The Price of Networking

If there were one component that I would say is crucial for small business owners, other than having a good service or product, it's quality networking opportunities. The ability to meet and greet potential new customers is paramount to the survival of any business but especially one in operation for less than five years.  Networking ain't cheap though!  Every month making that difficult choice on which event to attend on a shoe-string budget can at times be grueling. The good thing is, you don't have to attend every event or workshop, only those that have the potential to produce lasting results.  

Here's another good thing, there are many great networking opportunities that are absolutely free.  For example, if you are interested in exploring contracting with the federal government there are free monthly workshops held at the GSA building in DC (www.gsa.gov).  I have been to this one and found it to be a fruitful start, they are also held in other cities as well.  Perhaps you're more interested in doing business with the state.  If you're in Maryland you would visit the Maryland Department of Transportation which is the certifying body for the state (www.mdot.maryland.gov).  Just these two events will help put you in contact with the key players in these areas.  

Still need one more good idea, plan your own networking event! You can find a venue that would be willing to work with you and those attending are responsible for their own drinks and appetizers.  Your primary responsibility will be to market the event and in doing so, you expand your company brand. This exposure is bound to have residual effects which is what every good business needs to have.  Remember that all great networking begins with relationship building and relationships lead to new business.  Here are some helpful tips on working the room from Author Keith Ferrazzi.  Now go out and become a fearless networker!

                                                   

About Kennedy Consulting Group, LLC

Kennedy Consulting Group, LLC is a full-service special event management and media relations firm backed by 15 years of experience providing quality services for major corporations, non-profits and religious organizations.  Our track record includes a hand in planning the U.S. Dream Academy Gala, which raised over $1.9 Million by receiving match funds from Ms. Oprah Winfrey. We have also provided event consultation for Governor Martin O'Malley's Office of Minority Affairs.  Our boutique firm is woman owned.

www.kennedyconsulting.net

The Grammar Vandal

What if the spell check option on your phone or computer stopped working today? Like me you would probably go into panic mode, followed by a frantic search for your dusty dictionary. The truth is we are a country that can not spell!  I admit, when I receive emails from individuals interested in doing business and they are laced with spelling deficiencies, I have the urge to correct them before sending a reply and on occasion I have done just that.  Does it change my perception of that individual and their ability to get the job done and produce top results?  It most certainly does.  Taking that extra few moments to read through a letter or email before sending can mean all the difference in your bottom line and reputation.  

Here are a few tips that may help you avoid a visit from the Grammar Vandal: Create your message and send it to yourself, take your time in composing the message, and request a review from an outside (reputable) source.  One other tip that's crucial is increase the amount of books you read, this too will boost your intellect and vocabulary.  Following these few simple tasks will have you back on the path to good spelling in no time and don't be ashamed to get out those old flash cards.  Here's a little humor from Brian Regan to get you laughing your way back to success.  (I hope there are no grammatical errors in dis...couldn't help myself).

                           

About Kennedy Consulting Group, LLC

Kennedy Consulting Group, LLC is a full-service special event management and media relations firm backed by 15 years of experience providing quality services for major corporations, non-profits and religious organizations.  Our track record includes a hand in planning the U.S. Dream Academy Gala, which raised over $1.9 Million by receiving match funds from Ms. Oprah Winfrey. We have also provided event consultation for Governor Martin O'Malley's Office of Minority Affairs.  Our boutique firm is woman owned.

www.kennedyconsulting.net

Why Constant Contact Sucks!

No question that email marketing is a strategy that many deem an effective way to "get the word out" about the product, event or services they are promoting.  The market has become saturated with companies that say they offer such services but none more visible than Constant Contact.  In fact they have become the "Old Navy" of marketing strategies.  On a daily basis I sometimes receive up to 10 messages from organizations and individuals who are all using Constant Contact.  I won't say how many I actually open but I will say it's typically less than 10%.  

So why does Constant Contact suck if so many people are using it you say? Exactly that...everyone's using it!  They have become the "biker shorts" of marketing, once everyone starts using em' the cool factor has worn off and it's on to something new.  Not to mention their sightly logo dawns itself at the bottom of your well crafted email.  In fact you are paying them to market their company...they should be paying you!  Save your money and personalize your marketing campaign and your return will increase...guaranteed.  Here is a video with a few helpful tips for the savvy marketer.

                                               

About Kennedy Consulting Group, LLC

Kennedy Consulting Group, LLC is a full-service special event management and media relations firm backed by 15 years of experience providing quality services for major corporations, non-profits and religious organizations.  Our track record includes a hand in planning the U.S. Dream Academy Gala, which raised over $1.9 Million by receiving match funds from Ms. Oprah Winfrey. We have also provided event consultation for Governor Martin O'Malley's Office of Minority Affairs.  Our boutique firm is woman owned.

www.kennedyconsulting.net

How To Turn Business Cards Into Success

How many times have you gotten home after attending a networking event or conference and found that you've stuffed your pockets with more than 40 business cards?  In the frenzy of the moment you say, "ok I'll send you an email" or "I'll call you to set up a meeting" and at that time you intend to do just that. Fast-forward to one week later and those business cards are stacked neatly on your desk and you still intend to touch base with your new contacts. Turning business cards into success first begins by realizing the potential value that each card (contact) has. Put it like this, for every person that you fail to follow up with you are potentially flushing $100 (or more) down the toilet!  If you are the type of business owner that doesn't mind losing money in this fashion then there is no need for you to read any further but if increasing your bottom line and building your network is important to you...then read on.

The first step in turning business cards into success occurs shortly after you receive it. Write a distinguishing factor about the individual on the card so that you can remember who they are. This is huge!  However, if you have a great memory then doing this at the end of your event will suffice but if you're anything like me completing this within 2 hours of meeting is the way to go. Trust me this works! The second step is to place each business card into like categories.  By placing like cards together you are set up for the third step, which is to input each contact into your database.  This can be as simple as an Excel file with various categories that fit your particular type of business. Maintaining your database with up to date information is essential to growing your business and keeping your potential clients informed of your growth.

Now that you have entered each card into your database it's time for step four. Contact each individual within 1 week of the event and include how you connected with them, when and where so that they remember who you are.  The timing of your follow up is crucial and will determine the viability of your partnership moving forward.  Waiting too late can cause you to miss your window of opportunity.  The fifth step is very simply, follow up and more follow up! Building a professional relationship with a potential client or supporter takes time and patience but your diligence can result in new business and brand expansion.  

Meeting and networking with a potential partner is only the beginning. Putting these five tips into action you will experience an increase in your network and ultimately your bottom line. Following up with a new contact within 1 week not only shows that you are timely but you also value relationship building.  In a time where distractions are a dime-a-dozen your ability to focus and stay the course will be refreshing and can help you stand out in the crowd. Does this take time...of course it does! Building a business only happens by carefully positioning one brick at a time, creating a strong, recession proof network should be considered the cornerstone responsibility of your business. 

Is this doable…you betcha!  In fact some may call this common sense and I would agree.  However, this post-facebook, twitter and myspace era has caused many to abandon the old-fashioned relationship building techniques.  These tried and true tips have worked for many business owners who have come before you and if instituted correctly can work for you too.  By combining social networking with sending correspondence via “snail mail”, such as thank you cards, is a sure way that they will remember you.

Small Business Spotlight: The Kauffman Foundation

About Kennedy Consulting

Kennedy Consulting, a full-service event management and media relations firm with 15 years of experience providing quality services for major corporations, non-profits and religious organizations.  Our track record includes the U.S. Dream Academy Gala, which raised over $1.9 Million by receiving match funds from Ms. Oprah Winfrey. Our boutique firm is woman owned.

www.kennedyconsulting.net 

1+1=3

There are days as an entrepreneur when you wake up and it takes more than you have individually to push yourself in order to accomplish your set goals for that particular day. One recognizes very early on that not only was Rome not built in a day but it also was not built by just one person.  Sounds like common sense right?  Believe it or not there are some who prefer to take sole credit for an outcome, this euphoria however, is almost always short lived. You begin to realize very quickly the amount of work it will take in order for your company to survive beyond 1 or 2 years.  Everyone has a great idea but having a great idea means absolutely nothing without the ability to execute it in a timely and efficient manner.  This happens only when you recognize that YOU NEED HELP!  I realized this very early on and as a result, Kennedy Consulting has gone farther, faster while maintaining a level of quality and individualized customer service.  In other words, 1+1 no longer = 2 but a whopping 3!  

Today, I introduce my secret weapon-Lauren Smith.  Her stealth skills and ability to just make it happen is this companies greatest addition. Her background in public relations, events management and writing makes her uniquely qualified to meet the needs of our diverse clientele.  Sunday I had a moment to interview Lauren and below is part 1 of a compelling conversation with Kennedy Consulting's Senior Consultant.

April: When did you know that you were Entrepreneurious?  

Lauren: The first time I realized I was Entrepreneurious was when I was a sophomore in high school.  I started selling my crafts to fellow students.  Then, three of us got together to create a business plan for a joint venture, through which we could all sell our creations.  That venture never made it off the ground, but it taught some valuable lessons about working with others, channeling your passions and most importantly, how to tell a "talker" from a "walker." Basically, who is just talking the talk and is not willing to walk the walk?

April: Lauren, I understand that you have continued "channeling your passions" which have culminated in your own consulting business.  For all those who have ambitions to start their own company, talk a little bit about Head Not Tail, Inc.

Lauren: I have been involved in various aspects of many ventures, culminating in the creation of my own consulting corporation, Head Not Tail, Inc., in 2002. The business name comes from Deut. 28:13, which talks about the blessings that come from following God's instruction as laid out in previous chapters, "The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." Head Not Tail, Inc. has had the privilege of working projects on behalf of Destiny's Child, Kool & The Gang, Chaka Kahn, Marvin Winans, Jr., Vicki Winans, Mavis Staples, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Donald Lawrence, to name a few.

There's no question that starting a business is a journey that is not meant for those who give up easily but is for those who continue to push forward in spite of and realize that you can go farther, faster with the right business partner(s).  I am fortunate to have just that.  Next week, part 2 of my interview with Lauren Smith, until then I wish you much business success.

Small Business Resource of the week: The Small Business Administration

She works hard for the money

After being embarrassed into upgrading my old Samsung flip phone that I had for 3 years, I decided after much research to purchase the sleek and sexy BlackBerry Curve. Now that I'm on my third one because the first two kept malfunctioning, I find myself wondering how I ever lived without it. That blinking red light has me trained like one of Pavlov's subjects! When I press that trackball to see what it has to offer, my eyes light up and flicker with glee as I read the correspondence.  

I shove out of my mind the thought that I'm addicted, and push forward and within 5 minutes I've responded to potential corporate sponsors from Costco & Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, and to top it off a technology company seeking the services of Kennedy Consulting.  The ability to respond and execute is the difference between success and failure and failure is not an option!  Don't forget one important aspect though...BALANCE!  This too is a key to success.

My BlackBerry indeed is a hard working woman and definitely deserves to be employee of the year!  Who else would do everything she does without asking for anything in return?  That is if you don't count the monthly bill.  So to all my fellow entrepreneurs, happy texting, tweeting, facebooking, emailing, talking and blogging. May it bring you much business success.

Big Shout out to Black Enterprise the business resource of the week!