Howard's Biztalk posts

My Wish List for Biznik feature additions

These are feature improvements I would like to see. What are yours?

Are you sure you want to do business with this person?

He or she could be:

• someone you just met
• a friend from church
• a person from a group that you've been involved with for years.

You feel comfortable and confidant at this moment with your relationship. But, a social friendship and feeling of trust is not sufficient to start a new business relationship.

So, what is sufficient? What is the difference between trust in a social relationship vs. trust in a business relationship?

Can BizJam be more fruitful?

As an invited presenter for a BizJam workshop, I want to make your experience worthwhile, productive, and fruitful.

The original supposition of my workshop is to answer this question; How come so many indies deliver services so brilliantly but have trouble communicating what they do?

Do you have any questions or suggestions that would enhance your BizJam experience that I may include in my presentation?

Why are Authors more admired than Sales People?

Have you ever heard a child say, "When I grow up, I want to be a salesman"? Probably not.

Why are Authors or Writers more admired than Sales People?

Probably because books and articles are usually a one way communication and the "selling process" is usually a live dialogue.

Most average people that sell a product or service are not trained or proficient in the art of sensitive communication. They usually come off as jerks who dominate meetings while trying to "sell their viewpoint" while author's write about their knowledge allowing their readers to ponder alone with no need to respond immediately or even at all.

Quality live dialogue is a more difficult art than passive writing.

What do you think?

Missing - A search and sort

We seem to be missing a search and sort feature in the individual forums. Wouldn't it be nice if we had the same capability for the individual forums that the Articles section of the Learn tab have?

Can you have FUN and make MONEY at the same time?

How to Bring the FUN Into Growing Your Business is great advice by an experienced Seattle businessman who was opening successful businesses before most Bizniks were born. I really appreciate wisdom such as this and I wanted to give the article a "10" but could not figure out how. When I click on the rate link, it errors out.

It is located on the profile of Jack Fecker. I can't seem to find it in the Learn or Articles section to make a comment on it. Never-the-less, I think everyone should read it and think of ways you can apply the same principles to your business.

Does anybody have any examples of how you have or can have more FUN while making MONEY in your business?

Can you really learn anything new from Free Seminars?

Do you really learn anything new and of value from Free Seminars?

Do you need to pay for real value, or can you glean the real educational secrets to business success from the "teaser type" Free events offered by many professionals?

I've always thought that if you go to enough Free seminars that you can eventually learn everything that you would have learned from the Paid workshops that were being promoted at those events.

What's your opinion or experience on this subject?

As I continue to test my theory, I will be hosting a Simulcast of the Microsoft Small Business Summit, Monday through Thursday, next week at My Day Office in Belltown. There will be presentations 4 hours a day (9AM - 1PM) for 4 days on Small Business Topics by reputed experts in their field, showcasing probably 50 experts sharing knowledge with everyone taking time to watch.

Please drop in to observe with me or watch some of the presentations online and then share your comments about weather you learned anything new and was the knowledge really FREE and worthwhile?

Event Photos Tab

I love the new Event Photos tab. So much so, that I will go back and add some photos from past events that I have overlooked and I will take more photos at upcoming events.

BTW... Dan: I accidentally duplicated a photo on the event Toot Your Own Horn - Online but could not remove it. That may be a bug.

If you have some past event photos to share, upload them and let us all know about them.

Live Events VS. Online Forums ?

What do you think?

I enjoy reading the online posts and it does facilitate larger geographically dispersed and time-shifting involvement.

But, for a real "networking" experience, I prefer the in-person events in which I get to know people better so that I can provide more quality referrals. The online chats can provide a great way to "stay in touch" after meeting someone in person.

Maybe I'm just "old-fashioned", but it seems to me, that quality business relationships need more "face-to-face".

What do you think? Do you know of any other ways to build business relationships?

Limousine Owners

We really need some Limo Operators in biznik. If you know of any, please let me know about them. Thanks, Howard

How do YOU get more orders for your services?

Is it through SELLING or MARKETING?

If you cannot make it to one of my Practical Success Workshops, we can discuss your viewpoints on this biztalk thread.

Selling is often considered a part of Marketing. What do you think?

I'd like to share an interesting networking opportunity ...

Periodically I attend this event which I find interesting. I always learn at least one new biztip from the experience and sometimes I even make a good connection. It's free and Anna Rodzinski has given me permission to post an invitation to other bizniks.

THE Microsoft SMALL BUSINESS SHOW.........

You’re invited to participate in a live talk show hosted by Microsoft Studios. If you are a small business owner or an entrepreneur this is an opportunity to network, ask questions and mention your idea, invention or company to an audience of over 1 million people. This talk show will feature successful small business owners who have turned a dream into their lively hood.

CALL FOR YOUR FREE TICKETS .... 206-660-4907

WHERE: Microsoft Studios 4420 148th St. NE Redmond, Washington 98052

WHEN: Friday, January 25thTH 2008 9:30 am – 12 p.m.

Thanks be giving for Biznik.....

On this day of giving thanks for all our many blessings, I want to thank Biznik for providing such a great place to meet other biz owners, especially kindred souls that telecommute or work from their homes as a soloprenuer.

We miss out on the social aspects that come from working in an office and chatting at the "water cooler". We are ultimately much more productive, but with Biznik we can still develop some lasting social and biz relationships with like-minded people.

I'll be off to the traditional Thanksgiving rituals with my wife, children, and grandchildren in just a little while. If you are like many workaholics that still mix in a little work into your daily life but would like to add a little frivolity to your day, join in with us in the "coffee break" area of biz-talk to show us your other side for a moment.

Click here for a little Biznik Fun.

But, don't forget to take a moment to reflect upon all that we have to be Thankful for this day and in our lives in general. You can post your thoughts here if you want to share.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all. .....Howard

Holiday Profile Pics

We should have a costume contest for the best (and most relevant) Holiday pics. It seems a few of the regulars have caught on to it.

Do you any secrets to successful biz networking???

I have learned a few from a nationally recognized networking expert that I would like to share at my "Greet-Eat-and Meet" lunch time Events. They are bound to increase the income of any biznik that will apply them. They are simple and usually hit us like "Why didn't I think of that?"

For those that have other idea's and suggestions who cannot attend these recuring events, please share your wisdom on this forum.

Sales Techniques - Are they necessary?

What kinds of selling methods do you use to promote your business? What seems to be most effective in your profession?

Can low-key selling work for you?

Is there a place for selling from the heart in a world full of high pressure and manipulative sales gimmicks? Can you desire to give exemplary service with integrity, care for your clients/customers, concern about the environment and your community, and still sustain your business model economically?

What do you think?

How to multiply your brain power?

For anybody familiar with the timeless book of "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, you are already familiar with his concept of a "Master Mind" group. He identifies 3 sources of knowledge:

• Infinite Intelligence
• Accumulated Experience
• Experiment and Research

I've always participated in a few different groups throughout my life which puts together 2 or more people, in a spirit of harmony, for the attainment of a common purpose. We find these like-minded people through networking opportunities like biznik. The group meets periodically to realize the purpose of the group.

A couple of "purposes" that interest me are: essentials of operating a small business and promoting the sales of your own book.

Anyone interested in these or other topics?

Are you looking for a new client?

If you are an editor, copywriter, illustrator, ezine producer, graphic designer, book printer, or associated with speaker opportunities, seek me out tonight at the Biz Night event. I am currently shopping for these services and would like to meet you.. Thank You.

Do you know the secret to successful biz networking ?

I just learned an idea from a nationally recognized networking expert that I would like to share at this week's Just Meet and Eat event. It is bound to increase the income of any biznik. It's one of those things that hits us like "Why didn't I think of that?"

For those that have idea's and suggestions who cannot attend the event, please share your wisdom on this forum.