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Sprout an Idea Seed
By Jim Blasingame, creator and host of "The Small Business Advocate," a weekday Radio/Internet talk show
A seed is such an interesting thing. It emerges as a soft, fleshy issue from the parent, then morphs into a dry, hardened kernel in order to withstand time and travel until the day when its purpose in life, germination, begins.
Think of it: A tiny kernel of wheat can become the staff of life. An acorn, no bigger than your thumbnail, holds the genetic code and capacity to grow into the towering organism that has become our metaphor for strength, the mighty oak tree.
When you imagine something, you sprout an idea seed. When you dream of an accomplishment, you become the parent of an idea seed. An idea seed begins as a soft and fleshy musing, then with time and travel, hardens into the kernel of a concept that is ready to germinate into what might nourish your next great idea. Or it may hold all of the inspirational code necessary to become the mighty oak-of-an-idea upon which you will build your life, your business, your future.
In his book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Chopra said, "Within every desire is the seed and mechanics for its fulfillment."
You not only have the ability to sprout an idea seed, but with desire and focus, you have the mechanism to germinate it into something useful.
Thinking of ideas as seeds helps me collect them, categorize them, and use them at the right time and for the right purpose. Like seeds, ideas aren't always ready to open up at first. And some ideas, like seeds, shouldn't be used for a while.
As you begin collecting idea seeds, create the kind of mental, fertile soil that will allow them to germinate at the right time and for the right purpose, each in its own time.
From Jim Blasingame's upcoming book, Small Business Is Like a Bunch of Bananas-You have to remove the peels to get to the good stuff!
Make the Most of Your First Impression
By Barbara Landrith, GC Promotions Advertising Agency
Everything associated with your business leaves a lasting impression. The feeling your advertising handouts leave with your clients is a very important part of your first impression. What do your promotional materials say about you? What is your client expecting to see? If your materials don't fit the image or style they are expecting, it can paint an unforgettable and sometimes damaging picture. Poor materials can sometimes hurt your business more than having no handouts at all.
Regardless of whether you had your handouts copied or printed, ask yourself, Are the copies clean and is the text easy to read? Does the piece get your attention in a positive way? We've all seen bad copy and poor printing jobs. What kind of impression did that leave you? Especially if the service you were considering was expensive.
If you have two vendors equal in all qualities except promotional materials, whom would you choose? Both had photocopied handouts one was clean, well laid out, with nice black toner; the second was sloppy, copied crooked on the page and had big patches of black on the front. Most likely, you'd pick the one with the nice materials. Quality is important.
Also, think about the impression you get from the type of paper used. How does the item feel when you pick it up? Can you see through the paper? A few cents more per sheet may be all it takes to give you a higher quality look. Just as important as dressing for success, it's the little things you do, say and give away that make a lasting impression on your potential client. Your collateral pieces speak for you even when you can't.
When planning your advertising materials, consider the image your client is expecting to see. Try to produce that look or go above it in quality. Make your first impression the best it can be. Regardless of your budget, make sure all your materials are reproduced in a clean, readable manner, are concise and to the point, represent the image or style your client is expecting to see and are reproduced on quality paper. You always want to give away something you are proud to have associated with your business. All things equal, that first impression may get you the job!
Barbara is a new member of the Scottsdale, AZ, chapter after being a member in the Monrovia, CA, chapter for 5 years. She may be reached at Barbara@gc-promotions.net.
"Small Business Advocate" is an Advocate for BNI!
Jim Blasingame, a business man and radio personality known as "The Small Business Advocate," has been very supportive of BNI and its founder Dr. Ivan Misner, conducting monthly interviews with Dr. Misner on the subject of BNI and word-of-mouth marketing. His website is www.SmallBusinessAdvocate.com. Some of the live interviews with Dr. Misner and articles he has written can be found in the archives listed.
Below is an excerpt from his website:
It's A Jungle Out There
Every morning when small business owners get out of bed and contemplate the day ahead they are like an animal in the middle of the food chain waking up in the jungle; they don't know if they are going to eat today, or be eaten.
More and more, small business owners are getting squeezed in the marketplace by:
- Banks
- Vendors
- Large customers
- Cash-flow problems
- Personnel problems
- Government regulations
- Taxes, taxes, and more taxes
- Unprecedented competitive pressures
And yet, most small business owners will tell you that their worst day as an owner is better than their best day as employees. It's true. But it can also be lonely. And it can be scary. Sometimes it's very lonely and very scary.
Information Is the Key To Small Business Success
The best way to have more good days and fewer scary ones, is to have the information you need. That's our primary goal at "The Small Business Advocate": to help you get the small business information you need-essential survival skills-so you won't enter the jungle feeling scared, uninformed, and vulnerable.
On "The Small Business Advocate Show" and at www.SmallBusinessAdvocate.com, you can listen in on conversations between small business experts who are talking about the exact subjects you have on your mind. Listen to the Live show, a Replay of the most recent show, or from one of the hundreds of searchable audio archives. You can also read what these experts have said in articles, plus link to other important small business sites. Real world information and perspectives, in real-time.
Ask Lots of Questions
Remember what you learned in school: The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. This is just as true in small business. But, sometimes these are little questions-lots of little things-too small and too many to even bother anyone else with, even if you knew whom to ask. Right? And anyway, aren't you already supposed to know all this stuff yourself?
Here's a flash: NO!
Not necessarily. But that doesn't keep you from being self-conscious about asking, does it?
At "The Small Business Advocate" we have another goal: To make it cool for small business owners and dreamers to ask questions-lots of questions. We've done our part by providing you with the experts, now you have to do your part. Ask.
By the way, did I mention that we have fun, too? It's required.
Thank you for visiting our website and listening to the show. I look forward to helping you follow your dream and accomplish your goals.
I'll see you on the radio, or on the Internet.
Jim Blasingame, "The Small Business Advocate"
www.SmallBusinessAdvocate.com
How Masters of Networking Network
Chris Cousins, one of our Michigan Directors, developed the following presentation, which he uses at his chapters to support Masters of Networking:
Ivan Misner Seminar, Master's of Networking
Learn from the past to improve the performance of the future.
- Master: An expert whose teaching is accepted by others
- Reading about business and networking, proven concepts add effectiveness to new ideas ("How to Win Friends and Influence People")
- Action Step: Reading, mentorship, attend a Member Success Program
We are all unique, but not totally different.
- Not understanding this usually renders #1 law useless; we won't be open to proven systems, and we suffer from the "We're different syndrome..."
- Sometimes pride can get in the way
- Action Step: Work with others to find a common ground, set goals
Put yourself in play.
- Get out there and make things happen-many people operate in the cave dweller mentality
- Be visible through action
- Action Step: Attend events, diversify your networks, be visible
Word of mouth is farming not hunting.
- IT TAKES TIME. Success in networking is a process not an event
- Building relationships, not conducting transactions
- TRUST and credibility, some occupations are short vs. long trust curve
- Action Plan:
- Offer to do something that builds trust and goodwill for someone without any thought of getting something in return.
- Help another businessperson develop their contact sphere
Build a success team.
- Board of directors, must have the following attributes:
- Interested in your success
- Benefits in some way from your success (satisfaction, increased contacts for them)
- Someone you have respect for, and that has achieved a success level from which they can give constructive advice
- They will be honest with you
- Positive, forward thinking
Submitted by Dan Georgevich, Executive Director, Michigan, www.bni-mi.com
Seasonal Sales Manager Minutes
Twas the night before Christmas
When all thru the house
The cabinets were so drab
They scared off the mouse!
The stockings were hung
By the chimney with care
But a new mantle was needed-
Would Santa be there?
The parents were snuggled
All safe in their bed
With visions of remodeling
Still in their heads.
When up on the rooftop
There rose such a clatter
Why it must be Santa Claus
On one of David's Ladders*
He went right to work
No time did he waste
The kitchen would be efficient
Designed with great taste.
So the family was ecstatic
And thanked Santa dear
And knew that Schroll Cabinets
Would make them happy this year!
*Another BNI member in this chapter
Submitted by Julia Lindahl, Schroll Cabinets, Inc., Rocky Mountain Business Builders Chapter, CO
Twas the night before Christmas
And all thru the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse.
So I sat on the couch
With my beautiful wife
And turned on the TV to
"It's a Wonderful Life"
In high definition
It was a beauty
So I snuggled a little closer
To my cutie
I turned on the stereo
And cranked it up
I thank the good Lord
For a bountiful cup
And if you want
Your stocking filled with joy
See Audio Visionaries
For your electronic toy!
Submitted by Chuck Barger, Audio Visionaries, Rocky Mountain Business Builders Chapter, CO
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