More Money or Less Regulation: What Will Have the Greater Impact for Small Businesses?
The latest Department of Labor report on job creation gave the nation a much needed boost in optimism and a possible signal that the nation is finally poised for accelerated economic growth. But many business analysts believe good times are not nearly as close as many hope. Pepperdine University, in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., recently released the findings from its 2012 Economic Forecast Survey and these results paint a different and more cautious picture.
According to the study (Private Capital Markets Project), 47% of small businesses (under $5 million) are not planning to hire any new employees for 2012. 34% of small businesses claimed they will only hire between 1-2 employees. Historically, small businesses are “net jobs” creators, so what does it mean when over ¾ of businesses polled say they do not anticipate any significant hiring? Take a look at what business owners say is preventing them from growing and hiring.
Although access to capital declined by 14 percentage points between 2011 and 2012 as a reason companies are not hiring, it is still ranked the number one policy change that business owners say could help spur job growth. When asked what would be the “Best Policy to Help Spur U.S. Job Creation by Size,” 32% of businesses with revenues of $5 million or less cited access to capital as the most important issue. However, regulatory reform, at 27% was not too far behind. Although, complex tax policies, uncertainty in new healthcare costs as well as state and local regulations pose challenges for small businesses, it is still access to capital that many cite as their biggest hurdle to overcome. According to the research, until access to capital improves, many small businesses say they will put their hiring plans on hold for 2012.
In contrast, larger companies, (revenues $5-100M) placed less of an emphasis on the access to capital issue, and more on regulatory and tax issues as their main challenges for growth. 32% of businesses with $5 – $100 million in revenues consider government regulations and taxes as the main “Impediment to US GDP growth.” Generally, economic and regulatory issues are of greater concern for larger companies than access to capital. For instance, environmental regulations and laws have been cited by cement companies as not only impediments to growth but even a threat to existing jobs with the potential loss of 13,000 jobs as a result of cement plants shutting down. This is a great example of where constrictions to growth in a larger industry can threaten the growth and job creating potential in a secondary industry as well.
The encouraging recent jobs reports from Washington may be a cause for optimism at a needed moment. However, based upon the results of the research conducted by Pepperdine University & Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., tough times may be very much ahead. For small businesses, access to capital is still a major concern while larger companies are claiming current and possible future regulatory and tax policies may hinder their growth.
Looking for more insight on how you can grow your business on a limited budget? Check out these strategies for increasing when you can no longer slash budgets and our list of sources of funding to grow your business.
Companies Turn Up the Volume on Jobs
Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senate hopeful, toured downtown New Bedford, Mass. Monday afternoon. She went with one very specific question in mind, “How’s business been?”
Between visiting businesses, she stopped to say matter-of-factly, “Small business owners need more customers. That happens when people have jobs.”
Whether we were in the midst of an election year or not, there would still be plenty of talk in the media regarding job growth. Fact: America’s workforce is still disconcerted from the recession. For the home of the brave, it’s comforting to hear that Labor’s January jobs report shows 243,000 jobs were created.
Top companies such as Starbucks, Amazon, Boeing, Citibank and Time Warner Cable (to name a few) have announced anywhere from 500-13,000 open positions with an ample variety of job titles. Whether you’re an engineering candidate or a healthcare professional, recovery is sprouting. If you’re a small business, job gains are reflecting hope.
Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp.’s CEO, Jeff Stibel, spoke with Alisa Parenti of MarketWatch this week about this slow, yet steady progress that we’re seeing in businesses’ confidence:
More jobs is obviously great for our economy… Is your business planning on hiring in 2012? Do you see this trend continuing through 2012?
Set Your Sights High: Angel Investors
While many many options are available for funding a business in need of growth, actually landing that funding can be much more challenging for small business owners. In our continuing effort to better explain various sources of capital available to small business owners, we thought we’d look at Angel Funding, which is becoming an increasingly common form of capital for small business owners. In its strictest sense, an “angel” tends to be a high net-worth individual who quite literally writes a check to a start-up or small business in exchange for equity in the company.
Below we’ve compiled a list of the top ways to send you and your business in the right direction with the guidance of some divine sources.
Know your audience
So who is an angel exactly? Don’t feel out-of-the-know just because you’re thinking halos, wings and harpsichords.
An angel is a wealthy individual willing to invest in a company at its earlier stages in exchange for an ownership stake, often in the form of preferred stock or convertible debt. Colleen Debaise explains in her article, What’s an Angel Investor? that angels are considered one of the oldest sources of capital for start-up entrepreneurs.
Know your team
One of the first parts of your company angel investors will look at is yur management team, which is the heart of your start-up. Your team must have the muscle and ability to resolve conflict quickly and directly from day one. Be prepared to show your team’s track record of successes and challenges.
Angels want management they can trust, respect and ultimately like. How does an investor evaluate a start-up’s team? by Carlos Eduardo will help you ask yourself, “Does my team have the necessary experience it takes to deliver what we have set out to do?”
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know
Finding an angel is about using your contacts. Your mom said it. Your third grade teacher said it. That Hollywood agent said it…now we’re saying it. Have a little black book (or smartphone). Send out updates. Take friends to lunch. Take friends of friends to lunch. In one word: network.
Every person you encounter is a lead. Be genuine. Be ready. Jennifer Lawton has some great tips to help you find your angels in the outfield in Making Friends: The Name of the Angel Game.
Find an angel close to home
Think like an investor. Wouldn’t you want a comprehensive understanding in the company in which you are investing? Wouldn’t it be nice to jump in the car and have a chat with the company’s principles? Angel’s are people, not institutions, and they want to personally know the people they are investing in. In fact, more often than not, an angel is investing in you personally as much as in your company.
Angels prefer to invest in their local communities. In Tom Banse’s article, Angel Investors Keep Cash Close to Home, angel investor Steve Moore says he sees this local pattern as a sign that more people are looking to give literal meaning to the old phrase, put your money where your mouth is.
Angel investing is an option available to almost any small business owner; the key is finding the angels within your community and figuring out what your business is worth, how much money you need and how much equity you are prepared to give.
Remember, angel investors are committing equity capital and in turn will expect specific guarantees and returns. You will need to research and fully understand the impact of their contribution on your business and what sort of exit you can offer them. The good news is there are angels everywhere. Now is your time to shine.
Strategies for Increasing Revenue When You Can No Longer Slash Your Budget
It’s been a long few years for small business owners, many of whom have struggled to survive the recent financial crisis, market upheavals and the current sluggish economy. During these difficult times, small business owners succeeded by cutting costs, reducing their labor force and streamlining their processes and overall business. But what are small business strategies for 2012?
Pepperdine University’s Private Capital Markets Project, in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., released its latest 2012 Economic Forecast report on January 17th that measures the outlook of small business owners. Among the questions asked was what strategies for growth most business owners will likely adopt in 2012.
According to the research, 44% of business owners plan to focus on increasing their revenues through sales of existing products or services while 33% plan to increase sales of new products and services. However, only 22% of business owners said they would cut expenses, suggesting that many business owners are already working at a minimum capacity.
So how can you, as a business owner, increase revenues either by selling existing products or services or by introducing a new product? Here are some strategies, you may want to consider:
- Conduct market research: During tough economic times, consumers tend to change their spending habits, so it’s vital to see how they feel about your products or services. Learn what keeps your customers coming back and what areas of your business they would like to see improved. If you are a brick and mortar business such as a dry cleaner, offering your customers a discount if they participate in a brief survey is a simple way of generating customer feedback. By performing market research, you may discover new untapped markets you can enter, marketing channels that may be more effective, or new products or services your customers are seeking. Check out Chron.com to find some tips on conducting market research.
- Improve marketing collateral: When competition is fierce, it’s vital to set your business apart from competitors. Your marketing collateral should distinctively and accurately present your value proposition as well as reinforce your branding and messaging. If it doesn’t, you are likely to lose credibility or present an image that doesn’t reflect your business in the strongest manner possible. Take a look at this article to learn more about improving your marketing collateral and what mistakes to avoid.
- Cross-sell products and services: Cross-selling products or services that complement each other can be a great way to add value to existing offerings as a way of increasing revenues. Cross-selling may also be an effective manner to introduce a new product to your existing customer base. Use your market research to find out which products or services can be sold together and consider bundling those services. However, be aware of pushing products or services that may not meet your customers’ needs as this could result in resentment and overall dissatisfaction with their purchasing experience. Forbes.com has some great tips on how to create (and avoid pitfalls) a successful cross-selling strategy.
- Increase presence on social media sites: If you don’t already have a social media presence, now is a good time to create one. Setting up a Facebook page or Twitter account is free, and with a little time and focus you can start getting Facebook “friends” and Twitter followers at no charge. If you are willing to spend a little money, marketing costs on social media sites tend to be inexpensive and both targeted and trackable. For some great tips on how to market your business online using social media tools, check out our Small Business Saturday blog series where top experts provide useful tips to small business owners.
The four methods outlined above are just some strategies that can help you grow your revenue and prosper in 2012. Check back soon to learn more about the Private Capital Markets Project and its results!
[CC photo via Leo Reynolds)
Interview: George Haines “Gamechanger”
Most people meet over lunch or drinks. George Haines and I met over a twitter interaction concerning the efficacy of coffee ice cream. Our conclusion surrounding the delicacy is still undetermined, however the brief introduction is imperative in describing how accessible, cordial and hardboiled Haines is.
This is the guy you want in your classrooms. This is the Kool-Aid that you want your young minds drinking. As Director of Technology at Sts. Philip and James School in Long Island, Haines helps teachers redesign traditional lessons by integrating technology into their classrooms and into their kids’ lives.
In a movement reminiscent of Field of Dreams (minus the corn stalks), Haines stirred up the entrepreneurial spirit in both his students and the New York tech scene with MicroInterns.
MicroInterns gives students the opportunity to work as interns for a day with different tech-startups. They create content, give feedback and even code while learning from some of the most influential entrepreneurs in New York City.
At 12 and 13-years old, they’re not just preparing for their futures, they’re living their lives. Haines took some time to answer our questions about his brainchild.
Photo by James Duncan Davidson
I like to think most people believe that at the spark of every entrepreneur’s light bulb going off is a spectacular (and very specific) story. Can you remember the precise moment that MicroInterns was dreamed up?
It was actually a culmination of a series of revelations. Over the course of my first couple of years as the Director of Technology, I began to see how much of what goes on in the outside world can be shared with my class. It started with the realization that it was extremely easy to bring people into my class via Skype.
Everyone is so connected and so easy to contact now thanks to social media and with Skype, amazing people can chat with my students from their office, kitchen, coffee shop, wherever. So that cemented my belief that the walls of my classroom didn’t really exist the way they did 20 years ago.
It seems silly for me to talk about Douglas Rushkoff’s or Clay Shirky’s ideas to my students when I could actually have Rushkoff or Shirky talk directly with my kids. It’s like in the movie Back to School where Rodney Dangerfield’s character gets Kurt Vonnegut to write his literature paper for him. Now it’s not cheating though, now it is just being sensible.
Skyping is great, and it became a big part of my class, but it was still something that went on inside our building, miles away from the real action in Silicon Alley. There are so many amazing tech startups and events in NYC every week and I’ve made an effort to be there to engage the community as often as possible. I was continually blown away by the welcoming vibe at those events.
Between social media and the various meetups and other events I attended, I started to learn my way around the NY tech scene and make some good friends. My core philosophy in education is that students learn by doing, so it dawned on me that I could combine all of that– 1. Connect my students to the superstars in the NY tech scene 2. Do it in their natural work environment and 3. Have my kids learn by doing.
So, I posted the idea in a few spots and I reached out directly to David Cohen of TechStars, who was looking to engage with students already. Things just sort of took up their own inertia from that point onward. That’s how the MicroIntern program was born. 
If you could pair and place interns with any company in the world, still standing or not, and at any moment in history, which would it be and why?
I’d like to expose them to concepts they might not stumble across on their own, so the first one that comes to mind is MakerBot Industries. I learned about MakerBot during my first visit to NYC Resistor, and like everyone else who encounters 3D printers, it set my brain on fire.
The possibilities right now are fantastic and the more 3D printing develops and becomes cheaper and easier, the bigger the disruptive impact it will have. The MicroIntern program is mainly about planting a seed in the minds of the students, letting them know what they can do to impact the future through technology.
They learn some technical things during the course of their one-day internship, but the big takeaways are always the larger contextual lessons. MakerBot Industries might be the most exciting concept in technology right now.
How do you think your life would have been different if you had access to the opportunities you are giving these 7th and 8th graders when you were their age? 
I think I would have taken my education more seriously because I would understand the reason why it was important to know the things I was learning. One of the big failures of education is that we don’t clearly communicate purpose.
Coaches on sports teams do a great job of connecting the learning process to the real-world application, but most teachers in the classroom don’t. There are really good reasons for teaching virtually everything we teach kids, but an overwhelming percentage of that purpose goes uncommunicated.
Many teachers don’t have good answers when a student asks, “Why do I need to learn about cell-division?” With the MicroIntern program, the question never comes up because the context is all around them.
What’s the wildest answer you’ve gotten when asking a 12 or 13-year-old student what they think an angel investor is?
Ha! Well the fact that the students are from a Catholic school could have stirred up some funny answers about “angel” investors, but I try to emphasize to the kids that it is crucial to do their research and get some depth of understanding when answering those types of questions.
They do a terrific job of learning the basics they need to know before engaging the environment. Being kids though, they do like to play games and have fun so before they commit to work with any startup they want to know if they’ll be able to take breaks to play Ping-Pong like they did at TechStars, or shoot Nerf darts at each other like at Yodle.
It’s hilarious how quickly that question comes up when I am pitching a new idea to them. It’s like, “Sure, we’d love to work with a Ruby Dev team next month . . . but what games do they have?”
Now take a breather. What was your favorite book in 7th grade and what is your favorite book now?
I actually used to hate reading as a kid, even though my mom was a librarian! Oh, the irony. I read some here and there, but sitting still and being quiet were never two of my strengths. I did read Tom Sawyer cover to cover in two days though. I think it is because he was always up to no good, so I could relate to the character.
Now I love to read, though. I read way more non-fiction, which usually bores people to death but I just find it richer than fiction. My all-time favorite? Probably The Lucifer Principle by Howard Bloom. It’s done more to shape my understanding of human nature than anything else I’ve experienced.
With MicroInterns coming up on its big one-year-anniversary, can you name one thing you’re most thankful for, one thing you’d like to improve upon and one thing that you’ve learned from the most over this past year?
There are too many things I am grateful for, so I am going to violate the rules here and name more than one. The first obvious one is my kids– I am grateful to be able to work with such a competent, polite, resourceful group of middle-schoolers. They blow me away each and every time we invade NYC.
The second thing I am grateful for is the NY tech community. These entrepreneurs work 12-14 hour days sometimes, have to work on a pitch for investors, have to redesign their product or figure out how to pivot to a new idea, yet they still take the time out of their day to really engage my kids. There is such a collegial, selfless culture among New York’s entrepreneurs and I’m grateful that my kids and I get a chance to be a small part of it.
The one thing I’d like to improve on is connecting other kids at other schools to the program. I think it is difficult for people in education to wrap their heads around the program because it isn’t a bureaucratic marathon of paperwork. We go on days school isn’t in session, it doesn’t cost anything and there is only one web-based application for the kids to fill out. It takes time for me to find the right fit, but once I have a partner it’s just a matter of getting to the train on-time on the day of the event. It’s frictionless.
I’ve been in contact with a number of schools in the NY area and it startles me how much paperwork they expect from me and how much they generate just to give kids a link to an application. The one thing I’ve learned is that kids really appreciate the opportunities we provide. I think it is so important for everyone– not just teachers– to look for opportunities for the kids in their lives.
Whether it is your own kid, a niece or nephew, friend of the family it doesn’t matter, think about who you can connect with them. I am not saying that as a hypothetical. I mean you, the person reading this right now, who can you connect with the kids in your life? I’d love to read your ideas in the comments below.
Where Can Small Business Owners Get Access to Capital?
In a recent study conducted by Pepperdine University in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp, we learned that 44% of small and mid-sized business owners indicated that they thought increased access to capital would be the best way to, “spur U.S. job creation,” in 2012 [.pdf].
The most obvious source of business funding is the banking system. However, for many small business owners, the banks haven’t been stepping up to the plate which has forced business owners to search for alternative forms of financing.
Here are some of the most popular alternative forms and how you, as a business owner, can get the money you need to grow your business.
Crowdfunding:
Crowdfunding is the idea of using anyone you know to help fund your business through small investments. Often times these small investments will come with some perk, whether it is a piece of merchandise or some ownership in the company. One of the more prominent crowdfunding websites out there right now is Kickstarter.
- Check out this article for more information on crowdfunding
Microfinancing:
Microfinancing (or sometimes microloans) are small loans for small businesses. The maximum amount for a loan obtained through microfinancing is typically $50,000 while the average loan is between $10,000-$15,000. These loans can help provide the working capital your business needs to succeed without some of the difficulty of obtaining a larger loan.
Angel Investors:
Angel investors can provide an alternative to banks. These types of investors are more willing to take risks with the businesses they fund while also providing longer loans.
Business Incubators:
As Steve Strauss mentioned during CredibilityLIVE business incubators are an excellent resource for capital, though it is provided through somewhat indirect means. Business incubator are public/private entities that come together to rent space for discounted rent and legal services among other things. Business incubators provide an opportunity for networking while also having a vested interest in the success of your business.
- Steve explained more about business incubators during his CredibilityLIVE event
Venture Capital:
Venture capital shares some ideas in common with angel investments. However, this type of capital is mostly available to newer businesses with high risk and high reward. For businesses unable to secure a loan from a bank that meet these criteria, venture capital is an option.
- Learn more about venture capital from the Encyclopedia of Private Equity.
Peer-to-Peer Funding:
This type of funding occurs when a loan is made from one person to another without going through a bank. There are several varieties of peer to peer funding including, direct or indirect funding, and secured or unsecured funding. This method is similar to venture capital and angel investing.
- This article on MSNBC demonstrates how peer to peer funding works.
A great resource for learning about getting access to capital and funding for your business is our CredibilityLIVE event with Steve Strauss. It’s a long talk (1 full hour), but worth it as Steve covered many of these topics in more detail as well as other ways to get the capital your business needs. You can also check out our Credit Resources for ways to raise capital, ranging from asset factoring to equity financing, as well as how small business owners can raise capital in a crunch.
CredibilityLIVE with Business Coach, Brian Tracy
Our next CredibilityLIVE event, on Thursday, February 9th, will feature Brian Tracy.
Brian is a professional speaker, author, and business coach, as well as the CEO and Chairman of Brian Tracy International, which specializes in training and developing organization and individuals.
We’ll let Brian tell you more about his upcoming CredibilityLIVE event.
You can register for the FREE event at CredibilityLIVE.com! As Brian said, you get to ask the questions for this event; to do this you can use the comment section, on Facebook, or using the #CredLIVE hashtag on Twitter.
Can’t wait to see you there!
Building Your Business by Building Trust
Last week we had Steve Cox, President of the Better Business Bureau on CredibilityLIVE. Steve gave out some terrific advice about the best ways to build trust in your business.
If you weren’t able to watch the live event, we’ve got the full video below, as well as some highlights of what Steve had to say.
Hutch: With respect to building customer’s trust, what has changed in the last 100 years and what hasn’t?
Steve: Scams are just as prevalent today as they were in 1912 and the protection that people needs are the same. The main change is how people have leveraged technology to perpetrate scams. This include phishing, vishing (using Voice Over IP), and smishing (using mobile).
Hutch: How has the BBB convinced people to use their services?
Steve: For any organization to be successful, it must be rooted in trust. It should be based upon transparency and objectivity. This is the BBB’s legacy over the last 100 years. The Better Business Bureau exists today because people expect four things. The first is to leverage their name and trust for various businesses and charities. The second is that the public expects the BBB to establish and uphold marketplace standards for trust. The third is that consumer and donors should be advised objectively. The last point is that the public expects the right solutions at the right time for public need. This is supported by the reputation the BBB has accrued over the last 100 years.
Hutch: How have you convinced 400,000 businesses to become accredited by the BBB?
Steve: We’ve done this one business at a time. The BBB believes in relationships. There are 116 Better Business Bureaus across America and Canada and all help to establish relationships in with their businesses and communities. By building these relationships, the BBB can better serve customers.
Hutch: How do you know who to trust in this marketplace?
Steve: It is tough. Steve feels that the BBB stands as a company that people can trust because of their work with businesses and long history. There is a “trust deficit” out there, but the BBB can help people make informed decisions about the companies that they choose to do business with.
Hutch: What can a small business owner do to protect themselves from unfounded reviews online?
Steve: The first thing to do is to be responsive, no matter the context. This has been a tenet of business for a long time. To be responsive, you want to be sure to tell your side of the story. If you’re only going to do one thing, be responsive.
Hutch:What can you share about trust and consumer behavior?
Steve: What has been consistent over decades is that trust is currency in the marketplace. It is about being transparent, being responsive, being objective, about truth in advertising, and about embodying integrity. For decades, people have wanted these things from businesses they deal with.
Hutch: How does BBB accreditation help improve a business’s bottom line?
Steve: Accreditation is not a fee for service, you do not become an accredited business by paying and gaining access to services. However, Steven mentions that there are services a business has access to after becoming accredited. The value of accreditation is that you become a member of a distinct community of businesses.
Hutch: Is it your experience that you can trust businesses or do you have to be careful?
Steve: We advocate that any customer or donor should check out a business or charity before doing business with them. That is just business from the consumer’s perspective. You figure out if you can trust a business by verifying. By being safe, you can protect your financial investments and to make the most informed decision you possibly can.
Hutch: Any final words you want to share with our audience?
Steve: Trust does matter. It absolutely does matter. I can’t tell someone how to run their business, they know how to do it better than I do. But I can recommend that they be responsive.
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Our next CredibilityLIVE on February 9, 2011 will feature business coach and author, Brian Tracy. Brian will be talking about how to overcome professional obstacles to grow your business.
Ring it in
There isn’t a thing superstitious about it. At the dawn of every new year, there is inevitably a rush to join the movement to pressure ourselves, our companies and our oh-so-familiar environments by inviting change and affluence for the future: THE RESOLUTION.
Some fear the call, some scoff and some swear by it. Whether you personally find the new year’s resolution arbitrary or inspiring…in business, out of the comfort zone is where progress begins.
This is not to suggest that the Year of the Dragon is the time to resolve changing the world (also not discouraged), but rather a new beginning point to accentuate the evergreen value of bestowing attainable goals for your business.
We caught up with several businesses in various stages of development to explore their top priorities for 2012. Find out if your new year’s resolution made the list!
INVESTING IN THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT…
My new year’s resolution for my business in 2012 is to allow more time for
pro bono work. In 2011, we started assisting three local sustainability-focused
community groups with their website management and maintenance. We started
doing this primarily for personal reasons – I get personal value from
supporting non-profits whose missions I believe in and I want my business
to reflect that value. To a lesser degree it’s for business reasons as well
- many of our clients have indicated that our community activity was a
small factor in hiring us, and we have received a number of referrals from
our pro bono clients.
Kane Jamison, Hood Web Management
GROWTH AND PASSING OF THE TORCH…
My new year’s resolution: To hire our first employee.
Mandy Williams, Red and Black Books
My New Year’s resolution for Bitnetix in 2012 is to stop being a small business worker and start being a real small business owner. I am a small business owner. Like many small business owners, I wear many, many, many hats. I don’t mind it so much, but it’s hard to wear all of the hats and do work for the company at the same time. To accomplish my goal, I need to grow the business to where it can support hiring new staff that can do the work I do today. That frees me up to work exclusively on finding new clients, cementing business relationships, network, and work on the business rather than work for the business.
Eric Lloyd, Bitnetix
FOLLOW THROUGH: PLAN OF ATTACK
Like many busy professionals, I often set lofty goals only to see
another year go by and not achieve my desired results. The problem with
this approach is that if you set a pattern of NOT achieving your goals,
you’re establishing a habit of failure. My most important new year’s resolution is to set goals and
commit to achieving them. The process begins by reverse engineering my 2012 resolutions and
breaking them down into quarterly milestones. Then I take the quarterly
milestones and chunk them down into monthly objectives and further
refine the process to weekly goals. Now that I have my weekly goals, I
review these weekly goals on a daily basis and set a plan of attack to
ensure they are accomplished.
Charles Gaudet II, Predictable Profits
TRIPLING IN SIZE AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
In order to triple in size again in 2012, we have to implement new project management protocols, create dynamic team oriented systems and encourage happiness in a high stress profession. As a leader, my resolution to the company and myself is to seek advanced training in acquiring these skills, then sharing them with my employees for their individual benefit and the improvement of our community.
Ben Cooke, Lucid Public Relations
LOOKING PAST THE OBVIOUS
Be creative and do what your competitors haven’t thought of. Listen and learn from the success of others.
Vince Morvillo, Speaker
SIT DOWN…TOGETHER
We’re a PR agency and actually sat down and wrote out [our new year's resolutions] pertaining to how we can adapt to the changing professional landscape and be better at what we do.
Chris Lyman, Lyman PR
ENHANCE CULTURE
My new years resolution is to create a stronger company culture and motivation thereby enhancing our performance and retaining top talent.
Gabriel Shaoolian, Blue Fountain Media
Did you relate to any of the above resolutions? Let us know what you’re planning for the Year of the Dragon in the comments!
Interview: Building trust and credibility
We’ve spent the last few years predicting and imagining the role that social media sites play in publicizing our products. Businesses far and wide have solidified that new media provides an outstanding platform to market or promote merchandise and material.
Photo courtesy of 401K
2012 brings a new challenge. Why not contest the concept of “Buy, buy buy!” and employ the power of social media’s reach by using its tools to go back to business basics: trust and credibility.
We here at Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. know more than ever that credibility means retaining a web presence. CEO, Jeff Stibel reminds us that this patron trust comes from, “making sure that the web and social ecosystem really resonates with your customer base”.
It was a pleasant surprise to meet Nina Amir of CopyWright Communications at BlogWorld 2011 and candidly discuss the significance of enabling your customer to get to know who you really are via new media.
Amir says, “It’s not just about putting out your product, but about putting yourself out there. It really is about connecting with people one on one”.
