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I recently participated in a Tweet Chat regarding promotional products. Learn how social media can be combined with other media, visit Felber & Felber’s In The News
and click on the October 2009 article.
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NETWORKING: ARE YOU PAYING IT FORWARD?
Whether you are in business, hoping to get back in or find yourself somewhere in between, you need to network. The rude awaking of a lost job has jolted many people to wake up one morning (or worse yet in the middle of the night) and say “I have to start networking.” The very next realization is they may have come to the game too late. You can help.
Many who know me have heard me profess building your network at all times. In this and all economies, you need contacts. Already have the job or never lost it? I bet you are getting requests to connect with people you only knew casually. Do they want to “have coffee” or “pick your brain?”
This is your time to shine. PAY IT FORWARD. A movie of the same name exists with this plot: A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance. Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, 2000.
While I have not seen the movie (now I guess I should), I am a firm believe in the Wikipedia definition: The expression “pay it forward” is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. In contract law, typically there are two parties but there is the concept of third party beneficiaries. Pay it forward merely applies this contract law concept so that third party beneficiary be a stranger to the creditor (or obligee). More specifically, the creditor (obligee) offers the debtor (obligor) the option of “paying” the debt forward by lending it to a third person instead of paying it back to the original creditor. Debt and payments can be monetary or by good deeds. In sociology, this concept is called “generalized reciprocity” or “generalized exchange“. A related transaction, which starts with a gift instead of a loan, is alternative giving.
How can you help? Connect with job seekers and be generous with your time. Offer to introduce them to someone in your network. Have them practice their 30 second commercial with you or simply review their resume or portfolio. Informational interviews also allow you to meet great people outside of the formal job search process.
I keep getting asked why I attend these 400-700 person networking events. How can they be good for business? Do I really meet people that are interested in my business or just those lost souls looking for a job?
Do the math. I attend an event and meet 25-50 people, many searching for a position. Waste of time, right? But, it is not a matter of IF the economy will pick up, but WHEN. And, even if just one quarter of these folks get jobs, who do you think they will remember? Will they remember the people who ignored them and refused to network or the kind folks who connected with them on LinkedIn and went out of their way to help?
So, how are you Paying It Forward this week? Reach out to one friend or past colleague. Invite them to a networking event or better yet, bring them as a guest to a business networking event. Forward articles of interest and possible contacts in their field and make sure they know of all the job seeker support events.
You will see benefits; not just immediately, but years from now. Pay It Forward for better contacts in the future. Please let me know how you are helping. Post your comments. And, feel free to send me someone you think I can help.
Rob Felber
>An Interactive Workshop Series for Manufacturers
Session 4: Advertising and Public Relations
BIG GLOSSY BROCHURES
small two-color flyers
Data Sheets
Folders
Do you have have stacks of these things lying around? Well, they cost money so they must be valuable . . . right? Maybe. Then again, maybe not. The important questions are: how can you tell? and, what can you do about it?
Bring your catalogs, brochures, and advertisements and join us:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
7:30 to 9:30 AM
WIRE-Net
4855 W. 130th Street, Suite 1
Cleveland, OH 44135
Learn different advertising techniques:
display ads in trade publications
industry newsletters
business newspapers or directories
your company newsletters
your website and blog, banner ads
promotional products
Also: What is public relations as it pertains to increased sales, and how does that relate to your current and future customers? How do you get the best return on investment?
Your Coach
This workshop will be facilitated by WIRE-Net member Bruce Felber of Felber & Felber Marketing. Bruce has over 25 years of business to business marketing with a strong focus on manufacturing and industrial distribution. His firm specializes in lead generation programs utilizing direct mail, dimensional direct mail, and public relations programs.
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It is not every day that I write about a client that loves to “blow their own horn.” You might think that must be a conflict for a marketing/PR agency, but in this case that is not true.
Our client actually plays the French horn with Cleveland Brass Works, a brass quintet. I was thrilled to be at a benefit concert last night at the
Ok so what is so unusual about this? My client is a full-time general dentist. Marty Layman of Martin W. Layman DDS & Associates operates a large dental practice in
Marty has been in the practice of dentistry since 1994. Prior to the evolution of Martin W. Layman DDS and Associates in 2009, Dr. Layman had been associated with its predecessor practice since 1995, and was instrumental in the development of the Streetsboro practice in 2005.
Felber & Felber Marketing recently re-branded this practice with new logo design, brochure, profile sheets and a brand new website (www.laymandental.com).
When I asked Marty what does he like better music or dentistry he gave me this answer, “I love music and play whenever I can, but I really love the practice of dentistry and helping out others”.
This is one multi-talented person who will make you smile through music or a visit.
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An Interactive Workshop Series for Manufacturers
Fast forward your learning curve by mastering the essentials of business-to-business direct marketing. Sharpen your skills with tips and strategies for increasing response rate and saving your company money. Update your knowledge on how to prevent common and expensive mistakes.
You’ll build new skills faster. Immediately improve offers, creative, copy writing, research/testing . . . everything you do.
You’ll avoid mistakes. Even if you apply only one technique that helps you prevent a potentially major error and loss, you’ve paid for the seminar many times over.
The next session:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
7:30 to 9:30 AM
WIRE-Net
Lead Generation
Get answers to important questions it could take you years of costly trial and error to learn on your own.
There will be a second session on lead generation, being held on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.
Your Coach
These two workshops will be facilitated by WIRE-Net member
Seating is limited; register early. Contact Mari-Elen Sammon at 216.588.1440 ext 121.
>The latest edition of Marketing Dimensions, the online newsletter from Felber & Felber Marketing is now online.
From the world of marketing, public relations and beyond, we bring you stories, tips and articles that help you become a more effective business communicator.
Click here to view Summer 2009
Enjoy!
>David Crain writes a blog on entrepreneurship. I was honored recently when he asked if I would like to be interviewed. Check it out: http://www.davecrainonline.com/10-questions-with-rob-felber.html
– Rob Felber
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How much do you care about Ohio? Want to secure a vibrant workplace for your children? Improve the environment for business growth? Boost tourism while preserving natural resources?
Today I opened a very thick envelop from the Ohio Department of Development. While I am not a constant cheerleader, I do want to see our state improve. A few short weeks ago I came across the Ohio Ambassador program. I signed up, and then promptly forgot about it.
In today’s package was my very own laminated “License to Share the Ohio Story.” Even the weight of the laminate made me feel special and empowered. Not sure it will get me in the top clubs or invited to the mansion, but the subtleness prompted me to enlist your help.
So, let’s make this entry a place for everything GOOD about Ohio. The company that reads this may relocate here or simply decide to stay; and, they could be your next customer.
OH – IO
Robert Felber
Ohio Ambassador Cardholder
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I recently embarked on new phase for me in the social networking environment. I was asked to be part of a TweetChat on promotional marketing. It’s okay for those who don’t know what I am talking about, don’t be embarrassed. TweetChat is a chat room exclusive to the Twitter community where anyone could have a one-to-one or one to many chat on the same topic or interest. This particular chat takes place every Monday at 11:30 am (EDT) and is run by Ivana Taylor at DIY Marketers.
Today’s topic was on promotional marketing of which 7 basic questions were opened to the group along with many more questions. Here is a brief account of today’s chat. http://www.diymarketers.com/2009/07/13/tweet-chat-how-can-you-use-promotional-items-build-your-brand-and-your-business/
Overall it was a great experience to share thoughts, ideas and insights on how promotional items can used in your marketing plan.
If you have questions on this or related topics, email me or catch me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/BruceFelber
Bruce
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I had the pleasure last week to hear a presentation to the members of the manufacturing community during the annual WIRE-Net meeting where Arthur Anton spoke. He is the president and CEO of Swagelok Company headquartered in Solon, Ohio.
He spoke about the strength in manufacturing and how our country and the world is evolving. He encouraged us all to stay the course and look to be innovative and highly productive and to treat our employees and associates with respect and credit. One of his message points was to not stop marketing as it is the fuel for the engine and if you stop the competition will ride past you on the way up.
The one quote that made the most sense was “You can’t cost yourself on the way to profitability.” I found this so refreshing that later that day I was speaking to the CFO of PPAI in Texas and received a similar quote, “You can’t save yourself to prosperity.” Both statements echo what have said in earlier blogs and posts in that we must maintain our market share and position as it will lead to faster and stronger growth.
An interesting report: 600 industrial companies survey during the 1981-82 recession had reported, “That B to B firms that maintained or increased their expenditures during the recession averaged significantly higher sales growth both during and for the following 3 years than those that eliminate or cut. Those that maintained or increased their advertising during this period showed an average sales growth of 275% over the proceeding 5 years VS a 19% increase for those firms that cut.” – McGraw-Hill Research Laboratory of Advertising Performance , 1986.
Bruce Felber