Banu's Biztalk posts

Wanted: Help set up Blog Offered: Awesome Jewelry!

I need to setup a somewhat fancy blog that I can link to the WWISH website. I'll show you an example of what I want when you email me- it's really not THAT fancy. :)

I will trade the one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry that I make myself dollar for dollar (See my website for samples of my work: www.jewelrybybanu.com)

Thanks! :)

Gifts for Clients?

Some businesses choose to send holidays gifts for their biggest clients (and referrers). I have been pondering some creative yet fairly inexpensive gifts that say "Thank you for your business and happy holidays" in a fun way.

What have you received as a client that stood out for you?

Any fun ideas to share?

Paypal alternative???

Do you know Paypal charges $30/month and takes too long to deposit the money into your account?!

We are not liking it!

Do you know of any alternatives that work well?

WOMEN'S CONNECTION EVENT

Hey Everyone!

I want to introduce you to WWISH (Women's Wellness and Integrated Social Health).

It's an online magazine published to provide support, connection and resources for women by women. Here's the website: http://www.wwish-inc.com.

We are planning a catered (by Chutney's) kick-off party on October 2nd 2008. Please see the link for our flyer: http://www.womenspeakoutnow.com/enews.html

We are expecting to have about 100 women there for the party. In order to increase the fun and excitement for the night we decided to have a raffle. We will display the raffle items on a table along with business cards.

Whether you provide a service or products this will be a great opportunity to reach out to new people, get your name out there and be a part of a special event that is designed to bring the hearts and minds of women together to create a more supportive world for all of us!

If this sounds like an event you'd like to contribute to, please contact me before Sept. 19 regarding your donation.

AND...

Don't forget to mark your calendars, this will be FUN!!!

*PS: This is a not-for-profit event. $20 fee includes food, wine and a ticket for our raffle. All proceeds from the additional raffle tickets ($5 each) go to (Wo)Men Speak Out™. *

Perfect Location???

We are looking for a location where we can host an event for 60-80 people with food and drinks. It would be better if it's a restaurant. Parking availability in the neighborhood would be a huge plus [can anyone argue with that? :)] .

Any suggestions?

Surprise Yourself!!!

OK, you are coming to BizJam, right? If not, you’re missing out on lots but I won’t rub it in your face. :)

You’re missing out on not just the knowledge but the experience and the fun and ME! (No room for modesty here!).

If you are coming… I DARE YOU to surprise yourself!

Be the person you want to be, not the one you believe you are!

Here’s what I mean…

If you think that you are shy or don’t have good conversational skills, or don’t know how to dress cool, or whatever….

Here is what you do:

*The minute you feel shy and don’t say hi to a stranger: DO IT!

*When you’re dressing up for BizJam Wednesday morning, wear the thing at the back of your closet that you were saving for a “special occasion”. The one with the tag still on! Yes, that one!

*You won’t have good conversational skills when you don’t talk! So, talk to people. And listen as well… Find a point to relate and boom! Talk again!

You’re boring only when you hide. You’re boring when you don’t show up as yourself!

Afterall,

The person you want to be is still YOU!

See you at BizJam!

Articles- what do you wish people wrote about?

Karrie's article on reducing attrition rates hit a home run.

This indicates to me that this was A MUCH NEEDED article and we've been waiting for someone as witty and insightful as Karrie to write it and write is so clearly.

What do other topics do you want articles to be written on?

I have one: “How to choose a business partner?” or "To Partner or Not to Partner"

Joe Shirley suggested "How to Write a Successful Article".

Articles (or Tips) create an opportunity for discussion, thus giving us a chance to benefit from others' experiences, not just the author’s.

Your suggestions might light up a fire in a few Bizniks who have been itching to write something but didn't know what to write on.

Any wild ideas?

Have you guys ever had a million dollar idea that you've been keeping inside and didn't tell anyone because it sounded too wild or out there to share? Come on, spill the beans!! :)

Or how about one that you thought of but found that someone else was already doing it?

E-commerce know-how?

Hey Gang! I have been recently cooking up some ideas about starting up an e-commerce website. Does anyone know about how to get started or even know of an "expert" on setting up and marketing one online? I don't have a product line set in stone but it is likely to be organic products. If you also know someone who might be interested in a partnership, let me know. It's just an idea right now, I am in the research phase. :)

Should you put your photo on your website?

I've thought about this before and have my own opinions but I wondered what you guys would say.

I decided to post this question after reading Mark Silver's wonderful article "The Bermuda Triangle That Eats Your Referrals".

Would love to hear opinions and experiences....

Wanted: A refresher on MS Office (especially Excel). Offered: One-of-a-Kind Handcrafted Gemstone Jewelry

Well, I have used Excel and PowerPoint some time ago, I am pretty familiar with them but my skills definitely need polishing. I am guessing that we're looking at a 2-3 hr in-person assistance. I'll trade dollar for dollar and you can pick out anything you want from over 100 pieces of high-quality one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry I've made myself.

I need this refresher by Friday if possible. Evenings are OK.

Here's my website: www.jewelrybybanu.com

PS: They make great gifts;I have free gift boxes as well.

Thank you!! :)

~banu

Nothing like Biznik but it exists...

Hi Folks, I ran into a website that focuses on indie businesses where you can provide ratings for the service you receive. You can be as specific as "Chimney Repair Sweep" or "Italian lessons". I guess it's a little like craigslist as well. If you don't see a category you fit in, you can suggest it.

http://www.myhuckleberry.com

Wanted "Expert Resume Help" Offered: "Fantastic Jewelry"

Hi Everyone!

I am in serious need of help with perfeckkting my resume. I need someone who has a lot of confidence in their resume editing+embellishing skills and I am offering to trade one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry dollar for dollar.

Christmas is near and you can save some money on the gifts you need to buy for the women in your life (mom, sister, girlfriend, wife...). I'm sure you've got one of those... (I have nice gift boxes as well.)

Here's my website: www.jewelrybybanu.com

When is your birthday? Let's start a Biznik Birthday Club!

Happy Monday everybody!

Well, I ran into Nancy Hanauer's Biztalk post from September 21st titled "Biznik Birthday Babes!" and had a similar idea that I wanted it to run it by you guys.

Everyone has a birthday, right? -- just like we all have a mouth (I might actually have two, I talk way too much!). :)) Anyways... So the idea is to have a once a month birthday celebration get-together for the babies of that month. We host a party in the middle of the month at a different location every month. This way you can invite your non-Biznik friends to hangout, more people can meet each other and we help spread the word around about Biznik. It also helps the local business of course. I could organize December and see if this gets enough attention to keep it going. I am thinking maybe a Friday or a Saturday night. So what're your thoughts and suggestions?

PS: I am an Aquarius (Feb 2). Aquarians are passionate and fiery people. I'm warning you, February’s party might be off-the-hook!!

An inspirational quote

Here's a quote by Byron Katie that recently touched me :

"When I walk down the street I know everybody loves me, some of them just don't know it yet."

I printed it in font size 16 and pasted it next to my computer. Isn't it beautiful? :)

Preparing Surveys for Your Business

Hi There, Well, I am in the process of creating a survey. I was thinking about doing it on SurveyMonkey.com. Does anyone have other suggestions or even advice on what to avoid? Or better yet, anyone interested in helping me? ;-) ~banu

Space still available in Goal Setting event on Thurs. 4/26

Come on people! Try something you haven't before. Use your visual vocabulary in a world that is all "Talk, talk talk!". Bring in your vision and make that vision tangible!Any questions about the event? bring them on!