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Less than $75/hour

I've met a whole bunch of Bizniks who are charging $75 or less for their services.

What are you, nuts?! (Trying to be a little provocative here.)

Inflation this month was +5.3% versus year ago. It's the biggest jump in 17 years! It's time to take pricing, people!

If someone can't afford you at $75/hour, they need to look for someone who didn't get this Wake Up Call.

And if you say, "but that's the going rate," then I reply, "then you're not marketing yourself correctly."

Now go out there and command what you're worth!

Timed out on YouTube

Trying to upload videos, I keep getting timed out or error messages before the video completes loading.

It says it should "take a few minutes." This is taking me a few hours.

Anyone got some tricks out there?

Last Biznik you hired...

Who's the last Biznik you hired and how was your experience?

Me? I hired Tia Peterson today to upgrade my WordPress blog, update my themes, and figure out how to redirect stuff.

Worth every penny.

(Tell her I sent you.)

Delisting WordPress?

At BizJam, somebody said that Yahoo was going to stop recognizing the old, less stable versions of WordPress in search results.

I'm using Version 2.3.1 on joehageonline.com. Is that the one that will be "delisted"?

Wash me?

OK, who's the joker who wrote "Biznik or Bust!" on the passenger side of my dirty car on Thursday?

Biznik All Stars!

With slightly lower-than-expected attendance, each BizJam attendee will get more Karrie time, Chris time, and time with all your favorite Biznik all stars!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at BizJam?

Ouch!

The ABC News Consumer Comfort Index stands at -51 on its scale of +100 to -100, surpassing its previous low, -50, on Feb. 9, 1992, on the heels of the 1990-91 recession.

Ninety percent of Americans now rate the economy negatively, 81 percent call it a bad time to spend money and 55 percent say their own finances are hurting.

How you Bizniks doing out there? Is there something the Biznik community can do to help you?

Full-time Issaquah Web Marketing Manager

Let me know if you are interested in this opportunity.

For the leading innovator of authentication software for verifying users and securing digital identities. Their offering is user-centric, allowing users to be a part of the solutions. Until now, centralized digital security has focused more on prevention than enablement. User-centric security is this company's approach to enabling a more trusted Internet. It puts people, not passwords, at the center of the security equation. This is an important shift, making security more responsive to both the corporate business mission and issues of personal privacy. With more than 100 customers, the company's suite is actively used by the financial services, SaaS, BPO, government, education, retail, and manufacturing industries.

Looking for someone with very strong lead generation experience. On-line, web marketing experience is a must. We are offering a very competitive compensation package including outstanding benefits. Reports directly to the VP, Marketing and Strategy. The entire team greatly values the contributions this new team member will make. Their culture is one of mutual respect and accountability. Candidates will truly be excited about this opportunity.

How to stream video?

I'm sure there's a Biznik out there who can advise the rest of us on this.

I have a DVD and I want to take a portion of it and convert it into streaming video so I can post it on my web site?

How to do? Do I have to invest in software?

Tim Russert's death

Tim Russert's death may have been avoidable.

Read this, and seriously consider getting defibrillators for your kids' schools, your offices, and anywhere else they can save lives.

What's your positioning statement?

Share with the community: what's your positioning statement?

Remember, you need to fill in five blanks:

To whom,

The name of your brand

is the brand of what is the frame of reference

that what benefit does (brand) offer

because you why should I believe you.

Here's mine: To a Biznik indie professional, Joe Hage is the marketing strategy expert that can help you focus on the right strategies to build your business because Joe successfully helped other Biznik professionals.

RI Sales Operations Manager

An old colleague from Kraft Foods is hiring in Rhode Island.

Company: WIMCO (West Indies Management Company, Newport, RI) Job Title: Sales Operations Manager Description: Position: Sales Operations Manager in Reservations Department

Company: Wimco (West Indies Management Company), based in Newport, RI, is a travel services company making villa and hotel reservations in the Caribbean and Europe. Our client base is well-heeled, and requires very diligent customer service.

Position: This position requires a unique combination of sales management and operations management. You will be responsible for the management of the reservations agents. Your role is that of a problem-solver, coach/trainer, and manager. You will be actively involved in the activities and success of the reservations agents throughout each working day. Your goal will be to optimize their ability to help clients choose the right villa for their vacation, and to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of their response to client inquiries.

The right candidate for this position:

• Is an operations-oriented manager with strong process and system skills and a track record of successful problem-solving.

• Has 3 - 7 years of experience managing a sales force, preferably in the travel industry.

• Has a proven track record in solving problems and streamlining operations.

• Is adept and experienced at working closely with marketing, IT, and top management.

• Thrives on an active working environment

• Works well with other team members (marketing, IT, operations, management) as well as experienced salespeople

You will be responsible for:

o Sales growth, sales force incentives, and capitalization on new market opportunities

o Ensuring all leads are properly documented, sourced, and responded to in a timely fashion by all agents, in conjunction with the Reservations Manager and Director of Marketing.

o Hiring and ongoing management of on-the-floor and remote reservations agents. You will be responsible for the hiring and ongoing management of reservations agents. You will be in charge of staffing, personnel policies, team leader assignments and performance reviews. You will monitor the progress of all agents, and work with them individually to make improvements in any areas that need improvement.

o Creation and enforcement of policies. You will work to create clear-cut policies that enhance client satisfaction and employee efficiency and morale.

o You will be responsible for reinforcing and maintaining training programs, both internal training and external training (seminars, consultants, etc.) Group and individual training will include destination training, villa training, client management, processes, systems, and concierge services.

o Daily and weekly meetings. You will meet with the salespeople daily to discuss open issues and their resolution. You will create a system that measures, enforces, and rectifies all "promises kept" to customers, i.e., callback times, issue resolution satisfaction, etc. Each salesperson will be graded on this criteria, and you will work with each person individually to improve their grade.

o One-on-one coaching of the reservations agents to improve their booking rate per call, their ability to help clients choose the right villa for their vacation, and their ability to follow up with a client to either provide additional information or book the sale.

o Work with the Reservations Manager. The Reservations Manager has responsibility for ensuring that the process of making a reservation is followed properly by the Reservations Agents and Reservations Administration staff. The Reservations Agents and Reservations Admin group also reserves and manages on-location client services.

o Work with Team Leaders to make sure they are fulfilling their responsibilities and helping to resolve any issues.

o Working with agents on special cases, policies, situations.

o Direct interaction and joint project management with Marketing, IT managers, and accounting managers, to ensure that the sales department is operating at full capacity and has the resources needed to grow. You will work closely with the director of Marketing so marketing can provide support in a properly integrated manner, and all communications to the client are effective, coherent, and consistent. You will be a member of the Marketing Committee, which meets once a month.

o HR functions - including renegotiation of reservation agents contracts and annual reviews, goal-setting, and special incentives.

o Scheduling - Working with the Reservations Manager and Director of Marketing to determine the Reservation Agent villa visit travel schedules, as well as daily work schedules.

o Generation of a management-level and individual-specific reports each week, to alert management to issues/successes and to guide and incentivize the sales force. Reports will include sales lead conversion metrics, response performance, etc.

o Meeting with and reporting to top management, including the board. You will be a member of the Management Committee, which is chaired by the President, and in his absence by the Director of Marketing, who is the Vice Chairman of the Management Committee. You will issue a report quarterly in writing to the President of the status of the sales effort, and will review the issues and programs that have been the focus of activity or concern during that quarter. This report will also serve to update the Board members, so they are fully in touch with the activities in the sales area for that quarter. You will also be a member of the Budget Committee, which meets each spring and summer to identify the next year's goals and set appropriate budgets to meet those goals.

Salary: $60K - $90K base, with an incentive based on the incremental growth of top-line sales and commission income. Comprehensive benefits include a 401K program.

Please send resume and cover letter to Kristin Z...

Marketing with YouTube

Do we have any YouTube experts in the house?

I'm beginning to use it and want to customize the experience with blog-like links to websites and brochures. Is this possible?

Feel free to reply with your video links to share with the Biznik community.

$100 in 2 days

Where is everybody?

Prices to BizJam go up on Sunday! Register now and save $95!

Portland Sales Administrator needed

Portland, OR (no relocation at all – please no resumes from people not already in Portland), this could be a great one. Terrific company!!

Email Joe Hage if interested.

Key Area Of Responsibilities

Works with GM, Logistics, Marketing and Operations to resolve retail customer service complaints regarding sales and service inquiries.

Support GM on maintaining price Lists from all customers and channels.

Provide product knowledge, pricing, availability, order status, sales order details to customers.

Supports GM by Monitoring, Tracking and Managing Sales related Budgets with Finance.

Generate reports for GM to make decisions by gathering information across all functions of the organization.

Supports Brokers, Retailers and Distributors on Requests for Sales Tools, Information and Sales Materials.

Manages Customer, Broker and Distributor Key personnel database using CRM tools to assist to mailings and key contacts.

Support brokers and distributors on policies and operating procedures.

Assists GM in Preparing budgets and budget expenditures.

Supports GM, Brokers and Distributors to support Retail Sales meetings and shows.

Provide administrative support to assist GM in the sales process.

Report to executive management sales information, POS status, sales Trends and related details.

Communicate sales activity, actions and results on a daily basis to GM.

Qualifications

College degree (BA/BS preferred).

At least one year of administrative experience, preferably in sales.

Expertise in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel) and email databases.

CRM experience a distinct advantage

Must have exceptional communication and analytical skills, be flexible yet thorough and organized, and multi-task efficiently In a fast paced, team oriented environment.

Knowledge

Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in Sales.

Skills

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.

Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Work Styles/ Values

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Fair Dinkum (see gDiapers.com)

Save $95 on BizJam 2008

Dan posted a link to register for BizJam 2008.

It's on July 9 + 10 and I hope to meet many of you there. If you sign up in May, you save $95. If you even think you're going, sign up now, because he won't charge your credit card until 24 hours in advance and you can cancel for no fee.

See you there!

Free -- Microsoft COO talk

The Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University is hosting: Kevin Turner, COO of Microsoft Corporation

for a one-hour lecture and Q & A session. Prior to joining Microsoft, he spent nearly 20 years at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. For Mr. Turner's bio, please see www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/turner/default.mspx

Location: Pigott Auditorium

Parking: Both the auditorium and visitor parking lot are located by the main entrance, 901 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122.

Date: Thurs, May 22, 2008

Time: 5:30-6:30pm

Though this event is open to the public, please let us know if you plan to attend by sending an e-mail to julinsey@mac.com.

Video record and edit needed

I may need someone to videorecord a sudden cardiac arrest survivor story in the Renton area this week.

Any takers?

Portland CFO needed

A trusted friend writes:

We’re looking to add a CFO at gDiapers as the business is scaling much faster than anticipated (on track to more than double again this year; YTD at 250% of prior year). It’s a great, well capitalized business with huge potential and a terrific team.

Below is a short blurb about the Company, the future CFO, the management and investor teams (incase you share this email) and the opportunity. Please be aware the we are NOT offering relocation to Portland, OR where the company is based so we’re focused on local candidates. Cash compensation (base + bonus) is appropriate for this sized company … with significant equity in the company.

ABOUT gDIAPERS

gDiapers are the earth-friendly hybrid diaper that you can flush, home compost or toss. The ‘g’ stands for genuine, green, global, gentle, grassroots and giggle. At gDiapers we love babies and we love the planet, which is why we started a diaper company that is gentle to both. For years, there have been but two choices in diapers – cloth or disposable. That’s it. Now gDiapers offers a new earth-friendly hybrid diaper choice. gDiapers have no plastic, no elemental chlorine, no perfumes, no smell, no garbage and no guilt. In fact, gDiapers are so gentle on the earth you can even garden compost the wet ones. They’ll break down in 50 to 150 days. Founded by parents Jason and Kimberley Graham-Nye, gDiapers is committed to developing products that are gentle to babies and the planet. gDiapers is Cradle to Cradle certified (mbdc.com), which means that everything that goes into making a flushable refill is reabsorbed by the planet in a neutral or helpful way. For more information, visit www.gDiapers.com.

THE FUTURE CFO

We’re seeking a senior leader with great financial savvy – not just a financial executive. A do-er not just a manager for this company with less than $10mm in revenue and about 15 people. The following describes what we’re seeking:

· Must have medium/small company CFO experience (ideally company experience plus at least 1 small company experience)

· Cross functional business savvy not just financial exec – reporting to CEO, must be able to strategically think, analyze, and conceptualize at high levels – and can successfully interact/communicate with Board/shareholders

· Worked with PE backed business and/or led an exit

· Hands-on and can do things for him/herself, not just manage a staff – including bringing significant analytics horsepower to gDiapers and ability/desire to figure out the answer (e.g. work the spreadsheet)

· Banking/debt, financial reporting, audit and internal controls experience

· Experience in facilitation, preparation, and management of corporate budgeting/forecasting process

· Can maximize return through effective use of growth debt/capital (e.g., capital asset decisions, ROI, ROA)

· Fit with company “Fair Dinkum” philosophy and culture – this is really big even though bullet order might suggest otherwise to the uninitiated!

· Consumer products experience is helpful but not mandatory

ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

gDiapers is led by CEO Jason Graham-Nye and President Kim Graham-Nye in partnership with CPG veterans GM/Chief Customer Officer Mike Internicola (former Avalon, Celestial Seasonings, etc.), VP Operations Neal Forsthoefel (Horizon Organic, etc.) and VP Marketing Kate Bailey French (Metropolitan Group etc.). This close knit team works together bringing their expertise to building the business across all areas, not just their function. The talented extended team includes a dedicated consumer affairs team that receives rave consumer reviews as well as great web, marketing, operations/logistics and finance/accounting folks. The onsite daycare facility (and testing lab!) called The Village is staffed by 4 professionals.

ABOUT THE LEAD INVESTOR

2x Consumer Products Growth Partners brings industry expertise, contacts, connections and growth capital to emerging branded consumer products businesses. The firm invests in, and works in partnership with, founders and management of businesses capable of growing exponentially. Focus areas include businesses primarily within the $1 million to $15 million revenue range, in food, beverage, personal care, home care and pet care, particularly in the organic/natural, specialty/gourmet and ethnic sectors. Additional information is available at www.2xPartners.com including the gDiapers press release located in the news section of the website.

Other shareholders include Golden Seeds (www.GoldenSeeds.com), an angel investor group providing early stage and growth capital to women entrepreneurs across all sectors, and several sophisticated angels investors.

THE OPPORTUNITY

gDiapers has the potential to fundamentally change how babies are cared for and the impact we have on the planet (50 million disposable diapers per day go into landfills!). We’re looking for someone to be part of the core team as we’re bringing this to life!