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Easy Steps to Connect, Engage and Grow Your Small Business

January 5, 2012 by

“It’s never too early to start, it’s always too early to quit” ~ Anonymous



As I meet with small business owners and we find their passion, purpose and specific direction for their business, I am often amazed at the largest hurdle small business owners have: THEMSELVES



The truth is, we are our harshest critic and our toughest enemy. Sometimes what we need is to link arms with those around us, who will carry us through the difficult times. If we are linked properly, we will carry them as well, during their hard times. It is a powerful relationship.

 

 

  • How do you find these relationships?
  • What do they look like?
  • What if I don’t have all my “plans together” can I still be effective?



These are all great questions. We will have 2 opportunities to address these questions in person this week



Introduction to Inside919 Junto with (Pat Howlett and myself) and also the Insiders Final Friday Peer Advisory with Bill Davis.



I hope you make the time for both. You and your business will benefit from both of these get togethers. Will you be there? Let me know your thoughts below!
Martin Brossman’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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Getting STARTED on Inside919? Step 3: ENGAGE!

January 5, 2012 by

The third, and possibly, the most important topic is: ENGAGE!

Engage Online

Take 15 Minutes a Day , and ENGAGE! Find someone you want to learn more about:

- Read their blog
- Read their bio
- Which groups do they belong to?
- Who do they connect with?

If you have something of value to add, do it! Begin a conversation or respond to conversations you read.

Remember smart people connect with smart people!

The powerful thing about Inside919 is that you can connect online and meet offline. (Remember, we are all local).

Engage Offline

One of the best ways, I have found to connect with Insiders is to meet them at the Insider events like the: LOCAL COFFEE BREAK and the Third Thursday Event.

It is powerful when you engage with someone online and meet offline, in person. There is an instant connection! Not only that, many of us like to “refer” business to people we “know” and like.

So take the time to ENGAGE here in the Inside919 community! It is well worth your time and effort!
Angel Lebak ~ Virtual Assistant’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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The NEW way to Engage your clients in Professional Services: Reinventing From The Top!

January 14, 2010 by

Back in fall 2010, I had the honor of being interviewed for a soon to be released book on the subject of Professional Services(Lawyers, Accountants, Consultants, etc) and how the industry is shifting and changing in the height of technology. I won’t get into the details of my role in the book in this short blog but I wanted to start a conversation with those in this community who provide professional services and how our firms have to change in approach from the “old school” way of client engagement. From marketing to your clients, to your fee structure all the way down to service delivery, branding and the use of technology.



In this new era, many businesses and individuals (which represent more than 26 million of small businesses) have a hard time finding the professional services they need that they can afford. Even larger companies are learning to rely on technology or using the Internet to help with issues where they would almost always hire an expert for. These days, as a professional, it’s not what you know, it’s how you can help me know how to implement it in my business.



With the economy and the more accessible use of technology, firms are being forced to offer services that are more scalable, they’re forced to understand their clients needs above the needs of the firm, in short, this industry is changing, like it or not! In Reinventing Professionals: Building Your Business in the Digital Marketplace (Wiley 2011), by acclaimed Attorney turned author Ari Kaplan, he interviewed dozens of established businesses such as Pricewaterhouse, Microsoft, Disney, and yes Inside919′s very own Your Simple Bookkeeper ;-) , on how we approach client engagement in this new era.



What is your current struggle with engaging clients in this current climate?

Are you finding that your approach has to change?

Do you find that technology is hurting your practice or making it more efficient?



Check out this latest blog post where Ari interviews a Lawyer about how firms need to reinvent their relationships with their clients. What has been your experience? Let’s start a dialog! (humm, maybe this can be a great topic for Pat & Martins upcoming Junto?????)
Katrina M Harrell-Biz Strategist’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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