Inspired Living Issue 4

Connecting Mind, Body and Business

Issue: IU League 4 Week of: July 4, 2011

NETWORKING COMMUNITY

Inspired Living is a publication from

Inspiration University for the IU League.

www.InspirationUniversity.com

SUCCESS TIPS

5 Ways to Reward Employees

Without a lot of Money!

INSPIRATION

Goals for Time Management

BUSINESS

SOLUTIONS

How to Make PR Work for You

How Facebook Can Work for

Your Company

CONNECTIONS

Essential Networking

Etiquette That Builds Profitable

Relationships

IN THIS ISSUE:

SUCCESS TIPS Page

5 Ways to Reward Employees

Without a lot of Money

2

INSPIRATION

Goals for Time Management 3

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

How to Male PR Work for You 4

How Facebook Can Work for

Your Company

5

CONNECTIONS

Essential Networking Etiquette

That Builds Profitable Relation-

ships

6

IN EVERY ISSUE

Sponsor Offers 7

Up Coming Events 7

Business Highlight 7

Publication Information:

Inspired Living is a publication for the

IU League of Inspiration University, a

networking community. This publica-

tion is distributed for members only.

Membership information can be found

at www.Inspiration-University.com

or contact:

[email protected].

Editors: Valerie Stuut and

Vicky Pestrichelli

Copyright 2011 Inspiration University

5 Ways to Reward Employees Without a

lot of Money:

1. A reserved parking spot.

2. Invite their spouse in for a

lunch on the company.

3. Name the conference room

or lounge after them.

4. A handwritten thank you

note.

5. Let the employee get rid of

their least favorite task for a

week.

Goals for Time Management

By Jerry Osteryoung

“All time management begins with plan-

ning.”~Tom Greening

If there is a single complaint that I hear more often

than any other from entrepreneurs, it is that they

lack the time to do the work required to keep the

business successful.

Time is the most critical resource each of us has,

and we will never get another chance to live this

moment, this hour or this day. As I have gotten

older, I have come to realize that using time effec-

tively is the key to success, both as a leader and as

a human being.

There is no denying that running a business or

managing a department is tough, but using effec-

tive time management techniques can free up so

much of your time.

If you are concerned about how well you are man-

aging your time, record a time log for three days.

For every 15-minute increment, write down what

you accomplished, whether or not the time was

well spent, how it could have been more effectively

utilized and how you felt during this time. A time

log is an important place to start since it is impossi-

ble to change how you manage your time if you do

not know where you have been. Throughout this

process, try not to judge yourself. Instead, think of

your time log as a basis for improvement.

As with most habits, changing how you manage

your time takes practice, and setting goals is critical

to this process. Too often, people say they want to

improve their time management but try to do so

without any goals to guide them. One such goal

might be to have two hours of uninterrupted time

each day to focus on tasks that are both important

and urgent. Another goal might be to delegate spe-

cific tasks to a subordinate by a certain date. A

third might be to work no more than 10 hours a

day.

Where improving time management is concerned, it

works best if you first understand where the problem

areas are. Next, you will need to set some goals to im-

prove those areas and make a plan with monthly bench-

marks to guide you as you work toward achieving each

goal. A goal without a plan just is not going to work.

Since adhering to plans by yourself is tough, work with

a fellow colleague, family member or friend who can

help you monitor your accomplishments on a monthly

basis. This provides the system of checks and balances

that most people really need to stay on track. Being held

accountable is so important to achieving your time

management goals.

Now go out, make a time log, and take a moment to

evaluate where you are in terms of current skills and

overall effectiveness. Set some goals and find someone

who can hold you accountable to these goals. More ef-

fective time management will make you a better leader

and a more complete person.

You can do this!

Jerry Osteryoung is the Director of

Outreach of the Jim Moran Insti-

tute for Global Entrepreneurship in

the College of Business at Florida

State University; the Jim Moran

Professor Emeritus of Entrepre-

neurship; and Professor Emeritus

of Finance. He was the founding

Executive Director of the Jim

Moran Institute and served in that position from 1995

through 2008. His newest book, “If You Have Employ-

ees, You Really Need This Book,” is an Amazon.com

bestseller. He can be reached by e-mail at

[email protected]. All of Osteryoung's arti-

cles can be found in a searchable form at

www.jmi.fsu.edu/Services/Jerry-s-Articles.

How to Make PR Work for You

1- Be Sure to Create a “Media-genic” Message. Public Relations is one of the most cost-

effective ways for a business to reach an intended audience. That is a great thing, but getting the

media interested in your story is not as easy as one may think. Small businesses must keep in mind

that creating a timely, interesting and “media-genic or media-friendly” message is critical. With PR

– persuading a journalist or reporter that your story is relevant to their readers and viewers is most

important…so spend the time early on developing that “media-genic” message.

2. Go Outside the Box. Most people think of the press release as the answer to all PR needs. But

think again. Press Releases are important – but they are just one avenue for getting your story and

message out to the press. Businesses can achieve the same results by sending an email or calling a

local reporter with your pitch.

3. Get to Know Your Local Media. It seems basic, but developing a relationship with the local

media, or those outlets that cover your industry, could be the key to getting a positive story in the

media. The media is always on the lookout for a new story, a different angle, and a fresh approach.

Meet with your local reporters at a convenient place (like a local coffee shop) or invite them to your

business to see it in action. They may very well need information on your business or be interested

in what you have to say about your field. And if you’re in the reporter’s phone book – you just may

be the first one they call!

About Melissa Perlman

Melissa Perlman is the

founder of Blue Ivy

Communications.

Blue Ivy Communica-

tions is designed to

help small and me-

dium-sized businesses, non-profit organiza-

tions and entrepreneurs achieve their goals

through successful public relations, strategic

communications and good writing. Melissa’s

expertise includes: writing and editing; content

development for websites, brochures and

newsletters; composing press releases; and me-

dia pitching.

To contact Melissa, please visit her website at:

http://www.blueivycommunications.com

Facebook has quickly become a mecca for

advertising and brand promotion, for good

reason. What other website has 250 million

people logging onto it every day? Putting a

business page on Facebook and getting your

customers to follow your company is the

easiest way to stay in front of them with

news and updates in an unobtrusive, friendly

manner. Here are some tips you should con-

sider when setting up your Facebook pres-

ence:

1. Integrate Your Blog. If you are already

blogging (and you should be, but that is an-

other topic for another article), integrating

your blog with Facebook is simple. The best

application I have found for this is RSS Graf-

fiti. It will check your blog every 30 minutes

of everyday and if you have posted some-

thing new to your blog, it will automatically

feed that content into your Facebook page,

so you don’t have to do it manually. The best

part is that the post that is made to Face-

book with your blog will link back to your

website so visitors have to go to your website

in order to read the full article.

2. Customize Your Page. Facebook allows

you to add custom html tabs to your Face-

book page which can then be programmed to

include any content, design, and form you

wish to include. Many companies are over-

pricing the programming of these tabs be-

cause Facebook is hot right now, so be sure

not to pay more than $150 for a content

page or $300 for a custom form that links

back to your website. Contact Web Chique

Marketing before the end of 2010 and men-

tion this article for 20% off of your custom

Facebook tabs.

How Facebook Can Work for Your Company

3. Link To Your Places Page. Facebook

has recently created a Places page for

every business that has a physical loca-

tion, which is separate from your business

page. To find your company’s Place page

simply search by your company’s name

and find the result that says Local Busi-

ness below it. At the bottom left hand

corner of the Place page there is a link

that says “Is this your business?”. Click

that link, fill out the form, and within a

couple of days Facebook will give you ac-

cess to manage your Place page. Then

you can make posts to this page, add your

logo, and start inviting your customers to

check in when they are in your physical

location.

This is just the beginning. There are lim-

itless options of what you can do with

your Facebook page. For more ideas fol-

low our blog at

www.webchiquemarketing.com or give us

a call at 954-347-2341 for a personalized

proposal of recommendations for your

Facebook page.

Essential Networking Etiquette That Builds Profitable Relationships

Let’s start with what networking is not. Net-

working is not handing out a bunch of business

cards, and hoping someone calls.

Business networking as described by Wikipedia,

the free encyclopedia: Business networking is a

marketing method by which business opportuni-

ties are created through networks of like-minded

business people.

There are several prominent business networking

organizations that create models of networking

activity that, when followed, allow the business

person to build new business relationship and gen-

erate business opportunities at the same time.

Technology makes it easy for us to expand our

circle of influence. However, the most powerful

connections are made face to face.

Master these powerful networking skills and

you will gain respect and credibility from your

colleagues and clients.

1. Take a positive and deliberate approach to net-

working, you will find this extra level of attention

makes it easier to establish relationships.

2. Your business image should reflect your abili-

ties, values, goals, and business mission.

3. Build brand loyalty one fan group at a time.

4. Exude energy and passion to command respect

and grab attention.

5. Be honest about what you can do and cannot

do. If something has gone wrong be honest and

upfront immediately.

6. Focus on following up and following through

while you’re still at the meeting.

7. Asking this one questions will increase your

bottom line. “Who is your ideal client/customer,

and how can I help you.

8. Remember the name. We all like to hear our

name, but don’t use first names unless you are

asked to.

9. Always defer to the other person. Don’t mo-

nopolize the conversation or talk about yourself

too much. Allow the others to have the spotlight.

10. Using the terms “ma’am and sir”, shows the

utmost respect.

11. Be well informed.

12. Perfect your “30 second commercial.”

13. Remain standing as much as possible-you

will appear more approachable.

14. Remain in control even under pressure.

These techniques and tactics will allow you to

seize opportunities that otherwise would not be

possible.

“Take the time to be exceptional, it will show in

how you make others feel, and in your bottom

line.” Walethia Aquil

About the author Walethia Aquil:

Want to become more charming, persuasive and memora-

ble? Increase your income, power and influence. Walethia Aquil

is a certified image and etiquette consultant, with over 25 years

experience, has helped thousands boost their confidence, improve

their bottom line and business and personal relationships via tele-

vision, radio, seminars and personal coaching. Claim your FREE

Instant access to the Business Etiquette e-course, when you visit

www.GraceandCharm.com . You will learn the ins and outs of

using proper etiquette, so that you can boost your confidence,

transform your life and accelerate your success.

Mark you calendars for our upcoming networking

opportunities:

September 20, 2011 - Tuesday:

IU League Meeting: Location TBA

October 18, 2011 - Tuesday:

IU League Meeting: Location TBA

November 12, 2011 - Saturday:

Total Working Women’s Convention:

Broward County Convention Center

Here are some great offers from our sponsors. Just

print them out and enjoy!

Print out the above inspirational message and

display it in a place you can see everyday like

your refrigerator.

We would like to thank Boutique to Go for

participating in our Total Working Women’s

Convention.

Inspired Living Issue 4

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Transcript of Inspired Living Issue 4