Up After A Networking Event

You are in luck here because by far the best follow up tool is LinkedIn.  So this makes networking for introverts even easier because it means linking with people through LinkedIn via email and connecting with them one on one for a coffee, later.  Isn’t that great?  Remember to ask the person if they are on LinkedIn and if you can connect with them through that platform.

What Is The True Difference Between An Extrovert And An Introvert?

An extrovert gets their power from the energy of everyone around them.  After a networking event, they are the ones that want to carry on, go for a coffee, out for drinks etc. they don’t want to leave the party.  On the other hand, the introvert gets their power from within themselves.  They like to go out, but afterward, they would just as soon go home, put on their jammies and chill with a book.  So who are you?  An introvert or an extrovert?

When you are networking, it doesn’t matter what kind of personality you have, as long as you take the time to network well.

How to build your client list by @_lauramclo

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by Laura McLoughlin | Featured Contributor 

You may assume that all entrepreneurs are run off their feet, juggling meetings, managing staff and squeezing in just enough time to take a snap of their all-vegan lunch choice. However, the reality for many freelancers and business owners, whether they are starting out or are reasonably seasoned, is that there will be quiet periods – a loss of a client, a missed connection, a project put on hold.

And when you and your alone are in control of your pay check (and perhaps even others’), those quiet periods can be a little worrying. What did you do wrong? Are you just not as good as you thought you were, or did you make the leap too soon? 

Take comfort in the fact that every entrepreneur feels like this at some point, and instead of stressing, focus your energy into building your client list back up and winning work. 

Network

Networking is one of those vague phrases which can be both terrifying and confusing, and yet it is mentioned again and again as the one of the best ways to meet new people and land new jobs. So, does that mean you need to sign up to every industry event and ‘meet up’ hosted in your city for the next month, and collect hundreds of emails and business cards from the strangers you meet there?

Well, if you want to, maybe, but to start off, you might think about making the most of the connections you already have.

Start with your own circle, emailing and messaging family and friends about your new venture, and ask them to pass on your details to anyone they think may want to work with you or be in need of your services. It can be surprising just who knows who even within these personal connections.

Similarly, take to your personal social media and write a post about your career change. You might even ask your followers to share your post or include a hashtag or two to help your news travel further. Naturally, you should update all of your social media profiles to reflect what you do now.

You might go further then, and contact those you have worked with before, or even trusted fellow freelancers. Explain to them what you’re doing now, and give examples of work you have done in the past, or even your portfolio if you have one. Be specific about about what kind of clients you are hoping to find, whether that means picking an industry or type of business, such as SMEs or startups. Ideally, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction, whether that means hiring you themselves or suggesting you to someone else.

Create content

Everyone and anyone today has a blog, and for good reason. Having your own URL to pop into social media profiles and hand out on business cards, allows anyone that comes into contact with you online or in real life to access a wealth of info about you and have a look at work you’ve already done.

Better yet, it also allows you to showcase your expertise by publishing your own content. An example of this, is NZ marketer Leanne Ross who runs highly commended blog A Cup of Lee and blogs about all things PR. She shares her experiences in the field, whether it’s 10 weeks in a digital agency, or her favourite industry reads of the year, showcasing her talents for both writing and marketing.

Try to publish content regularly – perhaps an article once every week or two weeks – and remember to post it on social media.

Be careful about the kind of content you publish, of course. You want it to be well-written, thoughtful and demonstrate just why someone would want you to hire you or your services. It should not be a hard sell, or a thinly veiled piece of advertising for yourself. Overly promotional articles can turn off possible clients, but genuine, helpful articles only speak of a high value professional.

Use job boards and apps

Online job boards like People Per Hour and Upwork have drawn criticisms from many freelancers, for driving down prices for work, and so may not be ideal for an experienced freelancer. For beginners, however, or those planning on going into a new industry or field, it may be the perfect method to get you some entry-level work and build up your name and experience. The testimonials and connections from these starter projects may be the ideal stepping stone to your next gig.

There are more catch-all websites, such as those already mentioned, or those which are industry-specific, such as those for pharmacists, personal trainers, and babysitters, which may help you find more focused work, or clients who truly appreciate your craft.

Co-working spaces

You won’t meet anyone new in your home office, so why not spend a day or two a week in a co-working space in town?

Being surrounded by other busy professionals and entrepreneurs is not only good for your motivation and alleviating the loneliness of freelance life, but gives you the opportunity to meet potential clients (or those who might introduce you to a potential client). 

Just try searching for your nearest co-work space online and pop in for a visit.

Of course, there is no definite science to meeting new people and making connections. The very best you can do is put yourself on their maps, and you certainly have the tools to be able to do that. Shirk the Shrinking Violet blooming inside you, and go into each introduction with poise, positivity and the unwavering confidence in both yourself and what you’re doing. You’ll be sure to see that inbox and schedule fill up again.

Network with bloggers the right way by @_lauramclo

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by Laura McLoughlin | Featured Contributor 

If you are doing marketing for your business, you will no doubt have considered influencer marketing. This entails partnering with a blogger, vlogger or some other kind of digital star to create content to promote your business in a way which benefits both parties. The problems with this come in when well-intentioned business owners and marketing professionals go about contacting bloggers all the wrong ways.

To help you skip this painful learning process, and get you on the right track for harmonious blogger relations, I’ve collected my top tips for any time you are outreaching to a blogger you would like to work with.

Engage with them.

Get to know your influencers, especially if you are in a relatively small, niche market. You should take the time to follow them on social media, and like their posts from time to read. Read their articles, congratulate them on their milestones, respond to them when they are searching for comments or help. Not only will you have blossoming friendships within the industry, but you will better know a blogger’s interests when it comes to contacting them about working with you and your company.

Understand that they are people. Busy people.

Don’t follow up with them six times a day. Don’t follow up six times, in general.

Many bloggers maintain their websites in their downtime, and have to find a way to balance it with a full-time job. Therefore, if you have sent an email to a blogger, give them sufficient time to respond to you, and only follow up multiple times if you think there is a chance that there has been a technical error or they could have genuinely missed your emails.  Emails sent around Christmas, holiday time, and other busy periods can easily be snowed under, after all, but if after your initial pitch and one or two gentle follow ups you still haven’t heard back, draw a line under it.

Treat them professionally.

You would never walk into a meeting and say hello to “XXX” and then proceed to deliver a presentation on a topic of zero relevance to your listeners, so don’t subject bloggers to it over email.

Call them by name, and take the time to actually research what they do. This research should not just be a quick scan of the site to tick a box, but rather to work out if they are part of a specific niche, such as LGBT weddings within the topic of wedding blogging or vegan living within the topic of food blogging, or have a particular style. You may find your press release really doesn’t suit a light music blog with a taste for the silly, and that it would find a better home with a more somber reviews website.

And when everything is said and done, thank them.

Respect their boundaries.

If they don’t accept guest posts or contributions, don’t push them. If they don’t link to companies and brands as a rule, accept that. Nothing turns off a blogger faster than a pushy PR person, so respect where they draw their lines and respond to their refusal politely.

If a blogger does want to work with you, great! But that doesn’t mean that all the fences are down. You still need to allow a blogger to have creative control over their blog and content, and only intervene if you feel that what they are doing is not fit for purpose. They know their audience best, after all, and will know the right way to communicate to them why your company or campaign is important.

The main thing to remember when conducting influencer marketing is that the influencers you’re emailing and messaging on social media are people – smart people. Digitally savvy and business minded, successful bloggers have set themselves apart from the rest of us normal folk who can just about set up a WordPress account. They are a one-man-army and deserve to be called by name and spoken to as you would any professional under a big brand name.

As long as you keep that in mind, you shouldn’t have any problems.