Happy day after Halloween!
Times have changed for the daily family life with all the new ways we have to communicate!
I spent last night at a friends house helping her give out halloween candy while her husband went out with the kids trick or treating. They also live in a neighborhood with lots of families and kids, so they have a pre-trick-or-treat neighborhood dinner and then a post party, mostly for the adults. Needless to say, a good time was had by all ages!!
What I found most interesting is that a group of the families have walkie talkies! Husbands and wifes could be in touch ... "am coming round for water, have cups and water ready for the kids"...do you want to switch, you give out candy, I'll go with the kids? .... Johnny's mom is going home, ask him if he wants to go home or spend the night with us?... etc.etc. They had this ongoing communication about whereabouts, who wants to do what and more. It made what seemed to be chaotic a smooth and fun event for all.
And I must mention this part... some of the families have pre-teen girls who found it a "must" to go trick or treating without mom and dad tagging along. So they were allowed to go with cell phones! Also with the parents knowing that all these other groups of adults and kids were couritng the same streets. The cell phones saved the day from those "demand to be allowed" shouting matches.
Here's to communication!! It works at business and at home.
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Life Before The Internet ... Was It Good?
Good Morning!
Gosh ...I received a tweet last night ( communication from Twitter) and the sender said they were going to a "live" networking event that evening. The tone was set that a "live" networking event was a rare thing these days.
That got me to thinking about how quickly things have changed regarding networking. I myself, after years of having a daily event to attend, would rather dive into my computer to meet new people!
That got me to thinking about life before the internet. Take a moment and reflect on that yourself. Life seemed very full then ... it didn't feel lonely, but it sure must have been empty don't you think? It is really weird "to me" to think back that far.
Imagine not having email to check for something interesting, fun and different to divert our attention to ... or to discover that someone out there "is" thinking of us and needs and/or wants to communicate with us!
Imagine not having answers to our every question ... both crucial and also purely curiosity questions. Imagine not having a social network to explore where you can meet new contacts from all over the world!!
What are your thoughts? What can you say about it all? Are we better off now than we were back then? I am really curious about what "you" think! Please share your thoughts.
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Gosh ...I received a tweet last night ( communication from Twitter) and the sender said they were going to a "live" networking event that evening. The tone was set that a "live" networking event was a rare thing these days.
That got me to thinking about how quickly things have changed regarding networking. I myself, after years of having a daily event to attend, would rather dive into my computer to meet new people!
That got me to thinking about life before the internet. Take a moment and reflect on that yourself. Life seemed very full then ... it didn't feel lonely, but it sure must have been empty don't you think? It is really weird "to me" to think back that far.
Imagine not having email to check for something interesting, fun and different to divert our attention to ... or to discover that someone out there "is" thinking of us and needs and/or wants to communicate with us!
Imagine not having answers to our every question ... both crucial and also purely curiosity questions. Imagine not having a social network to explore where you can meet new contacts from all over the world!!
What are your thoughts? What can you say about it all? Are we better off now than we were back then? I am really curious about what "you" think! Please share your thoughts.
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Monday, October 27, 2008
Domain Email Addresses
Hi ...
I was just doing my normal "catch-up" over the weekend and a couple of thoughts came into my mind that I thought I would share.
Actually it all started last Thursday when a website client from about 6 months ago called me. She was getting new business cards and wanted to know which of two website domain addresses ( a long one and a second abbreviated version) she should put on her business cards. Once we got that determined, we moved on to her email address fitting on the card as well. She never set up her domain email addresse and was still using a personal yahoo address. No matter what I said she couldn't get her mind around changing from her personal email address to her domain email address!
Why is this? It seems so obvious that #1 it is much more professional. Secondly it is also much easier for the eye to grasp when glancing at a business card, hence will be easier to use. Remember the golden rule of the internet ... convenience and hassle free communications.
A third, probably "most" important reason, at least to me, is that it is easier to remember! That counts for the website as well. Don't you think when looking at a new contact and seeing one domain name the odds are better that you will remember "one" meaning you have both. If you have to remember two ... the odds are ( in my mind) I will forget "both!"
What do you think? I did just send off an email to a client that a couple of years ago thought she would never be able to give up her aol address. As I easily typed in her domain email address I thought how she has 100% made the transition into "using" her domain email address. It isn't that hard to do folks! And ... well worth it professionally for all the reasons discussed!
Keep your business growing ...
margie
I was just doing my normal "catch-up" over the weekend and a couple of thoughts came into my mind that I thought I would share.
Actually it all started last Thursday when a website client from about 6 months ago called me. She was getting new business cards and wanted to know which of two website domain addresses ( a long one and a second abbreviated version) she should put on her business cards. Once we got that determined, we moved on to her email address fitting on the card as well. She never set up her domain email addresse and was still using a personal yahoo address. No matter what I said she couldn't get her mind around changing from her personal email address to her domain email address!
Why is this? It seems so obvious that #1 it is much more professional. Secondly it is also much easier for the eye to grasp when glancing at a business card, hence will be easier to use. Remember the golden rule of the internet ... convenience and hassle free communications.
A third, probably "most" important reason, at least to me, is that it is easier to remember! That counts for the website as well. Don't you think when looking at a new contact and seeing one domain name the odds are better that you will remember "one" meaning you have both. If you have to remember two ... the odds are ( in my mind) I will forget "both!"
What do you think? I did just send off an email to a client that a couple of years ago thought she would never be able to give up her aol address. As I easily typed in her domain email address I thought how she has 100% made the transition into "using" her domain email address. It isn't that hard to do folks! And ... well worth it professionally for all the reasons discussed!
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Twitter ... It Is Useful!
Good Morning All,
I am "almost" ready to confess my new love of Twitter! I was one of the many who upon first learning about Twitter said "what a waste of time!" Who wants to know what everyone is doing?
However, since trying it out, it is rather fun to look into the "daily moments" of people we only know either via online communications or occasional business interactions. However, going beyond that .... the business uses can be tremendous!
Keeping my eyes open to "business uses" ... retailers have a dream come true for announcing new offers, etc. Restaurants can announce the special of the week or day! Any business can send out a tip or two. News can be sent out ( takes less time than a newsletter!). The reasons to use Twitter go on and on ... if you think outside the box.
You are also protected from annoying people you "tweet" as they have to ask to follow you. If they are unhappy with the results they can simply remove themselves. No harm done!
If you would like to follow me on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/margiehanson
Keep your business growing ...
margie
I am "almost" ready to confess my new love of Twitter! I was one of the many who upon first learning about Twitter said "what a waste of time!" Who wants to know what everyone is doing?
However, since trying it out, it is rather fun to look into the "daily moments" of people we only know either via online communications or occasional business interactions. However, going beyond that .... the business uses can be tremendous!
Keeping my eyes open to "business uses" ... retailers have a dream come true for announcing new offers, etc. Restaurants can announce the special of the week or day! Any business can send out a tip or two. News can be sent out ( takes less time than a newsletter!). The reasons to use Twitter go on and on ... if you think outside the box.
You are also protected from annoying people you "tweet" as they have to ask to follow you. If they are unhappy with the results they can simply remove themselves. No harm done!
If you would like to follow me on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/margiehanson
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Friday, October 24, 2008
Some Thoughts On Branding
Just read a posting that asked how to brand one's business! The answers received dealt with all the usual ways of branding, ads, logos, jingles, etc. I am wondering about the more subtle ways to brand ... how many ways to you believe your brand reaches people?
I am most notoriously known for encouraging businesses to pay attention to their one-to-one emails! I seriously believe each and every email sent out is an opportunity to spread one's brand, via the colors, heading and signature and the presentation of the content. It is extremely powerful and a daily opportunity! Check out my e-book on this, seen as one of my "fertilizers" for you.
How about just the way you dress? Does branding go that far? The cars that are driven, etc. Is this business branding or personal branding. Where is the line drawn? How deep should it go? What do you think??
Keep your business growing ...
margie
I am most notoriously known for encouraging businesses to pay attention to their one-to-one emails! I seriously believe each and every email sent out is an opportunity to spread one's brand, via the colors, heading and signature and the presentation of the content. It is extremely powerful and a daily opportunity! Check out my e-book on this, seen as one of my "fertilizers" for you.
How about just the way you dress? Does branding go that far? The cars that are driven, etc. Is this business branding or personal branding. Where is the line drawn? How deep should it go? What do you think??
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Thursday, October 23, 2008
More On Holiday Shopping!
Good Morning all!
I have just been scanning my social networks and taking note of the overnight updates and to one would think that everyone ( I wish) had read my post from yesterday! Lots of input on holiday shopping!!
What is a good business gift? Other than food or drink ... what can you give? Try offering your services pro bono along with a fun little "nothing" gift! I believe this is a year of being practical. We all know what it is like to have a stack of gifts opened and wonder "what am I going to do with all of this?"
This year, deliver what will count the most on an everyday basis.
Does anyone else have any ideas?
Keep your business growing ...
margie
I have just been scanning my social networks and taking note of the overnight updates and to one would think that everyone ( I wish) had read my post from yesterday! Lots of input on holiday shopping!!
What is a good business gift? Other than food or drink ... what can you give? Try offering your services pro bono along with a fun little "nothing" gift! I believe this is a year of being practical. We all know what it is like to have a stack of gifts opened and wonder "what am I going to do with all of this?"
This year, deliver what will count the most on an everyday basis.
Does anyone else have any ideas?
Keep your business growing ...
margie
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