Alberta Business Marketing

This past week I have been working with a fellow Heartland Tech Group member from the Philadelphia, PA area and leader in the Philadelphia Small Business Computer Support market, Jobecca Technology Group.  Michael and I have known each other for a couple of years now and it wasn’t until this past month we decided to work together and what a pleasure it is to have Michael on board as a client with Ulistic.  Today, Ulistic is assisting Michael in taking his web marketing and overall web strategy to a new level.  So far, so good and it is awesome to have this HTG member as a client of our Calgary based Social Media Consulting and Online marketing organization, Ulistic.  Need help 403.775.2205.

See Jobecca’s new Philadelphia Business Computer Support blog today.

I learn from my clients just as much as I hope they learn from my experiences from us working together and with Jobecca, no exception to this rule occurs.  Michael and I share a very close friend Jeremy Epstein from Never Stop Marketing. I have been reading Michael’s blog posts and he reminded me about a focus point our friend Jeremy is talking about on his blog about Dandelin Marketing and the importance of Never Stop Marketing…sorry to the guys at TLC in Calgary…Jeremy coined this phrase long before you guys started using it (see spam emails going around Calgary).

Like Michael and I have mentioned, one of Jeremy’s new or recent discussion points is on Dandelion Marketing.  Are you asking yourself what is Dandelion Marketing? let’s think about this for a second and how dandelions spread in the wild.  Look outside your Calgary home right now, can you see a number of dandelions investing your lawn?  Being the May Long Weekend, it is more than likely that the dandelions are out in full force.  I know my front yard has many of the yellow butter cups showing their face.

In Jeremy’s blog post on Dandelion Marketing, he shares 6 basic concepts on how to share information online with your raving fans and also those who simply like what you have to offer.

• Know the Commander’s Intent
• EVERYONE is in marketing.
• Brand: Feel Over Look.
• Agile Marketing Development
• High Fault Tolerance.
• Rapid Feedback Loops.

Dandelion Marketing is in my opinion is about leverage.  Using the tools available to you, some are actually free and some have a small price tag associated with them to share relevant information with your community and also your raving fans.  Information that is relevant, information they would find interesting and information their follows find interesting and when everything aligns…well look how dandelions spread across the prairie landscape!

Download the Dandelion Marketing eBook from Jeremy Epstein today…some very good reading…I am reading it on my iPad right now!

Tags: 403.775.2205, Biology, Botany, Business Success, Business/Finance, Calgary, Dandelion, heartland tech group, Herbs, Human Interest, iPad, Jeremy Epstein, Jobecca Technology Group, leader, Medicinal plants, Michael, never stop marketing, overall web strategy, Philadelphia, philadelphia computer support, social media consulting, Social Media Consulting and Online, Taraxacum, ulistic, web marketing
Posted in Marketing | | Comments Off

Last evening our Calgary Business Professionals Networking Group held their monthly Beer, Wings and Networking event at the Rusty Cage in South Calgary.  What a great establishment for a social networking event where everyone can come together for some fellowship and networking.  Hats off to our great business club in Calgary.  Thanks to Ray and the entire team at the Rusty Cage/Studio 82 for another wonderful event.

The lesson learned at our Calgary Business Networking Club

Social Networking requires people to be real.  Our business networking club is social networking and we are not hiding behind some keyboard and computer screen.  We are out and about in the community, meeting up, sharing stories, exchange business cards and learning from each other.  One of the comments that we kept hearing throughout the event is how real this business club actually is.  That everyone can just be themselves and tell it like it is in a completely comfortable environment.  This is a very important and a crucial life-lesson I learned a while back.  Many tried to reach out to me, especially during my “I” focused years.  We need to be authentic, real and ourselves more than anything.

During the evening and speaking with the members at the event I ran into a Calgary Social Media self-proclaimed Guru.  It was this couple’s first time at our event and one of the people claimed they knew me but sorry I don’t recall meeting them in the past.  This guy and his partner claim to do everything in the world of social media.  They will fill your pipeline with qualified leads, your revenues will gush like Leduc Number 1 and they have an endless team.  You need feet on the street in New York City, he does that.  You need some customized coding, he does that…maybe you need someone to mop the floors at the end of the night, he does that.  Can you see the potential challenges here?

In my early days of IT Matters, we gave the perception to our clients that we were their single source for anything IT related and even to this day at Ulistic, there is value is being a single source or that CONNECTOR who knows the right people to introduce in situations.  This is why I network, to understand who does what and who I can refer business to.   I still like to believe we can be a single source of knowledge and share openly with those we care about and trust (KNOW, LIKE, TRUST).  What is different about that mindset vs. “we do that”.  We don’t do everything, however we have strong strategic alliances that are able to help you with what challenge faces your business.

Do you need a sign for your office, we know someone and we can introduce you.  How about some tricky software code, that as well…we don’t do that but we have talented business relationships that we would more than happy to connect you with.  It is about being a CONNECTOR, about looking out for the needs of others without “sticking your oar” in and claiming it is all about you.

People like to deal with humble, authentic and real people. Part of being authentic and real is knowing what you are good at, showing that you really care and forming alliances with those who can help you with the weaknesses in your business.

Tags: Calgary, Calgary Business Professionals Networking Group, Guru, Human Interest, I T MATTERS, New York City, Online social networking, Social network service, tricky software code, Uncategorized
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off

A major influence in my life passed away on Sunday May 16 after a battle with stomach cancer.  Ronnie James Dio, best known for replacing Ozzy Osborne in Black Sabbath battled cancer for the past little while.  Ronnie helped many through some pretty dark times in music in the 70’s and 80’s, but for me Ronnie was an example of never giving up, having passion in what you do and having grit and determination.

Ronnie’s music will never be forgotten.  Thanks for the great memories in Vancouver during the kick off to the Heaven and Hell reunion (which is really Black Sabbath) tour (see video – I was there).  Ronnie, you are and forever will be a class act!

Tags: Black Sabbath, cancer, Dio, English music, Entertainment/Culture, Greatest hits albums, Health/Medical/Pharmaceuticals, Human Interest, Live albums, music, Music groups, Ozzy Osbourne, ronnie james dio, stomach cancer, Stuart's ramblings
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off

Curb appeal, what does this mean? It used to mean at one time when I drove up to your office or store that your business looked appealing, it was professional and it was clean.  Your business created a powerful first impression and perhaps even sold me before I walked through the front door. What does curb appeal mean today? Do you still need to have your bushes trimmed and the trash picked up in the areas that your clients or customers will walk through? Absolutely…however, curb appeal goes much deeper, long before someone gets in their car and drives to your business.

Your business online.  Great curb appeal online will position you well ahead of your competitors before I even pick up the phone.  Curb appeal has now extended to the online world.  Stop reading this and have a look at your website, blog or social media sites, do they portray the professionalism that you want your business to show the world?  Does your great curb appeal lower your Google bounce rate?

I am very picky about the look and the feel of a blog, social media site and even your business’ main marketing website. The smallest of things get my attention in a positive way.   Alignment, font size, images and ease of use are critical success factors in creating a web presence that draws people in to do business with you.

Have a look at your site again.  Is it professionally done or are you using some $75 theme that you pulled off some template site?  Sorry folks, but I care about your image enough to sometimes point out how great your site is or where it may need a complete redo. Does your online activities mirror your physical activities?  Are you telling the world that you wear a suit online but show up at the office with track pants?

There is a lot to be said about you and your business by the way it is presented.  Remember the saying “How you do anything is how you do everything”.

When your business has curb appeal you open yourself up to going after those larger clients and bigger opportunities. Doors have opened because of the way your business is presented and the professionalism you want to portray.  Your website, blog, Facebook Page and Twitter wallpaper are your new business cards, how are they looking?  Is your brand consistent through.  Sorry folks the free blogger and WordPress sites with the free templates no longer cut it.

In my travels as a Calgary Search Engine Optimization professional I see lots of great examples of what businesses are doing today to attract new opportunity out in the market today.  There are tonnes of opportunity if you know how to present yourself and can position yourself well amongst the red ocean out there.

Are you ready to take that first step?

Tags: Appeal, Appellate review, Business Success, Business/Finance, Curb, Facebook Inc, Google Inc., Human Interest, Law, Lawsuits, Legal procedure, online activities, online world, search engine, social media, social media sites, Technology/Internet, template site, Twitter Inc, USD, web presence
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off

It is nothing new that today’s world moves so fast that your head has the potential of spinning out of control even before your first foot hits the floor.  It is also nothing new that today’s generation is stuck with a “I” problem.  Just look around on websites, advertising, social media sites and listening to general conversations. We see it everywhere we go.  ”My needs are more important than yours”, “I will get something for myself first” or “forget about you, I matter more”.  The signs are everywhere and all you need to do is stop and look around from time to time.

Can this “I” problem sink you?  Eventually it will sink you to the depths of the deepest ocean, people are much smarter than we think.  When I was in my early days of business, being attentive to the needs of my clients was always the number one priority.  But with success, I eventually fell trap and was stuck in this “me first mentality”.  Fortunate for my team this focus on “me first” came at the top of the economic roller coaster.  With the help of some great peers and wonderful mentors, I was lucky to have these friends shake me vigorously before the recession hit full stride.

Do these tendencies show their ugly head from time to time?  Absolutely, no one is perfect.  Perhaps for me, I am more aware of this behaviour and can takes the steps to correct it.  My business coach at one time told me “the difference between someone who gets it and someone who doesn’t is that the person who gets it is observant of their own behaviours.

Some of my loyal “Social Media” followers are perhaps asking, how does this apply?  Think about this, when you write on your blog, share information on Twitter or post an update on Facebook…are you bragging or sharing?

When you turn your I’s to You’s great things can happen.  Here are a few places to look to see if you are a YOU or I focused.

1. Look at your website – Is it I or We.  Are you preaching to the client on how great you are or are you speaking to them directly, engaging with the reader of your blog or website content.  Do your sentences start with I or We?  Are you addressing a person directly, drawing them in, speaking to them at their level.
2. How do you speak to people – When you speak with your colleagues, is it always “I can do that” or “Let me see what I can do”.  Imagine what could happen if you change your I’s to You’s?
3. Your needs or my needs – My wife would tell you otherwise I am sure, however what matter most?  Your needs or the needs of the person you are dealing with?  If you follow the airplane approach of putting your mask on first this can confuse even the smartest person.  You need to look after yourself that much I can tell you is true, however you must never demonstrate this in front of the person you are working or dealing with.

I guess all I am trying to share with you today is that you need to ensure the other person is made to feel important.  That you actually care about them first.  That your needs come second to theirs and that you are engaging with them and not always focusing on your needs.

I hope I managed to share this effectively with you?  It is a hard topic to write about and something I am always trying to improve on.

Tags: "I" Problem, Facebook Inc, go giver, Human Interest, other person, sharing, Stuart's ramblings, Twitter Inc
Posted in Alberta Business | | Comments Off