Archive for the ‘Public Relations’ Category

Today, it’s hard to find real business “truths” because everything that impacts your business changes so quickly — for example: the new technologies you need for your operations, dramatic swings in customer demand, new competitors entering your market, the rising cost of production and sales, the challenges in securing investment resources, evolving employee expectations etc.

But, one truth is constant: your business will only succeed if you are connected to the right people at the right time.

Finding, nurturing and leveraging the right business connections is exactly what Donna Messer, President, ConnectUs Communications Canada – guest for BusinessCast #95, Connecting for Business Success – does day-in and day-out.  Just like every entrepreneur, she has a network of suppliers, customers, advisors, colleagues, media… and the list goes on and on. But, unlike most entrepreneurs, Donna has honed a process for efficiently connecting them with each other so that participants find value in the connection and in the initiator of that connection, Donna. The result: Donna has become an important influencer in dozens of different industries.

Listen to BusinessCast #95, Connecting for Business Success and you’ll find some practical nuggets of wisdom that will help build your connecting skills/opportunities — and therefore ensure your business’ succeess.

If you want to read about how entrepreneurs just like you tackled some of the other most common business problems, check out Your Business Success Stories.

Don’t forget to enter the contest to win a Blackberry Bold!

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As an entrepreneur, you eat, drink and sleep your business. It’s your passion — it keeps you going; it keeps you exploring; it keeps you growing.

So, it shouldn’t be any surprise that many entrepreneurs, just like you — somewhere in their business lifetime — tip their toes into franchising, either as a franchisee or a franchisor. Why? Because it can be a very effective method for:

• Trying another type of business;
• Investing in a proven brand;
• Generating new or additional sources of revenue; and
• Building lifelong business relationships.

It’s for these reasons that in BusinessCast podcast episdode #94 — Franchising for Entrepreneurs – Robert and I sat down with Lorraine MacLachlan, the President and CEO of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). Lorraine leads a team of dedicated professionals who share a core value with all of the BusinessCast podcast guests and loyal listeners: they want to see entrepreneurs succeed!

As a result, the CFA provides some great resources to help you determine if, when and how franchising is right for you.

Make sure you check out some of the CFA’s current research and publications and join us at the Canadian Franchise Show on February 21 and 22.  As recognized members of the business media, we’ll be gathering real-life stories ‘live’ at the show and sharing them with you.

BTW, keep an ear open for our podcast in two weeks (February 14), we’ll be hosting Email Marketing for Entrepreneurs – Bootcamp — Part 2. Matthew Vernhout, the email marketing guru from emailkarma.net will be back. Matthew will share practical tips to get your email successfully delivered, opened, acted upon and measured. Email Marketing for Entrepreneurs – Bootcamp — Part 1 was a huge hit! So, you won’t want to miss out on the additional insights that will ensure the success of your future email marketing campaigns.

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In BusinessCast podcast episode #92 – Networking for Entrepreneurs, Robert and I interviewed the inspiring networking guru and author of Smart Networking, Liz Lynch. She shared some of the background and core lessons that can be found in her book. But, do we think that her book is going to become the new networking benchmark? Short answer: yes!

Here’s a rapid book evaluation and review which outlines why this is an important resource for any busy entrepreneur looking for practical tools they can use in the short- and long-term. Specifically, Smart Networking:

1) Identifies and addresses the most common obstacles to effective networking. For the most part, these obstacles are ways that people feel about — and therefore approach — networking. Smart Networking addresses these mental blocks head-on rather than avoiding or ignoring them. This is a refreshing approach that will appeal to anyone who hesitates with the prospect of networking (pgs 11-32).

2) Succinctly outlines a straight forward approach to ensuring networking success: be found, be personable and be credible. This foundation may sound simplistic but, the reality is that everyone can build on at least one  of these principles (pgs 33-44).

3) Provides practical and foundation-setting tools that can be used by every current or budding entrepreneur regardless of industry (pgs 45-62).

4) Identifies actionable strategies that entrepreneurs can implement based on their own skills, willingness, availability and budgets (pgs 63-119).

5) Addresses available online tools and communites as a method to optimize networking efforts and results  (pgs 120-164).

6) Outlines a realistic and measurable networking plan (pgs 165-177).

Bottom Line for Entrepreneurs: Smart Networking is a critical networking tool — ideal for those who want to begin or hone their networking activities. Also, check out Liz’s site which complements the book with tools including an initial (and free) self-assessment.

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Every entrepreneur recognizes that networking is essential to succeed. It’s the most effective marketing tool for building new business relationships and growing new revenues. However, the truth is that even the prospect of networking causes many entrepreneurs to cringe. But, that’s not because it is not seen as valuable. Rather, its because, mastering the art of networking remains an uncomfortable, and often unaddressed, mystery.

No need to worry. In BusinessCast Podcast episode #92, Networking for Entrepreneurs, Robert and I bring you a resource that is guaranteed to make you a better networker…regardless of your current networking skills.

We interview one of the World’s leading networking “gurus” — Liz Lynch, author of Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online. Without a doubt, this practical and easy-to-read book is destined to become the networking Bible. And, because Liz is so candid, realistic and knowledgeable, she (and her book) truly inspire!

Later this week, in the blogpost entitled, Networking for Entrepreneurs – Part 2, we build on our conversation by doing a book review/summary of Liz’s book to give you a real flavour of how this resource is a “must-have” for any entrepreneur.

Finally, Liz has so much insight to bring to help entrepreneurs become more effective networkers, we’re going to have her back as a BusinessCast guest in a few weeks. At that time, we’ll play out the most common networking scenarios so that you can see how you will achieve the best results in similar situations.

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes

Well, Robert and I have done over 20 shows since our last BusinessCast Podcast round-up. These shows are always popular because they give all entrepreneurs — i.e. new subscribers and loyal listeners alike — a quick and easy way of hearing what business-critical issues we’ve covered over the last handful of months. So, in BusinessCast Podcast #89 – Greatest Hits Vol. 3 we highlight some of the most essential topics and key learnings from BusinessCast episodes as far back as episode #67.

Specifically, in Greatest Hits Vol. 3 we highlights shows AND key BusinessCast blogposts where we provided practical tools and advice to help entrepreneurs address key issues such as:

• Building Profile for Your Business
• Developing Sales Incentives That Increase Revenues
• Tackling Crisis Communication
• Establishing a Strong Foundation in Mobile Marketing
• Speaking Confidently in Public
• Securing Financing
• Emerging Stronger When Good Employees Leave
• Finding the Right Business Partner
• Increasing Cash Flow
• Dealing Effectively with Cross-Generational Values
• Overcoming Sales Objections

In so doing, we also recount some of our most memorable guests, including:

• Catherine Swift (Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
• Michael Younder, Senior Product Marketer (Research in Motion)
• Paul Chato, President of YourWebDepartment and member of the Canadian comedy troupe the Frantics
• Bruce Hunter, Fortune 500 heavyweight and insightful author

And, we do it all in under 20 minutes!

As always you can listen to each of the shows we touch upon in Greatest Hits Vol. 3 by clicking on the BusinessCast Podcast Archives.

Finally, a quick thank you to all BusinessCast Podcast fans who voted for us in the 2008 national blog and podcast competition. The BusinessCast Podcast Canada’s was voted as Canada’s 2nd most favourite podcast!

Remember: Subscribe to the BusinessCast Podcast at iTunes