N O R T H
A L A B A M A ' S
P R E M I E R E
MORNING A Publication of
N E T W O R K I N G
G R O U P
BREW
R.I.S.E.
NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 15 / VOLUME 2
THIS ISSUE
BUSINESS INSIGHTS
NETWORKING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIROMENT
7 TIPS FOR BUSINESS
BEST BUSINESS GROUPS TO JOIN
CONTENTS NEWS 05 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 07
EVENTS & INFO
09
RISE SPEAKER SERIES
FEATURES
FEATURE STORY
12
IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS, YOU NEET TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY
19
HOW PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
22
FACE TO FACE MARKETING IS MAKING SOME BIG MOVES
26
7 TIPS: BEST BUSINESS GROUPS TO JOIN
30
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY & YOUR REPUTATION WHEN NETWORKING ONLING
33
MANAGING DURING THE PANDEMIC
36
NETWORKING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT
40
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WEALTH
IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS, YOU NEED TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
BUSINESS INSIGHTS NETWORKING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIROMENT
7 TIPS YOU NEED
BEST BUSINESS GROUPS TO JOIN
WWW.THERISEGROUPHSV.COM
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WELATH PART 10
Regional Innovators Sustaining the Ecosystem
Contributors Dr. Steven D. Carter
Dr. Carter has extensive experience in business management and
Vicki Morris
innovation. His recent activities include consultation for a non-profit organization to develop an international strategic plan.
Demetria Horton
Dr. Steven D. Carter Demetria Horton
Rick Makrowski Wellness Advocate Rick Makowski is a Wellness Advocate and uses natural methods
Andrea Brandon
extensively. If you have questions or are interested in more EO
Vicki Morris Rick Makrowski
information, he can be reached at info@promoworkssolutions.net
Chris Grounds Chris Grounds
Jay Newkirk
Identity Management Institute
Christopher Grounds, Ph.D., CIPA, is a Certified Identity Protection
Face To Face Marketing, LLC
Advisor with the Identity Management Institute, and is the coowner of Benefits4Success with Joni Grounds, whose mission is to grow and protect individuals and small
Morning Brew is a publication of R.I.S.E. by Face To Face Marketing, LLC. We are located at 515 Sparkman Drive, HSV, AL 35816 We publish this magazine every month. We are always accepting ads for the next month's magazine, and content submissions. Email us for more information at Hello@FaceToFace-Marketing.com
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businesses. He can be reached at chris@benefits4success.com .
Andrea Brandon Face to Face Marketing Andrea is a dedicated professional skilled at her craft in coding, design, project management, and helping our clients get their message heard.
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SUSTAINING SUPPORTERS EVENT MANAGEMENT BY This event is brought to the North Alabama Entrepreneurial community by the team at Face To Face Marketing, led by Vicki Morris, president and founder. A Public Relations and Project Management firm. Want to connect with them, click the logo for a link to their website.
VENUE & ACCOMODATIONS
Invention to Innovation Center at UAH
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Accommodations for several morning events have been graciously provided by the brand new I2C Center at UAH and the wonderful team at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Click the images for a direct link to their websites.
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A MESSAGE from the
“What will I do if XX happens, what’s the contingency plan if option A doesn’t pan out, or
Publisher
We are closing out the year 2020. WOW, what a year this has been!! We have seen weird, weary, and even wonderful things develop over the course of this year. It’s all a matter of your perspective. Yes, this year has
brought
the
world
to
its
knees,
figuratively and literally. I know many people around the world have been praying for healing, for comfort, and for direction. As a global economic outlook, things have been
pretty
scary
at
times.
Small
businesses have suffered greatly, and we all know
that
small
business
fuels
the
economic backbone of any established system. But this is what we trained for!! All the scenarios we run through our minds,
what’s the alternative strategy for reaching our clients if the primary plan is inoperable?” We are all savvy professionals, and we will find a way to survive and thrive, if we keep the faith, and follow the plans. My plan, well I’m betting on our sense of community! Collectively we can get through this. We rely on one another, we support one another, and together, we will see this through to the other side. Will things look different, of course. I did an interview last month, and the host of the show presented a very well thought out analogy; “we never go back to normal, we find a new normal….”. Remember 9-11? How different are our lives since that time? Yes, we took a gut punch, but once we licked our wounds, and found our way back on our feet, we emerged with new policies and procedures to maintain our safety. We did get to carrying out our everyday responsibilities and the economy soon reflected our pivot. As we are all considering better, more efficient ways to meet the needs of our customers, my team
at
Face
To
Face
Marketing
is
also
preparing to embark on a new chapter!!! You see, I believe that by making the small business proprietor more knowledgeable about how to communicate their offer and their brand voice, we are doing our small part in building a stronger local, regional and national economy!! How are we going to do that? Check out the continuation of this in the “What’s New?" article later in this magazine.
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EVENTS & INFO Information about networking events, business seminars, and other opportunities to grow your business. Please contact event organizer for more details on tickets, dates, locations, audience.
SBDC - DIVE INTO SBA CERTIFICACTIONS Join us for this frank and realistic dive into qualifying and competing for small business set aside contract awards. The SBA All Small Mentor/Protege program and requirements are included in this complete discussion of SBA programs.. NOV 5, 2020 | 9AM - 11AM Point of Contact: Michelle Kloske (256) 824 - 6422
R.I.S.E. GOES VIRTUAL Due to the government advisory following the outbreak of COVID-19 R.I.S.E. is now being presented LIVE on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.
Catch us Friday November 13th at 9am!!
SCORE HAS COME TO HUNTSVILLE Join us for Virtual SCORE presentations THURSDAYS at 10am! SCORE is proud to have the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. They help thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses every year. Our volunteers give back to their communities and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Morning Brew Magazine
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RISE GOES VIRTUAL All RISE Events will be brought to you virtually! Tune in on our Facebook & YouTube Platforms November 13 December 11 BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR OUR 2021 SCHEDULE!
Meet our November Virtual Presenter! Be sure to like our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and stay up to date on all RISE news and events.
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ABOUT Dr. Brandon Hart Dr. Hart has a genuine love for people, and he is passionate about helping others achieve their optimal health. Your health is your greatest asset, and he has dedicated his life to providing a natural approach to health care in his community. His mission is to see lives positively transformed through principled chiropractic care. “Dr. B� graduated from Life University, which is the premier institution and world leader in chiropractic education. He is certified in advanced chiropractic techniques, which allows scientific and precise adjustments. Dr. B also has a heart to serve families during the special time of pregnancy, and he is certified in the Webster Technique. This technique balances the pelvis and reduces stress on ligaments in the abdominal region for pregnant women. Alongside his wife, Rashida Hart, Dr. B is honored to serve the Huntsville community and witness lives transformed through chiropractic care.
Mrs. Rashida Hart Rashida Hart has been serving her community as a chiropractic assistant since early 2015. Through her own health struggles, which were corrected over time by specific adjustments, Rashida found her true passion of educating others about principled Chiropractic care.
www.yourlegacyhealth.com
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY
www.facetoface-marketing.com hello@facetoface-marketing.com
If You Want to Improve Business, You Need to Promote Diversity and Inclusion By: Dr. Steven D. Carter
Inclusion and fairness in the workplace is not simply the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.
~ Alexis Herman
Diversity in the workplace means that an organization employs a diverse team of people reflective of the society in which it exists and operates. However, subconsciously we define diversity by a few social categories, such as gender, race, etc. Diversity refers to the traits and characteristics that make people unique while inclusion refers to the behaviors and social norms that ensure people feel welcome. In business, you do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems. In an increasingly connected global economy, diversity and inclusion have never been more critical in the battle for market dominance. Likewise, in government, diversity in the workplace guarantees organizational goal attainment and desired strategic outcomes. We can see diversity and inclusion promoted at the national level. Morning Brew Magazine
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"You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems." James Clear
On December 19, 2011, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13595 on women, peace, and security. The EO promotes initiatives and activities that empower and enlist women and girls to achieve international peace and security. This effort galvanized support and recognized the greater need for diversity to promote national security. Societal expectations of equality and fairness are woven into impassioned discussions spanning from the boardroom to the break room and beyond. Organizational leaders recognize the critical need to embrace the core tenets of diversity and inclusion to achieve financial goals.
These goals are the actual competitive edge necessary to thrive in the global marketplace. At its core, any organization is simply a collection of people working in cooperation with a common goal in mind. Their skills are the HOW, and the ideas they share are the WHAT. Leaders and managers fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion recognize that creative freedom runs deep into the culture’s roots. Maintaining the momentum of success exposes the “spillover effect” that diversity and inclusion have on consumers, clients, and customers.So, we see that diversity and inclusion is a cyclical process with a continuous feedback loop. theRISEgrouphsv.com
Customers, consumers, and clients alike expect products and services born from untarnished excellence. Excellence can be achieved with a workplace culture steeped in unwavering respect, transparent intentions, and unbridled freedom of creative processes. How true is it that organizational leaders are the most appropriate source for ingraining diversity and inclusion into workplace culture? Where do we begin with a topic that arguably has millions of touchpoints? With the employees, of course, without whom organizations wouldn’t exist. Poor retention, high absenteeism, and high turnover is a bellwether for an insufficient Diversity and Inclusion program. Morning Brew Magazine
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And, what employees see is what customers, consumers, and clients get.
while the response rate of black workers was 35% felt that there was racism in the workplace.
Rethinking Perspectives In August 2020, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Racial Equity. The 13 member commission was initially tasked with defining what diversity means. Much of the research upon which this commission is relying illustrates a deeply troubling trend of unconscious bias and blind spots within organizations. One such source included a recent SHRM survey that asked respondents about racism in the workplace. The study found that 7% of white workers felt that there was racism in the workplace,
Patricia Jameson, MA, CDE, SHRM-SCP, Director, Overseas Diversity, and Equity Programs at the University of Maryland Global Campus Europe, echoes this sentiment in her observation of disparate workplace perspectives. “Diversity is viewed as an opportunity or a threat depending on the lens a person is looking through.” Jameson further notes that employees can frequently get stuck in their comfort zone, “including the same ideas, the same way of working and the people we feel comfortable with.”
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Diversity in the workplace addresses our blind spots. This is a key factor in understanding the pivotal shift that needs to take place in the workplace. When we talk about a culture shift in organizations, what we are actually saying is that it is a grassroots effort. It is a call to action for executives, managers, and first-line supervisors to define diversity and inclusion, create inclusion councils, and measure success. Likewise, employees must fundamentally understand that their success is co-dependent upon leading with a perspective of diversity and inclusion more so than technical skills. How do organizations tell the story of their diversity and inclusion journey that is holistically balanced? So What Does It Mean? According to a recent report from the Harvard Business Review (HBR), organizations are incorporating diversity and inclusion efforts into core business objectives with data-driven, empirical support.
Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their business statistically outperform their peers. ~ Josh Bersin Morning Brew Magazine
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Measurement of diversity data at established, time-based intervals provides critical data that tells a “story� of impact on the organization. This offers a more controlled approach to the interpretation of data, even with the influence of environmental factors on unconscious bias and overall workplace perspectives. The workplace complaints are frequently viewed as derogatory and negative, instead of opportunities for organizational feedback and growth. Patricia Jameson acknowledges that a shift away from a threat perspective is necessary for organizations to fully access to talent pool within the workforce. The HBR report suggests that the utilization of a neutral third-party for the intake of complaints helps to neutralize unconscious bias and instead act as a support mechanism for employees. Accounting for additional variables such as biased technology and historically small sample sizes of minorities within employee populations further supports a means of empirically sound data collection and fact-based storytelling. Awareness of biases, perspectives, and a clear need for reliable diversity and inclusion data, may reveal how organizations can harness the incredible potential of creative talent within their employee populations. theRISEgrouphsv.com
JOIN US FOR
So How Do We Get There? So How Do We Get There?Diversity and inclusion is not an aspirational goal; it is an achievable goal. Organizations must create a symbiotic relationship between employees and leadership in the hiring process. A part of that process is the regular review of company diversity and inclusion policies. Diversity and inclusion are critical components of every recruitment and retention strategy. In fact, diversity and inclusion begin with a thought in boundless form, actioned by an idea, and realized by embracing a shared understanding. It is a call to action for executives, organizational leaders, and hiring officials to be mindful of their biases and take responsibility for their personal communications. Likewise, it’s the recognition that every individual can play a role in fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion.
R.I.S.E! REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE/FB
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The value proposition is in the priceless perspective of organizational leaders and managers. The call to action creates a workplace where key activities lead with respect, with the organizational mission in mind. Morning Brew Magazine
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So How Do We Get There? Workplace conversations – leaders and employees must be committed to the cultural integration of diversity and inclusion. Communication should be transparent, clear, and without bias. Personal responsibility – every employee is responsible for fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. That means leading by example and remaining mindful that every conversation is an opportunity to reinforce the individual’s creative freedom and respect. Avoid exclusionary language and behaviors.
Measure, measure, and measure again – leaders must invest in the measurement of diversity data at regular intervals and ensure that those gathering data, as well as the technology, are without bias. Councils – organizations must create Inclusion Councils as a neutral entity tasked with overseeing a diverse workforce. These councils must have executive sponsorship.
Meet the Author
Dr. Steven D. Carter HARVARD SENIOR EXECUTIVE FELLOW Morning Brew Magazine
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DR. KRESLYN KELLEY-ELLIS PRESENTS
BUILDING YOUR
POWERHOUSE MAGAZINE
www.buildingyourpowerhouse.com
FaceToFace-Marketing.com
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A STAR
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HOW PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND What if I told you that you are only worth the value of the connections you make.
That
might be a hard pill to swallow as we wrestle with the effects of a world at the mercy of a pandemic that forces us to reimagine the ways we connect
I think Jay Z said it best when he said "I'm not a businessman, I'm a business man." A businessman or businesswoman is a part of business culture. A business man or woman moves or steers the culture. They are set apart by their value to the culture rather than their place within it.
with one another. But as a business professional, associations are essential to building your brand as an individual in Corporate America. Notice, I did not say as a businessman or businesswoman, because there is a stark difference between the two and that is the brand.
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Developing your personal brand is as much about who you are and what you do as it is your connections to the players in the organization or industry you currently or aspire to influence.
By Andrea C. Brandon Face to Face Marketing, LLC
YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTH -PORTER GALE
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Why Do I Need Professional Associations? Professional associations play a vital role in building a personal brand because of the commonly identified benefits of a professional associations in three core areas: networking, education and professional development. Professional Associations provide three levels of value: to the profession in general to your organization, and to you personally
Not only do they help you build credibility in your field, joining professional associations demonstrates that you are involved in your industry and reveals that you are genuinely interested in personal and professional growth.
There are generally four types of associations that business professionals can become affiliated with. Member-Benefit Professional Associations. These organizations focus primarily on benefiting their individual members through access to physical resources, like journals and conferences. They also offer resources like peer support, networking and resume building.
Designation-Granting associations (Think CEU or PDU.) These organizations offer renewable certification for members to show their dedication to the field, after a candidate completes professional learning hours, demonstrates their knowledge of work products, passes an exam or completes a combination of these items. Certifying Bodies. Certifying bodies are organizations that issue credentials to their members once they meet set requirements. Unlike designation-granting associations, the main purpose of certifying bodies is to issue and track certifications. Applicants may need to have some education or professional experience as a prerequisite. Many certification organizations also require applicants to pass an exam and renew the credential based on guidelines.
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Professional Regulatory Bodies Professional regulatory bodies develop and maintain expectations of the industry. They follow state and federal guidelines in order to best serve the public and can exclude members if they don’t follow the established guidelines.a
Where to Begin with Professional Associations Knowing how to select the right professional organization for you is an important part of accessing the great benefits that professional organizations offer. Consider the following steps when selecting your affiliation: Determine your career goals Research your company and the larger industry Consider any necessary requirements Compare organization benefits One of the biggest perks of regular networking and establishing strong connections within professional groups is boosting your reputation and profile within your industry. Investing time and resources in professional development through associations can easily establish you as a worthy contender in your industry.
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WHAT'S NEW?
We have added a resource library to our website with resources, guides, tutorials, and checklists
Face To Face Marketing is Making Some Big Moves
every business owner needs. We have it all in one simple place that’s easy to find and really easy to access. We simply can’t let the entrepreneurial spirit fade just because we’ve got a pandemic on our hands. I just believe we owe that to our community. We are going to share our knowledge and our research skills with anyone who wants to benefit from our years of experience and education in this field. Did you know we have 4 Business Degrees, 2 Master’s Degrees and soon to be 3 Master’s degrees, and more than 30 years of combined experience among our team? We know what we’re doing, and we know how to help guide you on a path to better communicate your brand message and your unique value to your ideal customers.
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Stay tuned to our social media channels, and our emails for details on these new and exciting opportunities with the team at Face To Face Marketing!! Customized consults designed for startup budgets & established businesses Workshops and seminars designed to get you results that day! Digital courses with downloadable PDFs, videos Group
discussions
on
various
marketing
related topics Ask the experts events LOTS and LOTS of Free and valuable content to laser focus your marketing strategy That’s a lot of new and exciting opportunities we are bringing to you. We've been working very hard as a team to get all of this ready for you. Our rollout for the courses will begin this month in November. Our first course is:
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WORKSHOPS & DISCUSSION GROUPS Another really cool option we have is our open workshops and discussion groups! Every week we discuss relevant topics about social media, websites, design, photography, video, storytelling, and strategy. What to expect: Detailed discussions on topics you want to learn about, access to assets related to the topic, answers to your questions for your specific business Frequency: Weekly events 30 -45 minutes long. Each will be recorded, and available to watch when convenient. Benefit: complete access to our knowledge base without the fee associated with a done for you service Click here to receive more information about this option! https://forms.gle/r5TEXsDNkcq44XUT6 Of course, we want to know what you think about all we’re doing here at Face To Face Marketing! Send us an email and let us know your thoughts!! Even if you just wanna say hi, we’d love to hear from you!! Hello@FaceToFace-Marketing.com Sincerely, ~Vicki
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-HELEN KELLER
7 Tips
BEST BUSINESS GROUPS TO JOIN
Knowing which Business groups can benefit you most can be difficult to discern. Luckily, we have complied a list of seven business groups that offer great insight, support, and visiability.
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7 Tips
Best Business Groups to Join
When you join a business networking group it allows you an opportunity to join forces with like-minded individuals who are seeking the same goals you are. Business Groups come in all shapes and sizes. You can find one that fits with what you need, whether a business organization, a professionals association, a community service club or a contact network. Here are some of the best groups to join.
R.I.S.E.
1 1
R.I.S.E. is a free networking group, designed with a goal to help small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs network and connect with one another. We meet every other Friday morning from 9:00 am to 10:00 am via ZOOM. Our format is simple, we begin with a few opening remarks, introductions, business and community announcements, our featured presentation, and we end around 10am.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
2
Joining a professional association can be helpful in finding out the latest trends in your industry. A few great associations include HASBAT, North Alabama PR Council, WEDC, Space Club, and Energy Huntsville.
3
LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
The quality and involvement of local chamber organizations can vary from city to city, but many of them provide foundational training, professional development, and resources for local business owners. Along with networking opportunities, many local chambers of commerce bring in guest speakers and provide mentoring opportunities at affordable rates for new business owners.
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7 Tips
4
Best Business Groups to Join
SCORE This nonprofit business association has provided opportunities for small business owners to gain skills, grow their networks, and achieve their business goals. From free online learning opportunities to in-person and online mentor relationships, entrepreneurs across the country attribute their business success to the connections they’ve formed through SCORE. And best of all, IT'S FREE!
5
ROTARY CLUB INTERNATIONAL
If you value using your business to do good within your community, you may find a like-minded network in your local Rotary Club chapter. Keep in mind that the Rotary Club isn’t specifically a small business group. Rather, it focuses more on community service and leadership development. That said, while demographics and quality of Rotary Club programs can vary widely between communities, many successful small business owners cite their local Rotary Club as crucial to their own business success.
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6
ENTREPRENEURS ORGANIZATION
Through mentor relationships, online networks, and global networking events, Entrepreneurs’ Organization has cultivated a community of more than 10,000 business owners around the world who share knowledge and build their business networks through EO’s various programs. The demographics of Entrepreneurs’ Organization are vast, and each local chapter has a different set of offerings.
BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL
7
To form business connections within your immediate community, the best place to start is often your local chamber of commerce. The quality and involvement of local chamber organizations can vary from city to city, but many of them provide foundational training, professional development, and resources for local business owners
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B.Y.O.B. RADIO SHOW Be Your Own Boss
a Bi Monthly segment featuring Vicki Morris
TUNE IN
2ND SUNDAY IN DECEMBER CATCH ME ON KENNY ANDERSON'S 2ND CHANCE RADIO SHOWÂ ON 90.1FM & FB LIVE SUNDAY DECEMBER 13TH @ 2PM
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY AND YOUR REPUTATION WHEN NETWORKING ONLINE By Chris Grounds
With Covid-19 affecting how we do business, face to face networking isn’t as easy as it used to be! As well, a mask and six feet of separation definitely poses challenges for getting to know people better. Many entrepreneurs are turning to online networking platforms to conduct “one-on-one / one-tomany” meetings via Zoom, Skype, or Teams. They are also expanding their virtual “footprint” through blogs, pinterest pins, Instagram photos, and Facebook / LinkedIn pages and groups. Technology is definitely a game changer in getting your message out, but you need to be careful of how the messages are shared and controlled.
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Let’s look at two major risks that entrepreneurs take when networking via technology platforms, both of which can ruin your reputation and potentially kill your business. The first risk that entrepreneurs take is in trying to build their social network too quickly. Facebook has a 5,000 friend limit, but that doesn’t mean send out 5,000 friend requests your first week (in fact, Facebook has guards in place to limit how much you can do on a daily basis – you may get flagged as a “bot”). As well, do you get random friend requests from someone that only has “1 mutual friend”?
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Protecting your identity and your reputation can be a challenge That’s usually a sign of a fake online account. The fake account wants to “harvest” your friend list so they can create a fake account of you and make crude posts or send sales links that look like they’re coming from you. A rule of thumb I use – if they have less than 10 mutual friends, I check out their profile thoroughly before accepting. Did you know you can hide your friends list? Facebook and other platforms allow you to keep that private (and useless to hackers). The second risk that entrepreneurs often take is in assuming their friends on social media have the same views on life that they do. The trifecta of taboo topics at the dinner table used to be “politics, religion, and football”. In 2020, it’s been replaced by “politics, religion, and Covid-19”, because let’s face it – we’re just happy seeing any team playing football right now!
According to Adweek.com, in 2011, the average Facebook user didn’t personally know at least 1 in 5 of the people listed as friends, and for entrepreneurs trying to expand their network, that average is likely much higher. Not all of your prospective clients will have the same political and religious viewpoints, so don’t let your first impression be unintentionally offensive. As well, keep in mind that your entrepreneurial competition is often a mutual friend with your contacts. Protecting your identity and your reputation can be a challenge online. However, with some cautionary steps, you can grow and promote your business like a Pro!
Christopher Grounds, Ph.D., CIPA, is a Certified Identity Protection Advisor with the Identity Management Institute, and is the co-owner of Benefits4Success with Joni Grounds, whose mission is to grow and protect individuals and small businesses.
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We're Filling our Calendar for 2021 Sign Me Up!
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Join SCORE Alabama Chapters for a FREE webinar series. Business leaders share insights and strategies to help your business THRIVE!! Mentors across the state are on the call ready to answer your questions.
November 19th | 10am CST Registration is Simple | Click Here!
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This series is proudly supported by
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NOVEMBER
2020 | MORNING BREW MAGAZINE
MANAGING DURING THE PANDEMIC
JAY NEWKIRK BUSINESS CONSULTING
www.jaynewkirk.com
I had an 'aha' moment the other day when I was trying to get some things done while at my desk in my home office. I honestly didn’t feel like working and just couldn’t focus. In addition, I had a few honey-do’s and some errands I needed to run, so I just walked away from working— even though I had a lot of business activity that needed attention. I know that this is a frequent occurrence for many of us who are working, but the thought hit me that all of us are now in a new work-norm and business leaders need to step back a little and assess what we need to do to make sure we stay on track customer-wise and contract-deliverable-wise. The previous working-environment-norm was that we were physically working together and seeing our colleagues and employees regularly. In a way, we were motivated to stay focused and get our work done because we were visible.
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Managing during the Pandemic Given the distractions and challenges of working from home, we all almost need to adopt a self-starter mentality. In the case of business contract work, the project managers and eadership team members have to rethink how we make sure our teams and our employees are staying focused and getting their work done and do so in such a way that we don’t become micromanagers! So, as leaders how do we accomplish this? As I began thinking this through, I realized that if I’m going to be an effective counselor and valuable advisor, I needed to figure this out and address it during every engagement with clients and during any workshops or seminars I’m delivering.
So here are my thoughts: Investigate your state’s nonexempt employee delivery hours reporting requirements. Create a spreadsheet-map connecting any contract delivery requirements to certain employees and include a time-activation column so you remember to regularly contact those employees regarding their contract deliverable status. Use the human element strategy! Engage in encouraging phone calls or Skype interchanges from time to time with your employees. If you are employing an agile management strategy, make sure your virtual standup sprints are held every morning and take advantage of this approach to take note of how on-track deliverables and contract requirements are progressing. Given the employee and colleague separation environments, hold more frequent all-hands motivational virtual gatherings focused on how everyone is doing and recognize individuals who are handling this new work environment exceptionally well.
What’s working for you? What challenges are you facing?
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BUY A MUG SHARE PIC ON SOCIAL with you holding the mug, tag RISE and you'll be mentioned in the next magazine!!
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Business Insights
NETWORKING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT
BY VICKI MORRIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIST FOUNDER & PRESIDENT FACE TO FACE MARKETING, LLC
We aren’t doing in person networking events with 50-70 business professionals in attendance, or rather, no one should be doing these kinds of events this during this time. However, the need and benefits of quality networking are still just as important today as they were 10 months ago. However, the need and benefits of quality networking are still just as important today as they were 10 months ago. he
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
point of any networking event is to ultimately develop and build strong business relationships that can lead to possible client contracts or collaboration opportunities for your business down the road.
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There
are
navigating
several the
aspects
everyday
to
successfully
networking
event,
whether in person or online. However, one thing remains constant, you have to be a master at the elevator pitch! First things first, do you have a firm
understanding
of
the
solutions
your
company offers? Another way to look at that is, do you understand the pain points your company solves for its clients? The Elevator Pitch is the central to any successful networking event. No matter what style of networking event you are attending, your mastery of the elevator pitch can determine the success of the event for you. Here are a few important facts to understand about your elevator pitch.
Do you understand your company’s offerings, services, products and how they help customers? What pain points do you solve? What are some top clients I can share relevant stories about? Can I tell effective STORIES about how we help in 60 seconds or less?? Practice covering a few key points about your company and yourself in about 45-60 seconds. When people have to spend too many mental calories digesting what you are saying, you will be forgotten. Pick out 3-5 facts about your company and its service that you want to focus on for this event. Make the selection based on what you know about the people that will be attending. What aspects of your business will be MOST attractive to the audience in general?
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If you notice, in our list of tips on the elevator pitch, we did not say memorize your
‘speech’.
Networking
is
about
relationship building. Make sure you honor the people you encounter by giving them the authentic you. A very important fact to remember, people do business with people they know and trust. Your authentic self is the persona that will be central to building relationships. This does not happen with a ‘canned elevator pitch, that you clearly have memorized. Let your personality shine through when you discuss your offer. Do a really good job of listening to what they are telling you about themselves and the issues they face in their business. PRO TIP: Once you hear someone you are engaged in conversation with, in person or virtually, mention a particular struggle they have, or an issue they face in their business or industry, begin to
pay very close attention to what they are communicating to you. Carefully digest what you have heard, and craft your response to meet the needs they have just laid out before you. Most of this information is centered on networking during an event or following up from a previous event. There are many other forms of networking that are very important for any serious business owner to have a comfortable mastery of. Our team at Face To Face Marketing can walk you through several tips and techniques to help you master the art of networking events. Contact our office at hello@Facetoface-markeitng.com or visit our website at www.FaceToFace-Marketing.com. We can help you craft your elevator pitch points and help you develop the perfect list of points to include about your business as you plan for your next networking event.
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CHECK OUT OUR
MARKETING BACKED BY DATA
Vicki Morris
A legacy of Health & Wealth A
R.I.S.E.
ARTICLE
SERIES
WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY PART 10 BY RICK MAKOWSKI
This is the tenth in a series on Wellness, the Natural Way – Cold and Flu Season Approaches. Though all of 2020 has essentially been taken over by a virus, its again that time of year with the weather changing from warm to cool and flu season begins. How can we best prepare to weather the storm? – fine tune our immune system. The May and June articles focused on the Immune and Digestive Systems which are very interrelated, however, in an overall approach to Wellness, the adage that is most important is:
Eat your food as your medicines, otherwise, You will have to eat medicines as your food. Morning Brew Magazine
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Many Essential Oils (EOs) are essentially food. You may peel and eat an Orange, squeeze a fresh Lemon over salmon or into your iced tea, or sprinkle Cinnamon over your oatmeal or a baked sweet potato. You may put a dash of Oregano into your homemade spaghetti sauce, a little Cilantro into your salsa to give it a little kick, or Rosemary on a roast, and Clove on a ham. Other than to add a little flavor to the Thanksgiving feast, each has additional properties to benefit our health. Essential Oils (EOs) can support our emotional well-being as we manage life’s demands. Of our five senses, the sense of smell has a significant and rapid influence on our emotions. Not all EOs can be used internally or can be considered food. Many nonquality EO brands state they are not for topical or internal use; even for products such as orange and lemon. Check the labels.
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Orange – possesses stimulating and purifying qualities, making it ideal to support healthy immune system function. Wild Orange EO will energize and uplift the mind and body while purifying the air. Lemon – provides cleansing and digestive benefits and supports healthy respiratory function. It is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air and surfaces and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home. Cinnamon - supports healthy metabolic function, helps maintain a healthy immune system, and helps to regulate blood sugar. Oregano – possesses antioxidant properties and supports healthy digestion and respiratory function when ingested and helps maintain healthy immune function. Cilantro – promotes healthy digestion and supports healthy immune and nervous system functions. Rosemary - supports healthy digestion and internal organ function. Clove - contains powerful antioxidant properties and supports cardiovascular health. One drop can help clean the teeth and gums while promoting fresh breath.
A quality EO is produced in a concentrated form and from those parts of the plant that provide the best benefits. We’ve heard that for many of the fruits and vegetables we eat, there are more nutrients in the skin or peel than the actual “meat” of the fruit or vegetable, so quality EOs are produced from the optimum parts of the plant that provide therapeutic benefit. As an example of EO concentration, one would have to consume a lot of ground up cinnamon to equal the amount of potency in one Cinnamon drop of a quality EO. So, to equal the health benefit, instead of; “Would you like a little cinnamon on your baked sweet potato?”, it would look more like you have a little bit of baked sweet potato under a pile of ground cinnamon. Oatmeal tastes great with a drop of Cinnamon EO and some honey; and one can even add a drop of Fennel for taste and digestive benefits. Morning Brew Magazine
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Again, it’s important to caveat that the EO must be a pure, unadulterated, and a well-tested product, unlike most of the readily available brands in department or drug stores. The EO product should be scientifically produced from the optimum parts of the plant to maximize the therapeutic benefit and not sourced through brokers who may include nonbeneficial or “filler” parts of the plant, though is still “100% pure and natural” per the labeling. For immune support there is an EO blend consisting of Wild Orange Peel, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Leaf, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Leaf, and Rosemary Leaf /Flower. The blend of these EOs provides synergistic benefits that are greater than that of any of the individual EOs to help protect, strengthen, and respond to environmental and seasonal threats. theRISEgrouphsv.com
The synergistic effect is due to the chemistry and diversity of the combination and how the body metabolizes and processes them, though we will not get into the biochemistry lesson here. In our home we run this blend in a diffuser a good part of the day to help reduce airborne threats (germs, bacteria, virus) and help boost our immune system. This blend in a diffuser is also good to use for elderly folks or people undergoing chemotherapy as their immune systems are compromised from the treatments. We sometimes put 2-3 drops in a glass of water, or topically on the bottom of the feet (remember as a citrus based EO, put it where the “sun don’t shine” or avoid direct sunlight as it is photo-sensitive on the skin). We also use it for minor cuts and scratches. When we are feeling “under the weather”, we use a gel capsule with the blend that also adds Black Pepper for circulation, Oregano and Melissa EOs for immune system support. The blend can also be used as a natural cleaner for counter tops, and is offered in foaming hand soaps, cleaners, laundry detergents, etc. EOs are a key part of our Wellness equation as natural “foods we consume as our medicines” that can reduce the need and reliance on synthetic medicines. They can also help us cope with the challenges of cold and flu season. Though this article did not dwell on it, many EOs can be used in cooking, though only those certified for ingestion.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." -Hippocrates
This article is intended for your personal use and informational purposes only. You should consult with a physician before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine, especially if pregnant or have pre-existing health conditions. Nothing contained in this article should be considered as medical advice or diagnosis. Rick &; Betty Makowski are Wellness Advocates and use natural methods extensively.
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R.I.S.E. THANKS OUR COMMUNITY SPONSOR
Don Daniel, founder and creator of The P.I.L.L. Method International, has written a top-rated financial book and it is available now on Amazon. Mr. Daniel is a resident of Huntsville and has been in business with The PILL Method for many years. He has traveled all over the world teaching people this better way of thinking about debt cancellation.
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