Carol's comments

Used fryer grease—filtered, odor-free and prepped to use as alternative fuel in your car—available at low cost in pumps at the parking lots of fast food restaurants. Mickey D's, are you listening?

Good points, DL. Wish I could be in Seattle to hear more.

I think social media can be utlized effectively and responsibly. Unfortunately, the "Me Me Me" fest of social networking must be working for someone, because the worst offenders are seen as "experts" and make big bucks teaching others how to use Facebook et. al. to glorify themselves. (I won't mention any names but I'm sure tempted to.)

Most of the friends and connections requests I get are from people who want to push their seminars and services. Some of these folks also use a lot of silly Facebook apps in an effort to look human.

I use the social media to get in touch, or back in touch, with people I already know. Sometimes this results in meeting people I ought to know. Wonder of wonders, Facebook has increased traffic to my blog more than anything else, and I haven't shoved my Face down anyone's throat in order to make that happen.

Yes! We can set our intentions and then life sometimes has other plans! You may think you want one thing, and then realize that what you get is what you really wanted, as you did.

Case in point: I hired a coach because I wanted to write a book; in our work together I realized that what I wanted first was to move across the country! I needed to shake things up before I could begin to think about devoting the bulk of my energy to writing. Now the book idea has taken an entirely different direction.

It could be that the wider our net, the better the networking. You've challenged me to look for the "common denominators." No connection is a waste of time. Thanks, Vicki!

Sounds just like Facebook to me! No sooner do I get an invitation to be a "Facebook friend" from someone who knows someone I know, then I get buried under a pile of their self-serving self-promotion. I mean, let's have coffee, enjoy the coffee, leave the PowerPoints in the office and use our time together wisely and for our mutual edification!

I'm glad you're here, Zita; we solopreneurs need lots and lots of instruction in the social and social media graces.

Speaking of the mayo-writing on the wall, how much did we know and when did we know it? EQ also means not being a doormat. We teach people how to treat us. Most telling is that "she's always asking me to (do things that are not my job) ." If I've been doing those things out of fear of losing the client, with resentment, or for any reason other than I'm happy to be of service, then shame on me; it's not the "jerk's" fault.

You've driven home for me how very important user-friendliness is in every aspect of business, payment included. Currently I only accept Paypal online, which I understand some people don't trust, and I've lost a few customers over it, though the 'Pal has always worked well for me both as a business owner and as a shopper. I want to broaden my horizons without breaking the bank. Appreciate any and all suggestions from all my Biznik buds.

Yeaaaah, Mark!

Good reality checks, thanks DeBorah.

I like Mandossian's back-of-the-card idea. Guy Kawasaki's is too simplistic for most of us - who is going to remember you by name only unless you're Guy Kawasaki or someone with that kind of name recognition? Something to aspire to, however!

Telecons are a wonderful way to expand client base and connect with people all over the world. Inclusivity! They work well for me and I'd like to do more of them and maximize my returns on them. A class on maximizing them would be great - Robert Middleton has a good recording of one such class, available for purchase at actionplan.com

While I hadn't planned it that way, May 3 was a no-computer day. I spent it at a morning improv class, and later taking in two ancient and unsung Bette Davis films, and some wonderful Chinese food. If I'd been at home I would have been in the swimming pool.

Very important to keep this in mind! Thanks Kaya.

This, along with other factors, is how I determined my fees. If it makes you grit your teeth, or makes you feel like you need a nap every time you sit down to work, it's too darn low! Thanks for a great article.

Local media stories often get picked up by the big guys. No effort at publicity, no matter how small, is wasted. Great article!

Just a few categories that I could fit into...and I'd probably only choose three related hats:

Coaching, Life Coaching, Business Coaching, Personal development expert, Trainer/facilitator, Writer/editor, Copywriter, Creative Marketing Consultant

I love your thinking, Kaya. "Disasters" can be seen as 'corrections," just like in the stock market; time to "take stock." Complacency rarely works in business, or in life for that matter. Stuff happens - good!

Thank you, Pamela, you've touched all the bases. For me, it's most important from the get-go to get present, help the attendees get present, and form an immediate connect with them. Creating an atmosphere of inclusion, welcoming, and value helps the rest to run smoothly.

Can't have one without the other, methinks. But if I don't go for the close, usually the sale doesn't happen. It's just a little extra communication.

Congratulations, and I love your bio!

With an open heart, and open mind, and great clarity, you made some very tasty lemonade out of what appeared to be some sour stuff. Awesome!

Excellent. I remember hearing a truncated version of this: "Is it true? Is it useful? Is it kind?" Thanks for expanding on this timeless wisdom.

Really good stuff. And I am so guilty of the last point!

Great analogy. We've got enough to do without trying to fix others. What we can do is to encourage our employees to excellence, the quality we hire people for in the first place. If the employee is not interested in that, it's a kindness both for you and for the employee to release them from that obligation.