When you meet a new business prospect or a potential client who shows interest in your business/services, how do you react? Are you able to effectively give that prospect more information without overwhelming him/her with a sales-y lecture? After giving your simple elevator speech, let your website do the talking.
“Make sure your website is attention-getting, informational, and in line with your brand standards,” said Chelsea Janke, Social Media Administrator. “You shouldn’t have to click more than three times from your homepage to find desired information. Use your website as a snapshot or representation of your business and what it has to offer, while making sure that it is also user-friendly for your clients and prospects.”
What’s your elevator speech? No, it’s not actually about elevators. What I’m asking is if you were to sum up what you do or what your business is all about in just one to two sentences (roughly the time you share with another person on an elevator), what is your key message? It might not be easy to summarize, but it’s great to be prepared for those short encounters with other people – who might be prospective clients.
Having trouble formulating your key-message speech? Here’s a tip: don’t try to include every single aspect of what makes your business great – that would be far too in-depth and excessive for an elevator speech. Instead, try to include two or three of your most important goals, maybe part of your mission statement, or just a couple of your strengths that make your business unique and successful. Whatever it is, keep it simple.
If you’re a business owner thinking that you know exactly what your key message is, can you say the same for every member of your team/company? Remember that every employee is a reflection of the company as a whole, and clients often formulate their opinions of a company based on one experience or interaction with an employee of that company. Make sure each member of your team correctly and effectively represents your business and its solidified message.
Did you know that Facebook’s privacy policy is longer than the US Constitution? (not including amendments)
“It really poses the question, ‘Do you have your own social media policy in place?’” said Chelsea Janke, Social Media Administrator at C.E.L. “If not, are you prepared to deal with the repercussions?”
C.E.L.’s Kari Logan recently returned from traveling in Delaware and Virginia with CNN International News reporter Natalie Allen and photojournalist Rich Rumppe. The crew shot video and conducted interviews with two successful Nexstar® Network member businesses for a special program entitled, Top Shops – A Nexstar Network Report.
The program with run at Nexstar’s upcoming Super Meeting in Austin Texas. Logan secured Natalie Allen to host the show. “The video segments will be produced in news story format,” said Logan.
“They will share the secrets of these successful companies.”
Kari Logan, Co-owner & Media Relations Specialist at C.E.L., is headed to Denver, Colorado to attend the Applewood Peer Group Meeting on behalf of Nexstar® Network. Logan will write an article on the event for Contractor Magazine, a leading trade publication for plumbing, heating and cooling home service contractors.
Nexstar conducts peer group meetings so members have the opportunity to see and learn from the best-run companies. Meetings are hosted by members who open their business, their books and their secrets to fellow members; owners and managers of independent plumbing, HVAC and electrical contracting companies. It’s three days of intense mentoring and participants walk away with tangible strategies that have led to documented success. Peer Group meetings set the standard and raise the bar for other professionals to live and work by.
“I’m looking forward to capturing the essence of this event within the pages of Contractor,” said Logan. “It’s always inspiring to visit the shops of successful Nexstar members with a strong commitment to mentoring and learning from other members through Nexstar’s incredible peer connections.”
It’s summer time once again, which means it’s time to enjoy the fresh air and sun. Looking for a great outdoor activity to experience with family and friends? Kari Logan, C.E.L.’s Media Specialist, has the perfect answer: Bring the garden to the table!
Entertain loved ones and enjoy summer by hosting a homegrown garden party. This past Saturday Kari was on the local NBC affiliate KARE 11 and featured items from the General Store of Minnetonka. The creative items included patio lights, decorative napkins, lighted tree branches, shatter proof wine glasses, a fire pot, ant salt and pepper shakers, and a shish kabob style “FireWire” for grillin. What about the non-breakable plates? Well, let’s just say that host Belinda Jensen was determined to make them live up to their name!
Kari also showed some tasty summer treats – including roasted vegetables and herbs and an organic chocolate cake – from the Country Cake Cupboard & Café located in Long Lake, MN. Other featured items included a cold veggie pizza from the deli at Fresh Season’s Market in Minnetonka and potted plants and herbs from Otten Brothers Nursery in Long Lake.
“It was a pleasure to introduce KARE 11 viewers to products from The General Store of Minnetonka, Otten Brothers Nursery, Country Cake Cupboard and Café and Fresh Seasons Market,” said Kari. “As the ‘entertaining maven’ on KARE 11 News Saturday, I connected the garden with the table to create a homegrown garden party. From plants to food to patio décor, the businesses I featured have it all and they dish it up with impeccable customer service. As a company passionately committed to the betterment of business, family and the community, it is rewarding to bring great people and products together to create entertaining ideas for families and friends.”
Now that you’ve heard from Kari, how can you bring your favorite recipes from the garden to the table in your backyard?
I have noticed lately that successful businesses don’t do business with other companies simply because they are the cheapest option, or because they promise to be the fastest – the quality of the work and customer service are what count. I talked to Cindy Leines, Founder and Strategist at C.E.L., about what she has seen as an example of a successful small business that she chooses to work with for those very reasons. She gave me the example of one company’s secret that begins with its founder, Joseph Reilly. Joseph “Joe” Reilly is the President of Payroll Control Systems and the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce 2010 “Entrepreneur of the Year.” So I had to ask, what do Joe and his team have that gives the company success?
Cindy was very confident in the fact that selflessness and generosity are two of Joe’s characteristics that have led to success for Payroll Control Systems, which is a leading provider of payroll, payroll tax, time & labor, and human resources solutions in the Upper Midwest. A business owner herself, Cindy is aware of the challenges that a down economy can bring. But even in hard times, Joe has never made an excuse, nor has he compromised quality of work or customer service.
“Joe is resourceful, and he’s a giver,” Cindy said. “He is always willing to go above and beyond for others, and I will continue to do business with them because of their honesty and their quality of work.”
Joe’s recent award for “Entrepreneur of the Year” proves that there is more than just a handful of people who, along with Cindy, will vouch for Joe’s character and his business. It also proves that selflessness and generosity are two things that no business owner should be without.
So what do you think leads to success for small business?
The 2009 Uptown Art Fair is around the corner and we are pressing forward to spread the word. This year’s commemorative print is set to be released to the public this Friday. As many of you know, last year we had both the commemorative print and 35W bridge collapse print. This year we are once again showing our “artitude” as we unroll the theme of A Fusion of Art, Flavor and Flair with a print that captures just that. For more information or to get a first glance of the new commemorative print this Friday morning, check out Facebook, go the Uptown Art Fair’s new blog or look at their website.
The Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience provides an opportunity to sample wines from around the country and parts of the world. It’s a reasonable way to try before you buy, so you don’t waste money on wines that don’t strike your fancy. There are also a lot of Twin Cities restaurants there, sampling their signature dishes, cheese makers sampling their cheese along with a plethora of other tasty new food items to nibble on.
This year, eight local chefs will compete for a cash prize in The Local Chef Challenge. They’ll have one hour to create something scrumptious from a pantry filled with food items, spices and other ingredients. If you like watching the food network, you’ll want to be there for the final round this Sunday.
It’s this weekend, Friday, February 28th and March 1st at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Saturday is already sold out.
