From this day forward every local networking event I attend will be missing someone. This is because Debbie Howe won’t be there. An avid networker and all around loving person, Debbie knew how to make the most of every networking event. Here are the lessons Debbie shared with us through her networking style. Read the rest of this entry »
“And remember, ‘YOU did it and you did it ALONE.’” This is something an acquaintance of mine loves to tell me whenever I share good news with her about my business. Her automatic response, “You did it alone.” A seemingly strong statement revealing great weakness. Read the rest of this entry »
Are you a woman owned business or someone who is looking to procure, finance, or hire a woman owned business? Then, the Power Network Expo 2010 on Saturday, August 21st, at the Gettysburg Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center is an event you must attend. Read the rest of this entry »
“Every customer represents an opportunity. That customer will be singing your praises, or doing what I’m doing. Branding You.” – Angela Russell from StateFarmSucks.homestead.com.
Welcome to the Digital Age
Not too long ago, if a customer was dissatisfied with a product or service it would take weeks, months, or years for word of her dissatisfaction to get around – if it got around at all. Today, the rules of the game are very different. Welcome to the digital age where the internet is everyone’s equal opportunity forum. With the advent of social media, bad news spreads like wildfire and negative press pops up in real time. So, how do you effectively protect your brand online?
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Wanted by Everyman
“I’m not sure if Bank of America knows this, but we are in a recession and most of us, we are hurting.” – Jackie Ramos
If you haven’t already heard college graduate and single mother Jackie Ramos’ compelling story on YouTube, you have to check it out. Jackie was a customer assistance representative for Bank of America. Every day she worked directly with countless people who couldn’t afford to pay Bank of America’s 29.99% interest rate, late fees and “convenience” fees. Read the rest of this entry »
Business Predators
I just visited a non-profit business group today whose goal is to eradicate polio around the world as well as spread the message of peace. It was a lunchtime meeting. I was warmly welcomed and enjoyed meeting a few new people. What I loved about this group is their values. They want members whose values align with theirs: Honest people who care about the world around them.
As I exited this meeting , I could see another meeting ending in the room next door – this was a different kind of group. I was spotted by at least seven members of this group. At least three of the seven are genuinely good business owners. The remaining four are people I prefer not to associate with. Their motto: People are but objects to be used. I call them “Business Predators.”
Business predators are people who treat business like war and people like objects. They misuse their knowledge of others in hopes to control them. If they cannot control someone, they look for their weakest area and attack them. A predator has a dual mindset of both fear and lack. A fearful mindset doesn’t believe in honesty, peace, or even good manners. Instead, their world is a black and white fighting arena where everyone is either for them or against them. Their mindset of lack says, “There isn’t enough good stuff in the world so I must take what I can now, before someone else does.” Business predators become filled with “righteous anger” when confronted. Their mindset is entirely self-serving. They truly do not believe anyone else is any different from themselves. I repeat, they truly do not believe anyone else is any different from themselves.
Obviously I don’t respect business predators. They come in both genders, every race, and all shapes and sizes. If you really want to identify a business predator, don’t listen to what they say. Instead, observe what they do. What they do reveals who they are. For those of us who are not business predators, this is hard to swallow. We try to understand and hope for the best. We look for that grain of good we think is in everyone. That’s why we occasionally get stomped on by a predator..we really didn’t see it coming. The victim of a business predator surprise attack may say, “I don’t understand!! Couldn’t he/she see my intentions are good. I thought we were friends!” The answer is a big, fat, bold NO. Business Predators don’t see you at all. They see themselves in you – and they know they (themselves) are never to be trusted.
Business predators are everywhere. Some are very successful. Some are mediocre. Some are beautiful and some are ugly. Many are charismatic. My point here is, they are not going away. Their mindset of fear and lack sadly exists. The best way to deal with this mindset is to truly see it when it’s in front of you. You can’t control it. Instead, work daily to control yourself. You can choose not to support them as you direct your focus away from them and continue to work to achieve a higher standard.
Everywhere you look there are managers and there are employees. Yet, a lot of managers out there are not managers at all. And some employees are actually extraordinary managers. What am I talking about? I’m talking about True Managers – those remarkable people who work to manage themselves. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s competitive out here and some of the things businesses do to acquire new business are just plain wrong. You’ve seen it before – maybe you have been tempted to participate. A few untruths here, a dash of jargon there, mix in some fear and before you know it, unethical businesses who shouldn’t be doing well appear to be doing great! So why should you play fair when all the other kids don’t have to? Read the rest of this entry »
I know you’ve felt the pain – the torturous discomfort created by long voice mail systems. After you make your choices and punch in your account number the next thing you hear is “Your wait time is 15 minutes!” And your pain doesn’t end there – oh no. That’s because when you finally get to speak with a human, the human is a tired, bored, possibly outsourced “customer service representative.” Oddly enough, you find yourself repeating yourself, even arguing with this person. They aren’t helping you! Your head pounds and your back aches as your watch your precious time evaporate. Read the rest of this entry »
