Lakeshore Garden Space

RYAN WALLACE, ADVISOR

“I have a list going of 9 businesses that I currently want to start,” and my wife’s jaw dropped to the floor. I then proceed to explain to my wife over the next ½ hour how I could still be a good husband, a good father, and own 9 businesses at the same time. “You’re kidding, right?” she says, the funny part was I had already convinced myself and believed it to be true. I love my wife, and try as she may, she will never understand what goes on in my head because I’m an entrepreneur.

My name is Ryan, and I’m an Entrepreneur.” There should be meetings for people like us. I’m not talking about networking meetings or chamber meetings, but a community help meeting much like AA. Everyone would stand up and say their names and admit that they have a problem. Our problems would vary from person to person and we could really relate to one another. At the end we could all recite steps to ensure that we stay focused on our current tasks lists (steps), and that we are on track to be successful husbands, fathers, and business people. It would be an amazing experience because many people of the same mind and ideals have gathered in one place for many common goals.

Let me now tell you why this Euphoria will never exist. Think of 3 entrepreneurs that you know. Can you picture them Read the rest of this entry »

TERRY MADDEN, ADVISOR

Most sales people who have been on the job for more than a few years will have stories about a problem that a customer brought them that they managed to turn into a success. Business consultants have made a cottage industry out of crisis management. Because people live by the law of forced efficiencies, we do what is the most pressing. We are constantly reacting to things as they present themselves. Crisis management strategies are a necessary part of any thriving industry for obvious reasons.

I tend to look at an important part of industry and then examine the inverse to see if there is an area that we have missed in analysis that may be a critical component of what we do. When you examine crisis management, the inverse would be success management. I have never heard this discussed and want to present some food for thought.

Let’s look at 2 examples. Acme Anvil promises delivery of a large amount of product to their best customer in 3 weeks. After 2 weeks they realize they will not make their promised delivery. I can guarantee you that, unless they are a very poor company, they will begin employing risk management strategies in their sales force based on past similar situations. Calls will be made to customers; internal discussions will be had, etc. The outcome may or may not be positive. Read the rest of this entry »

AMANDA CHOCKO, LAKESHORE ADVANTAGE

It is common knowledge that networking is one of the best ways to build your business. Why? Because people like to do business with people that they know, like and trust. Or, do business with people who are recommended to them by people that they know like and trust. Unfortunately, many people are uncomfortable with networking. I believe that this is due to three myths that are associated with networking. It is time that we debunk these myths.

Myth #1-Networking is the same as Selling

I meet so many people that get frustrated with networking events because they feel that it is a waste of their time if they do not leave with a sale or at least qualified leads. If you go to networking events expecting these results you are sure to set yourself up for failure. Networking is not selling. It is meeting people, making contacts and sharing ideas, information and resources. It is broadening your “circle of influence”. If you go to a networking event with a “prospecting” mindset, you are missing out on a lot of great opportunities.

There are all different types of contacts you can seek out while networking. When networking, think of how you may partner with people who have a similar customer base. This can take the form of teaming up on projects, sharing marketing opportunities, or contracting work to each other. Be creative on how you can leverage each others strengths and resources. Read the rest of this entry »

GUEST BLOGGER, TONY RUBLESKI

I want you to imagine that every time you create a marketing offer or message that produces Mind Capture the prospect is thinking in their mind, Why in the world should I believe a darn thing you’re saying! As I point out in live seminars and in consultations I want you to imagine that when you meet a person for the first time, especially in a sales setting, that when you’re talking about what you do that the prospect is glancing up and reading a message written on your forehead in bright red lipstick that reads:

B.S. – Prove It!

Folks, we’re an incredibly skeptical society. In relation to advertising we’re for the most part jaded, burned out and tired of hollow messages by people and organizations that all claim to be the best, provide superior service, lowest prices, blah, blah, blah.

An easy question: Would you ever plan a trip and attempt to drive the whole way with a flat tire? Absolutely not! What’s this have to do with marketing? Here’s the connection point. If we know that prospects are incredibly jaded in relation to marketing messages, what will you do differently to help overcome the mental concerns and objections they have when considering switching their buying habits or exploring a completely brand new product or service?More… Read the rest of this entry »

MARK DE ROO, ADVISOR

Is there a Bill Gates on your team? Or a Michael Jordan? Or a Joanne Rowling (author of Harry Potter books)?

Well, let me share a story from author Bennet Cerf. In 1949, J. Wiliam Stanton served as a congressman from Ohio. Being a good representative, if not a politician, Stanton offered an opportunity to bring in a new congressional colleague as the featured speaker for a fund-raising dinner sponsored by the Painesville, Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Within a couple of weeks of his offer, the good congressman received a written reply. It was a reply he didn’t expect. Here’s a portion of what it said, “We feel that this year we really need a big-name speaker who will be a drawing card. So, we’re hoping to bag the head football coach at John Carroll University. Thanks anyhow for suggesting the name of Representative John Kennedy. “

Does the term “missed opportunity” mean something or what?! But, let’s not be too harsh with the folks at the Painesville Chamber. Putting it into a contemporary context, did any of us hear the name of Barach O’Bama five years ago?

This is exactly the point. We won’t know what people may or may not be unless given the opportunity. And that’s true whether that opportunity is a fundraising dinner, a new project, or a new role.

So, do you have a potential JFK in your ranks? Perhaps, that JFK might be on your work team; or maybe in your family; or maybe even closer than that. Maybe, that person is within you.

The moral is simply this: look for the underlying potential within others and within yourself. If you even discover a smidgeon of it, draw it out. The world is waiting.

GUEST BLOGGER, TONY RUBLESKI

I’d like to share with you the powerful strategy of vertical marketing in your business or organization. To avoid any possible confusion, here’s my definition of a business vertical market:

“An identifiable group of businesses or organizations that are similar or exactly alike in relation to the products or services they deliver to the marketplace.”

To demonstrate, let’s use the example of a vertical market such as new car dealerships. You can find them and target them directly or via their local, state and national trade groups. If you get even more specific you may drill down and only be looking to reach a vertical market of local, domestic new car dealerships located within 30-miles of your business.

Why Should You Focus On Key Vertical Markets
The three primary reasons include time, better profit margins, and the power of association. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Time. It’s either your biggest ally or enemy related to your productivity and ability to serve others. By drilling down and hitting specific groups or vertical markets you save time by being able to find a list or group of similar prospects who are much more likely to have a need for your offering versus “spraying and praying” to the general market with unfocused and poorly targeted marketing messages. Think precise rifle shot marketing, versus a shotgun approach.

Better profit margins. In vertical marketing you get to choose which groups of similar prospects you want to go after. If you identify a vertical market within your business that sees greater value in your offering and produces higher profit margins, then simple math alone should tell you where to focus and direct your marketing resources. I heard it summed up best by fellow marketing guru and $5000 per hour marketing mind, Jay Abraham, a couple years ago at a live seminar in Detroit:

“There are clients who respect you and those who don’t.” Read the rest of this entry »

 AMANDA CHOCKO, LAKESHORE ADVANTAGE

In an excerpt from the Richard Florida book “Who is in Your City? How the Creative Economy is Making Where You Live the Most Important Decision in Your Life”, the author argues that Tom Friedman’s (The World is Flat) theory that in the global economy “you can innovate without having to emigrate” is false. Florida professes that “Geographic concentration encourages innovation because ideas flow more quickly when innovators, implementers, and financial backers are in constant contact. This happens because density brings such powerful productivity advantages, economies of scale, and knowledge spillovers”. Living in clusters with like-minded individuals is what is going to spur innovation.

I found this concept very encouraging because this is precisely the environment we are creating in the Lakeshore Business Garden. We have such an eclectic array of talent, expertise and most importantly, generousity. The combination of creativity, experience, openess, and giving is truly magical. I love watching how individuals comes together to team up on jobs, refer work to each other, bounce ideas, and offer their talents without hesitation. We are also blessed to have a great group of Business Advisors who are passionate about entrepreneurship and are equally generous with their time and expertise. When we all work together, the synergy, ideas and innovation that emerge can not be duplicated by sitting in front of a computer with a modem. I look forward to all of the innovation that is going to be spurred from our creative cluster right here at Lakeshore Advantage.

RYAN WALLACE, ADVISOR

If you are in the technology industry, like I am, there is really nothing worse than being labeled a “user.” The definition of a “user” can vary from one individual to the next, but it basically comes down to being someone with less than advanced computer skills and/or knowledge. I once had a client bring her monitor in and drop it off to us, “Here’s my computer”, she said. She was immediately stuck with the scarlet word “user.” You could say that this woman deserved this word to be associated with her, but what about the people that get this attached to them undeservedly? Have you ever contacted your IT firm or local computer geek, only to find out that you could have solved your issue if you would have just “Turned on your brain, before your computer.” Here are some tips the next time you feel overwhelmed by the digital world.

1. Turn on your brain - Don’t give up before you even get started. Most of the issues I deal with on a daily basis are very easy fixes. These are very intelligent people I am speaking with, and they could have figured out many of these things on their own. Small business owners can’t afford to pay an IT firm hundreds of dollars to fix every issue they encounter, especially when some simple reasoning could have fixed it. The most common issue I see is people giving-up immediately upon entering into a computer issue. I have never given up so quickly on anything like I see people do with computer issues.

2. Where do I start? -

Yourself & Your Computer may be the answer you are looking for. If you were to troubleshoot a cake recipe, as I would probably put it, I would probably backtrack my steps to find out where I went wrong. Chances are you were probably part of the reason your computer is in the state it is in, not always, but most. Thinking about what things you may have been doing when the problems started will aid in your process. Your computer also has “search” features on it for a reason, which can be quite helpful. There are many more places that can help you, but I’ll save that for a future blog post. Read the rest of this entry »